END-SIDED SINGLE-SIDED BOOM FOR A CABLE SUPPORT SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement comprising a support and a boom supported at one end on the support for a cable support system with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Cable support systems are used to support cables in a room, typically in a building. For this purpose, the cable support system has a cable tray. Cables and wires are routed or laid along the cable tray. The cable tray can be designed in the manner of a cable tray or cable duct, formed by one or more cable tray segments. Another option is to provide individual rungs over which the cables are supported; this eliminates the need for a continuous cable tray element as a cable tray segment.

[0003] One way to support a cable tray is to attach it laterally. For this purpose, brackets are provided that support the cable tray on a vertical element and are attached to it for this purpose. The vertical element can be, for example, a wall or a suspended support attached to a ceiling and projecting from it. To form the cable tray, any cables or lines can be laid directly on the bracket in the manner of a rung tray; however, it is also possible to attach a continuous tray element to the top of the bracket. If cables and / or lines are laid, a bracket can easily bear loads of several tens, possibly even several hundred kilograms.

[0004] EP 2 808 964 B1 proposes a boom that is supported on one side at its end. For this purpose, the boom is attached to a suspended support projecting from a ceiling by means of a screw connection. The boom is provided by a U-profile, i.e. an open profile. The two side walls, which are formed onto the back of the U-profile, enclose a profile volume. The opening direction of this profile points downwards, i.e. in the direction of gravity. A cable tray, for example in the form of lines or cable tray segments, can be attached to the top of this boom. The one-sided support allows cables or lines to be laid laterally on the boom, thus enabling simple assembly.

[0005] A disadvantage of this state-of-the-art technology is that this boom tends to buckle in the direction of gravity under higher loads. If such a boom is to be used to support higher loads, it must be made of a correspondingly thicker material.

[0006] One suggestion in this regard is made by the disclosure in EP 0 108 222 A2, in which a cantilever supported at one end is proposed, the opening direction of the profile of which points upwards.

[0007] US 2004 / 0104322 A1 describes a support bracket for cable trays with a base for ceiling mounting and a substantially U-shaped shaft section to which a bracket can be attached. One end of the bracket is placed between two flanges of the shaft section and aligned so that the holes in the flanges and the bracket are opposite each other, allowing a pin, cotter pin, or bolt to pass through them.

[0008] DE 695 296 69 T2 discloses a cantilever with one-sided support. This cantilever is designed as a curved cantilever with a vertical section for connecting to a vertical support, such as a wall. This cantilever is connected via its vertical section, or rather, by means of a screw connection that extends through a slotted hole in the cantilever's back. Due to the cantilever's bending, bending moments resulting from the support must be transmitted within the profile.

[0009] Against this background, the object of the invention is to propose a boom which is improved in terms of its stability, but without increasing the required material and thus resources for this reason.

[0010] This problem is solved by a generic boom as mentioned above with the features of claim 1.

[0011] Preferred embodiments result from the dependent claims and the description.

[0012] The weight of a cable tray supported by a boom, which may be cables lying directly on the boom or a cable tray segment with cables laid within it, points vertically downwards due to gravity. In contrast to the design of previously known booms, the profile of the proposed boom is open at the top and thus closed at the bottom by its back. If the boom is loaded by a cable tray, the one-sided support at the end results in a bending moment acting on the boom. In concrete terms, this means that in the upper area of ​​the side walls, the boom is subjected to a tensile force directed in the direction of the boom's longitudinal extension, and in the lower area of ​​the side walls and back, an opposite compressive force following the longitudinal extension of the boom acts.By providing a spine in the compression zone, not only is a relatively large-area support provided on a support supporting the boom, but more importantly, buckling of the boom is prevented in the compression zone. In contrast, the open profile design on the upper side of the boom does not impair the absorption of tensile forces. This takes advantage of the fact that the tension side of a boom cannot buckle. Consequently, the profile is open in the tension zone and closed by the spine in the compression zone. The spine forms the lower end of the profile.

[0013] The side walls, connected by the spine, are spaced apart and protrude in the same direction. The fact that the side walls protrude from the spine in the same direction does not mean that they must be parallel to each other. Typically, the side walls are bent from the spine, especially if the boom is one made from a sheet metal blank, for example, in a roll-forming process. However, it is also conceivable that the profile is provided by an extruded product.

[0014] Furthermore, the profile is designed to have a trapezoidal cross-section. Following the force concept, it is advantageous if the distance between the side walls tapers towards the back in the cross-section. The distance between the side walls does not need to be constant along the longitudinal extension of the boom. Such a boom can certainly taper in its longitudinal extension towards its free end. This design enables simple roll forming, which reduces manufacturing costs.

[0015] Preferably, the angle enclosed by the back and the respective side wall is approximately > 90° - 110°, preferably 92° - 100°. This provides a particularly good force distribution between the back and side walls with respect to the bending moment introduced into the boom and the weight force, while simultaneously facilitating simple production and storage.

[0016] Preferably, the side walls each have beveled extensions (although only one side wall can have a beveled extension). These prevent the side walls from tearing in the area where the tensile force is greatest. Furthermore, they additionally stabilize the side walls in the transverse direction, so that a bending moment introduced transversely to the weight force can be better absorbed by the cantilever according to the invention. Furthermore, the tendency of the side walls to vibrate is reduced. It is sensible for the extensions to continuously follow the longitudinal extension of the side walls so that each extension is supported within itself.

[0017] In principle, the profile can be designed as a hat profile. However, it is preferred that the opposing extensions of the side walls face each other. This further encloses the profile volume and, relative to the cross-section of the boom, does not require any additional space in the width direction. This type of profile corresponds to a C-profile. Furthermore, the extensions are typically aligned parallel to the spine.

[0018] To connect a cable tray segment, at least one connecting element can be part of the boom or such a connecting element can be engaged with the boom. This can be used to attach lines, cables, or a cable tray segment. According to one embodiment, such a connecting element is supported on the side walls and / or on the extensions, if present, in such a way that it is fixed, for example, by a positive fit.

[0019] Preferably, the connecting element is supported against the boom at least in a form-fitting manner, counter to the direction of the weight force. For example, the connecting element can be provided to engage positively with at least one side wall in the direction of the weight force. If extensions are integrally formed on the side walls, the connecting element can also be supported flatly on the extensions. In this way, a part resting on the top of the boom can be held on the boom in a frictionally engaged manner, transverse to the weight force.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the at least one connecting element is supported only in the direction of gravity. This simplifies assembly because it is held in this way—typically in the upper region—of the boom. For this purpose, the side walls can, for example, have a slotted guide into which the typically plate-shaped connecting element can be inserted. If the side walls are trapezoidal in shape relative to the back and the side walls have mutually facing extensions, the at least one connecting element can also be inserted into the undercut formed by the side wall and extension.

[0021] Such a connecting element is typically secured against twisting when arranged within the profile volume, typically due to its contour geometry. This allows the connecting element to be designed like a nut element into which a screw can be screwed. This allows for easy installation of a cable, line, or cable tray segment.

[0022] A possible embodiment is one in which the connecting element has at least one connecting element protruding from the connecting element, to which a cable tray segment can be attached without tools. For this purpose, the protruding element can be designed, for example, in the manner of a barb, a locking lug, or a locking pawl.

[0023] For one-sided support of the boom at a supporting support, such as a suspended post, a wall, or the like, a connection option is provided at at least one end section of the boom. This refers to the end section at a distal end of the boom. The other end of the boom is generally not supported.

[0024] The end-side, one-sided support of the boom on a supporting support is designed as a two-point support in terms of bending moment, with the support in the upper section of the boom being subjected to tensile loads and in the lower section to compressive loads. To ensure simple assembly, the profile is connected to a support supporting the boom in an end section vertically opposite the back, and is supported on the support in the back area. Thus, support in the lower section only requires the boom to rest on or make contact with the support. In contrast, in the upper section the profile or boom is connected to the supporting support. This connection is essentially only subjected to tensile loads. A transfer of weight forces is also provided at this connection point.A positive connection along the longitudinal extension of the boom to the supporting support is therefore generally only required in the upper tensile area. This facilitates the installation of the boom to the supporting support. If desired, a positive connection to the supporting support can also be provided in the lower end area of ​​the boom.

[0025] It is intended that the boom is connected via at least one side wall or one side wall extension. In this way, the required fastening force is introduced directly into the side walls in the direction of the tensile force. This ensures an optimal flow of force. A connection is preferably designed such that the connection is made in both side walls or two opposite side wall extensions. A separate connecting piece is provided for the actual connection of the boom to a support that carries it and thus for coupling the connection forces into the boom. It can be shaped such that it is integrally formed onto the side walls, for example by clinching or resistance welding, and according to the invention, in any case under load, engages the side walls in a form-fitting manner and preferably also connects them transversely to the longitudinal extent of the boom.If the connecting piece is positioned in the upper area of ​​the profile, the free ends of the side walls are connected in this way. For this purpose, the connecting piece can have locking elements that form an undercut, creating a positive connection between the connecting piece and the respective side wall in the transverse direction. This prevents the side walls from spreading in the connection area. This is advantageous, for example, with a trapezoidal cross-section of the profile. To enable optimal force flow, it is preferably provided that the connecting piece is positioned within the profile volume, i.e., between the two side walls.

[0026] The profile is typically made of sheet steel, preferably strip-galvanized steel. Strip-galvanized steel can be used because the boom according to the invention requires only punching and forming processes, but no welding processes, which would evaporate the galvanizing. In principle, other materials, such as plastics, can also be used due to the excellent mechanical design.

[0027] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures in the overall context of a cable support system. They show: Fig. 1: A cable support system comprising an assembly forming a boom and a connector connected to a suspended support, Fig. 2: the connecting piece of the assembly in a perspective view, Fig. 3: the boom in a perspective view, Fig. 4:an enlarged detailed view of the assembly with the connector inserted into the boom and Fig. 5: the assembly to whose boom a cable tray element is attached.

[0028] Figure 1 shows a cable support system 1. The cable support system 1 comprises an assembly formed by a boom 2 supported at one end and a connecting piece 4 connecting the boom 2 and a support 3 supporting it. The support 3 is shown in the illustration of Figure 1 designed as a projecting hanging rod, which is attached to a head piece 5 connected to a ceiling (not shown).

[0029] The connecting piece 4 is connected to an end section of the boom 2 in its upper area. If a weight force F g acts on the boom 2, the boom 2, due to the introduced bending moment, rests on the support 3 with its area 6 opposite the connecting piece 4, which is provided with linear embossing extending in the longitudinal direction of the boom 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the entire lower end face of the boom 2 is supported on the support 3, so that a compressive force F d acts on this area. In contrast to this, the tensile force F b resulting from the above-described support arrangement in the longitudinal direction of the boom 2 and the weight force F g act on the connecting piece 4.

[0030] Figure 2shows the connecting piece 4 in an isolated view. The connecting piece 4 comprises a flat fixing section 7 and two fastening sections 8, 9 connected opposite to it, following the longitudinal extent of the connecting piece 4. A first fastening section 8 is designed in the manner of a hammer head 10. The second fastening section 9 is angled relative to the fixing section 7 at an angle relative to the fixing section 7 and comprises a recess 11 through which a screw (not shown in detail) can be passed in order to fasten the connecting piece 4, for example, to a wall.

[0031] In the area of ​​the fixing section 7, the connecting piece 4 comprises four locking elements 12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3. These are located in the same plane as the fixing section 7 and are formed outwardly in the transverse direction to the longitudinal extension of the boom 2.

[0032] The outer contour of the locking elements 12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 is dovetail-shaped. The contour is explained below as an example for one locking element 12; these explanations apply equally to the other locking elements 12.1, 12.2, 12.3. The engagement surfaces 13, 13.1 pointing in the longitudinal direction of the securing section 7 are inclined relative to the recessed part 14, 14.1, so that a V-shaped notch 15, 15.1 is formed as a transversely acting undercut in the transition between the engagement surface 13, 13.1 and the adjacent recessed part 14, 14.1. The distance between the two locking notches 15, 15.1 is smaller than the width of the end face 16 of the locking element 12 facing away from the connecting piece 4.

[0033] In the fixing section 7, a further recess 17 is provided, to which a cable tray element (not shown in detail) can be attached when the connecting piece 4 is mounted on the boom 2. For this purpose, a screw-nut connection can be used, for example (see also Figures 4 and 5 ).

[0034] Figure 3 shows the boom 2. The boom 2 is designed as a profile that is open vertically upwards and follows the longitudinal extension of the boom 2. This profile comprises a back 18 and side walls 19, 19.1 in the form of legs that are laterally connected to it and project in the same direction. At the free ends of the side walls 19, 19.1, mutually facing extensions 20, 20.1 are bent, increasing the flexural rigidity of the side walls 19, 19.1.

[0035] In the side walls 19, 19.1, opposite recesses 21, 21.1, 21.2, 21.3 are provided symmetrically with respect to the vertical central longitudinal plane of the boom 2 in the area of ​​its two ends (the rear recesses are formed by the extension 20.1 in Figure 3 concealed). These are inserted into the boom 2 directly below the beveled extensions 20, 20.1; they are arranged in the end section of the side walls 19, 19.1 facing away from the back 18. When the connecting piece 4 is mounted on the boom 2, the locking elements 12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 engage in these recesses 21, 21.1, 21.2, 21.3 (see Figure 4 ). It is intended that the boom 2 is connected to a support 3 with a connector 4 on only one side; the other end is free. Nevertheless, the connection side can be varied using the boom 2 proposed here.

[0036] Between the adjacent recesses 21, 21.1, 21.2, 21.3 of one end and pointing toward the free ends of the boom 2, embossings 22, 22.1, 22.2, 22.3, here linear, are provided, through which these areas are work-hardened. This allows larger forces to be introduced via the locking elements 12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 into the sections of the respective side wall 19, 19.1 enclosing the recesses 21, 21.1, 21.2, 21.3. In addition, a tensile force F b introduced into the recesses 21, 21.1, 21.2, 21.3 in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the boom 2 is better distributed in the side walls 19, 19.1 of the boom 2, which also counteracts tearing.

[0037] In the area 6 opposite the connecting piece 4, at least one embossing 23 is provided, which follows the longitudinal extension of the boom 2, here, for example, implemented by a plurality of linear embossings. If the boom 2 is supported on the support 3 with its back 18 or the lower area of ​​the side walls 19, 19.1, the embossing 23 counteracts buckling of the lower area of ​​the side walls 19, 19.1 due to the applied compressive force F d.

[0038] Additional embossings or recesses may be provided. These can be used to attach additional elements not shown in detail, such as cable tray elements, to stiffen the boom 2, or to save material and thus reduce weight.

[0039] Figure 4shows a section of the assembly on the front side of the boom 2 with the inserted connecting piece 4. The locking elements 12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 engage in the opposite recesses 21, 21.1 of the boom 2.

[0040] In the case of load, a weight force F g acts on the boom 2 (see also Figure 1 ), which results in a bending moment due to the one-sided support of the boom 2. Since, as shown in Figure 1As can be seen, the boom 2 is supported on the support 3 at the section 6 opposite the connecting piece 4 in the vertical direction - the lower end of the boom 2 -, a fastening force F b resulting from the bending moment acts on the connecting piece 4 as a tensile force in the upper area of ​​the boom 2 and thus in the area of ​​the connection to the connecting piece 4. Due to the tensile force F b acting in the longitudinal extent of the boom 2, the areas surrounding the recesses 21, 21.1 are drawn, due to the inclined engagement surfaces 13, 13a, into the notches 15, 15a designed as undercuts which serve to lock the side wall in the transverse direction. The tensile force acting on the upwardly facing end of the boom 2 effectively prevents the C-shaped profile of the boom 2 from folding open on its side opposite the back 18, even under higher loads.

[0041] In order to keep the surface pressure in the area where the locking elements 12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 connect to the recess 21, 21.1 as low as possible, the connecting piece 4 has a significantly greater material thickness than the profile of the cantilever 2. The material thickness of the connecting piece 4 is crucial for the height of the line contact between the locking elements 12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 and the recess 21, 21.1 and is typically at least twice or at least three times as large as the material thickness of the cantilever 2.

[0042] To install the connecting piece 4 in the boom 2, the latter is first brought with its locking elements 12.2, 12.3 on one side close to the corresponding recesses, which are concealed in the figure by the extension 20.1 (approximately adjacent to the upper extension 20.1 of the side wall 19.1). The angled fastening section 9 then rests on the side walls 19, 19.1, while the connecting piece 4 is tilted about an axis parallel to the longitudinal extent of the connecting piece 4, spreading the two elastically designed side walls 19, 19.1 until the locking elements 12, 12.1 on the other side engage the corresponding recesses 21, 21.1 of the boom 2. To support this process, the second fastening section 9 has expanding lugs 24 on both sides which, when the connecting piece 4 is mounted in the boom 2, engage in corresponding recesses 25 of the boom 2.It can be provided that the expanding lugs 24 bear positively against the area surrounding the recesses 25 in the longitudinal direction of the boom 2, so that a positive connection is also created here under tensile load.

[0043] Figure 5shows the previously described boom 2, fastened with a connecting piece 4 to a wall (not shown in detail) by means of its second fastening section (not visible here). This illustrates the trapezoidal shape of the profile of the boom 2 relative to the back 18 and the integrally formed side walls 19, 19.1: The distance between the two side walls 19, 19.1 decreases toward the back 18. The profile thus tapers transversely to its longitudinal extent in the direction of gravity F g . In this way, a connecting element 26 can be clipped between the respective side walls 19, 19.1 and their respective extensions 20, 20.1, which supports itself against the weight force F g on the trapezoidal side walls 19, 19.1 and against the weight force F g on the extensions 20, 20.1 bent from the side walls 19, 19.1. A cable tray segment 27 is frictionally fastened to the connecting element 26 with screws (not shown in detail).In addition, it can be provided to guide a screw through the cable tray segment 27 through the recess 17 in the fixing section 7 of the connecting piece 4 and to counter-tighten it with a nut (not shown).

[0044] In the lower area of ​​the boom 2, it rests on a support not shown in this figure with its back 18, or the lower area of ​​the side walls 19, 19.1. This support introduces a compressive force F d in the longitudinal extension of the boom 2 into the lower area of ​​the side walls 19, 19.1. To prevent bulging / buckling of the same, the side walls 19, 19.1 are connected to one another by the back 18 and are thus supported not only by each other but also by the back 18 itself against transverse bending.

[0045] The invention has been described using an exemplary embodiment. Without departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims, numerous further embodiments for implementing the inventive concept will become apparent to those skilled in the art without the need for further explanation within the scope of these statements. List of reference symbols

[0046] 1Cable support system 2Boom 3Support 4Connection piece 5Head piece 6Area opposite the connection piece 7Fixing section 8, 9Fastening section 10Hammer head 11Recess in the fastening section 12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3Locking element 13, 13.1, 13a, 13a.1Engagement surface 14, 14.1Recessed part 15, 15.1, 15a, 15a.1Notch 16End face 17Recess in the fixing section 18Back 19, 19.1Side wall 20, 20.1Extension 21, 21.1, 21.2, 21.3Recess in the boom 22, 22.1, 22.2, 22.3Embossing 23Embossing 24Expanding nose 25Recess for expanding nose 26Connecting element 27Cable tray segment F g Direction of weight force F b Direction of fastening force F d Compressive force

Claims

1. An arrangement comprising a support and an cantilever arm (2) for a cable support system (1), which is supported at the end on one side on the support (3), for supporting a cable route, the cantilever arm (2) being formed from a profile which is open in cross-section and has a back (18) and side walls (19, 19.1) which are integrally formed thereon and enclose a profile volume, wherein the opening direction of the loaded profile points counter to the direction of the weight force (Fg), the profile of the extension arm (2) being of trapezoidal design in its cross-section, as a result of which the distance between the side walls (19, 19.1) increases in the direction of the free ends, and in that the profile of the cantilever arm (2) in a region opposite the back (18) in the vertical direction is connected to a support (3) supporting the cantilever arm (2) and is supported on the support (3) in the region of the back (18), characterized in that the cantilever arm (2) is connected via at least one side wall (19, 19.1) or a side-wall extension, wherein a connecting piece (4) is provided for connecting the cantilever arm (2) to a support (3) supporting the latter, which connecting piece engages in a form-fitting manner in the side walls (19, 19.1) in their end portion opposite the back (18).

2. The arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the side walls (19, 19.1) of the cantilever arm (2) have in each case bent-over extensions (20, 20.1) pointing towards one another.

3. The arrangement according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the profile of the cantilever arm (2) is designed symmetrically along its longitudinal extent.

4. The arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one connecting element (26) is provided for fastening lines or a cable route segment (27) to the cantilever arm (2) or is engaged with the latter, which connecting element is supported on its side walls (19, 19.1) and / or on its extensions (20, 20.1).

5. The arrangement according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the connecting piece (4) has locking elements (12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.2) for form-fitting engagement in the side walls (19, 19.1), which locking elements engage in recesses (21, 21.1, 21.2, 21.3) made in the side walls (19, 19.1).