GB2378325A

GB2378325A - Flexible container for excess wire at floor box

Info

Publication number: GB2378325A
Application number: GB0216459A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Harrison
Original assignee: Ackermann Ltd
Current assignee: Ackermann Ltd
Priority date: 2001-07-24
Filing date: 2002-07-16
Publication date: 2003-02-05
Anticipated expiration: 2022-07-16
Also published as: GB0117997D0; GB0216459D0; GB2378325B

Abstract

In a floor box (10) for an under-floor cabling system any excess lengths of electrical cables (20) connected to the floor box are supported or contained in a flexible container (18) which is attached to the underside of the floor box. The container may be an open mesh bag made of a fabric or thermoplastic material, and may be attached by round clips (22) to the floor box via an inclined frame (16).

Description

Title : Electrical Cable Supports This invention relates to supports for cables, and more particularly to cable supports for use with floor boxes mounted under raised floors.

Background to the invention Floor boxes are used in under-floor cabling systems for connecting flying leads or cables to electrical equipment such as office computers, telephones and the like. A typical floor box and the means for securing it to a floor is disclosed for example in EP-A-0656676, or in concurrently filed UK Application [ref- C1091A].

When flying cables are connected to a floor box there IS frequently an excess of cable length remaining, depending on the location of, for example, a desk on which the electrical equipment is resting. A disadvantage of such excess cable is that it is often left lying loose, where it not only looks unsightly, but can in certain circumstances also constitute a hazard.

It is an object of the present invention to avoid this disadvantage.

Summary of the invention According to on aspect of the invention there is provided a method of supporting or containing excess lengths of electrical cables connected to a floor box, comprising the steps of providing a flexible container, such as a bag, for retaining the excess cables, and attaching the container to the underside of the floor box.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a container for supporting excess lengths of electrical cables, and frame means attachable to the container for connection to the underside of a floor box.

Advantageously the container is an open mesh bag, which may be made of a fabric or thermoplastic material.

The invention also extends to a floor box having a frame connected to its underside, and attachment means for attaching a suitable container to the frame.

The frame is preferably rectangular ; and the attachment means may be disposed at an inclination such that the bag is held in a partially horizontal position.

Descnption of Embodiment The invention will be now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompany mg drawings, in which Figure I is a perspective view from beneath of an arrangement incorporating a cable support or bag in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a corresponding view from above of the arrangement of Figure I, showing excess lengths of cable contained in the bag; and Figure 3 is a side view of a frame to which the cable bag is attached.

Referring first to Figure 1, there is shown a floor box 10 to which flying cables (not shown) are connected. The box is fitted in a rectangular aperture in a raised floor 12 in which it is secured, and over the floor are laid carpet tiles 14.

Attached beneath the box is a bag frame 16 whose underside has an inclined opening to which is fixed a cable bag 18 made of an open mesh fabric or thermoplastic material. The

bay is generally arch-shaped, and the inclination of the frame enables the bag 18 to be held in a position nearer to the horizontal.

Figure 2 is a view from above, showing the bag 18 containing excess flying cable 20, the carpet tiles and floor being omitted for the sake of clarity. In Figure 3 there is shown the bag 18 fixed to the frame 16, as by round clips 22.

It will be apparent that the described cable bag arrangement serves to maintain the excess cable in a safe and tidy condition.

Claims

1. A method of supporting or containing excess lengths of electrical cables which are connected to a floor box, comprising the steps of providing a flexible container or bag for retaining the excess cable, and attaching the container to the underside of the floor box.

2. A method account to claim 1 in which the container is attached to the floor box via an inclined frame.

3 A container for supporting excess lengths of electrical cables connected to a floor box, and frame means attachable to the container for connection to the underside of the floor box.

4 A container as claimed in claim 3 comprising an open mesh bag made of a fabric or thermoplastics material.

5 - A floor box in combination with a frame connected to the underside of the floor box, and attachment means for attaching to the frame a container for supporting excess lengths of electrical cables connected to the floor box.

6. A floor box as claimed in claim 5 in which the attachment means is disposed at an inclination such that the bag is held in a partially horizontal position.

7. A floor box as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 in which the frame is generally rectangular, and the attachment means comprises round clips.

8- A method of supporting excess lengths of electrical cables connected to a floor box substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

9. A container for supporting excess lengths of electrical cables connected to a floor box substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

10. A floor box in combination with a frame connected to the underside of the floor box substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.