AU2016101580A4 - Device for handling electrical cabling - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a device for handling electrical cabling comprising a centre plate having a hole at its centre, an upright hollow section which is received and secured through the hole of the centre plate and at least one angled hollow section attachable to a side edge of the centre plate, wherein the upright hollow section and/or the at least one angled hollow section are adapted to receive at least one timber section therethrough to support one or more electrical leads or cables off the ground. 7-Z3 122i 100 20C i2 20 Figure 1

Description

TITLE

DEVICE FOR HANDLING ELECTRICAL CABLING FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the handling of electrical leads and cabling on building and construction sites. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a device for handling electrical leads and/or cabling. However, it will be appreciated that the present invention has broader application and is not limited to that particular use.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

One of the work health and safety requirements in the management of electrical hazards on construction sites is to ensure that electrical leads and cabling are not lying in mud or water or in areas where they can be damaged or become a tripping hazard. Electrical leads and cabling can become entangled, making it difficult to identify which cable is being utilised for which purpose. Preferably, the electrical cabling should be kept above head-height and should not be wrapped around scaffolds or falsework which can collapse and cause danger.

Hence, there is a need for a device that can provide handling for a number of electrical leads and/or cabling in environments such as building and construction sites.

In this specification, the terms “comprises”, “comprising” or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device for handling electrical cabling that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is a preferred object of the present invention to provide a device for handling electrical leads and/or cabling, that addresses or at least ameliorates one or more of the aforementioned problems of the prior art and/or provides consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally, embodiments of the present invention relate to a device that can provide handling for a number of electrical leads and/or cabling in environments such as building and construction sites.

According to one aspect, although not necessarily the broadest aspect, the present invention resides in a device for handling electrical cabling comprising: a centre plate having a hole at its centre; an upright hollow section which is received and secured through the hole of the centre plate; at least one angled hollow section attachable to a side edge of the centre plate; and wherein the upright hollow section and/or the at least one angled hollow section are adapted to receive at least one timber section therethrough to support one or more electrical leads or cables off the ground.

Preferably, the device comprises three angled hollow sections.

Preferably, the at least one angled hollow section is attached via welding to a side edge of the centre plate in an angled manner.

Preferably, the at least one angled hollow section is positioned such that a left end of the angled hollow section is higher than a right end of the angled hollow section.

Preferably, the upright hollow section and at least one angled hollow section are adapted to receive a timber section inserted therein, securable via at least one fastener passed through complimentary apertures in the hollow sections and timber sections, to create a tripod and elevated stand.

Suitably, a vertical timber section positioned in the upright hollow section will have at least one groove or recess or the like to receive and support one or more electrical leads or cables therein.

Further features and forms of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to identical elements. The drawings are provided by way of example only, wherein: FIG 1 shows a top plan view of a device for handling electrical cabling according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG 2 shows a sectional side view of section A-A of the device of FIG 1; and

FIG 3 shows a perspective isometric view B-B of the device of FIG 1.

Skilled addressees will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the relative dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be distorted to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to a device for handling electrical leads and/or cabling. For convenience sake, the device will be described herein as a device for use in handling a plurality of electrical leads and/or cabling in environments such as building and construction sites. However, it should be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention can be modified to suit any other suitable work environments and/or applications where electrical cabling should be kept safely off the ground. It will be appreciated that variations may need to be made as required.

Referring to Fig 1, the device 100 for handling electrical leads and/or cabling is provided in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The device 100 is in the form of a tripod cable stand knuckle. The device 100 is preferably made of steel, metal or any other suitable material. It is envisaged that the material could have a galvanised or powder coat finish. In a further embodiment, it is envisaged that the device could be coloured in a safety colour such as bright yellow or orange. It will be acknowledged that the style, shape and/or dimensions can be varied as desired in different embodiments of the present invention. The device 100 comprises a centre plate 110 which provides a structural support for the device 100. The centre plate 110 is made of, but not be limited to, a 3mm thick steel material and is hexagonal in shape wherein each side is 85mm long. The measurements given herein are by way of example only and are not to be limited to the specific values provided. It is envisaged that any other suitable shape, dimensions and/or material may be utilised.

The centre plate 110 comprises a hole 111 positioned at the centre of the plate 110. The hole 111 is rectangular such that it is adapted to receive an upright hollow section 115 of steel material therethrough. The upright hollow section is preferably an upright rectangle hollow section. Suitably, the hole 111 may be, but not be limited to, 100mm x 50mm. The dimensions of the upright hollow section 115 may be, but not be limited to, 100mm (L) x 50mm (W) x 340mm (H). Once the upright hollow section 115 is inserted through the hole 111 of the centre plate 110, the centre plate 110 is welded to the upright hollow section 115, by welding between the perimeter of the hole 111 and an external surface of the upright hollow section 115, to secure it in place at a prescribed height, as shown more clearly in FIGS 2 and 3. However, it is envisaged that any other suitable means of attachment could also be utilised to secure the centre plate 110 to the upright hollow section 115, including a height adjustable means such as notches or grooves provided on the upright hollow section 115 which the centre plate 110 can sit in.

The device 100 comprises at least one, and preferably three, angled hollow sections 120 made of steel material or any other suitable material. The angled hollow sections 120 are preferably angled rectangle hollow sections. The dimensions of the angled hollow sections 120 may be, but not be limited to, 100mm (L) x 50mm (W) x 250mm (H). The angled hollow sections 120 are secured to the centre plate 110 by welding an outer surface 123 of a long side 121 of the angled hollow section 120 to an outer side edge 112 of the centre plate 110. The angled hollow sections 120 are welded to alternate side edges 112 of the centre plate 110. The angled hollow sections 120 are welded to the centre plate 110 in an angled manner. According to an embodiment illustrated in FIGS 1 to 3, the angled hollow sections 120 are positioned such that a left end 126 of the angled hollow section 120 is higher than a right end 127 of the angled hollow section 120. As such, the left end 126 of the angled hollow section 120 will lie above the right end 127 of an adjacent angled hollow section 120 and so on around the centre plate 110. It is envisaged that the corners where adjacent angled hollow sections 120 contact one another can be tack welded for support.

The upright hollow section 115 and angled hollow sections 120 are adapted to receive timber sections 200 inserted therein to create a tripod and elevated stand. The upright hollow section 115 and angled hollow sections 120 comprise at least one aperture 150, preferably a pair of apertures 150, provided on a side 122 of the hollow sections 115, 120 adapted to receive a fastener 128 therethrough for securing the timber section within the upright hollow section 115 or angled hollow section 120. The fastener can be a screw, bolt or any other suitable fastening or securing means.

In practice, the device 100 is placed on the ground and timber sections are inserted into the upright hollow section 115 and angled hollow sections 120 to extend outwardly from the rectangle hollow sections 115, 120 of the device 100. It is envisaged that the vertical timber section positioned in the upright hollow section 115 will have at least one groove or recess 210 or the like to receive and support one or more electrical leads or cables therein. In a further embodiment of the present invention, it is envisaged that one or more fastening members may be provided to hold the electrical leads or cables in place. A number of these devices 100 may be used across a building or construction site.

Hence, the device provides a solution to the aforementioned problems of the prior art by providing a device for use in handling a plurality of electrical leads and/or cabling in environments such as building and construction sites. The device provides a reusable, portable stand to raise the electrical leads and/or cabling off the ground to comply with building safety regulations.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form or suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Persons skilled in the relevant art may realize variations from the specific embodiments that will nonetheless fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims (5)

1. The claims defining the invention are as follows:

   1. A device for handling electrical cabling comprising: a centre plate having a hole at its centre; an upright hollow section which is received through the hole of the centre plate and secured thereto; at least one angled hollow section attachable to a side edge of the centre plate; and wherein the upright hollow section and/or the at least one angled hollow section are adapted to receive at least one timber section therethrough to support one or more electrical leads or cables off the ground.
2. 2. The device for handling electrical cabling of claim 1, wherein the device comprises three angled hollow sections.
3. 3. The device for handling electrical cabling of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the at least one angled hollow section is attached via welding to a side edge of the centre plate in an angled manner.
4. 4. The device for handling electrical cabling of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one angled hollow section is positioned such that a left end of the angled hollow section is higher than a right end of the angled hollow section.
5. 5. The device for handling electrical cabling of any one of the above claims, wherein the upright hollow section and at least one angled hollow section are adapted to receive a timber section inserted therein, securable via at least one fastener passed through complimentary apertures in the hollow sections and timber sections, to create a tripod and elevated stand.