GB2226711A

GB2226711A - Cable or pipe duct

Info

Publication number: GB2226711A
Application number: GB8925303A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Der Zwalmen Mark Van; Danny Pattyn; Stefaan Claeys
Original assignee: Bekaert NV SA
Current assignee: Bekaert NV SA
Priority date: 1988-11-09
Filing date: 1989-11-09
Publication date: 1990-07-04
Anticipated expiration: 2009-11-09
Also published as: GB2226711B; DE3937371A1; GB8925303D0; NL8902633A; FR2638808A1; FR2638808B1; BE1003470A3

Description

1 1 1 DUCT The invention relates to a tubular duct, e.g. a cable channel

for accommodating therein all kinds of lines such as cables, pipes, etc.

Cable channels of U-shaped aluminium or PVC sections provided with closing covers to be snapped on are known. In addition to the often required resistance against corrosion, it is often also demanded at present that cable channels form nearly dust-tight and nearly liquid- tight storage compartments for the lines to be accommodated. It follows that the U-shaped sections themselves and their complementary covers will have to be made solid and tight, i.e. without openings in their walls. Moreover, 'any gaps between the connecting ends of the section and cover units (that are disposed in line) will have to be sealed as well as possible.

According to the present invention there is provided a tubular duct section comprising an elongate U-shaped body portion with outwardly projecting longitudinal ribs adjacent the free ends of the legs of the U, and an elongate cover unit having edge portions adapted to co-operate with the ribs so as to snap on to the body portion, wherein the body portion is afurther provided with continuous longitudinal recesses adjacent the ribs to receive co-operating snap in portions of a fastening element adapted to receive the body portion.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows in cross-section the tubular duct and the fastening element; Figure 2 is a perspective view of an attachment zone of two connecting duct units; and Figures 3 and 4 concern connections for consecutive duct units that are not disposed in line.

The duct shown in figure 1 comprises U-shaped portions 2 that have outwardly projecting longitudinal ribs 3 near the edges of the upright U legs for snapping on the complementary edges 4 of the duct cover units S. Preferably, the edge projections 3 are made so that they increase bending stiffness (longitudinally of the duct). Preferably, the duct cover 5 is somewhat convexly bent towards the top or slightly saddleback-shaped. This, among other things, makes it easier to snap on the edges 4. The continuous longitudinal recesses 6 near the longitudinal edges of the U-legs (ribs 3) of the sections are for snapping on the complementary thickened edges 7 of the fastening elements 8 for the sections. This way, these fastening elements 8 enclose the body of the section as much as possible as a result of which a reinforcement is obtained locally.

The inner walls 9 of the portions 2 can be provided with longitudinal ribs 10. These ribs can be used e.g. to support partition walls 13, 20 to be fitted in the section or to fix fastening elements 14 for the'lines 12 to the walls. It may be advisable in this respect to provide the ribs 10 with suitable recesses 11. If so desired, the ribs 10 can also form a support for e.g. a second bottom plate 19 or for a second U-portion within the portion 2. This way, an insulating cavity 21 is created.

Preferably, the bottom plate of the fastening element 8 will end in extremities 16 for attachment on consoles, racks or walls 17 by means of e.g. screws 18. The cable channels can also be hung up on walls 17 via these extremities 16.

As shown in figure 2, the fastening elements 8 can also function as end-connecting elements for consecutive sections 22, 23 that are disposed in line. The elements 8 then seal off the boundary chink or joint 24 between sections 22 and 23 as the snap-on edge 7 fits against the longitudinal edges with projections 3, in other words as they overlap the body of the 1 3 sections 22, 23. So, combined with the provision of lips 15 on the cover edge, an adequately dust-tight and liquid-tight sealing is effected in this connection zone. The joint 25 between consecutive cover units 5 can lie in shifted relation to the joint 24 longitudinally of the duct sections. If so desired, suitable sealing strips 26 (e.g. of rubber) can be fitted in these joint zones 25.

The duct can be designed in metal or synthetic material and be made by e. g. extrusion (thermoplastics). Reinforced thermoplastic or thermosetting synthetic materials can be applied as well. In particular, sections that are shaped by a pultrusion technique and that are consequently at least longitudinally fibre-reinforced, can be applied both for the portions 2 with ribs 10 and (if so desired) for the covers 5. If so desired, the fastening elements 8 can also be made through pultrusion or extrusion. If so desired, it is also possible to simultaneously pultrude or extrude partition walls 27 or to make sections double-walled during extrusion or pultrusion. Normally, double-walled uportions and cover units will have an insulating effect and form an extra protection against damage to the accommodated lines, against fire for instance. The composition of the synthetic material can be extra resistant to chemicals, fire resistant or fire retardant, as desired.

Obviously, when mounting cable channels against walls, it often occurs that consecutive sections are not disposed in line. The consecutive portions may be at an angle with respect to each other.

In this case, the bottoms 27, 28 of the U-sections may be in the same plane and the upright U-legs may be at an angle a as shown in top view in figure 3. However, according to the possibility represented in side view in figure 4, the U-legs 29, 30 of consecutive portions may be in the same plane whereas the consecutive bottoms 31, 32 are. at an angle B. There is the possibility of both bottoms and U-legs of consecutive portions being at an angle at the same tirne.

In these cases, specifically adapted end-connecting elements 33, 34 will have to be designed, e.g. by suitably sawing fastening elements 8 in mitre and by joining the sawn parts together 4 c in the contact joints 35, 36, respectively. This connection can e.g. be effected by means of small stick-on plates 37, 38, respectively.

1 Similarly, connecting pieces can be composed in E, T, Y or in cross or star shape in order to create junctions where a plurality of cable channel sections come together. In this case, the converging sections may or may not lie in one and the same plane.

Thus the p-resent invention, at least in its preferred embodiments, provides a duct with the structure described hereinabove that is largely dust-tight and whereby simple fastening and supporting elements for the duct contribute to the dustproofing and at the same time to a local reinforcement thereof.

54-810.505

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A tubular duct section comprising an elongate U- shaped body portion with outwardly projecting longitudinal ribs adjacent the free ends of the legs of the U, and an elongate cover unit having edge portions adapted to cooperate with the ribs so as to snap on to the body portion, wherein the body portion is further provided with continuous longitudinal recesses adjacent the ribs to receive cooperating snap in portions of a fastening element adapted to receive the body portion.

2. A section as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner walls of the legs of the U-shaped body portion are provided with longitudinal ribs.

3. A section as claimed in claim 2, wherein the ribs are provided with recesses.

4. A section as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate cover unit is convex in shape.

5. A section as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate U-shaped body portion and/or the elongate cover unit are formed from at least longitudinally fibre - reinforced synthetic plastics 30 material shaped by pultrusion techniques.

6. A section as claimed in any of the preceding claims in combination with a fastening element having a Ushaped portion for receiving the body section.

7. A combination as claimed in claim 6 in which the fastening element is formed from at least longitudinally 1 X 6 fibre - reinforced synthetic plastics material shaped by pultrusion techniques.

8. A duct comprising a plurality of sections as claimed in claims 1 to 5 joined end to end by means of fastening elements each having a U-shaped portion for receiving the ends of two such sections.

9. A section substantially as hereinbefore described 10 with reference to the accompany drawings.

10. A duct substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

is Published 1990 atThe Patent Office, State House,66/71 HigliHo!Dorn. IAondonWClR4TP.Further copies maybe obtainedfrom The Patent office. Sales Branch, St Mary Cray. Orpington, Kent BR5 3RD. Printed by Multilex tachniques ltd. St Mary Cray, Kent. Con. 1187