GB2171262A

GB2171262A - Support system

Info

Publication number: GB2171262A
Application number: GB08504231A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Kershaw
Original assignee: Plessey Co Ltd
Current assignee: Plessey Co Ltd
Priority date: 1985-02-19
Filing date: 1985-02-19
Publication date: 1986-08-20
Also published as: GB8504231D0; GB2171262B

Abstract

A support system for interrack cabling e.g. in a telephone exchange, of simple construction comprising pre-fabricated panels 9 and 11 arranged and secured to be inverted with respect to each other (Figures 4 & 5) giving a continuous undulating surface to support cabling and itself supported through rack displacement member 1, spacer members 5 and tie-bars 23 by a rack suite 21 comprising several rack cabinets arranged in rows parallel and spaced apart. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Support system The present invention relates to a support system and more particularly but not exclusively to a support system for supporting inter-rack cabling in a telecommunications exchange.

Previously, support systems have been complicated being roof supported systems with ceiling sockets to hold screwed rods which subsequently support a surface upon which cables can be supported. These support systems are therefore designed specifically for a particular exchange and require skilled installation staff.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a relatively simple support system for inter-rack cabling e.g. for use within a telecommunications exchange.

According to the present invention there is provided a support system comprising a plurality of pre-fabricated panels arranged to form a continuous undulating surface, each of the pre-fabricated panels comprising a substantially flat base member and integral side members set at an angle to the flat base member, each pre-fabricated panel being inverted with respect to adjacent panels with the side members abutting and being interconnected by fixing means, the continuous undulating surface of the pre-fabricated panels being supported by base support means arranged in rows spaced apart to be under a substantially flat surface of the continuous undulating surface of pre-fabricated panels, each row of base support means supporting at least one of said pre-fabricated panels through an assembly of pre-fabricated components which provide locating and securing means for the pre-fabricated panel and which regulate and secure the base support means with respect to adjacent walls and rows.

Preferably, the pre-fabricated panel securing assembly comprises a rack displacement member with fixing means adjacent each end thereof; a spacer member which has a substantially flat base having fixing means for attaching said member to the base support means and which has means to support the rack displacement member and the pre-fabricated panel in association with a plurality of further spacer members in the same base support means, each spacer member having fixing means to secure the rack displacement member and the pre-fabricated panel.

Preferably, the base support means will be constructed of suites of rack cabinets.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with respect to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the overall arrangement of a support system constructed and arranged inaccordance with the invention.

Figure 2 shows a front elevation of tie bars, spacer member and rack displacement members secured upon-a rack suite Figure 3 shows a front elevation of a prefabricated panel secured upon the arrangement of Figure 2 Figure 4 is a cross-section showing the attachment arrangement of an inverted pre-fabricated panel to the arrangement of Figure 3 Figure 5 is an exploded view of the assembly components of a support system.

Refering to Figure 1, a pre-fabricated panel 9 is mounted upon the rack suite 21 and secured through rack displacement members 1 and space members 5. Rack suites are held in rows by tie-bars 23 the rows are located to make them parallel and spaced from one another. The displacement between rack rows is governed by the rack displacement members 1 positioned in diverging pairs along the-length of the rows. Additionally, because of the rack displacement members 1 it will be appreciated that only the first row installed must be checked for alignmeants further rows will be regulated by the rack displacement member 1.

Figure 2 illustrates the attachment of the rack displacement members 1 through the spacer member 5 and tie bar 23 to the rack suite 21. The fixing means 25 securing the displacement member 1 and spacer member 5 to the rack suite 21 directly and being adjacent the tie-bar 23 while the tie-bars are held by clamp plates 11 (not shown) before securing of the spacer member 5 and rack displacement member 1, the clamp plates 11 taking positions normally occupied by spacer members 5.

Figure 3 shows the pre-fabricated panel secured to the top of the rack suite 21, the flat base portion abutting the rack displacement members 1 in rack suite 21. Each pre-fabricated panel 19 being supported by several pairs of rack displacement members 1 and spacer brackets 5 as described by Figure 2. The securing means 26 is adjacent the tie-bar 23 and opposite the securing means 25 giving the flat base portion of the spacer members the effect of a "clamp plate", the securing means 26 holding the assembly of pre-fabricated panel 9, rack displacement member 1 and spacer member 5 to the rack suite 21. Preferably grip 15 and spacer 19 will be used to improve the effect of securing means 26.

Considering Figure 4, with pre-fabricated panels 11 of the same form as pre-fabricated panels 9 but inverted and rack suites spaced as required, prefabricated panels 11 are located to abut the side members of pre-fabricated panels 9 attached to the rack suites 21 bridging between two rack suites to give a complete covering and there being securing means 27.

Preferably, the pre-fabricated panels will have side members set out on obtuse angle to the substantially flat base portion.

Preferably, pre-fabricated panels should be able to be connected in end-on series.

1. A support system comprising a plurality of pre-fabricated panels arranged to form a continuous undulating surface, each of the pre-fabricated panels comprising a substantially flat base member and integral side members set at an angle to the flat base member, each pre-fabricated panel being inverted

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Support system The present invention relates to a support system and more particularly but not exclusively to a support system for supporting inter-rack cabling in a telecommunications exchange. Previously, support systems have been complicated being roof supported systems with ceiling sockets to hold screwed rods which subsequently support a surface upon which cables can be supported. These support systems are therefore designed specifically for a particular exchange and require skilled installation staff. It is an object of the present invention to provide a relatively simple support system for inter-rack cabling e.g. for use within a telecommunications exchange. According to the present invention there is provided a support system comprising a plurality of pre-fabricated panels arranged to form a continuous undulating surface, each of the pre-fabricated panels comprising a substantially flat base member and integral side members set at an angle to the flat base member, each pre-fabricated panel being inverted with respect to adjacent panels with the side members abutting and being interconnected by fixing means, the continuous undulating surface of the pre-fabricated panels being supported by base support means arranged in rows spaced apart to be under a substantially flat surface of the continuous undulating surface of pre-fabricated panels, each row of base support means supporting at least one of said pre-fabricated panels through an assembly of pre-fabricated components which provide locating and securing means for the pre-fabricated panel and which regulate and secure the base support means with respect to adjacent walls and rows. Preferably, the pre-fabricated panel securing assembly comprises a rack displacement member with fixing means adjacent each end thereof; a spacer member which has a substantially flat base having fixing means for attaching said member to the base support means and which has means to support the rack displacement member and the pre-fabricated panel in association with a plurality of further spacer members in the same base support means, each spacer member having fixing means to secure the rack displacement member and the pre-fabricated panel. Preferably, the base support means will be constructed of suites of rack cabinets. An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with respect to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the overall arrangement of a support system constructed and arranged inaccordance with the invention. Figure 2 shows a front elevation of tie bars, spacer member and rack displacement members secured upon-a rack suite Figure 3 shows a front elevation of a prefabricated panel secured upon the arrangement of Figure 2 Figure 4 is a cross-section showing the attachment arrangement of an inverted pre-fabricated panel to the arrangement of Figure 3 Figure 5 is an exploded view of the assembly components of a support system. Refering to Figure 1, a pre-fabricated panel 9 is mounted upon the rack suite 21 and secured through rack displacement members 1 and space members 5. Rack suites are held in rows by tie-bars 23 the rows are located to make them parallel and spaced from one another. The displacement between rack rows is governed by the rack displacement members 1 positioned in diverging pairs along the-length of the rows. Additionally, because of the rack displacement members 1 it will be appreciated that only the first row installed must be checked for alignmeants further rows will be regulated by the rack displacement member 1. Figure 2 illustrates the attachment of the rack displacement members 1 through the spacer member 5 and tie bar 23 to the rack suite 21. The fixing means 25 securing the displacement member 1 and spacer member 5 to the rack suite 21 directly and being adjacent the tie-bar 23 while the tie-bars are held by clamp plates 11 (not shown) before securing of the spacer member 5 and rack displacement member 1, the clamp plates 11 taking positions normally occupied by spacer members 5. Figure 3 shows the pre-fabricated panel secured to the top of the rack suite 21, the flat base portion abutting the rack displacement members 1 in rack suite 21. Each pre-fabricated panel 19 being supported by several pairs of rack displacement members 1 and spacer brackets 5 as described by Figure 2. The securing means 26 is adjacent the tie-bar 23 and opposite the securing means 25 giving the flat base portion of the spacer members the effect of a "clamp plate", the securing means 26 holding the assembly of pre-fabricated panel 9, rack displacement member 1 and spacer member 5 to the rack suite 21. Preferably grip 15 and spacer 19 will be used to improve the effect of securing means 26. Considering Figure 4, with pre-fabricated panels 11 of the same form as pre-fabricated panels 9 but inverted and rack suites spaced as required, prefabricated panels 11 are located to abut the side members of pre-fabricated panels 9 attached to the rack suites 21 bridging between two rack suites to give a complete covering and there being securing means 27. Preferably, the pre-fabricated panels will have side members set out on obtuse angle to the substantially flat base portion. Preferably, pre-fabricated panels should be able to be connected in end-on series. CLAIMS

1. A support system comprising a plurality of pre-fabricated panels arranged to form a continuous undulating surface, each of the pre-fabricated panels comprising a substantially flat base member and integral side members set at an angle to the flat base member, each pre-fabricated panel being inverted with respect to adjacent panels with the side members abutting and being interconnected by fixing means, the continuous undulating surface of the pre-fabricated panels being supported by base support means arranged in rows spaced apart to be under a substantially flat surface of the continuous undulating surface of pre-fabricated panels, each row of base support means supporting at least one of said pre-fabricated panels through an assembly of pre-fabricated components which provide locating and securing means for the pre-fabricated panel and which regulate and secure the base means with respect to adjacent walls and rows.

2. A support system as claimed in claim 1 in which locating and securing of the pre-fabricated panels, and support means is by mean of an assembly comprising a rack displacement member ofthe base support means row displacement and with fixing means adjacent each end therefore, a spacer member which has a flat base having fixing means for attaching said member to base support means and which has means to support ans secure the rack displacement member and pre-fabricated member in association with a plurality of further spacer members in the same base support means row.

3. A support system as claimed in either claim 1 or 2 wherein the base support means comprises suites of racking cabinets arranged in rows and secured in that relation by tie-bars.

4. A support system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the spacer member rests upon a tie-bar and fixing means either side of said tie-bar within said spacer member clamp said tie-bar.

5. A support system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pre-fabricated panels are attached to each other in parallel.

6. A support system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pre-fabricated panels are attached to each other in series.

7. A support system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pre-fabricated panels are attached to each other in parallel and series.

8. A support system as in claim 1 wherein the pre-fabricated panels have open ends, side members set at an obtuse angle to a substantially flat base and constructed of material that is easily cut and shaped.

9. A support system substantially as hereinbefore described and shown with reference to the accompanying drawings.