WO2013015755A2

WO2013015755A2 - Easy snap-on cable tray with no connection means

Info

Publication number: WO2013015755A2
Application number: PCT/TR2012/000103
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fehmi Emre KIRAÇ
Original assignee: Kiraç Metal Ürünleri̇ San. Ve Ti̇c. Ltd.
Priority date: 2011-06-13
Filing date: 2012-06-13
Publication date: 2013-01-31
Also published as: TR201105767A2; WO2013015755A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection sequencing which is formed of at least one carrying base (10) in which cables are carried, the first and the second connection regions (19,20) extending longitudinally alongside walls (11) at both long edges of said carriage base and which are formed at short edges of the base (10) and complementary to each other and cable trays which are formed of at least two interconnected cable carrying elements (27,28) and enables said cable trays to be connected without using any connections means.

Description

EASY SNAP-ON CABLE TRAY WITH NO CONNECTION MEANS

Description

The Related Art

The invention relates to cable components means used for large quantity of cable circulation (carrying) in industrial facilities, tunnels, infrastructure facilities, workplaces, shopping centers etc. ail kinds of living and transportation spaces.

Technical Field

The invention particularly relates to the connection sequencing of cable carrying components which are connected fast and safely through connection regions formed at both sides and no connection means are needed during interconnection of such cable carrying components.

The Prior Art

Since demand for energy is increasing each day, transmission of energy from one place to another has also gained importance. Especially, circulation of the energy cables is of great importance for companies such as industrial facilities, shopping centers etc., wherein energy is intensively used. Therefore, cable trays are used for carrying the said energy transmission cables within these enterprises. The said cable trays are preferred in industrial facilities where high technology systems are used and in business centers such as shopping malls in order to prevent the visual pollution caused by these cables and also to ensure safety of the cables. Cable trays are installation components, which facilitate laying of many cables through them, and which thus both ensure safety of the cables and eliminate visual cable pollution. In cable carrying systems, by combining more than one tray piece, it is possible to mount trays in desired lengths. Physical dimensions and raw material thicknesses of cable trays vary according to the number of cables, which will be laid through them, and the weight of these cables. The number and the purpose of the cables to be laid through a cable tray play active role in determining the properties of cable trays to be used. Cable trays are generally placed in places where people cannot reach and frequent maintenances are not possible. The most important factor for choosing cable trays is their capability of quick mounting. This is because, increase in the number of operators and the time spent for mounting the tray system creates extra cost for enterprises. Cable carrying components are generally made of metal or plastics.

In order to build up the cable carrying system, cable carrying components are connected to each other from their long ends via suitable connection means. Connection pieces, bolts, connection tabs etc. materials are used as connection means. Mounting of the cable carrying components are difficult, since the connection means have to be brought to the area of operation as additional accessories besides the cable carrying components and the person conducting the mounting operation has to bring the two cable carrying components into the proposed mounting position and at the same time combine the con nection components with cable carrying components. Therefore, connection means are used on the said cable trays, which are fixed during production. In the applications related to the prior art, usage of additional pieces for connection of the trays together brings additional costs and thus damage economy and natural resources. Moreover, it causes economic burden to the final user in terms of transporting and mounting. Besides, usage of clips during the pre-mounting also brings extra workload to the operator. As the operator carries additional pieces to be used for con nection of the carrying components, an extra workload is formed during mounting. In the prior art, studies are made in order to make connection of cable trays with each other in a faster manner by using less number of components. For example, in the patent application with no EP2249447, wh ich is filed by GGK GMBH Company, it is aimed to provide quicker connection of cable trays with each other. However, the said application also causes many problems in industrial application phase. The upper part of the gaps at the connection regions being open causes reduction of the product strength and the said parts are prone to bending and deformation in case of small bumps during mounting or transportation. In such cable tray, fixing cable trays to each other is only possible when one connection region is connected to the other from the upper part. Face-to-face connections of trays (through horizontal movement of carrying components in longitudinal axis) have not been realized in European patent number EP2249447 and all other prior technical documents. However, the locking tabs formed at the base part damages the cables and mounting operators placed inside the tray. Besides, the structure of the base form found in different applications of the prior art cannot increase strength to desired levels. In said application, use of n ut, bolt or drive nuts for connection means are described. Even use of drive nuts created during production on sheet as connection means displays that a connection means has been used in such connection sequencing.

It is known that the firm as the owner of the invention, as a result of the studies it has conducted for long years regarding this subject, has developed much more durable and rapidly mountable products than the product of GGK GMBH and many firms acting in the same field. For example, in international patent application with the number PCT/TR2010/000034 and belonging to the owner of the invention, strength improver forms used at connection points and angular forms used at the base have solved many problems which have not been able to be overcome in said art. However, in all applications and developments belonging to either the firm as the owner of the invention or the other firms, it is known that connection means installed on the sheet during production at the connection regions where cable carrying components are interconnected or connection means added from outside are used. Using connection means causes additional workmanship and waste of time for the enterprises. These problems would be solved via the cable tray which does not require connection means and is described in Claim 1. When the improvements and the patent applications made in the prior art are analyzed, the need for a cable tray, by which all of the drawbacks of the prior cable tray designs are eliminated, and which is easy to mount and does not require connection means, and the inadequacy of the prior solutions, in the known status of the art have necessitated improvement in the related technical field!

Brief Description of the Invention The present invention relates to a snap-on cable tray, which meets the above said requirements, eliminates all of the drawbacks and brings about some additional advantages.

From the known status of the art, the object of the invention is to provide a cable tray which does not require any connection means. In order to do so, a hole is formed in the first connection region of the tray and a protrusion is formed in the second connection region such that it can enter said hole from top or face.

From the known status of the art, the object of the invention is to provide conduction of tray connection operation easily and quickly by the mounting operator. Since the trays fit into each other, their mounting is easily made with a single hand. Any additional piece, clip, or extra mounting component is not needed while the trays are mounted to each other.

Another object of the invention is to create a cable tray having maximum durability strength with minimum sheet thickness. Said cable tray becomes much more durable through horizontal and vertical forms formed at the connection regions of the trays and additional holes opened below connection gaps.

Another object of the invention is to prevent the cables to be placed inside the tray from being deformed, since the locking means formed at the cable tray connection regions are formed in a downwards exploded manner. Also, the said locking means being in a downwards exploded manner increases the durability of the tabs. At least 10 to 15 times locking is possible with the said means (whereas the locking means used in the structures of the prior art are observed to be deformed and become functionless after a few times of locking).

Another object of the invention is to improve the strength of the tray via the forms extending along the carrying base. Another object of the invention is to make layout of the tray on the console by taking the H- type latitudinal forms into consideration, which are formed in the carrying base, and which increase the strength. The said H-type forms: improve the carrying capacity and strength of the tray by balancing the load distribution to be loaded on the tray and provides safety. Tensions occurring in all of the form structures found in the prior art are eliminated via the H-type forms (angular). Another object of the invention is to improve the strength via the horizontal forms formed on the side walls and extending along the wall.

Another object of the invention is to obtain high endurance by formation of the structures on the base in an angular manner. In this way the tension occurring due to structure is minimized.

In order to achieve the above said objects, the invention relates to a connection sequencing which is formed of at least one carrying base in which cables are carried, the first and the second connection regions extending longitudinally along side walls at both long edges of said carrying base and which are formed at short edges of the base and complementary to each other and cable trays which are formed of at least two cable carrying components and enables said cable trays to be connected without using any connections means, wherein it contains a gap with no open edges at side wall of the first connection region and it is interlocked into said gap via the protrusion formed outwardly at side wall of the second connection region of cable carrying component with a movement on a single axis.

In preferred embodiment of the invention, in the application of upper connection; when the second connection region of the second cable carrying component is required to be connected to the first connection region of the first cable carrying component from the edge at longitudinal axis , force is applied only on horizontal axis. In other preferred embodiment of the invention, in the application of edge-to-edge connection at longitudinal axis (horizontal axis), when the second connection region of the second cable carrying component is required to be connected to the first connection region of the first cable carrying component , force is applied only on vertical axis.

In order to achieve the above said advantages which will be better understood from the detailed description below, the present invention; brings many advantages through its said characteristics.

The structural and characteristic features of the invention and all advantages will be understood better in detailed descriptions with the figures given below and with reference to the figures, and therefore, the assessment should be made taking into account the said figures and detailed explanations Brief Description of the Figures

For better understanding of the embodiment of present invention and its advantages with its additional components, it should be evaluated together with below described figures.

Figure 1, is the perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the cable tray, which is the subject of the invention. Also, A and B details on the same figure describe the space formed at the first connection region and the structure of the embossing formed at the second connection region respectively. Figure 2, is the first stage (trays are separate at this stage) of overlapping mounting form of the first application of cable tray connection sequencing as the object of the invention.

Figure 2b, is the side view of the first phase of overlapping mounting form of the first application of cable tray connection sequencing as the object of the invention.

Figure 2c, is the view of overlapping mounting form of the first application of cable tray connection sequencing when the trays are installed on top of each other as the object of the invention.

Figure 2d, is the side view of the last phase where overlapping mounting form of the first application of cable tray connection sequencing is fixed as the object of the invention. Figure 3a, is the first phase (trays are separate at this stage) edge-to-edge connecting mounting at longitudinal axis of the first application of cable tray connection sequencing as the object of the invention.

Figure 3b, the view of edge-to-edge connecting mounting at longitudinal axis of the first application of cable tray connection sequencing as the object of the invention when the trays are brought edge-to-edge.

Figure 3c, the view of the last phase of edge-to-edge connecting mounting at longitudinal axis of the first application of cable tray connection sequencing as the object of the invention when fixing is ensured.

Figure 3d, the side view of the last phase of edge-to-edge connecting mounting at longitudinal axis of the first application of cable tray connection sequencing as the object of the invention when fixing is ensured.

Figure 4, is the perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of cable carrying component as the object of the invention.

Figure 4a, is the first phase of overlapping mounting form of the second application of cable tray connection sequencing as the object of the invention. Figure 4b, is the view of overlapping mounting form of the second application of cable tray connection sequencing when the trays are installed on top of each other as the object of the invention.

Figure 4c, is the perspective view of the last phase where overlapping mounting form of the first second of cable tray connection sequencing is fixed as the object of the invention.

Figure 5a, is the first phase (trays are separate at this stage) edge-to-edge connecting mounting at longitudinal axis of the second application of cable tray connection sequencing as the object of the invention.

Figure 5b, the view of edge-to-edge connecting mounting at longitudinal axis of the second application of cable tray connection sequencing as the object of the invention when the trays are brought edge-to-edge.

Figure 5c, the view of the last phase of edge-to-edge connecting mounting at longitudinal axis of the second application of cable tray connection sequencing as the object of the invention when fixing is ensured. Reference Numbers

10. Carrying base

11. Tray side wall

12. Latitudinal base forms

13. Longitudinal base forms

14. Longitudinal side wall upper inflections

15. Strength improver gaps

16. Longitudinal side wall forms

17. Locking tabs

18. Locking gaps

19. First connection region

20. Second connection region

21. Connection gap

22. Horizontal support form

23. Vertical support form

24. Secondary hole

25. Preventive surface

26. Protrusion

27. First cable carrying component

28. Second cable carrying component 29. Gap vertical side edge

30. Protrusion lower edge

31. Gap upper edge

32. Protrusion vertical right edge

Detailed Description of the Invention

In this detailed description, the details of the cable tray, which is the subject of the invention and formed of at least two cable carrying components (27, 28) will only be disclosed for better understanding of the subject, and will not form any limiting effect. Cable trays are formed via subsequent addition of at least two cable carrying components (27,28). For a better understanding of cable tray connection sequencing as the subject of invention, application (Figure 1 and Figure 4) of two different cable carrying components (27, 28) shall be described below. In both applications, even though the gap (21) at the first connection region is fixed, protrusions (26) at the second connection regions (20) are different. Preventive surface (25) is formed in order to prevent the movement of the protrusion (26) installed on the gap (21) mentioned in Figure 1 and Figure 2 and the gap (21) at side edge of the gap (21) vertical to the base in Figures 3a, b, c and d. The first connection region (19) of the cable carrying components (27, 28) is able to encircle the second connection region (20) from its outer surface.

Perspective view of two different applications of connection sequencing of snap-oncable carrying components (27, 28) as the subject of the invention in Figure 1 and Figure 4 is provided. In general, cable carrying component (27, 28) is formed of one carrying base (10) and side walls (11) vertical to ' said base (10) extending at both sides of said carrying base (10). H-type latitudinal base forms (12) homogeneously distributed on said base (10) and base forms (13) installed longitudinally in two equally distributed position at the base (10) are located in order to increase latitudinal strength and carrying capacity of cable carrying component (27, 28). H type latitudinal base forms (12) provide the said cable tray with high durability. The H-type latitudinal base forms (12) obtained as a result of the computer supported simulation studies and the real trial tests of the produced sample provide a much more durable cable tray even with thinner sheets than the prior base forms with higher sheet thicknesses. Again it is another important strength improving factor to have longitudinally laid base forms (13). However, it is important to have the said forms (12, 13) without a perpendicular angle to the base (10), and therefore, the said non-perpendicular angular structural forms prevent occurrence of breaking on the said base (10). Moreover, strength improver gaps (15), which reduce latitudinal flexion of the tray and provide strength against possible shocks from the sides, are formed at the wall (11) part of the said cable carrying components (27, 28). Besides, the longitudinal side wall forms (16), which increase the longitudinal strength and carrying capacity and reduce the flexion of the carrying components (27, 28) and provide strength to it against possible shocks from sides, lay parallel to the said carrying base (10) on the said side walls (11). In order to increase the longitudinal strength and carrying capacity and reduce the flexion of the cable carrying components (27,28) and to provide strength to it against possible shocks from sides, longitudinal side wall upper inflections (14) are formed at the upper parts of the said side walls (11) along the wall (11). In Figure 1, the perspective view of the first preferred embodiment (20) of the cable carrying components (27, 28), which forms the cable tray is given. Desired tray length can be obtained by addition of the first and second connection regions (19,20) of said cable carrying components (27, 28) one after another. The structure of the cable carrying components (27, 28) can be described in general taking figure 1, detail A and detail B into consideration. A gap (21) is formed at side wall (11) part of the first connection region (19) of the said cable carrying components (27, 28). This gap (21) can be in different geometric forms; however, in all cases, surrounding part of this gap is desired to be enclosed. Protrusions (26) facing outward are formed at side walls (11) of the second connection region (20) at the second connection region (20) of the said cable carrying components (27, 28). These protrusions (26) are placed such that they are inserted in the gaps (21) formed at the first connection region (19) at the addition phase of the cable carrying components (27, 28). Said protrusions (26) in the application mentioned in Figures 2a, b and c are in exploded form, at least two edges of which are connected with side walls (11). Exploded form preventive surface (25) is formed towards inner part of the tray so as to prevent the protrusion (26) following being inserted from coming off again on the upper part of the gap (21) formed at the first connection region (19). Said preventive surface (25) can be formed in different sides of the gap (21) depending on the addition type of the cable carrying components (27, 28) to one after another. In the applications of Figure 3a, b and c, the cable carrying components (27, 28) are connected by edge- to-edge addition form at longitudinal axis. In this case, preventive surface (25) is formed at side part of the gap (21) and towards the joint part of the second connection region (20) of the other cable carrying component (28) to be added. Preventive surface (25) provides separation of two edge-to- edge connecting cable carrying components (27, 28) from each other and the protrusion (26) is inserted in the gap (21) with a tight fitting. Following locking of cable carrying components (27,28) from top or in edge-to-edge manner, a tight fitting is obtained by fitting of the locking tabs (17) found at the second connection region (20) of the carrying component into the locking gaps (18) found at the first connection region (19) of the other carrying component. Thus, after this fitting, the locking operation of the locking tabs (17), which set square the right connection and provide reference for the other combining components, minimize the risk of accidents by preventing separation of the cable carrying components (27,28) during connection of the cable carrying components (27,28), and provide straight mounting by minimizing the imbalances, breakings, and elevation differences in the connection of said cable carrying components (27,28), is conducted. Since the locking tabs (17) are produced in a downwards exploded manner, they have easy bending property and at the same time they do not form any protrusion at the upper part of the base (10). The locking tabs' (17) not forming protrusion at the upper part of the tray base (10) is for preventing the cables to be placed at the base (10) from being damaged, which is a significant novelty for mass production. At the same time, the mounting operators are also prevented from being harmed due to the said protrusions. The locking tabs (17) found as downwards exploded form can be bent easily by the operator providing a tight fitting. The tab's (17) having downwards exploded form is very important for being able to make the bending operation several times. If it is not in downwards exploded form, the tab (17) would be broken after a few inflections and thus become useless. The gap (21) formed at the first connection region (19) is completely enclosed form. In prior art, strength loss formed in the gaps upper part of which is open, is reduced t minimum. Therefore, support forms (22, 23) are formed in vertical and horizontal positions at both sides of the said gap (21). Again in order to increase strength, a secondary hole (24) is opened at one side of the vertical support form (23), which was formed at the other side of the gap (21). In case of not having the said hole (24), the durability of the tray would be reduced significantly. Another important factor to increase the durability of the tray is H-type forms (12) extending latitudinally on the base (10). Said forms (12) are formed in certain angles but not in vertical forms. The fact that said forms (12) are formed in a certain angle is for preventing removal to be formed at the base (10).

Steps for overlapping mounting form of the first application of cable carrying components (27, 28) connecting sequencing as the subject of invention will be described by referring to the Figures 2a, b, c and d. The second connection region (20) of the second cable carrying component (28) is inserted such that it is seated on the first connection region (19) of the first cable carrying component (27). Small amount of physical force-such force is one-way force applied by the operator represents the movement conducted in a single axis. Force applied in a single axis for connection of carrying components is sufficient. The second connection region (20) is inserted inside the first connection region (19). The protrusion (26) formed in the second connection region (20) is formed such that it is fully placed in the gap (21) formed in the first connection region (19). First connection region (19) encircles the second connection region (20) from its outer surface. Preventive surface (25) formed on the gap (21) prevents the protrusion (26) from being removed from the gap (21). Thus, addition of cable carrying components (27, 28) to one after another without requiring any connection means and carrying trays at a desired length are obtained. The status of two carrying components added one after another following mounting is displayed in Figure 2. Cable carrying components (27, 28) are not separated from each other thanks to tight fitting obtained. Steps for edge-to-edge mounting form of the first application of cable carrying components (27, 28) as the subject of invention will be described by referring to the Figures 3a, b, c and d. In this application, the second connection region (20) of the second cable carrying component (28) is inserted such that it is seated on the first connection region (19) of the first cable carrying component (27) by the operator via bringing cable carrying components (27, 28) in edge-to-edge manner with a movement in longitudinal axis. Edge-to-edge addition in longitudinal axis is a method which is not used in prior art. Arrow displayed in figures is given for the purpose of displaying the direction where the movement in longitudinal axis is made. In this application, preventive surface (25) for preventing the protrusion (26) from being removed from the gap (21) is formed at the vertical side edge (29) of the gap (21) to the base. Thus, movement of the second cable carrying component (28) in longitudinal axis is restricted and cable carrying components (27, 28) are unlikely to separate from each other.

In Figure 4, the perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the cable carrying components (27, 28), which forms the cable tray is given. This second application of the invention will be described below by referring to the Figures 4a, b, c and d. Figure 4a, is the first (trays are separate at this stage) phase of overlapping mounting form of the second application of cable carrying components (27,28). Figure 4b, is the view of overlapping mounting form of the second application of cable carrying components (27,28) when the carrying components (27,28) are installed on top of each. In this second application, the protrusion (26) formed in the second connection region (20) of the carrying components (27,28) is not in exploded manner. One side (30) of said protrusion (26) is fastened to the tray and the other sides are left open. Thus, the protrusion (26) formed in the second connection region (20) of the second carrying component (28) is able to be inserted easily (related to the flexibility coefficient of the sheet) in the gap (21) formed in the first connection region (19) of the first carrying component (27) and separation of the carrying components (27,28) from each other is aimed to be prevented by means of fitting the fixed side (30) to the edge of the gap when any force contrary to the fitting direction is applied. In this case, preventive surface (25) formed at the side or upper edges (29,31) of the gap (21) is useless. Function of the preventive surface (25) is obtained via the protrusion (26), one side (30) of which is fixed and the other edges are open. In overlapping mounting form displayed in Figures 4a, b, c and d, fixed side (30) of the protrusion is the closest parallel edge to the tray base. Thus, said protrusion (26) is unlikely to be removed from the gap (21) with an upward movement, fixed side (30) of the protrusion will be fitted to the upper side of the gap (21).

In Figures 5a, b, c and d, edge-to-edge connecting mounting at longitudinal axis of the second application of cable carrying components (27,28) are displayed. Edge-to-edge connection at longitudinal axis will be understood by referring to these figures. Figure 5a, is the first phase (trays are separate at this stage) edge-to-edge connecting mounting at longitudinal axis of the second application of cable carrying components (27,28) as the subject of the invention. The second connection region (20) of the second carrying component (28) is approximated to the first connection region (19) of the first carrying component (27) in longitudinal axis. As a result of the force applied by the operator in longitudinal axis (direction of the movement is displayed with an arrow), the protrusion (26) found at the second connection region (20) is inserted into said gap (21) and two cable carrying components (27, 28) are fastened. For the purpose preventing the protrusion (26) from being removed from the gap (21), fixed side (32) of the protrusion is the side vertical to the base of the tray and which is found in the direction where the movement is conducted. In Figure 5c, the view of the last phase of edge-to-edge connecting mounting at longitudinal axis of the second application of cable tray as the object of the invention when fixing is ensured. Thus, trays are added one after another without requiring any connection means thanks to tight fitting

In alternative embodiments of the invention, cable carrying components (27, 28) in different sizes and geometric structures can be formed. All of these alternative embodiments are within the area of the cable tr.ay, which is the subject of the invention.

In other preferred embodiments of the invention, the gap (21) formed at the first connection region (19) of cable carrying components (27, 28) can be in different geometric forms. Also, the protrusion (26) formed the second connection region (20) can be edge-to-edge or overlapping forms or in different shapes and dimensions. . The protection area of the invention is determined by the claims and it cannot be limited only to the embodiments shown in the figures.

Claims

1. The invention relates to a connection sequencing which is formed of at least one carrying base (10) in which cables are carried, the first and the second connection regions (19,20) extending longitudinally along side walls at both long edges of said carrying base (10) and which are formed at short edges of the base and complementary to each other and cable trays which are formed of at least two cable carrying components( 27, 28) and enables said cable trays to be connected without using any connections means, and it is characterized in that it contains a gap (21) with no open edges at side wall of the first connection region (19) and it is interlocked into said gap via the protrusion (26) formed outwardly at side wall of the second connection region (20) of cable carrying component (28) with a movement on a single axis.

2. A connection sequencing according to Claim 1, and it is characterized in that; it comprises application of force at vertical axis when the second connection region (20) of the second carrying component (28) is required to be connected to the first connection region (19) of the first carrying component (27).

3. A connection sequencing according to Claim 1, and it is characterized in that; it comprises application of force at horizontal axis when the second connection region (20) of the second carrying component (28) is required to be connected to the first connection region (19) of the first carrying component (27) in edge-to-edge manner.

4. A connection sequencing according to Claim 2, and it is characterized in that; it comprises at least one preventive surface (25) which prevents the movement of the protrusion (26) installed in said gap (21) in upper side (31) of the gap (21) parallel to the base in the event of upper connection.

5. A connection sequencing according to Claim 3, and it is characterized in that; it comprises at least one preventive surface (25) which prevents the movement of the protrusion (26) installed in said gap (21) in the right side (29) of the gap (21) perpendicular to the base in the event of edge-to-edge connection at longitudinal axis.

6. A connection sequencing according to Claim 1, and it is characterized in that; said protrusion (26) formed at the second connection region (20) of cable carrying components( 27, 28) is in outwardly exploded form, at least two sides of which are connected with side walls.

7. A connection sequencing according to Claim 1, and it is characterized in that; one side (30,32) of said protrusion (26) formed at the second connection region (20) of cable carrying components( 27, 28) is fastened to the side wall and the other sides are left open.

8. A connection sequencing according to Claim 7, and it is characterized in that; lower edge of said protrusion parallel to the base (30) is fastened to the side wall (11) in the event of upper connection.

9. A connection sequencing according to Claim 7, and it is characterized in that; right side edge (32) of said protrusion (26) perpendicular to the base (10) is fastened to the side wall (11) in the event of edge-to-edge connection at longitudinal axis

10. A connection sequencing of cable tray according to Claim 1, and it is characterized in that; the first and the second connection regions (19,20) are strongly fastened.