NZ247294A - Cable ducting system for office buildings has upper and lower horizontal panels supported by central longitudinal section and skirting panels - Google Patents

Description

24 7 2 94 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION AFTER PROVISIONAL NO: 247294 DATED: 30 March 1993 PATENT OFFICS, N.Z. RECEIVED 1 5 OCT1993 A CABLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WE, SAPPHIRE ANODISERS PTY LIMITED, of 43-45 Sydenham | < Ml • Road, Brookvale, New South Wales 2100, Australia an eUte »Oe~> U»salfifc, flgjfVa Australian company, hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 2A 7 2 9 4 This invention relates to a cable management system which is particularly useful for housing cabling in an office where instead of permanent walls there are semi-permanent partitions.

Many office floors are divided by semi-permanent partitions, which are built directly onto, say, a concrete floor to give the appearance of permanent structural walls. Such partitions are often used in medium term leasing situations involving a time frame of say 5 to 15 years, and are designed to be positioned permanently over that time. The work areas defined by such partitions require communication, power and data cables, which are usually housed in ducting units fitted to the partitions in such a way as to reduce floor area. Alternatively, the cables may be arranged on the floor adjacent the base of the partition, which is both aesthetically displeasing and potentially hazardous.

In other situations, portable partitions have been proposed which incorporate cable ducting systems of various types. These portable devices are designed to divide open plan offices into work stations. Usually, portable partitions are less than around 1600 mm high, thereby providing some privacy whilst allowing easy rearrangement of office space when required. However, the prefabricated nature of such portable partitions tends to reduce their versatility by limiting the way in which walls may be orientated and sized, as well as imposing significant structural and aesthetic disadvantages.

Although they are from a different field of art, some of the solutions to cable routing problems within portable partitions could, with modification, be applied to more permanent wall construction. However, semi-permanent partitions such as those described above must be rigidly attached to the floor for structural and safety reasons. The easiest way to achieve this is to drill holes through the cable routing components into the floor, and attaching it by means of anchor bolts or the like. However, in many cases, this is all but impossible to do without significant effort. For example, in the case of an I-beam construction, it will often be extremely difficult to angle a drill vertically so that it drills through the bottom flange and into the floor beneath. Angled -3 FEB ;<W7 247294 (followed by 3a) holes are difficult to achieve and can make the use of standard bolts awkward.

Furthermore, in many cases the quasi-structural nature of these semipermanent walls make them quite heavy, to the point where many of the portable partition systems would not take such loads or distribute them evenly along the floor area. This is especially the case where glazing is involved, due to the relatively stringent strength and rigidity requirements which such materials place on any base used to support then. For example, Australian Standard 1289-1989 requires that glass partitions greater than a certain height be formed from 12.38 mm glass, which is simply not capable of being supported as a portable partition.

It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a cable management system which overcomes or at least ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, there is provided a cable ducting system of modular construction for supporting a semi-permanent wall member above a floor and allowing substantially hidden routing of power and data cables, said cable ducting system including: a longitudinally extending base component including a longitudinally extending lower flange to engage the floor along a corresponding longitudinally extending surface thereof, said base component including an upper surface incorporating a first connection formation; a longitudinally extending intermediate component including second and third connection formations, the second formation being configured for interconnection with the first formation such that, in use, the intermediate component extends generally upwardly from the base component; a longitudinally extending upper component including a fourth connection formation configured for interconnection with the third connection ^ formation, and a longitudinally extending upper surface to engage a wall member, wherein the base, intermediate and upper components, when interconnected, define a continuous wall support to support in compression a 247294 -3a- wall member along a corresponding longitudinally extending base portion thereof; and one or more skirting panels securable with the wall support to define at least one longitudinally extending passage through which cables can be routed.

The term' "wall" means any constructional component including partitions, panels, glazing or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a view of the cable management system as seen through a cross section of one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a component of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a further component of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a further component of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a further component of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 6 is a further component of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 7 is an alternative component to the component of Figure 4; Figure 8 is another alternative component to the component of Figure 4; Figure 9 is another embodiment of the invention; Figure 10 is another embodiment of the invention; and 24 7 29 4 Figure 11 is another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The embodiments shown in the drawings and the following description in relation to these drawings are given by way of example only and are not intended to be definitive of the invention.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the cable management system, referenced generally by arrow 1, comprises a plurality of components. In this example the cable management system 1 takes the place of conventional skirting and is used to position the wall 2, for example in a situation where partitioning of a work space.is required. The cable management system may house communication, electricity and data cabling 3. The various forms of cabling 3 may be housed in separate compartments, referenced generally by arrow 4, with outlets and switches 5 being located on the exterior surface 6 of the cable management system l.

The wall panels 2 may be secured to the cable management system 1, as in the case of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 by fastening means such as with tacks or nails 7, and the cable management system being secured to a stable surface such as a floor 8 of a building, also by means such as tacks or nails 7.

In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figure 1 there is a plurality of 247294 compartments 4. A supporting column 9 is used, to which may be attached, one or more trays 10. The supporting column 9 may also be used to support a top plate or track 11 for the wall panels 2, in the present embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 of the present invention, the wall panels 2 are located on the top surface 12 of the cable management system.

The supporting column 9 may in turn be stabilised by interconnecting the supporting column 9 with a bottom plate or track 13 which is fixed by securing means 7 to the floor 8.

The embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figure 1 has a skirting panel 14, which encloses the compartment or compartments divided by the supporting column 9 and trays 10.

In Figures 2 to 6 the componentry of the cable management system of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, are shown in isolation. It must be remembered that the views illustrated in Figures 2 to 6 like that of Figure 1, are cross sectional views, with the componentry being available in indefinite lengths.

In Figure 2 the supporting column 9, seen in Figure 1, for one embodiment of the invention is illustrated with four sets of interlocking means 15. In the present embodiment there are two sets of interlocking means 15 on either side of the supporting column 9. The supporting column 9 may have at both ends, a groove 16 for receiving a complementary member which in the present embodiment is 24 7 2 9 4 located on another component of the cable management system. In the present embodiment .be supporting column 9 has a pair of legs 17 extending outwardly from each groove 16 of the supporting column 9. The legs 17 may be used as stabilisers or supporting surfaces, depending on their orientation in the assembled cable management system, one embodiment of which is illustrated in Figure 1.

In Figure 3 the tray 10 which is L-shaped in cross section and illustrated in Figure 1, is shown here in isolation. In the embodiment being described for the present invention, there is an interengaging means 18, which is complementary with the interengaging means 15 of the supporting column 9, to allow the tray 10 to be fixed to the supporting column 9.

In Figure 4 the top plate or track 11, illustrated in Figure 1 is shown here in isolation. In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figure 1, the top plate or track 11 consists of a panel 19 which has at least one leg 20 located on one surface of the panel 19 and on an opposite surface of the panel 19 there is located a locating means 21, which is complementary with the profile of the groove 16 of the supporting column 9.

In Figure 5 the bottom plate or track 13 is illustrated here in isolation and is also illustrated in Figure 1. In the present embodiment being described the bottom plate or track 13, consists of a panel 22 which 24 7 2 9 4 has a locating means 23 on one surface of the panel which engages a groove 16 of the supporting column 9 when the cable management system as illustrated in Figure l is assembled. The bottom plate or track 22 may have an upturned edge 24, with a stepped portion 25, acting as a locating means, situated at its apex. The stepped portions 25 of the bottom plate or track 22 may interconnect with a complementary member located on the skirting panel 14, which is illustrated in Figure 1 and also in Figure 6.

In Figure 6 the skirting panel 14 previously illustrated in Figure 1 is shown here in isolation for the present embodiment. An interengaging means 26 may be located at or near a longitudinal edge of the skirting panel 14 and on one surface of the skirting panel 14 which is able to engage the stepped portion 25 of the bottom plate or track 13. A grooved portion 27 may also be provided to receive a fastening means 27, as illustrated in Figure 1.

In Figures 7 and 8, two further components of alternative embodiments of the present invention are illustrated. The top plate or track 11 illustrated in Figures 1 and 4 may be substituted for either of the top plate or tracks referenced generally as 28 and 29 respectively in Figures 7 and 8. As with the top plate or track 11 in the previous embodiment, the locating mecms 21 may also be present on the top plate or tracks 28 and 29 of the further embodiments for the present 24729* invention. The top plate or track components 28 and 29 illustrated in Figure 7 and 8 may each have a groove 30 and 31 for receiving the wall panels 2 illustrated in Figure 1. This is an additional feature which was absent from the top plate or track 11 of the previous embodiment ' illustrated in Figures 1 and 4.

In Figure 7 the longitudinal edge of the top track 28 is turned under and provides a hook portion 32 which may interconnect with the skirting panel 14, as shown for the previous embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 or an alternative skirting panel 14.

In Figure 8 the longitudinal edge of the top plate or track 29 may also be a turned under portion with a serrated groove 32 for receiving a fastening means 7, such as a screw to fasten the top plate or track 29 to the skirting panel 14.

In Figures 9, 10 and 11 there are illustrated alternative embodiments of the invention. In these embodiments supporting column 9 includes an internal cavity 36. Cavity 36 may be divided into three portions as shown in Figures 9 and 11 or two portions as illustrated in Figure 10. The presence of cavity 36 has been found to attenuate sound transmission.

It is to be appreciated that the componentry of the embodiments described for the present invention may be constructed out of aluminium molded or extruded panels or other suitable material.

It is also to be appreciated that instead of wall 247294 panels being fixed to the cable management system the partitions might be other materials such as glazing.

It must also be appreciated that numerous modifications to the componentry illustrated and described for the three embodiments may be modified without departing from the scope of the invention such as providing different interengaging means on the individual components, reducing the number of trays used and in turn reducing the number of compartments, and other forms of locating means for the panels, as well as the use of other partitioning materials.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

ASPEC68177 -'T-\ '\t. 24 7 2 9 A

Claims (16)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A cable ducting system of modular construction for supporting a semipermanent wall member above a floor and allowing substantially hidden routing of power and data cables said cable ducting system including: a longitudinally extending base component including a longitudinally extending lowor flange to engage the floor along a corresponding longitudinally extending surface thereof, said base component including an upper surface incorporating a first connection formation; a longitudinally extending intermediate component including second and third connection formations, the second formation being configured for interconnection with the first formation such that, in use the intermediate component extends generally upwardly from the base component; a longitudinally extending upper component including a fourth connection formation configured for interconnection with the third connection formation, and a longitudinally extending upper surface to engage a wall member, wherein the base, intermediate and upper components, when interconnected, define a continuous wall support to support in compression a wall member along a corresponding longitudinally extending base portion thereof; and one or more skirting panels sacurable with the wall support to define at least one longitudinally extending passage through which cables can be routed.

2. A cable ducting system of modular construction according to claim 1, wherein the first and fourth formations take the form of a longitudinally extending ridge, and the second and third formations take the form of longitudinal grooves configured for complementary engagement with said ridges.

3. A cable ducting system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the upper surface includes wall locating means for positioning said wall member with respect to the wall support.

4. A cable ducting system according to claim 3, wherein said wall locating means includes one or more longitudinally extending ridges. i: '' -V • "NT OFFICE] \ - 3 Ft"* 1997 247 29 4 - n -

5. A cable ducting system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall support includes at least one cable support to hold a cable a predetermined distance from the floor.

6. A cable ducting system according to claim 5, wherein the cable supports extend longitudinally along said wall support to define at least one cable tray.

7. A cable ducting system according to claim 6, wherein said cable tray or trays divide said longitudinally extending passages into a plurality of substantially distinct cable compartments.

8. A cable ducting system according to claim 7 or claim 6, wherein said cable trays are adapted for releasable attachment to said wall support.

9. A cable ducting system according to claim 8, wherein said cable trays are adapted for releasable attachment to the intermediate component to extend outwardly therefrom.

10. A cable ducting system according to claim 9, wherein said cable trays include mounting formations interengageable with complementary interlocking means formed along at least one side of the intermediate component.

11. A cable ducting system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the skirting panels includes at least one longitudinally extending internal cavity.

12. A cable ducting system according to claim 11, wherein at least one of said cavities is substantially triangular in cross-section.

13. A cable ducting system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the skirting panels include apertures for allowing cables to exit said longitudinally extending passage.

14. A cable ducting system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said components CRip^ii^l^ft^fifv^^^Q^prt are formed by an extrusion process. -3 FEB 1997 "pecbvld 247 - 12 -

15. A cable ducting system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least, part of said wall support is formed from aluminium.

16. A cable ducting system substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1, 9, 10, or 11. SAPPHIRE ANODISERS PTY LIMITED rN.Z. PMt=MTOFr -3 FEB ffitf