Mounting system

Abstract

A system for mounting an article (e.g. pipe 36) to a surface, the system comprising: a rail portion 10 comprising an elongate substantially U-shaped channel defined by a pair of upstanding, opposing s

Description

Field of the Invention The invention relates to a system for mounting an article to a surface, and in particular to a system for mounting pipework and electrical equipment to a rail. Background of the Invention There is currently no standardised method for the installation of pipework in domestic and small commercial installations. In any installation, pipes are required to be supported or clipped at regular intervals to prevent damage caused by movement. Typically, offcuts of timber are used which can be fixed into position, for example across joists, and then individual plastic pipe clips can be fixed to the timber with screws. Where the level of the pipe needs to be raised, for example to allow a straight run to be fitted, then several pieces of timber are often stacked and fixed together in order to support the raised pipe. These methods are time consuming since each clip must be individually fixed to a supporting structure. In addition, the resulting installation is often unsightly. Larger commercial installations benefit from a standardised method of securing pipework, usually using a combination of metal rails and clip supports or extendible pipe brackets which are connected to the rails, for example using spring channel nuts. However, these types of installation are time consuming to install and are expensive to use on smaller commercial or domestic applications, as well as being more complicated than is necessary in such installations. EP0795708 describes pipe clamps which include coupling means for coupling multiple clamps together. The clamps also include grooves which allows the clamps to slide onto a C-shaped rail. CN219119996U describes an adjustable pipe clamp assembly comprising a number of pipe clamps which slide onto a T-shaped rail. It would be desirable to provide an improved and simplified method for installation of pipework which would reduce installation times as well as cost. Summary of the Invention According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a system for mounting an article to a surface, the system comprising: at least one first component, the first component including a rail portion, wherein the rail portion comprises an elongate substantially U-shaped channel defined by a pair of upstanding, opposing side walls, each side wall having an inwardly extending lip; means for attaching the first component to a surface; at least one adaptor configured to support an article, the adaptor comprising a base, and means for attachment to the rail portion of the first component; wherein the means for attachment to the rail portion comprises: a pair of upstanding opposing side walls extending from the base; a pair of wings extending outwardly from the side walls; and a recessed portion in each of the side walls located adjacent to each of the wings; wherein the at least one adaptor is configured such that each of the side walls can flex with respect to base; and wherein the at least one adaptor is configured to be inserted into the channel of the rail portion of the first component such that the lips of the rail portion locate in the recessed portions of the at least one adaptor. Each of the side walls of the at least one adaptor has a thickness and each side wall may be connected to the base of the adaptor by a region of material which has a thickness which is less than the thickness of the side wall. The reduced thickness of material allows the side walls and wings to flex with respect to the base of the adaptor. Preferably, when the or each adaptor is attached to the rail portion of the first component, each wing of the or each adaptor extends beyond the side walls of the rail. This allows the adaptor to be easily removed from the rail portion. Preferably, the at least one adaptor is formed from a plastics material. More preferably, the at least one adaptor is formed from a one-piece plastics moulding. The first component and the at least one adaptor may each be formed from a plastics material. Each of the first component and the at least one adaptor may be formed as a one-piece plastics moulding. According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a system for mounting an article to a surface, the system comprising: at least one first component, the first component including a rail portion, wherein the rail portion comprises an elongate substantially U-shaped channel defined by a pair of upstanding, opposing side walls, each side wall having an inwardly extending lip; means for attaching the first component to a surface; at least one adaptor configured to support an article, the adaptor comprising a base, and means for attachment to the rail portion of the first component; wherein the means for attachment to the rail portion comprises: a side wall extending from the base; a wing extending outwardly from the side walls; and a first recessed portion in the side wall located adjacent to the wing; and a second recessed portion located in a main body of the at least one adaptor wherein the at least one adaptor is configured such that the side wall can flex with respect to the base; and wherein the at least one adaptor is configured to be inserted into the channel of the rail portion of the first component such that a first lip of the rail portion locates in the first recessed portion and a second lip of the rail locates in the second recessed portion. The side wall of the at least one adaptor has a thickness and may be connected to the base 5 of the adaptor by a region of material which has a thickness which is less than the thickness of the side wall. The reduced thickness of material allows the side wall and wing to flex with respect to the base of the adaptor. Preferably, the at least one adaptor is formed from a plastics material. More preferably, the at least one adaptor is formed from a one-piece plastics moulding. The first component and the 10 at least one adaptor may each be formed from a plastics material. Each of the first component and the at least one adaptor may be formed as a one-piece plastics moulding. Brief Description of the Drawings In the Drawings, which illustrate preferred examples of the invention: Figure 1 illustrates an example of a low-profile rail; Figure 2 illustrates a first example of an adaptor for use on the rail of Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates the adapter of figure 2 installed on the rail of Figure 1; Figure 4 illustrates a pipe supported on the adapter and rail of Figure 3; Figure 5a is an end on view of the assembly of Figure 3; Figure 5b illustrates flexing inwards of the outside walls of the adaptor in order to release the adaptor from the rail; Figure 5c illustrates the adaptor being removed from the rail; Figure 6 illustrates an example of a clip adaptor for use on the rail of Figure 1; Figure 7 illustrates the clip adaptor of Figure 6 installed on the rail of Figure 1; Figure 8 illustrates an electrical back box secured to the clip adapter of Figure 7; Figure 9 illustrates a cable trunking conduit that can be secured to the clip adapter of Figure 7; Figure 10a illustrates an underneath perspective view of an example of a pipe holder adapter for use on the rail of Figure 1; Figure 10b is a side view of the pipe holder adapter of Figure 10a; Figure 11 illustrates the pipe holder adapter of Figure 10a installed on the rail of Figure 1; Figure 12a illustrates a perspective view of a spacer rail; Figure 12b is an end-on view of the spacer rail of Figure 12a; Figure 13a illustrates a perspective view of a spacer rail of Figure 12a secured to a low-profile rail of Figure 1; Figure 13b is an end-on view of the combination of Figure 13a; Figure 14a illustrates perspective view of two spacer rails of Figure 12a connected together; Figure 14b is an end-on view of the combination of Figure 13a; Figure 15a illustrates a perspective view from one side of alternative low profile rail; Figure 15b illustrates a perspective view from the other side of the rail of Figure 15a; Figure 16 illustrates a further alternative rail; Figure 17a illustrates the rail end bracket of Figure 16 with a spacer rail of Figure 12a attached underneath; Figure 17b illustrates the rail end bracket of Figure 16 with a spacer rail of Figure 12a attached above; Figure 18 illustrates the rail end bracket of Figure 16 with a low-profile rail of Figure 1 attached underneath; Figure 19 illustrates an alternative adaptor for use on the low-profile rail of Figure 1; Figure 20 illustrates the adapter of figure 19 installed on the rail of Figure 1; and Figure 21 illustrates a pipe supported on the adapter and rail of Figure 20. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Figure 1 illustrates a low-pro file rail 10 comprising a substantially U-shaped elongate channel comprising a base 14, and a pair of spaced apart upstanding parallel side walls 12. The side walls 12 are fixed to the base along a first elongate edge. A second elongate edge of each of the side walls 12 is provided with an inwardly extending lip 16, which extends at substantially right angles to each of the side walls. The base 14 of the rail 10 includes a plurality of apertures 18 for securing the rail to a surface such as a wall, floor, or joist using fasteners, such as screws (not shown). Figure 2 illustrates an adaptor 20 for mounting an article to the rail 10. The adaptor illustrated in Figure 2 comprises rail attachment means in the form of a base 22, a pair of walls 26 extending from the edges of the base 22 at an angle of substantially 90 degrees, and a pair of wings 24 extend outwardly from each wall, from the edge of the wall which is distal from the base. Each wing extends outwards at an angle of substantially 90 degrees to the wall to which it is connected, such that each wing is substantially parallel to the base 22. The walls 26 and wings 24 are connected to the main body 30 of the adaptor 20 by a web 21, which is a region of reduced thickness material which extends adjacent to each wall 26. The adaptor is preferably formed from a one-piece plastics moulding, and together, the walls and wings can flex about the web 21. At the underside of the junction between each wall and wing there is an elongate recess 28. When the adaptor 20 is inserted into the rail 10 the lip 16 of the rail locates inside the elongate channel on the adaptor. Preferably, the base 22 of the adaptor 20 rests on the base of the rail and the wings 24 rest on the upper surface of the lip 16 of the rail. The adaptor illustrated in Figure 2, 3, and 4 includes a central portion 30 which is spaced apart from the side walls 26. The central portion 30 has an upper surface 32, which may have a V-shaped profile, for supporting a pipe 36 (see Figure 4) and an aperture 34 through which fastening means such as a cable tie 38 can be inserted. To insert the adaptor 20 onto the rail 10 the wing portions 24 are squeezed together by hand, causing the walls 26 to move inwards towards the central part, as illustrated in Figure 5b. The adaptor can then be easily slid onto the rail, and along the rail into a desired position. When the wings 24 are released, the lips 16 of the rail 10 locate in the recesses 28 underneath the wings 24, locking the adaptor 20 in place, as illustrated in Figure 5a. Alternatively, the adaptor 20 can be pressed downwards onto the rail. The outside edges of the walls 26 are tapered and pressing down causes the walls 26 to move inwards towards the central portion of the adaptor until the lips 16 of the rail 10 locate in the recesses 28, as illustrated in Figure 5a. The reverse process can be employed for removing the adaptor 20 from the rail 10: by pulling up on the wings 24 as shown in Figure 5b, the lips 16 of the rail 10 are released from the recesses 28 of the adaptor 20, allowing the adaptor to be removed from the rail either as illustrated in Figure 5c or by sliding the adaptor off the end of the rail. Preferably, as illustrated, the wings 24 extend beyond the lip 16 and the side walls 12 of the rail to make removal of the adaptor easier. Figure 6 illustrates an alternative adaptor 40 which includes a push fit clip. The push fit clip adaptor comprises rail attachment means which are the same as described in relation to the embodiment of Figure 2, and are labelled with the same reference numerals. The push fit clip adaptor 40 of Figure 6 differs from the previously described adaptor in that it includes a push fit clip 41 in the form of a pair of resilient legs 42 which extend away from the central portion 30 of the adaptor 40. Each leg 42 includes a locking projection 44 and a tapered sliding surface 45. The push fit clip part 41 is shaped and dimensioned to connect with a complementary aperture 48 on an object such as an electrical back box 46, as shown in Figure 8. To mount the electrical back box 46 on the push fit clip adaptor 40, the legs 42 of the push fit clip are aligned with an aperture 48 on the electrical back box 46. Pressing down allows the sliding surface 45 of the legs to slide over the sides of the aperture 48, pushing the resilient legs together. When the edges of the aperture located underneath the locking projections 44 of the resilient legs 42 spring back into position and the electrical back box is locked into place on the push fit clip adaptor 40. The electrical back box can be removed by pinching together the ends of the legs 42 to allow the edges of the apertures to disengage from the locking projections, so that the electrical back box can be removed. Other objects, such as a cable trunking conduit 47 provided with similar apertures 48, as illustrated in Figure 9, could also be connected to the push fit clip adaptor 40 in the same way. Figure 10a and 10b illustrate a further alternative adaptor 50 which includes an aperture 52 for receipt of a pipe or wiring conduit. This adaptor also comprises rail attachment means which are the same as described in relation to the embodiment of Figure 2, and are labelled with the same reference numerals. Figure 11 illustrates the adaptor 50 installed on a low-profile rail 10. Figures 12a and 12b illustrate a spacer rail 60 which can be attached to a low-profile rail 10, allowing the height of the rail to which an object is to be attached to be raised. As shown in Figure 12b, the lower portion 61 of the spacer rail includes the same rail attachment means as the adaptors described previously, namely a base 62, a pair of walls 66 extending from the edges of the base 62 at an angle of substantially 90 degrees, and a pair of wings 64 which extend outwardly from each wall, from the edge of the wall which is distal from the base. Each wing extends outwards at an angle of substantially 90 degrees to the wall to which it is connected, such that each wing is substantially parallel to the base 62. The walls 66 and wings 64 are connected to the main body 67 of the adaptor 60 by a web 69, which is a region of reduced thickness material which extends adjacent to each wall 66. Together, the walls and wings can flex about the web 69. At the underside of the junction between each wall 66 and wing 64 there is an elongate channel 68. The upper portion 63 of the spacer rail 60 comprises a low-profile rail 10’ including a pair of spaced apart upstanding parallel side walls 12’. The side walls 12’ are each provided with an inwardly extending lip 16’, which extends at substantially right angles to each of the side walls. Figures 13a and 13b illustrate a spacer rail 60 connected to a low-profile rail 10, with each lip 16 of the low-profile rail 10 located in the elongate channels 68 of the lower portion 61 of the spacer rail 60. Several spacer rails 60 may also be connected together to raise the height of the rail further, as illustrated in Figures 14a and 14b, where a first spacer rail 60 is connected to a second spacer rail 60, with the rail lips 16’ of the first spacer rail located in the elongate channels 68 of the lower portion of the second spacer rail. Any of the adaptors described herein can then be connected to the uppermost low-profile rail portion 63 of the uppermost spacer rail. Figures 15a and 15b illustrate an alternative low-profile rail 70 for use with the system of the invention. This rail includes a vertical fixing surface 72 extending from one edge of the rail. Such a rail is useful for fixing to vertical surfaces such as joists. The fixing surface 72 includes a plurality of apertures 74 for receipt of fasteners (not shown). In all other aspects the rail features are identical to those described in relation to Figure 1 and are labelled with like reference numerals. Figure 16 illustrates a rail end bracket 75 suitable for fixing rails to vertical surfaces such as joists. The rail end bracket 75 resembles a spacer rail 60 as illustrated in Figure 12a, with one end attached to a substantially vertical plate 77. The vertical end plate 77 includes a plurality of apertures 78 for receipt of suitable fasteners. The lower portion 78 of the spacer rail portion of the rail end bracket includes rail attachment means as previously described and is suitable for connection to either low-profile rails 10 or spacer rails 60. The upper portion 79 of the spacer rail portion of the rail end bracket 75 is suitable for connection to adaptors or spacer rails. Figure 17a illustrates a rail end bracket 75 with a spacer rail 60 connected to the lower portion 78 of the rail end bracket. Figure 17b illustrates a rail end bracket 75 with a spacer rail 60 connected to the upper portion of the rail end bracket. The connection between the two parts is the same as described in relation to Figure 14a. Figure 18 illustrates a rail end bracket 74 with a low-profile rail 10 connected to the lower portion of the rail end bracket. The connection between the two parts is as described in relation to Figure 13a. Figure 19 illustrates an alternative adaptor 80 for use on a low-profile rail system. The rail connection means for this adaptor is similar to that described previously. The adaptor comprises a base 82, with one wall 86 extending from one edge of the base 82 at an angle of substantially 90 degrees thereto. A wing 84 extends outwardly from the edge of wall 86 which is distal from the base 82. The wing 84 extends outwards at an angle of substantially 90 degrees to the wall 86 such the wing is substantially parallel to the base 82. The wall 86 and wing 84 are connected to the main body 81 of the adaptor 80 by a web 83, which is a region of reduced thickness material which extends adjacent to the wall 86. Together, the wall and wing can flex about the web 83. At the underside of the junction between the wall 86 and the wing 84 there is a first elongate recess 88. The opposing outside wall of the adaptor 80 comprises a second elongate recess 87. In summary, one half of the rail connection means is the same as that described previously, and the other half comprises a recess 87 in the opposite side of the adaptor. As illustrated in Figure 20, when the adaptor 80 is inserted into the rail 10 a first lip 16 of the rail 10 locates inside the first elongate channel 88 on the underside of the wing 84 on the adaptor 80 and the second lip 16’ locates inside the second elongate channel 87. Preferably, the base 82 of the adaptor 80 rests on the base of the rail and the wing 84 rests on the upper surface of the first lip 16 of the rail. To insert the adaptor 80 onto the rail 10 the wing portion 84 is pulled inwards and upwards by hand, causing the wall 86 to flex about the web 82 and to move inwards towards the main body 81 of the adaptor. The adaptor 80 can then be slid onto the end of the rail 10 by locating the second lip 16’ of the rail into the second elongate channel 87. When the wing 84 is released, the first lip 16 of the rail 10 locates in the first elongate channel 88 underneath the wing 84, locking the adaptor 80 in place. Alternatively, the adaptor 80 could be inserted onto the rail 10 by locating a lip of the rail 10 into the second elongate channel 87 of the adaptor 80 and then pulling inwards and upwards on the wing portion 84, causing the wall 86 to flex about the web 82 and to move inwards towards the main body 81 of the adaptor, allowing the main body of the adaptor to be inserted into the channel of the rail. Again, when the wing 84 is released, the lip 16 of the rail 10 locates in the first elongate channel 88 underneath the wing 84. The reverse process can be employed for removing the adaptor 80 from the rail 10: by pulling up on the wing 84, the first lip 16 of the rail 10 is released from the first elongate channel 88 of the adaptor 80, allowing the adaptor to be removed from the rail by sliding the adaptor off the end of the rail, or by rotating the adaptor about the second elongate channel 87 and removing it from the channel of the rail. This type of rail attachment means could be applied to any of the adaptors or rails described herein. In the example illustrated in Figure 19, the adaptor comprises 5 an upper surface 90, which may have a V-shaped profile, for supporting a pipe 36 (see Figure 21) and an aperture 92 through which fastening means such as a cable tie 38 can be inserted. A plurality of rails and adaptors can be used to support pipework in domestic and commercial installations. The system of the invention provides great benefits over the systems currently employed. The system is quicker and easier to install than existing systems, the adaptors 10 can be easily positioned on the rails without using additional fasteners. Overall the system of the invention is more cost effective as well as providing pipework installations which are better organized and much more aesthetically pleasing.

Claims

1. A system for mounting an article to a surface, the system comprising:at least one first component, the first component including a rail portion, wherein the rail portion comprises an elongate substantially U-shaped channel defined by a pair of upstanding, opposing side walls, each side wall having an inwardly extending lip;means for attaching the first component to a surface;at least one adaptor, the adaptor comprising a base, and means for attachment to the rail portion of the first component;wherein the means for attachment to the rail portion comprises:a pair of upstanding opposing side walls extending from the base and connected to the base at a first end;a pair of wings, each wing extending outwardly from a second end of each side wall; anda recessed portion in each of the side walls located adjacent to each of the wings; andand wherein the adaptor further comprises means for supporting an article extending from the base and located between the pair of upstanding side walls;wherein the at least one adaptor is configured such that each of the side walls can flex with respect to base;and wherein the at least one adaptor is configured to be inserted into the channel of the rail portion of the first component such that the lips of the rail portion locate in the recessed portions of the at least one adaptor22 09 25and wherein, when attached to the rail portion of the first component, each wing of the or each adaptor is located adjacent to an external surface of the inwardly extending lip of the rail portion.

2. A system for mounting an article to a surface according to Claim 1, wherein each of the side walls of the at least one adaptor has a thickness and each side wall is connected to the base of the adaptor by a region of material which has a thickness which is less than the thickness of the side wall.

3. A system for mounting an article to a surface as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein, when attached to the rail portion of the first component, each wing of the or each adaptor extends beyond the side walls of the rail.

4. A system for mounting an article to a surface as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for supporting an article includes a surface for supporting a pipe.

5. A system for mounting an article to a surface as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for supporting an article includes an aperture for receiving a fastening means for fastening an article to the adaptor.

6. A system for mounting an article to a surface as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for supporting an article includes push-fit clip means and the article to be mounted includes an aperture shaped and dimensioned to connect to the clip means of the adaptor.

7. A system for mounting an article to a surface as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the push-fit clip means comprises a pair of resilient legs which extend away from the base of the adaptor, and wherein each leg includes a locking projection and a tapered sliding surface.

8. A system for mounting an article to a surface as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising at least two first components wherein a first first component includes a rail portion and means for attachment to the rail portion of a second first component.

9. A system for mounting an article to a surface as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein theat least one adaptor is formed from a one-piece plastics moulding.

10. A system for mounting an article to a surface as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first component and the at least one adaptor are each formed from a one-piece plastics moulding.22 09 25s

Images