GB2510362A

GB2510362A - Electrical cable capping system

Info

Publication number: GB2510362A
Application number: GB201301715A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Budha Singh Dhinjan; Jaswinder Singh Dhinjan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-01-31
Filing date: 2013-01-31
Publication date: 2014-08-06
Also published as: GB201301715D0

Abstract

An electrical cable capping system comprises an elongate cable housing bracket 30 and an elongate cover portion 200. The cable housing bracket 30 has a base 102 and elongate edges 104 that define a cable channel or cable tray, wherein an outer surface of the base has at least one fixing aperture 112. The cable housing bracket 30 has at least one retaining arm 106 for holding one or more cables. The retaining arms 106 may be formed as imprinted, perforated and pressed portions of the base 30 that are arranged to be released, pulled up and wrapped across the cable channel. In some embodiments, the cable housing bracket 30 comprises a lip fold 114 formed in an upper portion of the elongate edges 104 to create an inverted V-shape, wherein the elongate edges at the inverted V-shape are, in part, thicker than the material of the elongate bracket. The cover portion 200 has elongate edges 204 and a shaped profile defining an upper surface for the cable channel, wherein the elongate edges 204 have securing feet 206 that are complementary to the lip fold 114 of the cable housing bracket 30. The securing feet 206 may have one or more fixing apertures 208.

Description

Electrical cable capQing The invention relates to electrical cable capping.

When installing electrical cabling in a building it is often necessary to run the cabling up or along a wall of the building. Cable capping comprising a profiled length of metal or plastic is then placed over the electrical cable and nailed in place along its edges. It can be difficult to ensure that the electrical cable is laying flat and straight within traditional cable capping, particularly where two or more cables are to be located within the cable capping. It is difficult to ensure that the cables remain within the cable capping up or along the whole length of a wall if the length is significant or if the surface of the wall is uneven or damaged. Once the cable capping has been installed the wall may be plastered, and plaster may also be applied over the cable capping. However it can be difficult to apply plaster over cable capping due to its external profile.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided an electrical cable housing bracket comprising an elongate bracket element comprising a base and elongate edges, the base and the elongate edges defining a cable channel, an outer surface of the base of the elongate bracket element being provided with at least one fixing aperture, and at least one retaining arm for holding one or more cables.

The cable channel protects and retains the cables so that they are kept in position along the wall. The retaining arm holds the cable(s) within the channel and in the centre of the housing bracket element, without this there can be a tendency for the cables to move around and wander within the bracket area. It is possible to drill through or otherwise damage a cable that has wandered from the centre of the bracket area which is undesirable and could be dangerous.

In an embodiment the electrical cable housing bracket comprises at least two retaining arms, one of said arms mounted at the base of the bracket element proximate an elongate edge, and the other one or more arms mounted at the base of the bracket element proximate an opposite elongate edge, each arm arranged to retain the one or more cables and to define a cable channel.

The retaining arm or arms urge the cables towards the centre of the cable channel such that the cabling lies approximately flat and flush to the base and so that it does not spread and buckle to occupy additional space in the cable channel. The location and arrangement of the cables in a retained manner also ensure efficient cabling usage along the wall or across a room as no excess cabling is accommodated within the bracket element and housing.

In an embodiment the retaining arms comprise an imprinted, perforated and pressed portion of the base and the arms are arranged to be released, pulled up and wrapped across the cable channel. The retaining arms can be fabricated as part of the base and at the same time as the base which is efficient in terms of time and material costs.

The elongate edges of the electrical cable housing bracket comprise a lip fold formed in an upper portion of the elongate edge to create an inverted V-shape'. In an embodiment the elongate edges at the inverted V shape are at least in pad thicker than the material of the elongate bracket element.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an electrical cable capping system comprising an elongate bracket element comprising a base and elongate edges, the base and the elongate edges defining a cable channel, an outer surface of the base of the elongate bracket element being provided with at least one fixing aperture, and at least one retaining arm for holding one or more cables, the elongate edges comprising a lip fold formed in an upper portion of the elongate edge to create an inverted V-shape', a cover portion for the elongate bracket comprising an elongate cover element having elongate edges and a shaped profile defining an upper surface for the cable channel, wherein the elongate edges comprise securing feet complementary to the lip fold formed in the upper portion of the elongate edge of the elongate bracket element. The electrical cable capping system provides a tidy and secure containment technique for installed cable. The bracket element and retaining arm reliably hold the cable in place. Fixings such as screws can be used to secure the bracket to the wall before the addition of cable, thus avoiding the possibility of damaging the cable. The addition of the cover element effectively hides the cable from view and provides a degree of protection from subsequent work such as plastering. An embodiment of the invention is also described having an electrical cable housing bracket comprising, an elongate bracket element comprising a base and elongate edges, the base and the elongate edges defining a cable channel, an outer surface of the base of the elongate bracket element being provided with at least one fixing aperture, and wherein a portion of the elongate edges comprises a cable capping cover clip. In an embodiment the cable capping cover clip comprises a lip fold formed in an upper portion of the elongate edge to create an inverted V-shape'. The cable capping in combination with the elongate bracket element provides sufficient retention of the cables and a measure of safety prevention of drilling through the cables.

In an embodiment there are one or more fixing apertures in the securing feet. This allows for additional fixing of the elongate edges of the cover portion.

The securing feet of an embodiment of the electrical cable capping system are a push-fit to the lip fold formed in the upper portion of the elongate edge of the bracket element.

This is a quick and simple securing technique. In another embodiment the securing feet are a sliding fit to the lip fold formed in the upper portion of the elongate edge of the bracket element. This means that the cover portion can be slid into engagement with the bracket element providing ease of set up of the cable capping and for movement of the cover portion relative to the bracket if required.

In an embodiment, the electrical cable capping is further provided with a male mechanical coupling formation at one end of the elongate housing element and a complementary female mechanical coupling formation at the other end of the elongate housing element. In an embodiment, the mechanical coupling formations comprise curved tongues which extend in the elongate direction from each end of at least one of the securing feet, the male tongue is curved in a first sense and the female tongue is curved in the opposite sense. Adjacent lengths of electrical cable capping may therefore be coupled together at their ends, which may improve the alignment of adjacent lengths and may reduce gaps between adjacent lengths. A simple mechanical coupling between adjacent lengths of electrical cable capping may therefore be provided. The tongues may be removed if not required in any particular usage, leaving clean ends to the electrical cable capping.

In an embodiment, the elongate housing element has a generally U-shaped profile. The width of the elongate housing element may vary according to the number of electrical cables with which the electrical cable capping is intended to be used.

In an embodiment, the securing feet can comprise extensions of the elongate edges of the elongate housing element, the elongate edges being folded back on themselves to form reinforced thickened sections of the feet. The elongate edges may be folded one or more times. The electrical cable capping may therefore be formed as a single piece, which may improve the strength of the capping as compared to a cable capping in which the mounting feet comprise separate elements for the same amount of material or allow the same strength to be achieved for a smaller amount of material.

In the same way in an embodiment the elongate V-shaped grooves comprise folds formed in the elongate bracket element.

In an embodiment, a repeating series of two differently sized fixing apertures are provided in the mounting feet on each edge of the elongate housing element. In an embodiment, the fixing apertures comprise a repeating series of a generally circular aperture and an elongate slot aperture. Providing fixing apertures may allow the cable capping to be fixed using both nails and screws. Providing two differently sized fixing apertures may allow the position at which the cable capping is fixed to a wall to be adjusted during fixing.

In an embodiment the bracket element and the retaining arms are metal. This provides for ease of manufacture.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a length of electrical cable capping; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view along line A-A of the electrical cable capping of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a length of electrical cable housing according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic plan view of the electrical cable housing of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic representation of part of a length of electrical cable housing of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a diagrammatic representation of a cable capping system according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 is a diagrammatic sectional view along line A-A of the cable capping system of Figure 6; and Figure 8 is a diagrammatic representation of either end of a further length of electrical cable capping of the cable capping system of Figure 6.

The electrical cable housing bracket and cable capping system of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figures 1 and 2 show electrical cable capping 10 comprising an elongate housing element 12 and mounting feet 14.

The elongate housing element 12 has a shaped profile defining a cable channel 16. In this example the elongate housing element 12 has a substantially U-shaped profile defining a generally U-shaped cable channel 16. It will be appreciated that the shape of the profile may vary according to the number of electrical cables which the electrical cable capping 12 is intended to receive. For example, an electrical cable capping arranged to receive a single cable may have a part circular profile and an electrical cable capping arranged to receive a greater number of cables than that shown in Figures 1 and 2 may have a U-shaped profile of a greater width.

The outer surface 1 2a of the elongate housing element 12 is provided with one or more keying elements 18 for engaging with plaster applied to the outer surface. In this example, the keying elements comprise elongate V-shaped grooves formed in the outer surface 12a.

The mounting feet 14 extend generally laterally from the elongate edges of the elongate housing element 12. The mounting feet 14 are at least in part thicker than the material of the elongate housing element 12. In this example, the mounting feet 14 comprise extensions of the elongate edges of the housing element 12, so that the housing element 12 and the mounting feet 14 are formed as a single piece. The elongate edges of the mounting feet 14 are folded back on themselves (as shown in Figure 2) to form reinforced thickened sections 14a of the mounting feet 14.

A series of fixing apertures 20,22 are provided in each of the mounting feet 14. In this example, the fixing apertures comprise a repeating series of a circular aperture 20 and an elongate slot aperture 22.

The electrical cable capping 10 may be formed of sheet metal or may comprise a plastic extrusion. Where the electrical cable capping is formed from plastic material, the reinforced thickened sections 14a of the mounting feet 14 may simply comprise thicker sections of material along the elongate edges of the mounting feet 14 rather than folded sections.

Figure 3 shows electrical cable housing bracket 30 according to a first embodiment of the invention comprising an elongate bracket element 100 with a base 102, elongate edges 104 and retaining arms 106. The base 102 and the edges 104 together define a cable channel region for accommodating and retaining cabling along with the retaining arm 106. It will be appreciated that the shape and size may vary according to the number of electrical cables the housing bracket 30 is intended to accommodate. For example the cable housing bracket 30 of Figure 3 may have a greater width if arranged to receive a greater number of cables. Additional retaining arms 106 may be required along the length of the housing bracket 30. The retaining arm 106 of the housing bracket of Figures 3 and 4 is shown flush to the base 102. The retaining arm may be manufactured so that it can be manipulated or pulled by a user into a position upstanding from the base 102 in order to retain and clip a cable such as is shown in Figure 5.

A series of fixing apertures 108 are provided in an outer surface of the base 102. The fixing apertures may be of various sizes, for example they may comprise a repeating series of a circular aperture 110 and an elongate slot aperture 112.

A lip fold 114 is provided in the upper portion of each elongate edge 104. The lip fold forms an inverted V shape and assists in retaining the cabling within the bracket housing.

Figure 6 shows part of an electrical cable housing bracket and capping system according to a second embodiment of the invention. In Figure 6 the housing bracket 30 is shown as part of a cable capping system with a cover portion 200.

The cover portion 200 comprises an elongate cover element 202 and elongate edges 204. Securing feet 206 are provided on the elongate edge 204 and a series of fixing apertures 208 are provided in each of the securing feet 14. The cover portion 200 may comprise the electrical cable capping shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The cover portion 200 has a shaped profile intended to define a generally U shaped cable channel with the housing bracket 30. The cover portion 200 is arranged to engage with and mate with the bracket 30. The securing feet 206 may be a push fit or a sliding fit with the V shaped lip fold 114 of the edges 104. The lip fold 114 may include a series of notches and teeth formed to grip the cover portion 200. Figure 7 shows a cross section of the cover portion 200 fitted together with the housing bracket 30 and Figure 6 shows arrows illustrating the direction of sliding for bringing the cover portion 200 into sliding engagement with the bracket 30. The lip fold 114 in an embodiment (not shown) is a curved shape and may include a notch or opening suitable for accepting the tip of a screwdriver or other instrument in order to urge the fold of the elongate edge 104 away from the cover portion 200 for ease of removal of the cover portion 200. The user may find the tip of a screwdriver particularly suitable for the removal operation, other tools may be used. The cover portion 200 may need to be removed for the addition of another cable or for the purpose of checking cabling already secured within the retaining arms 106.

Figure 8 shows a further electrical cable capping 60. The electrical cable capping 60 is substantially the same as the electrical cable capping cover 30 of Figures 1, 2, 6 and 7, with the following modifications. The same reference numbers are retained for corresponding features.

Each end of the electrical cable capping is provided with a tongue 62, 64 at the end of each of the securing feet 206. The tongues 62 at one end 60a are curved in a first sense, into the page as shown in the drawings. At the other end of the electrical cable capping 60b, the tongues 64 are curved in the opposite sense, out of the page as shown in the drawings. The tongues 62, 64 are of complimentary formations so that they may engage with one another by hooking together, in order to mechanically couple the ends of two adjacent lengths of electrical cable capping 60. It will be appreciated that the electrical cable cover 30 of Figures 6 and 7 may be provided with tongues 62, 64 of this type (not illustrated). It will also be appreciated that the tongue 62, 64 could also be formed at either end of the housing bracket 30 to mechanically couple the ends of two adjacent lengths of housing bracket 30.

Other connection devices (not shown) such as a male mechanical coupling formation in the form of a tongue and a complimentary female mechanical coupling formation, in the form of a slot may be provided at either end of the elongate housing bracket 30 and cover portion 30. The slot is adapted to receive at least part of the length of the tongue, to form a mechanical coupling between the ends of adjacent lengths of electrical cable capping system.

In use the electrical cable housing bracket 30 is fixedly attached to the wall or ceiling region where the cable or cables are required to be run. Screws, nails, glue portions or other fixings are used with the fixing apertures 108 to secure the housing bracket 30 in place. Cabling is inserted or slotted into the housing bracket 30 and, if used, the cables are secured within the retaining arm 106. The arm 106 may be a tongue-like shape and formed from a perforated or imprinted portion of the base. In this case the user will need to release and pull up the retaining arm 106 before inserting the cabling and then wrap the arm 106 across the cable in order to secure it in place. The operation is repeated for successive retaining arms 106 along the length of the housing bracket 30, thus urging the cables towards the centre of the housing bracket 30. The cables are safely located within the cable housing and also secured therein if the retaining arms are used.

A cover portion 200, 12 can be used with the housing bracket 30 to provide a cable capping system. The cover portion 200 can be clipped or slotted into a lip fold 114 or other securing region of the edge 104 of the housing bracket. The capping is thus fixed in place without requiring any additional fixings such as screws which may look unsightly and if the fixing went through the cable capping to the cable might also be dangerous.

Alternatively the cover portion could be fixed over and around the housing bracket. Any fixings outside the bracket would be safe and would not interfere with the electricity cables as the electrical cabling would be secured inside the housing bracket.

Various modifications may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. There may be a different number of retaining arms. The material used for each part of the bracket housing and the cover may be the same or different. The materials may be metal or may be plastic. There may be more than one portion of housing bracket for each piece of cable capping. The retaining arms may or may not be used. Alternative forms of construction of the capping system may be considered.

Claims

Claims 1. Electrical cable housing bracket comprising: an elongate bracket element comprising a base and elongate edges, the base and the elongate edges defining a cable channel, an outer surface of the base of the elongate bracket element being provided with at least one fixing aperture; and at least one retaining arm for holding one or more cables.
2. Electrical cable housing bracket as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least two retaining arms, one of said arms mounted at the base of the bracket element proximate an elongate edge, and the other one or more arms mounted at the base of the bracket element proximate an opposite elongate edge, each arm arranged to retain the one or more cables and to define a cable channel.
3. Electrical cable housing bracket as claimed in claim 2, wherein the arms comprise an imprinted, perforated and pressed portion of the base and wherein the arms are arranged to be released, pulled up and wrapped across the cable channel.
4. Electrical cable housing bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the elongate edges comprise a lip fold formed in an upper portion of the elongate edge to create an inverted V-shape'.
5. Electrical cable housing bracket as claimed in claim 4, wherein the elongate edges at the inverted V shape are at least in part thicker than the material of the elongate bracket element.
6. Electrical cable capping system comprising: an elongate bracket element comprising a base and elongate edges, the base and the elongate edges defining a cable channel, an outer surface of the base of the elongate bracket element being provided with at least one fixing aperture; and at least one retaining arm for holding one or more cables, the elongate edges comprising a lip fold formed in an upper portion of the elongate edge to create an inverted V-shape', a cover portion for the elongate bracket comprising an elongate cover element having elongate edges and a shaped profile defining an upper surface for the cable channel, wherein the elongate edges comprise securing feet complementary to the lip fold formed in the upper portion of the elongate edge of the elongate bracket element.
7. Electrical cable capping system as claimed in claim 6, further comprising one or more fixing apertures in the securing feet.
8. Electrical cable capping system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the securing feet are a push-fit to the lip fold formed in the upper portion of the elongate edge of the bracket element.
9. Electrical cable capping system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the securing feet are a sliding fit to the lip fold formed in the upper portion of the elongate edge of the bracket element.
10. Electrical cable capping system as claimed in claim 6, comprising formations in the securing feet of curved tongues which extend in the elongate direction from each end of the lip fold, the securing means being such that, the male tongue is being curved in a first sense and the female tongue being curved in the opposite sense.
11. Electrical cable capping system as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9, wherein the elongate V-shaped lip folds comprise folds formed in the elongate bracket element.
12. Electrical cable housing bracket and capping system of any preceding claim, wherein a repeating series of two differently sized fixing apertures are provided in the base of the elongate bracket element.
13. Electrical cable housing bracket and capping system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the fixing apertures comprise a repeating series of a generally circular aperture and an elongate slot aperture.
14. Electrical cable housing bracket and capping system of any preceding claim, wherein the bracket element and the retaining arms are metal.
15. Electrical cable housing bracket comprising: an elongate bracket element comprising a base and elongate edges, the base and the elongate edges defining a cable channel, an outer surface of the base of the elongate bracket element being provided with at least one fixing aperture, and wherein a portion of the elongate edges comprises a cable capping cover clip.
16. Electrical cable housing bracket as claimed in claim 15, wherein the cable capping cover clip comprises a lip fold formed in an upper portion of the elongate edge to create an inverted V-shape'.
17. Electrical cable housing bracket and capping system as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.