Cable Tray Support Bracket With Front-Access Fastener Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support bracket systems for cable trays are difficult to install, especially in hard-to-access locations due to the complexity of positioning and screwing fixing screws into nuts, which is exacerbated by space restrictions and height limitations.
Innovation Solution
A support bracket with a central partition featuring oblong through holes and a transverse wing that allows finger access and provides mechanical reinforcement, enabling easier nut placement and screw alignment, and includes multiple through holes for versatile alignment options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the support bracket uses through holes in the upper wall for fixing screws, then the cable tray can be securely fixed to the support bracket, but the installation becomes difficult in hard-to-access places due to the need to position nuts and screw in fixing screws
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a through opening in the central partition that provides a new dimensional access path from the front side of the support bracket. This allows the installer to access the lower face of the upper wall and position nuts without needing to approach from behind or above, transforming a difficult rear-access operation into an easily accessible front-access operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The through opening in the central partition acts as an intermediary access channel. It mediates between the external environment and the interior space where nuts are positioned, allowing fingers and tools to reach through and manipulate fastening components without requiring direct access to the rear of the support bracket.
2Ease of manufacture
If the support bracket is made as a one-piece polymer body, then the manufacture is simplified and cost is reduced, but the mechanical strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a polymer material that can be molded as a one-piece body, combining manufacturing simplicity with adequate mechanical strength. The polymer material provides both ease of manufacture through molding processes and sufficient strength to support cable trays when properly designed with appropriate wall thicknesses and structural features.
Solution Approach 2:
The support bracket is segmented into functional zones: the upper wall for cable tray support, the central partition with through opening for access, and the base for mounting. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining the benefits of one-piece manufacturing.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a support bracket (1) for cable trays, formed by a one-piece body made of a polymer material and comprising a base (2) for fixing said support bracket (1) to a vertical surface and an arm (3) arranged in a cantilever manner. The arm (3) comprises an upper wall (4) with an oblong upper face (5) for the seating of a cable tray, a lower wall (8), and a central partition (7). The upper wall (4) has through holes (6a, 6b) for the passage of fixing screws. The central partition (7) has at least one through opening (9) adjacent to the upper wall (4) and located below at least one of said through holes (6a, 6b). The through opening (9) contains an empty space which is a rectangular parallelepiped with a width greater than or equal to 4 cm and a height greater than or equal to 2 cm.