CABLE TRAY SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR TUNNELS / VAULTS

Abstract

CABLE TRAY SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR TUNNELS / VAULTS Cable tray support system for tunnels / vaults, comprising a profile portion (2), consisting of a plurality of profile elements (3), and one or more brackets (4) hinged to the profile elements (3) and suitable for supporting cable trays (5, 6). The brackets are fixed to the profile elements (3) by means of bolts (8) engaging holes (11) drilled in the profile elements (3). By changing the distance "D" of the hole (11) from the inner part (10) of the profile, the horizontality of each bracket (4) is ensured when the inclination of the respective profile element (3) changes. Figure for the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR CABLE ROUTING FOR TUNNELS / VAULTS

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable tray support system for tunnels / vaults.

[0002] Current cable tray supports dedicated to tunnel vault installation are generally mechanically welded.

[0003] The curved profile to be fixed on the vault is obtained using a bending machine.

[0004] Figure 14 illustrates a portion of a cable tray support according to the technique known.

[0005] This bending process is very slow and therefore has a high cost.

[0006] The welding process is a rework process and also has an impact important on the cost of the finished product.

[0007] Furthermore, when using pre-galvanized raw materials, it is necessary to treat the finished product at the weld point because, locally, the coating has been damaged, i.e., burned by the weld. This also represents an additional cost.

[0008] In addition, to avoid tedious manual painting operations, it is sometimes chosen to apply a subsequent hot-dip galvanizing treatment.

[0009] This also represents an additional cost compared to a pre-galvanized raw material.

[0010] The brackets are welded onto the curved rail. Depending on the height of the bracket, the angle between the rail and the bracket varies. Therefore, each bracket must be produced with different dimensions, which implies the handling of different semi-finished products.

[0011] Another disadvantage of this mechanically welded system is that it is delivered assembled.

[0012] During installation, access to the fixing points of the curved profile to the vault is made difficult due to the protrusion of the supports in the working area.

[0013] Furthermore, access to the fixing points requires the use of hand tools. Indeed, the lack of available space near the fixings prevents the use of electric or pneumatic tools, which are too bulky.

[0014] Another disadvantage of systems of the known technique is the limitation of the diameter of the anchor that can be used to fix the rail to the arch.

[0015] Indeed, the open side of the profile limits access to a maximum diameter for the socket wrench.

[0016] This is very detrimental when it is necessary to support large loads with high safety factors, as is the case in metropolitan applications.

[0017] The present invention aims to provide a cable tray support system for tunnels / vaults, which overcomes the disadvantages of the known technique mentioned above.

[0018] Within the framework of this task, one of the objectives of the invention is to create a system which, thanks to its particular design characteristics, is able to ensure the broadest guarantees of reliability and safety of use.

[0019] These objectives, and others that will become clearer later, are achieved by a cable tray support system for tunnels / vaults. It comprises a profile section, made up of several profiled elements, and one or more brackets hinged to these profiled elements and capable of supporting cable trays.

[0020] According to advantageous, but not mandatory, aspects of the invention, one or more of the following features may be incorporated, taken individually or in any technically feasible combinations:

[0021] - Each of these profiled elements is produced, with a curvature, by a machine bend.

[0022] - Each of these brackets is bolted to one of these profiled elements by bolts.

[0023] - Each of these profiled elements has a U-shaped profile.

[0024] - Each of these brackets has a heel capable of resting on a part interior of the profiled element.

[0025] - Said profiled element includes lateral holes capable of receiving said bolt; the distance of said lateral holes from said internal part being variable to adjust the horizontality of each bracket.

[0026] - Said consoles are folded into a position essentially parallel to the profiled element during transport and assembly of said profile.

[0027] Other features and advantages will result from the description of preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the invention, illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] [Fig-1] The [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a portion of a cable tray support according to the invention;

[0029] [Fig.2] Fig.2 illustrates the operation of bending a profiled element using a classic folding machine;

[0030] [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a portion of profile according to the invention;

[0031] [Fig.4] Fig.4 is a perspective view of the portion of the profile equipped with consoles;

[0032] [Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the portion of the profile equipped with consoles;

[0033] [Fig.6] Fig.6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the path support applied to a tunnel vault;

[0034] [Fig.7] Fig.7 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of the profile with consoles folded for transport;

[0035] [Fig.8] The [Fig.8] is a perspective view illustrating the profiled portion during the opening phase of the brackets for assembly;

[0036] [Fig.9] Fig.9 is a detailed perspective view illustrating the connection of a bracket with a curved profile by means of a bolt;

[0037] [Fig. 10] The [Fig. 10] is a detailed side view illustrating the bracket folded inside the profile;

[0038] [Fig. 11] The [Fig. 11] is a side view similar to the previous one, illustrating the console in working position with the heel in contact with the inner part of the profile;

[0039] [Fig. 12] The [Fig. 12] is a schematic side view illustrating the position of the console engagement bolt hole;

[0040] [Fig. 13] The [Fig. 13] is a side view showing the console in the working position, with the heel in contact with the inner part of the profile;

[0041] [Fig. 14] The [Fig. 14] illustrates a portion of a cable tray support according to the known technique.

[0042] With regard to the figures cited, the cable tray support system for tunnels / vaults, according to the invention, indicated globally by reference number 1, comprises at least a portion of profile 2, comprising a plurality of profile elements 3 and one or more brackets 4 articulated on the profile elements 3 and capable of supporting cable trays 5, 6.

[0043] Advantageously, each profiled element 3 is produced, with a curvature, using a conventional bending machine 7, unlike traditional production systems which require a bending machine.

[0044] This process is faster than the bending machine and, above all, it is reproducible from one part to another without the need for a long and sometimes unreliable adjustment.

[0045] This is very valuable when thousands of absolutely identical parts have to be produced.

[0046] Unlike the traditional technique, in which the brackets are welded, according to the present invention, each bracket 4 is bolted to the curved profile 3 by bolts 8.

[0047] In particular, each bracket 4 is connected to the U-shaped curved profile 3 by a bolt 8.

[0048] The bolt system allows the console 4 to rotate around the bolt 8.

[0049] However, when the console rotates, clockwise in figures 913, its heel 9 comes into contact with the inner part 10 of the U-shaped profile, which gives it its final position.

[0050] Several successive folds curve the profile. This means that the curved profile is made up of several successive straight segments with an angle between each of them.

[0051] The brackets 4 are bolted onto the straight segments and therefore the different angle of the straight segments relative to the horizontal must be taken into account.

[0052] With regard to figures 12-13, the horizontality of each bracket 4, with respect to the different inclination of the curved profile 3, is ensured by modifying the distance "D" of the hole 11 with respect to the internal part 10 of the profile, which also modifies the angle "a".

[0053] Thus, by varying the distance D, according to the cross section considered, the horizontality of the console can be modified.

[0054] From the above, it is easy to understand how the system can be delivered partially assembled so that the fixing points 12 to the vault 13 are unobstructed.

[0055] The possibility of rotating the brackets 4 relative to the profiled elements 3 allows the system to be delivered to the user with the brackets 4 fixed in the closed position, as can be seen in figures 5 and 7, in order to leave much more space for the operation of fixing to the vault 13.

[0056] Once the attachment to the vault 13 is made, the last brackets can be added by bolting and the link retaining the initial pre-assembled brackets can be cut so that the system is ready for use.

[0057] It has been found that the invention makes it possible to achieve the predetermined objectives by providing a cable tray support system for tunnels / vaults which overcomes the disadvantages of the known technique.

[0058] The materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be modified according to needs and the state of the art.

Claims

Demands

1. Cable tray support system for tunnels / vaults, characterized in that it comprises a profile portion (2), consisting of several profiled elements (3), and one or more brackets (4) articulated on these profiled elements (3) and capable of supporting cable trays (5, 6).

2. System, according to claim 1, characterized in that each of these profiled elements (3) is produced, with a curvature, by a bending machine.

3. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of these brackets (4) is bolted to one of these profiled elements (3) by bolts (8).

4. System, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of these profiled elements (3) has a U-shaped profile.

5. System, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of these brackets (4) has a heel (9) capable of bearing on an inner part (10) of the profiled element (3).

6. System, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said profiled element (3) comprises lateral holes (11) capable of receiving said bolt (8); the distance (D) of said lateral holes (11) relative to said internal part (10) being variable to adjust the horizontality of each bracket (4).

7. System, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said brackets (4) are folded into a position essentially parallel to the profiled element (3) during the transport and assembly of said profile (2).

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