GB2426915A

GB2426915A - Pipe support bracket

Info

Publication number: GB2426915A
Application number: GB0611374A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Sikorski; Klaus-Paul Koch
Original assignee: Rehau AG and Co
Current assignee: Rehau Automotive SE and Co KG
Priority date: 2005-06-11
Filing date: 2006-06-08
Publication date: 2006-12-13
Also published as: FI20060575A0; GB0611374D0; DE202005009190U1; SE0601275L; FI20060575L

Abstract

A pipe support bracket 1 is made up of two elements with the first element 2 comprising a plate which is fixable via screw holes 5 to a vertical surface such as a ceiling beam. The second element 3 extends substantially perpendicular to the first element and comprises a tapering planar body having an upper horizontal edge 6 and a lower edge 7 which is angled upwards towards its distal end. The upper edge of the second element has one or more recesses 8 that can each accommodate a pipe 9. The two elements can be made of plastics material in a unitary manner. The bracket is intended to be used to positionally support heating pipes in a ceiling void (figs 2 and 3).

Description

Retaining element for retaining at least one pipeline of a pipeline

heating system The invention relates to a retaining element for retaining at least one pipeline of a pipeline heating system, constructed for use in ceiling constructions with wooden beams.

If pipelines for hot water heating systems are to be retained in ceilings with wooden beams, it is known to use a retaining element in the form of a retaining rail which rests on the wooden beams in the ceiling and extends transversely to the wooden supports. With a rail of this type the pipelines are clipped at the lower side into corresponding clip devices. Thus while heating of the air inside the ceiling or floor construction is achieved, use of the retaining rails is dependent on the beam spacing, if at the end faces the rails rest with respective supporting surfaces on the wooden beams. So a level supporting surface is nevertheless provided for the load distribution layer on the upper upright edge of the wooden beam, the beam must be punched out accordingly. The strictly predetermined length of the retaining rail means that it can only be used for a precisely defined beam spacing, wherein assembly, and in particular pipe fixing to the retaining rail, is also very time-consuming and complex, if the pipelines have to be clipped in at the lower side. The pipelines have to be fed into the ceiling cavity between the retaining rail and the insulation, so more demanding laying forms, such as a double- meander form, can rarely be achieved, or can only be achieved with difficulty.

It is also known in the prior art to fix pipelines to the lateral faces or upright edges of wooden beams in ceiling constructions using cable clips that are known from electronic engineering. This type of retention system is expensive and the pipe assembly is also complex here if nailing of the collar bands to the wooden beams is required for fastening.

As a result of the fact that the pipelines are fixed to the side of the beams and are not uniformly distributed over the area to be heated, a low heating capacity output results with irregular surface temperatures. In addition, fastening via nailing of the collar bands to the wooden beams does not allow any variation in the laying distances, if the laying distance is predetermined by the width of the wooden beam on the one hand and the spacing between the The object of the invention is therefore to disclose a retaining element which allows simple assembly of the pipeline without restrictions to the heating properties which occur as a result of the pipe laying.

To achieve the object it is provided according to the invention in a retaining element of the type mentioned at the outset that the retaining element is constructed as a bracket that can be fastened to the side of the upright edge of a wooden beam with a first section being used for fastening to the wooden beam and a second section protruding at an angle from the wooden beam in the assembled state, the second section at the upper side comprising at least one seat for a pipeline.

In the heating element according to the invention a bracket is thus provided to the side of the corresponding lateral face of the wooden beam, called the upright edge here, which bracket, similar to a wall shelf, comprises two different sections. One section is used for the actual fastening to the lateral face of the wooden beam, while the second section protrudes at an angle from the wooden beam and provides the seat for the pipeline, so the pipeline can optionally be assembled at a specific spacing from the wooden beam. In this case it is often expedient if the angle of the second section of the bracket relative to the wooden beam is substantially a right angle, so a large spacing of the assembled pipeline from the wooden beam can be achieved with a comparatively short second section. If reference is made in this case to the ceiling construction, then constructions for horizontal installation are thus primarily, but not exclusively, meant. Use of the retaining element in vertical, wall-like constructions is also possible, wherein the geometric details with respect to the position of the beam and receiving of the retaining element are to be read accordingly in this case.

With the retaining element according to the invention it is possible to fix the pipeline independently of the beam spacing, if the second section for receiving the pipeline can be constructed in such a way that pipe fixing is possible at practically any desired spacing from the beam.

Chiselling out of the beam at the upper side is not necessary as the retaining bracket is assembled to the side of the upright edge of the wooden beam. In addition, the most diverse forms of laying, such as single-meanders and double meanders and the like, may be easily implemented with the retaining element according to the invention. As a component the retaining element is a simple component per Se, so inexpensive installation of the pipeline is possible.

The retaining element can consist of plastics material. In this case it is constructed as a polymer retaining bracket which has the advantages of a plastics material component with respect to production and assembly, in that the most diverse forms - depending on the desired area of application - may be achieved, wherein with plastics material a light and robust material is used.

In addition it is provided according to the invention that the retaining element can be manufactured in one piece. In this case the first and second sections form a single element, consisting, for example, of plastics material, so it is no longer necessary to join the two sections. Of course the one-piece retaining element can also consist of a material that is not plastics material, for example of wood, metal or the like, depending on the purpose for which it is intended.

Under certain circumstances it may, however, be expedient not to manufacture the retaining element as one piece, if, for example, a specific angle of the two sections to each other can be adjusted by a join. As a rule the retaining element is constructed in one piece, however, so during assembly only the fastening of the first section to the The seat of the second section can be constructed for non- positive and/or positive, in particular tool-free, retention of the pipeline.

If both non-positive and positive retention take place, this provides specific securing of the fixing, so it is hardly possible for the pipeline to slip.

Positive retention can be achieved by a channel- or pipe- shaped seat. Non-positive retention takes place for example by pinching which may be easily achieved in particular with a retaining element made of plastics material. Assembly in situ is simplified as a result of the tool-free retention of the pipeline. No specific tools are required and assembly errors, which could easily occur with improper tool use, are avoided.

It is particularly advantageous if the seat of the second section is constructed as a clip mount. Clip mounts of this type may be easily achieved in particular when using a plastics material and in the process allow reliable fixing in which slippage or escape of the assembled pipeline is largely avoided. This applies in particular if the clip mount is constructed such that it virtually completely surrounds the fixed pipe following assembly.

According to the invention the second section can comprise a plurality of, in particular two or three, seats that are spaced apart from each other by a few centimetres. In this case the second section of the retaining element is constructed similar to a rail to ensure, in particular with relatively large beams spacings or relatively large required heating capacities or in pipes with a relatively small diameter, optimum heat generation. If the plurality of seats in the direction pointing away from the wooden beam are each spaced apart by a few centimetres, uniform heating of the air inside the ceiling or floor constructions may be achieved. An expedient spacing between the pipelines in spread out ceiling constructions is about cm. The seats for retaining pipelines can be constructed in such a way that, in the assembled state, the pipelines extend parallel to each other. In a second section, which extends at a right angle to the wooden beam, this also means a pipeline course parallel to the course of the wooden beam, so uniform distribution of the pipelines and thus of the heat output in the ceiling cavity is optionally achieved over a relatively long length.

The retaining element can have a seat which is constructed to retain a pipeline with a diameter between 10 and 30 mm, in particular between 16 and 20 mm. In this case the retaining element is capable of receiving without difficulty pipes, conventionally used in pipeline heating systems, with diameters in the range between 16 and 20 mm.

Of course pipelines with other diameters can be used in individual cases, so different retaining elements are required in this case, the seats of which are suitable for these pipelines.

Furthermore it is provided according to the invention that the second section may be wedge-shaped. A wedge-shaped second section in the manner that, in the assembled state, it tapers more and more with increasing spacing from the wooden beam provides the advantage of a low material requirement while simultaneously limiting the forces or moments acting on the fastening of the retaining element to the beam or the connecting part between the sections. The second section expediently comprises an upper side that extends horizontally in the assembled state and a lower side that extends toward the upper side with increasing spacing from the beam. Thus with a construction that is wedge-shaped as a whole optimum retention of the pipelines with respect to the forces and moments which occur and the material requirement and with respect to the heat output that is to be achieved is possible, in that namely the pipelines mounted in this way all extend at the same height, irrespective of their respective spacing from the wooden beam.

The second section can be 5 to 15 cm, in particular 12 cm, in length, and at most 5 to 10 cm, in particular 7.5 cm, high. If the second section is 12 cm long, two seats may be provided, wherein the first 5 cm are spaced from the wooden beam, while the second 5 cm are in turn spaced from the first seat. Following the second seat the second section continues for a short distance into the space away from the wooden beam, so the total length of 12 cm is achieved. The maximum height is achieved with a wedgeshaped course at the boundary to the first section that is used as the fastening to the wooden beam. A maximum height of 5 to cm, in particular of 7.5 cm, is expedient here with conventional ceiling constructions with a spacing between the insulation and the load distribution layer of about 10 to 15 cm.

The first section can comprise one or more hole(s) for receiving a fastening means that serves as the fastening to the beam. To achieve optimum fixing three or four holes or openings are usually used, via which the retaining element is screwed or nailed to the wooden beam.

Of course other fastenings are possible, for example tacking or gluing to the wooden beam.

The first section is advantageously panel-like, in particular is constructed as a panel that rests on the wooden beam in the assembled state. A panel of this type rests flat on the upright edge of the wooden beam, so fastening without any great difficulty is possible.

Further advantages, features and details can be found with reference to the following embodiments and in the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a retaining element according to the invention with pipelines, assembled on a wooden beam; Fig. 2 shows retaining elements according to the invention in a ceiling construction; and Fig. 3 shows a laying example when using retaining elements according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a retaining element 1 according to the invention which comprises a panel-like first section 2 and a wedge-shaped second section 3. The first section 2 rests flat on the upright edge of the wooden beam 4 and has four holes 5 which receive fastening means (not shown here for reasons of clarity), via which holes fastening of the retaining element 1 to the wooden beam 4 is achieved.

The second section 3 of the retaining element 1 protrudes substantially at a right angle from the wooden beam 4 and has a wedge-shaped construction such that the upper side 6 extends horizontally while the lower side 7 of the retaining element 1 extends toward the upper side 6 with increasing spacing from the beam.

On the upper side 6 of the retaining element 1 two seats 8 are provided in which a respective pipeline 9 is positively received. The spacing of the two pipelines 9 from each other approximately corresponds to the spacing of the pipeline 9, situated next on the wooden beam 4, from the beam 4. The retaining element 1 consists of plastics material, so simple manufacture is possible. Fixing of the pipe to the retaining element 1 is possible without an additional tool.

Pipe fixing, which is not dependent on beam spacing, is possible by way of the second section 3 of the retaining element 1 which projects into the gap between different wooden beams 4. It is also not necessary to treat the upper side of the wooden beam 4, for example by chiselling out, as the upper side of the wooden beam 4 does not undergo any changes as a result of fastening of the retaining element 1.

Fig. 2 shows retaining elements 10 according to the invention in a ceiling construction 11. The retaining elements are constructed in one piece from a first section 12, which rests flat on a wooden beam 14, and a second section 13, which protrudes at an angle from the associated wooden beam 14. The upper side of the second section 13 comprises two seats 15 in which pipelines 16 are retained by clips. Of course retaining elements can also be used which comprise more than the two seats 15 of the retaining elements 10 shown here. The first section 12 of the two retaining elements 10 is in each case fastened by screws to the wooden beam 13 on the left and right sides of the illustration of the ceiling construction 11 chosen here. The maximum height of the second section is, just like the corresponding side length of the rectangular, panel-like first section 12, adapted to the available cavity 17 of the ceiling construction 11. The cavity 17 is limited at the lower side by insulation 18 to which an insulating layer 19 is in turn connected at the lower side.

A load distribution layer 20, with an impact noise non- woven 21 resting thereon and a load distribution layer 20 in turn adjoining at the top, is provided at the upper side of the cavity 17.

The wooden beam 14 is approximately 5 cm wide, while its height is approximately 20 cm. The maximum height of the second section 13 is given as approximately 7.5 cm, while the side length of the first section 12 forming a rectangular panel is larger, so at the join between the first section 12 and the second section 13 it projects at the top and bottom beyond the second section 13. The length of the second section is approximately 12 cm, wherein the two seats 15 are spaced apart from each other by 5 cm.

Finally Fig. 3 shows a comparative example when using retaining elements 22 according to the invention. The retaining elements 22 are again fastened to the wooden beams 23 of the ceiling construction, wherein they protrude from the wooden beams 23 into the space.

In the plan view shown here the course of the pipeline 24, which has a diameter of almost 20 mm, in a meandering form can clearly be seen. In the case illustrated here the retaining elements are generally fastened in such a way that retaining elements 22 fastened to the different upright edges of a wooden beam 23 are in each case located exactly opposite each other. However, this is not inevitably the case, as can be seen on the wooden beam 23a, to which, on the left-hand side of the illustration, a different pipeline 25 to the pipeline 24 of the right- hand side is fastened. In this case only the middle retaining element 22 is fastened such that it exactly opposes the retaining element on the other side. In the case of the remaining retaining elements 22 the fastenings are different in order to counter the requirements given for fixing the pipeline 25 that is constructed differently from the pipeline 24. The pipeline 25 is constructed in such a way that various pipe branches 25b branch off a main section 25a.

The retaining elements 22 can thus be fastened, depending on the configuration of the respective pipeline 24, 25, such that the pipeline 24, 25 is optimally retained. The pipeline 24, 25 itself is fixed positively and non- positively without tools in this case. As shown here, a wide variety of types of laying is possible, wherein the spacing of the pipelines 24, 25 in their individual branches or meanders is not predetermined by the wooden beams 23. The output heating capacity is optimised, while at the same time a regular temperature can be achieved at the surface. Assembly of both the retaining elements 22 and the pipelines 24, 25 is possible relatively quickly without great expenditure and without additional work on the wooden beam 23 being required.

Claims

Claims 1. Retaining element for retaining at least one pipeline of a

pipeline heating system, constructed for use in ceiling constructions with wooden beams, characterised in that the retaining element (1, 10, 22) is constructed as a bracket that can be fastened to the side of the upright edge of a wooden beam (4, 14, 23) with a first section (2, 12) being used for fastening to the wooden beam (4, 14, 23) and a second section (3, 13) protruding at an angle from the wooden beam (4, 14, 23) in the assembled state, the second section (3, 13) at the upper side comprising at least one seat (8, 15) for a pipeline (9, 16, 24, 25)
2. Retaining element according to claim 1, characterised in that the retaining element (1, 10, 22) consists of plastics material.
3. Retaining element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the retaining element (1, 10, 22) is manufactured in one piece.
4. Retaining element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the seat (8, 15) of the second section (3, 13) is constructed for non-positive and/or positive, in particular tool-free, retention of the pipeline (9, 16, 24, 25)
5. Retaining element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the seat (8, 15) of the second section (3, 13) is constructed as a clip mount.
6. Retaining element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second section (3, 13) comprises a plurality of, in particular two or three, seats (8, 15) that are spaced apart from each other by a few centimetres.
7. Retaining element according to claim 6, characterised in that the seats (8, 15) for retaining pipelines (9, 16, 24, 25) are constructed in such a way that the pipelines (9, 16, 24, 25) extend parallel to each other in the assembled state.
8. Retaining element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the seat (8, 15) for retaining a pipeline (9, 16, 24, 25) is constructed with a diameter between 10 and 30 mm, in particular between 16 and 20 mm.
9. Retaining element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second section (3, 13) is wedge-shaped.
10. Retaining element according to claim 9, characterised in that, in the assembled state, the second section (3, 13) comprises a horizontally extending upper side (6) and a lower side (7) extending toward the upper side with an increasing spacing from the beam.
11. Retaining element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second section (3, 13) is 5 to 15 cm, in particular 12 cm, in length, and is at most 5 to 10 cm, in particular 7.5 cm, high.
12. Retaining element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first section (2, 12) comprises one or more holes (5) for receiving a fastening means that serves as the fastening to the beam.
13. Retaining element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first section (2, 12) is panel-like, in particular is constructed as a panel that rests on the wooden beam (4, 14, 23) in the assembled state.