FR2790878A1 - Multi-function duct for power and communication cables and optic fibres - Google Patents

Abstract

The multi-function cable duct has two lateral side rails (1) attached solidly one to the other by transverse rails (8) and a curved bottom panel (7). A first housing (1a) is formed at the side of the rails to accept cables or conduits. A second housing (1b) at the top of the rails accepts a light fitting.

Description

Multi-function cable tray device.

  The field of the invention is that of gutter-shaped structures for supporting and guiding cables (such as for example electric cables, telephone cables, optical fiber cables, computer network cables, etc. .) or even pipes. These structures are

  conventionally called by those skilled in the art "cable trays".

  Such structures are generally produced by assembling different sections having a variable length and width depending in particular on the number of cables to be placed inside the gutter they form and the length of the path to be traveled by them. this. These cable trays are attached to load-bearing surfaces, such as walls. Columns or

posts, or ceilings.

  Conventionally, such cable trays are dedicated to the sole

cable routing.

  The objective of the present invention is to propose a device making it possible to route cables but also allowing the simultaneous installation in the same place of luminaires and possibly other accessories, such as in particular

  but not exclusively that junction boxes.

  Such a multi-function cable tray device finds particular application in the context of the installation of lighting in a road tunnel and makes it possible to reduce the difficulty of implementation by simplifying the components to be installed at the ceiling of the tunnel. The invention then consists of an assembly acting as cable tray, luminaire support, support for junction boxes or other components, beam

  freestanding, supporting architectural cladding.

  The above-mentioned objective is achieved thanks to the invention which relates to a multi-function cable tray device characterized in that it comprises at least two side rails joined to one another, at least one of said side rails having: - at least one first housing forming a trough intended to receive flexible or rigid cables or conduits; - at least one second housing intended to receive a light fixture. Preferably, said first housing is provided with holes for hanging flexible or rigid cables or conduits, or for hanging cable trays. Such conventional cable trays can be made of wire mesh welded together or of a perforated sheet or any other element capable of facilitating the hanging of electric cables by means of elements such as collars, fasteners , etc ... Such cable trays can also be welded to the longitudinal members Also according to a preferred variant of the invention, said second housing is provided in the upper part of said first housing forming a trunking. Note however that in other embodiments this second housing may be provided in the lower part of the first housing or even

laterally to this one.

  Most preferably, said second housing has

  essentially an inverted U shape.

  Advantageously, this second housing has holes on its upper face (for fixing the device to a support structure such as for example a ceiling), holes on its inner side face (for fixing the luminaire supports by any means such as pin, bolt, etc ...) and holes on its outer side face (for fixing accessories such as junction box or other). Said beams can thus be used to hang the junction boxes required to supply the luminaires. One can also imagine that accessories such as a motion detector will be attached to the side rails.

  smoke, fire protection system, etc ...

  Also, according to a preferred variant of the invention, said beams are secured to one another by crosspieces. The spars may

  however, be connected together and form a single piece in the form of a chute.

  According to another advantageous variant of the invention, said rails have means for hooking at least one decorative or protective structure. One can imagine that the beams are replaced by a chute whose

  the sides would have the shape and function of these beams.

  The external and lower parts of the longitudinal members can be fitted with systems allowing the fixing of architectural, metallic or any other material intended to give a continuous geometric appearance to the whole. Thus, preferably, said beams have means

  for hanging at least one decorative or protective structure.

  Thus, according to a variant, the device can also include consoles

  for hanging said decorative or protective structure.

  In this case, said beams advantageously include holes

  allowing the passage of sleepers to said consoles.

  The invention thus makes it possible in particular to produce a kind of longitudinal light box that can be fitted inside motorway tunnels for example, but also large volume halls such as stations, airports or

any other public or private place.

  The longitudinal members or complete assemblies with a unit length of one to several meters will be interconnected by U-shaped fishplates, flat or any other suitable shape, assembled by bolts, rivets or welding. The architectural elements which are added for the purpose of decoration can advantageously be fitted with detachable parts which are housed in the

  spar holes provided for this purpose.

  According to a variant, the device according to the invention comprises at least one

  cable tray welded to at least one of said beams.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on

  reading of the following description of a preferred embodiment of

  the invention, given by way of an indicative and nonlimiting example, and of the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 shows a sectional view of the whole of a mode of

  preferential realization of a multi-function cable tray according to the invention.

  (This cut is located at a junction box); - Figure 2 shows a partial perspective view of such a preferred embodiment of a multi-function cable tray according to the invention; - Figure 3 shows a sectional view of all of said mode of

  preferential realization of a multi-function cable tray according to the invention.

  (This section is located at the level of a luminaire).

  The invention therefore relates to a multi-function cable tray in the form of two longitudinal members 1, at least one of which has a housing provided for receiving electric cables or flexible tubes or pipes. (It is also possible to relate to these beams 1 conventional and known cable trays such as perforated cable trays, cable trays in

wires, or cable ladders).

  A sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a multi-function cable tray according to the invention is shown in Figure 1 This multi-function assembly includes two beams 1 and cross members 8 distributed over the length of fagon regular or irregular to ensure

  the spacing of the side members 1 and prevent their spillage.

  Each spar 1 has a particular shape and has a housing allowing it to receive the electrical cables and upper housing 1b in the form of an inverted U. Each spar 1 also has a protruding lower part to facilitate the attachment of a separate decorative or protective structure 5,7. The particular shape of the beams gives them a large longitudinal inertia allowing a large distance between points of attachment to the ceiling, In the housing provided for cables, it is possible to fix by any means such as welding, bolts, rivets, elements favoring the hanging of cables such as cable tray in perforated sheet, cable tray in wire, welded mesh 3, comb-shaped device, perforated angle 2. (Note that said elements can also be added elsewhere on the spar , through

  example outside of it).

  The housing 1b receives means 10 for fixing junction boxes 9 and, as shown in FIG. 3, means 12 for hooking

of luminaires 1 1.

  On the spar 1, it is also possible to add, by any means such as welding or bolts, console arms 4 which have the double function of stiffening the assembly transversely once mounted and of facilitating the installation of the decorative or protective structure by means of a profile 6, itself welded or bolted. The decorative structure 5 will itself be assembled by

  bolts or rivets on the profile 6.

  Figure 2 shows a partial exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a multifunctional cable tray device according to the invention. The spar 1 has multiple perforations necessary and advantageously placed to provide the following possibilities, namely; - oblong holes 15 (which could be of any other shape in other embodiments) on the upper face 20 of the housings 1b for fixing the assembly in the upper part. Note that it would also be possible to provide these fixing holes at another location of the side members, provided that the fixing members require it; - round holes 14 (which could be of any other shape in other embodiments) on the inner lateral face 21 of the housings 1b allowing the fixing of the luminaire supports by any means such as a pin, bolt, etc. These holes arranged regularly in the upper part of the spar allow the luminaire to be placed anywhere in the assembled assembly without having to drill; - oblong holes 16 (which could be of any other shape in other embodiments) on the external lateral face 22 of the housings 1b for the fixing of accessories such as junction box or the like in the upper part. Note that it would also be possible to provide these fixing holes at another location of the side members, provided that the fixing members require it. The oblong holes will preferably be chosen in order to allow bolting by means of a square collar or hammer head bolt which requires only one tool for tightening; - Square holes 17 (which could be of any other shape in other embodiments) to ensure the passage of the crosspieces 8 towards the consoles 4 welded opposite said holes. These holes also allow the possible attachment of the decorative or protective parts 5 and 7 by

  systems of hooks, bolts, or any other appropriate means.

  Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the whole of a mode of

  preferential realization of a multi-function cable tray according to the invention.

  This section is located at the level of a luminaire 11, itself hooked by two devices 12 coming to be housed in a part of the longitudinal members 1. The longitudinal members 1 will have holes 14, 16 regularly distributed to allow the luminaire 11 to be fixed. import o using for example pins 13 or any other

appropriate means.

  The embodiment of the invention described here is not intended to reduce the scope of the invention. It will therefore be possible to bring many

  modifications without departing from the framework thereof.

Claims (10)

  1. A multi-function cable tray device characterized in that it comprises at least two side rails (1) secured to one another, at least one of said rails having: - at least a first housing (la) forming a chute intended to receive flexible or rigid cables or conduits; - at least one second housing (lb) intended to receive a fixture. 2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that said first housing (1) is provided with holes for the attachment of cables or pipes   flexible or rigid, or for hanging cable trays.   3. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2 characterized in   that said second housing (lb) is provided in the upper part of said first housing forming chute (la).   4. Device according to claim 3 characterized in that said second   housing (lb) has essentially an inverted U shape.   5. Device according to claim 4 characterized in that said second housing (lb) has holes (15) on its upper face (20), holes (14) on its inner side face (21) and holes (16) on its outer side (22)   6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that   that said beams (1) are secured to one another by crosspieces (8).   7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that   that said beams have means for hooking at least one   decorative or protective structure (5,7).   8. Device according to claim 7 characterized in that it comprises brackets (4) for the attachment of said decorative or protective structure (5.7).   9. Device according to claims 6 and 8 characterized in that said   side rails include holes (17) allowing the passage of the crosspieces (8) to said consoles (4).   10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that it   comprises at least one cable tray welded to at least one of said beams (1).