GB2524123A

GB2524123A - Building services suspension bracket

Info

Publication number: GB2524123A
Application number: GB1411415.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neil Oliver
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-06-26
Filing date: 2014-06-26
Publication date: 2015-09-16
Anticipated expiration: 2034-06-26
Also published as: GB201411415D0; GB2524123B

Abstract

A building services suspension bracket 250 having a convex polygonal boundary and being configured to receive the ends of suspension rods 204 into holes 256 in the convex polygonal boundary, wherein the bracket comprises a planar body having a convex polygonal boundary with tabs (254, figure 2A) projecting from sides of the polygonal boundary, wherein a hole 256 is provide through each tab 254, and the tabs 254 project substantially perpendicular to the planar body to form the convex polygonal boundary.

Description

BUILDING SERVICES SUSPENSION BRACKET

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a building services suspension bracket for use in suspending building services within a building, and more particularly for use with mechanical and electrical building services, for example suspending pipes for fluids and suspending electrical cables.

BACKGROUND

In the construction and refurbishment of buildings, such as larger office blocks, factories and public sector buildings, building services typically run within ceiling voids (e.g. along beneath floors, and above suspended ceilings), where they may additionally be hidden above false ceilings, as well as passing up and down within cavities extending between different levels.

Typical building services include: mechanical building services, for example pipes for central heating, water supply, and ventilation ducting; as well as electrical building services, for example electrical cables, which may extend along suspended elongate basket-like trays, ladder-like structures or trunking systems.

Commonly, several different building services are run together around a building, each being suspended at intervals along its length. Although it is known to suspend each building service separately from the fabric of the building, it is typical to suspend them from a succession of bars, provided by lengths of heavy-duty channel (with pre-formed holes) formed from galvanised rolled sheet steel, which are in turn suspended from the fabric of the building. The connection between the bar and the structure of the building is commonly provided by two threaded rods, which are cut to the required length, and connect to the bar, towards the ends of the bar, with the end of each threaded rod being held by a nut or threaded filling. Alternatively, the bar is commonly suspended by a steel cable. The pipes, ducts and trays may be held in a corresponding bracket or clip, and are also commonly connected to the bars by lengths of threaded rod.

The building services are commonly suspended on the opposite side from the connection to the structure of the building (i.e. hung beneath the bars under a floor), and a large building may have thousands of bars. However, the building services require to be suspended with sufficient space to allow for the fitting of any required thermal insulation, as well as allowing access during both installation and subsequent servicing. Accordingly, to suspend several building services distributed along the length of the bars requires the bars to have a significant length (e.g. 1 to 2m is commonplace). However, disadvantageously such an arrangement consumes a substantial footprint within the limited installation space available.

Further, to provide sufficient strength to support the building services connected along the bar, between the bar supports, requires the bars to be formed from channelling that is particularly strong, and consequently substantially increases the weight of the installation.

Yet further, the bars are typically supplied as long sections, that are cut to the required length for each installation, on site, and disadvantageously this is time consuming and manoeuvring the heavy channelling both before and after it has been cut to length increases installation complexity and cost.

For convenience when suspending building services on long straight runs, the threaded rods, by which each service is connected to the bar, are commonly chosen to be of comparable length. However, although it may simplify the cutting and installation of the threaded rods, disadvantageously, the provision of parallel runs of building services at the same level increases installation complexity where services are required to cross.

Disadvantageously, fitting the known suspension bars, which are suspended by two threaded rods from the structure of the building, requires the connection of many fittings to the structure of the building, resulting in a labour intensive installation process. In particular, when suspending a bar beneath a floor, it is commonly necessary to drill holes up into the underside of the floor, to connect the fitting, and the provision of a threaded rod at each end of the bar can particularly increase installation complexity.

Disadvantageously, installations suspended from cables can be particularly susceptible to hanging out of position, if the arrangement of building services is not balanced, which may interfere with the surroundings, and cause damage to the pipes, for example causing stress in pipework joints. Yet further, the presence of the cables extending from the bar reduces the capacity for connecting building services above the bar.

Figure 1A illustrates a cut-away view through a first exemplary building services installation according to the prior art, in which five pipes 102 are suspended by threaded rods 104B beneath a suspended bar 106, that is in turn suspended by two further threaded rods 104A from the underside of a floor 108 by fittings 110. The threaded rods 104A and 104B are secured to the bar 106 by locking nuts 112.

Figure lB illustrates a cut-away view through a second exemplary building services installation 100' according to the prior art, in which two pipes 102A and 102B are suspended by threaded rods 104B beneath a suspended bar 106, that is in turn suspended towards each end by a forked cable 116 connecting to the underside ofafloor 108 by a fitting 110.

The pipes 102A and 102B are of different sizes, leading the suspended bar 106 to settle in a position that is not level (e.g. horizontal).

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to a first aspect, there is provided a building services suspension bracket having a convex polygonal boundary and being configured to receive the ends of suspension rods into holes in the convex polygonal boundary, wherein the bracket comprises a planar body having a convex polygonal boundary with tabs projecting from edges of the polygonal boundary, wherein a hole is provide through each tab, and the tabs project substantially perpendicular to the planar body to form the convex polygonal boundary.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a building services suspension bracket assembly comprising: one or more brackets according to the first aspect, the or each bracket being provided with: a rod connecting the bracket to the structure of a building, and one or more further rods each connecting a mechanical or electrical building service to the bracket.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a blank for forming a building services suspension bracket according to the first aspect, comprising a planar body having a convex polygonal boundary with tabs projecting from edges of the polygonal boundary, wherein a hole is provided through each tab.

According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a method of installing a building services suspension bracket assembly comprising: a building services suspension bracket having a convex polygonal boundary and being configured to receive the ends of suspension rods into holes in the convex polygonal boundary, wherein the bracket comprises a planar body having a convex polygonal boundary with tabs projecting from edges of the polygonal boundary, wherein a hole is provide through each tab, and the tabs project substantially perpendicular to the planar body to form the convex polygonal boundary, the method comprising connecting the bracket to the structure of a building with a rod, and connecting one or more mechanical or electrical building service to the bracket with one or more further rods.

Advantageously, the building services suspension brackets may have substantially less weight than conventional suspension bars. Further, the brackets are ready for installation, without needing to be cut to length, as is common with conventional suspension bars. Yet further, the building services suspension brackets can be connected to the structure of a building using only a single threaded rod.

Advantageously, the radial arrangement of building services around the building services suspension brackets of the present invention facilitates a more compact arrangement of the building services when they are suspended from the bracket with comparable lengths of threaded rod. Additionally, in such arrangements, building services that are required to cross may be conveniently suspended at different levels, further reducing installation complexity, relative to conventional suspension bar systems.

Accordingly, the building services suspension brackets of the present invention reduce installation time, costs and complexity, relative to conventional suspension bar systems.

Advantageously, the blank for forming the bracket may be formed by cutting or pressing from a sheet, before the tabs are folded to become substantially perpendicular to the body, providing a low-cost manufacturing process. Advantageously, the manufacture of the bracket from sheet material may be simple, inexpensive and lightweight. Advantageously, a locking nut may be provided within the bracket, enabling a more compact assembly.

Each tab has a length extending perpendicular to where the tab is joined to the polygonal boundary, and a width extending perpendicular to the length, and a tab may comprise a plurality of holes.

A tab may be provided with a plurality of holes located at different positions along the length of the tab.

A tab may be provided with a plurality of holes located at different positions across the width of the tab.

A tab may comprise a plurality of holes having a plurality of different diameters.

Advantageously, holes of different sizes may be provided in each tab to facilitate the connection of different sizes of suspension rod, in accordance with the particular requirements of each installation.

The bracket may be configured to support a mass of at least 45kg from a single rod connecting to the structure of a building. The bracket may be formed from sheet steel having a thickness of at least 3mm. The bracket may be galvanised. The tabs may be 20 to 40mm long (around the convex polygonal boundary), and preferably 25 to 30mm long. The tabs may be at least 20mm wide.

The holes may be threaded holes. Advantageously the use of threaded rods with threaded holes may reduce the number of locking nuts required in an installation and the corresponding installation time.

The holes may be unthreaded holes. Advantageously, the use of unthreaded holes enables more convenient adjustment of the threaded rods, where connected to the bracket.

The holes may have an inner diameter of up to 12mm, being configured to provide a clearance fit to rods having outer diameters of up to 10mm.

The convex polygonal boundary may be equilateral. Advantageously, in the case of a bracket formed from a sheet blank, an equilateral shape provides tabs that can support equal loads perpendicular to the plane of the respective tabs.

The convex polygonal boundary may be equiangular. Advantageously, an equiangular bracket may be installed in any rotational orientation.

The convex polygonal boundary may be elongate. Advantageously, an elongate boundary may facilitate the installation of differently sized pipes or other building services, whilst optimising access space.

The convex polygonal boundary may have a number of sides selected from the group consisting of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.

The rods may be threaded rods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: * Figures 1A and lB show cut-away views through building services installations

according to the prior art;

* Figure 2A shows a perspective view of a building services suspension bracket having an octagonal shape; * Figure 2B shows a plan view of the bracket of Figure 2A; * Figure 20 shows a cut-away view through a building services installation comprising the bracket of Figure 2A; * Figure 2D shows a blank for forming the bracket of Figure 2A; * Figure 3A shows a perspective view of a building services suspension bracket having an triangular shape; * Figure 3B shows a cut-away view through a building services installation comprising the bracket of Figure 3A; * Figures 4A, 4B, 400), 40(U) and 4D show square, pentagonal, hexagonal and heptagonal building services suspension brackets; * Figure 5 shows a plan view of an elongate six-sided building services suspension bracket; * Figure 6 shows blank for forming a building services suspension bracket having a plurality of holes along each tab; * Figure 7A shows a perspective view of an octagonal building services suspension bracket having a plurality of holes across each tab; * Figure 7B shows a blank for forming the bracket of Figure 7A; and * Figure 70 shows a cut-away view through a building services installation comprising the bracket of Figure 7A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the described embodiments, like features have been identified with like numerals, albeit in some cases having one or more of: increments of integer multiples of 100; suffix letters (e.g. -A and -B); and typographical marks (e.g. primes). For example, in different figures, 250, 350, 450A, 450B, 4500, 550 and 750 have been used to indicate a building services suspension bracket, and 250' and 650' have been used to indicate a blank for forming a building services suspension bracket.

Figures 2A and 2B show plan and perspective views of a building services suspension bracket 250, Figure 20 shows a cross-sectional view of a building services installation 200 assembled with the bracket, and Figure 2D shows a flat blank 250' from which the bracket can be formed.

The bracket 250 is formed from a flat blank 250' cut from a sheet, and comprises an equilateral, equiangular polygonal body 252 (e.g. an octagonal body), from each side of which a rectangular (e.g. square) tab 254 projects. The bracket 250 is formed from the flat blank by folding each tab 254, at a fold line 258, so that the tab is substantially perpendicular with the polygonal body 252. Each tab 254 is provided with a hole 256, through which a suspension rod 204A and 204B can be connected, in use.

When installed, the bracket 250 is connected to a fitting 210 on the structure of the building 208 with a threaded rod 204A. The building services 202 (e.g. air conditioning and water pipes) are connected to the bracket 250 by further threaded rods 204B. The threaded rods 204A and 204B are locked to the bracket 250 by pairs of locking nuts 212. Accordingly, the locations of the building services 202 can be set by cutting the threaded rods 204A and 204B to length, and by suitable positioning of the locking nuts, providing space for insulation 214 and access, within a reduced footprint.

The threaded rods 204A and 204B may have an outer diameter of 8mm or 10mm, and the holes 256 may be clearance holes slightly larger than the outer diameter of the rod (e.g. having an inner diameter of up to 12mm). In the illustrated bracket 250 and blank 250', the holes 256 are smooth sided, for example simply being drilled. However, the holes may alternatively be tapped with a screw thread (not illustrated) for engagement with the thread of a threaded rod, enabling each rod to be locked in place with only one locking nut.

The bracket 250 can be formed from a blank 250', which is prepared, for example, by stamping from a sheet, or by cutting and drilling operations. After the preparation of the blank 250', the tabs 254 are folded along the lines F, so that the tabs aie substantially perpendicular to the central body 252.

The materials from which the bracket 250 is formed are sufficiently strong that the bracket can support a weight of at least 45kg from a single threaded rod connecting to the structure of a building. The bracket 250 is formed from heavy-duty sheet steel, having a thickness of at least 3mm, which is galvanised after the tabs 254 have been folded into position. The sides of the bracket 250 may be 20 to 40mm long (around the convex polygonal boundary), and preferably 25 to 30mm long.

In use, a typical assembly (an "installation") would use many building services suspension brackets, each bracket connecting to the structure of a building by a first rod and having one or more building services connected to it by respective further rods.

Figure 3A shows a perspective view of a building services suspension bracket 350, and Figure 3B shows a cross-sectional view of a building services installation 300 assembled with the bracket.

The bracket 350 is formed from a folded blank cut from a sheet, and comprises an equilateral, triangular body 352, from each side of which rectangular (e.g. square) tabs 354 project, each having a hole 356, through which a suspension rod 304A and 304B can be connected, in use.

Advantageously, a triangular bracket enables a particularly compact installation of two building services, with the minimum length of suspension rods 304A and 304B, whilst maintaining the access space between them.

Figures 2A to 3B illustrated an octagonal bracket 250 or a triangular bracket 350, or a corresponding blank 250'. However, the bracket 450A, 450B and 4500 may alternatively have four, five, six or seven sides, as illustrated in Figures 4A, 4B, 40(I), 4001) and 4D.

Figures 2A to 4D relate to brackets having convex polygonal boundaries that are equiangular and equilateral. However, the bracket 550 may alternatively be elongate, as illustrated in Figure 5, in which two opposed sides 554A are shorter than the remaining sides 554B, which may facilitate the installation of building services of different sizes (e.g. pipes of different diameters), with a smaller footprint. For example, the bracket 550 may be connected to the structure of a building through a rod secured to a shorter side 554A, with a smaller pipe connected to the opposite shorter side, and larger pipes connected to the longer sides 554B.

Preceding Figures 2A to 5 concern building services suspension brackets in which one hole is provided in each side of the convex polygonal boundary (e.g. one hole is provided in each tab). However, alternatively, a plurality of holes may be provided in each side (or at least one side) of the convex polygonal boundary.

Where a plurality of holes is provided in each of one or more sides of the convex polygonal boundary, they may be arranged along the length of each respective tab (i.e. at different distances from the polygonal body). Further, the holes in each side may be of different sizes, being configured to receive differently sized suspension rods. For example, Figure 6 shows the blank 650' for forming an octagonal bracket in which each tab 654 is provided with two differently sized holes 656A and 656B. The larger holes 656A are closer to the polygonal body 652, to provide a lower leverage on the tab 654 in use, which may be advantageous in the case that the larger hole is used for installing heavier building services (e.g. larger or liquid filled pipes).

A plurality of holes may be provided across the width of one or more tabs (e.g. at the same or similar distances from the polygonal body). For example, Figures 7A shows an octagonal bracket 750, and Figure 7B shows a corresponding blank 750', in which each tab 754 is provided with three holes 756 distributed across the width of the tab at a uniform separation from the fold line 758 where each tab joins to the polygonal body 752 (i.e. from the fold line 758 between each tab and the polygonal body). Advantageously, having a plurality of holes in each tab enables the rod connecting the bracket to the structure of the building to be connected off-centre, with respect to the bracket, which may reduce the torque on the bracket in the case of an installation that would otherwise be unbalanced. Further, it may enables differently sized building services to be connected off-centre on some sides of the bracket, to enable the provision of more equal access space around the different building services (e.g. if differently sized pipes are installed, the use of off-centre holes in the sides of a bracket may enable larger pipes to be installed with a greater separation between their centres than for smaller pipes).

A plurality of holes on a tab may be provided as an array of holes.

The figures provided herein are schematic and not to scale.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words comprise' and contain" and variations of them mean including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. 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. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. 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.

The reader's attention is directed to all 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.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A building services suspension bracket having a convex polygonal boundary and being configured to receive the ends of suspension rods into holes in the convex polygonal boundary, wherein the bracket comprises a planar body having a convex polygonal boundary with tabs projecting from edges of the polygonal boundary, wherein a hole is provide through each tab, and the tabs project substantially perpendicular to the planar body to form the convex polygonal boundary.
2. A bracket according to claim 1, wherein each tab has a length extending perpendicular to where the tab is joined to the polygonal boundary, and a width extending perpendicular to the length, and a tab comprises a plurality of holes.
3. A bracket according to claim 2, wherein a tab is provided with a plurality of holes located at different positions along the length of the tab.
4. A bracket according to claims 2 or 3, wherein a tab is provided with a plurality of holes located at different positions across the width of the tab.
5. A bracket according to claims 2, 3 or 4, wherein a tab comprises a plurality of holes having a plurality of different diameters.
6. A bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the bracket is configured to support a mass of at least 45kg from a single rod connecting to the structure of a building.
7. A bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the holes comprise threaded holes.
8. A bracket according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the holes comprise unthreaded holes.
9. A bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the convex polygonal boundary is equilateral.
10. A bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the convex polygonal boundary is equiangular.
11. A bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the convex polygonal boundary is elongate.
12. A bracket according to any preceding claim, where the convex polygonal boundary has a number of sides selected from the group consisting of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.
13. A building services suspension bracket assembly comprising: one or more brackets according to any preceding claim, the or each bracket being provided with: a rod connecting the bracket to the structure of a building, and one or more further rods each connecting a mechanical or electrical building service to the bracket.
14. A bracket according to claim 13, wherein the rods are threaded rods
15. A blank for forming a building services suspension bracket according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a planar body having a convex polygonal boundary with tabs projecting from edges of the polygonal boundary, wherein a hole is provided through each tab.
16. A method of installing a building services suspension bracket assembly comprising: a building services suspension bracket having a convex polygonal boundary and being configured to receive the ends of suspension rods into holes in the convex polygonal boundary, wherein the bracket comprises a planar body having a convex polygonal boundary with tabs projecting from edges of the polygonal boundary, wherein a hole is provide through each tab, and the tabs project substantially perpendicular to the planar body to form the convex polygonal boundary, the method comprising connecting the bracket to the structure of a building with a rod, and connecting one or more mechanical or electrical building service to the bracket with one or more further rods.
17. A building services suspension bracket substantially as described herein with reference to drawings 2A to 7B.
18. A blank for a building services suspension bracket substantially as described herein with reference to drawings 2A to 7B.
19. A building services suspension bracket assembly substantially as described herein with reference to drawings 2A to 7B.
20. A method of installing a building services suspension bracket assembly substantially as described herein with reference to drawings 2A to 7B.Amendments to the claims have been made as follows:CLAIMS1. A building services suspension bracket having a convex polygonal boundary and being configured to receive the ends of suspension rods into holes in the convex polygonal boundary, wherein the bracket comprises a planar body having a convex polygonal boundary with a tab projecting from each edge of the polygonal boundary, wherein a hole is provided through each tab, and the tabs project substantially perpendicular to the planar body to form the convex polygonal boundary.2. A bracket according to claim 1, wherein each tab has a length extending perpendicular to where the tab is joined to the polygonal boundary, and a width extending perpendicular to the length, and a tab comprises a plurality of holes.3. A bracket according to claim 2, wherein a tab is provided with a plurality of holes located at different positions along the length of the tab. IC)4. A bracket according to claims 2 or 3, wherein a tab is provided with a plurality of (3 holes located at different positions across the width of the tab.5. A bracket according to claims 2, 3 or 4, wherein a tab comprises a plurality of holes having a plurality of different diameters.6. A bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the bracket is configured to support a mass of at least 45kg from a single rod connecting to the structure of a building.7. A bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the holes comprise threaded holes.8. A bracket according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the holes comprise unthreaded holes.9. A bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the convex polygonal boundary is equilateral.10. A bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the convex polygonal boundary is equiangular.11. A bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the convex polygonal boundary is elongate.12. A bracket according to any preceding claim, where the convex polygonal boundary has a number of sides selected from the group consisting of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.13. A building services suspension bracket assembly comprising: one or more brackets according to any preceding claim, the or each bracket being provided with: a rod connecting the bracket to the structure of a building, and one or more further rods each connecting a mechanical or electrical building service to the bracket.14. A bracket according to claim 13, wherein the rods are threaded rods LI') 15. A blank for forming a building services suspension bracket according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a planar body having a convex polygonal boundary with a tab (3 projecting from each edge of the polygonal boundary, wherein a hole is provided through each tab.16. A method of installing a building services suspension bracket assembly comprising: a building services suspension bracket having a convex polygonal boundary and being configured to receive the ends of suspension rods into holes in the convex polygonal boundary, wherein the bracket comprises a planar body having a convex polygonal boundary with a tab projecting from each edge of the polygonal boundary, wherein a hole is provided through each tab, and the tabs project substantially perpendicular to the planar body to form the convex polygonal boundary, the method comprising connecting the bracket to the structure of a building with a rod, and connecting one or more mechanical oi electrical building service to the bracket with one or more further rods.17. A building services suspension bracket substantially as described herein with reference to drawings 2A to 7B.18. A blank for a building services suspension bracket substantially as described herein with reference to drawings 2A to 7B.