GB2330389A

GB2330389A - Duct assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2330389A
Application number: GB9708228A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Davidson
Original assignee: BINNEY ADRIAN PHILIP
Current assignee: BINNEY ADRIAN PHILIP
Priority date: 1997-04-23
Filing date: 1997-04-23
Publication date: 1999-04-21
Also published as: GB9708228D0

Abstract

The assembly comprises a sleeve (9) of substantially constant diameter and at least one end cap arrangement (11) comprising a ring (13) for surrounding an end of the sleeve. The ring has a plurality of inwardly directed teeth members (19) which are axially angled so as to allow the ring to move relatively easily in one direction along said sleeve but providing relative resistance to movement in the opposite direction. Normally there is provided a corresponding ring at the other end of the sleeve and each ring is provided with a cover ring (15) for aesthetic purposes. The ring (13) may have a separate toothed part from that engaged by the cover ring (15).

Description

DUCT ASSEMBLY Field of the Invention This invention relates to duct assemblies and, more particularly, to assemblies providing a duct extending through a wall or partition and within which may extend a pipe or cable.

Background of the Invention A duct assembly is knoun which comprises a wall or partition traversing duct for a cable or pipe, the assembly including an externally grooved plastics sleeve which extends through the wall or partition and within which, in use, runs the pipe or cable.

At each end of the sleeve there is provided an annular end cap which hides both the sleeve end and any gap between the sleeve and the surrounding wall or partition, the end caps providing a neat appearance at the points where the cable or pipe emerges from the wall or partition.

The use of convoluted plastics sleeve material provides a suitable profile for a locking engagement with the end cap. However, the use of such a sleeve results in the need for a relatively large diameter wall or partition traversing hole in view of the "thickness" of the sleeve wall. It is desirable to provide a duct assembly which utilises a sleeve having the thinnest possible sleeve wall in order to minimise the diameter of the hole which is required to accommodate it.

Statements of Invention According to the present invention there is provided a duct assembly comprising a sleeve of substantially constant diameter and at least one end cap arrangement, said arrangement comprising a ring for surrounding an end of the sleeve, said ring having a plurality of radially inwardly directed teeth members which are axially angled so as to allow the ring to move relatively easily in one direction along said sleeve but providing relative resistance to movement in the opposite direction.

Preferably, the end cap arrangement includes at least a second annular ring which, in use, overlies the first-mentioned ring and provides a concealing cover for both the first-mentioned ring and the sleeve end.

In one embodiment of the present invention the first-mentioned ring is formed of plastics material and the second ring may also be formed of plastics material.

In a second embodiment of the present invention the first-mentioned ring is made of metal and the end cap arrangement includes two further rings, one being a covering ring as in the case of the first embodiment and the other being an intermediate ring which supports the metal ring and on which the cover ring is mounted.

The present invention also provides a method of installing a wall or partition traversing duct for a cable or pipe the method comprising providing a length of plastics sleeve of substantially constant diameter in a wall or partition traversing location, mounting at one end of the sleeve, where it emerges from the wall or partition, a ring having inwardly directed sleeve engaging teeth located thereon and mounting about said ring a further ring to provide a concealing cover for the first ring and the sleeve end.

Reference has been made above to the use of rings having inwardly directed teeth.

However, in a modification of the present invention these rings may be replaced by part annular entities.

Description of Specific Embodiments The present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention in position within a cavity wall.

Figure 2 is a plan view of a sleeve engaging ring forming part of the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows, in longitudinal section, an end cap assembly of the embodiment of Figure 1; and Figure 4 shows, in longitudinal section, an end cap assembly of a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings, a first embodiment of a duct assembly in accordance with the present invention provides a duct through a cavity wall having wall members 1 and 3 separated by a cavity 5. Within the assembled duct there extends through the wall a gas or water carrying pipe 7.

The duct assembly comprises a thin walled plastics pipe or sleeve 9 which traverses the wall 1, 3, 5 and extends out of the wall, at each side thereof, by a short distance.

At each end of sleeve 9 there is provided an end cap arrangement 11. This arrangement 11 comprises two elements, an internal sleeve engaging ring 13 and an external cover ring 15. The sleeve engaging ring 13 is formed of plastics material and, as best seen in Figure 3, includes an integral angled flange 17 with a serrated internal edge providing a plurality of equally spaced apart teeth 19 extending about the entire inner circular extent of flange 17.

The minimum internal diameter of ring 13, as defined by the edges of teeth 19, is slightly less than the outer diameter of sleeve 9. Accordingly, the ring 13 may be pushed on to the end of sleeve 9 with the flange angled towards the sleeve end and so that the teeth and/or the body of the flange distorts outwardly to accommodate the sleeve. Once ring 13 is located on the sleeve it is difficult, if not impossible, to remove it from the sleeve in a direction towards its nearest end since the angled flange, and teeth thereof, will tend to dig into the surface of the sleeve 9 thereby resisting movement in this direction.

On its outer surface ring 13 is provided with an annular groove 21.

Cover ring 15 is formed of plastics material and, in longitudinal section, each part of the ring is substantially L-shaped providing a front wall 23 and an outer side wall 25.

Integral with and extending inwardly from outer side wall 25 is an annular rib 27 having a front surface substantially parallel to front wall 23 and a rear surface which is angled as shorn in figures 1 and 3. The profile of rib 27 allows the cover ring 15 to be pushed over the sleeve engaging ring 13 until rib 27 locates in groove 21. It is then difficult, if not impossible, to pull cover ring 15 out of engagement with sleeve engaging ring 13 due to the locking engagement between the front part of rib 27 with the corresponding edge of groove 21.

Accordingly, once assembled, there is a verfiT firm engagement between the three elements (sleeve 9, sleeve engaging ring 13 and cover ring 15) which hinders or prevents relative longitudinal movement therebetween, at least in a direction away from the wall.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, cover ring 15 is radially and longitudinally dimensioned so as to conceal substantially completely both sleeve engaging ring 13 and the sleeve 9.

As illustrated in Figure 1, an end cap arrangement as described above may be provided at both ends of sleeve 9.

In order to install the above described duct assembly, a length of sleeve 9, longer than that illustrated in Figure 1, is pushed into position within the wall with one end extending out of the wall by a distance as illustrated in Figure 1. The elements of an end cap arrangement are then pushed into place at this end. At the other end of the duct a sleeve engaging ring 13 is pushed into place and the sleeve 9 is then cut flush with the outer edge of sleeve engaging ring 13. A cover ring 15 is then pushed into position over sleeve engaging ring 13.

Referring to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings, a second embodiment of a duct assembly of the present invention is generally similar to the above described first embodiment. However, the end cap arrangements differ in that each comprises three elements. An inner sprung steel clip 31 is provided with inwardly angled teeth 33 which, as with the above described first embodiment, are for engagement with the outer wall of the sleeve. An intermediate ring 35 provides a support for clip 31, ring 35 having an inner profile shaped to accommodate clip 31 by being provided with an angled surface 37 terminating, at its maximum diameter with an integral inwardly rib 39.

As with the above described first embodiment, an annular groove 41 is provided in the outer surface of the intermediate ring 35.

An outer plastics cover ring 43 is similar to the cover ring 15 forming part of the above described first embodiment.

This second embodiment of the present invention is particularly suitable in the case where the sleeve 9 is made of metal although it may also be used with a plastics sleeve.

It will be appreciated that the above described embodiments both include a sleeve of small radial thickness. Accordingly a duct assembly of the present invention does not in itself add significantly to the diameter of hole required, the diameter of the hole being dictated mainly by the thickness of the pipe or cable to extend through the wall.

Claims

CLAIMS.

1. A duct assembly comprising a sleeve of substantially constant diameter and at least one end cap arrangement, said arrangement comprising a ring for surrounding an end of the sleeve, said ring having a plurality of inwardly directed teeth members which are axially angled so as to allow the ring to move relatively easily in one direction along said sleeve but providing relative resistance to movement in the opposite direction.

2. A duct assembly according to claim 1 wherein the sleeve-engaging ring includes an integral angled flange with a serrated internal edge, the teeth members extending about the entire inner circular extent of this flange.

3. A duct assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the sleeve-engaging ring has a smaller internal diameter than the outer diameter of the sleeve and may be pushed on to the end of the sleeve with the flange angled towards the sleeve end so that the teeth and/or the body of the flange distorts outwardly to accommodate the sleeve.

4. A duct assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the end cap arrangement includes at least a second annular ring which, in use, overlies the first-mentioned ring and provides a concealing cover for both the first-mentioned ring and the sleeve end.

5. A duct assembly according to claim 4 wherein, in longitudinal section, the annular ring is substantially L-shaped providing a front wall and an outer side wall.

6. A duct assembly according to claim 5 wherein the sleeve-engaging ring is provided on its outer surface with an annular groove and the annular ring is provided with an annular rib which is located in the annular groove and is integral with and extends inwardly from the outer side wall of the annular ring, the annular rib having a front surface substantially parallel to the front wall of the annular ring and an angled rear surface.

7. A duct assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the first mentioned ring is formed of plastics material.

8. A duct assembly according to claim 7 which is as defined by any of claims 4 to 6 and in which the second ring is formed of plastics material.

9. A duct assembly according to any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the ring is made of metal and the end cap arrangement includes two further rings, one of which, in use, is a cover ring which overlies the first-mentioned ring and provides a concealing cover for both the first mentioned ring and the sleeve end and the other of which is an intermediate ring which supports the metal ring and on which the cover ring is mounted.

10. A duct assembly according to claim 9 wherein the first-mentioned ring is a sprung steel clip and the intermediate ring has an inner profile shaped to accommodate the inner sprung steel clip through the provision of an angled surface terminating, at its maximum diameter, with an integral inwardly directed rib.

11. A duct assembly according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the outer surface of the intermediate ring is provided with an annular groove and the cover ring, which has the features of claim 5, is provided with an annular rib which is located in the annular groove, the rib having the structure of the rib of claim 6.

12. A duct assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein at least one ring having inwardly directed teeth is part annular.

13. A method of installing a wall or partition traversing duct for a cable or pipe, the method comprising providing a length of plastics sleeve of substantially constant diameter in a wall or partition traversing location, mounting at one end of the sleeve, where it emerges from the wall or partition, a ring having inwardly directed sleeve-engaging teeth located thereon and mounting about said ring a further ring to provide a concealing cover for the first ring and the sleeve end.

14. A method of installing a wall or partition traversing duct for a cable or pipe according to claim 13, further comprising mounting at the other end of the sleeve, where it emerges from the wall or partition, a second ring having inwardly directed sleeve-engaging teeth located thereon and mounting about said second ring a cover ring to provide a concealing cover for the first ring and the sleeve end.

15. A duct assembly substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

16. A product comprising a sleeve and a ring for making a duct assembly according to any of claims 1 to 12 or 15.