Improvements relating to trough frame systems and retrofit components and fittings thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a clamp for a groove type frame system. The clamp comprises a base, a clamp body and a clamping device, a T-shaped or inverted L-shaped locking element extending from the base, comprising: a T-shaped rod portion and a leg portion; or an L-shaped rod part and a leg part; wherein the base is adapted to receive at least two adjustable clamping elements; in use, the clamping element is located on either side of the leg of the T-shaped or inverted L-shaped locking element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally, but not exclusively, to improvements in channel frame systems and retrofittable components and accessories thereof. In particular, the present invention includes and applies to support frames utilizing channel frame channels and components and accessories thereof. Background Art

[0002] Mechanical frame systems including slotted (U-shaped) metal channels with multiple spaced slots are well known in the art. Slotted channels can be used in a variety of different applications, some non-limiting examples of which are listed below:

[0003] Electrical industry examples include steel shelving units, computer racks, cable containment systems.

[0004] Examples of building services include cable trays, cable clamps, cable baskets, support pipes for water systems or fire sprinkler systems, pipe clamps, lateral guides and pipe hangers.

[0005] Examples of security services include supporting camera system CCTV cameras, cabling and associated support brackets.

[0006] Examples of plumbing include the various pipes that support hot and cold water, drainage systems that use specific pipe clamps and eyelets to suspend pipes.

[0007] It would be very useful to provide an alternative connection solution to interconnect the trough channels in a variety of ways, as a custom hanging / support system for all building services attachments, which could be adjusted in size and shape to the unique needs of each area or space.

[0008] It would be very useful to provide a single clamp that could be used for multiple purposes to reduce the number of different clamps or other components required for a mechanical support system.

[0009] Additionally, it would be advantageous to provide a clamp system in which a structural element (eg, a bracket) is secured within a slotted metal channel by a slot rather than by an open U-shaped surface (ie, a semi-enclosed area) of the channel as in prior art clamp systems.

[0010] An advantage of providing a fixture that maintains the open face of the trough channel open is that this provides the service provider with more surface area for attaching specific pipe hangers, cable tray systems or other such equipment to the trough channel.

[0011] Alternatively, the purpose of this application is to at least provide the public with a useful choice. Summary of the invention

[0012] According to a first aspect of the present application, there is provided a clamp for a channel frame system, comprising:

[0013] Pedestal;

[0014] A T-shaped or inverted L-shaped locking element extending from the base comprises:

[0015] T-bar section and legs; or

[0016] L-shaped rod portion and legs;

[0017] wherein the base is adapted to receive at least two adjustable clamping elements;

[0018] In use, the clamping elements are located on either side of the legs of the T-shaped or inverted L-shaped locking element.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the present application, there is provided a parts kit for a channel frame system, comprising:

[0020] a) A clamp, comprising:

[0021] Base part;

[0022] A T-shaped or inverted L-shaped locking element extending from the base portion comprises:

[0023] T-bar section and legs; or

[0024] L-shaped rod portion and legs;

[0025] wherein the base portion is adapted to receive two adjustable clamping elements;

[0026] In use, the clamping elements are located on either side of the legs;

[0027] b) at least one structural element;

[0028] wherein each structural element comprises at least one slot designed, in use:

[0029] receiving the T-shaped or L-shaped rod portion of the fixture and enabling the T-shaped or L-shaped rod portion to pass through the slot when the longitudinal axis of the T-shaped or L-shaped rod portion is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the slot;

[0030] When the longitudinal axis of the T-shaped rod or L-shaped rod portion is not aligned with the longitudinal axis of the slot, the T-shaped rod or L-shaped rod portion is prevented from passing through the slot.

[0031] According to a further aspect of the application, there is provided a kit of parts for a channel frame system, substantially as described above, wherein the kit further comprises:

[0032] c) Multiple trough-type (U-shaped) metal channels.

[0033] Preferably, the longitudinal axis of the T-bar or L-bar portion and the axis of the base portion (which bisects the center of the base) are substantially parallel and aligned (ie, not offset) when viewed from the top or bottom of the clamp.

[0034] Other aspects of the present application will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following description, which provides an example of at least one practical application of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] One or more embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are only examples and are not intended to limit the present application. In the accompanying drawings:

[0036] Figure 1 A perspective view of a clamp according to a preferred embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0037] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 Side view of the middle fixture;

[0038] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 End view of the middle fixture;

[0039] Figure 4 A perspective view showing a structural element of a right-angle bracket according to another preferred embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 5 A perspective view showing a structural element of another right-angle bracket in use according to another preferred embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 6 A perspective view showing a structural element of another right-angle bracket in use according to another preferred embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 7 A perspective view showing structural elements of a base plate for supporting a vertical three-groove channel member;

[0043] Figure 8 a perspective view showing structural elements of a linear connecting element;

[0044] Fig. 9 Shows the use Figure 8 Partial perspective view of the racking system with linear connecting elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] about Figures 1 to 3 , a clamp 100 for a channel frame is shown. The clamp 100 has a base 101 and a T-shaped locking element 102, which has a T-shaped rod portion 103 and a leg portion 104.

[0046] The base 101 has two threaded holes 105 on either side of the legs 104 which, in use, receive adjustable clamping elements, namely jackscrews 106 .

[0047] The base 101 has a main axis, namely the longitudinal axis YY, which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis XX of the T-bar portion 103 .

[0048] The T-bar portion 103 has a tip 107 that faces the base 101. The tip 107 helps keep the clamp on the slotted channel after tightening. The tip can form an indentation on the surface of the slotted channel or bracket to help slow the sliding of the clamp and maintain the position of the clamp. The clamp 100 also has a rubber clamping washer 108 on the leg 104 to help keep the clamp in place before the jackscrew is fully tightened when in use.

[0049] The base 101 also has two elongated protrusions 109 on its opposite edges which act as grips to assist in rotating the clamp to lock it into the slot of the U-shaped channel.

[0050] Figure 4 A right angle structural element, namely a right angle bracket 400, is shown, having a vertical arm 401 and a horizontal arm 402. The vertical arm 401 and the horizontal arm 402 are connected by a reinforcing rib 403.

[0051] Each arm 401, 402 has an elongated slot 404, 405 respectively.

[0052] Figure 5 A partial view of a racking system 500 is shown having a vertical three-groove U-shaped channel member 501 and a horizontal three-groove U-shaped channel member 502, each channel member 501, 502 having a plurality of grooves 503 on three sides of the U-shape.

[0053] The vertical and horizontal channel members 501 , 502 are connected at right angles by a right angle bracket 504 having a vertical arm 505 with a slot 506 and a horizontal arm 507 with a slot 508 .

[0054] like Figures 1 to 3 The clamp 100 is shown having been passed through the slots 506, 508 in the bracket 504 and the slot 503 in the channel members 501, 502 and then rotated so that the T-bar portion (not shown) is substantially 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the slot 503. The set screws 106 of the clamp 100 are then tightened to secure the channels 501, 502 together.

[0055] Figure 6 Shows the use of Figure 5 A partial view of a racking system 500 showing a different type of right angle bracket 600 .

[0056] In this case, bracket 600 again has vertical arm 601 and horizontal arm 602 with slots 603, 604 respectively. Bracket 600 is used to connect vertical three-slot channel member 605 with horizontal three-slot channel members 606 and 607 via clamp 100.

[0057] It can be seen that the longitudinal axis of the T-bar portion of one of the clamps 100 is at a 45 degree angle to the longitudinal axis of the slot 503 in the three-slot horizontal channel member 606. The longitudinal axis of the T-bar portion of the other two three-slot clamps 100 is at a 90 degree angle to the longitudinal axis of the slot 503 in the vertical and horizontal channel members 605 and 607.

[0058] Figure 7 A structural element, a base plate 700, is shown having a foot 701 and an upright portion 702 protruding therefrom. The upright portion 702 is a three-groove channel 702 with grooves 704.

[0059] Mounted in upright portion 702 is a vertical three-slot channel member 705 having slots 706. Clamp 100 is used to secure three-slot channel 705 to upright portion 702 via slots 704 and 706.

[0060] Figure 8 A structural element, namely a linear connecting element 800, is shown having an orthogonally protruding stop 801 and a groove 802 at one end.

[0061] exist Fig. 9 In the embodiment, the rack system 900 has a linear connecting element 800 connected to a first three-channel member 801 and a second three-channel member 802, the two members 801, 802 being located on a longitudinal axis ZZ. Interposed orthogonally between the first and second three-channel members 801, 802 is a third three-channel member 803, the longitudinal axis YY of which is at a 90 degree angle to the axis ZZ.

[0062] The clamp 100 is used to secure the three-groove channels 801 , 802 , and 803 together via the groove 804 .

[0063] About the present invention and its alternative embodiments

[0064] This application is applicable to known channel frame systems, particularly those using roll-formed channel metal channels, also known as single- or triple-channel channels / struts, which have multiple slots extending in the following directions:

[0065] The centre plane of the channel / pillar; or

[0066] The length of each face of the channel / pillar.

[0067] With respect to the present application, the base of the clamp may have a variety of different configurations without departing from the scope of the present application.

[0068] In a preferred embodiment, the base of the clamp may have a substantially elongated profile.

[0069] In other embodiments, the base may have a substantially square or circular profile.

[0070] The base may be adapted in a variety of ways to receive the clamping element.

[0071] In one example, the base may have a threaded hole. The clamping element may be in the form of a screw or bolt. In another example, the base may have slots for receiving the cams, each slot including opposite aligned side holes to receive the camshaft after the cam is properly located in the slot.

[0072] The T-bar portion of the T-locking element may be designed to fit within a frame channel or a slot of a support tray when a longitudinal axis of the T-bar portion is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the slot.

[0073] Conversely, when the longitudinal axis of the T-bar portion is not aligned with the longitudinal axis of the slot, the T-bar portion cannot fit into or pass through the slot.

[0074] In a preferred embodiment, the T-bar portion may have a pointed (i.e., sharp) profile when viewed from the side. The pointed tip faces the base of the clamp. The pointed tip helps the clamp to fit into the channel, bracket, or support tray when the clamping element applies the clamping force.

[0075] In one embodiment, the clamping element is in the form of a threaded element. Preferably, the threaded element may be in the form of a jackscrew.

[0076] In another embodiment, the clamping element may be in the form of a rotatable cam element. The cam element is mounted in a recess on the exterior of the clamp base, allowing for quick and tool-free assembly.

[0077] The clamping washer can be made of a variety of materials without departing from the scope of the present application. In one embodiment, the clamping washer can be made of rubber.

[0078] Alternatively, the clamping washers may be made of silicone or other material with a suitable coefficient of friction to help maintain the position of the clamp until the clamping element is fully tightened.

[0079] The structural elements can have many different forms. Some non-limiting examples are listed below.

[0080] In a first example, the structural element may be in the form of a right-angle bracket.

[0081] In a second example, the structural element may be in the form of a substrate member.

[0082] In a third example, the structural elements may be in the form of linear connecting elements.

[0083] In a fourth example, the structural element may be in the form of a tray element.

[0084] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other structural elements may also be applicable to the present application.

[0085] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims, the words "comprising", "including", etc. should be construed in an inclusive sense rather than an exclusive or exhaustive sense, ie, in the sense of "including but not limited to".

[0086] The entire disclosures of all applications, patents, and publications cited above and below, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

[0087] Reference to any prior art in this specification should not be taken as an acknowledgment or implication that the technology forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavor in any country in the world.

[0088] The present application may also consist broadly of the parts, elements and features mentioned or indicated in the specification or application, individually or collectively, or in any or all combinations of said parts, elements or features.

[0089] In the foregoing description, where reference is made to integers or components having known equivalents, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

[0090] It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the currently preferred embodiments described in this specification will be apparent to those skilled in the art. These changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application and without diminishing the attendant advantages thereof. Therefore, these changes and modifications should be included in this application.

Claims

1. A clamp for a channel frame system, comprising: Pedestal; A T-shaped locking element or an inverted L-shaped locking element extending from the base includes: T-bar section and legs; or L-shaped rod portion and legs; wherein the base is adapted to receive at least two adjustable clamping elements; In use, the clamping elements are located on either side of the legs of the T-shaped locking element or the inverted L-shaped locking element.

2. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the clamp includes clamping washers on its legs.

3. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the T-shaped rod portion or the L-shaped rod portion has a pointed end thereon.

4. A kit of parts for a channel frame system, comprising: a) A clamp comprising: Base part; A T-shaped locking element or an inverted L-shaped locking element extending from the base portion comprises: T-bar section and legs; or L-shaped rod portion and legs; wherein the base portion is adapted to receive two adjustable clamping elements; In use, the clamping elements are located on either side of the leg; b) at least one structural element; Wherein each structural element comprises at least one slot, the slot being designed, when in use: receiving the T-shaped or L-shaped rod portion of the fixture and enabling the T-shaped or L-shaped rod portion to pass through the slot when the longitudinal axis of the T-shaped or L-shaped rod portion is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the slot; When the longitudinal axis of the T-shaped rod or L-shaped rod portion is not aligned with the longitudinal axis of the slot, the T-shaped rod or L-shaped rod portion is prevented from passing through the slot.

5. The kit of parts for a channel frame system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the kit further comprises: c) Multiple trough-type (U-shaped) metal channels.

6. A channel frame system comprising at least one clamp as claimed in claim 1 or constructed from a kit of parts as claimed in claim 4 or 5.

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