GB2481710A

GB2481710A - Coupler piece between metal cable trays and wire mesh cable trays

Info

Publication number: GB2481710A
Application number: GB1111085.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Juan Jose Martinez Ramos; Carlos Dominguez Rodriguez
Original assignee: Pequeno Material Electrico SA PEMSA
Current assignee: Pequeno Material Electrico SA PEMSA
Priority date: 2010-06-29
Filing date: 2011-06-29
Publication date: 2012-01-04
Anticipated expiration: 2031-06-29
Also published as: ES2350437A1; GB201111085D0; GB2481710B; ES2350437B1; FR2961962B1; PT105775A; FR2961962A1; PT105775B

Abstract

A coupler piece 1 (e.g. fishplate) between metal trays 18 and wire mesh trays 19 comprises an L-shaped section 2 with a horizontal surface 4 and a vertical surface 5, the vertical surface 5 having plural bored orifices 7. Extending from the vertical surface 5 is an additional cantilevered section 3 that has several slits 8 cut on it that form tabs 9, 10, wherein at least one of the tabs 10 has a vertical orientation (e.g. a U-shaped tab) and at least one of the tabs 9 has a horizontal orientation (e.g. a C-shaped tab). The horizontal surface 4 may also have plural bored orifices 6 and at least one tab 12 protruding from a free interior border 11 of the horizontal surface. The cantilever section 3 may include at least one tab 15 protruding from its upper edge and located between two lateral slits 16. The top sections of the vertical surface 5 of section 2 and the cantilever surface 3 may be separated by a vertical slit 17.

Description

COUPLER PIECE BETWEEN METAL CABLE TRAYS AND WIRE MESH

CABLE TRAYS

Field of the Invention

The instant invention refers to a coupler piece between metal cable trays and wire mesh cable trays, such as the type used in electrical installations to channel and sustain cables.

Backciround of the Invention Several configurations of couplers are found in the market for coupling metal cable tray sections, as well as pieces for connecting wire mesh cable tray sections, some of which require fixing elements such as screws and bolts.

There are also accessories for coupling horizontal wire mesh cable trays to vertical metal cable tray sections, such as the one described in Spanish utility model no. 1071237.

However, coupling wire mesh tray sections to metal cable trays in line (that is, with the same orientation) is complicated and cumbersome.

Hence the need for a coupler piece between metal cable trays and wire mesh cable trays that will make it possible to couple said sections easily and securely.

Summary of the Invention

Therefore, the object of the instant invention consists in providing a coupler piece for coupling metal cable trays to wire mesh cable trays that allows coupling in a simple and secure manner.

The invention discloses a coupler piece between metal cable trays and wire mesh cable trays comprising a section having an L shaped profile, with a horizontal surface and a vertical surface, the vertical surface having several bored orifices. It also comprises an additional cantilevered section extending from the vertical surface, said additional section having several slits to form tabs, with at least one of the tabs located on the cantilevered section having a vertical orientation and at least one tab located on the cantilevered section having a horizontal orientation.

By means of said configuration of the coupler piece an accessory is obtained having a section that can be coupled to the section of metal cable trays and another capable of being coupled to a section of wire mesh cable trays.

Another advantage of the invention is that it is a universal piece, as it permits joining any type of metal tray with any type of wire mesh tray.

Another advantage of the invention is that it discloses pieces which can be coupled, thus minimizing packaging and facilitating storage and transportation.

Other features and advantages of the instant invention will be disclosed in the detailed description which follows from an illustrative explanation of its object in relation to the attached Figures.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the coupler piece between metal cable trays and wire mesh cable trays of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a lateral view of the piece of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a front view of the piece of Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows the assembly comprising a metal cable tray coupled to a wire mesh cable tray by means of the coupler piece of the invention, and an unattached upper cover.

Figure 5 shows the assembly of figure 4 with the upper cover attached.

Figure 6 shows a front view of the assembly of figure 4.

Figure 7 shows a side view of the assembly of figure 4.

Figure 8 shows a bottom view of the assembly of figure 4.

Figure 9 shows a detail view of the coupling zone between the metal tray and the cable tray of figure 4.

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the piece of figure 1 with the tabs bent.

Figure 11 shows the assembly of a metal cable tray and a wire mesh cable tray with the coupler pieces of the invention.

Figure 12 shows a detail of the outward face of a coupler piece in the assembly of figure 11.

Figure 13 shows a detail of the inward face a coupler piece in the assembly of figure 11.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Figures 1 to 3 show different perspectives of coupler piece 1 of the invention between metal cable trays and wire mesh cable trays.

Said piece 1 comprises a section 2 having an L shaped profile, with a horizontal surface 4 and a vertical surface 5. Vertical surface 5 has several bored orifices 7, horizontally aligned in the embodiment of the Figure. Piece 1 also comprises an additional cantilevered section 3 as an extension of vertical surface 5, said section 3 having several additional slits 8 cut on it to form tabs 9, 10.

In Figure 1 the piece 1 of the embodiment shown has several orifices 6 on horizontal surface 4 of section 2 having an L shaped profile. Said Figure likewise shows a pair of tabs 12, which protrude from the free interior border 11 of said horizontal surface 4 in a longitudinal direction.

Figures 2 and 3 likewise show that on cantilevered section 3 at least one of the tabs 10 located on cantilevered section 3 has a vertical orientation (in this case, two of them) and also at least one of the tabs 9 located on cantilevered section 3 has a horizontal orientation (in this case, the tab located farthest to the right in Figure 1).

In said figures it can also be seen that slits 8 which form tabs 10 with a vertical orientation are in the shape of a U, and slits 8 which form tabs 9 with a horizontal orientation are in the shape of a C. In the upper zone of vertical surface 5 of the L profile and the upper zone of additional cantilevered section 3 there can be an inward facing longitudinal angled trim 13 (the v-shaped profile of which can be seen in Figure 3). Also, the upper end of vertical surface 5 of the L profile and the upper zone of additional cantilevered section 3 are horizontally folded inwards forming a channel 14 running lengthwise above inward facing longitudinal trim 13.

Said channel 14 is capable of being coupled to the top lengthwise wire 20 of wire mesh tray 19 and with top edge 21 of metal tray 18, which reinforces the coupling between both elements, while at the same time inward facing longitudinal trim 13 allows a cover 22 to be attached over both sections of trays 18, 19, as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

In Figure 1 it can also be seen that additional cantilevered section 3 comprises at least one tab 15 protruding from its upper edge, each tab 15 being placed between two lateral slits 16.

All tabs 9, 10, 12, 15 of piece 1 will permit the gripping of the respective wires of wire mesh tray 19.

It can also be seen in Figures 1 and 2 that vertical surface 5 of section 2 forming the L shaped profile and additional cantilevered section 3 can have the upper section separated by a vertical slit 17.

Figures 4 to 9 show the assembly comprising metal cable tray 18 and wire mesh cable tray 19 formed by coupler pieces 1 of the invention. As can be seen, there are two mutually symmetrical configurations of piece 1 of the invention, depending on whether it is to be placed on the right side or on the left side. Piece 1 of Figures 1 to 3 would be of the type located on the left side, for example in Figures 4 and 5.

Figures 4, 5 and 9 show that piece 1 located on the right side has folded tabs coupled to wire mesh tray 19, while the tabs on piece 1 located on the left side are not deployed.

Figure 10 shows a perspective of piece 1 of Figure 1 with all of the tabs folded. Said piece 1, with all of its tabs folded, is found coupled on the left side of the assembly of Figure 11. In said Figure 11 piece 1 on the right side is shown with all of the tabs folded and coupled to wire mesh tray 19.

As is better shown in Figures 10 and 13, the tabs will preferably have a length that makes it possible to grip the wires of wire mesh tray 19, in such a way that they will be hidden when folded over and will not damage the cables running through the inside of trays 18, 19.

In Figures 4 to 11, 12 and 13 it can be seen that orifices 7 bored on vertical surface 5 of section 2 of the L shape permit coupling with attaching means, such as screw and nut with washer assemblies 23 that join piece 1 and the sections of metal cable tray 18 passing through both orifices 7 and vertical surface 5 of section 2 in L, like those of the side wall of metal tray 18.

In Figures 8 and 9 it can also be seen that orifices 6 on horizontal surface 4 of section 2 in the L shape profile can be aligned lengthwise so as to coincide with the respective orifices of the bottom of metal tray 18, and so will likewise allow coupling with attaching means like screw and nut with bolt assemblies 23.

Although some embodiments of the invention have been described and depicted, it is obvious that modifications can be made to them within their scope, and that the invention should not be considered limited to said embodiments, but rather only to the content of the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMSCoupler piece (1) for use between metal trays (18) and wire mesh trays (19), comprising a section (2) having an L shaped profile, with a horizontal surface (4) and a vertical surface (5), said vertical surface having several bored orifices (6), and also comprising an additional cantilevered section (3) extending from vertical surface (5), said additional section (3) having several slits (8) cut on it that form tabs (9, 10) characterized by at least one of the tabs (9) located on cantilevered section (3) having a vertical orientation and at least one of the tabs (10) located on cantilevered section (3) having a horizontal orientation.
2. Coupler piece according to claim 1, characterized by horizontal surface (4) of section (2) having an L shaped profile, having several bored orifices (6) and at least one tab (12) protruding from free interior border (11) of said horizontal surface (4).
3. Coupler piece according to any of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the slits (8) forming tabs (10) with a vertical orientation have the shape of a U and the slits (8) forming tabs (9) with a horizontal orientation have the shape of a C.
4. Coupler piece according to any of the previous claims, characterized by additionally comprising an inward facing longitudinal projection (13) located on the upper zone of vertical surface (5) of the L profile and the upper zone of additional cantilevered section (3), and by the fact that the top edge of vertical surface (5) of the L profile and the upper section of additional cantilevered section (3) are folded inwards horizontally, forming a longitudinal channel (14) above the inward facing longitudinal projection (13).
5. Coupler piece according to any of the previous claims, characterized by additional cantilevered section (3) comprising at least one tab (15) protruding from its upper edge, each tab (15) being located between two lateral slits (16).
6. Coupler piece according to any of the previous claims, characterized by vertical surface (5) of section (2) in the shape of an L and additional cantilevered section (3) having their top sections separated by a vertical slit (17).
7. Coupler piece substantially as here before described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.*.:r: INTELLECTUAL . ... PROPERTY OFFICE Application No: GB 1111085.5 Examiner: Mr Gareth John Claims searched: 1-7 Date of search: 28 October 2011 Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17 Documents considered to be relevant: Category Relevant Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance to claims A -GB2472889A (SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC ESPANA
S.A.) Figures 1-6.A -EP 1315261 Al (LEGRAND S P A) Figures 3 & 4.A -US 2006/0249300 Al (PENICHON) Figures 5 & 6.A -US 2004/0057783 Al (DECIRY) Figures 1-3 & 7-17.A -US 2002/0117586 Al (RINDERER et al) Figures 6, 7, 9 & 10.A -FR2937399A1 (CTS CABLE TRAY SYSTEMS SAS) Figures 1-17.Categories: X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive A Document indicating technological background and/or state step of the art.Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if P Document published on or after the declared priority date but combined with one or more other documents of before the filing date of this invention.same category.& Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:Search of GB, EP, WO & US patent documents classified in the following areas of the UKCX: Worldwide search of patent documents classified in the following areas of the IPC F16L; HO2G The following online and other databases have been used in the preparation of this search report WPI, EPODOC, TXTE Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk *.:r: INTELLECTUAL . .... PROPERTY OFFICE 9 International Classification: Subclass Subgroup Valid From HO2G 0003/06 01/01/2006 HO2G 0003/04 01/01/2006 Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk