AU2020201095B2

AU2020201095B2 - Cable transfer improvements

Info

Publication number: AU2020201095B2
Application number: AU2020201095A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Tim Everett
Original assignee: KDB Intellectual Pty Ltd
Current assignee: KDB Intellectual Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-02-15
Filing date: 2020-02-14
Publication date: 2025-03-13
Anticipated expiration: 2040-02-14
Also published as: AU2020201095A1

Abstract

Cable transfers are described comprising a frame mount to be secured with respect to a frame; a duct to receive one or more cables, the duct having a mounting end and a distal end; and an adjustable mounting to secure the mounting end of the duct with respect to the frame mount. Alternative cable transfers are described comprising a frame mount to be secured with respect to a frame; an adjustable member securable to the frame mount, wherein in use the adjustable member can be secured in multiple positions relative to the frame mount; and a duct to receive one or more cables, the duct having a mounting end to be secured to the adjustable member, and a distal end. Doors comprising the cable transfer of the invention, methods of manufacturing and installing the cable transfers, as well as kits incorporating the cable transfers are also described. 1/5 100 163 162 114 140 160 165 130 120 114 164 140 FIG. 1

Description

1/5

100

163 162 114

140 160

165

130 120

114 164 140

FIG. 1

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: TIM EVERETT

Actual Inventor(s): TIM EVERETT

Address for Service: Houlihan 2 , Level 1, 70 Doncaster Road, Balwyn North, Victoria 3104, Australia

Invention Title: CABLE TRANSFER IMPROVEMENTS

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to the Applicant:-

CABLE TRANSFER IMPROVEMENTS FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable transfer for passage of a cable through a closure. For convenience, the present invention will be described with particular reference

to doors, although other types of closures may also benefit from the use of the present

invention.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] In a typical door, the door leaf is mounted within a door frame, and pivots open and closed around hinges on one side of the frame. A latch typically acts to hold the door

in the closed position, and a door knob or other handle is used to release the latch and

allow the door to be opened. Selectively, the door can be locked in its closed position,

commonly with a key lock that prevents release of the latch.

[0003] Many modem security doors also include electronic locking arrangements, in which a key pad, central control system or other electronic device can be used to

selectively allow a door to be opened or closed. In these electronic locking arrangements,

power and/or data connections must be provided to a locking device engaged with the

latch.

[0004] The latch is generally located at the side of the door leaf that can be opened or closed, but power and/or data must generally be provided using cable(s) passed through the

door frame. The cables should not be disconnected during opening or closing of the door.

Accordingly, power and/or data cables are generally passed from the hinged side of the

door, through the width of the door leaf, to the latch side. A passageway is generally

created (drilled) through the width of the door leaf for this purpose.

[0005] A cable transfer acts to facilitate the passage of the cable(s) from the door frame to the door leaf. Conventional cable transfers generally incorporate a mounting component

that is fixed to the door frame, and a duct (often a coil spring) to receive and direct the

cable(s). The duct is fixed at one end to the mounting component on the frame, and this

frame-mounted end of the duct receives the cable(s) from the frame. The other end of the

duct is aligned with the end of a passageway in the door leaf. The duct provides a flexible

connection between the door frame and door leaf allowing the door to be opened or closed,

while concealing the cables and protecting them from pinching, cutting or tampering.

[0006] During installation, it is important that the holes on each end of the passageway are accurately located, so that the hinge-side hole of the passageway aligns with the exit point of the cable from the duct of the cable transfer, and the latch-side hole aligns with the

relevant electronic components that control the latch. However, drilling a precisely

horizontal passageway extending the entire width of a door leaf can be a difficult task for

tradesmen. This presents a challenge in the installation of electronic locking systems for

such doors.

[0007] It is a preferred object of embodiments of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate one or more of the aforementioned problems of the prior art and/or provide

a useful commercial alternative.

[0008] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the

common general knowledge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In one form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest form, the invention resides in a cable transfer comprising:

a frame mount to be secured with respect to a frame;

a duct to receive one or more cables, the duct having a mounting end and a distal

end; and

an adjustable mounting to secure the mounting end of the duct with respect to the

frame mount.

[0010] The adjustable mounting may comprise a sliding member. The sliding member may be secured to the mounting end of the duct, wherein the sliding member can slide in at

least one dimension relative to the frame mount, to allow adjustment of the mounting end

of the duct relative to the frame mount. The adjustment may be positional adjustment. The

positional adjustment may comprise adjustment in one or both of a horizontal and/or

vertical plane.

[0011] Ina second aspect of the invention, there is provided a cable transfer comprising: a frame mount to be secured with respect to a frame; an adjustable member securable to the frame mount, wherein in use the adjustable member can be selectively secured in any of multiple positions relative to the frame mount; and a duct to receive one or more cables, the duct having a mounting end to be secured to the adjustable member, and a distal end.

[0012] The cable transfer may further comprise a backing member, wherein the sliding member is captured between the frame mount and the backing member. This allows the sliding member to be secured with respect to the frame mount.

[0013] The adjustable member may comprise a sliding member that can slide in at least one dimension relative to the frame mount and backing member, to allow adjustment of the mounting end of the duct relative to the frame mount.

[0014] The sliding member may slide in two dimensions, to allow for adjustment of the mounting end of the duct (relative to the frame mount) in two dimensions. The backing member may comprise one or more stops to constrain sliding of the sliding member. The stop(s) may comprise end stops to constrain longitudinal movement of the sliding member, and/or side stops to constrain sideways movement of the sliding member.

[0015] The sliding member may be a sliding plate, comprising a substantially planar shape. The plate may be substantially rectangular.

[0016] The backing member may comprise a cable access hole to allow passage of a cable from the frame, through the cable access hole and into the duct.

[0017] The cable transfer may further comprise a serrated block behind the backing member, to receive a fastener, the fastener securing the sliding member selectively in any of multiple positions.

[0018] The cable transfer of any preceding claim, wherein the frame is a door frame, and wherein the distal end of the duct is to be secured to a door leaf on a hinge side of the door leaf.

[0019] The duct may comprise a spring. The spring may comprise a coiled spring such as a helical spring. A frame attachment member may be secured at the mounting end of the duct (for example, to a tang at the mounting end of the helical spring) and a door leaf attachment member may be secured at the distal end of the duct (for example, to a tang at the distal end of the helical spring).

[0020] In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a door comprising: a door frame; a door leaf; and a cable transfer in accordance with the first or second aspect of the invention, wherein the mounting end of the duct is secured relative to the door frame and the distal end of the duct is secured relative to the door leaf.

[0021] The door may further comprise one or more cables extending through the duct. The cable(s) may comprise data and/or power cable(s).

[0022] In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a cable transfer comprising: forming a frame mounting member to be secured with respect to a frame; forming a duct to receive one or more cables, the duct having a mounting end and a distal end; and forming an adjustable mounting means to secure the mounting end of the duct with respect to the frame mounting member.

[0023] In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of installation of a cable transfer according to the first or second aspect of the invention, the method comprising: securing the frame mount to be secured with respect to a frame; selectively securing an adjustable member to the frame mount, in one of multiple selectable positions relative to the frame mount; and securing a mounting end of a duct to the adjustable member.

[0024] The method may further comprise securing a distal end of the duct to a closure hinged to the frame.

[0025] The closure may be a door.

[0026] In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit for a cable transfer comprising: a frame mount to be secured with respect to a frame; a duct to receive one or more cables, the duct having a mounting end and a distal end; and an adjustable mounting to secure the mounting end of the duct with respect to the frame mount.

[0027] Further aspects of the present invention will also be described in the detailed description of the invention below.

[0028] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention is provided below, along with accompanying figures that illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. While the invention is described in connection with such embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any embodiment. On the contrary, the scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims and the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents.

[0029] For the purpose of example, numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. The present invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purposes of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the present invention is not unnecessarily obscured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to identical elements. The drawings are provided by way of example only, wherein:

[0031] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cable transfer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cable transfer of Figure 1.

[0033] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the cable transfer of Figure 1, including a door frame fitting.

[0034] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the cable transfer of Figure 3.

[0035] Figure 5 is a top view of the cable transfer of Figure 3.

[0036] Skilled addressees will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the relative dimensions of some elements in the drawings may be distorted to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Table of Parts

100 cable transfer

110 frame mounting member

112 rectangular aperture in frame mounting member

114 fixing holes in frame mounting member

115 fasteners for securing frame mounting member

120 sliding plate

122 rectangular aperture in sliding plate

124 fixing holes in sliding plate

130 backing member

132 recess for duct

134 fixing holes in backing member

136 hole in backing member to allow passage of cable(s)

137 end stops

138 end portions of backing member

139 wall portions of backing member

140 holding blocks

142 serrated block

150 frame fitting

152 fixing holes in frame fitting

153 fasteners for securing frame fitting

154 mounting holes in frame fitting

160 duct

162 frame attachment member of duct

163 fixing hole in frame attachment member of duct

164 door attachment member of duct

165 fixing hole in door attachment member of duct

200 cable

300 door

305 door frame 310 doorleaf 312 hinge side of door leaf 314 latch side of door leaf 320 passageway 322 hinge side exit of passageway 324 latch side exit of passageway 330 door latch 400 electronic locking system 410 electronic display

[0037] Referring to the Figure 1, there is shown a cable transfer 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in Figure 1, the cable transfer 100 includes a frame mounting member 110, a sliding plate 120, backing member 130 and cable duct 160. In use, the cable transfer 100 can be secured to a door frame 305 (not shown), on the side of the frame 305 where door leaf 310 (not shown) is hinged for pivotal opening and closing. When mounted to a typical door 300 (not shown), the cable transfer 100 will be mounted vertically, such that the longitudinal axis of the cable transfer 100 is vertical.

[0038] The frame mounting member 110 comprises a rectangular central aperture 112, and fixing holes 114 at either end. The fixing holes 114 enable the frame mounting member 110 to be secured relative to the door frame with fasteners 115. The frame mounting member 110 may be secured indirectly such as by via a frame fitting 150 as shown in Figures 3 to 5, using fasteners 115 in the form of screws, in which case other screws 153 may be used to secure the frame fitting 150 to the door frame. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the frame mounting member 110 may be secured directly to the door frame using appropriate fasteners 115. Fasteners 115, 153 are depicted as screws in this embodiment, although other types of fasteners may be used in different embodiments of the invention, such as (but not limited to) clips, hooks, or nut and bolt arrangements.

[0039] The sliding plate 120 is captured between the frame mounting member 110 and the end portions 138 of the backing member 130. However, it is free to slide in two dimensions (the two dimensions corresponding to the plane of the sliding plate 120).

[0040] The sliding plate 120 also comprises a rectangular central aperture 122, and mounting holes 124 at top and bottom. The functionality of these features is described in

more detail later in this specification.

[0041] The backing member 130 comprises a pair of opposed end portions 138, with a channel section or recess 132 defined by longitudinal walls 139 extending between the end

portions 138. In use, the sliding plate 120 is captured between the end portions 138 and the

frame mounting member 110, and the sliding of the plate 120 (in its two dimensions of

freedom) is constrained by longitudinal walls 139 and end stops 137 at the ends of end

portions 138. Fixing holes 134 are provided in the end portions 138, and a cable access

hole 136 is provided at one end of the backing member 138.

[0042] Cable duct 160 is, in this embodiment, in the form of a helical or coil spring, and preferably formed from steel (although other materials may be used). An attachment

member is mounted at either end of the duct 160 - a frame attachment member 162 which

includes a fixing hole 163 to allow it to be secured relative to the door frame 305, and a

door attachment member 164 which includes a pair of fixing holes 165 to allow it to be

secured relative to the door leaf. Both duct attachment members 162, 164 will typically be

secured with screws (not shown).

[0043] In use, one or more cables 200 (not shown) can be passed from the door frame 305 through the cable access hole 136 into the frame attachment member 162, through the duct

160 to door attachment member 164. The cable(s) 200 can then be fed through a passage

320 in the door leaf 310 to the latch-side 314 of the door leaf 310, to provide power and/or

data to an electronic locking system 400 (not shown) and/or display 410 (not shown) adjacent the door latch 320 (not shown).

[0044] When the door 300 is closed, the duct 160 retracts into the recess 132 of the cable transfer 100, and is therefore concealed on the hinge side 312 of the door 300. When the

door 300 is opened, the duct 160 extends out from the recess 132 with the movement of the

door leaf 310. When the door 300 is opened, the duct 160 is exposed, but acts to protect the

cable(s) 200 inside from tampering or damage.

[0045] This embodiment of the present invention provides particular advantages over conventional cable transfers of this type, in that it provides an adjustable mounting to

secure the mounting end 162 of the duct 160 to the frame mounting member 110, such that

the position of the mounting end 162 of the duct can be adjusted relative to the position of the frame mounting member 160. This provides some margin for error for tradesmen drilling a passageway through the width of the door leaf, when installing the cable(s) in the door. By providing this tolerance, installation time and costs can be reduced.

[0046] To secure the duct 160, the door attachment member 164 can be secured to the door leaf 310, at one end of a passageway 320 drilled through the door leaf 310. This, in

turn, sets the desired position of the other end of the duct 160. The sliding plate 120

constitutes an adjustable member, and provides an adjustable mounting for the duct 160 to

the door frame 305. The sliding plate 120 can be moved (within its two dimension of

freedom) to align with the desired position of the frame attachment member 162 of the

duct 160, and a fastener (not shown) can be inserted through (i) mounting hole 163 of the

frame attachment member 162 of the duct 160, (ii) fixing hole 124 in sliding plate 120, (iii)

fixing hole 134 in backing member 130, to be received in a serrated block 142 in a holding

block 140 beneath the end mounting portion 138 of backing member 130. A similar

fastener can be inserted through the fixing hole 124 at the other end of the sliding plate

120, as well as through the other fixing hole 134 in backing member 130 and into a

corresponding holding block 140 at the other end of the cable transfer 100.

[0047] Because the sliding plate 120 can slide (up to around 10mm in this embodiment, in either dimension) this means the precise connection point for the duct 160 can be adjusted

to compensate for any slight misalignment of the passageway 320 through the door leaf

310, drilled by the tradesman. For example, if the hinge-side exit hole 322 of the

passageway 320 is slightly too or too low in the vertical plane, and/or misaligned in the

horizontal plane, the position of the sliding plate 120 can be adjusted to compensate. In different embodiments, the amount of adjustment may be in the range of 1 to 50mm; 5 to

20mm; or 5 to 15mm according to different embodiments of the invention. When installed,

the duct 160 can still fit appropriately within the cable transfer 100 (within recess 132)

when the door 300 is closed, regardless of the precise position of the sliding plate 120. To

allow for some the sliding plate 120 to be secured in different positions, the fixing hole 134

through backing member 130 is larger than fixing hole 124 through sliding plate 120, and

the block 142 is serrated such that it can retain the end of a screw in multiple positions.

[0048] Although an embodiment of the invention has been described above, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0049] For example, in some embodiments, the sliding plate 120 may be secured directly to the frame mounting member 110 in multiple positions, rather than being captured

between the frame mounting member 110 and a backing member 130 and secured as

described above.

[0050] In other embodiments, the sliding member may not be a sliding plate, but may have a substantially non-planar shape and/or more complicated three-dimensional shape,

different to the substantially rectangular sliding plate 120 shown in the figures.

[0051] In other embodiments, the sliding plate 120 may only be provided with one degree of freedom - for example, it may only be permitted to slide vertically (rather than side to

side) (considered from the orientation of the installed cable transfer 100). However,

allowing both side to side and vertical adjustment allows the cable transfer 100 to

accommodate a larger degree of error in the positioning of the hinge-side hole 322 entering

the passageway 320 through the door leaf 310.

[0052] The components of cable transfer 100, in particular the frame mounting member 110, sliding plate 120, backing member 130, holding blocks 140 and duct components 160,

162, 164 may all be formed from steel, although different materials may be used for

different applications. The components may be formed as castings or mouldings,

extrusions, and/or may be machined to take their final shape for installation.

[0053] In this specification, the terms "comprises", "comprising" or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an apparatus that comprises a list of

elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not

listed.

[0054] Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Persons

skilled in the relevant art may realize variations from the specific embodiments that will

nonetheless fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

The Claims defining the Invention are as follows:

1. A cable transfer comprising: a frame mount adapted to be secured with respect to a frame; a duct to receive one or more cables, the duct having a mounting end and a distal end; and an adjustable mounting to secure the mounting end of the duct with respect to the frame mount wherein the adjustable mounting comprises a sliding member to be secured to the mounting end of the duct, wherein the sliding member is adapted to slide in at least one dimension relative to the frame mount, to allow adjustment of the mounting end of the duct relative to the frame mount.

2. The cable transfer of claim 1, wherein the sliding member can slide in two dimensions.

3. The cable transfer of claims or claim 2, wherein the sliding member is a sliding plate.

4. The cable transfer of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a backing member adapted to capture the sliding member between the frame mount and the backing member.,

5. The cable transfer of claim 4 wherein the backing member comprises one or more stops to constrain sliding of the sliding member.

6. The cable transfer of claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the backing member comprises a cable access hole to allow passage of a cable from the frame, through the cable access hole and into the duct.

7. The cable transfer of any one of claims 4 to 6, further comprising a serrated block adapted to be secured behind the backing member, the serrated block adapted to receive a fastener to secure the sliding member in a selected position within a range of movement of the sliding member.

8. The cable transfer of any one of the preceding claims, wherein: a) the frame is a door frame, and wherein the distal end of the duct is adapted to be secured to a door leaf on a hinge side of the door leaf; b) the duct further comprises a frame attachment member on its mounting end; and/or c) the duct comprises a helical spring.

9. A cable transfer comprising: a frame mount adapted to be secured with respect to a frame; an adjustable member securable to the frame mount, the adjustable member comprising a sliding member adapted to slide in at least one dimension relative to the frame mount, wherein in use the adjustable member is adapted to be secured in a selected position within a range of movement of the sliding member relative to the frame mount; and a duct to receive one or more cables, the duct having a mounting end to be secured to the adjustable member, and a distal end.

10. The cable transfer of claim 9, further comprising a backing member adapted to be secured with respect to the frame mount, wherein in use the adjustable member is captured between the frame mount and the backing member.

11. The cable transfer of claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the sliding allows adjustment of the mounting end of the duct relative to the frame mount.

12. The cable transfer of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the sliding member is adapted to slide in two dimensions.

13. The cable transfer of any one of claims 9 or claim 12, wherein the sliding member is a sliding plate.

14. The cable transfer of any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the backing member comprises one or more stops to constrain sliding of the sliding member.

15. The cable transfer of any one of claims 10 to 14 wherein the backing member comprises a cable access hole to allow passage of a cable from the frame, through the cable access hole and into the duct.

16. The cable transfer of any one of claims 10 to 15, further comprising a serrated block adapted to be secured behind the backing member, the serrated block adapted to receive a fastener to secure the sliding member in a selected position within the range of movement of the sliding member.

17. The cable transfer of any one of claims 9 to 16, wherein: a) the frame is a door frame, and wherein the distal end of the duct is adapted to be secured to a door leaf on a hinge side of the door leaf. b) the duct further comprises a frame attachment member on its mounting end; c) the duct further comprises a door leaf attachment member on its distal end; and/or d) the duct comprises a helical spring.

18. A door comprising: a door frame; a door leaf; and a cable transfer in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the mounting end of the duct is adapted to be secured relative to the door frame and the distal end of the duct is adapted to be secured relative to the door leaf.

19. A method of manufacturing a cable transfer comprising: forming a frame mounting member to be secured with respect to a frame;

forming a duct to receive one or more cables, the duct having a mounting end and a

distal end; and

forming an adjustable sliding member to be secured to the mounting end of the

duct, wherein the sliding member is adapted to slide in at least one dimension relative to

the frame mount, to allow adjustment of the mounting end of the duct relative to the frame

mount.

20. A method of installation of a cable transfer according to any one of claims 1 to 17, the method comprising: securing the frame mount with respect to a frame;

selectively securing the adjustable member to the frame mount, in a selected positions relative to the frame mount; and securing a mounting end of a duct to the adjustable member.

21. A kit for a cable transfer, the kit comprising: a frame mount adapted to be secured with respect to a frame;

a duct adapted to receive one or more cables, the duct having a mounting end and a

distal end; and

an adjustable sliding member to secure the mounting end of the duct with respect to

the frame mount, wherein the sliding member is adapted to slide in at least one dimension

relative to the frame mount, to allow adjustment of the mounting end of the duct relative to

the frame mount.