Long load carrier and long load fastening system with such a long load carrier

Abstract

Long goods carrier with at least one fastening element seat (3) for connecting a long goods fastening element (2), such as a clamp or a bracket, for holding one or more long goods (20), for example a pipe, a duct or a cable bundle, wherein the longitudinal extent of the long goods carrier (1) in its operating position runs transversely to the longitudinal extent of a long goods (20) to be supported by it, wherein each fastening element seat (3) is provided by a chamber-like receptacle enclosed by a back (4), on one longitudinal side by an abutment (9) and on its opposite longitudinal side by at least one clamping spring (11) acting in the direction of the abutment (9) when stressed, with a mounting opening opposite the back (4) for inserting a long goods fastening element (2), and wherein the long goods carrier (1) has at least one mounting means (7, 8) for connecting it to a support structure (18).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a long goods carrier and a long goods fastening system with such a long goods carrier.

[0002] Long load carriers are used in conjunction with cable or pipe routing. Such a long load carrier, which can be designed, for example, as a support arm, is designed so that several clamps can be attached to its upper surface as fastening elements for the long load. The fastening elements are typically connected via screw connections. The fastening elements are individually screwed to the long load carrier. It is also possible for several clamps to be mounted on a single long load carrier, with their interlocking contours. In such a design, it is not necessary to screw each fastening element individually to the long load carrier. A disadvantage of such a known long load carrier is sometimes considered to be the effort required for assembly and, when modifying the pipe or cable routing, also for disassembly of the fastening elements attached to the long load carrier.

[0003] The invention is therefore based on the objective of proposing a long goods carrier that can be equipped and converted with long goods fastening elements using simple means, in particular without tools.

[0004] This problem is solved according to the invention by a long goods carrier with at least one fastening element seat for connecting a long goods fastening element, such as a clamp or a bracket, which serves to hold one or more long goods, for example a pipe, a duct or a cable bundle, wherein the longitudinal extent of the long goods carrier in its operating position runs transversely to the longitudinal extent of a long goods to be carried by it, wherein each fastening element seat is provided by a chamber-like receptacle enclosed by a back, on one longitudinal side by an abutment and on its opposite longitudinal side by at least one clamping spring acting in the direction of the abutment when stressed, with a mounting opening opposite the back for inserting a long goods fastening element, and wherein the long goods carrier has at least one mounting means for connecting it to a support structure.

[0005] This long-goods carrier is characterized by the fact that it provides a mounting seat for each long-goods fastener to be installed. It is understood that if a long-goods fastener is composed of several individual long-goods fasteners, for example, through the engagement points of complementary arrangement structures, and such a long-goods fastener can thus hold several long goods in a parallel arrangement, such an assembly is also to be understood as a long-goods fastener within the meaning of these specifications. The mounting seat is designed in the form of an open chamber. Such a mounting seat is enclosed by a back or back section of the long-goods carrier and by structures located on its two longitudinal sides, by which a long-goods fastener, when inserted into a mounting seat, is fixed within it.Opposite the back section is a mounting opening through which a long-item fastening element is inserted into the fastening element seat. A support is located on one longitudinal side of the back section of the fastening element seat. A clamping spring is arranged as a structural element on the opposite longitudinal side of the back. This spring acts towards the support when stressed, i.e., when a long-item fastening element is inserted into the fastening element seat. In its operating position, the longitudinal axis of the fastening element runs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the long item(s) it is intended to support. The back section runs in this direction, so that the support – on the one hand – and the at least one clamping spring per fastening element seat – on the other – point in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the long item being held.The fastening element seat provided by the chamber is generally open in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the long load carrier. The clear width of such a chamber-like receptacle serving as a fastening element seat—that is, its extent transverse to the longitudinal extent of the long load carrier—is, when the clamping spring is relaxed, less than the depth or thickness of a long load fastener designed and configured to be mounted in such a fastening element seat. When the long load fastener is inserted into the fastening element seat, it is pressed against the abutment by at least one clamping spring, thus securing the long load fastener within it by frictional engagement.Mounting and dismounting a long-item fastener, such as a pipe or cable clamp, is easily accomplished without tools. This is achieved by inserting the fastener, which has a base with the actual holding elements molded onto it, into the fastener seat (open in the opposite direction of installation) against the restoring force of at least one clamping spring. The restoring force of the spring ensures a secure hold for the fastener. Conversely, the fastener can also be removed from the seat. To release the clamping force, the fastener is pressed against the restoring force of the spring and then pulled out of the seat.

[0006] To connect the load carrier to a supporting structure, such as a floor support, it is equipped with mounting hardware. This hardware may consist of mounting holes, allowing the load carrier to be attached to a supporting structure, such as a floor support of a cable management system, using screw fasteners. If a floor is used as the supporting structure, mounting holes are typically located on the back of the load carrier. Advantageously, mounting holes are located both on the back and on a side section molded onto the back, allowing the load carrier to be attached according to the specific site conditions.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the abutment is designed and configured so that, when a long-item fastening element is inserted into a fastening element seat, it interacts positively with the fastening element in the direction of the mounting opening of the fastening element seat. With such a design of the long-item support and a corresponding design of the long-item fastening element to be inserted into one of its fastening element seats, proper installation and use of the long-item fastening element is possible even with a reduced spring force provided by the at least one clamping spring.The positive locking mechanism acting in the direction described above between the long-item carrier and a long-item fastening element supported by it allows the removal of a long item, for example a pipe, from a long-item fastening element designed as an open pipe clamp by simply pulling the long item out of the clamp. Due to the positive locking anchorage of the long-item fastening element (the pipe clamp) in the fastening element seat of the long-item carrier, the positioning and connection remain unaffected. In such a design, the force provided by the at least one clamping spring primarily serves the purpose of maintaining the positive locking engagement between the abutment and the long-item fastening element.Such a counter-bearing, which enables a positive fit with a long-item fastening element inserted in the fastening element seat, can be provided, for example, by one or more projections of the counter-bearing extending towards the clamping spring. Such a projection engages a corresponding positive structure of the long-item fastening element in the direction of the mounting opening, typically in the region of its base. According to a preferred embodiment, such a projection is designed as a counter-bearing flange and thus in the manner of a leg. This flange follows the longitudinal extent of the long-item carrier and preferably extends at least largely over the extent of the long-item fastening element in this direction.As a complementary negative structure into which the projection(s) or the abutment flange engage, the long-item fastening element has a groove in its base area or, as is not uncommon for such fastening elements, a recessed surface section. This is bordered at its edges by a circumferential rib as a positive structure. In such a design, the lower border can be engaged by the projection or the abutment flange of the fastening element seat. When using long-item fastening elements with recessed side surfaces of their base, the borders extending longitudinally along the long-item carrier can simultaneously serve as positive structures for a positive fit between the long-item carrier and a long-item fastening element inserted into a fastening element seat. However, a positive fit in this direction is generally not required.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the clamping spring is designed as a torsion spring, with its free end pointing towards the back of the chamber-like receptacle. Preferably, the contact area of ​​the clamping spring, with which it acts against a long fastener inserted into the fastener seat, is located closer to the back than the distance of the abutment, for example, a projection or abutment flange, from the back. This ensures that the contact area of ​​the clamping spring is located within the fastener seat. This prevents the clamping spring from pushing the long fastener inserted into the fastener seat out. According to one embodiment, such a torsion spring is integrally formed with its fixed leg against a rear wall angled relative to the back.In this design, the long-item carrier can be manufactured in one piece with at least one clamping spring per fastening element seat. An advantage of a torsion spring whose spring leg points towards the back is that the free end of this leg can also serve to lock a long-item fastening element inserted into the fastening element seat. This is possible if the long-item fastening element has an undercut on its side facing the torsion spring, for example, provided by a recessed surface section, and is supported at its free end on a positive-shaped rim of the recessed surface section.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, two clamping springs spaced apart from each other in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the load carrier are provided for each fastening element seat. The clamping springs, which are typically designed as torsion springs as described above, simultaneously form a limit in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the load carrier for a load carrier that is connected to a load carrier fastening element inserted in a fastening element seat. This also ensures that the load carrier fastening element is positively locked to the load carrier in this direction.

[0010] To stiffen the load carrier, it is U-shaped in the area of ​​its fastening element seats. The one or more clamping springs, typically designed as torsion springs, are then integrally formed on a side wall following the longitudinal extent of the load carrier. If a counter-flange is provided as an abutment to create a positive fit with an inserted load carrier fastening element acting towards the mounting opening, a leg angled towards the fastening element seat is typically located on one of the side walls opposite the clamping spring(s). According to a preferred embodiment, this boundary of the fastening element seat(s) of the load carrier is rounded, so that in a side view this longitudinal side of the load carrier has a claw-like appearance.

[0011] Such a long-material carrier is inexpensive and easy to manufacture, for example as a stamped and bent part, from a ferrous metal sheet. It goes without saying that the contour cutting of such a metal sheet can be done not necessarily by stamping, but equally by laser cutting. Such a long-material carrier can also be made from other metals, such as aluminum, and thus typically from an aluminum sheet, or even from plastic material.

[0012] A long load carrier, as described above, typically has several adjacent mounting points. Long load carriers of this type are manufactured and offered in different sizes to meet varying requirements.

[0013] A long goods fastening system has one or more such long goods carriers and at least one, typically several and, above all, different long goods fastening elements, which are attached to a long goods carrier according to the respective requirements.

[0014] The invention is described below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying figures. These show: Fig. 1: A long goods carrier with a pipe clamp as a long goods fastening element, as shown in an exploded view. Fig. 2: the long goods carrier of the Fig. 1 with four mounted pipe clamps, Fig. 3: A side view of the long goods carrier fitted with pipe clamps. Fig. 2 and Fig. 4: the long load carrier fitted with pipe clamps Fig. 2 in an exemplary application, connected to the shaft of a floor support for a cable support system with pipes inserted into the pipe clamps as long goods.

[0015] A long material carrier 1 is manufactured as a stamped and bent part from a ferrous metal sheet. The embodiment in Fig. Figure 1 shows a long-goods carrier 1 designed to accommodate four long-goods fastening elements. The long-goods fastening elements in the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, pipe clamps are provided, whereby for the sake of clarity only one pipe clamp 2 is shown in this figure.

[0016] The load carrier 1 has a corresponding number of fastening element seats 3, corresponding to the number of load carrier fasteners it is designed to support, for example, the number of pipe clamps 2 it is designed to support. The fastening element seats 3 of the load carrier 1 are identical in design, so only one of the fastening element seats 3 is described in detail below. The descriptions apply equally to the other fastening element seats 3. With regard to the longitudinal extent of the load carrier 1, the four fastening element seats 3 are grouped into two groups of two fastening element seats 3 each.

[0017] The long load carrier 1 has a back 4 that extends along its entire length. A back panel 5 is molded onto the back 4 along one of its long sides. The back panel 5 forms a right angle with the back 4. In the back panel section between the two mounting element seating groups, there is a back panel section 6, designed like a connecting tab. A mounting hole 7 is provided in the back panel section 6. The long load carrier 1 can be attached to a support structure using a fastener that passes through the mounting hole 7, for example, a screw fastener (not shown). Similarly, two mounting holes 8 are also provided in the back 4, so that the long load carrier 1 can also be secured to a support structure, such as a floor, using suitable fasteners via one or both of these mounting holes 8.

[0018] A support 9 is formed on the longitudinal side of the back 4 opposite the rear wall 5. In a side view, the support 9 is claw-shaped, with each fastening element seat 3 corresponding to a support flange 10. The support flange 10 is designed as a projection and its narrow side faces the rear wall 5. Two torsion springs 11 are formed on the rear wall 5 for each fastening element seat 3, their fixed leg 12 being integrally formed with the rear wall 5. The open side of the torsion springs 11 faces the back 4, so that the free ends of the spring legs 13 also face the back 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring legs 13 taper in width in a first section adjoining the apex.The spring-loaded legs 13 of the leg springs 11 are elastically adjustable towards the rear wall 5 due to the material provided for the manufacture of the long goods carrier 1 (made from a ferrous metal sheet). In their in . Fig. In the position shown in Figure 1, the leg springs 11 are unloaded.

[0019] Due to the enclosing of each fastening element seat 3 by the abutment 9, the back 4 and the springy legs 13 of the leg springs 11 which point with their flat side towards the abutment 9, a chamber-like receptacle is provided for receiving a pipe clamp 2 each.

[0020] The pipe clamp 2 has a base 14 to which the retaining arms 15, which in turn enclose a pipe receptacle 16, are integrally formed. In the area of ​​its base 14, the flat sides of the pipe clamp 2, which point transversely to the longitudinal extent of the long load carrier, are recessed. Due to the web 17 enclosing the recessed area, this prevents movement contrary to an assembly movement, as in Fig. 1, indicated by the arrow, undercut provided. To lock the pipe clamp 2 to the long load carrier 1, the abutment flange 10 engages in the excavated area of ​​the pipe clamp 2.

[0021] The pipe clamp 2 is attached to the long load carrier 1 simply by a translational insertion movement, in which the base 14 is inserted into a fastening element seat 3. During this insertion movement, the leg springs 11 are pre-tensioned by adjusting the spring legs 13, so that when the pipe clamp 2 is inserted into a fastening element seat 3, they act against it from the rear under pre-tension.

[0022] Fig. Figure 2 shows the long load carrier 1, fitted with four pipe clamps 2. It can be seen that the abutment flanges 10 of the long load carrier 1 engage in the recessed areas of the base 14 of the pipe clamp 2 facing this side. Thus, the pipe clamps 2 are positively connected to the long load carrier 1 in the opposite direction to the mounting direction. The length of the abutment flange 10 in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the long load carrier 1 corresponds to the width of the recessed area of ​​the base 14 of the pipe clamps 2, so that by engaging such a recessed area, the abutment flange 10 also creates a positive connection in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the long load carrier 1.

[0023] The side view of the Fig. 3 shows the fastening of the in Fig. The right pipe clamp 2 is attached to the long load carrier 1, and its base 14 engages in the fastening element seat 3. To visualize this engagement, the pipe clamp 2 is shown partially cut away in the area of ​​its outer retaining arm 15. The abutment flange 10 engages in the recessed area of ​​the base 14 and, in the illustrated embodiment, rests on the lower corner ridges, which are convex in the direction of the recessed area. The engagement position between the abutment flange 10 and the pipe clamp 2 is fixed by the torsion spring 11 or its resilient leg 13. In the Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the spring-loaded leg 13 acts with preload against the rear of the pipe clamp 2, thus causing the pipe clamp 2 to act against the abutment 9 to secure the previously described positive locking. In the illustrated embodiment, the recessed surface area of ​​the base 14 on the rear of the pipe clamp 2 is also used for additional locking of the base 14 of the pipe clamp 2 to the long load carrier 1. The free end of the spring-loaded leg 13 of the leg springs 11 engages in the recessed surface area on this side of the base 14 and is also supported by the convex corner ridges present in this recessed area. In this way, the pipe clamps 2 are positively locked even against the highest pull-out forces, contrary to their mounting direction.

[0024] The side view of the Fig. Figure 3 shows that the pipe clamps 2 can be easily and, most importantly, tool-free mounted on the long load carrier 1 in the manner described above. Disassembly is also straightforward. For this purpose, a pipe clamp 2 is pushed against the restoring force of the spring arm 13 of the leg springs 11 towards the rear wall 5 until the abutment flange 10 is removed from the recessed surface section of the base 14. Then, the pipe clamp 2 can be pivoted with its upper end towards the apex of the leg springs 11 so that the abutment flange 10 does not again engage in the undercut provided by the pipe clamp 2 in the area of ​​its base 14. Subsequently, the pipe clamp 2 is removed from its mounting element seat 3 while simultaneously continuing to move it towards the rear wall 5.

[0025] Fig. Figure 4 shows the long load carrier 1, equipped with pipe clamps 2, in an exemplary application. The long load carrier 1 is connected to the shaft of a floor support 18 via the mounting holes 7 using a screw fastener. The floor support 18 thus forms a support structure for the long load carrier 1, supporting both the long load carrier 1 and the components it carries. In the illustrated embodiment, the floor support 18 serves to support a cable management system (not shown in the figures). The long load carrier 1 is connected to the floor support 18 below its crossbeam 19, on which a cable duct is mounted. The long load carrier 1, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed to support four pipes 20, allows the pipes 20 to be guided below the cable duct supported by the floor support 18.

[0026] Due to the anchoring of the pipe clamps 2 in each fastening element seat 3, the in Fig. The four exemplary pipes 20 shown can be easily removed from the pipe clamps 2 despite the force required, without impairing the secure anchoring of the respective pipe clamp 2 in the fastening element seat 3.

[0027] The invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments. Without departing from the scope of protection described by the applicable claims, numerous further embodiments of the inventive concept would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, without these needing to be explained in more detail within the scope of these explanations. Reference symbol list 1 long load carrier 2 pipe clamps 3 Fastener seat 4 Back 5 Back panel 6 Rear wall section 7 Mounting opening 8 Mounting opening 9 abutments 10 Abutment flange 11 Leg spring 12 Fixed leg 13 Springy thigh 14 base 15 Support arm 16 Pipe mounting 17 Bridge 18 floor supports 19 traverse 20 pipes

Claims

[1] Long goods carrier with at least one fastening element seat (3) for connecting a long goods fastening element (2), such as a clamp or a bracket, for holding one or more long goods (20), for example a pipe, a duct or a cable bundle, wherein the longitudinal extent of the long goods carrier (1) in its operating position extends transversely to the longitudinal extent of a long goods (20) to be supported by it, wherein each fastening element seat (3) is provided by a chamber-like receptacle enclosed by a back (4), on one longitudinal side by an abutment (9) and on its opposite longitudinal side by at least one clamping spring (11) acting in the direction of the abutment (9) when stressed, with a mounting opening opposite the back (4) for inserting a long goods fastening element (2), and wherein the long goods carrier (1) has at least one mounting means (7, 8) for connecting it to a support structure (18). [2] Long load carrier according to claim 1, characterized by , that the abutment (9) is designed and set up to interact positively in the direction of the mounting opening with a long goods fastening element (2) located in the fastening element seat (3). [3] Long load carrier according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the abutment (9) is provided by a projection pointing towards the clamping spring (11). [4] Long load carrier according to claim 3, characterized by , that the projection is designed as a buttress flange (10) which preferably extends at least largely over the extent of a long goods fastening element (2) located in the fastening element seat (3) in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the long goods carrier (1). [5] Long load carrier according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by, that the abutment (9) with its projection in an end-face view of the long load carrier (1) starting from the long side of the back (4) is shaped in the manner of a claw. [6] Long load carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the clamping spring is designed as a leg spring (11) which points with the free end of its springy leg (13) towards the back (4). [7] Long load carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the contact area of ​​the clamping spring (11) on a long goods fastening element (2) inserted into the fastening element seat (3) has a smaller distance to the back (4) than the abutment (9). [8] Long load carrier according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by , that the leg spring (11) with its fixed leg (12) is formed against a back wall (5) which is angled relative to the back (4). [9] Long load carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by, that at least one fastening element seat (3) is associated with two clamping springs (11) spaced apart from each other in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the long load carrier. [10] Long load carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by , that the abutment (9) is designed and set up to interact positively in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the long load carrier (1) with a long load fastening element (2) located in the fastening element seat (3). [11] Long load carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by , that the long carrier (1) is manufactured as a stamped and bent part from a metal sheet, for example a Fe metal sheet. [12] Long load carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by that the long load carrier (1) has several adjacent fastening element seats (3). [13] Long load carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by, that the long load carrier (1) has one or more mounting holes (7, 8) in its back (4) and / or in a side wall section (6) formed on a longitudinal side as a mounting means. [14] Long goods fastening system comprising a long goods carrier (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13 and one or more long goods fastening elements (2) designed and configured for mounting in a fastening element seat (3) of the long goods carrier (1), each with a base (14) serving to engage in a fastening element seat (3). [15] Long goods fastening system according to claim 14, characterized by, that the at least one fastening element seat (3) of the long goods carrier (1) is designed according to one of claims 3 to 5 and the long goods fastening element (2) has an undercut in the area of ​​its base (14) following the longitudinal extent of the long goods carrier (1), into which the projection of the abutment (9) engages when the long goods fastening element (2) is mounted in the fastening element seat (3). [16] Long goods fastening system according to claim 15, characterized by , that the undercut of the long goods fastening element (2) is provided by a groove or a recessed surface section. [17] Long goods fastening system according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized by , that at least one of the long goods fastening elements is a pipe clamp (2) or a cable clamp.

Images