GB1577726A

GB1577726A - Support fittings

Info

Publication number: GB1577726A
Application number: GB27595/76A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: BICC PLC
Current assignee: Balfour Beatty PLC
Priority date: 1976-07-02
Filing date: 1976-07-02
Publication date: 1980-10-29
Also published as: ZA773863B; DE7720666U1; SE7707655L; NL7707279A

Description

(54) SUPPORT FITTINGS (71) We, BICC LIMITED, a British Company, of 21 Bloomsbury Street, London WC1B 3QN, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to support fittings for cooperating with a member having therein at least one slot that is closed at one or both of its ends. The invention is primarily intended for use in the case where the fitting is supported against gravity by a member with a vertical slot, and it will be described hereinafter in terms of that use, but it is to be understood that the arrangement could be inverted for use when the fitting supports the slotted member, and that it may be used in any orientation provided that gravity or an applied biassing force is available to urge the fitting towards the appropriate end of the slot.

The fitting of the invention will usually be a cantilever bracket, and may be designed to support cables, pipes, sheIves or other equipment.

The fitting in accordance with the invention comprises a planar abutment or abutments facing to, and so defining the rear of the fitting and two spaced projections each of which extends behind the abutment plane. The first projection has a stem and a head which extends sideways in both directions compared with the stem, the width of the head exceeding both the height of the head and the height of the stem.

The second projection includes a part that extends downwards behind and substantially parallel to the abutment plane.

It is preferable, but not essential, for the projections to be within or close to the boundaries of the abutment surface.

The fitting is used with a member having at least one slot with a width at least as great as the width of the stem of the first projection but not as great as the width of the head, and in use the fitting is rotated until the head can be passed through the slot and then rotated back to engage the projections of the head behind the edges of the slot and then the second projection is inserted through the same or another slot, so that the abutment or abutments now engage the front of the slotted member, and then the fitting is moved or allowed to move downwards until the second projection engages behind the slotted member below the lower end of the slot or its slot.

The fitting is preferably formed from sheet metal, the projections being formed by tabs struck up from the part of the sheet that forms the abutment or abutments or an adjacent part. The tab forming the first projection may be T-shaped, with a single right-angle bend formed in its stem, whereas the tab forming the second abutment may be rectangular with two spaced bends of opposite sense and any convenient angle, e.g. around 60". The height of the first projection will normally be the thickness of the metal sheet, in this case.

Preferably the first projection is vertically above the second, but this can be reversed or otherwise varied if the two projections are to enter different slots.

Preferably the width of the stem of the first projection is only slightly less than the width of the slot it is to enter (to allow working tolerance), and preferably the width of the second projection is only slightly less than the width of the slot it is to enter; hence these two widths are preferably substantially equal.

The second projection preferably includes a proximal part making a large angle with the abutment plane and a distal part that extends downwards substantially parallel to the abutment plane as described.

When the fitting is to support pipes or electric cables, it is preferably channelshaped, the portion so far described constituting one limb. Preferably windows are formed in the base and/or limbs of the channel to facilitate strapping or otherwise securing one or more than one pipe or cable in the fitting.

In a particularly preferred arrangement, there are two windows in the base of the channel, one close to each limb thereof so that a strap or tie may be engaged under the base of the channel and extend up inside each of the limbs thereof for securing over a pipe or cable or a group of pipes and/or cables inserted in the channel. Preferably a "one-piece" plastics cable tie having a head at one end designed to receive and hold the other end is used.

The invention includes a support fitting having a strap or tie fitted to it in this way, and an installation including at least one pipe or cable secured in such a fitting.

Preferably at least one further window is provided near the free end of the limb not involved in the attachment of the support to the slotted member. This can be used to hold the corresponding end of the strap or tie out of the way during insertion of the pipe(s) or cable(s) and afterwards can be used with a second strap or tie to secure a second pipe or cable or a second bundle of pipes or cables lying on top of the first and possibly largely above the top of the channel. This is of particular value when a number of pipes and/or cables are to be supported using two or more fittings one above the other on a common slotted support, as it allows the space between the fittings to be substantially completely filled.

The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1, 2 and 3 are respectively an end elevation, rear elevation and underneath plan of a simple form of support in accordance with the invention; Figures 47 illustrate stages in the attachment of this fitting to a slotted channel support; Figures 8-11 illustrate a modification; and Figures 12 and 13 show a large group of cables mounted in supports in accordance with the invention.

The fitting of figures 1-3 is a channelsection bracket made from sheet metal and having a base 1, front limb 2 and rear limb 3. The rear-facing surface of the limb 3 constitutes an abutment surface 4. Two projections are formed by tabs bent out of the plane of the limb 3. The upper of these projections 5, is T-shaped with its head 6 behind and spaced from the abutment surface 4, and the lower, 7, has a uniform width substantially the same as that of the a main portion which is substantially the stem 8 of the supper projection and includes same distance as the head 6 behind the abutment surface 4.

Figures 4-7 show how this bracket is attached to a vertical support member 9 having at least one vertical slot 10 therein.

First (Figure 4) the bracket is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction (as seen from the front) to allow the head 6 to pass through the slot 10 (its height being less than the width of the slot whereas its width is greater than that of the slot), and then rotated back to engage the ends of the head behind the edges of the slot (Figure 5); during this rotation the bracket is tilted to allow the projection 7 to clear the front of the support member 9, as shown in chain lines in Figure 6. With the T-head 6 at the upper end of the slot 10, the projection 7 can now be passed through the slot (Figure 6, solid lines) and finally the bracket is moved downwards until the projection 7 engages on and behind the bottom of the slot to prevent further downward movement.

Windows 11 at the angles of the channel section (Figures 1 and 4) allow a cable strap 12 (Figures 8-10) to be threaded through the bracket for use in securing one or more cables in the base of the channel, and such a strap may be pre-fitted, either in the position shown in Figures 8 and 9 or preferably with the tail 13 of the strap passed outwardly through a further window 14 in the front limb of the channel to reduce the risk of losing the tail under the laid cable(s). After cable laying, the tail is withdrawn from the window 14 and engaged with the head 15 of the strap. The design of the strap 12 has not been shown in detail as any appropriate type of scrap can be use.

Figure 11 shows the bracket/strap assembly of Figure 10 mounted on an "Admiralty Pattern" cable tray 16, instead of the narrow support member 9.

Figures 12 and 13 show two brackets 17 and 18 mounted one above the other on the vertically-positioned rung 19 of a cable ladder 20. Each bracket supports two groups of cables, the first group 21 strapped inside the channel of the bracket as already described by the strap 12 and the second group 22 resting on top of the first and secured by an additional strap 23 threaded through the window 14 and through two of the slots 10 in the rung of the cable tray.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A support fitting comprising a planar abutment or abutments facing to, and so defining, the rear of the fitting and two spaced projections each of which extends behind the abutment plane, the first projection having a stem and a head which extends sideways in both directions compared with the stem and which has a width exceeding both the height of the head and the height of the stem, and the scond projction including a part that extends downwards behind and substantially parallel to the abutment plane.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. there are two windows in the base of the channel, one close to each limb thereof so that a strap or tie may be engaged under the base of the channel and extend up inside each of the limbs thereof for securing over a pipe or cable or a group of pipes and/or cables inserted in the channel. Preferably a "one-piece" plastics cable tie having a head at one end designed to receive and hold the other end is used. The invention includes a support fitting having a strap or tie fitted to it in this way, and an installation including at least one pipe or cable secured in such a fitting. Preferably at least one further window is provided near the free end of the limb not involved in the attachment of the support to the slotted member. This can be used to hold the corresponding end of the strap or tie out of the way during insertion of the pipe(s) or cable(s) and afterwards can be used with a second strap or tie to secure a second pipe or cable or a second bundle of pipes or cables lying on top of the first and possibly largely above the top of the channel. This is of particular value when a number of pipes and/or cables are to be supported using two or more fittings one above the other on a common slotted support, as it allows the space between the fittings to be substantially completely filled. The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1, 2 and 3 are respectively an end elevation, rear elevation and underneath plan of a simple form of support in accordance with the invention; Figures 47 illustrate stages in the attachment of this fitting to a slotted channel support; Figures 8-11 illustrate a modification; and Figures 12 and 13 show a large group of cables mounted in supports in accordance with the invention. The fitting of figures 1-3 is a channelsection bracket made from sheet metal and having a base 1, front limb 2 and rear limb 3. The rear-facing surface of the limb 3 constitutes an abutment surface 4. Two projections are formed by tabs bent out of the plane of the limb 3. The upper of these projections 5, is T-shaped with its head 6 behind and spaced from the abutment surface 4, and the lower, 7, has a uniform width substantially the same as that of the a main portion which is substantially the stem 8 of the supper projection and includes same distance as the head 6 behind the abutment surface 4. Figures 4-7 show how this bracket is attached to a vertical support member 9 having at least one vertical slot 10 therein. First (Figure 4) the bracket is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction (as seen from the front) to allow the head 6 to pass through the slot 10 (its height being less than the width of the slot whereas its width is greater than that of the slot), and then rotated back to engage the ends of the head behind the edges of the slot (Figure 5); during this rotation the bracket is tilted to allow the projection 7 to clear the front of the support member 9, as shown in chain lines in Figure 6. With the T-head 6 at the upper end of the slot 10, the projection 7 can now be passed through the slot (Figure 6, solid lines) and finally the bracket is moved downwards until the projection 7 engages on and behind the bottom of the slot to prevent further downward movement. Windows 11 at the angles of the channel section (Figures 1 and 4) allow a cable strap 12 (Figures 8-10) to be threaded through the bracket for use in securing one or more cables in the base of the channel, and such a strap may be pre-fitted, either in the position shown in Figures 8 and 9 or preferably with the tail 13 of the strap passed outwardly through a further window 14 in the front limb of the channel to reduce the risk of losing the tail under the laid cable(s). After cable laying, the tail is withdrawn from the window 14 and engaged with the head 15 of the strap. The design of the strap 12 has not been shown in detail as any appropriate type of scrap can be use. Figure 11 shows the bracket/strap assembly of Figure 10 mounted on an "Admiralty Pattern" cable tray 16, instead of the narrow support member 9. Figures 12 and 13 show two brackets 17 and 18 mounted one above the other on the vertically-positioned rung 19 of a cable ladder 20. Each bracket supports two groups of cables, the first group 21 strapped inside the channel of the bracket as already described by the strap 12 and the second group 22 resting on top of the first and secured by an additional strap 23 threaded through the window 14 and through two of the slots 10 in the rung of the cable tray. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. A support fitting comprising a planar abutment or abutments facing to, and so defining, the rear of the fitting and two spaced projections each of which extends behind the abutment plane, the first projection having a stem and a head which extends sideways in both directions compared with the stem and which has a width exceeding both the height of the head and the height of the stem, and the scond projction including a part that extends downwards behind and substantially parallel to the abutment plane.

2. A channel-shaped support fitting for

pipes and cables in which one limb comprises a planar abutment or abutments facing to, and so defining, the rear of the fitting and two spaced projections each of which extends behind the abutment plane, the first projection having a stem and a head which extends sideways in both directions compared with the stem and which has a width exceeding both the height of the head and the height of the stem, and the second projection including a part that extends downwards behind and substantially parallel to the abutment plane.

3. A support fitting as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the projections are within or close to the boundaries of the abutment surface.

4. A support fitting as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the first projection is vertically above the second.

5. A support fitting as claimed in Claim 4 in which the stem of the first projection has the same width as the second projection.

6. A support fitting as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the second projection includes a proximal part making a large angle with the abutment plane and a distal part that extends downwards substantially parallel to the abutment plane as defined.

7. A support fitting as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which is formed from sheet metal, the projections being formed by tabs stuck up from the part of the sheet that forms the abutment or abutments or an adjacent part.

8. A support fitting as claimed in Claim 7 in which the tab forming the first projection is T-shaped with a single right-angle bend formed in its stem and the tab forming the second abutment is rectangular with two spaced bends of opposite sense.

9. A support fitting as claimed in Claim 2 in which windows are formed in the base and/or limbs of the channel.

10. A support fitting as claimed in Claim 2 in which two windows are formed in the base of the channel, one close to each limb thereof.

11. A support fitting as claimed in Claim 10 in which a strap or tie is engaged under the base of the channel and extends up through the windows and up inside each of the limbs.

12. A support fitting as claimed in Claim 11 in which the strap or tie is a one-piece plastics cable tie.

13. A support fitting as claimed in any one of Claims 1(E-12 in which a further window is formed near the free end of the other limb.

14. A support fitting substantially as described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1-3.

15. A support fitting substantially as described with reference to and as shown in Figure 8.

16. A support fitting substantially as described with reference to and as shown in Figure 10.

17. A support fitting comprising a planar abutment or abutments facing to, and so defining, the rear of the fitting and two spaced projections each of which extends behind the abutment plane, the first projection having a stem and a head which extends sideways in both directions compared with the stem and which has a width exceeding both the height of the head and the height of the stem, and the second projection including a part that extends downwards behind and substantially parallel to the abutment plane in combination with a member having at least one slot with a width at least as great as the width of the stem of the first projection but not as great as the width of the head, the said part of the second projection being engagable behind the said member height the same or another slot in the said member when the abutment or abutments engage the front of the said members.

18. A channel-shaped support fitting for pipes and cables in which one limb comprises a planar abutment or abutments facing to, and so defining, the rear of the fitting, and two spaced projections each of which extends behind the abutment plane the first projection having a stem and a head which extends sideways in both directions compared with the stem and which has a width exceeding both the height of the head and the height of the stem, and the second projection including a part that extends downwards behind and substantially parallel to the abutment plane in combination with a member having at least one slot with a width at least as great as the width of the stem of the first projection but not as great as the width of the head, the said part of the second projection being engagable behind the said member through the same or another slot in the said member when the abutment or abutments engage the front of the said member.

19. A combination as claimed in Claim 17 or Claim 18 in which the support fitting is as claimed in any one of Claims 3-16.

20. In combination, a support fitting and slotted member substantially as described with reference to and as shown in Figures 4-7.

21. In combination, a support fitting and slotted member substantially as described with reference to and as shown in Figure 9.

22. In combination, a support fitting and slotted member substantially as described with reference to and as shown in Figure 11.

23. A support assembly comprising a support fitting comprising a planar abutment or abutments facing to, and so defining, the rear of the assembly and engaging the front of a support member, and two spaced projections each of which extends through a slot in the support member, the first projection having a stem and a head which extends sideways in both directions compared with the stem to engage behind the edges of the or its slot and which has a width exceeding both the height of the head and the height of the stem, and the second projection including a part that extends downwards behind and substantially parallel to the abutment plane to engage behind the support member below the bottom end of the or its slot.

24. A support assembly comprising a channel-shaped support fitting for pipes and cables in which one limb comprises a planar abutment or abutments facing, and so defining, to the rear of the assembly and engaging the front of a support member and two spaced projections each of which extends through a slot in the support member, the first projection having a stem and a head which extends sideways in both directions compared with the stem to engage behind the edges of the or its slot and which has a width exceeding both the height of the head and the height of the stem, and the second projection including a part that extends downwards behind and substantially parallel to the abutment plane to engage behind the support member below the bottom end of the or its slot.

25. A support assembly as claimed in Claim 23 or Claim 24 in which the support fitting and the support member constitute the combination claimed in any one of Claims 19-22.

26. A support assembly substantially as described with reference to and as shown in Figure 7.

27. A support assembly substantially as described with reference to and as shown in Figure 9.

28. A support assembly substantially as described with reference to and as shown in Figure 11.