GB1580213A

GB1580213A - Installations comprising electric cables pipes or the like

Info

Publication number: GB1580213A
Application number: GB3176176A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: BICC PLC
Current assignee: Balfour Beatty PLC
Priority date: 1976-07-30
Filing date: 1976-07-30
Publication date: 1980-11-26
Also published as: HK52781A; MY8200050A

Description

(54) INSTALLATIONS COMPRISING ELECTRIC CABLES, PIPES OR THE LIKE (71) We, BICC LIMITED, a British Company, of 21 Bloomsbury Street, London WC1B 3QN, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the merhod by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to installations in which a number of electric cables and/or pipes or the like are run generally parallel to one another, and more especially (though not exclusively) to industrial installations in which the cables, pipes etc. together have a considerable weight, e.g. approaching 100 kg per metre run.

More especially it relates to installations of the kind in which the cables, pipes etc. are attached at intervals to elongate support members that are themselves supported at (normally mudi greater) intervals.

Presently available Supports of this kind are of two classes, ladders and trays.

Ladders, as their name implies, have separate side members (stiles) and crossmembers (rungs). They are normally used with the rungs in a horizontal position with the cables laid on top, but a few designs can be used with the rungs vertical and the cables fixed to one or rarely both sides.

Trays are made of sheet metal, usually perforated to facilitate fixings. Flanges are provided on the longitudinal edges of the tray and are usually integral with the sheet-metal web of the tray, though in a few designs separately-rolled flanges have been used.

Trays are also designed primarily for use in a horizontal position, and the flanges are arranged to project in the norma lly -upward direction so as to offer some protection to rhe cables laid on the web. Trays are sometimes used in a vertical position, that is with the longitudinal edges one above the other, but except for 9ight-duty work it is difficult to support them in this position, especially if it is desired to fix cables on both sides of the tray.

The installation in accordance with the invention comprises a vertically-mounted support web of sheet metal, a reinforcing member extending along the upper edge of the web and attached to it substantially continuously along the length of rhe web, and a number of cables, pipes or the like attached to the web, some on each side thereof, substantially the full weight of the web, the reinforcing memlber and the cables and/or pipes and/or the like being supported by attachments engaging the reinforcing member at points spaced along its length.

By arranging the web vertically, the inherent stiffness of the sheet metal in its own plane is utilised to good effect and therefore rhe load: weight ratio is improved, and by hanging the web from its reinforced top edge, both faces remain easily accessible for installation of the cables, pipes etc.; the balancing of load between the two faces of the web minimizes transverse bending loads and may lead to further weight saving. In addition the overall packing density may be higher than with conventional horizontal supports.

Moreover changes of direction, either in the horizontal plane or in terms of gradient, can be made using sheet metal curve members, of heavier gauge if necessary, without edge reinforcement; such curve members can be made on site according to requirement, and so the need to stock a variety of specially designed and piefabricated curve members is avoided. Branching is also simpliified in many cases.

Although the gravitational load is taken by the upper-edge attachments, it may be desirable to fix the lower edge after the cables, pipes etc. are in position, in order to inhibit swinging on the main attachments. To simplify such fixing, and/or to stiffen the installation against lateral flexing, a further reinforcing member preferably extends along the lower edge of the web. The two reinforcing members are preferably identical.

Preferably the or each reinforcing member is symmetrical about the plane of the web.

Preferably also the or each reinforcing member is of channel section, with the open side of the channel facing away from the web. More especially, it is preferable for rhe open side of the channel to be a slot narrower than the underlying part of the channel and defined either by plain flanges extending inwards towards one another from the free ends of the limbs of the channel, or by angled flanges extending at first upwards and inwards, and then inwards and downwards (as, for example, in the "Leprack" channelling sold by the applicant company.) Attachments are prefer ably made, as is often done with such channelling, by means of rectangular nuts or other members inserted through the slot and rotated to engage behind the flanges defining it, so avoiding any drilling of the reinforcing member.

If required, e.g. Sin a longer-than-usual splan, an auxiliary stiffening member can be bolted (preferably in the manner just described) to rhe reinforcing member (or to one or both of them). For example a horizontal flat plate can be used ro increase lateral stiffness (and may in some installations serve as a cat-walk).

The web may have preformed perforations to facilitate attachment of cables, pipes etc.

by any conventional type of clip, cleat strip or bracket, but more especially by means of the support brackets descnbed and claimed in the Complete Specification of our copending application No. 27595/76 (Serial No.

1,577,726.) A development of the invention provides an installation comprising a vertically-mounted support web d sheet metal, a reinforcing member extending along each of the upper and lower edges of the web, and each attached to the web substantially continuously along the length of the web, each reinforcing mem ber including an outwardly extending horizon tal flange on each side thereof so that the flanges and the web define an open-sided duct (which may be coonpleted by a two-part de tachable sidewall of resilient plastics material) on each side of the web, and a number of cables, pipes or the like attached to the web, some in each of the ducts, substantially the full weight of the web, the reinforcing mem bers and the cables and/or pipes and/or the like being supported by attachments engaging the upper reinforcing member at points spaced along its length.

A preferred form of web with perforations and with reinforcing members on both edges is the subject d our application No. 31762/76 (serial No. 1,580,214).

The invention is further illustrated by a description, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a support for use in making an installation in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows an installation in accordance with the invention; Figure 3 is an enlarged detail of a part of that installation; Figure 4 shows another installation; Figure 5 shows a stiffening member bolted to the reinforcing member; Figure 6 shows an alternative form of support; and Figures 7 to 15 show accessories for use in installations in accordance with the invention.

The support 1 shown in figure 1 has a sheet metal web 2 made with perforations 3 and re enforcing members 4 along the edges of the web. Each reinforcing member is of channel section with a slot 5 defined by angled flanges 6 extending at'first upwards and inwards, and then inwards and downwards.

The cable installation shown in figure 2 comprises several of the supports 1 shown in figure 1 arranged with their webs vertical and attached to cantilever arms 7 which are mounted on any suitable supports 8 Figure 3 shows an enlarged detail of part of this installation. The perforations 3 in the web 2 receive brackets or strips 9 for fixing cables and/or pipes 10 to both sides of the web.

The upper surfaces of the cantilever arms 7 are useful for temporarily supporting the cables during the positioning thereof.

Figure 4 shows an installation in which one of the 'supports 1 is attached to structural steelwork 11 using a clamp 12 of the kind sold under the trade mark "Lindaptor".

Figure 5 shows an auxiliary stiffening member in the form of a plate 13 bolted to the upper reinforcing member 4. This increases the moment of inertia about neutral axis XX which may be required depending upon load factor and distance between supports.

Figure 6 illustrates another form of installation in which the inwardly extending flanges 14 of the reinforcing members 15 at the top and bottom of the support web 2 are doubled back and extend outwards to provide the roof 16 and floor 17 of ducting which if desired may be completed by fitting a detachable sidewall 18 made of resilient plastics material in two parts 19 and 20 which push-fit onto rhe flanges at edges 21 and 22, and push-fit together at edges 23 and 24. Apertures 25 may be formed in one or more of the flanges to provide ventilation holes and/or as an auxiliary cable-fixing means.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 show clamps for joining four, three and two supports respectively meeting at appropriate angles. The clamps fit over the upper reinforcing members of each support and bolt shanks pass through the holes 26 and the slot in the reinforcing member and cooperate with rectangular nuts which engage behind the flanges defining the slots in the usual way. Figure 10 shows a bracket 27 which may be bolted to the reinforcing mem ber to fix an auxiliary cable tray to the sup port if required. Figure 11 shows a universal hinges'ink 28 which fits between walls 29 on a hinge4ink clamp 30. Bolts pass through holes 31 in rhe hingelink and the clamp and engage nuts inserted in rhe reinforcing member as usual. By positioning another hinge-link in the same way on another support, the two supports can be linked by passing a pin through the holes 32 of the two hinge-links.

This permits the supports to be arranged in any required angular relation about a vertical axis YY; by turning the hinge-links through 900 in their respective brackets and using the alternarive holes 33, changes of gradient can be correspondingly accommodated. Figure 12 shows a 2-flanged suspension linkolamp for hanging the support from a suspension link or chain by passing a bolt through holes 34 in the flanges 35 and through the link or chain inserted between them. Figure 13 shows a 1-flange suspension clamp 35 which can be bolted to any suitable support. Figure 14 shows a clamp for attaching a support to a flanged girder without the need to drill the girder. A slot 37 on each part fits around a flange. A similar damp is fitted to the opposite side of the same or another girder.

An alternative clamp to that shown in figure 9 is shown in figure 15. The extensions 38 fit inside the channel sections of rhe reinforcing members the sides 39 of the upward extension 40 fit between the flanges of the reinforcing member and bolt heads engage the top surface of the flanges with the threaded shanks screwing into the tapped holes 41 in the clamp.

In a specific example of the installation shown in figures 2, 3 and 4 a mild-steel web 305 mm wide and 1.6 mm thick is reinforced by welding to each edge a slotted channel of rhe kind sold by the applicant company as Leprack channel. This channel is rolled from mild steel 2.6 mm thick and has a base 41.2 mm wide bounded by limbs 20.6 mm high with semi-cylindrical inturned flanges with a radius of 4.7 mm. Groups of slots are present in the web at intervals of 15.24 mm. Gables to a total weight of 100 kg/m are attached to the web using the brackets shown in the drawings of Complete Specification No. 27595/76 on both sides of rhe web. With this loading the assembly safely bridges a span of six metres between attachments when required.

Wherever appropriate screws may be, and preferably are, prewinserted in the fittings in the manner described in the Provisional Specification of our copending application No.

4467/77 (serial No. 1,579,941).

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An installation comprising a vertically mounted support web of sheet metal, a reinforcing member extending along the upper edge of the web and attached to it substantially continuously along the length of the web, and a number of cables, pipes or the like attached to the web, some on each side thereof, substantially the full weight of the web, the reinforcing member and the cables and/or pipes and/or the like being supported by attachments engaging the reinforcing member at points spaced along its length.

2. An installation as claimed in Claim 1 wherein an additional reinforcing member extends along the lower edge of the web.

3. An installation as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the two reinforcing members are identical.

4. An installation as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the or each reinforcing member is symmetrical about the plane of the web.

5. An installation as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the or each reinforcing member is of channel section, with the open-side of the channel facing away from the web.

6. An installation as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the open side of the channel is a slot narrower than the underlying part of the channel and defined by angled flanges extending at first upwards and inwards and then inwards and downwards.

7. An installation as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the open side of the channel is a slot narrower than the underlying part of the channel and defined by plain flanges extending inwards towards one another from the free ends of the 'limbs of the channel.

8. An installation comprising a verticallymounted support web of sheet metal, a re inforcing member extending along each of the upper and lower edges of the web and each attached to the web substantially continuously along the length of the web, each reinforcing member including an outwardly extending horizontal flange on each side thereof so that the flanges and the web define an open-sided duct on each side of the web, and a number of cables, pipes or the like attached to the web, some in each of the ducts, substantially the full weight of the web, the reinforcing members and the cables and/or pipes and/or the like being supported by attachments engaging the upper reinforcing member at points spaced along its length.

9. An installation comprising a verticallymounted support web of sheet metal, a reinforcing member extending along each of the upper and lower edges of the web and each attached to the web substantially continuously along the length of the web, each reinforcing member including an outwardly extending horizontal flange on each side thereof so that the flanges, the web and a two-part detachable sidewall of resilient plastics material define an enclosed duct on each side of the duct and a number of cables, pipes or the like attached to the web, some in each of the ducts, substantially the full weight of the web, the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

port if required. Figure 11 shows a universal hinges'ink 28 which fits between walls 29 on a hinge4ink clamp 30. Bolts pass through holes 31 in rhe hingelink and the clamp and engage nuts inserted in rhe reinforcing member as usual. By positioning another hinge-link in the same way on another support, the two supports can be linked by passing a pin through the holes 32 of the two hinge-links.

This permits the supports to be arranged in any required angular relation about a vertical axis YY; by turning the hinge-links through 900 in their respective brackets and using the alternarive holes 33, changes of gradient can be correspondingly accommodated. Figure 12 shows a 2-flanged suspension linkolamp for hanging the support from a suspension link or chain by passing a bolt through holes 34 in the flanges 35 and through the link or chain inserted between them. Figure 13 shows a 1-flange suspension clamp 35 which can be bolted to any suitable support. Figure 14 shows a clamp for attaching a support to a flanged girder without the need to drill the girder. A slot 37 on each part fits around a flange. A similar damp is fitted to the opposite side of the same or another girder.

An alternative clamp to that shown in figure 9 is shown in figure 15. The extensions 38 fit inside the channel sections of rhe reinforcing members the sides 39 of the upward extension 40 fit between the flanges of the reinforcing member and bolt heads engage the top surface of the flanges with the threaded shanks screwing into the tapped holes 41 in the clamp.

In a specific example of the installation shown in figures 2, 3 and 4 a mild-steel web 305 mm wide and 1.6 mm thick is reinforced by welding to each edge a slotted channel of rhe kind sold by the applicant company as Leprack channel. This channel is rolled from mild steel 2.6 mm thick and has a base 41.2 mm wide bounded by limbs 20.6 mm high with semi-cylindrical inturned flanges with a radius of 4.7 mm. Groups of slots are present in the web at intervals of 15.24 mm. Gables to a total weight of 100 kg/m are attached to the web using the brackets shown in the drawings of Complete Specification No. 27595/76 on both sides of rhe web. With this loading the assembly safely bridges a span of six metres between attachments when required.

Wherever appropriate screws may be, and preferably are, prewinserted in the fittings in the manner described in the Provisional Specification of our copending application No.

4467/77 (serial No. 1,579,941).

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An installation comprising a vertically mounted support web of sheet metal, a reinforcing member extending along the upper edge of the web and attached to it substantially continuously along the length of the web, and a number of cables, pipes or the like attached to the web, some on each side thereof, substantially the full weight of the web, the reinforcing member and the cables and/or pipes and/or the like being supported by attachments engaging the reinforcing member at points spaced along its length.
2. An installation as claimed in Claim 1 wherein an additional reinforcing member extends along the lower edge of the web.
3. An installation as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the two reinforcing members are identical.
4. An installation as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the or each reinforcing member is symmetrical about the plane of the web.
5. An installation as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the or each reinforcing member is of channel section, with the open-side of the channel facing away from the web.
6. An installation as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the open side of the channel is a slot narrower than the underlying part of the channel and defined by angled flanges extending at first upwards and inwards and then inwards and downwards.
7. An installation as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the open side of the channel is a slot narrower than the underlying part of the channel and defined by plain flanges extending inwards towards one another from the free ends of the 'limbs of the channel.
8. An installation comprising a verticallymounted support web of sheet metal, a re inforcing member extending along each of the upper and lower edges of the web and each attached to the web substantially continuously along the length of the web, each reinforcing member including an outwardly extending horizontal flange on each side thereof so that the flanges and the web define an open-sided duct on each side of the web, and a number of cables, pipes or the like attached to the web, some in each of the ducts, substantially the full weight of the web, the reinforcing members and the cables and/or pipes and/or the like being supported by attachments engaging the upper reinforcing member at points spaced along its length.
9. An installation comprising a verticallymounted support web of sheet metal, a reinforcing member extending along each of the upper and lower edges of the web and each attached to the web substantially continuously along the length of the web, each reinforcing member including an outwardly extending horizontal flange on each side thereof so that the flanges, the web and a two-part detachable sidewall of resilient plastics material define an enclosed duct on each side of the duct and a number of cables, pipes or the like attached to the web, some in each of the ducts, substantially the full weight of the web, the

reinforcing members the sidewa!lls and rhe cable and/or pipes and/or the like being supported by attachments engaging the upper reinforcing member at points spaced along its length.
10. An installation as claimed in any one of Claims 8 and 9 wherein each reinforcing member is symmetrical about the plane of the web.
11. An installation as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 10 wherein each reinforcing member lincludes a channel section, with the open side facing away from the web.
12. An installation as claimed in Claim 11 wherein the open side of the channel is a slot narrower than the underlying part of the channel and defined by angled flanges extending at first upwards and inwards and then inwards and downwards.
13. An installation as claimed in Claim 11 wherein the open-side d the channel is a slot narrower than the underlying part of the channel and defined by plain flanges extending inwards towards one another from the free ends of the limbs of the channel.
14. An installation as claimed in any one of Claims 6, 7, 12 and 13 wherein the attachments engaging the upper reinforcing member are made by means of members inserted through the slot and rotated to engage behind the flanges defining it.
15. An installation as claimed in any one of the preceding daims wherein an auxiliary stiffening member is bolted to the or at least the upper reinforcing member of at least one support.
16. An installation as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the web has preformed perforations.
17. An installation as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 16 wherein one or more of the outwardly extending horizontal flanges have perforations.
18. An installation substantialtly as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
19. An installation comprising a support substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in figure 6 of the accompanying drawings and a number of cables, pipes or the like attached to the web thereof, some on each side of the web.
20. A support installation as daimed in any one of Claims 1, 8 and 9 including at least one accessory substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in one of figures 4, 5 and 7 to 15 of the accompanying drawings.