GB2284792A

GB2284792A - A track assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2284792A
Application number: GB9325927A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Raymond Charles Williams
Original assignee: Arjo Ltd
Current assignee: Arjo Ltd
Priority date: 1993-12-18
Filing date: 1993-12-18
Publication date: 1995-06-21
Anticipated expiration: 2013-12-18
Also published as: GB2284792B; GB9325927D0; AU7790394A; WO1995016825A1

Abstract

A track assembly for an overhead hoist comprises an elongate track section 10, a plurality of brackets 11 which can be secured to a supporting surface, and a plurality of connecting elements 12 for connecting the track sections 10 to the brackets 11. Each bracket 11 and track section 10 has two spaced apart confronting recesses 27, 28, 22, 23. The connecting elements 12 are of C-shaped cross section having two arms 29, 30 connected by 8 web portion 31. The track section 10 is connected to the each bracket 11 by two connecting elements 12 with the two arms 29, 30 of each connecting element 12 being slid into one of the recesses in the track section 10 and one of the recesses in the bracket 11. A clip for connecting a length of plastic trim 36 to the track is also disclosed. <IMAGE>

Description

A Track Assembly This invention relates to a track assembly and more particularly but not exclusively to such an assembly for securing to a ceiling and for supporting a hoist, such as an invalid hoist.

According to the invention there is provided a track assembly comprising an elongate track section, a plurality of brackets which can, in use, be secured to a supporting surface and a plurality of connecting elements for connecting the track section to the brackets, wherein each bracket has two spaced apart confronting recesses, the track section also has two spaced apart confronting recesses extending longitudinally of the track section and the connecting elements are of generally C-shaped cross-section having two arms connected by a web portion whereby the track section is connected to each bracket by two of said connecting elements, the two arms of each connecting element being slid or tapped into one of the recesses in the track section and one of the recesses in the bracket.

Preferably, the recesses are defined by channel-shaped portions of the bracket and the track section. One wall of each channel-shaped portion of a bracket and/or the track section may be joined.

Preferably, means are provided whereby the connecting elements can only be slid or tapped into respective recesses in a direction parallel to the longitudinal extent of the track section and cannot be displaced from the recesses in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extent of the track section. In this case, advantageously, means are provided for releasably holding the connecting elements captive with the brackets when they have been slid or tapped into place.

Preferably, the track assembly also comprises a clipping system for clipping a length of trim to the track section, the clipping system comprising complementary snap fit engagement means on the trim and each of a plurality of clips and a clip receiving formation on the track section, the clip receiving formation and each clip having first portions which cooperate to help retain the clip in a clip engaged position with respect to the clip receiving formation and which allow the clip to be displaced angularly relative to the clip receiving formation between a nonengaged position and said engaged position and mutually engageable second portions which are spaced from said first portions and which co-operate to allow the clip to spring or snap into said engaged position when the clip is angularly displaced as aforesaid.

Preferably, the clip receiving formation is defined by the two channel-shaped portions of the track section and a transverse portion joining one wall of each channel-shaped portion.

Preferably, the snap fit engagement means comprises a serrated male portion on one of the trim and the clip and a serrated female portion on the other of the trim and the clip.

Preferably, the first portions comprise a projection on one of the clip and the clip receiving formation and a slot or recess on the other of the clip and the clip receiving formation and, more preferably, also comprise shoulders on the clip and the clip receiving formation which interengage when the clip is in an engaged position. In this case, advantageously, the projection has a curved surface portion for cooperation with the slot or recess during angular displacement of the clip.

Preferably, the second portions comprise shoulders on the clip and the clip receiving formation which interengage as the clip springs or snaps into said engaged position.

Preferably, the two shoulders on the clip receiving formation which form respectively a part of a first said portion and a second said portion are in generally confronting relationship to one another.

Preferably, the snap fit engagement means of the clip projects from a position adjacent to the shoulder which forms a second said portion on the clip in a direction away from the shoulder which forms a first said portion on the clip.

Preferably, the clips are formed of rigid plastics material.

Preferably, the track section includes a hollow portion which defines two guide rails for guiding therealong the wheels of a wheeled carriage. In this case, a hoist may be suspended from the wheeled carriage. The hollow portion, conveniently, houses means for supporting at least one contact strip holder holding two elongate contact strips which, in use, supply power to the carriage and, if provided, the hoist. In this case, the contact strip holder is, preferably, slidably engageable with the hollow portion of the track section.

Preferably, the track assembly also comprises a plurality of track connecting members for connecting a plurality of track sections end to end.

The invention will now be more particularly described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective, partly exploded view of one embodiment of a track assembly according to the invention, Figure 2 is a perspective, partly exploded view of the track section of Figure 1, together with a length of trim, clips for clipping the trim to the track section and a contact strip holder, Figure 3 is a perspective, partly exploded view showing two track sections and a track connecting member, Figure 4 is a sectional view through the track assembly of Figure 1, Figure 5 shows the track section and one of the clips, and Figure 6 is a side view of the clip on an enlarged scale.

Referring now to the drawings, the track assembly shown therein comprises an elongate track section 10, a plurality of ceiling mountable brackets 11 and a plurality of C-shaped connecting elements 12 for connecting the track section 10 to the brackets 11.

The track section 10 is extruded and includes a hollow section 13 which defines two guide rails 14 for guiding therealong the wheels of a wheeled carriage (not shown) from which a hoist (also not shown) may be suspended. The hollow section 13 also houses two plastics contact strip holders 15 supporting elongate contact strips 16 which supply power to the carriage and the hoist. The contact strip holders 15 are slidably engaged with grooves 17 formed in the hollow section 13 and a slot 18 is provided between the rails 14 so that the hoist can be suspended from the wheeled carriage.

The track section 10 also includes two, spaced, confronting channel-shaped portions 19 and 20 formed in part by a top wall 21 of the hollow section 13. The channel-shaped portions 19 and 20 extend along opposite sides of the track section and define horizontally aligned, confronting recesses 22 and 23, respectively.

Each bracket 11 also includes two confronting channel-shaped portions 24 and 25 joined by an integral top wall portion 26 of the bracket 11. The channel shaped portions 24 and 25 are spaced apart by a distance equal to the spacing between the channel-shaped portions 19 and 20 of the track section 10 and define horizontally aligned, confronting recesses 27 and 28 respectively. The brackets 11 are also extruded but are much shorter than the track section 10 and typically have a length of about 5 cms. Several brackets 11 are used to connect each track section 10 to a ceiling.

The brackets 11 are spaced apart along the longitudinal extent of the track section 10 and are secured to the ceiling by any appropriate means, for example screws.

The track section 10 is connected to the brackets 11 by the C-shaped connecting elements 12.

These connecting elements have two parallel arms 29 and 30 and a transverse web portion 31 between the two arms, and have a length longer than the brackets 11.

To connect the track section 10 to the brackets 11, the track section 10 is presented to the brackets 11 so that the upper walls of the channelshaped portions 19 and 20 of the track section bear against and are vertically aligned with respective lower walls of the channel-shaped portions 24 and 25 of the brackets 11 and the two arms 29 and 30 of each connecting element 12 are placed in a pair of respective recesses 22 and 27, or 23 and 28 of the track section and the bracket and then slid or tapped into position in a direction parallel to the longitudinal extent of the track section 10.

As shown best in Figures 1 and 4, the top wall portion 26 of each bracket 11 has a depending central projection 32 and the track section 10 has two upstanding ribs 33 to ensure that the connecting elements 12 can only be engaged with the track section 10 and brackets 11 by movement of the connecting elements 12 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal extent of the track section 10 and cannot be displaced from the recesses 22 and 27, or 23 and 28 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extent of the track section 10.

When in place, the connecting elements 12 preferably extend beyond opposite ends of an associated bracket 11 and have exposed holes 34a for receiving pins 34b to prevent unintentional disengagement of the connecting elements 12.

The track assembly also includes a plurality of clips 35 to connect a length of plastics trim 36 to the track section 10 so that the brackets 11 and the joints between the track section 10 and the brackets 11 are concealed from view from below.

The channel-shaped portions 19 and 20 and the wall 21 of the track section 10 define a clip receiving formation with which the clips 35 are engaged at intervals and between the brackets 11.

The free edges of the upper walls of the channel-shaped portions 19 and 20 present generally confronting shoulders 37 and 38 which converge slightly in an upwards direction and which interact with the clips 35 to hold the clips 35 in place.

The clips 35 are typically made of rigid plastics material and each defines first and second shoulders 39 and 40, respectively, which interengage with shoulders 38 and 37 respectively, of the track section 10 when the clip is in an engaged position. The shoulders 39 and 40 are generally oppositely facing but converge slightly at a similar angle to the shoulders 37 and 38.

Each clip 35 also has a projection 41 extending from the plane of the shoulder 39 in a direction away from the shoulder 40 and the projection 41 has a convex surface portion 42 which serves a bearing for a purpose which will be described hereinafter.

A further projection 43 extends from the plane of the shoulder 40 in a direction away from the shoulder 39 and this projection 43 is in the form of a socket having oppositely facing, serrated, internal walls 44 for engagement with serrated projections 45 on the trim 36, the free end of the socket being flush or substantially flush with a side wall of the track section 10 when the clip 35 is engaged with the track section 10.

The main body portion of the clip 35, being that part of the clip between the two shoulders 39 and 40, has upper and lower walls 46 and 47, respectively, and is of generally hollow section having a single reinforcing web 48 extending between the walls 46 and 47 substantially midway between the ends of the main body portion of the clip. This gives the clip 35 the ability to give a little in order to spring or snap into engagement with the track section 10 in a manner which will now be described.

The clips 35 are clipped to the track section 10 at spaced intervals and between the brackets 11. To clip a clip 35 to the track section 10, the projection 41 of the clip is slid into one of the recesses 23 (or 22) until the shoulder 39 of the clip comes into contact with the shoulder 38 (or 37) of the track section 10.

In this position, the convex surface portion 42 of the projection 41 bears against the base of the recess 23 (or 22) and the clip is angularly displaced so that the shoulder 40 of the clip springs or snaps into engagement with the shoulder 37 of the track section 10 and the projection 43 of the clip comes into contact with the upper, outer surface of the channel-shaped portion 19 (or 20).

The trim 36 may be extruded and provided therefore with a single, elongate, serrated projection 45 which is cut away on installation to provide gaps in the projection 45 at the locations of the brackets 11 (or as necessary) and the projections 45 thus formed are snap fitted into engagement with the sockets of the projections 43 to clip the trim 36 to the track section 10.

An upper edge portion of the trim 36 is inclined outwards to cast a shadow on the ceiling. The trim can, therefore, terminate short of the ceiling and still provide a good aesthetic appearance.

Track connecting members 49 (see Figure 3) are also provided to connect track sections 10 end to end. The track connecting members 49 have flanges 50 which slidably engage in the recesses 22 and 23 of a pair of adjacent track sections and a recess 51 which holds two nuts 52 captive against rotation. In order to connect the track sections 10 together, a bolt 53 is engaged with each nut 52 through a hole 54 in each track section 10. The track connecting members 49 can also be used to suspend a track section at a distance from a ceiling (as shown on the right hand side of Figure 3) The above embodiment is given by way of example only and various modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the socket on the clip could be replaced by a serrated projection and the serrated projection on the trim could be replaced by an internally serrated socket. The projection 41 need not have a convex surface portion provided the projection lets the clip 35 turn angularly. For example, the projection could be flexible and square. The two connecting elements 12 could be integrally formed and joined by a transverse portion. Also, the track assembly could be fitted to a supporting surface other than a ceiling and could be used for purposes other than to suspend a hoist.

Claims

1. A track assembly comprising an elongate track section, a plurality of brackets which can, in use, be secured to a supporting surface and a plurality of connecting elements for connecting the track section to the brackets, wherein each bracket has two spaced apart confronting recesses, the track section also has two spaced apart confronting recesses extending longitudinally of the track section and the connecting elements are of generally C-shaped cross-section having two arms connected by a web portion whereby the track section is connected to each bracket by two of said connecting elements, the two arms of each connecting element being slid or tapped into one of the recesses in the track section and one of the recesses in the bracket.

2. A track assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the recesses are defined by channel-shaped portions of the bracket and the track section.

3. A track assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein one wall of each channel-shaped portion of a bracket and/or the track section is joined.

4. A track assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein means are provided whereby the connecting elements can only be slid or tapped into respective recesses in a direction parallel to the longitudinal extent of the track section and cannot be displaced from the recesses in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extent of the track section.

5. A track assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein means are provided for releasably holding the connecting elements captive with the brackets when they have been slid or tapped into place.

6. A track assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a clipping system for clipping a length of trim to the track section, the clipping system comprising complementary snap fit engagement means on the trim and each of a plurality of clips and a clip receiving formation on the track ~section, the clip receiving formation and each clip having first portions which co-operate to help retain the clip in a clip engaged position with respect to the clip receiving formation and which allow the clip to be displaced angularly relative to the clip receiving formation between a non-engaged position and said engaged position and mutually engageable second portions which are spaced from said first portions and which cooperate to allow the clip to spring or snap into said engaged position when the clip is angularly displaced as aforesaid.

7. A track assembly as claimed in claim 6, when dependent on claim 2, wherein the clip receiving formation is defined by the two channel-shaped portions of the track section and a transverse portion joining one wall of each channel-shaped portion.

8. A track assembly as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the snap fit engagement means comprises a serrated male portion on one of the trim and the clip and a serrated female portion on the other of the trim and the clip.

9. A track assembly as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the first portions comprise a projection on one of the clip and the clip receiving formation and a slot or recess on the other of the clip -and the clip receiving formation.

10. A track assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first portions also comprise shoulders on the clip and the clip receiving formation which interengage when the clip is in an engaged position.

11. A track assembly as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the projection has a curved surface portion for co-operation with the slot or recess during angular displacement of the clip.

12. A track assembly as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the second portions comprise shoulders on the clip and the clip receiving formation which interengage as the clip springs or snaps into said engaged position.

13. A track assembly as claimed in claim 12 when dependent on claim 10, wherein the two shoulders on the clip receiving formation which form respectively a part of a first said portion and a second said portion are in generally confronting relationship to one another.

14. A track assembly as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the snap fit engagement means of the clip projects from a position adjacent to the shoulder which forms a second said portion on the clip in a direction away from the shoulder which forms a first said portion on the clip.

15. A track assembly as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 14, wherein the clips are formed of rigid plastics material.

16. A track assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the track section includes a hollow portion which defines two guide rails for guiding therealong the wheels of a wheeled carriage.

17. A track assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein a hoist is suspended from the wheeled carriage.

18. A track assembly as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the hollow portion houses means for supporting at least one contact strip holder holding two elongate contact strips which, in use, supply power to the carriage and, if provided, the hoist.

19. A track assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein the contact strip holder is slidably engagable with the hollow portion of the track section.

20. A track assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a plurality of track connecting members for connecting a plurality of track sections end to end.

21. A track assembly substantially as hereinbefoe described with reference to the accompanying drawings.