GB2402984A

GB2402984A - Spacers having co-operating formations

Info

Publication number: GB2402984A
Application number: GB0413456A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Allen Bailey
Original assignee: Lameek Ltd
Current assignee: Lameek Ltd
Priority date: 2003-06-16
Filing date: 2004-06-16
Publication date: 2004-12-22
Anticipated expiration: 2024-06-16
Also published as: GB2402984B; GB0413456D0; GB0313884D0

Abstract

A spacer (1) has a generally planar body with a slot (5). Formations (7) , such as corrugations, are provided on the spacer (1) which co-operate with formations on another such spacer to prevent relative rotation.

Description

SPACER

DESCRIPTION s

This invention relates to spacers for use in the securement of components to fixed supports and is especially, but not exclusively, related to spacers for use in the installation of cable brackets, cleats and other suitable supports within environments subject to extensive vibrational forces.

In the installation of cable brackets, cleats and the like within tunnels, it is usually necessary to locate spacers between the brackets or cleats and the tunnel, such as the roof or wall surface thereof, in order to ensure that the supporting brackets or cleats, and hence cables supported thereby, are maintained equidistant from the tunnel roof or wall surface.

Most types of spacers used in such installations are in the form of platelike elements with substantially smooth surfaces and an open-ended slot extending from one edge thereof, for receiving therethrough the shank of a bolt for securing the cable brackets or cleats to the tunnel roof or wall.

In order to achieve the required spacing of the cable bracket or cleat from the tunnel roof or wall surface, the retaining bolt is loosened and an appropriate number of spacers are located between the À À e bracket or cleat and surface, with the securing bolt being tightened accordingly.

In tunnel environments, particularly railway and road tunnels, the tunnel structure is subjected to vibrational forces, sometimes continuously.

As a consequence, the securing bolts and/or spacers tend to be shaken loose, with the cable ]O brackets or cleats being displaced with respect to the tunnel roof or wall and, under certain circumstances, becoming detached therefrom.

It is an object of the present invention to provide spacers which overcome, or at least substantially reduce, the disadvantages associated with the known types of spacers discussed above.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the invention resides in a spacer comprising a generally planar body having a slot, preferably an openended slot, therein and, on at least one major surface thereof, formations which are cooperable with complementary formations on at least one of the major surfaces of another such spacer, when two spacers are brought together with there respective major surfaces in engagement with each other, to prevent relative movement therebetween.

A second aspect of the invention resides in two or more spacers each comprising a generally planar body having a slot, preferably open-ended, therein, and, on at least one major surface thereof, formations :.. .;; Àe ace. Àe ce.

which are cooperable with complementary formations on at least at one of the major surfaces of an adjacent spacer, when the spacers are brought together with their respective major surfaces in engagement with s each other, to prevent relative movement therebetween.

A third aspect of the invention resides in a method of preventing, or at least substantially reducing, relative movement between two or more generally planar spacers each having a slot, preferably an open-ended slot, therein, which method comprises providing on at least one major surface of each spacer complementary formations which are cooperable with each other, when the spacers are brought together with their respective major surfaces in engagement with each other.

An open-ended slot preferably opens to an edge of the generally planar body.

In a preferred embodiment of spacer to be described in more detail hereinbelow, at least one major surface of the planar body of the or each spacer comprises, preferably on both major surfaces thereof, corrugations, such that, when two such spacers are brought together, the complementary peaks and troughs of the corrugations on the respective surfaces of the spacers engage with each other, to prevent relative movement between the spacers in the general axial direction of the slot which preferably lies normal to the corrugations.

:..e À.e Àe Other suitable surface formations may be provided to prevent, or at least substantially reduce, any relative movement between two adjacent spacers in engagement with each other, for example, complementary s projections and depressions on and in the respective engaging surfaces of the body of the spacers.

Preferably, two or more spacers have their respective open-ended slots extending in opposite directions or alternate opposed directions, in order to define a closed slot through which, for example, the shank or a securing bolt can extend.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, a preferred embodiment of spacer in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a spacer; Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the spacer shown in Figure li 2s Figure 3 is a side elevational view of two spacers of Figures 1 and 2 in engagement with each other; Figure 4 is a plan view of the pair of spacers shown in Figure 3, again superimposed one upon the other; and :.e.: À. ete. À ece Figure 5 is a sectional view of the pair of spacers shown in Figures 3 and 4 being used in a cable bracket installation in a tunnel.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, a spacer, indicated generally at 1, comprises a generally planar body 2 having respective opposed major surfaces 3,4.

The body 2 also comprises a slot 5 which is open ended at the right hand edge of the body 2.

The spacer 1 is stamped from a piece of sheet metal or other suitable material, to provide the IS planar body 2, and is formed with corrugations 7,8 on its respective major surfaces 3,4.

In Figures 3 and 4, a pair of spacers 1 are shown in engagement with each other, with the peaks and troughs of the corrugations 8 on the underside surface 4 of the upper spacer body 2 mating with the complementary peak and trough formations of the corrugations 7 on the upper surface 3 of the lower spacer body 2 and, also, with the open-ended slots 5 of the spacer bodies 2 extending in opposite directions.

Effectively, the corrugations 7,8 on the engaging surfaces 3,4 of the bodies 2 of the two spacers 1 interlock with each other, to prevent relative movement therebetween, in use.

:..e cesele. .e As can be seen from Figure 1, the corrugations 7,8 extend at right angles to the axis of the open- ended slot 5.

Referring now to Figure 4, here the pair of spacers 1 are used in a cable bracket installation associated with the roof of a tunnel.

Accordingly, a cable bracket 11 is secured to the JO tunnel roof 12 by means of a bolt 13.

Between the head 14 of the bolt 13 and the bracket 11 is provided a washer 15 and between the bracket 11 and the surface 16 of the tunnel roof 12 is Is located a pair of spacers 1, as described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

The shank 17 of the bolt 13 is located threadedly within a corresponding bore 18 in the tunnel roof 12.

The pair of spacers 1 have their respective open- ended slots 5 extending in opposite directions, to define a closed slot through which the shank 17 of the bolt 13 extends, as in the case of the pair of spacers 2s 1 discussed above in relation to Figure 3.

With the formations, namely, the corrugations 7,8, on the engaging surfaces of the two planar bodies 2 of the spacers 1, and with the bolt 13 tightened-up, any relative movement between the two spacers 1 is prevented.

:e Add; Àe teee. .. esee Thus, when the tunnel roof 12 is subjected to vibrations, the resulting vibrations to which the pair of engaging spacers 1 are subjected, do not result in relative movement between the two spacers 1, thereby maintaining the integrity of the securement of the cable bracket 11 to the tunnel roof 12 by means of the bolt 13.

It is to be appreciated that two or more spacers 1 can be employed, such that the complementary-shaped corrugations of confronting surfaces of adjacent pairs of spacers 1 effectively interlock, to prevent relative movement therebetween.

As indicated above, other suitable surface formations may be provided to prevent, or at least substantially reduce, any relative movement between two or more spacers in engagement with each other, for example, complementary projections and depressions on and in the respective engaging surfaces of adjacent pairs of spacers, as a result of the effective interlocking action between those engaging surfaces.

Claims

:.. e..e....e CLAIMS

1. A spacer comprising a generally planar body having a slot therein and, on at least one major surface thereof, formations which are cooperable with complementary formations on at least one of the major surfaces of another such spacer, when two spacers are brought together with there respective major surfaces in engagement with each other, to prevent relative movement therebetween.

2. A spacer according to claim l, wherein the slot is open-ended.

3. A spacer according to claim 2, wherein the open- ended slot opens to an edge of the body.

4. A spacer according to claim l, 2 or 3, wherein the planar body comprises on at least one major surface thereof, corrugations, such that, when two such spacers are brought together, the complementary peaks and troughs of the corrugations on the respective surfaces of the spacers engage with each other.

5. A spacer according to claim 4, wherein both major surfaces of the planar body comprise corrugations.

6. A spacer according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the slot extends generally normal to the corrugations. ;e

7. A spacer according to claim l, 2 or 3, wherein the major surfaces of the planar body comprise complementary projections and depressions.

8. In combination, two or more spacers each comprising a generally planar body having a slot therein and, on at least one major surface thereof, formations which are cooperable with complementary formations on at least at one of the major surfaces of an adjacent spacer, when the spacers are brought together with their respective major surfaces in engagement with each other, to prevent relative movement therebetween.

9. A spacer combination according to claim 8, wherein the slot of at least one spacer body is open- ended.

lO. A spacer combination according to claim 9, wherein at least one openended slot opens to an edge of the corresponding spacer body.

ll. A spacer combination according to claim 8, 9 or lo, wherein at least one major surface of the body of each spacer comprises corrugations, such that, when two such spacers are brought together, the complementary peaks and troughs of the corrugations on the respective surfaces of the spacers engage with each other. ;

Be, Be, e e - 10

12. A spacer combination according to claim 11, wherein both major surfaces of the planar body of each spacer comprise corrugations.

13. A spacer combination according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the slots extend generally normal to their respective corrugations.

14. A spacer combination according to claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein the major surfaces of the planar body of each spacer comprise complementary projections and depressions.

15. A spacer combination according to any of claims 8 to 14, wherein the spacers have their respective open- ended slots extending in opposite directions or alternate opposed directions, in order to define a closed slot through which, for example, the shank or a securing bolt can extend.

16. A method of preventing, or at least substantially reducing, relative movement between two or more generally planar spacers each having a slot therein, which method comprise providing on at least one major 2s surface of each spacer complementary formations which are cooperable with each other, when the spacers are brought together with their respective major surfaces in engagement with each other.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the slot of at least one spacer body is open-ended.

:. ... iiis.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the at least one open-ended slot opens to an edge of the corresponding spacer body.

19. A method according to claim 16, 17 or 18, wherein at least one surface of the body of each spacer comprises corrugations, such that, when two such spacers are brought together, the complementary peaks and troughs of the corrugations on the respective lO surfaces of the spacers engage with each other.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein both major surfaces of the body of each spacer comprise corrugations.

21. A method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the slots extend generally normal to their respective corrugations.

22. A method according to claim 16, 17 or 18, wherein the major surfaces of the planar body of each spacer comprise complementary projections and depressions.

23. A method according to any of claims 16 to 22, wherein the spacers have their respective open-ended slots extending in opposite directions or alternate opposed directions, in order to define a closed slot through which, for example, the shank or a securing bolt can extend.

:. .e I.;; a. atee

24. A spacer or spacer combination, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

25. A method of preventing or at least substantially reducing, relative movement between two or more spacers, substantially as hereinbefore described.