GB2479917A

GB2479917A - Raised floor system with cable management

Info

Publication number: GB2479917A
Application number: GB201007157A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Fraser Howell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-04-29
Filing date: 2010-04-29
Publication date: 2011-11-02
Anticipated expiration: 2030-04-29
Also published as: GB2479917B; WO2011135382A3; WO2011135382A2; GB201007157D0

Abstract

A raised floor system with cable management comprises a plurality of supports 3 (e.g. adjustable legs) which support a plurality of flooring elements (e.g. tiles 4) and an array of elongate members 20 or spars below the flooring elements 3. The elongate members 20 are formed with transverse slots 21, 22, wherein each slot 21, 22 opens into a face of the respective elongate member 20. Each slot 21, 22 comprises a wide portion 211 (e.g. of circular cross-section) and a narrow portion 212 (e.g. with parallel walls) such that a cable (e.g. electrical, data, etc.) is introduced into the slot 21, 22 through the narrow portion 212 to enter the wide portion 211. The elongate members may comprise at least one transverse slot 23 that is suitably sized to accommodate a water pipe. A non-return flap 213, 223, 233 may be incorporated to prevent accidental removal of cables/pipes from the slots 21, 22, 23. The elongate members 20 may be joined together. A bracket may be adapted to fit over, and be supported by, one or more of the elongate members 20, the bracket providing support for a pipe or cable (e.g. via a hole or channel).

Description

CABLE MANAGEMENT

The present invention relates to cable management and is concerned particularly, but not exclusively, with cable management under raised floors.

Virtually every newly constructed commercial building features a raised floor with a void beneath for essential building services; mainly pipes and cables.

Metal cable trays have been employed to support these since the 1920's but have failed to keep pace with the cabling infrastructure demanded in today's buildings.

Today's high speed communication networks are very susceptible to Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) noise. Poorly installed cable systems may cause 1 0 major performance limitations, even failures.

In addition to potential EMI limitations, cable trays tend to be relatively expensive, difficult to cut and fit, provide no cable management, and time consuming to install.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention aim to provide cable management devices and systems that may be improved in the foregoing respects.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cable management device comprising an elongate member formed with transverse slots, each of the slots opening into a face of the elongate member and comprising two portions that are relatively wide and narrow such that, in use, a cable introduced into the slot from said face passes through the narrow portion to enter the wide portion.

Preferably, said wide portions are of substantially circular cross-section and said narrow portions have substantially parallel walls.

Preferably, at least some of said slots are provided with means to inhibit withdrawal of cables from the slots.

Preferably, said slots are arranged in distinct groups.

Preferably, said groups are distinguished by at least one of slot size, spacing between the groups, colour and labelling.

A device according to any of the preceding aspects of the invention may further comprise at least one transverse slot of a size suitable to accommodate a water pipe.

A device according to any of the preceding aspects of the invention may further comprise a bracket adapted to fit over and be supported by one of more of said elongate members, the bracket being provided with support means for a pipe or cable.

Preferably, said support means comprises at least one of a hole in the bracket and a channel afforded by the bracket.

The invention extends to a cable management system comprising an array of cable management devices according to any of the preceding aspects of the invention.

2 0 Preferably, said array comprises first cable management devices extending in a first direction and second cable management devices extending in a second direction transversely of the first direction.

Preferably, said first cable management devices are of a common first length and said second cable management devices are of a common second length that is shorter than said first length.

The invention extends to a system as above, in combination with joining means arranged to join two or more of said devices end to end and/or transversely or orthogonally.

Preferably, a system as above further comprises support means for supporting a raised floor.

Preferably, said support means is of adjustable height.

1 0 Preferably, said support means is connected to said cable management devices.

The invention extends to a raised floor comprising a cable management system as above and flooring elements supported on said support means.

The invention also extends to a raised flooring system, comprising a plurality of elongate members of predetermined lengths, connected together to form an array; a plurality of legs connected to the elongate members in predetermined positions such that the array defines the locations of the legs; and flooring elements supported on said legs.

The invention also extends to a method of constructing a raised flooring 2 0 system, comprising the steps of connecting together a plurality of elongate members of predetermined lengths to form an array, with a plurality of legs connected to the elongate members in predetermined positions such that the array defines the locations of the legs; and supporting flooring elements on said legs.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partial side elevation of a cable management device in a raised floor system.; Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of the cable management device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of a conventional raised floor under construction; Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 4, but showing a raised floor utilising embodiments of the present invention; Figure 5 is a side elevation of a cable management device, showing locating notches; Figure 6A is a partial top view of four cable management devices and a joining bracket; Figure 6B is a partial top view of two cable management devices and a joining bracket; 2 0 Figure 7 is a plan view of an array of spars and stringers, each comprising a cable management device; Figure 8 shows a series of cable management devices in side elevation; Figures 9 to 11 illustrate a cable management device with a bracket for supporting a pipe or cable; Figures 12 to 14 illustrate a cable management device with a support try; Figures 15 to 17 illustrate a support bracket for a cable management device, which can be fitted to an existing raised floor system; Figures 18 and 19 illustrate an alternative support bracket to that shown in Figures 15 to 17; Figures 20 and 21 ifiustrate a cable management device adapted for use with a suspended ceiling; and Figures 20 and 23 illustrate a cable management device adapted for use with a stud wall.

In the figures, like references denote like or corresponding parts.

In Figure 1, a cable management device 2 is integrated into a raised flooring system 1. The cable management device 2 comprises an elongate member 20 that engages with adjustable legs 3, each of which has a floor plate 31 at a lower end and a tile acceptor plate 32 at an upper end. Lock nuts 33 engage with the elongate member 20. Tiles 4 (e.g. of a standard 600 x 600 mm size) are supported on the tile acceptor plates 32 and together make up a surface on which a finished flooring 5 is supported.

In the following, the elongate member 20 wifi be referred to as a spar.

The spar 20 is formed with a first group D of transverse slots 21 and a second group P of transverse slots 22, spaced from the first group D. The slots 21 and 22 extend orthogonally of the spar 20 and open into an upper face of the spar 20. Each of the slots 21 comprises a relatively wide portion 211 of substantially circular cross-section and a relatively narrow portion 212. An optional non-return flap 213 is provided at the bottom of each narrow slot portion 212.

The slots 21 are designed to accept data cables. As shown in Figure 2, a data cable 6 is simply dropped into a slot 21 and falls under gravity through the narrow slot portion 212 into the wide slot portion 211, where a number of cables 6 may collect. The non-return flap 213 prevents accidental removal of cables 6 from the slot 21, but may be depressed manually so that a cable 6 may be removed if desired.

In the illustrated example, four parallel slots 21 are provided in the group D, but any number may be provided. Marking (e.g. by colour and/or labelling) may indicate that the group D of slots 21 are suitable for data cables.

The slots 22 are similar to the slots 21, comprising a relatively wide portion 221 of substantially circular cross-section, a relatively narrow portion 222, and an optional non-return flap 223. However, they are of a larger size, 2 0 suitable for power cables, which are introduced into the slots 22 in a similar way.

In the illustrated example, three parallel slots 22 are provided in the group P, but any number may be provided. Marking (e.g. by colour and/or labeffing) may indicate that the group P of slots 22 are suitable for power cables, and distinguish them from the group D. Located between the groups D and P is an en'arged slot 23, which is of a size suitable to accept water pipes or other larger items. Like the other slots, it has a re'atively wide portion 231 of substantially circular cross-section, a relatively narrow portion 232, and an optional non-return flap 233.

By way of example, for data cables, the wide slot portions 211 may have a diameter of 35 mm and the narrow slot portions 212 a width of 10 mm. For power cables, the wide slot portions 221 may have a diameter of 45 mm and the narrow slot portions 222 a width of 18 mm.

The spar 20 may be of any desired length. For example, for use with 600 mm square floor tiles, it may be 3000 mm long. A plurality of such spars 20 may be used to build up a raised floor system very quickly and efficiently.

Preferably, a plurality of shorter elongate members that are similar to the spars are provided, with groups of slots such as D and P and optionally larger slots such as 23, and these will be referred to in the following as stringers. For example, the stringers may be 600 mm long. Spars 20 and stringers are preferably joined together in an array, with the stringers orthogonal to the spars 20. With spars 20 and stringers of modular sizes, the array defines the positions of the legs 3 with accuracy, such that tiles 4 and finished flooring 5 may quickly be installed.

Figure 3 ifiustrates diagrammatically a conventional way of installing a raised floor. Legs 3 are installed individually at uniform intervals to make up a grid. Tiles 4 are then supported on the legs 3 and the finished floor laid on the tiles 4. As the position of each leg 3 has to be individually measured and each leg 3 individually secured to the base floor, installation is time consuming. In contrast, in Figure 4, one spar 20 and two stringers 27 are initially set in position.

The remaining spars 20 and stringers 27 are then joined to them to make an orthogonal array, which fixes the respective positions of all of the spars 20 and stringers 27 and therefore the legs 3. If desired, once all of the legs 3 are in position, one or more of the stringers may be removed. In this option, the stringers 27 need not be provided with slots such as 21 and 22.

In the conventional arrangement of Figure 3, cable trays are installed on the base floor, around the legs 3. This is another time-consuming task, with the resultant arrangement providing little or no cable management.

Figures 5 and 6A illustrate a 4-way joining bracket 7. Each spar 20 and stringer 27 has a pair of locating notches 201 formed adjacent each end. The 1 0 bracket 7 has a respective pair of sprung arms 71 to receive each spar 20 or stringer 27. A locating ridge 72 is formed at the end of each arm 71. In Figure 5, ends A and B of spars have been engaged by the bracket 7, to join the spars end to end. Stringer C has been engaged by the bracket 7, to extend orthogonally to the spars. Stringer D is in the process of being pushed into the bracket 7, until the locating ridges 72 resiliently engage the locating notches 201, to position stringer D correctly. Bracket 7 includes a top-hat locator pin, with which a leg 3 may engage to locate the leg 3 accurately.

Whereas Figure 6A shows two spars joined end to end, Figure 6B shows a corresponding arrangement where stringers 27 may by joined to a spar 20, part way along the spar 20.

Although the brackets 7 shown in Figures 6A and 6B afford four-way joins, variations of the brackets 7 may provide two-way and three-way joins.

The modular lengths of the spars 20 and stringers 27 may take into account the dimensions of joining brackets such as the brackets 7. For example, they may be slightly less than 3000 mm and 600 mm respectively.

Figure 7 ifiustrates an array of spars 20 and stringers 27, joined by joining brackets 7. Stringers 27 can be added as and where required to improve stability and for accuracy of spacing.

Figure 8 shows three stringers 27 connected together to form an 1800 mm length.

The spars 20 and 27 stringers may be of any suitable material. They may conveniently be moulded from recycled plastics materials. Though preferably of modular lengths, they may be sawn or otherwise cut to desired lengths -for example, at the edges of a flooring system, to fit the available floor area.

Figures 9 to 11 show a bracket 8 with a hole 81 for supporting a pipe or cable 82. As may be seen in the figures, the bracket 8 has a rectangular section to engage closely over a spar 20, the upper surface of which carries felt 83.

Figures 12 to 14 show a cable tray 9 that extends between parallel spars 20, on which it is supported by brackets 91 that engage the spars 20 at locations spaced from cable slots 21, etc. The cable tray 9 is provided with separators 92 such that cables can be separated into groups. The cable tray 9 may also carry 2 0 pipes and other items.

Figures 15 to 17 show a bracket 10 that may be attached to legs 3 of an existing flooring system by cable ties 102 or other securing means, which engage flanges 101 on the bracket 10. The bracket 10 affords a slot 103 to receive a spar -10 -or stringer 27. In this way, a cable management system comprising spars such as 20 and stringers such as 27 may be retro-fitted to an existing raised floor system.

In the variation of Figures 18 and 19, a bracket 11 has a top flange 111 that is formed with a hole 112. Top plate 32 is removed from leg 3, with which the bracket 11 engages, with the leg 3 passing through hole 112. The flange 111 is fixed in position on the leg 3 by nuts 33 and the top plate 32 is replaced. A lower flange 114 engages the leg 3 to 1eep the bracket 11 substantially vertical.

The bracket 11 affords a slot 113 to receive a spar 20 or stringer 27.

1 0 It may be appreciated that flooring and cable management systems as illustrated and described above may have numerous advantages. Both floor and cable installation time may be reduced. There may be greatly reduced EMI risk, due to cable separation. High static & dynamic mass loading may be achieved.

The cable management system may provide increased reliability. It may be lightweight, requiring no special tools or handling, with little or no maintenance required, affording reduced fire risk and being environmentally friendly Figure 20 ifiustrates how a cable management device such as the device 2 may be used with a suspended ceiling. Here, a spar 40 is similar to the spar 20, but inverted and provided with a T-shaped bracket 41 by which it is bolted or otherwise secured to a cast ceiling 42. The spar 40 is provided with groups of slots, like the spar 20. Cables 6 are pushed up into the slots, where a non-return flap prevents them from falling out again. Suspension wires 43 are secured to spars 40 and support a finished ceiling 44.

-11 -In Figures 22 and 23, spars 50 are similar to the spars 20, with groups of slots for cables and pipes, and serve as horizontal noggins' between vertical studs of a stud wall.

In this specification, the verb "comprise" has its normal dictionary meaning, to denote non-exclusive inclusion. That is, use of the word "comprise" or any of its derivatives) to include one feature or more, does not exclude the possibility of also including further features.

The reader's attention is directed to all and any priority documents identified in connection with this application and to all and any papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying 2 0 claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

-12 -The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

-13 -CLAIMS1. A cable management device comprising an elongate member formed with transverse slots, each of the slots opening into a face of the elongate member and comprising two portions that are relatively wide and narrow such that, in use, a cable introduced into the slot from said face passes through the narrow portion to enter the wide portion.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said wide portions are of substantially circular cross-section and said narrow portions have substantially parallel walls.

1 0
3. A device according to claim I or 2, wherein at least some of said slots are provided with means to inhibit withdrawal of cables from the s'ots.
4. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said slots are arranged in distinct groups.
5. A device according to claim 4, wherein said groups are distinguished by at least one of slot size, spacing between the groups, colour and labelling.
6. A device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one transverse slot of a size suitable to accommodate a water pipe.
7. A device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a bracket adapted to fit over and be supported by one of more of said elongate 2 0 members, the bracket being provided with support means for a pipe or cable.
8. A device according to claim 7, wherein said support means comprises at least one of a hole in the bracket and a channel afforded by the bracket.

-14 -
9. A cable management device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
10. A cable management system comprising an array of cable management devices according to any of the preceding claims.
11. A system according to claim 10, where said array comprises first cable management devices extending in a first direction and second cable management devices extending in a second direction transversely of the first direction.
12. A system according to claim 11, where said first cable management devices are of a common first length and said second cable management devices 1 0 are of a common second length that is shorter than said first length.
13. A system according to any of claims 10 to 12, in combination with joining means arranged to join two or more of said devices end to end and/or transversely or orthogonally.
14. A system according to any of claims 10 to 13, further comprising support means for supporting a raised floor.
15. A system according to claim 14, wherein said support means is ofadjustable height.
16. A system according to claim 14 or 15, wherein said support means is connected to said cable management devices.
17. A cable management system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

-15 -
18. A raised floor comprising a cable management system according to any of claims 14 to 17 and flooring elements supported on said support means.
19. A raised floor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows:CLAIMS1. A raised floor system with cable management, the system comprising a plurality of supports; a plurality of flooring elements supported on said supports; and an array of elongate members supported by said supports below the flooring elements, each of the elongate members being formed with transverse slots, each of the slots opening into a face of the respective elongate member and comprising two portions that are relatively wide and narrow such that, in use, a cable introduced into the slot from said face passes through the narrow portion to enter the wide portion.1 0 2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said wide portions are of substantially circular cross-section and said narrow portions have substantially If) ill II para e wa s.3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least some of said slots are provided with means to inhibit withdrawal of cables from the s'ots.4. A system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said slots are arranged in distinct groups.5. A system according to claim 4, wherein said groups are distinguished by at least one of slot size, spacing between the groups, colour and labelling.6. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one 2 0 of said elongate members comprises at least one transverse slot of a size suitable to accommodate a water pipe.7. A system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a bracket adapted to fit over and be supported by one or more of said elongate members, the bracket providing support for a pipe or cable.8. A system according to claim 7, wherein said bracket comprises at least one of a hole and a channel to support a pipe or cable.9. A system according to any of the preceding claims, where said array comprises first elongate members extending in a first direction and second elongate members extending in a second direction transversely of the first direction.10. A system according to claim 9, where said first elongate members are of It) a common first length and said second elongate members are of a common second ength that is shorter than said first length. C)11. A system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising joining means arranged to join two or more of said elongate members end to end and/or transversely or orthogonally.12. A system according to claim 11, wherein said support means are ofadjustable height.13. A raised floor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.