AU601049B2 - Improvements in cable ducting - Google Patents

Description

4- FORM COMMON WLALTH OF AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1952-69 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE: eq 0 0 Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: 'ConD:ete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Frioi Py: i1~ -*~LIUj~ Rkelated Art: Name of Applicant: Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: YIAGNATEX INDUSTRIES PTY. LIMITEDI 16 NAMATJIPRA DRIVE McMASTERS BEACH N.S.W. 2250 T'7AT2RMARK PAT.: NT TIRADE~ 1ARTK ATTORNEYS SUITE 6, FLOOR 16, TOWN HALL HOUSE 456 KENT STREET, SYDNEY N.S.W. 2000.

Complete Specification for the Invention entitled: IMPROVEMENTS IN CABLE DUCTING S000 2 4 8 10/06/8 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:-

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2 This invention relates to improvements in cable ducting systems and more particularly to an under-floor cable distribution system, or a raised floor access system, or a multi-duct flooring system, for use both in new building construction and in the refurbishing of existing systems.

In recent decades, the old system in which cables were simply threaded through holes in a floor or wall has been largely superceded. Recent prior art systems have encompassed reticulated arrays of corrugated metal sheeting as well as "sculptured" multi-ducted tiles or modules, often jplastic mouldings; access is provided via a top cover board.

The above systems require a floor to be pre-levelled or floated to carpet-laying standard. Cables must be insulated, and the systems are not satisfactorily fire-proof. The plastic modules impose some limitations on weight loadings sustainable by the overlying floor, and it goes without saying that a standard module will also impose some limitation due to the constant size.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a simple, inexpensive cable ducting Ssystem in which cables require no individual insulation.

The system is multi-ducted and fully enclosed; a floor under which it is installed does not require to be pre-levelled and the system is fire resistant, highly resilient, d sound-attenuating, vermin-proof and has low heat and S electrical conductivity. The system is light in weight and thus highly suitable for use in the renovation of old buildings where structural limitations may exist.

With this object in mind, there is provided, in accordance with the present invention, a cable ducting system comprising at least one cable access trench and at least one co-operating distribution duct; the or each cable access trench having an upper portion divided lonrliiudinally into a number of cable-receiving channels, and a lower portion divided i 3--I -3longitudinally into a number of cable-receiving compartments which extend suastantially normal to said upper portion cable-receiving channels, the bottom of each channel being provided with a plurality of spaced-apart apertures communicating the channels with corresponding lo:'er portion compartments; the or each distribution duct being divided into a number of cable-receiving conduits, an end of the or each distribution duct being adapted to abut said upper portion of said cable access trench, substantially normal thereto, and to be in communication with said lower portion of the said cable access trench, so that the cable-receiving conduits are thus disposed in register with the cable-receiving compartments of the said lower portion.

Preferably, the or each cable access trench upper portion, lower portion and distribution duct are plastic extrusions, and the or each upper portion is adapted to "snap-lit" onto a co-acting lower portion; upper portions may have "snap-fit" covers while the cable access trench itself may be provided with one or more removable, access-permitting cover plates.

Ideally, each side of the or each distribution duct has an array of keying elements.

In order that the reader may gain a bitter understanding of the present invention, hereinafter will be described a preferred embodiment thereof, by way of exampld only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a transverse cross-section through an inventive cable access trench; of Figure 2 is a cross-section at right-angles to that of Figure i Figure 3 is a cross-section through an inventive distribution duct cast into a floor; Figure 4 shows abutting cable access trench and distribution duct; and Figure 5 shows how a floor may be laid-out.

4 f kL- 4 The cable access trench is ideally made of P.V.C.

and may in fact be composed of two cooperating kinds of extrusion, referenced 1 and 2 respectively; although not .7 shown in Figures 1 and 2, the extrusions may be formed so as to "snap-fit" together in a well-known manner. Upper extrusion 2, which may well be provided in lengths of, say, 2400 mm, is open-topped (or provided with a snap-fit cover) and divided longitudinally into three channels 3, 4 and ideally to house, respectively,a telephone cable, a mains power cable and data and/or fibre optics cables, all being mains input cables.

Lower extrusion 1 is also longitudinally divided into three compartments 6, 7 and 8, again for telephone, o power and data cables.

3, 4 and 5 have holes 9, 10 and 11 o at* drilled through their centre-lines at predetermined 00 intervals, communicating the channels with their corresponding lower extrusion compartments. Advantageously, the cable access trench may have a removable cover plate for access, this plate 12 being made of particle board, plastic or any other suitable material.

The invention also includes distribution ducting, as referenced 13 in Figure 3, again longitudinally divided into three conduits 14, 15 and 16 to house telephone, power and data cables respectively and again being 0::::.lengths, perhaps of 2400 mm, of P.V.C. extrusion. Extrusion 0~0000 13 may be provided with ridges, lands or tongues 17 to enable keying-in to the floor, as will be explained later.

In Figure 4, the cable access trench 1, 2 is shown in transverse cross-section, and abutting up against a length of distribution ducting 13; as will be appreciated, the mains input cables running through the channels are able to be passed downwardly through the holes, through the associated compartments in the lower extrusion and thence on into distribution ducts, as 13.

Figure 5 shows part of a floor layout; a cable <1 access trench 1, 2 runs along the floor at one side, preferably, but not necessarily, adjacent a wall 18. A plurality of distribution ducts 13 are placed at predetermined intervals substantially at right angles to the cable access trench. In use, the spacing between adjacent distribution ducts 13 may be varied according to requirement. For example, the spacing between adjacent ducts 13 may be reduced such that the ducts are more closely juxtaposed. Lead-off, or branch, cables are installed as required and their free ends brought out at suitable outlets for connection to appropriate apparatus. In Figure telephone cables are shown in dot-dash line, power cables in M chain line, and data cables in dotted Line.

o 0 ~When the cable access trench 1, 2 and the required array of distribution ducts have been laid out on *I the floor and fixed down upon it in correct positioning, 0 distribution ducts 13 are then covered with a settable o0 floor-covering/levelling composition, referenced 19 in Figure 3.

o After the composition has set or "cured", the 0000 levelled floor may be coated with some suitable waterproof paint or other surface coating composition. Advantageously, S the position of each duct, beneath the floor-covering/levelling composition is arranged to be identifiable by means of stencilling or otherwise marking o -the duct locations on the floor's surface. The completed o floor may then be covered with carpeting in the usual way.

To gain access at a future date, the carpeting is taken up, the appropriate duct identified by the stencil or other mark pattern, and access obandby drilling down into the duct.

While any settable flooring composition is employable, that composition known as 'MAGNATEX' is preferred, because of its light weight and other known desirable properties.

This composition comprises a mixture of magnesium oxide magnesium chloride with sawdust or other suitable r r: ii particulate filter. A preferred formula might be:- Selected kiln-dried sawdust 110 litres (volume) Magnesium oxide 22 kg (weight) Magnesium chloride 25 kg (weight) The quality and moisture content of the sawdust is of importance, otherwise the floor may break up, or become chalky and eventually crumble. The abovenoted three-component mix may be replaced by a two-component mix if a pre-mix of the magnesium chloride and the sawdust is prepared. On site, the components are well blended, the appropriate amount of water is added and mixed in, the resulting composition is applied to the laid-out floor and allowed to set or "cure".

The composition can be laid to any thickness, down to a feathered edge, and is substantially only one third the weight of an equal volume of cement.

While the invention has been described in terms of under-floor ducting, it will be clear that the same system might well be used for ducting solid, supporting vertical walls.

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4 i ii From the abovegoing, the person skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous modifications and variations may be made to the invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof as defined in the following claims.

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Claims (9)

1. A cable ducting system comprising at least one cable access trench and at least one co-operating distribution duct; the or each cable access trench having an upper portion divided longitudinally into a number of cable-receiving channels, and a lower portion divided longitudinally into a number of cable-receiving compartments which extend substantially normal to the said upper portion cable-receiving channels, the bottom of each channel being provided with a plurality of spaced-apart apertures which communicate the said channels with corresponding lower portion compartments; the or each distribution duct being divided into a number of cable-receiving conduits, an end of the or each distribution duct being adapted to abut said upper portion of said cable access trench, substantially normal thereto, and ito be in communication with said lower portion of the said cable access trench, so that said cable-receiving conduits are thus disposed in register with the cable-receiving compartments of the said lower portion.

2. The cable ducting system as claimed in Claim 1, whereinthoreccalacestecupepotoher ~h reach cable access trench upper portion, the or c distribution duct are plastic extrusions.

3. The cable ducting system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the or each cable access trench upper portion is adapted to "snap-fit" onto a co-acting cable access trench lower portion.

4. The cable ducting system as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the or each cable access trench upper portion is provided with a cover adapted to "snap-fit" thereon.

S. The cable ducting system as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the or each cable access trench is provided with one or more removable, access-permitting cover plates. a F

6. The cable ducting system as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the or each distribution duct has, on each side thereof, an array of keying elements.

7. The cable ducting system as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the or each distribution duct is, subsequent to being affixed in desired positioning, embedded in a settable flooring composition.

8. The cable ducting system as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the location of the or each distribution duct is identified by indicia on the surface of the settable flooring composition.

9. The cable ducting system as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the or each cable access trench upper portion, the or each cable access trench lower portion, and the or each distribution duct are divided longitudinally into three cable-receiving channels, compartments and conduits, respectively. A cable ducting system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. M." I-V Dated this 8th day of June 1988. r I I. rce t MAGNATEX INDUSTRIES PTY. LIMITED Patent Attorney: P. L. PEARSON i WATERMARK Patent Trade Mark Attorney;: SYDNEY i i