GB2524367A

GB2524367A - Coupling for wire-mesh cable tray sections and a wire-mesh cable tray section

Info

Publication number: GB2524367A
Application number: GB1500921.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Juan Jose Martinez Ramos; Carlos Dominguez Rodriguez
Original assignee: Pequeno Material Electrico SA PEMSA
Current assignee: Pequeno Material Electrico SA PEMSA
Priority date: 2014-03-18
Filing date: 2015-01-20
Publication date: 2015-09-23
Anticipated expiration: 2035-01-20
Also published as: WO2015140376A1; GB201500921D0; ES2518741A1; ES2518741B1; PT12038Y; FR3018960A1; FR3018960B1; PT108215A; GB2524367B

Abstract

The coupling comprises a plate 12 with ends that can be coupled with transverse rods of the wire mesh tray, whereby the height of the ends is less than the distance between two consecutive longitudinal rods of the wire-mesh tray between which the coupling is housed. One end of the coupling comprises two finger extensions 5 curved towards the same side and, between them, one finger extension 6 curved towards the opposite side. The other end of the coupling comprises a rippled area 7 with at least two half waves 8, each of which is capable of housing a transverse rod of a wire-mesh tray. The invention may also comprise one tray section with at least one coupling. The coupling can be manually installed without tools and can be used when any of the wire-mesh tray sections have been cut to size.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Coupling for wire-mesh cable tray sections and a wire-mesh cable tray section.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a coupling for wire-mesh tray sections, of those used to connect the ends of consecutive sections of wire-mesh trays used mainly to support electric cables, and a wire-mesh cable tray section that comprises said piece.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Screw connections have traditionally been used to join consecutive sections of wire-mesh cable trays. In the prior art, numerous systems were also developed that were used to connect consecutive sections of wire-mesh trays that avoid using said screw connections.

Patent document ES 2093949 T3 describes a cable duct section in the form of a tray or channel that consists of an asymmetrical module having two complementary ends, each forming a coupling element by reversible fixing, a first coupling element consisting of at least one bar or connection piece whose proximal end is welded to said tray and whose distal end is equipped with a coupling lug, the second coupling element being formed in at least one part of said tray and being capable of accommodating said coupling lug. The disadvantage of this proposal is that the connection piece is permanently welded to the wire-mesh tray.

Patent document ES 2159099 T3 describes a coupling for joining support sections for cables, longitudinally divided into two arms, each arm being provided with mounting means for latching it immovably in position on the end zone of a first section and on the end zone of a second section, respectively. The means for mounting the first arm are independent from those of the second arm, and allow the coupling to be mounted only with the first section.

The means for mounting the second arm on the second section include at least one resilient catch means cooperating with a transverse wire of the second section after the two sections are mounted.

Patent document ES 2066167 T3 describes a joint for welding wire cable duct of the type that includes, projecting outwards, at least two pliable tabs which are longitudinally separated from each other, one of which is suitable for being fastened, by crimping, onto the transverse wire of one of the two lengths of cable duct to be assembled end-to-end, in which each of the pliable tabs shown is located at the height of one void suitable for bending. The joint of this invention requires a screwdriver or a specific tool in order to facilitate its assembly.

Patent document FR 2208219 A describes a device for mounting cable duct sections and describes a devise that laterally comprises at least two connection pieces that are rigid in the centre and flexible at each end, located between two longitudinal elements of two cable duct sections such that each of their ends are coupled on a transverse wire of each one of the two cable duct sections. The device of this invention also requires a tool in order to facilitate its placement.

Patent document ES 2122829 Al describes a clamp for joining or assembling cable duct sections or branches end to end, and describes a piece formed by a metal band with a rigid central part and two flexible end zones with a setting fold to be applied around a transverse metal wire of one section of the cable duct, which comprises at least one longitudinal fold suitable for coming into contact on two longitudinal wires, one extended from the other, that belong to the two cable duct sections, whereby this longitudinal fold comprises two different sections that have opening lines facing opposite directions, one towards the inside of the cable duct and the other facing outwards from the cable duct. This clamp needs a tool in order to reach its locked position.

Although many of these proposals of the prior art do not have pads that need to be screwed, they normally require a tool or instrument in order to be assembled on the wire-mesh tray, as indicated above.

Accordingly, the wire-mesh tray sections often have to be cut on site in order to obtain the desired lengths. When cutting the longitudinal rods of the tray, this cut is usually not as clean as the trays that are manufactured, and it is very difficult to make the cut longitudinal rods flush with the corresponding transverse rods.

The couplings of the prior art are designed such that when they are assembled on two wire-mesh tray sections there is a fixed hole between the adjacent transversal rods (one corresponding to each section), or such that there is no hole between these adjacent transversal rods, which would be in contact.

Therefore, when a cut section needs to be assembled on site, due to the fact that the longitudinal rods are not flush with the transverse rods, many of the couplings of the prior art cannot be assembled, as there is a greater separation between the transverse rods than expected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a coupling for wire-mesh tray sections that can be manually assembled (without tools) by the installer, and that can be used when any of the wire-mesh tray sections to be joined has to be cut on site.

The invention provides a coupling for wire-mesh tray sections, whereby the wire-mesh tray sections are comprised by longitudinal rods and transverse rods joined together, which consists of a plate with ends that can be coupled with transverse rods of the wire-mesh tray, whereby the height of the ends is less than the distance between the two consecutive longitudinal rods of the wire-mesh tray between which the coupling is housed, such that one of its ends comprises two extensions curved towards the same side and, among them, one extension curved towards the opposite side, characterised in that the other end of the coupling comprises a rippled area with at least two half waves, each of which is capable of housing a transverse rod of the wire-mesh tray.

The invention also provides a wire-mesh cable tray section that comprises longitudinal rods and transverse rods joined together, whereby the transverse rods are U-shaped, such that they form a base and two sides, with longitudinal rods located on the base and the sides of the tray, respectively, and that also comprises at least one coupling for wire-mesh trays located between two consecutive longitudinal rods and coupled with two consecutive transverse rods, one of which is outside and the other of which is inside, such that the end of the coupling consists of two extensions curved towards the same side and, among them, one extension curved towards the opposite side is coupled on the inner transverse rod, and the end with the rippled area is coupled on the outer transverse rod.

By means of this configuration, the invention achieves a secure coupling between two consecutive sections of wire-mesh trays, which allows the distance between the adjacent transversal rods to be extended.

Other advantages of the invention would be as follows: -It guarantees electrical continuity between tray sections, just as that achieved by a screw coupling.

-It guarantees maximum load between tray sections, just as that achieved by a screw coupling.

-It guarantees the integrity of the assembly, without the possibility of being accidentally "disassembled" from the system after loading, and/or of the trays being deformed in the case of such disassembly.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention shall be disclosed in the following detailed description of the illustrative and non-limiting embodiment of its purpose in relation to the figures attached hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a coupling for wire-mesh tray sections of the invention.

Figure 2 shows another perspective view of the coupling for wire-mesh tray sections of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a front view of the coupling for wire-mesh tray sections of Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows a plan view of the coupling for wire-mesh tray sections of Figure 1.

Figure 5 shows a side view of the coupling for wire-mesh tray sections of Figure 1.

Figures 6 to 10 show an assembly of the coupling for wire-mesh tray sections of Figure 1 on a wire-mesh tray section.

Figures 11 to 15 show an assembly of a second coupling for wire-mesh tray sections of Figure 1 on a wire-mesh tray section.

Figures 16 to 24 show the assembly of two consecutive wire-mesh tray sections by means of two couplings for wire-mesh tray sections of the invention.

Figure 25 shows a wire-mesh tray section provided with three couplings for wire-mesh tray sections of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figures 1 to 5 are several views of the coupling 1 for wire-mesh tray sections 2 of the invention.

Figures 6 to 25 show couplings 1 and wire-mesh cable tray sections 2. These trays are formed by several longitudinal 3, 3', 3" and transverse 4, 4', 4" metal rods joined together, whereby the transverse rods 4, 4', 4" are U-shaped, such that they form a base 15 and two flanks or sides 14, with longitudinal rods 3' located on the base 15 of the tray and some longitudinal rods 3, 3" located on the sides 14 of the tray.

Figures 1 to 5 show the coupling 1 of the invention, which consists of a plate with ends that can be coupled with transverse rods 4, 4', 4" of wire-mesh trays as represented in Figures 6 to 25.

One of the ends of the coupling 1 has two extensions 5 in the form of pins or tongues curved towards the same side and, among them, one extension 6 with a similar form, but curved towards the opposite side. The other end of the piece has a rippled area 7 with at least two half waves 8, each of which may house a transverse rod 4, 4', 4" of the wire-mesh tray.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, the rippled area 7 of one of the ends of the coupling 1 comprises three half waves 8, as can be better seen in the plan view of Figure 4.

This embodiment also shows that the end with the rippled area 7 also comprises an extension 9 in the form of a bent plate, and that extension 9 in the form of a bent plate has its fold line 10 near its free end 11.

The embodiment of Figures 1 to 5 shows that the central portion 12 of the coupling 1 is levelled and has through holes 13.

Figures 6 to 10 show an assembly of the coupling 1 for wire-mesh tray sections 2 of Figures 1 to 5 on a wire-mesh tray section 2. Figure 7 shows that the end of the coupling 1 which comprises two extensions 5 curved towards the same side and, among them, one extension 6 curved towards the opposite side is coupled on an inner transverse rod 4', located after the outer transverse rod 4. This coupling is carried out with slight manual pressure on the part of the operator or installer, without needing to use any instrument or tool. Similarly, Figures 7 to 9 show that the extension 9 in the form of a bent plate located after the rippled area 7 allows it to be secured by the user or installer in order to be able to move the coupling 1 closer to the outer transverse rod 4 and to couple the rod thereto.

Figure 10 shows that the end with the rippled area 7 is coupled on the outer transverse rod 4 by means of a half wave 8 of said rippled area 7. Figure 10 also shows that the coupling 1 is assembled between two longitudinal rods 3 of one side 14 of the wire-mesh tray section 2 and two transverse rods 4, 4' of the wire-mesh tray section 2, whereby one of these rods is the outer transverse rod 4.

Figures 6 to 10 also show that the height of the ends is less than the distance between the two consecutive longitudinal rods 3 of the wire-mesh tray, between which the coupling 1 is housed. Similarly, the entire coupling in these figures has a height that is less than the distance between the two consecutive longitudinal rods 3 of the wire-mesh tray between which it is housed.

Figures 11 to 15 show the assembly of a second coupling 1' for wire-mesh tray sections, such as that of Figures 1 to 5 on a wire-mesh tray section 2 of Figures 6 to 10. This second coupling 1' is assembled on the other side 14 of the wire-mesh tray section 2 such that the coupling is the same as that described for Figures 6 to 10. It should be noted that the same coupling may be placed on one side 14 of the wire-mesh tray section 2 or on the other side (even on the base 15 of the wire-mesh tray section), whereby different configurations or types of couplings of the invention are not necessary.

Figure 15 shows a wire-mesh cable tray section 2 that comprises longitudinal rods 3, 3', 3" and transverse rods 4, 4', 4" joined together, whereby the transverse rods 4, 4', 4" are U-shaped, such that they form a base 15 and two sides 14, with longitudinal rods 3', 3, 3" located on the base 15 and the sides 14 of the tray, respectively, and that also comprises, on each side 14 of the wire-mesh cable tray section 2, one coupling 1, 1' for wire-mesh trays located between two consecutive longitudinal rods 3, 3; 3", 3" and coupled with two consecutive transverse rods 4, 4', one of which is outside and the other of which is inside, such that the end of the coupling 1, 1' consists of two extensions 5 curved towards the same side and, among them, one extension 6 curved towards the opposite side is coupled on the inner transverse rod 4', and the end with the rippled area 7 is coupled on the outer transverse rod 4.

Figure 25 shows a wire-mesh tray section 2 provided with three couplings 1, 1', 1" for wire-mesh tray sections 2 of the invention, with a coupling 1, 1' on each side 14 of the wire-mesh tray section 2 and one coupling 1" coupled on the based 15 of the wire-mesh tray section 2.

The coupling 1" coupled on the base 15 (preferably on its central zone) may be necessary when required by the width of the tray.

Wire-mesh tray section 2 of Figure 15 may be provided as a pre-assembled unit that has two couplings 1, 1' on its ends to be coupled with the other wire-mesh tray section 2'. Similarly, wire-mesh tray section 2 of Figure 25 may be provided as a pre-assembled unit that has three couplings 1, 1', 1" on its ends to be coupled with the other wire-mesh tray section 2'.

In the event any of these pre-assembled couplings 1, 1', 1" becomes deformed or deteriorates in the storage facility or during transport, it may be disassembled without damaging the integrity of the wire-mesh tray section 2.

Alternatively, the tray sections of Figures 15 and 25 may also be manually assembled on site.

Figures 16 to 24 show the assembly of two consecutive wire-mesh tray sections 2, 2' by means of two couplings 1, 1' for wire-mesh tray sections 2, 2' of the invention, previously coupled to one of these sections 2.

Figure 19 shows that the extension 9 in the form of a bent plate is introduced into the space determined by the longitudinal rods 3 located on the side 14 of the second wire-mesh tray section 2', such that in the following step, the half wave 8 adjacent to the extension 9 in the form of a bent plate is coupled on the outer transverse rod 4 of the second wire-mesh tray section 2', thereby achieving the assembled unit of Figure 24.

During the joining process, the wire-mesh tray section 2 with the integrated couplings 1, 1' was observed to be located on the same assembly plane as the other section 2', without having to provide greater space in the vertical or horizontal axis.

The plan view of Figure 23 shows that the rippled area 7, located on the end of the coupling 1 that is coupled to adjacent wire-mesh tray section 2', allows the distance between the adjacent transverse rods 4 to vary from the two wire-mesh tray sections 2, 2' to be joined. In fact, this rippled area 7 may be subject to certain bending, which allows it to have a "distancing" effect that gives it a cushion of a few additional millimetres in order to adapt to the distance between the adjacent transverse rods 4. This is especially useful when the longitudinal rods 3, 3', 3" at one of the ends of one of the wire-mesh tray sections 2, 2' had to be cut on site and they are not flush with the outer transverse rode 4.

The couplings 1, 1', 1" are metal and may be manufactured with any surface finishing.

Similarly, their configuration does not contain any cufting elements or edges that may damage the cables or harm the installer during assembly.

Although this invention has been described here entirely in connection with preferred embodiments, it is evident that modifications could be introduced within the scope of the following claims, without said scope being limited by the aforementioned embodiments:

Claims

CLAIMS1.-Coupling (1) for wire-mesh tray sections (2), whereby the wire-mesh tray sections (2) are comprised by longitudinal rods (3, 3', 3") and transverse rods (4, 4', 4") joined together, which consists of a plate with ends that can be coupled with transverse rods (4, 4', 4") of the wire-mesh tray, whereby the height of the ends is less than the distance between the two consecutive longitudinal rods (3, 3', 3") of the wire-mesh tray between which the coupling (1) is housed, such that one of its ends comprises two extensions (5) curved towards the same side and, among them, one extension (6) curved towards the opposite side, characterised in that the other end of the coupling (1) comprises a rippled area (7) with at least two half waves (8), each of which is capable of housing a transverse rod (4, 4', 4") of the wire-mesh tray.
2.-Coupling (1)for wire-mesh tray sections (2) according to claim 1, characterised in that the rippled area (7) comprises three half waves (8).
3.-Coupling (1) for wire-mesh tray sections according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the end with the rippled area (7) additionally comprises an extension (9) in the form of a bent plate.
4.-Coupling (1) for wire-mesh tray sections according to claim 3, characterised in that the extension (9) in the form of a bent plate has its fold line (10) near its free end (11).
5.-Coupling (1) for wire-mesh tray sections (2) according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the central portion (12) located between the ends comprises at least one through hole (13).
6.-Coupling (1) for wire-mesh tray sections (2) according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the height of the coupling (1) is less than the distance between the two consecutive longitudinal rods (3, 3', 3") of the wire-mesh tray between which the coupling (1) is housed.
7.-Wire-mesh cable tray section that comprises longitudinal rods (3, 3', 3") and transverse rods (4, 4', 4") joined together, whereby the transverse rods (4, 4', 4") are U-shaped, such that they form a base (15) and two sides (14), with longitudinal rods (3'; 3, 3") located on the base (15) and the sides (14) of the tray, respectively, characterised in that it also comprises at least one coupling (1) for wire-mesh trays (2), according to any of claims 1 to 6, located between two consecutive longitudinal rods (3, 3', 3") and coupled with two consecutive transverse rods (4, 4'), one of which is outside and the other of which is inside, such that the end of the coupling (1) consists of two extensions (5) curved towards the same side and, among them, one extension (6) curved towards the opposite side is coupled on the inner transverse rod (4'), and the end with the rippled area (7) is coupled on the outer transverse rod (4).
8.-Wire-mesh cable tray section according to claim 7, characterised in that it comprises two couplings (1, 1') for wire-mesh tray sections (2), each of which is coupled on one side (14) of the wire-mesh tray section.
9.-Wire-mesh cable tray section according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that it additionally comprises one coupling (1") for wire-mesh tray sections (2) coupled on one base (15) of the wire-mesh tray section.
10.-Coupling as hereinbefore described and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
11.-Wire-mesh cable tray section as hereinbefore described and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.