GB2373104A

GB2373104A - Cable duct with separate compartments

Info

Publication number: GB2373104A
Application number: GB0204674A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Vinod Gadher
Original assignee: Aggregate Industries UK Ltd
Current assignee: Aggregate Industries UK Ltd
Priority date: 2001-02-28
Filing date: 2002-02-28
Publication date: 2002-09-11
Also published as: GB0104901D0; GB0204674D0

Abstract

A cable duct 10 is made up a channel shaped part 12 and a removable flush fitting lid 14. The duct has two compartments 26a,26b separated by a wall 24. Brackets 28 are provided in the compartments 26a,26b to keep cables S1-S3,S5-S8 separate to aid in recognition. The duct 10 may be buried underground, kept flush with ground level, or sited above ground. The lid 14 may have its appearance changed to suit the environment eg, to look like cobblestones. The duct 10 may be placed end to end with other duct units 10 or may have interlocking means to fix one unit 10 to another.

Description

Access Ducting The present invention relates to access ducting, and particularly but not exclusively to access ducting for supply lines.

Supply lines, such as cables, pipes and wires are used to convey services such as gas, electricity, water, sewerage, telecommunications and the like beneath ground level. The laying of such underground lines has a number of associated problems. Often, various different service lines have to be laid to supply a building or the like. This means that often channels require to be dug in the same general location in the ground on several occasions. This is a time consuming and expensive exercise. Moreover, it presents the potential for damage to lines already laid.

Further, it may be required for new or replacement supply lines to be laid next to established lines. Often locating established lines and digging them up for replacement can also be difficult and expensive. Further, when laying new or replacement lines in an area where established supply lines lie there is clear potential for damage to those existing lines.

According to the present invention there is provided ducting for underground supply lines, the ducting comprising first and second sections which in use define a duct along which a plurality of supply lines is locatable, the second section being displaceable from the first section to provide for selective access to lines inside the ducting.

Preferably the ducting is located, in use, wholly beneath the surface of the ground and desirably covered from view for example with soil or other ground material.

Preferably the first section defines a channel in which lines are located in use, and may comprise a base and two generally upstanding walls.

Preferably the second section is located in use, generally on top of the first section to facilitate access thereto for selected displacement. The first and second sections may be interconnectable. Alternatively, the second section may be mounted for location on the first section, the configuration of mounting and/or weight of the second section and/or ground thereabove facilitating retention of the sections in location together. The second section may comprise a lid, which may be locatable on lid support formations provided on the first section. The lid support formations may extend along respective upper edges of the first section. The second section may locate within the first section, desirably to be a generally flush fit.

The second section may be decorated on its in-use upper surface (s), for example to have the appearance of paving or any other desirable appearance.

The first and second sections may be interlockable to prevent unauthorised access into the duct.

One or more partitions may be provided within the duct. Partitioning means may be provided on the first section. The partitioning means may comprise one or more generally upstanding formations.

Supply line supports may be provided within the duct to support supply lines in position within the ducting. Preferably the support can retain lines in spaced configuration to facilitate identification of supply lines, and preferably where necessary to mitigate potential interference between lines or the service passing down the lines. Supports may comprise brackets or other similar means, which are preferably provided in a series along the duct. The supports are preferably provided on the inside of at least one of the generally upstanding walls of the first section. Support may be provided on the partition means.

The ducting may be formed of cementitious material, such as concrete.

Preferably the first section is adapted to locate against a similar first section desirably in an end-on configuration, to enable a line of sections to be assembled to define a duct therebetween. The sections may be interconnectable. Alternatively respective sections may butt up to each other to effectively define at least in part a continuous duct therebetween. Preferably the ducting is arranged to locate in end-on configuration with similar ducting to produce a continuous duct therebetween.

The invention also provides a ducting system comprising a plurality of ducting according to any of the preceding paragraphs.

Preferably the system comprises a plurality of ducting in end-on configuration to define a continuous duct therebetween. The system may comprise means to secure the ducting in end-on configuration.

Preferably the system is designed to carry supply lines to domestic and residential buildings.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :- Fig. 1 is a perspective end view of access ducting according to the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of access ducting in use, in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, and in particular Fig. 1, there is provided ducting 10 for supply lines (generally referred to by the letter S) the ducting comprising first 12 and second 14 sections which in use define a duct 16 along

which a plurality of supply lines Sl, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7 and S8 is locatable, the second section 14 being displaceable from the first section 12 to provide for selective access to the lines Sl to 8 inside the ducting 10.

In more detail, the first section 12 defines a generally open topped channel substantially defined by a base 18 and two generally upstanding walls 20,22. An upstanding partition formation 24 extends up from the base 18 to over half way up the height of the walls 20,22 to partition the channel into two general areas 26a, 26b.

Brackets 28 are provided on the inside of each of the walls 20, 22 to provide support for supply lines Si to S8 as will be described. Brackets may also be provided on the partition formation 24 if desired.

The second section 14 essentially comprises a lid of generally planar section which locates on ledges 30 formed towards the upper edges 32 along the respective upstanding walls 20,22, such that the second section 14 sits neatly on the first section 12 with a generally flush fit thereon.

The weight of the second section 14 and the ground material, as shown in diagrammatic cross-section at G, secure the second section in location on the first section 12.

However, if required, the first and second section 12,14 can be adapted to interconnect in the in-use condition. Moreover locking means can be provided to prevent unauthorised access into the duct 16.

The ducting 10 is adapted at its ends 34,36 to be locatable against similar ducting 10'as shown in Fig. 1, such that a generally continuous duct is defined by the respective ductings 10,10'. In this particular embodiment, the ends 34,36 are flat so that ductings 10'locates by butting up to ducting 10. However, it will be appreciated that locating formations may be provided, and these may provide means for interlocking successive ductings, 10,10'etc. together to form a series of ductings defining a ducting system.

It will be appreciated that a plurality of first sections 12 may be located beneath a single second section 14, and as an alternative a plurality of second sections 14 may be located above a section 12.

A further aspect of the invention is the provision of an access ducting system, which comprises a plurality of ducting 10 aligned in a series, or network, through which a plurality of supply lines is locatable.

In use, the ducting 10 and series of ducting according to the present invention can be used as a multi-service channel to convey and protect a plurality of supply lines such as cables, pipes, and the like carrying gas, electricity, water, sewerage, telecommunications, to residential and domestic buildings.

In a preferred embodiment, the ducting 10 is located in a channel dug in the ground, such that the ducting 10 is wholly beneath ground level, and ground material G is laid thereon (see Fig. 1) to conceal the ducting 10 from sight from above ground. As an alternative, the ducting 10 may be laid such that the second sections 14 are visible, at least in certain areas thereof, from above ground. In this instance, the upper surface 38 of second sections 14 may be given an appearance, such as that of paving, cobblestones and the like.

It is envisaged that during the construction of buildings, the ducting 10 will be laid, if required on a foundation material, within the ground leading from the building to the main supplies, which often extend along a roadway R for example. Referring to Fig. 2, this illustrates the use of the ducting 10 to convey supply lines from a roadway R off to detached houses D, a plurality of houses interconnected, i. e. semi-detached houses SD, terraced houses and the like or flats/sheltered accommodation F.

As the various supply lines for services are connected to the buildings during their construction, the supply lines can be located within the ducting 10, by simply removing the second sections 14 to provide access to the duct 16.

The various brackets 28 and partition 24 provide for the respective supply lines Sl to S8 to be spaced within the duct to facilitate ease of recognition (particularly useful for subsequent maintenance or replacement), and also to help mitigate difficulties of entanglement and the like. It can also act to mitigate interference difficulties.

Once all the supply lines Sl to S8 are located within the ducting, the second ducting 10 can be closed by locating the second sections 14 on the first sections 14, and then covered by ground material G as indicated, or otherwise secure the sections 14 on the first sections 12.

It will be appreciated that the ducting 10 and the ducting system formed therewith, have considerable advantages over simply burying supply lines within the ground as is convention.

There is considerable ease of maintenance, laying of lines and considerable labour and cost savings associated with such activities.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. It is envisaged that the ducting 10 will be constructed of concrete or other cementitious material. However, it will be appreciated that any suitable material can be used.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claims 1. Ducting for underground supply lines, the ducting comprising first and second sections which in use define a duct along which a plurality of supply lines is locatable, the second section being displaceable from the first section to provide for selective access to lines inside the ducting.
2. Ducting as claimed in claim 1, in which the ducting is located, in use, wholly beneath the surface of the ground.
3. Ducting as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the ducting is covered from view for example with soil or other ground material.
4. Ducting as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the first section defines a channel in which lines are located in use.
5. Ducting as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the first section comprises a base and two generally upstanding walls.
6. Ducting as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the second section is located in use, generally on top of the first section to facilitate access thereto for selective displacement.
7. Ducting as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the first and second sections are interconnectable.
8. Ducting as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, in which the second section is mounted for location on the first section, the configuration of mounting and/or weight of the second section and/or ground thereabove facilitating retention of the sections in location together.
9. Ducting as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the second section comprises a lid.
10. Ducting as claimed in claim 9, in which the lid is locatable on lid support formations provided on the first section.
11. Ducting as claimed in claim 10, in which the lid support formations extend along respective upper edges of the first section.
12. Ducting as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the second section locates within the first section.
13. Ducting as claimed in claim 12, in which the second section locates within the first section to be a generally flush fit.
14. Ducting as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the second section is decorated on its in-use upper surface (s), for example to have the appearance of paving or any other desirable appearance.
15. Ducting as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the first and second sections are interlockable to prevent unauthorised access into the duct.
16. Ducting as claimed in any preceding claim, in which one or more partitions are provided within the duct.
17. Ducting as claimed in claim 16, in which partitioning means is provided on the first section.
18. Ducting as claimed in claim 17, in which the partitioning means comprises one or more generally upstanding formations.
19. Ducting as claimed in any preceding claim, in which supply line supports are provided within the duct to support supply lines in position within the ducting.
20. Ducting as claimed in claim 19, in which the supports can retain lines in spaced configuration to facilitate identification of supply lines.
21. Ducting as claimed in claim 19 or claim 20, in which the supports can retain lines so as to mitigate potential interference between lines or the services passing down the lines.
22. Ducting as claimed in any of claims 19 to 21, in which supports comprise brackets or other similar means.
23. Ducting as claimed in any of claims 19 to 22, in which the supports are provided in a series along the duct.
24. Ducting as claimed in any of claims 19 to 23, in which the supports are provided on the inside of at least one of the generally upstanding walls of the first section.
25. Ducting as claimed in any of claims 19 to 24, in which supports are provided on the partition means.
26. Ducting as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the ducting is formed of cementitious material, such as concrete.
27. Ducting as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the first section is adapted to locate against a similar first section.
28. Ducting as claimed in claim 27, in which first section is adapted to locate against a similar first section in an end-on configuration, to enable a line of sections to be assembled to define a duct therebetween.
29. Ducting as claimed in claim 27 of claim 28, in which the sections are interconnectable.
30. Ducting as claimed in claim 27 or claim 28, in which respective sections butt up to each other to effectively define at least in part a continuous duct therebetween.
31. Ducting as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the ducting is arranged to locate in an end-on configuration with similar ducting to produce a continuous duct therebetween.
32. A ducting system comprising a plurality of ducting as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims.
33. A ducting system as claimed in claim 32, in which the system comprises a plurality of ducting in end-on configuration to define a continuous duct therebetween.
34. A ducting system as claimed in claim 33, in which the system comprises means to secure the ducting in end-on configuration.
35. A ducting system as claimed in any of claims 32 to 34, in which the system is designed to carry supply lines to domestic and residential buildings.
36. Ducting substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
37. A ducting system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
38. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.