CA2162389C - Cleats - Google Patents
Cleats Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2162389C CA2162389C CA002162389A CA2162389A CA2162389C CA 2162389 C CA2162389 C CA 2162389C CA 002162389 A CA002162389 A CA 002162389A CA 2162389 A CA2162389 A CA 2162389A CA 2162389 C CA2162389 C CA 2162389C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cleat
- body part
- fixing means
- closure part
- section
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L3/00—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets
- F16L3/08—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets substantially surrounding the pipe, cable or protective tubing
- F16L3/10—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets substantially surrounding the pipe, cable or protective tubing divided, i.e. with two or more members engaging the pipe, cable or protective tubing
- F16L3/1033—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets substantially surrounding the pipe, cable or protective tubing divided, i.e. with two or more members engaging the pipe, cable or protective tubing with two members engaging the pipe, cable or tubing, the two members being joined only on one side of the pipe
- F16L3/1041—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets substantially surrounding the pipe, cable or protective tubing divided, i.e. with two or more members engaging the pipe, cable or protective tubing with two members engaging the pipe, cable or tubing, the two members being joined only on one side of the pipe and being adapted to accommodate pipes of various diameters
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Installation Of Indoor Wiring (AREA)
- Clamps And Clips (AREA)
- Laying Of Electric Cables Or Lines Outside (AREA)
Abstract
A cleat for mounting a cable has a hook-shaped body (3) with an open cable-receiving mouth. With the cable in position the mouth of the hook shaped body is closed with a closure part (4). The inner surfaces (12, 28) of the body (3) and the closure part (4) define a ring with multiple inclined or curved portions (14, 15, 16,, 30, 31, 32) so that cables of different diameters can be clamped between the body (3) and closure part (4). The open mouth of the body (3) may face upwardly to retain the cable prior to attachment of the closure part (4).
Clips (39, 40) may be provided around the cleat to provide fall-back support for the cable in high temperature or fire conditions.
Clips (39, 40) may be provided around the cleat to provide fall-back support for the cable in high temperature or fire conditions.
Description
*VO 94/27073 21" 238" PCT/GB94/01035 CLEATS
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a cleat for use in mounting elongate articles, such as cables.
BACKGROUND ART
A known form of cable cleat, which is referred to as a hook cleat, has a main body part with a hook section defining an open mouth. In use, this part is fastened to a wall or other support structure, the cable is located within the hook section by insertion through the open mouth, and the mouth is then closed by attachment of a closure part to the main body part. The closure part has a curved closure section which forms a ring structure with the hook section which encloses and securely retains the cable.
This known kind of hook cleat is particularly simple and convenient to use because the hook section provides a temporary support for the cable during installation.
However, with the known hook cleat the hook section and the curved closure section have inner part-cylindrical surfaces which are clamped against the cable from opposite sides.
With this arrangement, depending on the relative diameters of the cable and the inner surfaces of the hook and closure sections there may only be small areas of contact with the cable so that a relatively large clamping force is required for secure retention of the cable. This may be inconvenient and also may cause damage to the cable. Also a relatively wide range of sizes of cleats may be required to accommodate different diameters of cables. Further, any difference in diameter between the cable and the inner surfaces of the clamping sections, as would be the case in practice, will cause the cable to move its position as the sections are tightened against the cable, which is inconvenient from the installation point of view and may give rise to damage.
Moreover, with the known arrangement, the main body part has the hook section depending from a fixing part. When the cleat is attached to a vertical wall surface by means of a bolt passed through the fixing part, the hook section provides a hanging temporary support for the cable during installation. This may require the use of expensive, strong materials for the hook section to withstand the imposed stresses, and with the assembled cleat the arrangement lacks security in that the cable may readily release in fire conditions due to melting of the hook section unless expensive fire resistant materials are used. Also, since the bolt is located at the top of the hook section it can interfere with easy insertion of the cable from above into the temporary support position.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved cleat with O'VO 94/27073 2162389 PCT/GB94/01035 which the aforementioned disadvantages of the known cleat or at least some of them can be overcome or at least minimised.
According to one aspect of the invention therefore there is provided a cleat for use in mounting an elongate article comprising a body part having a hook section defining an open mouth, a fixing section on the body part for attachment to a support structure, and a closure part attachable to the body part by fixing means to close the rnouth, the hook section and the closure part having shaped inner surfaces which define a ring structure to enclose and retain the elongate member, and said fixing means is operable to move the surfaces towards each other to clamp the elongate member, characterised in that at least one of said inner surfaces has multiple portions with different inclinations or curvatures.
With this arrangement it is possible to achieve secure clamping even in the case where the elongate article has a circular cross-section which is significantly smaller than the maximum cross-section of the ring structure defined between the said inner surfaces. A wide range of diameters of elongate articles can be accommodated with a relatively small number of different sizes of cleats. This is because the use of different inclinations/curvatures permits contact at multiple positions as necessary and can facilitate the application of a progressiveiy increasing powerful clamping force possibly in the manner of a wedging action. Moreover this can be achieved without undue risk of damage to the elongate member and without necessarily causing the member to shift its position as it is clamped.
Most preferably both said inner surfaces have multiple portions with different inclinations/curvatures.
The different portions may comprise a central curved portion, preferably of circular curvature, with side portions comprising tangential flat portions or curved portions of much greater diameter.
In a particularly preferred embodiment each inner surface has the aforesaid arrangement of a central curved portion and two side portions and the inner surfaces are arranged to be spaced apart at their ends at least prior to maximum movement towards each other so that essentially an 8-sided ring structure is defined.
The fixing means which moves the cleat parts towards each other is preferably arranged to act on contacting inclined sliding surfaces whereby the respective parts move towards each other with a wedge or ramp action as the surfaces are tightened against each other.
The fixing means may comprise a bolt, or threaded stud passed through aligned apertures in the fixing section of the body part and the =
closure part at one end of the hook part, and engaged with a nut on the outer side of the closure part. This bolt or stud may also be used to attach the cleat to a wall or other support structure behind the body part.
0094/27073 . 2162383 PCT/GB94/01035 There may be two pairs of engageable inclined surfaces provided respectively on opposite ends of the body part at or adjacent opposite ends of the open mouth. In this case, the inclined surfaces at the fixing section end of the body part may be longer than those at the opposite end.
The inclined surfaces may be defined by elongate rails, and each inclined surface may have a pair of such rails.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the fixing section of the body part is at a bottom end of such part and the hook section mouth is open upwardly therefrom.
Thus, and in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, which may be combined with the first aspect, there is provided a cleat for use in mounting an elongate article comprising a body part having a hook section defining an open mouth, a fixing section on the body part for attachment to a support structure, and a closure part attachable to the body part by fixing means to close the mouth, the hook section and the closure part having shaped inner surfaces which define a ring structure to enclose and retain the elongate member, and said fixing means is operable to move - the surfaces towards each other to clamp the elongate member, characterised in that said fixing section is at a bottom end of the body part and the hook section mouth is open upwardly therefrom.
With this arrangement, the body part of the cleat can be supported on an upright support structure from below at said fixing section. This means that it is not necessary to use specially strong materials for the hook section to ensure adequate strength prior to attachment of the closure part. Also it is not necessary to use specially fire resistant materials to prevent the elongate article dropping out of the assembled cleat in fire conditions.
Moreover, the upwardly open hook section mouth can be well clear of the fixing section and the fixing means whereby the elongate article can be readily dropped into position prior to attachment of the closure part.
The use of a bottom end fixing section also gives a wider range of design possibilities. In particular it is feasible and convenient to use inclined surfaces having a greater angle of inclination and therefore a better wedging or ramp action. In particular, with the prior art cleat there are inclined surfaces between a top fixing section and a depending hook section and an angle of 45 is used. Any greater angie would tend to increase the separation of the fixing and hook sections (and hence the weakness of the structure) and also could tend to obstruct entry into the hook mouth. With the present invention an angle greater than 45 , say 600 can be used without necessarily adversely affecting strength or entry into the hook mouth.
The cleat of the invention may be used to support any suitable kind of elongate article, preferably but not necessarily an electric cable.
00 94/27073 21623" 9 PCT/GB94/01035 Also, the cleat may be used on an upright support structure such as a wall, or on any other kind of support structure disposed at any angle or disposition.
The cleat may be attached, in conventional manner, to a fixing channel which may extend horizontally with the cleat hanging down, or projecting upwardly.
Multiple like cleats of the same or different size may be stacked one against another with the back of the body part of one engaging the front of the closure part of another. These parts may be provided with cooperable configurations such as elongate ridges or shoulders engageable with elongate channels or grooves.
In order to give additional strength and support, particularly with a view to retaining at least some support for the elongate articie in high temperatures or fire conditions, the cleat is preferably provided with a metal (or other fire resistant) clip attached around at least part of the surface thereof and retainingly engageable with the fixing means whereby on partial or complete failure of the body part and/or closure part of the cleat the elongate article may still be retained by the clip.
Thus and in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a cleat having two parts which can be clamped around an elongate article to hold such article relative to a fixing means attached to a supporting structure, characterised by the provision of at least one clip fitting around at least part of at least one of said parts and retainingly engageable with the fixing means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figs. 1 to 3 are side views of one form of a cleat according to the invention with parts thereof shown in different relative positions with cables of different diameters;
Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the cleat on line IV-IV of Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is a vertical section through a body part of the cleat;
Figs. 6 & 7 are views from the left and right of Fig. 5;
Fig. 8 is a vertical section through a closure part of Fig. 5; and Figs. 9 & 10 are views from the left and right of Fig. 8.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings, a cleat for use in supporting an electric cable 1 on an upright wall structure 2 is formed from two strong moulded plastics parts, a body part 3 and a closure part 4.
The body part 3 has two planar, parallel shaped vertical side walls 5 linked by integral transverse web structures defining an upper open mouthed hook section 6, and a lower fixing section 7. The body part 3 has a vertical generally planar back wall structure 8 perpendicular to the side walls 5, and an inciined front wall structure 9 essentially defined by two rails 10 (Fig.
7) at front edges of the side walls, running at about 600 to the vertical.
There is a through circular bore 11 (Figs. 6 and 7) in the transverse web structure 12 (Fig. 5) forming part of the fixing section 7 between the side walls 5.
Upwardly directed edges 12 of the side walls 5 are linked by a further transverse web structure 13 of the aforementioned open-mouthed hook section 6. This defines an upwardly directed channel which is ribbed and has three surface portions: a central part cylindrical surface portion 14 and two planar side surface portions 15, 16 extending tangentially from the central portion 14. At the bottom end of the open hook mouth one of these side portions 16 terminates in a sharp edge meeting the inclined front wall structure 9. At the top end the side portion 15 terminates in a sharp edge which leads to a short upwardly inclined wall structure 17 which is parallel to the front wall structure and is also defined by two rails 18 and a transverse web structure 19.
The closure part 4 is constructed generally in like manner to the body part 3 and also has two planar, parallel shaped vertical side walls 20 linked by integral transverse web structures defining an upper open mouthed hook WO 94/27073 . PCT/GB94/01035 shaped closure section 21 and a Iower clamping section 22.
The closure part has a vertical generally planar back wall structure 23 perpendicular to the side walls 20, and an inclined front wall structure 24 essentially defined by two rails 25 at front edges of the side walls 20, running at 60 to the vertical.
There is a through bore 26, which is vertically elongated in cross-section, in the transverse web structure 27 forming part of the clamping section between the side walls 20.
Downwardly directed edges 28 of the side walls 20 are linked by a further transverse web structure 29 of the aforementioned open mouthed closure section 21. This defines a downwardly directed channel which is ribbed and has three surface portions: a central part cylindrical surface portion 30 and two tangential planar side portions 31, 32. At the bottom end the respective side portion 32 terminates in a cut back surface leading to the inclined front wall structure 24. At the top end the side portion 31 terminates in a sharp edge which meets a short upwardly inclined wall structure 33 which is parallel to the front wall structure and is also defined by two rails 34 and a transverse web structure 35.
In use, a threaded stud 36 is fixed at one end into the vertical wall surface 2 so that the opposite threaded end of the stud extends horizontally outwardly from the wall. This stud is engaged with the hole 11 in the body *VO 94/27073 2162399 PCT/GB94/01035 ' - 11 -part 3 of the cleat so as to hold the body part 3 in position on the wall (by means of a nut 37 on the threaded stud 36) with the hook section mouth open upwardly and the body part 3 supported from below on the stud 36.
The electric cable 1 is then inserted through the open mouth of the hook section 6 so as to be temporarily supported by the cleat.
When temporary installation of the cable has been completed, the closure part 4 is fitted by engaging the elongate bore 26 with the threaded end of the stud 36. A nut 38 is then tightened against the back wall structure of the closure part 4 to move the closure part 4 towards the body part 3.
The cable 1 rests on the channel of the hook section 6 of the body part 3. The channel of the closure section 21 of the closure part 4 engages the cable 1 from above. The inclined rails 10, 25 of the two front wall structures 9, 24 engage each other, as also do the rails 18, 34 of the two upper short wall structures 17, 33. As the nut 38 is tightened, the rails slide along each other and the cable is securely clamped between the channels of the hook and closure sections.
As can be seen from Figs. 1-3 the cable 1 may be contacted at two diametrically opposed positions on its periphery if it is relatively small, or the cable may be contacted at two pairs of diametrically opposed positions if it is relatively large, and these positions, and the area of contact, will differ depending on the diameter of the cable. In each case, the cable is securely gripped over a good surface area and does not move to adjust its position as the nut is tightened. The ramp action of the 60 sliding rails facilitates secure clamping.
The cable, if relatively large is enclosed within a ring structure which is generally octagonal (Fig. 1). If it is relatively small, the ring structure becomes generally hexagonal.
Because the body part 3 is supported from below by the stud 36 it is not necessary to use specially strong materials. Also, it is not necessary to use specially fire resisting materials since the cable 1 will not readily drop out if the cleat is subjected to fire conditions.
For further strengthening and resistance to adverse fire affects, it is possible to provide metal (e.g. springy steel) clips which fit around the cleat, e.g. as shown in Fig. 2 at 39, 40. The clips 39, 40 have bores therein to allow passage of the stud 36. In the event that the cleat is partially or completely destroyed or damaged by heat or fire, the clips will give at least some residual support for the electric cable. If desired clip 39 may be omitted to leave only clip 40 as shown in Fig. 4.
The cleat described above can be used with multiple like cleats stacked one against the other to support multiple cables. In this respect as shown in Fig. 4, the body and closure parts 3, 4 have respectively pairs of OVO 94/27073 ~ ~ ~ ~ t M PCT/GB94/01035 cooperable grooves 41 and ridges 42 which interengage to locate and seat the cleats relative to each other.
It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment which are described by way of example only.
Thus although the cleat is described as being fixed to a vertical wall surface by a threaded stud it is to be understood that the cleat may be fixed in any suitable manner to any suitable structure having any suitable disposition.
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a cleat for use in mounting elongate articles, such as cables.
BACKGROUND ART
A known form of cable cleat, which is referred to as a hook cleat, has a main body part with a hook section defining an open mouth. In use, this part is fastened to a wall or other support structure, the cable is located within the hook section by insertion through the open mouth, and the mouth is then closed by attachment of a closure part to the main body part. The closure part has a curved closure section which forms a ring structure with the hook section which encloses and securely retains the cable.
This known kind of hook cleat is particularly simple and convenient to use because the hook section provides a temporary support for the cable during installation.
However, with the known hook cleat the hook section and the curved closure section have inner part-cylindrical surfaces which are clamped against the cable from opposite sides.
With this arrangement, depending on the relative diameters of the cable and the inner surfaces of the hook and closure sections there may only be small areas of contact with the cable so that a relatively large clamping force is required for secure retention of the cable. This may be inconvenient and also may cause damage to the cable. Also a relatively wide range of sizes of cleats may be required to accommodate different diameters of cables. Further, any difference in diameter between the cable and the inner surfaces of the clamping sections, as would be the case in practice, will cause the cable to move its position as the sections are tightened against the cable, which is inconvenient from the installation point of view and may give rise to damage.
Moreover, with the known arrangement, the main body part has the hook section depending from a fixing part. When the cleat is attached to a vertical wall surface by means of a bolt passed through the fixing part, the hook section provides a hanging temporary support for the cable during installation. This may require the use of expensive, strong materials for the hook section to withstand the imposed stresses, and with the assembled cleat the arrangement lacks security in that the cable may readily release in fire conditions due to melting of the hook section unless expensive fire resistant materials are used. Also, since the bolt is located at the top of the hook section it can interfere with easy insertion of the cable from above into the temporary support position.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved cleat with O'VO 94/27073 2162389 PCT/GB94/01035 which the aforementioned disadvantages of the known cleat or at least some of them can be overcome or at least minimised.
According to one aspect of the invention therefore there is provided a cleat for use in mounting an elongate article comprising a body part having a hook section defining an open mouth, a fixing section on the body part for attachment to a support structure, and a closure part attachable to the body part by fixing means to close the rnouth, the hook section and the closure part having shaped inner surfaces which define a ring structure to enclose and retain the elongate member, and said fixing means is operable to move the surfaces towards each other to clamp the elongate member, characterised in that at least one of said inner surfaces has multiple portions with different inclinations or curvatures.
With this arrangement it is possible to achieve secure clamping even in the case where the elongate article has a circular cross-section which is significantly smaller than the maximum cross-section of the ring structure defined between the said inner surfaces. A wide range of diameters of elongate articles can be accommodated with a relatively small number of different sizes of cleats. This is because the use of different inclinations/curvatures permits contact at multiple positions as necessary and can facilitate the application of a progressiveiy increasing powerful clamping force possibly in the manner of a wedging action. Moreover this can be achieved without undue risk of damage to the elongate member and without necessarily causing the member to shift its position as it is clamped.
Most preferably both said inner surfaces have multiple portions with different inclinations/curvatures.
The different portions may comprise a central curved portion, preferably of circular curvature, with side portions comprising tangential flat portions or curved portions of much greater diameter.
In a particularly preferred embodiment each inner surface has the aforesaid arrangement of a central curved portion and two side portions and the inner surfaces are arranged to be spaced apart at their ends at least prior to maximum movement towards each other so that essentially an 8-sided ring structure is defined.
The fixing means which moves the cleat parts towards each other is preferably arranged to act on contacting inclined sliding surfaces whereby the respective parts move towards each other with a wedge or ramp action as the surfaces are tightened against each other.
The fixing means may comprise a bolt, or threaded stud passed through aligned apertures in the fixing section of the body part and the =
closure part at one end of the hook part, and engaged with a nut on the outer side of the closure part. This bolt or stud may also be used to attach the cleat to a wall or other support structure behind the body part.
0094/27073 . 2162383 PCT/GB94/01035 There may be two pairs of engageable inclined surfaces provided respectively on opposite ends of the body part at or adjacent opposite ends of the open mouth. In this case, the inclined surfaces at the fixing section end of the body part may be longer than those at the opposite end.
The inclined surfaces may be defined by elongate rails, and each inclined surface may have a pair of such rails.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the fixing section of the body part is at a bottom end of such part and the hook section mouth is open upwardly therefrom.
Thus, and in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, which may be combined with the first aspect, there is provided a cleat for use in mounting an elongate article comprising a body part having a hook section defining an open mouth, a fixing section on the body part for attachment to a support structure, and a closure part attachable to the body part by fixing means to close the mouth, the hook section and the closure part having shaped inner surfaces which define a ring structure to enclose and retain the elongate member, and said fixing means is operable to move - the surfaces towards each other to clamp the elongate member, characterised in that said fixing section is at a bottom end of the body part and the hook section mouth is open upwardly therefrom.
With this arrangement, the body part of the cleat can be supported on an upright support structure from below at said fixing section. This means that it is not necessary to use specially strong materials for the hook section to ensure adequate strength prior to attachment of the closure part. Also it is not necessary to use specially fire resistant materials to prevent the elongate article dropping out of the assembled cleat in fire conditions.
Moreover, the upwardly open hook section mouth can be well clear of the fixing section and the fixing means whereby the elongate article can be readily dropped into position prior to attachment of the closure part.
The use of a bottom end fixing section also gives a wider range of design possibilities. In particular it is feasible and convenient to use inclined surfaces having a greater angle of inclination and therefore a better wedging or ramp action. In particular, with the prior art cleat there are inclined surfaces between a top fixing section and a depending hook section and an angle of 45 is used. Any greater angie would tend to increase the separation of the fixing and hook sections (and hence the weakness of the structure) and also could tend to obstruct entry into the hook mouth. With the present invention an angle greater than 45 , say 600 can be used without necessarily adversely affecting strength or entry into the hook mouth.
The cleat of the invention may be used to support any suitable kind of elongate article, preferably but not necessarily an electric cable.
00 94/27073 21623" 9 PCT/GB94/01035 Also, the cleat may be used on an upright support structure such as a wall, or on any other kind of support structure disposed at any angle or disposition.
The cleat may be attached, in conventional manner, to a fixing channel which may extend horizontally with the cleat hanging down, or projecting upwardly.
Multiple like cleats of the same or different size may be stacked one against another with the back of the body part of one engaging the front of the closure part of another. These parts may be provided with cooperable configurations such as elongate ridges or shoulders engageable with elongate channels or grooves.
In order to give additional strength and support, particularly with a view to retaining at least some support for the elongate articie in high temperatures or fire conditions, the cleat is preferably provided with a metal (or other fire resistant) clip attached around at least part of the surface thereof and retainingly engageable with the fixing means whereby on partial or complete failure of the body part and/or closure part of the cleat the elongate article may still be retained by the clip.
Thus and in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a cleat having two parts which can be clamped around an elongate article to hold such article relative to a fixing means attached to a supporting structure, characterised by the provision of at least one clip fitting around at least part of at least one of said parts and retainingly engageable with the fixing means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figs. 1 to 3 are side views of one form of a cleat according to the invention with parts thereof shown in different relative positions with cables of different diameters;
Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the cleat on line IV-IV of Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is a vertical section through a body part of the cleat;
Figs. 6 & 7 are views from the left and right of Fig. 5;
Fig. 8 is a vertical section through a closure part of Fig. 5; and Figs. 9 & 10 are views from the left and right of Fig. 8.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings, a cleat for use in supporting an electric cable 1 on an upright wall structure 2 is formed from two strong moulded plastics parts, a body part 3 and a closure part 4.
The body part 3 has two planar, parallel shaped vertical side walls 5 linked by integral transverse web structures defining an upper open mouthed hook section 6, and a lower fixing section 7. The body part 3 has a vertical generally planar back wall structure 8 perpendicular to the side walls 5, and an inciined front wall structure 9 essentially defined by two rails 10 (Fig.
7) at front edges of the side walls, running at about 600 to the vertical.
There is a through circular bore 11 (Figs. 6 and 7) in the transverse web structure 12 (Fig. 5) forming part of the fixing section 7 between the side walls 5.
Upwardly directed edges 12 of the side walls 5 are linked by a further transverse web structure 13 of the aforementioned open-mouthed hook section 6. This defines an upwardly directed channel which is ribbed and has three surface portions: a central part cylindrical surface portion 14 and two planar side surface portions 15, 16 extending tangentially from the central portion 14. At the bottom end of the open hook mouth one of these side portions 16 terminates in a sharp edge meeting the inclined front wall structure 9. At the top end the side portion 15 terminates in a sharp edge which leads to a short upwardly inclined wall structure 17 which is parallel to the front wall structure and is also defined by two rails 18 and a transverse web structure 19.
The closure part 4 is constructed generally in like manner to the body part 3 and also has two planar, parallel shaped vertical side walls 20 linked by integral transverse web structures defining an upper open mouthed hook WO 94/27073 . PCT/GB94/01035 shaped closure section 21 and a Iower clamping section 22.
The closure part has a vertical generally planar back wall structure 23 perpendicular to the side walls 20, and an inclined front wall structure 24 essentially defined by two rails 25 at front edges of the side walls 20, running at 60 to the vertical.
There is a through bore 26, which is vertically elongated in cross-section, in the transverse web structure 27 forming part of the clamping section between the side walls 20.
Downwardly directed edges 28 of the side walls 20 are linked by a further transverse web structure 29 of the aforementioned open mouthed closure section 21. This defines a downwardly directed channel which is ribbed and has three surface portions: a central part cylindrical surface portion 30 and two tangential planar side portions 31, 32. At the bottom end the respective side portion 32 terminates in a cut back surface leading to the inclined front wall structure 24. At the top end the side portion 31 terminates in a sharp edge which meets a short upwardly inclined wall structure 33 which is parallel to the front wall structure and is also defined by two rails 34 and a transverse web structure 35.
In use, a threaded stud 36 is fixed at one end into the vertical wall surface 2 so that the opposite threaded end of the stud extends horizontally outwardly from the wall. This stud is engaged with the hole 11 in the body *VO 94/27073 2162399 PCT/GB94/01035 ' - 11 -part 3 of the cleat so as to hold the body part 3 in position on the wall (by means of a nut 37 on the threaded stud 36) with the hook section mouth open upwardly and the body part 3 supported from below on the stud 36.
The electric cable 1 is then inserted through the open mouth of the hook section 6 so as to be temporarily supported by the cleat.
When temporary installation of the cable has been completed, the closure part 4 is fitted by engaging the elongate bore 26 with the threaded end of the stud 36. A nut 38 is then tightened against the back wall structure of the closure part 4 to move the closure part 4 towards the body part 3.
The cable 1 rests on the channel of the hook section 6 of the body part 3. The channel of the closure section 21 of the closure part 4 engages the cable 1 from above. The inclined rails 10, 25 of the two front wall structures 9, 24 engage each other, as also do the rails 18, 34 of the two upper short wall structures 17, 33. As the nut 38 is tightened, the rails slide along each other and the cable is securely clamped between the channels of the hook and closure sections.
As can be seen from Figs. 1-3 the cable 1 may be contacted at two diametrically opposed positions on its periphery if it is relatively small, or the cable may be contacted at two pairs of diametrically opposed positions if it is relatively large, and these positions, and the area of contact, will differ depending on the diameter of the cable. In each case, the cable is securely gripped over a good surface area and does not move to adjust its position as the nut is tightened. The ramp action of the 60 sliding rails facilitates secure clamping.
The cable, if relatively large is enclosed within a ring structure which is generally octagonal (Fig. 1). If it is relatively small, the ring structure becomes generally hexagonal.
Because the body part 3 is supported from below by the stud 36 it is not necessary to use specially strong materials. Also, it is not necessary to use specially fire resisting materials since the cable 1 will not readily drop out if the cleat is subjected to fire conditions.
For further strengthening and resistance to adverse fire affects, it is possible to provide metal (e.g. springy steel) clips which fit around the cleat, e.g. as shown in Fig. 2 at 39, 40. The clips 39, 40 have bores therein to allow passage of the stud 36. In the event that the cleat is partially or completely destroyed or damaged by heat or fire, the clips will give at least some residual support for the electric cable. If desired clip 39 may be omitted to leave only clip 40 as shown in Fig. 4.
The cleat described above can be used with multiple like cleats stacked one against the other to support multiple cables. In this respect as shown in Fig. 4, the body and closure parts 3, 4 have respectively pairs of OVO 94/27073 ~ ~ ~ ~ t M PCT/GB94/01035 cooperable grooves 41 and ridges 42 which interengage to locate and seat the cleats relative to each other.
It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment which are described by way of example only.
Thus although the cleat is described as being fixed to a vertical wall surface by a threaded stud it is to be understood that the cleat may be fixed in any suitable manner to any suitable structure having any suitable disposition.
Claims (15)
PROPERTY OF PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A cleat for use in mounting an elongate article (1) comprising a body part (3) having a hook section (6) defining an open mouth, a fixing section (7) on a bottom end region of the body part (3) having a back structure (8) adapted for attachment to a support structure (2), and a closure part (4) attachable to the body part (3) by fixing means (36) to close the mouth, the hook section (6) and the closure part (4) having shaped inner surfaces (14-16, 30-32) which define a ring structure to enclose and retain the elongate article (1), and said fixing means (36) is operable to apply a clamping force along an axis to move the surfaces towards each other to clamp the elongate article, wherein at least one of said inner surfaces has multiple portions (14-16, 30-32) with inclinations or curvatures which are different as from one to the next adjacent thereof characterised in that the body part and the closure part interengage through guide surfaces which guide movement of the parts towards each other along a movement path which is at an acute angle to said clamping axis, and the hook section mouth opens away from said back structure (2) in the direction of said path.
2. A cleat according to claim 1 characterised in that both said inner surfaces have multiple portions (14-16, 30-32) with different inclinations or curvatures.
3. A cleat according to claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the multiple portions comprise a central curved portion (14, 30) and side portions (15, 16, 31, 32) which are tangential flat portions.
4. A cleat according to claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the multiple portions comprise a central curved portion (14, 30) and side portions (15, 16, 31, 32) which are curved with a larger diameter of curvature than the central curved portion.
5. A cleat according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterised in that each inner surface has a central curved portion (14, 30) and two side portions (15, 16, 31, 32) and the inner surfaces are arranged to be spaced apart at their ends at least prior to maximum movement towards each other to define a 8-sided ring structure.
6. A cleat according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterised in that the fixing means (36) is arranged to act on contacting inclined sliding surfaces (10, 25, 18, 34) whereby the respective parts (3, 4) move towards each other with a wedge or ramp action as the surfaces are tightened against each other.
7. A cleat according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterised in that the fixing means (36) comprises a bolt or threaded stud passed through aligned apertures (11, 26) in the fixing section (7) of the body part (3) and the closure part (4) at one end of the hook part, and engaged with a nut (38) on the outer side of the closure part (6).
8. A cleat according to any one of claims 1 to 7 characterised in that there are two pairs of engageable inclined surfaces (10, 25, 18, 34) provided respectively on opposite ends of the body part (3) at or adjacent opposite ends of the open mouth.
9. A cleat according to claim 8 characterised in that the inclined surfaces (10, 25) at the fixing section end of the body part (3) are longer than those (18, 34) at the opposite end.
10. A cleat according to claim 6 characterised in that the inclined surfaces (10, 25, 18, 34) are defined by elongate rails.
11. A cleat according to claim 10 characterised in that each inclined surface (10, 25, 18, 34) has a pair of said rails.
12. A cleat according to any one of claims 1 to 11 characterised by the provision of at least one clip (39, 40) having an aperture therein, said clip (39, 40) fitting at least partially around at least one of said parts (3, 4) and being adapted to receive said fixing means (36) through said aperture so as to be retainingly engageable with the fixing means (36).
13. Multiple cleats according to any one of claims 1 to 12 when stacked one against another with the back of the body part (3) of one engaging the front of the closure part (4) of another.
14. A method of mounting an elongate article relative to an upright support structure using a cleat, said cleat comprising a body part having a hook section defining an open mouth, a fixing section on a bottom end region of the body part attached to the support structure, and a closure part attachable to the body part by fixing means to close the mouth, the hook section and the closure part having shaped inner surfaces, said fixing means being operable to apply a clamping force along an axis transversely to said upright support structure and said mouth opening upwardly away from the upright support structure and at an acute angle towards the said clamping axis, wherein the elongate article is supported on the body part within the hook section, and the said shaped inner surfaces are then moved towards each other with the fixing means to clamp the elongate article and define a ring structure which encloses and retains such article.
15. A method according to claim 14 when performed using the cleat of any one of claims 1 to 13.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9310048.5 | 1993-05-15 | ||
| GB939310048A GB9310048D0 (en) | 1993-05-15 | 1993-05-15 | Cleats |
| PCT/GB1994/001035 WO1994027073A1 (en) | 1993-05-15 | 1994-05-13 | Cleats |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2162389A1 CA2162389A1 (en) | 1994-11-24 |
| CA2162389C true CA2162389C (en) | 2007-12-11 |
Family
ID=10735555
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002162389A Expired - Fee Related CA2162389C (en) | 1993-05-15 | 1994-05-13 | Cleats |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2162389C (en) |
| GB (2) | GB9310048D0 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1994027073A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ITMI20080269A1 (en) * | 2008-02-20 | 2009-08-21 | Valore Italia S R L | PERFECT FLOATING DEVICE FOR PIPES |
| GB2478959B (en) * | 2010-03-24 | 2014-11-26 | Graphicshow Cable Accessories Gca Ltd | Clamp |
| US8801106B2 (en) | 2012-04-27 | 2014-08-12 | Joy Mm Delaware, Inc. | Cleat for joining chassis modules |
| JP2020094618A (en) * | 2018-12-12 | 2020-06-18 | ヘラマンタイトン株式会社 | Clamp tool |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE627281C (en) * | 1935-02-07 | 1936-03-12 | Schniewindt G M B H C | Two-part clamp made of insulating material for cables of different diameters |
| DE806563C (en) * | 1949-04-28 | 1951-06-14 | Franz Schneider Fa | Cable clamp |
| DE825712C (en) * | 1950-04-07 | 1951-12-20 | Jordan Paul Eltech | Two-part fastening clamp |
| GB835605A (en) * | 1957-05-30 | 1960-05-25 | London Engineers Pattern Compa | Improvements in cleats for securing and supporting cables, pipes and the like |
| DE1249372C2 (en) * | 1964-12-07 | 1968-03-21 | Fur Montage Technik Anstalt | Methods and devices for fastening cables, pipes and the like. Like. By means of one-piece or multi-part cable clamps |
| FR2540577A1 (en) * | 1983-02-09 | 1984-08-10 | Mati Jean | Means for fastening tubular sections to walls |
-
1993
- 1993-05-15 GB GB939310048A patent/GB9310048D0/en active Pending
-
1994
- 1994-05-13 WO PCT/GB1994/001035 patent/WO1994027073A1/en active Application Filing
- 1994-05-13 GB GB9522278A patent/GB2292180B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1994-05-13 CA CA002162389A patent/CA2162389C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9522278D0 (en) | 1996-01-03 |
| GB2292180B (en) | 1997-04-16 |
| WO1994027073A1 (en) | 1994-11-24 |
| GB2292180A (en) | 1996-02-14 |
| CA2162389A1 (en) | 1994-11-24 |
| GB9310048D0 (en) | 1993-06-30 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |