GB2315924A

GB2315924A - Trunking corner piece

Info

Publication number: GB2315924A
Application number: GB9615776A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patrick Hamilton Smith
Original assignee: Marshall C & C Ltd
Current assignee: Marshall C & C Ltd
Priority date: 1996-07-26
Filing date: 1996-07-26
Publication date: 1998-02-11
Anticipated expiration: 2016-07-26
Also published as: GB2315924B; GB9615776D0

Abstract

In order to provide a corner piece for use in cable trunking of the sort comprising a base with upstanding hollow walls projecting therefrom, the corner piece comprises a corner cover part 11 and at least two fixing blades 5,6 for engagement in the respective hollow spaces of the walls of two sections of trunking which are at right angles to each other, to thereby fix the corner cover part 11 to the trunking, one of the fixing blades 6 being resiliently deformable.

Description

TRUNKING CORNER PIECE The present invention relates to a corner piece for use in cable trunking.

Trunking consisting of extruded sections of aluminium or thermoplastic (for example UPVC) is frequently used as a housing for cabling, for example electrical cables, fibre optics, communications networks etc. Such trunking is normally mounted on walls at a suitable height. Comer pieces have to be provided to provide a smooth cover between two sections of trunking which meet at a corner on a wall.

In the past, such corner pieces have often been held in place by simple clips which engage, for example, with the ends of upstanding walls of the trunking. It has been found, however, that such corner pieces are relatively easily knocked off.

More secure corner pieces have been provided which can be screwed in position. However, the screw holes or their covers spoil the smooth lines of the trunking.

The present invention sets out to provide a corner piece for use in cable trunking which does not require the use of screws, provides a smooth even contour around a corner and which is relatively easy to assemble/disassemble whilst being resistant to accidental dislocation.

The present inventors have realised that many designs or trunking presently available comprise a base with upstanding hollow walls projecting therefrom. Hollow walls normally comprise two wall sections paired together for strength and rigidity.

The present inventors have realised that fixing blades can be provided on a corner piece for engaging in the hollow spaces thereby providing a strong and secure mounting for the comer piece cover.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a corner piece for use in cable trunking of the sort comprising a base with upstanding hollow walls projecting therefrom, the corner piece comprising a comer cover part and at least two fixing blades for engagement in respective hollow spaces of the walls of two sections of trunking which are at angles to each other, to thereby fix the corner cover part to the trunking, one of the fixing blades being resiliently deformable.

The present invention is suitable for use with any design of trunking which incorporates hollow upstanding walls. It is particularly suitable for use with trunking which has at least two such hollow walls parallel to one another and which define internal or exterior walls of the trunking.

The hollow spaces normally comprise linearly extending slit shaped hollow spaces of width approximately 0.5 - 10 mm, normally about 2.5 mm. The fixing blades may be of dimension selected to fit snugly into a predetermined size and shape of hollow space. Alternatively, the fixing blades may be resiliently deform able to fit the hollow space available.

Preferably, at least one of the fixing blades is of substantial extent, preferably between 2 cm and 10 an, particularly 3 - 5 cm. In use, the fixing blades will be connected to a common support, which may be the corner cover part or an intermediate support for the corner cover part. One of the fixing blades must be resiliently deformable so that the distance by which it projects out from the common support can be decreased. This allows the fixing blades to be each inserted into the trunking which, normally, is not very flexible.

The resilient deformability of at least one of the fixing blades allows for insertion of the corner piece and also for disassembly thereof. Any suitable design of resilient fixing blade may be selected to allow easy disassembly.

The fixing blades may be integral with the corner cover part, but it is preferable that the corner cover part is fixable releasably to the fixing blades or to a common support to which the fixing blades are attached.

Any suitable means for fixing the corner cover part may be used. Preferably, the fixing blades are integral with a planar piece which is resiliently engageable with the corner cover part.

In order to ensure that the corner cover part is securely fixed to the planar piece, there should be at least two fixtures, each fixture comprising a projecting part and a slot part engageable in an engagement direction with the projecting part, the two fixtures having engagement directions which are not parallel to one another. For example, the corner cover part may comprise linearly extending legs engageable in suitable slots on the planar piece.

At least one of the corner cover part, fixtures or planar piece is resiliently deformable in order to allow sequential or simultaneous engagement of both fixtures.

Preferably, the fixtures are of a relatively rigid design in order to allow them to resist blows. In this case either the corner cover part of the planar piece should be resiliently deformable. For example, one of the fixtures appearing on the planar piece may be mounted at the end of a resiliently deformable leg.

where the corner cover part is engageable with the planar piece by linearly extending legs engaging in linearly extending slots, additional fitting clips may be provided on the corner cover part for gripping the planar piece or the walls of the trunking to prevent motion of the corner cover piece in the direction normal to the planar piece.

The corner cover piece may comprise a number of individual parts. These may be formed so that, in use, they will lie adjacent one another simply by being engaged with the fixing blade or blades.

The present invention will be further described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross section through a trunking base which may be used with the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a planar piece of the corner piece of the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a corner cover part of the corner piece of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a perspective sketch of the planar piece of the present invention inserted in trunking as shown in figure 1.

Figure 5 shows a three-piece corner cover part.

Figure 6 is a cross section through a trunking corner piece according to the present invention inserted in a trunking system.

Figure 1 shows a section through a typical extruded trunking base. In use, it would be provided with a cover (not shown). The trunking system may be as set out in British Patent Application No. 2253096.

The trunking base 1 will not be described in detail. Significantly, it comprises two hollow walls 2 having slit shaped hollow spaces 3 therein.

Figure 2 shows a planar piece 4 according to the present invention. The planar piece 4 has two fixing blades 5 and 6. The fixing blade 5 is relatively rigid and relatively long (it is of extent approximately 5 cm). Fixing blade 5 is dimensioned for insertion into the slit shape hollow spaces 3 of a trunking base. Projections 7 are provided on fixing blade 5 to provide a more secure rigid contact.

Fixing blade 6 is relatively short (approximately 1cam) and comprises a resiliently deformable tongue. It is dimensioned for insertion into a corresponding hollow slit shaped space 3 in a trunking base as shown in figure 4.

The planar piece 4 is designed for insertion into two trunking sections meeting at right angles at a corner. The edge 8 of the planar piece which will be located on the outside is thickened for stiffness and comprises a first slot 9 and a second slot 10.

The slots 9 and 10 are for engagement with a corner cover part 11 (see Figure 3).

Slot 10 is mounted at the end of resiliently deformable leg 12 to allow the corner cover part 11 to be snap fitted securely in place on the planar piece 4.

Figure 3 shows a cross section through a corner cover part 11 according to the present invention. There are linearly extending legs 13 and 14 for engagement in the slots 9 and 10 respectively. The engagement direction of the slot/leg fixture 9/13 is at right angles to that of the slot/leg fixture 10/14. The resilient deformability of leg 12 allows the fixtures to be engaged simultaneously or sequentially.

Accidental or unintentional disengagement of the corner cover part 11 from the planar piece 4 is very difficult because it will require a force generally in a direction parallel to either of the trunking bases, to disengage one of the fixtures. A force in any other direction will tend to push the corner cover part more securely into engagement with the planar piece.

Two prevent the corner cover part slipping in the direction parallel to the legs 13 and 14, clips 15 and 16 are provided which, when in position, will engage the tops of the walls 2 of a trunking base as shown in figure 1. The inset shows a cross-section through clip 15.

Figure 4 shows the planar piece 4 inserted in two trunking bases which meet at right angles. It can be seen that the first fixing blade 5 is snugly held in the hollow space 3 of a first trunking base and the resiliently deformable blade 6 has snapped into position inside the hollow space of the second trunking base. To disassemble the planar piece from the trunking parts, it will be necessary to bend the resiliently deformable blade 6 back again, e.g. with a tool such as a screwdriver.

Figure 5 is a perspective sketch view of a corner cover part (at a different scale) in three parts. In use, these three parts will rest adjacent one another being fixed to separate planar pieces (not shown). The engaging legs 13 and 14 and clips 15 and 16 can be seen.

In figure 6, the clips 15, 16, legs/slots 9/13 and 10/14, planar piece 4 and corner cover part 11 can be seen in the engaged positions. Trunking covers 17 are also shown in cross section.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A corner piece for use in cable trunking of the sort comprising a base with upstanding hollow walls projecting there from, the corner piece comprising a corner cover part and at least two fixing blades for engagement in respective hollow spaces of the walls of two sections of trunking which are at angles to each other to thereby fix the corner cover part to the trunking, one of the fixing blades being resiliently deformable.

2. A corner piece according to Claim 1, wherein at least one of the fixing blades is of substantial extent.

3. A corner piece according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the fixing blades are connected to a common support, at least one of the fixing blades being resiliently deformable so that the distance by which it projects from the common support can be decreased.

4. A corner piece according to any preceding Claim, where in the fixing blades are integral with a planar piece which is resiliently engagable with the corner cover part.

5. A corner piece according to the Claim 5, wherein the corner cover part is fixable to the planar piece by at least two fixtures, each fixture comprising a projecting part and a slot part engagable in an engagement direction with the projecting part, the two fixtures having engagement directions which are not parallel to one another.

6. A corner piece according to Claim 6, wherein at least one of the corner cover part, fixtures or planar piece is resiliently deformable.