AU725473B2 - Wiring system and apparatus preset under floor - Google Patents

Description

P/00/01i1 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE

SPECIFICATION

STANDARD PATENT

A.

Invention Title: Wiring System and Apparatus Preset Under Floor The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: CD/99228002.2 2 WIRING SYSTEM Field of the invention This invention relates to wiring systems, particularly those suitable for installation under panelled floors.

Background of the invention Wiring systems are typically installed before the construction of overlying panelled floors. Power cables and data cables are often laid, eg in ducts, on a surface over which floor panels are provided. The exposed cables are prone to fragility and damage (such as from mice etc), and can be a fire hazard. The disorganised nature of the installed cables makes reconfiguration difficult, both in terms of cable location and arrangement, and in terms of connection positions.

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Summary of the invention The invention provides a wiring system that includes wiring trays for carrying electrical distribution cables, and junction boxes for receiving respective electrical 15 equipment cables. The junction boxes each have means to provide at least one f..distribution cable opening, and means to provide at least one equipment cable opening. A junction connector is disposed in each junction box for electrically connecting the distribution cable and the equipment cable, which cables are able to pass into the junction box through the distribution cable opening and the equipment cable opening respectively. When the junction boxes are in operative relationship with the wiring trays, the distribution cable is passed directly from the wiring tray into the junction box via the distribution cable opening.

Description of drawings Fig. 1 is a simple diagram of a wiring system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

CD/99228002.2 3 Fig. 2 shows a wiring system when installed under a raised floor.

Fig. 3 shows a representative segment of a wiring tray and an associated junction box, as part of the wiring system of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged isometric view of the junction box shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 4a shows a modified form of junction box.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the junction box shown in Fig. 4 when installed on a wiring tray.

Fig. 5a is a view similar to Fig. 5 of the junction box shown in Figure 4a.

Fig. 6 shows a corresponding perspective view of the junction box shown in Fig. 4 with cabling omitted.

Fig. 6a is a view similar to Figure 6 of the junction box shown in Fig. 4a.

Fig. 7 shows the linking of two wiring trays by means of a connecting member o where a wall meets a floor.

2 Fig. 8 shows a section joiner for providing a junction between multiple wiring trays.

15 Figs. 9(a) to 9(d) show respective cross-sectional and perspective views of a segment of wiring tray, with and without height adjustment means.

Fig. 10 shows a segment of wiring tray with a different support means.

Fig. 11 shows how segments of wiring tray are linked end-to-end with joining sections.

Fig. 12 shows how an end of a segment of wiring tray is closed.

C0D/99228002.2 4 Fig. 13 shows a connector used in the junction box of the wiring system, and the circuit connections established in the connector.

Fig. 14 shows a wiring component with an electrical socket board, for connecting the wiring system with equipment distributed about a floor.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged detailed view of the plug of the wiring component shown in Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is an alternative wiring component with a distribution box that can be placed in a panelled floor, and used to connect the junction box of the wiring system with equipment distributed about the floor.

ooooo S 10 Fig. 17 shows a different junction box to that shown in Fig. 4 with an inbuilt data terminal connector.

Fig. 18 is a diagram that represents the connections established in a wiring S•system as cables connect to distributed equipment from a central distribution point, through wiring trays and junction boxes.

15 Fig. 19 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a second embodiment of a wiring system .oo.oi according to the invention, utilising wiring trays and cable tubes.

Figs. 20 to 22 show various junction boxes suitable for the embodiment of Figure S19.

Description of embodiment Fig. 1 shows a wiring system including a number of wiring passages and a number of junctions. In Fig. 1, the distinction between sections A and B relates to the "wall" sections and "floor" sections respectively.

The wiring system shown in Fig. 1 is designed to be installed under a raised /yccess floor as shown in Fig. 2, and includes multiple wiring trays 3 and CD/99228002.2 complementary junction boxes 2. Wiring trays 3 are intended to be installed onto a base floor 22, eg a slab floor prior to the installation of floor panels 11. Junction boxes 2 each have an inbuilt electrical junction connector 1 of appropriate width.

Electrical cables 6 such as power cable 6a and data cable 6b are respectively connected with power terminals 4 and data terminals 5 along the wall 24 and are laid along wiring trays 3 to be coupled to the terminal connectors 1 in the respective junction boxes 2. The wiring system is generally installed under a false floor of panels 11, supported on pedestals 12 as shown in Fig. 2.

The wiring trays 3 are placed between pedestals 12 which support floor panels 11, before the floor panels are installed. The base floor 22 can be conveniently marked before the pedestals 12, floor panels 11, and wiring trays 3 are laid out, so that when it comes to installing the wiring system and the false floor, there is no interference between the wiring trays 3 and the pedestals.

As shown in various drawings, the wiring tray 3 is generally U-shaped in profile, having a rectangular cross-sectional profile with longitudinally extending flanges 18 projecting outwardly at each side of the upper opening. The wiring tray 3 is made from metallic materials.

A line joiner 26 is used (Fig. 11) to join two lengths of wiring tray 3 end-to-end in a .straight line. The line joiner 26 is fixed to the wiring trays 3 by screws. The line 20 joiner 26 can be provided with downturned tongues 26a at its ends for engaging slots formed near the ends of wiring trays 3.

A section joiner 25a is used (Fig. 8) where it is necessary to form a junction between two, three or four wiring trays 3, most typically to branch the wiring system at locations at or displaced from the central distribution point. In relation to Fig. 8, side openings 25b are provided on all sides or any two or three sides of joiner 25a so that the end of the wiring tray is attached to one side opening 26b. A joiner cover 25c includes holes at its corners positioned to be aligned with screwthreaded holes in the section joiner 25a so that the joiner cover 25c can be screwed onto the section joiner CD/99228002.? 6 A corner connector 44 is used (Fig. 7) where it is necessary to connect the wiring trays 3 at the corner between a wall 24 and the floor 22. The corner connector 44 is dimensioned to match the wiring trays 3, and is provided with tabs having screwed openings to allow a cover to be screwed onto the corner connector 44.

Where the passage of the wiring tray 3 is to be terminated, the wiring tray 3 is closed by an end piece 27 as shown in Fig. 12. The end piece is an L-shaped member, the base of which is adapted to be secured adjacent to the end of the wiring tray 3 by screws.

Fig. 9 shows a wiring tray 3 supported by tray supports 19. The tray supports 19 are supported by stands, and have an upper threaded portion which passes •through an opening in the flanges 18 of the wiring trays 3. Nuts 19b are threaded onto the threaded option of the tray supports 19, one above and the other below the flange 18 of the wiring tray 3. This threaded arrangement allows adjustment of the height at which the wiring tray 3 is supported, by adjusting the nuts 19b on the 15 tray supports 19 at either side of the wiring tray 3.

As shown in Fig. 10, the wiring tray 3 and other components may be raised off the base floor 22 slightly by using mounting plank 13 supported by pedestals 12.

As shown in Fig. 10(b), the mounting plank 13 can be made adjustable by providing two relatively slideable portions having aligned slots that can be 20 engaged with screws. This sliding arrangement permits the length of the mounting plank to be telescopically adjusted to suit varying distances between pedestals 12 as required.

Junction box 2 as depicted in, for example, Fig. 4 is designed to be used in conjunction with the wiring tray 3. The junction box 2 shown in Fig. 4 includes a generally rectangular open-topped box 20 of a width slightly greater than the wiring tray 3. The junction box 2 further includes a cover 28, and for convenience is hereafter referred to as junction box CD/99228002.? 7 The lateral sides of the junction box 20 are fitted with longitudinally extending rails 21 to allow the junction box 20 to partially extend into the wiring tray 3 with rails 21 resting on flanges 18. The ends of the junction box 20 have wiring tray openings 16 and equipment openings 17. These apertures are sized to allow cables (data cables or power cables) to pass into the junction box 20. The holes are preferably punched into the sides of the box 20 so that they can be knocked out only when required, so that the junction box 20 does not have unnecessary holes. The open top of the junction box 20 can be closed with cover 28, which can be secured to the junction box 20 with screws as shown.

The lower portion of the junction box 20 is intended to be fitted into an upper portion of the wiring tray 3. To this end, the rails 21 secured at the sides of the junction box 20 rest on the flanges at the rim of the wiring trays 3. The junction box 20 can be secured with the wiring tray 3 in this configuration by screwing the holders 21 and the flanged portions 18 together through aligned holes.

15 Fig 4a shows an alternative example of a junction box 2. Instead of using rails 21 o at the sides of the junction box 20, the width of a lower portion of the junction box is narrower than the width of an upper portion of the junction box 20. This forms a shoulder 21a so that this part of the box 20 can rest on, and be secured owes the flange 18 of the wiring tray 3. The junction box 20 is screwed to the wiring 20 tray with screws passing through shoulder 21a and flange 18.

Junction boxes 2 according to either construction (that is, of Fig. 4 or 4a) are configured so that when the junction box 2 is fitted in operative relationship with the wiring tray 3, the wiring tray opening 16 is within the wiring tray 3, and the equipment opening is above the wiring tray 3. The rest of wiring tray 3 is covered, after installation of junction boxes 2 and distribution cables 6, by covers 40 (Fig.

3).

Inside the junction box 20 there is a terminal connector 1 having complementary terminals 30, 31 for connecting electrical cables. Complementary terminals are 7 included for both data cables and power cables. Various types of connectors can CD/99228002?2 8 be used as shown in Figs. 4, 4a, 6, 6a and 13.

When the appropriate connections are made with the terminal connector 1, the detachable cover 28 can be engaged with the box.

As shown in Fig. 14, a wiring component 10 includes an equipment cable 9 extending between a plug 7, which is connectable to the terminal connector 1 in junction box 2, and a socket power board 7 in at the other end of the equipment cable 9. The wiring component 10 is used to connect equipment power leads with the junction box by providing power board 7 to receive the power leads. The plug 7 is a harness plug, and the connector terminal 31 provided in the junction box 2 is a harness connector assembly, whereby the plug is mechanically and electrically flexible on coupling of the two. When the harness plug is connected to the harness connector, the connection is maintained by engagement of a latch 33 with a matching land 32 (Fig. 4a) on the harness connector. To unlock the connection, latch 33 in the harness plug is released from land 32 to complete disconnection.

15 Fig. 15 shows these features of the harness plug in greater detail.

Equipment cable 9 of the wiring component 10 extends from one of the equipment openings 17 of junction box 20. Socket power board 8, provided at the remote oo.. end of cable 9, is installed or positioned on the upper surface of the floor panel 11, which is placed in position after the wiring system.

20 Fig. 16 shows an alternative wiring component 10 having a distribution box with sockets 8. This wiring component 10 is adapted to be installed in holes or other cutaways in floor panel 11. The distribution box is provided with a hinged lid which, when closed, is flush with the upper surface of the floor panel 11.

Fig. 17 illustrates an example of junction box 20 with a terminal connector 1 b for data cables.

To connect wiring component 10 to terminal connector 1 provided in the junction box 2/20, plug 7 of the wiring component 10 is coupled to the connector 1 of the CO/99228002.2 9 nearest junction box once equipment such as desks and tables are positioned on the floor panels 11.

Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram of the connections made in a typical distributed wiring system. Along a given wiring tray 3, spaced junction boxes 2 are positioned to receive cable 6 passing along the wiring tray 3. For each junction box 2, a cable 6 passes into the junction box 2 and is attached to the terminal connector 1 within the junction box. It is not necessary to provide a single cable for each junction box 2, as a single distribution cable can be fed into one junction box 2, and then passed along to the next junction box 2. Fig. 18 depicts this for the left hand and centre junction boxes, while the right hand junction box has a separate cable 6.

Figs. 19 to 22 show an alternative embodiment of wiring system in which an electric tube 14 is used in place of the most "downstream" wiring trays 3. The end of each tube 14 engages the lower end of a respective junction box 2, a tubing o* aperture 16 being provided for the distribution cable 6 to pass through the tube 14 15 and into the junction box 2.

The junction boxes 2 when used with tubing 14 include fixing pedestals 41 as shown in Figs. 20 and 21 extending from the underside of the junction boxes 2.

o The fixing pedestals 41 are fixed on the base floor 22 by an appropriate means such as by screwing into the floor to secure the junction box 2.

20 In other respects, the wiring system operates similarly to the other embodiment described above, except that a wiring tube 14 is used in place of a dedicated wiring tray 3.

At the fringes of the wiring system away from the central distribution point, it is possible to substitute electric tubing 14 for wiring trays 3, and appropriate junction boxes 2. This can be done when no branching of the wiring system is required, because, when electric tubing is used, the wiring system cannot be conveniently branched as is possible when the wiring trays 3 and associated connectors are N'"b used.

Claims (9)

1. A wiring system, which is adapted to be pre-installed under a raised floor, the wiring system including: a wiring tray to be placed under the raised floor and having a plurality of junction boxes placed at predetermined intervals along the wiring tray, each junction box having a built-in electrical connector inside the junction box, and the wiring tray being for the carrying of at least one distribution cable that is connectable at one end to a distribution panel and/or a data panel, and at the other end to the built-in connectors of the junction boxes, the junction box having at least one distribution cable opening and at least one equipment cable opening, the at least one distribution cable opening being within the wiring tray and the at least one equipment cable opening being above the wiring tray; at least one equipment cable having, at one end, a plug that is to be plugged in and electrically connected with the built-in connector, and, at another end, a plug socket; whereby, when a layout of equipment has been substantially determined, the plug of the equipment cable can be plugged into one S: 20 of the built-in connectors in a nearby said junction box to thereby electrically connect the equipment cable with the distribution panel and/or data panel. o9eo

2. A wiring system which is pre-installed under a raised floor, according ~to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of said wiring trays and these 25 trays include a power cable wiring tray and a data cable wiring tray and connectors for power cables are installed in junction boxes for the power cable tray while connectors for data cables are installed in junction boxes for the data cable tray.

3. A wiring system which is pre-installed under a raised floor, according to claim 1 or 2, wherein wiring tray is maintained on a fixing pedestal RAsZa arranged between pillars supporting a floor panel. CD/00369397.0 11

4. A wiring system which is pre-installed under a raised floor, according to claim 1, wherein one portion of the wiring tray is formed as an electric cable tube.

A wiring system which is pre-installed under a raised floor, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: the wiring tray has in cross-section a generally recessed profile with an upper opening, and the junction box is attached to the upper opening of the wiring ray with a portion of a lower side of the junction box being located inside the wiring tray in a recessed manner so that a wiring space is formed between an inner bottom surface of the wiring tray and a lower surface of the junction box.

6. The wiring system which is pre-installed under a raised floor, according to claim 5, wherein protruding flange portions are formed on both edges of the opening of the wiring tray and a tray supporting member having a height-adjusting means is installed on said flange portions.

7. The wiring system which is pre-installed under a raised floor, according to claim 6, wherein: Ssupport portions, which are to be supported by the flange 20 portions of the wiring tray, are formed on side faces of a box main body of the junction box, the box main body having a rectangular e• open-topped box shape and a width slightly smaller than the width of the inside of the wiring tray; and too* cable passages are formed in lower portions of both of the 25 longitudinal ends of the box main body, and leader passages for cables are formed in upper portions of both longitudinal ends of the box main body, and a connector is built inside the box main body.

8. A wiring system, which is pre-installed under a raised floor, according to claim 6 or 7, wherein: a securing leg portion is formed on a lower portion of a box ~main body of the junction box, the box main body having a CD/00369397.0 12 rectangular open-topped box shape, and cable passages to which ends of a cable tube are fitted so as to pass a cable through them are formed in lower portions of both of the ends of the box main body in the length direction, and leader passages for cables are formed in upper portions of both of the ends of the box main body in the length direction.

9. A wiring system which is pre-installed under a raised floor, according to claim 7, wherein: the junction box has a rectangular open-topped box shape, and the junction box has a lower portion having a width slightly smaller than the width of the inside of the wiring tray, and an upper portion having a width larger than the width of the inside of the wiring tray, so as to form a step portion on longitudinal side faces of the junction box, the flange portions of the wiring tray supporting the junction box by the step portion. A wiring system which is pre-installed under a raised floor, according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said one or more cables is a plurality of cables. P o 0. 11. A wiring system substantially in accordance with any one of the embodiments of the invention herein disclosed. o eeo* oooo 9e 9o99° o.o99 o9°9