WO2019110979A1

WO2019110979A1 - Improvements in and relating to pipe support systems

Info

Publication number: WO2019110979A1
Application number: PCT/GB2018/053510
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Anthony Davidson
Original assignee: Jcco 330 Limited
Priority date: 2017-12-05
Filing date: 2018-12-04
Publication date: 2019-06-13
Also published as: WO2019110969A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a clip arranged to attach to a cable tray, wherein the clip comprises a first portion for coupling to the cable tray and a second portion for attaching to either a support for the cable tray or an item carried by the cable tray.

Description

Improvements in and relating to pipe support systems

The present invention relates to pipe support systems. It particularly relates to cable trays used in such support systems and more particularly to a means of securing such trays in position.

Suspended cable runs are commonplace, installed in basements, ceiling voids and other spaces. Cables, pipes and other utilities are required to be routed from point to point and suspended threaded rods are provided, to which are fitted various forms of cable tray to accommodate the cables and pipes.

In the prior art, pipe support brackets are attached around a pipe and a coupling point located at the top of the bracket is connected to a length of threaded rod which is screwed into the bracket at a first end, and to a support point at a second end. The support point may be in the form of an anchor provided in a ceiling or in the form of a bracket extending from a wall. The anchor in the ceiling may be a specific fastener which is permanently installed in the ceiling, or may be in the form of an attachment to a rail system.

A particular problem in installing prior art pipe support, cable tray or hanging systems is that work is performed overhead, which can be strenuous and awkward. The threaded rods which are routinely used to couple the pipe bracket to the support structure require cutting to length using a hacksaw, which often results in sharp portions remaining which can pose an injury risk to an installer. Screwing in the rods and adding locking bolts is time consuming and awkward. It is an aim of embodiments of the present invention to address shortcomings in the prior art, whether mentioned herein or not.

Co-pending application GB1718863.2 relates to a particular technique for fastening an improved rod into a suitable anchor point and to a pipe bracket or cable tray. Embodiments of the present invention deal particularly with different forms of support and with a means for attaching a cable tray to the improved forms of support.

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus and method as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clip for fastening a cable tray to a castellated rod, wherein the clip comprises a body portion having a pair of spaced apart members arranged to engage with the castellated bar and, in use, grip it, wherein the clip further comprises an attachment portion for coupling to a cable tray.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a clip arranged to attach to a cable tray, wherein the clip comprises a first portion for coupling to the cable tray and a second portion for attaching to either a support for the cable tray or an item carried by the cable tray.

In an embodiment, wherein the first portion comprises a projection having two major dimensions, orthogonal to each other, wherein one of the major dimensions is larger than the other.

In an embodiment, the first portion is arranged to be inserted into an aperture of the cable tray in one orientation and rotated through substantially 90 degrees to secure the clip in position.

In an embodiment, the first portion is connected to the second portion by means of a bridging portion.

In an embodiment, the second portion comprises a pair of spaced apart members for coupling to the support for the cable tray or the item carried by the cable tray.

In an embodiment, at least one of the spaced apart members comprises a ridge for engagement with a waisted portion of a castellated bar, used as a support for the cable tray.

In an embodiment, the second portion comprises an aperture arranged to receive a tie-wrap fastening device to hold the item to be carried securely in position.

In an embodiment, the second portion comprises a pair of arms, the first of which comprises a first member of a tie wrap fastening device and the second of which comprises a ratchet device forming a second member of a tie wrap fastening device, arranged to receive the first member and thereby hold the item to be carried securely in position.

In an embodiment, the second portion comprises two substantially semi-circular members arranged to be mutually coupled and to receive and secure the item to be secured, wherein the item is a pipe.

In an embodiment, the second portion comprises a plurality of recesses to receive a plurality of items to be carried. In an embodiment, the clip further comprises an additional first portion arranged to be rotatably fixed to the clip and whereby rotation of the additional first portion within the clip is operable to further secure the clip to the cable tray.

In an embodiment, the second portion comprises a pair of mutually orthogonal channels, each arranged to receive the support for the cable tray or the item carried by the cable tray.

In an embodiment, each channel has an entrance of smaller width than the channel width to hold the support for the cable tray or the item carried.

In an embodiment, there is provided a cable tray comprising a plurality of clips according to any preceding aspect.

In an embodiment, the plurality of clips are arranged on opposed surfaces of the cable tray.

In an embodiment, the clip is formed from a moulded plastics material.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a castellated bar arranged in a U-shape to form a trapeze for supporting a cable tray.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a castellated bar bent in two locations such that it comprises a first shorter portion substantially parallel with a second longer portion, said first and second portions joined by an angled portion.

Although a few preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a clip according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a clip according to an embodiment of the invention in use with a castellated bar and a cable tray; Figure 3 shows a plan view of a cable tray with a clip according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 shows a trapeze arrangement together with a cable tray and a clip according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 shows an alternative form of support according to an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 6 shows a further alternative form of support according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figures 7(a) to (d) show embodiments of the present invention;

Figures 8(a) to (d) show embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 9 shows an embodiment of the present invention for carrying a pipe;

Figure 10 shows an embodiment of the present invention arranged to carry several items or supports;

Figure 1 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention comprising a pair of mutually orthogonal channels;

Figured 12(a) to (d) show various views of a cable tray according to embodiments of the present invention; and

Figures 13(a) and (b) show various views of a cable tray according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention utilise castellated bars to form supports for cable trays. The castellated bar 200 is shown in Figure 2. The term‘castellated’ refers to the profile of the bar which comprises a series of alternate projecting and waisted regions. Each projection 210 is surrounded by a waisted portion 220. In this way, the bar appears to comprise a plurality of ridges along its length. The bar 200 can be formed from a metal such as steel, preferable spring or stainless steel, in whatever length is required. The bar 200 may be bent into various shapes, depending on the exact requirements for any given installation. The bending can be performed by known rebar bending devices. Cable trays are known in the prior art. They are provided to support cables and other utilities and are usually suspended from threaded rods fixed in a ceiling. In embodiments of the present invention, cable trays are arranged to be supported on a castellated bar. A clip according to an embodiment of the invention is provided to secure the tray in position.

Figure 1 shows a clip 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The clip is formed from a plastics material, preferably nylon. It is preferably formed using a moulding process, but other production techniques, known to the skilled person may be used also.

The clip 1 comprises two major portions: an attachment portion 10 and a body portion 20.

The body portion 20 is substantially n-shaped, having a pair of spaced apart members arranged to straddle a castellated bar 200. The aperture between the members of the body 20 may comprise a curved portion 30 arranged to conform to an outer profile of the castellated bar i.e. it is correspondingly dimensioned. The two members of the body are arranged to resiliently engage with the bar 200 such that the clip 1 can be pushed onto the bar, the members being pushed apart and the clip thereby attaching in a semi-permanent manner to the bar, with the bar resting in the curved portion 30.

The inwardly facing surfaces of the members of the body 20 may be provided with a ridge or projection 35 which is arranged to sit in a waisted portion 220 of the bar 200.

The attachment portion 10 of the clip 1 is arranged above the body and is attached to it by a bridging member 15. The attachment portion is arranged to have a first dimension which is larger than a second dimension, orthogonal to the first dimension. In Figure 1 , it can be seen that the dimension a is larger than the dimension b, defining a length and width, respectively, of the attachment portion 10.

Figure 3 shows a plan upper view of a cable tray 100. Cable trays of this sort are known in the prior art. The tray comprises a plurality of apertures which are provided to either couple the tray to another device or to secure cables and pipes in-situ using cable ties and the like. Some apertures 1 10 are provided which have a length which runs orthogonal to a length of the cable tray. Other apertures 120 are provided which have a length which runs parallel to a length of the cable tray.

In order to secure the cable tray 100 to a castellated bar (as shown in Figure 2), a clip 1 is first attached to the cable tray. This is achieved by inserting attachment portion 10 through an aperture 1 10 from an underside of the cable tray i.e. from the side which is nearest to the cable tray in use and opposite to the side which carries the cables. The attachment portion 10 will only fit through the aperture 110 in one orientation. Once inserted, it is twisted through 90 degrees, as shown in Figure 3, where two clips 1 are shown fitted into respective apertures 110. In this orientation, the cable tray, by means of clips 1 , can be coupled to bar 200 as shown in Figure 2. This ensures that the cable tray 100 is coupled securely to the supporting structure formed from the bar 200. This is especially important as the cables are pulled along the length of the tray while being installed.

Figures 4 to 6 illustrate particular embodiments of the invention formed from different configurations of curved castellated bar. The embodiment in Figure 4 is a for use as a trapeze arrangement, which is coupled at an upper end to a ceiling. The cable tray is located, as shown, to a lower portion of the arrangement. The castellated bar may 200 be bent to form a generally U-shaped item and then coupled to the anchor points in the ceiling. Further details regarding the fastening and coupling are provided in earlier application GB1718863.2.

It is sufficient to note that the anchors 300 are first fitted into the ceiling or other support structure and then the bent castellated rod 200 is coupled to the anchors using coupling devices 310. Figure 5 shows an alternative support for a cable tray 100. In this embodiment, the castellated bar 200 is bent so that two substantially parallel portions 201 , 203 are joined by an angled portion 202, such that portion 201 provides a platform to receives the cable tray 100, as shown. The bar 200, in this configuration, can be fastened to a vertical surface, such as a wall. This may be of use when a ceiling is not suitable to support a trapeze arrangement as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 shows a further alternative support for a cable tray 100. This embodiment is suitable for use on a floor or other horizontal surface. The castellated rod 200 is substantially n-shaped and provides a raised platform to receive the cable tray 100 as shown.

Figures 7(a) to (d) show front and side views, respectively, of four embodiments of the present invention, specifically for carrying pipes or bundles of wires or cables in a cable tray.

Each of the embodiments of Figures 7(a) to (d) comprises a first portion as previously described to couple it to a cable tray by the inserting and rotating technique. However, each of these embodiments has slightly different characteristics.

Figure 7(a) shows a clip where the second portion comprises two inwardly curved arms 400 defining a recess 410 for receiving a pipe or cable bundle. The inward curve of the arms means that a pipe or cable bundle must be forced into the reduced opening, whereupon the resilience of the arms 400 will serve to secure the pipe or cable bundle in place.

Figure 7(b) is similar to Figure 7(a), except that one of the arms 401 is significantly larger than the other arm 402. This embodiment is intended to be used in cases where the cable tray is mounted vertically and the larger arm 401 is located below the shorter arm 402, such that the pipe or cable bundle is supported by the larger arm 401 .

Figure 7(c) is similar to Figure 7(a), with the provision of a slot or aperture 403 which extends through the body of the second portion from one side to the other. The slot 403 is provided to receive a cable tie or tie wrap which can then be fastened around the pipe or cable bundle carried in the clip to provide extra security and stability.

Figure 7(d) shows a clip having a closure mechanism incorporated therein, offering integral security. The clip comprises two arms, 404, 405. One arm 404 has an integrally hinged member which can open to receive a pipe or cable bundle into the clip. A free end of arm 404 is provided with a hook or latch mechanism which co-operates and couples with a mating portion in arm 405 to securely fasten the pipe or cable bundle within the clip.

Figures 8(a) to 8(d) show embodiments of the present invention which incorporate as integral features, a tie wrap or cable tie. Tie wraps or cable ties are well know in the art, and embodiments of the invention utilise this known technique by integrally forming features of said devices into clips.

Figures 8(a) and (c) show devices arranged to be used in a horizontal cable tray. The difference between these two embodiments is that the orientation of the first portions are 90° different in each case, allowing for a different orientation in particular cases. In particular, they allow for cases where the slots in the cable tray are differently orientated.

Figures 8(b) and (d) show devices arranged to be used with a vertical cable tray. The difference between these two embodiments is that the orientation of the first portions are 90° different in each case, allowing for a different orientation in particular cases. In particular, they allow for cases where the slots in the cable tray are differently orientated.

In each of these embodiments, one of the arms is integrally formed with a first tie wrap member 420, comprising a flexible portion provided with a plurality of teeth. The flexible member is arranged to cooperate with a ratchet mechanism 421 provided on the other arm so that the teeth engage with the ratchet and any pipe or cables held in the clip are securely fastened. The tie wrap mechanism is well known in the art. Figure 9 shows a further embodiment. The first portion is as described already. The second portion comprises a circular part to hold, particularly, a pipe, although it could hold a cable bundle.

The second portion comprises a semi-circular first portion 430 which extends from the first portion. It is coupled to a second semi-circular portion 431 by means of a flanged connection 432 which may be secured using a nut and bolt or similar fastening. The embodiment of Figure 9 is arranged to hang beneath a cable tray, in use.

Figure 10 shows an embodiment which is arranged to accommodate several cables, bundle or pipes in several recesses 440. It comprises a first portion 441 for coupling to a cable tray as already described. In order to more securely fasten it to the cable tray, a further first portion 442 is provided. Once first portion 441 has been inserted into an aperture in the cable tray and rotated, portion 442 is inserted through a suitable aperture in the cable tray and into a corresponding aperture in the body of the clip. It is then rotated to engage with the aperture in the clip and so hold the clip in position by means of both first portions 441 , 442.

Figure 11 shows a clip which comprises two channels 450, 451 arranged orthogonally. This has the advantage that this clip can be used, regardless of the orientation of the slots in the cable tray with which, it is required to couple. Each channel is substantially circular in cross- section. In order to enter the channel, the pipe, cable or bundle must enter it through an opening having a slightly reduced width. Once in the channel this constricted opening serves to secure the item in the channel.

Figures 12(a) to (d) show various views of a cable tray in use, populated with clips according to embodiments of the present invention and cable/pipes.

Figures 12 (a) and (b) show cross-sectional and plan views respectively of a cable tray fitted in a horizontal orientation. The outermost clips are of the type shown in Figure 7(a) and can be seen to hold single pipes or cables, while the central clip holds a bundle of cables, all of which are held in position using an integral tie wrap of the sort shown in Figure 8(a).

Figures 12(c) and (d) show cross-sectional and plan views respectively of a cable tray fitted in a vertical orientation. The upper and lower clips are of the type shown in Figure 7(b), while the central clip is of the type shown in Figure 8(b).

Figures 13(a) and (b) show cross-sectional and side view respectively of a cable tray in which service are run both in the cable tray (i.e. above it) and suspended below it. The arrangement here show a plurality of clips of the sort shown in Figure 7(a), each holding a single pipe. However, the clips on the upper surface are offset from the clips on the lower surface as shown in Figure 13(b). In this way, there is sufficient room to accommodate all the required clips without them fouling each other.

Embodiments of the invention provide an improved means of supporting cables, pipes and the like by means of castellated rods, bent as required. Further, by fastening cable trays to the castellated rods by means of the clips herein described, a quick, safe and simple installation is possible. This saves time, money and injuries.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A clip arranged to attach to a cable tray, wherein the clip comprises a first portion for coupling to the cable tray and a second portion for attaching to either a support for the cable tray or an item carried by the cable tray.

2: The clip of claim 1 wherein the first portion comprises a projection having two major dimensions, orthogonal to each other, wherein one of the major dimensions is larger than the other.

3. The clip of claim 2 wherein the first portion is arranged to be inserted into an aperture of the cable tray in one orientation and rotated through substantially 90 degrees to secure the clip in position.

4. The clip of any preceding claim wherein the first portion is connected to the second portion by means of a bridging portion.

5. The clip of any preceding claim wherein the second portion comprises a pair of spaced apart members for coupling to the support for the cable tray or the item carried by the cable tray.

6. The clip of claim 5 wherein at least one of the spaced apart members comprises a ridge for engagement with a waisted portion of a castellated bar, used as a support for the cable tray.

7. The clip of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the second portion comprises an aperture arranged to receive a tie-wrap fastening device to hold the item to be carried securely in position.

8. The clip of any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the second portion comprises a pair of arms, the first of which comprises a first member of a tie wrap fastening device and the second of which comprises a ratchet device forming a second member of a tie wrap fastening device, arranged to receive the first member and thereby hold the item to be carried securely in position.

9. The clip of any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the second portion comprises two substantially semi-circular members arranged to be mutually coupled and to receive and secure the item to be secured, wherein the item is a pipe.

10. The clip of any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the second portion comprises a plurality of recesses to receive a plurality of items to be carried.

11. The clip of claim 10 wherein the clip further comprises an additional first portion arranged to be rotatably fixed to the clip and whereby rotation of the additional first portion within the clip is operable to further secure the clip to the cable tray.

12. The clip of any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the second portion comprises a pair of mutually orthogonal channels, each arranged to receive the support for the cable tray or the item carried by the cable tray.

13. The clip of claim 12 wherein each channel has an entrance of smaller width than the channel width to hold the support for the cable tray or the item carried.

14. A cable tray comprising a plurality of clips according to any preceding claim.

15. The cable tray of claim 14 wherein the plurality of clips are arranged on opposed surfaces of the cable tray.

16. The clip of any preceding claim formed from a moulded plastics material.

17. A castellated bar arranged in a U-shape to form a trapeze for supporting a cable tray.

18. A castellated bar bent in two locations such that it comprises a first shorter portion substantially parallel with a second longer portion, said first and second portions joined by an angled portion.

19. The castellated bar of claim 17 or 18 further comprising a cable tray and at least one clip according to any of claims 1 to 13.