GB2407614A

GB2407614A - Retaining clips for cable trunking

Info

Publication number: GB2407614A
Application number: GB0422475A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Bullock
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-10-11
Filing date: 2004-10-11
Publication date: 2005-05-04
Anticipated expiration: 2024-10-11
Also published as: GB0422475D0; GB2407614B

Abstract

The present invention provides a clip for retaining a cable C such as a power cable or telephone cable within a channel section trunking. The trunking includes an elongate base 2 having an opening 6 defined by a pair of inwardly facing flanges 4. The clip 8 includes a first part 8a that in use extends across the opening 6 behind the flanges 4. A second part 8b is resiliently attached to the first part 8a for biasing the cable C away from the opening 6. To insert the clip 8 into the base through the opening 6, the first and second parts 8a and 8b are pressed together. Once in position, the flattened clip 8 is released and the second part 8b flexes away from the first part 8a to push the cable C away from the opening 6.

Description

TITLE

Retaining clips

DESCRIPTION

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a clip for retaining cables such as power cables and telephone cables and the like within a channel section bunking.

Background Art

Channel section bunking is well known and is often used in industrial and commercial environments to hold cables such as power cables and telephone cables and the like. The bunking generally comprises an elongate u-shaped base that is closed by a lid or cover. The open side of the base typically includes a pair of inwardly facing flanges that define an opening therebetween. The base and cover are usually made of an extruded plastics material or, where additional strength and protection is needed, folded galvanised steel.

The cover can be attached to the base using a screw, a snap-fit assembly or some other mechanical means. For example, the cover can include a number of pre-drilled and threaded holes at spaced intervals along its length. Bridging pieces may be provided at spaced intervals along the base across the opening. The bridging pieces may be integrally formed as part of the base, or the ends of the bridging piece can be formed with a slot for receiving the inwardly facing flanges so that the bridging pieces can slide along the base. Each bridging piece includes a pre- drilled and threaded hole so that a screw can be used to secure the cover and the bridging pieces together after the cables have been placed in the base.

The cover may also include one or more rotatable bars that are initially aligned substantially along the length of the bunking. When the cables have been placed in the base, the cover is placed over the opening and the bars are rotated from the outside using a screwdriver or other rotary tool until they extend behind the inwardly facing - 2 flanges to secure the cover and the base together. In each case, the cover can be easily removed to allow access to the cables for maintenance and repair.

When a length of base has been installed, the cables are unrolled and inserted into the base. Because the cables have a certain stiffness and resilience, they rarely sit flat within the base and have a tendency to either fall out or push themselves out of the opening between the inwardly facing flanges. This problem becomes greater as more cables are inserted into the base. If cables project through the opening when the cover is fitted then they can get trapped between the inside surface of the cover and the outside surface of the inwardly facing flanges. I his can make it difficult to secure the cover and the base together properly. In some instances, the cables can be damaged and it is not unknown for dangerous short circuits to occur inside metal bunking if the damage goes unnoticed during the installation.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention overcomes the problem mentioned above by providing a retaining clip that is freely inserted into the channel section bunking and designed to keep the cable or cables away from the opening.

More particularly, the present invention provides a clip lor retaining a cable within a channel section bunking comprising an elongate base having an opening defined by a pair of inwardly facing flanges, the clip comprising a first part that in use extends across the opening and a second part resiliently attached to the first part for biasing the cable away from the opening.

The clip preferably has a substantially v-shaped cross-section. The first and second parts are preferably planar surfaces connected by a hinge area that allows them to resiliently flex relative to each other. The width of the second part of the clip can be larger than, the same as or smaller than the width of the first part depending on requirements.

The clip is preferably integrally formed from a resilient plastics material. However, it will be readily appreciated that the clip can be formed from any suitable material. For example, the first and second parts themselves can be rigid provided the hinge area is configured to allow them to resiliently flex relative to each other. The clip can be moulded or extruded.

The present invention also provides a method of retaining a cable within a channel section bunking comprising an elongate base having an opening defined by a pair of inwardly facing flanges using a clip as described above, the method comprising the steps of: pressing the first and second parts together; inserting the clip into the base through the opening and positioning it between the cable and the opening such that the first part extends across the opening; and releasing the first and second parts such that the second part resiliently flexes away trom the first part to bias the cable away from the opening.

Drawings Figure 1 is a cross-section view downwardly through a length of channel section bunking showing a clip according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-section view along the length of channel section bunking of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the length of channel section bunking of Figure 1; and Figures 4 to 6 show how the clip is inserted into the channel section bunking.

With reference to Figures 1 to 3, a length of channel section bunking includes an elongate u-shaped base 2 having a pair of inwardly lacing flanges 4 that define an opening 6 therebetween. An electrical cable C is positioned inside the section bunking. A retaining clip 8 has a v-shaped cross-section and is integrally formed from a resilient plastics material. The retaining clip 8 has a first part 8a that extends across the opening 6 behind the flanges 4. A second part 8b of the retaining clip 8 biases the electrical cable C away from the opening 6 to prevent it from being damaged when a cover (not shown) is secured to the base 2 using any conventional means. The second part 8b terminates in a free edge 8c that contacts the electrical cable C. The installation of the retaining clip 8 will now be explained with reference to Figures 4 to 6. Before the retaining clip 8 is inserted into the base 2 through the opening 6, the first and second parts 8a and 8b are pressed together. This is important because cables (in this case represented by the electrical cable C) often get pushed just inside the lower inwardly facing flange 4a and they must be dislodged by the retaining clip 8 so that the retaining clip is properly positioned between the cables and the opening 6.

The Battened retaining clip 8 is inserted at an angle as shown in Figure 4 so that its bottom edge can be located in the narrow gap between the electrical cable C and the lower inwardly Racing flange 4a.

When the electrical cable C has been 'dug out' by the bottom edge of the flattened retaining clip 8, the retaining clip is stood upright so that it extends across the opening 6 behind the flanges 4. This intermediate position is shown in Figure 5.

l'he retaining clip 8 is then released to return to or towards its original v-shape. As the second part 8b flexes away from the first part 8a the free edge 8c pushes the electrical cable C away from the opening 6 as shown in Figure 6. A natural consequence of this movement is that the electrical cable C will hold the first part of the retaining clip 8 in position against the inwardly facing flanges 4. Furthermore, because the retaining clip 8 has a v-shaped cross-section it will not fall over or twist.

When inserted, the retaining clip 8 can be slid along the length of the base 2 to the required position. The inherent low cost of the retaining clip 8 means that a large number of clips can be used along any length of channel section bunking.

The size of the retaining clip 8 can be altered to match the inner dimensions of the channel section bunking and the estimated number of cables to be retained. For example, it will be readily appreciated that the height of the retaining clip 8 must be greater than the opening 6 between the inwardly facing flanges 4. In fact, it is - 5 generally preferred that the height of the retaining clip 8 is made just slightly smaller than the distance between the sides of the base that terminate in the inwardly facing flanges 4 (i.e. the top and bottom surfaces as shown in Figures 4 to 6).

If the channel section bunking is expected to be lightly filled with electrical cables then the width of the second part 8b of the retaining clip 8 can be increased so that the free edge 8c extends further away from the opening 6 when the clip is inserted and released. In this way, the amount of volume within the base 2 that is free for the electrical cables to occupy is effectively reduced. On the other hand, the width of the second part 8b of the retaining clip 8 can be reduced ii the channel section bunking is expected to be heavily filled with electrical cables.

The amount of resilience between the first and second parts 8a and 8b of the retaining clip 8 can also be altered to provide a stronger or weaker 'push' on the electrical cables. This might be achieved by altering the thickness of the retaining clip 8 so that the hinge area between the first and second parts 8a and 8b is thicker (for a stronger push') or thinner (for a weaker 'push'), for example. Alternatively, just the thickness, shape or configuration of the hinge area itself might be altered.

If additional electrical e.ables need to be inserted into the channe! section bunking at a later date, the retaining clip 8 can be easily removed by simply reversing the installation steps described above. - 6

Claims

1. A clip for retaining a cable within a channel section bunking comprising an elongate base having an opening defined by a pair of inwardly facing flanges, the clip comprising a first part that in use extends across the opening and a second part resiliently attached to the first part for biasing the cable away from the opening.

2. A clip according to claim l, which has a substantially v-shaped crosssection.

3. A clip according to claim l or claim 2, which is integrally formed from a resilient plastics material.

4. A clip according to claim 2, which is extruded.

S. A method of retaining a cable within a channel section bunking comprising an elongate base having an opening defined by a pair of inwardly facing flanges using a v-shaped clip according to any preceding claim, the method comprising the steps of: pressing the first and second parts together; inserting the clip into the base through the opening and positioning it between the cable and the opening such that the first part extends across the opening, and releasing the first and second parts such that the second part resiliently flexes (. away from the first part to bias the cable away from the opening.

4. A clip according to claim 3, which is moulded.

5. A clip according to claim 3, which is extruded.

6. A method of retaining a cable within a channel section bunking comprising an elongate base having an opening defined by a pair of inwardly facing flanges using a clip according to any preceding claim, the method comprising the steps of: pressing the first and second parts together; inserting the clip into the base through the opening and positioning it between the cable and the opening such that the first part extends across the opening; and releasing the first and second parts such that the second part resiliently flexes away from the first part to bias the cable away from the opening.

- -

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows: 1. A v-shaped clip for retaining a cable within a channel section bunking comprising an elongate base having an opening defined by a pair of inwardly facing flanges, the clip comprising a first part that in use extends across the opening and a second part resiliently attached to the first part for biasing the cable away from the opening.

2. A clip according to claim 1 which is integrally formed from a resilient plastics material.

3. A clip according to claim 2, which is moulded.