GB2317508A

GB2317508A - Support system for data transmission lines

Info

Publication number: GB2317508A
Application number: GB9723065A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eric R Rinderer
Original assignee: Sigma Aldrich Co LLC
Current assignee: Sigma Aldrich Co LLC
Priority date: 1993-12-29
Filing date: 1994-12-29
Publication date: 1998-03-25
Anticipated expiration: 2014-12-29
Also published as: GB9723065D0; GB2317509A; GB9723071D0; GB2317509B; GB2317508B

Abstract

A support system for data transmission lines comprising a plurality of rail sections 189 having box beam portions and a hub 217 adapted to be supported at a fixed elevation and having an upper surface 211 for supporting data transmission lines. A plurality of vertical holes 237 are provided in the hub, these being cooperable with a plurality of rail connectors 217 for connecting the rail sections to the hub in positions in which the rail sections radiate from the hub. Each connector portion is sized for a snug fit inside the box beam portion 197 of a respective rail section. Rungs 300 are positioned so as to support data transmission lines at the elevation of the upper hub surface 211.

Description

SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR DATA TR4NSSSION LINES Backaround of the Invention This invention relates generally to what is referred to in the industry as "cable tray" systems used to support electrical wiring, cables and conduit, and more particularly to a lightweight cable tray system which is especially adapted for supporting data transmission lines and the like.

For years electrical contractors have used cable tray to support electrical cables and the like in elevated position. One type of conventional cable tray comprises a ladder-like structure made of two parallel rails connected by a series of rungs, typically supported from overhead beams by vertical rods or hangers. This system is of relatively heavy-duty construction for supporting relatively heavy electrical conductors, cable, conduit and the like, and is particularly suited for new construction rather than rehabilitation of existing buildings. Another type of cable tray comprises a single center rail having a series of arms extending laterally outwardly from opposite sides of the rail. The single center rail is also typically supported by vertical rods or hangers.

The aforementioned types ov cable tray are not especially suited for the burgeoning computer and telecommunications industries where a typical installation involves thousands and perhaps millions of runs of data transmission lines, and they are especially ill-equipped for jobs involving the rehabilitation ana modernization of existing buildings to include new telephone, computer and other tele-communica.ions systems. In such buildings, there is often insufficient horizontal space between existing ductwork, columns and other structural members to install sufficient cable tray of existing design to carry the multilicity of lines associated with the new systems being installed in the building. Conventional cable tray systems are too bulky, too inflexible in their ability to snake through existing corridors of space, and too expensive. Moreover, they are unable to efficiently separate and segregate different groups of data transmission lines according to function, application, or other criteria to make installation, repair and/or replacement more convenient.

There is a need, therefore, for a new and inexpensive cable tray system especially suited for computer and telecommunications applications, and particularly adapted for use in existing buildings where available corridors of space are limited, especially in the horizontal direction.

Another problem associated with conventional cable tray systems is that assembly and installation of the system requires the use of nut and bolt fasteners.

The use of such fasteners is not only burdensome and time-consuming, but any misplacement or droppage of metal parts in a telecommunications area can cause significant disruptions and possible damage to sensitive electrical equipment.

There is a further need, therefore, for a support system which can be quickly and easily assembled and installed with little or no use of metal nut and bolt fasteners.

Summarv of the Invention Among the several objects of this invention may be noted the provision of a cable tray system which is especially suited for supporting data transmission lines and the like; the provision of a cable tray system which is lightweight and strong but relatively inexpensive; the provision of such a system which is able to take greater advantage of vertical corridor space tor caryins a greater number of electrical conductors, data transmission lines, and the like; provision of such a system which is capable of segregating different lines at different vertical elevations according to selected criteria; the provision of such a system which is constructed so that it can readily "snake" (weave) through tortuous corridors of space to accommodate existing ductwork, columns, structural members and other blocking structures; the provision of such a cable tray system in which connected sections of cable tray are continuously electrically conductive; the provision of such a system in which the connections between adjacent cable tray sections are smooth and continuous to avoid snagging and/or damage to the lines being carried by the system; the provision of such a system which eliminates the exposure of lines being carried by the system which eliminates the exposure of lines being carried by the system to fasteners and other elements which might cause snagging of the lines and/or damage to the lines; the provision of such a system in which the capacity of the cable tray may be increased by adding extensions in the vertical direction; the provision of such a system in which adjacent cable tray sections are readily connectable without the use of conventional fasteners (e.g., nut and bolt fasteners) ; the provision of such a system which meets existing electrical codes and standards (e.g., the National Electric Code, and the standards of the Telecommunications Industry Association and Electronic Industry Association); the provision of such a system which has a minimum number of component parts to facilitate installation of the system; and the provision of such a system which permits ready routing of data transmission lines.

The system described hereinafter is desirably used in combination with the systems described in GB-A-2285344, from which the present application is divided.

According to the present invention there is provided a support system for data transmission lines comprising a plurality of rail sections, each rail section having a box beam portion with opposing side walls, a hub adapted to be supported at a fixed elevation and having an upper surface for supporting said data transmission lines, a plurality of vertical holes in the hub at intervals spaced around the hub, and a plurality of rail connectors cooperable with said vertical holes in the hub for connecting the rail sections to the hub in positions in which the rail sections radiate from the hub, each connector having a first connector portion, adapted for connection to one end of a respective rail section, and a second connector portion adapted for connection to the hub, said first connector portion having opposite, generally parallel side walls spaced apart a distance only slightly less than the distance between opposing side walls of a rail section whereby the first connector portion is sized for a relatively snug fit inside the box beam portion of a respective rail section.

In general, a support system of this invention for data lines and the like comprises a plurality of rail sections, a hub adapted to be supported at a fixed elevation, and a plurality of rail connectors for connecting the rail sections to the hub in positions in which the rail sections radiate out from the hub Each connector has a first connector portion, means for attaching the first connector portion to one end of a respective rail section, a second connector portion, and generally vertical pin means for connecting the second connector portion to the hub.

Also provided in accordance with the invention is a support system for data transmission lines, comprising a plurality of rail sections, a hub adapted to be supported at a fixed elevation and having a flat planar upper surface for supporting said data transmission lines.

a plurality of vertical holes in the hub at intervals spaced around the hub.

connector means cooperable with said vertical holes in the hub for connecting the rail sections to the hub in positions in which the rail sections radiate out from the hub, and a series of rungs extending laterally out from the rail sections, said rungs having upper line supporting surfaces which are substantially coplanar with the upper surface of the hub.

Further provided is a support system for data transmission lines, comprising a plurality of rail sections, each rail section having an upper rail portion, a lower rail portion, and a series of rungs extending laterally out from the lower portion of the rail section, said rungs having upper line supporting surfaces for supporting said data transmission lines, a hub adapted to be supported at a fixed elevation and having an upper surface for supporting said data transmission lines, a plurality of vertical holes in the hub at intervals spaced around the hub, and connector means cooperable with said vertical holes in the hub for connecting the rail sections to the hub in positions in which the rail sections radiate out from the hub, and in which said data transmission lines are supported by the rungs of the rail sections at an elevation generally the same as said upper surface of the hub.

Another embodiment of the invention provides a support system for data transmission lines and the like, comprising a hub adapted to be supported at a fixed elevation in which an upper surface of the hub is in a generally horizontal plane, said hub being a relatively thin, flat member having a maximum thickness substantially less than the height of each of said rail sections, and having a continuous peripheral rim portion having four vertical holes arranged at about 90 degree intervals around the hub, a series of rail sections connected to the hub at intervals spaced around the hub.

Yet another embodiment of the invention provides a support system for data transmission lines, comprising a thin flat hub adapted to be supported at a fixed elevation in which an upper surface of the hub is in a generally horizontal plane, said hub having a maximum thickness and a continuous peripheral rim portion having four vertical holes arranged at about 90 degree intervals around the hub, a plurality of rail sections, each rail section having a height as viewed from a side of the rail section substantially greater than the maximum thickness of said hub, and a series of rungs extending laterally out from the lower portion of the rail section for supporting said data transmission lines at an elevation generally the same as the upper surface of the hub, and a series of connectors cooperable with said vertical holes for connecting the rail section to the hub.

Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective of a hub adapted for use with the support system; Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective of an alternative hub design; Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numerals in the several views of the drawings.

Description of Preferred Embodiment Referring now to the drawings, the first to Fig.

1, a support system for data transmission lines and the like is generally indicated comprising a circular hub 211 adapted to be supported in a horizontal position at a fixed elevation by means of a support rod 213, for example. As illustrated, a vertical sleeve 215 extends up from the center of the hub 211 for receiving the support rod 213 and providing the necessary stability. A plurality of rail connectors, each generally designated 217, are provided for connecting a series of rail sections (e.g., rail section 185) to the hub 211 in positions in which the rail sections radiate out from the hub. The rail sections carry a plurality of supports (not shown) spaced at intervals along each rail section, to support a series of horizontal runs of electrical cable, data transmission lines and the like at different vertical elevations, as is more particularly described in GB-A2285344, from which the present application is divided.

In accordance with this invention, each rail connector 217 has a first connector portion 219 comprising an end wall 221, two generally parallel side walls 223, 225 extending from the end wall 221, and a sleeve 227 defining a vertical bore centrally supported between the side walls 223, 225 by a pair of webs 229. The side walls 223, 225 are spaced apart a distance only slightly less than the distance between the side walls 187, 189 of a rail section 185 being connected to the hub 211, and the overall height of the first connector portion 219 is only slightly less than that of the upper interior space 197 of the rail section 185 between its top wall 191 and the partition 195. The design is such that the first connector portion 219 is sized for a relatively snug fit inside the upper interior space 197 of the rail section 185. The first connector portion 219 is designed to be inserted into the rail section 185 to a position in which the bore defined by the vertical sleeve 215 is vertically aligned with suitable openings (not shown) in the top wall 191 and/or bottom wall 193 and/or partition 195 of the rail section 185 so that a suitable fastener, such as a snap fastener, bolt lOla or vertical support rod may inserted to secure the rail section 185 to the rail connector 217.

The rail section 185 carries rungs 300 for supporting data transmission lines or the like. In Fig. 1 only a first part of rail section 185, carrying a pair of rungs 300, is shown. However, it will be appreciated that each rail section 185 may be any practical length and carry a plurality of such rungs along its length.

The rail connector 217 also includes a second connector portion 231 comprising a vertical sleeve 233 attached to the first connector portion 219. As shown in Fig. 1, the vertical sleeve 233 has a height which is about one-half the overall height of the rail connector 217. The first 219 and second 231 connector portions of preferably of one-piece construction.

The rail connectors 217 are releasably connected to the hub 211 by pin means comprising a plurality of pins 235 (e.g., a bolt) passing through the vertical sleeves 233 down through a series of holes 237 in the hub 211 spaced at intervals around the hub adjacent the periphery thereof. The number of holes 237 may vary as needed. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the pivotal movement of the rail sections 185 about the vertical axes of the pins 235 is severely limited (and may be completely prevented, if desired) by the engagement of the lower part of a rail section 185 with the rim of the hub 211.

Fig. 2 shows an alternative hub design in which the rim 239 of the hub 241 is recessed as indicated at 243 between adjacent holes 245, and in which the rail connectors 217 are installed in a position inverted relative to the position shown in Fig. 1. This design permits the rail sections 185 to pivot freely (within a certain range) about the vertical axes of respective pins 235 to selected positions of angular adjustment. The range of pivotal movement is limited by the engagement of flats on the rail connector 217 with flats formed in the recessed areas 243 of the hub 241.

It will be observed from the foregoing that the system of this invention has numerous advantages, many of which have already been discussed. One particular advantage which merits further mention, however, is that the support structure of this invention maximize the utilization of vertical corridor space while using relatively little horizontal corridor space, which is particularly important when installing support systems in existing buildings where horizontal corridor space may be severely limited. The minimum number of component parts needed for the system provides for economical manufacture and facilitates installation. Placement of the lines on the system of this invention is also quickly and easily accomplished, and lines may be segregated at different elevations or on different supporting surfaces according to function, application or other selected criteria.

Moreover, the various runs of cable, data transmission lines and the like are supported without exposure to rough or protruding edges, or to fasteners or other elements which might snag or damage the lines. The system of the present invention is highly flexible and can be utilized in virtually any application.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A support system for data transmission lines comprising a plurality of rail sections, each rail section having a box beam portion with opposing side walls, a hub adapted to be supported at a fixed elevation and having an upper surface for supporting said data transmission lines, a plurality of vertical holes in the hub at intervals spaced around the hub, and a plurality of rail connectors cooperable with said vertical holes in the hub for connecting the rail sections to the hub in positions in which the rail section radiate from the hub, each connector having a first connector portion, adapted for connection to one end of a respective rail section, and a second connector portion adapted for connection to the hub, said first connector portion having opposite, generally parallel side walls spaced apart a distance only slightly less than the distance between opposing side walls of a rail section whereby the first connector portion is sized for a relatively snug fit inside the box beam portion of a respective rail section.

2. A support system as set forth in claim 1 further comprising vertical fastener means for connecting the first connector portion of said connector to said respective rail section.

3. A support system for data transmission lines, comprising a plurality of rail sections, a hub adapted to be supported at a fixed elevation and having a flat planar upper surface for supporting said data transmission lines.

a plurality of vertical holes in the hub at intervals spaced around the hub.

4. A support system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said connector means comprises a plurality of rail connectors, each connector having a first connector portion adapted for connection to one end of a respective rail section, and a second connector portion adapted for connection to the hub.

5. A support system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said second connector portion has a vertical member adapted to extend vertically through a vertical hole in the hub and said vertical hole in said second connector portion for connecting the connector portion to the hub.

6. A support system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said vertical member comprises vertical pin means.

7. A support system as set forth in any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein each rail connector connects a respective rail section to the hub for pivotal movement of the rail section relative to the hub about a generally vertical axis.

8. A support system as set forth in claim 7 wherein each rail connector has a first connector portion adapted for connection to one end of a respective rail section, and a second connector portion adapted for connection to the hub.

9. A support system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said second connector portion comprises a vertical sleeve formed as an integral part of said first connector portion, and pin means comprising a vertical pin receivable in said vertical sleeve and through the hole in the hub to permit pivotal movement of the connector and its respective rail section about a vertical axis of the pin.

10. A support system for data transmission lines, comprising a plurality of rail sections, each rail section having an upper rail portion, a lower rail portion, and a series of rungs extending laterally out from the lower portion of the rail section, said rungs having upper line supporting surfaces for supporting said data transmission lines, a hub adapted to be supported at a fixed elevation and having an upper surface for supporting said data transmission lines, a plurality of vertical holes in the hub at intervals spaced around the hub, and connector means cooperable with said vertical holes in the hub for connecting the rail sections to the hub in positions in which the rail sections radiate out from the hub, and in which said data transmission lines are supported by the rungs of the rail sections at an elevation generally the same as said upper surface of the hub.

11. A support system as set forth in claim 10 wherein each of said rungs has an upwardly bent outer end.

12. A support system as set forth in claim 10 or claim 11 wherein said hub is a relatively thin, flat horizontal member having a maximum thickness substantially less than the height of each of said rail sections.

13. A support system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said vertical holes include four holes arranged at about 90 degree intervals around the hub.

14. A support system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said vertical holes include holes spaced at intervals of less than 45 degrees with respect to the hub.

15. A support system for data transmission lines and the like, comprising a hub adapted to be supported at a fixed elevation in which an upper surface of the hub is in a generally horizontal plane, a series of rail sect ions connected to the hub at intervals spaced around the hub, said hub being a relatively thin, flat member having a maximum thickness substantially less than the height of each of said rail sections, and having a continuous peripheral rim portion having four vertical holes arranged at about 90 degree intervals around the hub.

16. A support system as set forth in claim 15 wherein said vertical holes include holes spaced at intervals of less than 45 degrees with respect to the hub.

17. A support system for data transmission lines, comprising a thin flat hub adapted to be supported at a fixed elevation in which an upper surface of the hub is in a generally horizontal plane, said hub having a maximum thickness and a continuous peripheral rim portion having four vertical holes arranged at about 90 degree intervals around the hub, a plurality of rail sections, each rail section having a height as viewed from a side of the rail section substantially greater than the maximum thickness of said hub, and a series of rungs extending laterally out from the lower portion of the rail section for supporting said data transmission lines at an elevation generally the same as the upper surface of the hub, and a series of connectors cooperable with said vertical holes for connecting the rail section to the hub.

18. A support system as set forth in claim 17 wherein said vertical holes include holes spaced at intervals of less than 45 degrees with respect to the hub.