GB2445672A

GB2445672A - Tunnel Lining Bracket

Info

Publication number: GB2445672A
Application number: GB0800343A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neil Frank Gill; Louise Foster; Mark Gaskell
Original assignee: Tyco European Metal Framing Ltd
Current assignee: Tyco European Metal Framing Ltd
Priority date: 2007-01-15
Filing date: 2008-01-09
Publication date: 2008-07-16
Anticipated expiration: 2028-01-09
Also published as: GB0800343D0; GB2445672B

Abstract

A bracket 10 having a base plate 12 and a mounting plate 14 pivotally connected thereto. The base plate 12 has at least one feature 16, such as an aperture or recess, engageable with a fixing bolt of a tunnel lining joint. The mounting plate 14 has a first portion 24 configured so as to be engageable with a mounting member (Fig.2, 58) and a second portion 22 configured so as to receive and support a movable reaction member (fig.2, 44). The reaction member 44 may be in the form of a threaded bolt with a pivotable foot to brace the bracket against the tunnel wall.

Description

1 2445672 Tunnel Lining Bracket This invention relates to an improved

bracket for the internal surface of a tunnel formed of bolted tubing sections.

Tunnel linings comprise arcuate sections fixed in a freshly bored tunnel just behind a tunnel boring machine or face shield. Many lined tunnels comprise arcuate cast iron or steel sections bolted together at adjacent internally protruding flanges. Typically, each arcuate section is about 300-500mm wide and has internal flanges about 150mm in depth. Bolted joints may be at 300mm or less around the circumference. Once formed, such a lining is strong and self-supporting.

A need often arises to fix components to the internal surface of the lining, for example a cosmetic or fireproof secondary lining, cables, pipes, signs and the like. To avoid breaching the lining, such components are usually suspended or anchored from the existing fixing bolts. This can be very time consuming for often the existing bolts must be removed and substituted with a different kind; furthermore access to the fixing bolts can be restricted by proximity to the circumferential wall, by the internal flanges, and by other tunnel furniture.

What is required is a bracket which is simple to fit, has no loose parts, and is adaptable to any kind of component required to be fixed to the tunnel lining.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a bracket having a base plate and a mounting plate pivotally connected thereto, the base plate having at least one feature engageable with a fixing bolt of a tunnel lining joint, and the mounting plate having a first portion configured so as to be engageable with a mounting member and a second portion configured so as to receive and support a movable reaction member.

In use, the mounting feature of the base plate engages with a fixing bolt of the tunnel lining joint, while the reaction member contacts the tunnel lining.

The feature of the base plate which is engageable with a tunnel lining joint fixing bolt may be a recess of the plate. Alternatively, the feature may be a through aperture of the plate.

The base plate may preferably be provided with a plurality of such features.

The mounting plate may be pivotally connected to the base plate about a pin extending from the base plate and through an aperture of the mounting plate. A limiting means to limit the pivotable movement of the mounting plate relative to the base plate may preferably also be provided. The limiting means may comprise a projection of the base plate which extends through a curved slot of the mounting plate. In an alternative embodiment, the curved slot may be provided in the base plate. The or each projection may preferably be threaded. In such an embodiment the or each threaded projection may be provided with a nut. The or each nut may be tightened so as to fix the mounting plate to the base plate.

The first and second portions of the mounting plate may be defined by first and second flanges of the mounting plate. The movable reaction member may comprise a threaded member which is received in a correspondingly threaded aperture of the second flange. The threaded member pay be provided with a pivotable foot. The mounting plate may be provided with a plurality of reaction members. The flanges may be discontinuous.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a bracket assembly comprising two brackets of the type described with reference to the first aspect, and mounting member connected to and spanning between the first portions of the mounting members of each bracket.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a bracket according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an assembly incorporating two brackets; Figure 3 shows a top plan view of the assembly of figure 2; Figure 4 shows side view of the assembly of figure 2; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a bracket according to a further embodiemnt of the invention; and Figure 6 shows a further perspective view of the bracket of figure 5.

Referring firstly to figure 1 there is shown a bracket generally designated 10. The bracket includes a substantially planar base plate 12 and a flanged mounting plate 14. The base plate 12 is provided with two spaced through apertures 16 each of which is sized so as to be able to receive the head of bolt of a tunnel lining joint therethrough. In such an embodiment the base plate 12 is thus adapted to fit over two spaced bolt heads. In an alternative embodiment, each aperture 16 may be sized so as to receive the shank of a bolt thereto. In such an alternative embodiment the base plate 12 is thus adapted to be mounted by bolts passing through the apertures 16 with the underside of the bolt heads resting against the portions of the base plate 12 surrounding the apertures 16. In the embodiment shown both apertures 16 are substantially circular. In an alternative embodiment, not shown. one of the apertures 16 may be elongated so as to form a slot.

Intermediate the apertures 16 of the base plate 12 there are provided a spaced pair of threaded projections 18,20 which, in use, permit the mounting plate 14 to be pivotably connected to the base plate 12. The projections 18,20 may each comprise a coach bolt having a shank potion adjacent the head with a square cross-section. This square cross-section portion is received in a correspondingly shaped aperture of the base plate 12 to prevent rotation of the coach bolt relative to the base plate 12.

The mounting plate 14 is provided with opposed flanges 22,24. In the embodiment shown, the flanges 22,24 are of unequal length and comprise a longer reaction screw flange 22 and a shorter component mounting flange 24. In an alternative embodiment the flanges 22,24 may be of equal length. The portion of the mounting plate 14 intermediate the flanges 22,24 is provided with a curved slot 26 and an aperture. The slot 26 and aperture are positioned so as to be able to receive the projections 18,20 of the base plate 12 therethrough. The mounting plate 14 is retained to the base plate 12 by nuts 28,30 fitted to the threaded projections 18,20. The mounting plate 14 is thus pivotable relative to the base plate 12 as indicated by arrow 32, and can be retained at a desired position by tightening the nuts 2 8,30.

The reaction screw flange 22 is provided with two apertures 34,36 through each of which a reaction screw assembly can be mounted. The component mounting flange 24 is also provided with two apertures 38,40 which can be utilised to mount an item to the flange 24. )

Figures 2 to 4 show a bracket assembly, generally designated 42, which includes two brackets 10 in a "back to back" arrangement with the mounting plates outermost. Each reaction screv flange aperture 34.36 is provided with a reaction screw assembly 44,46 comprising a bolt 48, a pair of lock nuts 50,52 positioned on opposing sides of the flange 22 and a pivotable foot 54 carried by the bolt 48. In use, each bolt 48 can be adjusted as indicated by arrow 60 so that its foot 54 contacts the tunnel lining. The pivotable nature of the foot 54 ensures that the end face 56 thereof rests squarely against the tunnel lining.

A slotted plate 58 is shown resting against the component mounting flanges 24 of the brackets 10. In use, the plate 58 is secured to the mounting flange apertures 38,40 by nut and bolt arrangements (not shown). The provision of such nut and bolt arrangements permits movement of the brackets 10 towards and away from one another in the direction of the slots of the plate 58 as indicated by arrows 64. This movement of the brackets 10 may be utilised to assist in the mounting and removal of the bracket assembly 42 to the bolt heads of a tunnel lining joint. The brackets 10 can be initially moved outwardly from one another and the bracket assembly 42 positioned over the joint. The brackets 10 can then be moved towards one another such that the bolt heads are received in the base plate apertures 16. The brackets 10 can then be fixed in place by tightening the nut and bolt arrangements.

The nut and bolt arrangement by which the plate 58 is connected to the flanges 24 may permit a degree of adjustment of the plate 58 relative to the flanges 24 as indicated by arrow 62. The plate 58 in turn can be utilised to mount a component thereto. The plate 58 may, for example, be utilised to support piping, cabling or the like.

Referring now to figures 5 and 6 there is shown an alternative embodiment of a bracket generally designated 70. Features common to the bracket described with reference to figures 1 and 2 are identified with like reference numerals. The bracket 70 differs in that the curved slot 26 is provided in the base plate 12 as opposed to the mounting plate 14, and that the flange 22 of the mounting plate 14 is discontinuous and comprises two aligned flange portions 22a and 22b.

The bracket assemblies of the present invention are particularly suited to the mounting of heavy components to a tunnel lining.

Claims

Claims 1. A bracket having a base plate and a mounting plate pivotally

connected thereto, the base plate having at least one feature engageable with a fixing bolt of a tunnel lining joint, and the mounting plate having a first portion configured so as to be engageable with a mounting member and a second portion configured so as to receive and support a movable reaction member.
2. A bracket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the feature of the base plate which is engageable with a tunnel lining joint fixing bolt is a recess of the plate.
3. A bracket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the feature of the base plate which is engageable with a tunnel lining joint fixing bolt is a through aperture of the plate.
4. A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base plate is provided with a plurality of features which are engageable with a tunnel lining joint fixing bolt.
5. A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mounting plate is pivotally connected to the base plate about a projection extending from the base plate and through an aperture of the mounting plate.
6. A bracket as claimed in claim 5, wherein a limiting means to limit the pivotable movement of the mounting plate relative to the base plate is provided.
7. A bracket as claimed in claim 6, wherein the limiting means comprises a projection of the base plate which extends through a curved slot of the mounting plate.
8. A bracket as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the or each projection is threaded.
9. A bracket as claimed in claim 8, wherein the or each threaded projection is provided with a nut which is tightenable so as to fix the mounting plate to the base plate.
10. A bracket as claimed in any of claims I to 4 wherein the mounting plate is pivotally connected to the base plate about a threaded fastener extending through aligned apertures of the base and mounting plates.
11. A bracket as claimed in claim 10, wherein a limiting means to limit the pivotable movement of the mounting plate relative to the base plate is provided, the limiting means comprising a threaded fastener extending through a curved slot of the base plate and an aperture of the mounting plate.
12. A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first and second portions of the mounting plate are defined by first and second flanges of the mounting plate.
13. A bracket as claimed in claim 12 wherein the first flange is wider than the second flange.
14. A bracket as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, the bracket further including a movable reaction member wherein the movable reaction member includes a threaded member which is received in an aperture of the second flange.
15. A bracket as claimed in claim 14 wherein the threaded member is bolt.
16. A bracket as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15 wherein the threaded mcmbcr is provided with means to fix the position of the threaded member relative to the mounting plate.
17. A bracket as claimed in claim 16 wherein said means comprise a pair of nuts provided on said threaded member in opposing sides of the second flange of the mounting plate.
18. A bracket as claimed in any of claims 14 to 17, wherein the threaded member is provided with a pivotable foot.
19. A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mounting plate is provided with a plurality of movable reaction members.
20. A bracket assembly comprising two brackets of the type as claimed in any preceding claim, and a mounting member connected to the first portions of the mounting members of each bracket.
21. A bracket assembly as claimed in claim 20 wherein the mounting member comprises a slotted plate.
22. A bracket substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in Figure I or Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.
23. A bracket assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in Figures 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings