GB2250385A

GB2250385A - Cable conduit

Info

Publication number: GB2250385A
Application number: GB9025971A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jose Luis Jerez-Requena
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-11-29
Filing date: 1990-11-29
Publication date: 1992-06-03
Anticipated expiration: 2010-11-29
Also published as: GB2250385B; GB9025971D0

Abstract

A length of conduit 11 comprises a hollow channel containing a draw cord 12 retained continuously, or at least at two discrete points 13, along the interior length of the channel. At least one end of the draw cord has a coupling whereby the end can be attached to a complementary coupling on a draw cord of an adjacent length of conduit. Typically the draw cord is provided with an identifying means to enable two or more such cords to be drawn together through a common conduit while enabling each of the two or more cords to be uniquely identified. The draw cord 12 is retained by low-strength adhesive. <IMAGE>

Description

CABLE CONDUIT This invention relates to cable conduit. Such conduit is used in building work to accommodate electrical and telephone cables. The way that the conduit is used can vary. In the case of a newly built house electrical cabling can be installed with conduit prior to the final applications of wall plaster and floor screed. An alternate approach is to install empty conduit and then the plaster and screed are applied.

Once the final coatings have dried the electrical cables are then drawn into and through the conduit.

The present invention is concerned with the provision of conduit which facilitate the provision of cabling in a structure.

According to the present invention there is provided a length of conduit comprising a hollow channel containing a draw cord retained continuously, or at discrete points, along the interior of the channel.

According to a first preferred version of the present invention at least one end of the draw cord has a coupling whereby the end can be attached to a complementary coupling on a draw cord of an adjacent length of conduit.

According to a second preferred version of the present invention or the first preferred version thereof the draw cord is provided with an identifying means to enable two or more such cords to be drawn together through a common conduit while enabling each of the two or more cords to be uniquely identified.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which is pictorial part sectioned view of a length 9f electrical conduit.

Conduit 11 is of plastics material and has a substantially circular cross-section. During manufacture of the conduit 11 a length of plastic cord 12 is inserted into the conduit and retained at a series of points (typically point 13) along the interior of conduit 11 by means of a small quantity of relatively low strength adhesive applied at each point.

Typically an adhesive of the type used for wall papering is used. The adhesive serves to retain the cord 12 along the length of the conduit 11 during its installation. In the event of the conduit being cut into shorter lengths the cord 12 is retained in place substantially along the length of each of the pieces of conduit so generated.

When lengths of conduit of the same type as conduit 11 are linked end to end the draw cords in juxtaposed ends are secured to one another to ensure the provision of a continuous length of draw cord throughout the entire length of conduit. Conveniently each end is equipped with a coupling adopted to mate with a complementary or identical coupling on another draw cord to enable the pair to be drawn together by way of the end of one cord.

Once the conduit installation is complete one end of electrical or other cable to be installed is secured to the draw cord corresponding to draw cord at one end of the given conduit system. The end of the cord 12 at the other end of the given system is then jerked or pulled with sufficient strength to break the cord from all the attachment points corresponding to point 13.

Thereafter the cord 12 is then pulled steadily to draw the cable through the conduit system until the end secured to the cord is exposed to enable the cable end to be recovered. The cable then extends through the given conduit system.

In addition to drawing through the cable it is envisaged that a further draw cord will be pulled through with the cable so that a cord is left in place available for later installation work.

In a complex installation where a number of cords are linked to a single cord to be drawn through a common conduit each cord can be given a unique identifier to ensure that the path of each cord can be readily identified.

Claims

1 A length of conduit comprising a hollow channel containing a draw cord retained continuously, or at least two discrete points, along the interior length of the channel.

2 A length of conduit as claimed in Claim 1 wherein at least one end of the draw cord has a coupling whereby the end can be attached to a complementary coupling on a draw cord of an adjacent length of conduit.

3 A length of conduit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the draw cord is provided with an identifying means to enable two or more such cords to be drawn together through a common conduit while enabling each of the two or more cords to be uniquely identified.

4 A length of conduit as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.