AU2013205908B2

AU2013205908B2 - Backing plate and electrical switch housing for use with C purlins, Z purlins and the like

Info

Publication number: AU2013205908B2
Application number: AU2013205908A
Authority: AU
Inventors: John Michael Collier
Original assignee: Ltj Innovations Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Ltj Innovations Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2012-04-04
Filing date: 2013-05-17
Publication date: 2016-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 2033-04-04
Also published as: AU2013205908A1

Abstract

A C purlin 10 with a standard insulated power cable 11 coming in to a cylindrical hollow body 12 projecting through a hole 13 to provide a cable grommet as effectively a T junction through the metal purlin. On the top side 14 of the C purlin 10 is a housing 14 which is secured at the back by screws at 15 and 16 and at the front through screw hole 17 and 18 . All this is moulded plastics so it is all insulating. The cylindrical body 12 includes an outer wall 18 which is the same or slightly smaller diameter than the hole 13 in the C purlin so that it fits into place but it has an upper collar which is of greater diameter so that it can simply slip into and hang from the hole 13 in register with the underside edge 20 of the collar sitting atop the upper side of the C purlin.

Description

BACKING PLATE AND ELECTRICAL SWITCH HOUSING FOR USE WITH C PURLINS, Z PURLINS AND THE LIKE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to a backing plate and electrical switch housing suitable for use with roll formed purlins including C purlins, Z purlins and the like whereby electrical conduit carrying power wires may be run inside the purlin and terminated at a switch or switches in a housing which is secured to the purlin. While it can be used with switches it may be used with any electrical device including sockets and other switchless assemblies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an electrical assembly securable to a C-shaped purlin having an aperture therein, an electrical conduit carrying power wires being provided at an underside of the purlin, the electrical assembly including an insulator insertable through the aperture in the purlin, and a housing adapted to locate about and in insulative contact with the insulator, the insulator including a cylindrical hollow body having a main opening and an oppositely disposed closed end, opposing sidewalls of the cylindrical hollow body each including a hole for passage of the electrical conduit, the main opening of insulator being in mateable juxtaposition with a corresponding opening in the housing such that the power wires are able to pass from the conduit through the main opening and into the housing for fitting off.

Paragraphs [0003] to [0007] have been deleted

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] In order that the present invention may be more readily understood and be put into practical effect reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:-

Figure 1 is an underside view inside a C purlin;

Figure 2 is a topside rear view of the assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a passage means of the type that can be seen from the underside view of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows an empty purlin with a hole drilled for a seat of the present invention;

Figure 5 shows the passage means located in place before the housing is located over the top of it;

Figure 6 shows the housing and backing plate located in position;

Figure 7 shows a standard GPO double switch assembly secured to the housing;

Figure 8 shows the t with its surround in place; and

Figure 9 is a half cutaway section through the assembly showing all the previously described elements in place.

METHOD OF PERFORMANCE

[0009] Referring to the drawings and initially to Figure 1 there is illustrated a C purlin 10 with a standard insulated power cable 11 coming in to a cylindrical hollow body 12 projecting through a hole 13 to provide a cable grommet as effectively a T junction through the metal purlin. On the top side 14 of the C purlin 10 is a housing 14 which is secured at the back by screws at 15 and 16 and at the front through screw hole 17 and 18 (Figures 6 and 7). All this is moulded plastics so it is all insulating.

[0010] Figure 3 illustrates the cylindrical body 12 in greater detail and it includes an outer wall 18 which is the same or slightly smaller diameter than the hole 13 in the C purlin so that it fits into place but it has an upper collar 19 which is of greater diameter so that it can simply slip into and hang from the hole 13 in register with the underside edge 20 of the collar sitting atop the upper side of the C purlin.

[0011] There are holes 21 and 22 to take the incoming conduit 23 and 24 as illustrated in Figure 1 and then the electrical wires may pass up through the main opening 25 and through the hole 13 in the C purlin and into the main body 26 of the housing 27 which is formed integrally with the backing plate 28, the housing 27 having screw sockets 29 and 30 matched to standard power points and light switches one of which is illustrated at 31 in Figure 7.

[0012] These power points or switch bodies are secured in place in the usual way and then a surround is clipped into place as illustrated in Figure 8.

[0013] As can be seen in Figure 9 once the screws are secured in place the whole assembly is secured and the corresponding opening 32 in the housing 27 is in alignment with the opening 25 and the fitting wires from the electrical cables 11 can be just stripped and made long enough so that the power switches or light switches as the case may be can be fitted off and the whole assembly locating position then finalised by securing with screws through the holes into the purlin as previously described.

[0014] Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example many variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broad ambit and scope of the invention as herein set forth, for example the invention could be used anywhere that there is a cable race and it is desirable to fit a switch or other electrical fitting in this general configuration. Thus as defined in the claims the expression purlin may be considered as referring to any support surface for an electrical fitting and is an inessential feature of the claims. In addition expressions “comprising”, “including” and “having” and the like are used in the inclusive non-exhaustive sense in that other features may be added to the claimed combination and still infringe.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An electrical assembly securable to a C-shaped purlin having an aperture therein, an electrical conduit carrying power wires being provided at an underside of the purlin, the electrical assembly including an insulator insertable through the aperture in the purlin, and a housing adapted to locate about and in insulative contact with the insulator, the insulator including a cylindrical hollow body having a main opening and an oppositely disposed closed end, opposing sidewalls of the cylindrical hollow body each including a hole for passage of the electrical conduit, the main opening of insulator being in mateable juxtaposition with a corresponding opening in the housing such that the power wires are able to pass from the conduit through the main opening and into the housing for fitting off.
2. The electrical assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing is adapted to surround the main opening, the housing having a periphery forming a backing plate and being securable to the purlin and being adapted to receive a cover plate or switch assembly in the form of a switch fitting secured to the backing plate.
3. The electrical assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the housing is moulded plastics and wherein the insulator includes an upper collar marginally larger than the aperture in the purlin, an underside edge of the collar being adapted to sit atop an upper side of the purlin. CNZ MATE AUSTRALIA PTY LTD WATERMARK PATENT AND TRADE MARKS ATTORNEYS