GB2266414A

GB2266414A - Trunking for electrical cables

Info

Publication number: GB2266414A
Application number: GB9307939A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevin O'reilly
Original assignee: PERFECTLY POSSIBLE Ltd
Current assignee: PERFECTLY POSSIBLE Ltd
Priority date: 1992-04-16
Filing date: 1993-04-16
Publication date: 1993-10-27
Also published as: GB9307939D0; IE921218A1

Abstract

Trunking for cables comprises an enclosure and at least one divider 12 having moveable tabs 15 to accommodate an element such as a socket outlet 5, 6 mounted to the enclosure. A further divider 10 may be provided so that cables for different functions e.g. power, data and communications, may be separated. Holes 19 in the tabs allow adjacent trunking sections to be joined. In another embodiment, Figures 3 and 4, a single divider is provided with some of the tabs bent downward to receive plates behind the outlets 5, 6. In other embodiments, Figures 5 to 9, the enclosure has a socket housing (40) which has legs (47, 48) to locate the housing on the enclosure, the housing mounting the sockets horizontally (Figure 8) or sloping (Figure 5). A perforate divider (36) is provided. <IMAGE>

Description

"ImProvements in and relating to trunkinq" The invention relates to trunking for cables such as power cables, telephone cables and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to trunking for use in carrying a number of different cables.

A number of different trunking systems are known. It is known, in particular, to provide a trunking system with an internal wall which divides the trunking longitudinally into areas carrying different types of cable. One area may be used for data cables and another for power cables.

Such trunking systems are generally difficult to install and are generally inconvenient, particularly in situations where it is necessary to mount sockets or the like on the trunking. They are also generally aesthetically invasive.

There is, therefore, a need for an improved trunking system which will overcome at least some of these difficulties.

According to the invention there is provided a trunking for cables comprising an enclosure and a divider extending longitudinally through the enclosure to divide the enclosure into cable tracks separated by the divider, the divider having a plurality of movable fillets to accommodate an element such as a socket outlet mounted to the enclosure.

In one embodiment of the invention the fillets are defined between a plurality of spaced-apart transverse cut-out portions in the divider.

Preferably the cut-out portions comprise a lead-in slot extending rearwardly from a front edge of the divider and terminating in an enlarged cut-out portion spaced inwardly from the rear edge of the divider.

In one embodiment of the invention the enlarged cut-out portion is of generally diamond shape in plan view.

In one embodiment of the invention the trunking includes an electric socket housing for mounting to the enclosure.

Preferably the electrical socket housing includes projecting legs for slidable engagement with the enclosure to locate and mount the housing to the enclosure.

Usually, the electrical socket housing includes a front face to which an electrical socket is mounted.

In one arrangement the front face of the socket housing extends substantially parallel to the enclosure. In another arrangement, the front face of the socket housing is inclined at an angle with respect to the enclosure.

Preferably the angle is between 200 and 70".

In a preferred arrangement the divider includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart jointing means for use in joining one section of trunking to longitudinally adjacent trunking section. Preferably the jointing means are provided by jointing holes in the divider.

In a further embodiment of the invention the trunking includes at least two dividers, any number of which may include movable fillets.

The trunking may be sized and shaped to present the appearance of an architectural element such as a skirting, a dado rail or the like.

In another embodiment of the invention, the architectural element comprises a bench mounted trunking rail.

Preferably the trunking is of mild steel, usually galvanised material.

In another aspect, the invention provides a trunking for cables comprising an enclosure and a divider extending longitudinally through the enclosure to divide the enclosure into cable tracks separated by the divider, the trunking including an electrical socket housing for mounting to the enclosure, the socket housing including projecting legs for slidable engagement with the enclosure to locate and mount the housing to the enclosure.

Usually the electrical socket housing includes a front face to which an electrical socket is mounted. In one arrangement the front face of the socket housing extends substantially parallel to the enclosure. In another arrangement the front face of the socket housing is inclined at an angle with respect to the enclosure.

Preferably the angle is between 200 to 700.

In a preferred arrangement the divider includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart jointing means for use in joining one section of trunking to a longitudinally adjacent trunking section. Preferably the jointing means are provided by jointing holes in the divider.

Typically the trunking includes at least two dividers.

In this case most preferably the enclosure is signed and shaped to provide a bench mounted trunking.

Preferably the trunking is of mild steel material.

The invention will be more clearly understood =rom the following description thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a trunking system according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view in the direction of the arrows II-II of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of another trunking system according to the invention, Fig. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the trunking system of Fig. 3, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of another trunking according to the invention, Fig. 6 is a transverse cross sectional view of the trunking of Fig 5, Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a socket outlet housing part of the trunking of Figs. 5 and 6, Fig. 8 is a perspective view of another trunking according to the invention; and Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a socket outlet housing part of the trunking of Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, there is illustrated a trunking, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, for cables such as power cables, data cables and the like. The trunking 1 is in this case sized and shaped to provide the outer appearance of a skirting. The trunking 1 comprises an enclosure formed by a rear wall 2, a top 3 and a floor portion 4 to which various front wall forming sections such as a double socket section 5, a single socket section 6 and a blank front section 7 are mounted.

The enclosure is divided by an upper divider section 10 and a lower divider section 12 which extend longitudinally through the trunking and in this case divide the trunking into a lower cable track area 13, a mid cable track area 14 and an upper cable track area 15 in which separate cables such as power cables and data cables are run.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1 it will be noted that the divider 12 is formed with a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart fillets 15 defined by a plurality of spacedapart cut-out slots 16 extending rearwardly from a front edge of the divider 12 and terminating in an enlarged cutout portion 17 spaced inwardly from the rear edge of the divider 12. The enlarged cut-out portions 17 are in this case of generally diamond shape in plan view.

Each of the fillets 15 also includes a jointing means which in this case is provided by a jointing hole 19 which is used for jointing longitudinally adjacent sections of trunking.

In use, the trunking 1 is installed as a skirting and at locations where it is desired to provide, for example, a socket outlet for power, data or telecommunications, the fillets 15 in the area to accommodate the socket are bent downwardly or upwardly so that the rearwardly projecting part of the socket may be accommodated in the trunking while presenting a flat skirting-like front face on the trunking when the socket is mounted to it.

It ill be appreciated that because the divider with the movable fillets 15 extends throughout the length of the trunking, the fillets 15 may be moved at any desired location to accommodate any desired fitting to the trunking.

In this case, the trunking is formed by bending mild steel plate material into the desired shape and configuration, however, it will be appreciated that it may be possible to form the trunking in other ways.

It will also be appreciated that in addition to providing a functional trunking, the outer appearance of the trunking provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance in contrast to the normally visually intrusive nature of most trunking systems.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, there is illustrated another type of trunking system according to the invention and indicated generally by the reference numeral 20. The trunking system 20 is similar to the system described above with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 and like parts are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case, there is a single divider 12 and the trunking is configured to blend in with the sill line in an area in which cables are to be run.

It will be appreciated that the trunking systems according to the invention may comprise any number of dividers, some or all of which may be provided with movable fillets.

Referring to Figs. 5 to 7, there is illustrated another trunking 30 according to another aspect of the invention.

The trunking 30 comprises an enclosure of generally channel shape having a base 31, side webs 32, 33 each having inturned lips 34, 35 respectively. A divider 36 extends longitudinally through the enclosure to divide the enclosure into two longitudinally extending cable runs 37, 38 for different types of cables. The divider 36 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart jointing means which in this case are deferred by jointing holes 39 which are used for joining adjacent sections of trunking. Although not illustrated, the divider 36 may include fillets as described above with reference to Figs.

1 to 4.

In this case the trunking 30 includes a socket outlet housing 40 of steel construction having a base 41 with knock-out tabs 42 through which cables are passed, a front face 43, side walls 44 and front and rear walls 45, 46 respectively. The front and rear walls 45, 46 include downwardly extending legs 47, 48 respectively which slidably engage the side webs 32, 33 of the enclosure as illustrated for readily locating and mounting the socket outlet housing 40 in a desired position on the enclosure housing of the trunking 30.

It will be noted that the front face 43 of the socket outlet housing 40 in this case extends at an angle which is preferably between 200 and 700, most preferably between 300 to 500 to the enclosure housing to present a readily accessible socket outlet to a user particularly when the trunking is a bench mounted trunking for use in laboratories and the like.

Referring to Figs 8 and 9 there is illustrated another trunking 50 according to the invention which is similar to the trunking 30 described above with reference to Figs 5 to 7 and like parts are identified by the same reference numerals. In this case, the front face 51 of the socket outlet housing extends substantially parallel to the enclosure.

These and many other variations and modifications on the invention will be readily apparent and accordingly the invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described and may be varied in both construction and detail.

Claims

1. A trunking for cables comprising an enclosure and a divider extending longitudinally through the enclosure to divide the enclosure into cable tracks separated by the divider, the divider having a plurality of movable fillets to accommodate an element such as a socket outlet mounted to the enclosure.

2. A trunking as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fillets are defined between a plurality of spaced apart transverse cut-out portions in the divider.

3. A trunking as claimed in claim 2 wherein the cut out portions comprise a lead-in slot extending rearwardly from a front edge of the divider and terminating in an enlarged cut-out portion spaced from the rear edge of the divider.

4. A trunking as claimed in claim 3 wherein the enlarged cut-out portion is of generally diamond shape in plan view.

5. A trunking as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the trunking includes an electric socket housing for mounting to the enclosure.

6. A trunking as claimed in claim 5 wherein the electrical socket housing includes projecting legs for slidable engagement with the enclosure to locate and mount the housing to the enclosure.

7. A trunking as claimed in claims 5 and 6 wherein the electrical socket housing includes a front face to which an electrical socket is mounted.

8. A trunking as claimed in claim 7 wherein the front face of the socket housing extends substantially parallel to the enclosure.

9. A trunking as claimed in claim 8 wherein the front face of the socket housing is included at an angle with respect to the enclosure.

10. A trunking as claimed in claim 9 wherein the angle is between 200 and 700.

11. A trunking as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the divider includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart jointing means for use in jointing one section of trunking to longitudinally adjacent trunking section.

12. A trunking as claimed in claim 11 wherein the jointing means are provided by jointing holes in the divider.

13. A trunking as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the trunking includes at least two dividers.

14. A trunking as claimed in any preceding claim which is sized and shaped to present the appearance of an architectural element.

15. A trunking as claimed in claim 15 wherein the architectural element is such as a skirting.

16. A trunking as claimed in claim 15 wherein the architectural element is a dado rail.

17. A trunking as claimed in claim 14 wherein the architectural element comprises a bench mounted trunking rail.

18. A trunking as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the trunking is of mild steel material.

19. A trunking substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

20. A trunking for cables comprising an enclosure and a divider extending longitudinally through the enclosure to divide the enclosure into cable tracks separated by the divider, the trunking including an electrical socket housing for mounting to the enclosure, the socket housing including projecting legs for slidable engagement with the enclosure to locate and mount the housing to the enclosure.

21. A trucking as claimed in claim 20 wherein the electrical socket housing includes a front fact to which an electrical socket is mounted.

22. A trunking as claimed in claim 21 wherein the front face of the socket housing extends substantially parallel to the enclosure.

23. A trunking as claimed in claim 21 wherein the front face of the socket housing is inclined at an angle with respect to the enclosure.

24. A trunking as claimed in claim 23 wherein the angle is between 200 to 700.

25. A trunking as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the divider includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart jointing means for use in joining one section of trunking to a longitudinally adjacent trunking section.

26. A trunking as claimed in claim 25 wherein the jointing means are provided by jointing holes in the divider.

27. A trunking as claimed in any of claims 20 to 26 wherein the trunking includes at least two dividers.

28. A trunking as claimed in any of claims 26 to 27 wherein the enclosure is signed and shaped to provide a bench mounted trunking.

29. A trunking as claimed in any of claims 20 to 28 wherein the trunking is of mild steel material.

30. A trunking substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 5 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.