IE20000281A1 - Improvements in and relating to conduits - Google Patents

Abstract

Steel trunking is provided for housing transmission cables particularly in areas where hygiene and sterility is important. The invention provides lengths of hollow conduit which are secured together by push-on connectors in the form of a sleeves. There is also provided a transmission cable outlet device (10) comprising a sleeve (10) communicating with an enlarged hollow end portion (41) terminating in an end plate (42). The end plate (42) carries glands (48) which grip and hold cables so as to provide a clean and efficient take-off from the trunking. <Figure 6>

Description

The present invention relates to a construction of trunking. Trunking is used extensively to house electrical cable, fibre optic cables, air lines and general flexible carriers of fluids, electrical and other signals, hereinafter referred to generally as cables. It may be large or it may be relatively small in the form of circular cable w10 m g o sip |SS « 33 J5 z ω jducting.

TJ problem with trunking is that very often conduits, which can be circular are used o take off cabling from larger trunking, or simply to bring cabling around factories, hese conduits are often circular pipes which may be connected to channel shaped :onduits, or indeed to other larger pipes. There are various problems then when uid lines such as air lines or electric cable is taken off from the conduit, for fn ”0 fxample to feed switchgear, motors and the like, or indeed in the transfer from one Q (onduit to another.

-A further problem is that the end face of the conduit is usually exposed such as to allow the ingress of dirt, moisture, and the like and this is generally speaking unhygienic. These also often have sharp edges leading to cable damage.

S' r O' At There is a need for a more hygienic way of leading electrical cable, fluid feed lines hereinafter referred to generally as transmission cables and the like from such conduits to the positions in which they are required for the operation of the particular installation. $_· r >' Further there is a need to join such conduits together in such a' manner as to provide a smooth transition between conduits without damage to other service 0 carrying units that may be mounted therein.

The present invention is directed to overcoming the problems inherent in the present construction of trunking and in particular with the aforementioned trunking in the form of enclosed usually circular conduits. The term conduit is used in this specification - 2 IE000281 to include all forms of conduit such as circular or rectangular pipes, sectioned pipes and fabricated trunking.

STATEMENTS OF INVENTION According to the invention there is provided a steel trunking assembly for housing transmission cables comprising:lengths of conduit; conduit connectors securing the lengths of conduit together; an outlet connector for conduits; a transmission cable outlet device for the trunking comprising a hollow body member having an endplate incorporating a plurality of exit holes for accommodating cable embracing connectors, the device being connected to the free end of a conduit.

The advantage of this is that the transmission cables whether they be air-lines, electric cables, or the like will be smoothly removed and separated before they are exited from the conduit. Further they will be held in cable embracing connectors so that there will be no ingress of moisture or dirt into the conduit.

Ideally the hollow body comprises a sleeve for connection to the conduit and an enlarged portion extending from the sleeve terminating at the end plate and preferably a conduit connector is used to join the sleeve and the conduit.

Ideally the cable embracing connectors comprise cable glands for gripping the exterior of the cable.

In one embodiment of the invention the sleeve is externally threaded to engage an internally threaded outlet connector and the endplate is removably mounted in the body member. - 3 IE000281 In another embodiment of the invention the conduit connector comprises:a hollow sleeve for insertion into both conduits, the sleeve having an exterior diameter less than the diameter of the bore of the conduits and which is further reduced by tapering adjacent each free end, and further, the conduit connector has a bore whose diameter increases towards each free end; an annular rim intermediate its ends for engagement against the exposed end edge of each conduit; and an annular o-ring retaining groove on the exterior of the conduit connector intermediate the annular collar and each free end.

In this latter embodiment the outside diameter of the sleeve adjacent the rum is enlarged to provide a force-fit against the conduit. This construction is particularly advantageous as it ensure that there will be a good earth connector and that the parts will be rigidly and solidly secured together without either of them coming apart.

In a further embodiment of the invention the conduit outlet connector comprises: \ a hollow sleeve for insertion into a conduit, the sleeve having an exterior diameter less than the diameter of the bore of the conduit which is further reduced by tapering at one free end for insertion into the conduit and having a bore whose diameter increases towards this free end; a collar on the other free end of the sleeve to engage the exposed end of the conduit; and an annular o-ring retaining groove on the exterior of the surface of the sleeve.

In this latter embodiment ideally the outside diameter of the sleeve adjacent the collar is such as to form a force-fit with the conduit. - 4 IE000281 It is envisaged that the conduit outlet connector may be threaded internally, it may be integral with the transmission cable outlet device, or it may be integral with the other unit.

Further according to the invention there is provided an end spigot for mounting in the exposed end of a conduit comprising a tubular sleeve having an external diameter such as to form a force-fit in the conduit and an end collar the external diameter of which is the same as that of the conduit and in which the internal bore of the sleeve increases towards the collar to form an arcuate lead-off surface. In this latter embodiment the end spigot is preferably formed from a plastics material.

Detailed Description of the Invention The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a typical layout of a steel trunking assembly for housing transmission cable; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a conduit connector according to the invention; Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of portion of the outlet connector illustrated in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a sectional view of an outlet connector; Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the conduit connector, outlet connector and lengths of conduit; IE000281 - 5 Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a transmission cable outlet device according to the invention; -S.

Fig. 7 is an exploded view of the transmission cable outlet device; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an end spigot according to the invention; Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a conduit and another outlet connector; Fig. 10 is a sectional exploded view of the mounting of conduit through a wall; Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a conduit support according to the invention; and ‘•'X Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a footplate for supporting the conduit.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Fig. 1 there is illustrated portion of a factory housing a steel trunking assembly according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for housing transmission cables 2 also illustrated is a roof 3 of the building and floor 4 on which is mounted machinery 5. Straight lengths of conduits 6 are illustrated together with one seagull bend piece 8A and T-pieces 8. Also illustrated is an inspection box 9. A transmission cable outlet device 10 is shown mounted on the free end of a conduit 6. An end spigot 11 is illustrated mounted on the free end of another conduit 6. Conduit supports 12 are illustrated as are footplates 13 and steel bars 14. Finally conduit connectors 15 and outlet connectors 16 are also illustrated.

It will be seen just briefly from examining Fig. 1 there is illustrated a steel trunking assembly comprising all these parts for the connection of lengths of conduit to various units whether they be inspection boxes such as the inspection box 9 as illustrated, machinery such as the machinery 5, or a transmission cable outlet such as the transmission cable outlet device 10. A multiplicity of other units, whether IE000281 - 6 they be inspection boxes, junction boxes, other trunking such as, for example, square sectioned trunking, or indeed what is not illustrated, but will be described below, how conduits can be mounted to project through a wall or other bulkhead. However, sufficient is illustrated in Fig. 1 to illustrate generally how the steel trunking assembly for housing transmission cables according to the present invention could be arranged.

X.

Referring now to Figs. 2 to 5 inclusive and initially specifically to Fig. 2 there is illustrated a conduit connector 15 which comprises a hollow sleeve 20 having an exterior diameter less than the diameter of the bore of the conduits which has a tapered portion 21 at its free end. The sleeve 20 has a bore 22 which again has an enlarged tapered end portion 23, both the tapered portion 21 and the end portion terminate in an end face 24. An annular rim 25 is mounted on the sleeve 20 intermediate the end faces 24 and then intermediate the rim 25 and each end face there is provided an annular groove 26 mounting an o-ring 27. The outside diameter of the sleeve 20 at 28 adjacent the rim 25 is enlarged to form a force-fit with the conduit 6. This is shown in more detail in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 illustrates the outlet connector 16 formed from a sleeve 30 mounting a collar 31 and an annular groove again identified by the reference numeral 26 carrying an o-ring again identified by the reference numeral 27. The collar 3T has an outlet hole 32 having rounded corners 33 and 34, respectively. Adjacent the collar 31 the outside diameter of the sleeve 30 is enlarged to form a force-fit with the conduit in the same way as the sleeve 20 is enlarged adjacent the annular rim 25. Adjacent the collar 31 the outside diameter of the sleeve 30 is enlarged at 35 to provide a force-fit against the conduit 6 in the same way as the external diameter of the rim on the sleeve of the conduit connector 15 is enlarged. The end of the outlet connector 16 remote from the collar 31 has an internal arcuate lead-in surface 36 and an external arcuate conduit engaging corner 37.

Referring now to Fig. 5, there is illustrated how the conduit connector 15 can join two lengths of conduits 6 together, while also illustrated is the mounting of the outlet connector 16 in one of the conduits 6.

IE000281 - 7 Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7 there is illustrated the transmission cable outlet device 10 comprising a sleeve 40 communication with an enlarged hollow end portion 41 which in terminates in an endplate 42. The sleeve 40 is of substantially the same construction as the conduit 6. The endplate 42 comprises a disc having a stepped rim, the interior portion 45 of which fits inside the enlarged portion 41 and the outside diameter of the exterior portion 46 is the same as that of the enlarged portion 41. Mounted in the endplate 42 in holes 47 are a number of simple glands 48 which generally comprise a cable housing tube 50 having a threaded nozzle 51 having a split nose 52 which is tightened against the cable by a threaded bored cap 53. It will be appreciated that the transmission cable outlet device 10 can be mounted on the end of a conduit using the conduit connector 15 or the outlet connector 16.

Referring to Fig. 8 there is illustrated the end spigot 11 which consists of a bored sleeve 60 terminating in a collar 61, the external diameter of which is the same as that of the conduit 6 to which it has been fitted. The external diameter of the sleeve 60, however, is so-arranged as to provide a force-fit within a conduit 6. The end spigot 11 has an interior bore 62 which flares outwardly at 63 to form a smooth exit for any cables.

Referring now to Fig. 9 there is illustrated a modified form of outlet connector indicated generally by the reference numeral 17 which is similar in construction to the outlet connector 16, except that it has a threaded inner portion 65 which allows it to be mounted, for example, on the wall of a piece of equipment, whether it be a junction box, inspection box, machinery, portion of the wall of whichis identified by the reference numeral 66. A simple threaded bored connector 67 having a collar 68 is illustrated being offered up to a hole 69 in the wall 67 for connection to the outlet connector 17 which in turn is shown offered towards a conduit 6.

It will be appreciate that this arrangement could be a permanent connection to the piece of equipment.

Referring now to Fig. 10 there is illustrated a bulkhead 70 having a through-hole 71 in which is mounted by means of a pair of force-fit collars 72 a short length of - 8 IE000281 conduit 6 mounting conduit connectors 15 to which are about to be connected further lengths of conduit 6.

In use the socket member 75 can be used to connect the bar 14 which will be threaded, either to keep two conduits apart, or as illustrated in Fig. 1 to suspend one conduit from another conduit. Also illustrated in Fig. 1 is the socket member showing the conduit supports 12 suspended by bar 14 from the roof 3.

Fig. 11 illustrates conduit supports 12 which are identical in construction in all respects to the conduit support 12 and the same reference numerals are used to identify the same parts, except that on the annular rim 25 there is mounted an internally threaded socket member for reception of a bar 14.

Referring now to Fig. 12 there is illustrated the footplate 13 which essentially comprises a footplate 80 mounting an upstanding sleeve 81 substantially identical in construction to, for example, the sleeves 20 and 30 of the conduif connectors 15 and 16 respectively and the same reference numerals are used to identify the same parts. The only difference is that in this embodiment there are two annular grooves 26 mounting o-rings 27. The footplate 13 can be used to, for example, support conduit 6 which in turn engages a T-piece 8.

It will be appreciated that while, for example, in Fig. 9 a particular form of outlet connector 17 is shown on a piece of equipment any other similar construction could be used.

Further, for example, the outlet connector could be welded originally to the equipment and thus there would be no need for any further mounting and then an outlet connector substantially similar to the outlet connector 16 could be used.

One of the advantages of the conduit connectors and the outlet connectors forming force-fits on the conduit is that not alone will they be rigidly connected together, but even more importantly a full earth connection will be made and this is often very necessary.

IE000281 - 9 Many other constructions may be used, for instance the sleeve of the transmission cable outlet device could be threaded to, for example internally threaded outlet connector.

In the specification the terms “comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising” or any variation thereof and the terms “include, includes, included and including” or any variation thereof are considered to be totally interchangeable and they should all be afforded the widest possible interpretation and vice versa.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described, but may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the claims.

IE000281

Claims (21)

1. A steel trunking assembly for housing transmission cables comprising:lengths of conduit; conduit connectors securing the lengths of conduit together; an outlet connector for conduits; a transmission cable outlet device for the trunking comprising a hollow body member having an endplate incorporating a plurality of exit holes for accommodating cable embracing connectors, the device being connected to the free end of a conduit.

2. A steel trunking assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the hollow body comprises a sleeve for connection to the conduit and an enlarged portion extending from the sleeve terminating at the end plate.

3. A steel trunking assembly as claimed in claim 2 in which a conduit connector is used to join the sleeve and the conduit.

4. A steel trunking assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the cable embracing connectors comprise cable glands for gripping the exterior of the cable.

5. A steel trunking assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the sleeve is externally threaded to engage an internally threaded outlet connector and the endplate is removably mounted in the body member.

6. A steel trunking assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the conduit connector comprises:a hollow sleeve for insertion into both conduits, the sleeve having an IE000281 - 11 exterior diameter less than the diameter of the bore of the conduits and which is further reduced by tapering adjacent each free end, and further, the conduit connector has a bore whose diameter increases towards each free end; an annular rim intermediate its ends for engagement against the exposed end edge of each conduit; and an annular o-ring retaining groove on the exterior of the conduit connector intermediate the annular collar and each free end.

7. A steel trucking assembly as claimed in claim 6 in which the outside diameter of the sleeve adjacent the rum is enlarged to provide a force-fit against the conduit.

8. A steel trunking assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the conduit outlet connector comprises:a hollow sleeve for insertion into a conduit, the sleeve having an exterior diameter less than the diameter of the bore of the conduit which is further reduced by tapering at one free end for insertion into the conduit and having a bore whose diameter increases towards this free end; a collar on the other free end of the sleeve to engage the exposed end of the conduit; and an annular o-ring retaining groove on the exterior of the surface of the sleeve.

9. A steel trunking assembly as claimed in claim 8 in which the outside diameter of the sleeve adjacent the collar is such as to form a force-fit with the conduit. IE000281 - 12

10. A steel trunking assembly as claimed in claim 8 or 9, in which the conduit outlet connector is threaded internally.

11. A steel trunking assembly as claimed in claim 8 or 9, in which the conduit outlet connector is integral with the transmission cable outlet device. • S.

12. A steel trunking assembly as claimed in claim 8 or 9, in which the conduit outlet connector is integral with the other unit.

13. A steel trunking assembly as claimed in any preceding claim in which there is provided an end spigot for mounting in the exposed end of a conduit comprising a tubular sleeve having an external diameter such as to form a force-fit in the conduit and an end collar the external diameter of which is the same as that of the conduit and in which the internal bore of the sleeve increases towards the collar to form an arcuate lead-off surface.

14. A steel trunking assembly as claimed in claim 13 in which the end spigot is formed from a plastics material.

15. A steel trunking assembly substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

16. A conduit connector substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings.

17. An outlet connector substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings.

18. A transmission cable outlet device substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

19. An end spigot substantially as described herein with-reference to and as illustrated in Fig. 8 of the accompanying drawings. IE000281 - 13

20. A conduit support substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Fig. 11 ofthe accompanying drawings.

21. A footplate substantially as described herein with reference to and as 5 illustrated in Fig. 12 of the accompanying examples and drawings.