GB2472653A

GB2472653A - Cable support

Info

Publication number: GB2472653A
Application number: GB0914320A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nick Smith; Jane Yorke
Original assignee: Hager Engineering Ltd
Current assignee: Hager Engineering Ltd
Priority date: 2009-08-15
Filing date: 2009-08-15
Publication date: 2011-02-16
Also published as: GB0914320D0

Abstract

A cable support is disclosed which is suitable for supporting one or more cables passing through a structure such as a building. The cable support has an elongate flexible sheet configurable to a cable-supporting configuration, wherein the sheet comprises a plurality of attachment means positioned along and in the region of each opposed elongate edge of the sheet whereby the sheet is suspendable from the attachment means relative to the structure. The support may be wound onto a reel. Also disclosed is a kit of parts comprising the support on a reel and support members such as hooks for suspending the cable support from a structure using the attachment means. The arrangement allows easy installation of electrical cables without the need for conventional bulky, rigid cable support trays.

Description

Cable Support The present invention relates to cable supports and particularly cable supports for routing cables, such as, for example, through voids in buildings.

Cable supports are extensively used to install cables during, for example, construction and maintenance of buildings. Known cable supports are generally rigid elongate pie-cut lengths made from metal and typically have a floor portion disposed between two longitudinally extending parallel flanges upstanding therefrom. Adjacent supports are joined together to form an extended support along a predetermined cable route, both horizontally and vertical through, for example, a building.

Different variations of such supports have been developed for different applications. For example, a known type of support is the "ladder-type", wherein the side flanges are interconnected by rungs on which cables are supported. The ladder-type support is often used to allow a free flow of air around the cables to dissipate heat, to avoid the accumulation of moisture and to avoid the accumulation of dust.

For supporting, for example, small diameter multi-conductor control and instrumentation cables a ladder-type support is often considered unsuitable, as the cables tend to droop between rungs of the ladder. This is undesirable in control and instrumentation applications as it can cause errors between the transmitted and received signals.

Therefore, for such applications an alternative support is commonly used such as, for example, a support tray. Cable support trays may have a solid or imperforate floor or, alternatively, may have a perforated floor or a floor with apertures to provide ventilation around the cables.

However, the above-mentioned known cable supports are disadvantaged in that they are rigid and are made in standard lengths which require cutting and joining to form an extended support along a predetermined cable route.

Further, specially designed pieces are required to alter the direction of the extended support. Furthermore, the standard lengths make the fitting of the extended support relatively difficult as the extended support is often routed through confined areas such as, for example, in the ceiling and floor voids of buildings. Moreover, there are health and safety issues related to the above-mentioned known supports as fitters often accidentally cut themselves on the metal cable supports.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cable support which at least substantially mitigates the above-mentioned disadvantages of known cable supports.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a cable support suitable for supporting one or more cables passing through a structure, the cable support comprising an elongate flexible sheet configurable to a cable-supporting configuration, wherein the sheet comprises a plurality of attachment means positioned along and in the region of each opposed elongate edge of the sheet whereby the sheet is suspendable from the attachment means relative to said structure whereby the cable supporting configuration is provided.

The elongate flexible sheet is preferably a polymer sheet. However, it will be appreciated that the sheet may be made from alternative materials provided the material has sufficient flexibility for the sheet to be configurable into a cable-supporting configuration.

The elongate flexible sheet may suitably have a width of 60cm or less, 30cm or less, or 15cm or less, depending upon the application and the quantity and diameters of the cables which need to be supported. The width of the &ongate flexible sheet is suitab'y measured across the sheet, normal to its long axis, from one edge to the opposed edge, with the sheet in a flat configuration.

The elongate flexible sheet advantageously comprises a central elongate body with arms extending therefrom to each attachment means.

The cable support advantageously further comprises first and second support means extending along the opposed elongate edges of the flexible sheet and which are retained thereat by the attachment means.

The elongate support means are preferably rods, which are advantageously flexible. However, it will be appreciated that other types of elongate support means may alternatively be used such as, for example, wire, cord, string, rope or chain.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a transport reel carrying a cable support according to the first aspect of the present invention described above. I0

A third aspect of the present invention provides a cable support kit comprising a cable support according to the first aspect of the present invention and a plurality of suspending members adapted to suspend the cable support.

The cable support kit may further comprise a transport reel carrying the cable support wound thereon.

The suspending members may have a first end adapted for attachment to the attachment means. Alternatively, the suspending members may have a first end adapted for attachment to the elongate support means.

Each suspending members may have a second end adapted for attachment to a said structure.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a method for supporting cables from a structure comprising: providing a length of cable support, the cable support comprising an elongate flexible sheet configurable to a cable-supporting configuration and attachment means positioned along and in the reg ion of each opposed elongate edge of the sheet; providing a plurality of suspending members; suspending the cable support relative to a said structure along a predetermined route; and laying one or more cables on the cable support.

The elongate flexible sheet is preferably a polymer sheet. However, it will be appreciated that the sheet may be made from alternative materials provided that the material provides sufficient flexibility for the sheet to be configurable into a cable-supporting configuration.

The elongate flexible sheet may have a width of 60cm or less, 30cm or less, or 15cm or less, depending on the application and the quantity and diameters of the cables which need to be supported.

The method may further comprise providing first and second elongate support means and positioning the first and second elongate support means to extend along the opposed elongate edges of the sheet such that they are retained by the attachment means.

The elongate support means are preferably rods, which are advantageously flexible. However, it will be appreciated that other types of elongate support means may alternatively be used such as, for example, wire, chord, string, rope or chain.

The structure may be a building or any part associated with a building.

A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is schematic drawing of a cable support according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic drawing of the cable support of Figure 1, including support means; Figure 3 is a schematic drawing of a cable support kit including the cable support of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic drawing of the cable support kit of Figure 3, in side elevation fixed to a structure; Figure 5 is a schematic drawing of a transport reel carrying the cable support of Figure 1; and, Figure 6 is a schematic drawing viewed in section in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the cable support.

Referring to Figure 1, a cable support 10, according to the present invention, comprises an elongate flexible sheet 12 having attachment means 14.

The elongate flexible sheet 12 may be approximately 60cm in width or less depending on the application, the number of cables and the diameter of the cables. The elongate flexible sheet 12 is made of a polymer material.

However, it will be appreciated that the flexible elongate sheet may be made from other materials provided the material is sufficiently flexible to configure into a cable supporting configuration and to enable the flexible elongate sheet to be wound into a transport reel, as described in more detail below.

The elongate flexible sheet 12 comprises a central elongate body 16, extending in the longitudinal direction of the elongate sheet, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart arms 18 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the elongate sheet. Each arm 18 has a peripheral end which define the opposing elongate edges of the sheet 12.

The attachment means 14 are disposed on the peripheral end 20 of each arm 18. Each attachment means 14 comprises a sleeve 22 providing an aperture 24 having an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the elongate sheet.

Referring also to Figure 2, the cable support 10 further comprises first elongate support means 26 and second elongate support means 28 which extend along the opposing elongate edges of the sheet through the sleeves 22. The first and second elongate support means, 26 and 28, are flexible rods or, alternatively, may for example be wires, chords, strings, ropes or chains.

Alternatively, the first and second elongate support means, 26 and 28, may each comprise a plurality of rods, whereby each rod extends between and partially into the apertures 24 of adjacent sleeves 22.

Referring also to Figures 3 and 4, a cable support kit 30 comprises a cable support 10 as described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2, and a plurality of suspending members 32. Each suspending member 32 has a first end 34 adapted to be attached to the respective first and second elongate support means, 26 and 28, and a second end 36 adapted for attachment to a structure, such as, for example, the structure of a building 38.

The first end 34, of each suspending member 32, is adapted such that is comprises a clasp having a resilient body which, in use, extends over and around the respective first or second support means, 26, 28. However, it will be appreciated that other means for attachment may be used to attach the cable support 10 to each of the suspending members 32. For example, in an alternative embodiment the first end 34 of each suspending member 32 may have a transverse member extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the suspending member for entering the apertures 24 of adjacent attachment means 14, thereby replacing the first and second elongate support members, 26 and 28, and directly attaching the suspending members 32 to the elongate flexible sheet 18.

The second end 36 is adapted such that it has a clasp or hook for attaching to a corresponding U-shaped fixing 40 which, in use, is fixed to the structure 38.

Referring to Figure 5, the cable support 10 is sufficiently flexible to allow it to be wound and carried on a transport reel 42. Storage of the cable support 10 on reel 42 provides for a more simplified and less time-consuming installation process, especially in a confined space, compared with the installation process associated with known metal ladder or tray supports which require cutting and fixing to adjacent supports in the confined void space.

In use, the cable support 10 is carried to the desired location on the transport reel 42 and, as required, a length of the cable support is rolled off the transport reel 42 and cut. If not already fitted, the first and second support means, 26 and 28, are then fitted within the attachment means 22.

A plurality of the U-shaped fixings 40 are fixed to the surface of a structure 38 as laterally opposing pairs forming two parallel lines of U-shaped fixings 40 along a predetermined route through the structure. Each pair of U-shaped fixings 40 is longitudinally spaced apart from adjacent pairs of U-shaped fixings 40 to correspond with the position of the suspending members 32.

The clasp on the first end 34, of each suspending member 32, is attached to the respective corresponding first or second support means, 26, 28.

The clasp or hook on the second end 36, of each suspending member 32, is attached to the corresponding U-shaped fixing 40 such that the suspending member 32 and the cable support 10 is suspended down therefrom. When suspended, the elongate flexible sheet 12 is configured such that the central elongate body 16 hangs lower that the peripheral end 20 of each arm 18 and therefore provides a volume in which cables can be carried and supported.

Cables are laid on and supported by the elongate flexible sheet 12.

As shown in Figure 4, the cable support 10 may additionally comprise means for closing the cable support around the cables 42 to provide a conduit 44 in which the cables are enclosed. The means for closing the cable support 10 may be any form of closure which may or may not be integral with the cable support 10. For example, the means for closing the support web may be a plurality of separate adjustable belts 46 positioned around the circumference of the elongate flexible sheet 12 at regular intervals along its length.

The means for closing the elongate flexible sheet 12 is particularly advantageous as it provides the cable fitter with an option of either laying the cables in the cable support 10 in-situ, for example, in a ceiling or floor void of a building, or, alternatively, laying the cables in an environment in which there is more space such as a room of the building, or off-site, before enclosing the cables 42 in the cable support 10 to form a conduit 44. The conduit 44, having the cables 38 laid therein, can then be moved, for example into the ceiling or floor void, and appropriately suspended on the suspension members 32 along the predetermined route, as previously described above.

The described and illustrated embodiment is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the scope of the inventions as defined in the claims are desired to be protected. It should be understood that while the use of words such as "preferable", preferably", "preferred" or "more preferred" in the description suggest that a feature so described may be desirable, it may nevertheless not be necessary and embodiments lacking such a feature may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. In relation to the claims, it is intended that when words such as "a," "an," "at least one," or "at least one portion" are used to preface a feature there is no intention to limit the claim to only one such feature unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language "at least a portion" and/or "a portion" is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A cable support suitable for supporting one or more cables passing through a structure, the cable support comprising an elongate flexible sheet configurable to a cable-supporting configuration, wherein the sheet comprises a plurality of attachment means positioned along and in the region of each opposed elongate edge of the sheet whereby the sheet is suspendable from the attachment means relative to said structure whereby the cable supporting configuration is provided.
2. A cable support according to claim 1, wherein the sheet is a polymer sheet.
3. A cable support according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sheet has a width of 60cm or less.
4. A cable support according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sheet comprises a central elongate body with arms extending therefrom to each attachment means.
5. A cable support according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising first and second elongate support means extending along the opposed elongate edges of the sheet and retained by the attachment means.
6. A cable support according to claim 5, wherein the elongate support means are rods.
7. A cable support according to claim 6, wherein the rods are flexible.
8. A transport reel carrying a cable support according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wound thereon.
9. A cable support kit comprising a cable support according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and a plurality of suspending members adapted to suspend the cable support.
10. A cable support kit according to claim 9, wherein the kit comprises a transport reel carrying the cable support wound thereon.
11. A cable support kit according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the suspending members have a first end adapted for attachment to the attachment means.
12. A cable support kit according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the suspending members have a first end adapted for attachment to the elongate support means.
13. A cable support kit according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the suspending members have a second end adapted for attachment to a structure.
14. A method for supporting cables fiom a structure comprising: providing a length of cable support, the cable support comprising an elongate flexible sheet configurable to a cable-supporting configuration and attachment means positioned along and in the region of each opposed elongate edge of the sheet; providing a plurality of suspending members; suspending the cable support relative to a said structure along a predetermined route; and laying one or more cables on the cable support.
15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the sheet is a polymer sheet.
16. A method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the sheet has a width of 60cm or less.
17. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the sheet comprises a central elongate body with arms extending therefrom to each attachment means.
18. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, further comprising providing first and second elongate support means and positioning the first and second elongate support means to extend along the opposed elongate edges of the sheet such that they are retained by the attachment means.
19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the elongate support means are rods.
20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the rods are flexible.
21. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein the structure is a building.
22. A cable support, a transport reel, a cable support kit or method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.