Abstract
The present invention relates to utility support apparatus (30). The utility support apparatus (30) comprises first (32) and second (34) elongate arrangements each configured towards a proximal end to be attached to a structure so as to depend from the structure. The utility support apparatus (30) also comprises a holding arrangement configured to, in use, hold utility distribution elements. The first and second elongate arrangements (32, 34) are mechanically coupled to the holding arrangement at spaced apart locations on the holding arrangement. Each of the first and second elongate arrangements (32, 34) is mechanically coupled to the holding arrangement at a location on the elongate arrangement spaced apart from the proximal end. Each of the first and second elongate arrangements (32, 34) comprises a first aperture (42) towards the proximal end to provide for attachment to the structure and second and third apertures (44, 46) spaced apart from the proximal end, the second and third apertures (44, 46) providing for mechanical coupling to the holding arrangement. The first, second and third apertures (42, 44, 46) lie in the same plane.
Claims
1. Utility support apparatus comprising: first and second elongate arrangements each configured towards a proximal end to be attached to a structure so as to depend from the structure; and a holding arrangement configured to, in use, hold utility distribution elements, the first and second elongate arrangements being mechanically coupled to the holding arrangement at spaced apart locations on the holding arrangement, each of the first and second elongate arrangements being mechanically coupled to the holding arrangement at a location on the elongate arrangement spaced apart from the proximal end, in which each of the first and second elongate arrangements comprises a first aperture towards the proximal end to provide for attachment to the structure and second and third apertures spaced apart from the proximal end, the second and third apertures providing for mechanical coupling to the holding arrangement and the first, second and third apertures lying in the same plane.
2. Utility support apparatus according to claim 1 in which the second and third apertures lie on a line which extends substantially orthogonally to a longitudinal axis of the elongate arrangement.
3. Utility support apparatus according to claim 1 in which centres of the second and third apertures are substantially equally spaced from a longitudinal axis of the elongate arrangement.
4. Utility support apparatus according to claim 1 in which the first aperture lies on a longitudinal axis of the elongate arrangement.
5. Utility support apparatus according to claim 1 in which each of the first and second elongate arrangements comprises plural pairs of second and third apertures, the pairs of second and third apertures being spaced apart substantially equally along the elongate arrangement.
6. Utility support apparatus according to claim 1 in which each of the first and second elongate arrangements comprises plural first apertures, the first apertures being spaced apart substantially equally along the elongate arrangement.
7. Utility support apparatus according to claim 1 in which components of the utility support apparatus are configured for releasable connection whereby the utility support apparatus is modular utility support apparatus.
8. Utility support apparatus according to claim 1 in which components of the utility support apparatus are configured for connection in each of plural different ways to form differently configured utility support apparatus.
9. Utility support apparatus according to claim 1 in which at least one of the first and second elongate arrangements comprises an elongate planar member which defines the first to third apertures.
10. Utility support apparatus according to claim 9 in which the elongate arrangement consists essentially of the elongate planar member.
11. Utility support apparatus according to claim 10 in which the elongate arrangement comprises the elongate planar member and at least one further elongate planar member, the elongate planar member and the further elongate planar member extending in substantially orthogonal planes.
12. Utility support apparatus according to claim 11 in which the elongate arrangement comprises the elongate planar member and two further elongate planar members, the two further elongate planar members extending from opposite sides of the elongate planar member.
13. Utility support apparatus according to claim 1 comprising plural pairs of first and second elongate arrangements, the pairs of first and second elongate arrangements being mechanically coupled to the holding arrangement at spaced apart locations along the holding arrangement.
14. Utility support apparatus according to claim 1 in which the holding arrangement comprises a cable tray.
15. Utility support apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising at least one cross member disposed such that it supports the holding arrangement.
16. Utility support apparatus according to claim 15 in which each of the first and second elongate arrangements is attached to the cross member at spaced apart locations on the cross member.
17. Utility support apparatus according to claim 15 in which the cross member defines two recesses spaced apart across each of two end faces of the cross member, each recess being configured to receive a fixing member which is received through a respective one of the second and third apertures.
18. Utility support apparatus according to claim 15 comprising plural pairs of first and second elongate arrangements and plural cross members spaced apart along the holding arrangement, each of the plural cross members being attached to a different pair of first and second elongate arrangements.
19. Utility support apparatus according to claim 15 in which the cross member comprises a base member and two spaced apart arms which extend from the base member to define a channel therebetween.
20. Utility support apparatus according to claim 19 in which the cross member comprises two further spaced apart arms extending from an oppositely directed face of the base member to the two spaced apart arms to thereby define a second channel between the two further spaced apart arms.
21. Utility support apparatus according to claim 19 in which the base member defines at least one bore, the bore extend from one end of the cross member to the other end of the cross member along its length.
22. (canceled)
23. (canceled)
24. (canceled)
25. (canceled)
26. (canceled)
27. A structure configured to form part of a construction, the structure comprising utility support apparatus according to claim 1.
28. (canceled)
29. (canceled)
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0056] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following specific description, which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0057] FIG. 1 shows a floor structure from which utility support apparatus according to the present invention is suspended;
[0058] FIG. 2A shows first and second elongate arrangements and a cross member of the utility support apparatus of FIG. 1 before assembly;
[0059] FIG. 2B shows the first and second elongate arrangements and the cross member of FIG. 2A when assembled;
[0060] FIG. 3A shows the connection of an elongate arrangement and a cross member;
[0061] FIG. 3B shows alternative forms of elongate arrangement;
[0062] FIGS. 4A and 4B show cross sections through the alternative forms of elongate arrangement;
[0063] FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C show cross sections through alternative forms of cross member;
[0064] FIGS. 6A and 6B respectively show a cross section through and a perspective view of a further embodiment of cross member; and
[0065] FIGS. 7A and 7B respectively show a cross section through and a perspective view of a yet further embodiment of cross member.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0066] A floor structure 10 from which utility support apparatus 12 according to the present invention is suspended is shown in FIG. 1. The floor structure 10 comprises three parallel horizontal first struts 14 which extend from the front to the back of the floor structure. The horizontal first struts 14 are supported on legs 16 at spaced apart locations. Two horizontal second struts 18 extend from one side to another side of the floor structure 10. The two second struts 18 extend between opposite ends of the first struts 14 to define a box structure. Although not shown in FIG. 1 the floor structure 10 comprises decking which is laid over and attached to the first and second struts 14, 18 to form a raised floor. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the floor structure 10 defines a space underneath the box structure formed by the first and second struts 14, 18. Although the utility support apparatus 12 is shown in FIG. 1 as forming part of a floor structure the utility support apparatus 12 also forms part of other structures such as ceiling structures.
[0067] The utility support apparatus 12 comprises first and second pairs of elongate support arrangements. Each pair of elongate support arrangements comprises a first elongate support arrangement 20 and a second elongate support arrangement 22. The utility support apparatus 12 further comprises first and second cross members 24. The pairs of elongate support arrangements are spaced apart along the first struts 14. A first, proximal end of each elongate support arrangement 20, 22 is attached to a strut 14 by way of a bolt whereby the elongate support arrangements 20, 22 depend from the box structure formed by the first and second struts 14, 18.
[0068] Attachment of the elongate support arrangements to a strut is described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B. Each elongate support arrangement 20, 22 is attached at its distal end to an end of the cross member 24. More specifically each first elongate support arrangement 20 is attached to a first end of the cross member 24 and each second elongate support arrangement 22 is attached to a second opposite end of the cross member. A pair of elongate support arrangements and a cross member thus form a cradle. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the utility support apparatus 12 further comprises a cable tray of known form and function. The cable tray is placed so it is supported by the two spaced apart cradles formed by the elongate support arrangements and the cross members. In use, utility distribution elements such as electrical cables and ducts for conveying the like of water and gas are placed in the cable tray. The utility support apparatus 12 is therefore operative to support and contain the utility distribution elements in the space underneath the box structure formed by the first and second struts 14, 18. When the utility support apparatus 12 is suspended from an overhead structure, such as a ceiling, the upper ends of the elongate support arrangements are attached to struts in the overhead structure by way of bolts in the same fashion as described above for the floor structure. Otherwise an overhead structure suspended utility support apparatus 12 is operative to support a cable tray as described above.
[0069] First and second elongate arrangements and a cross member of the utility support apparatus of FIG. 1 are shown in FIG. 2A before assembly and in FIG. 2B when assembled. The utility support apparatus 30 of FIGS. 2A and 2B comprises a first elongate support arrangement 32 and a second elongate support arrangement 34. The utility support apparatus 30 further comprises a first cross member 36, a second cross member 38 and a third cross member 40. Each elongate support arrangement 32, 34 consists of a planar sheet of material. Each elongate support arrangement 32, 34 is 42 mm wide. As can be seen from FIGS. 2A and 2B, each elongate support arrangement 32, 34 defines plural first apertures 42 which are spaced apart equally along the elongate arrangement. Each first aperture 42 is substantially circular and is defined in the elongate support arrangement such that the first aperture is bisected by a longitudinal axis of the elongate arrangement. The first aperture has a diameter of 14 mm. An elongate support arrangement is attached to a first strut 14 of the structure of FIG. 1 by way of a bolt which is received in the first aperture 42 closest to the proximal end of the elongate support arrangement.
[0070] Each elongate support arrangement 32, 34 further defines plural pairs of a second aperture 44 and a third aperture 46 with the plural pairs of second and third apertures being spaced apart along the elongate support arrangement. The first to third apertures 42, 44, 46 lie in the plane defined by the elongate support arrangement. The second and third apertures 44, 46 are circular. Each of the second and third apertures 44, 46 has a diameter of 6 mm. The second apertures 44 are defined towards a first side of the elongate support arrangement and the third apertures 46 are defined towards a second, opposite side of the elongate support arrangement. The two opposite edges of the elongate support arrangement define plural spaced apart protrusions with each protrusion being proximate a second or third aperture whereby the second or third aperture can be defined closer to an edge of the elongate support arrangement without compromising the structural integrity of the elongate support arrangement. The centres of each second aperture 44 and third aperture 46 in a pair lie on a line which extends substantially orthogonally to a longitudinal axis of the elongate arrangement and such that the centres of the second and third apertures are substantially equally spaced from the longitudinal axis. Each first aperture 42 is equally spaced between adjacent pairs of second and third apertures 44, 46. A distance between a centre of a first aperture 42 and a centre of each of the second and third apertures 44, 46 of each of two adjacent pairs of second and third apertures is therefore substantially the same. Each elongate support arrangement 32, 34 is formed from a single sheet of aluminium by laser or water cutting. The apertures are formed at the same time by laser or water cutting. Each cross member is formed by extrusion of aluminium.
[0071] As can be seen from FIG. 2A, each of the first to third cross members 36, 38, 40 is connected to the first and second elongate arrangements 32, 34 by way of two pairs of screws 48. Considering the first cross member 36 first, a first one of the two end faces of the first cross member is presented to a face of the first elongate arrangement 32 such that two spaced apart recesses defined in the end face of the first cross member are in registration with a pair of second and third apertures 44, 46 defined in the first elongate arrangement 32. The form of the cross member, including the two recesses, is described below in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5C. Then one of a first pair of screws 48 is inserted through the second aperture 44 in the first elongate arrangement 32 and driven into the corresponding recess in the end face of the cross member 36. Another of the first pair of screws 48 is inserted through the third aperture 46 of the first elongate arrangement 32 and driven into the corresponding recess in the end face of the cross member 36. Connection of a cross member to first and second elongate arrangements 32, 34 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The cross member 36 is thus firmly connected to the first elongate arrangement 32. Thereafter a second opposite end face of the first cross member 36 is presented to a face of the second elongate arrangement 34 such that two spaced apart recesses defined in the second end face of the first cross member are in registration with a pair of second and third apertures 44, 46 defined in the second elongate arrangement 34. Another pair of screws 48 is used to firmly connect the first cross member 36 and the second elongate arrangement 34 to each other as described above with reference to the first elongate arrangement 32. The present procedure is repeated in respect of the second and third cross members 38, 40 at different locations along the first and second elongate arrangements 32, 34 to thereby form supports for three cable trays which are supported one above the other.
[0072] FIGS. 2A and 2B show a first alternative form of elongate arrangement 52 and a second alternative form of elongate arrangement 54. The first alternative form of elongate arrangement 52 comprises a first elongate planar member which is configured in respect of defining of plural first, second and third apertures as is described above with reference to the first and second elongate arrangements 32, 34. The first alternative form of elongate arrangement 52 further comprises two second elongate planar members which extend from respective opposite sides of the first elongate planar member in a direction orthogonal to the plane defined by the first elongate planar member. The two second elongate planar members extend away from one only of the two oppositely directed faces of the first elongate planar member to thereby define a channel. The first alternative form of elongate arrangement 52 is brought into use by receiving an end of a cross member in the channel. Otherwise the function of the first alternative form of elongate arrangement 52 is as described above with reference to the first and second elongate arrangements 32, 34. The second alternative form of elongate arrangement 54 has the same form as the first alternative form of elongate arrangement 52 except that the two second elongate planar members extend away from both of the two oppositely directed faces of the first elongate planar member to thereby define two oppositely directed channels. The second alternative form of elongate arrangement 54 is brought into use by receiving an end of a cross member in one of the two channels. Otherwise the function of the second alternative form of elongate arrangement 54 is as described above with reference to the first and second elongate arrangements 32, 34. The first alternative form of elongate arrangement 52 provides for greater longitudinal rigidity than the first and second elongate arrangements 32, 34 and the second alternative form of elongate arrangement 54 provides for greater longitudinal rigidity than the first alternative form of elongate arrangement 52. The first and second alternative forms of elongate arrangement 52, 54 can be used selectively to provide for greater rigidity depending on circumstances such as when the utility support apparatus is to be used in an offshore environment where it is likely to be subject to greater lateral forces than in a land based environment.
[0073] Cross sections through the first and second alternative forms of elongate arrangement are shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. As described above with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the first alternative form of elongate arrangement 52 comprises a first elongate planar member 62 and two second elongate planar members 64 which extend from respective opposite sides of the first elongate planar member 62 in a direction orthogonal to the plane defined by the first elongate planar member. The two second elongate planar members extend away from one only of the two oppositely directed faces of the first elongate planar member to thereby define a channel 66. The first alternative form of elongate arrangement 52 is 49 mm wide and 26 mm deep. As described above with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the second alternative form of elongate arrangement 54 comprises a first elongate planar member 72 and two second elongate planar members 74 which extend from respective opposite sides of the first elongate planar member 72 away from both of the two oppositely directed faces of the first elongate planar member 72 to thereby define first and second oppositely directed channels 76, 78. The second alternative form of elongate arrangement 54 is 49 mm wide and 36 mm deep.
[0074] Cross sections through three alternative forms of cross member are shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C. The first form of cross member 90 shown in FIG. 5A comprises a base member 92, a first arm 94 and a second arm 96. The first arm 94 extends from a first side of the base member 92 and the second arm 96 extends from a second, opposite side of the base member 92 whereby the base member 92 and the first and second arms 94, 96 define a channel 98. The first and second arms 94, 96 are of the same form and dimensions albeit mirror images of each other. The surface of the base member 92 that defines the channel 98 defines a recessed profile 100 whereby a bolt or screw that passes through the base member from the channel may be counter-sunk. The base member 92 defines first and second recesses 102, 104 which are defined in each end face of the cross member 90 and which extend from one end face to the other end face of the cross member 90. Each recess 102, 104 has the form of an open sided bore with the opening being oriented away from the channel 98. As described above with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, each of the first and second recesses 102, 104 is configured to receive a bolt or screw when the cross member 90 is being attached to an elongate arrangement 32, 34. The first form of cross member 90 is 42 mm wide and 30 mm deep.
[0075] The second form of cross member 110 shown in FIG. 5B comprises a base member 112, a first arm 114 and a second arm 116. The first arm 114 extends from a first side of the base member 112 and the second arm 116 extends from a second, opposite side of the base member 112 whereby the base member 112 and the first and second arms 114, 116 define a channel 118. The first and second arms 114, 116 are of the same form and dimensions albeit mirror images of each other. As described above with reference to FIG. 5A, the base member 112 of the second form of cross member 110 defines a recess for counter-sinking of a bolt or screw that passes through the base member from the channel 118. The base member 112 defines first and second recesses 122, 124 which are defined in each end face of the cross member 110 and which extend from one end face to the other end face of the cross member 110. As described above with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, each of the first and second recesses 122, 124 is configured to receive a bolt or screw when the cross member 110 is being attached to an elongate arrangement 32, 34. The base member 112 further defines a first bore 126 of generally rectangular cross section which extends between opposite ends of the cross member 110. A longitudinal axis of the first bore 126 substantially coincides with a longitudinal axis of the base member 112 whereby the first bore 126 is present beneath the base of the channel 118. The relatively thin section of base member 112 between the channel 118 and the first bore provides for ease of driving of a screw from the channel 118 through the base member 112 above the first bore 126. The base member 112 yet further defines two second bores 128 which extend between opposite ends of the cross member 110. Each second bore 128 is defined by two parallel short sides, one straight long side and one curved side. Each second bore 128 is present beneath a respective one of the first and second arms 114, 116. The second bores provide for saving on material used to form the cross member 110 without undue compromise on structural integrity. The base member 112 also defines two third bores 130 which extend between opposite ends of the cross member 110. Each of the two third bores 130 is of generally the same shape as the second bore 128. Each third bore 130 is present on the opposite side of a respective one of the first and second spaced apart recesses 122, 124 to the channel 118. In addition each third bore 130 is joined to a recess 122, 124 by way of a narrow passage. This configuration provides room for part of the material of the base member 112 that defines a recess to move into the space of the third bore 130 when a screw is being driven into the recess to thereby expand the recess and provide for improved ease of driving of the screw into the recess. The second form of cross member 110 is 42 mm wide and 42 mm deep.
[0076] The third form of cross member 140 shown in FIG. 5C comprises a base member 142, a first arm 144 and a second arm 146. The first arm 144 extends from a first side of the base member 142 and the second arm 146 extends from a second, opposite side of the base member 142 away from both of the two oppositely directed faces of the base member to thereby define first and second oppositely directed channels 148, 149. The first and second arms 144, 146 are of the same form and dimensions albeit mirror images of each other. The base member 142 defines first and second recesses 152, 154 which are defined in each end face of the cross member 140 and which extend from one end face to the other end face of the cross member 140. As described above with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, each of the first and second recesses 152, 154 is configured to receive a bolt or screw when the cross member 140 is being attached to an elongate arrangement 32, 34. The third form of cross member 140 is 42 mm wide and 61.3 mm deep. The base member 142 further defines a first bore 156 of generally circular cross section which extends between opposite ends of the cross member 140. A longitudinal axis of the first bore 156 substantially coincides with a longitudinal axis of the base member 142 whereby the first bore 156 is present beneath the base of the channels 148, 149. The relatively thin section of base member 142 between each channel 148, 149 and the first bore provides for ease of driving of a screw from a channel 148, 149 through the base member 142 above the first bore 156. The base member 142 yet further defines two pairs of second bores 158 which extend between opposite ends of the cross member 140. Each second bore 158 is generally triangular in cross-section. Each second bore 158 is present beneath a respective one of the two branches of the first and second arms 144, 146. The second bores provide for saving on material used to form the cross member 140 without undue compromise on structural integrity. The base member 142 also defines two third bores 160 which extend between opposite ends of the cross member 140. Each of the two third bores 160 is of generally triangular cross-section. Each third bore 160 is present between a respective recess 152, 154 and the first bore 156. In addition each third bore 160 is joined to a recess 152, 154 by way of a narrow passage. As described above with reference to FIG. 5B this configuration provides room for a recess to expand to thereby provide for improved ease of driving of a screw into the recess.
[0077] A cross section through a further embodiment of cross member 180 is shown in FIG. 6A and a perspective view of the further embodiment of cross member 180 is shown in FIG. 6B.
[0078] The cross member 180 of FIGS. 6A and 6B comprises a base member 182, a first arm 184 and a second arm 186. The first arm 184 extends from a first side of the base member 182 and the second arm 186 extends from a second, opposite side of the base member 182 whereby the base member 182 and the first and second arms 184, 186 define a channel 188. The first and second arms 184, 186 are of the same form and dimensions albeit mirror images of each other. The base member 182 defines a bore 190 which is located substantially centrally in the base member and which is a through bore such that it extends from one end of the cross member 180 to the other end of the cross member 180. The surface of the base member that defines the bore 190 defines a plurality of ridges which extend into the bore. The ridges are spaced apart substantially evenly around the bore. The base member 182 also defines first and second further bores 192, 194 of non-circular cross section which extend from one end face to the other end face of the cross member 180. The first and second further bores 192, 194 provide for saving on material used to form the cross member 180 without undue compromise on structural integrity. The longitudinal axes of the bore 190 and the first and second further bores 192, 194 are parallel to one another and to a longitudinal axis of the base member 182. The first and second further bores 192, 194 are formed in the base member 182 such that the fixing member receiving bore is between the first and second further bores 192, 194. The cross member 180 of FIGS. 6A and 6B is 42 mm wide and 38 mm deep.
[0079] The cross member 180 of FIGS. 6A and 6B is used to form the utility support apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 as follows. Elongate arrangements 54 according to FIG. 3B are attached to struts as described above with reference to FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B. The cross member 180 of FIGS. 6A and 6B is then attached between pairs of elongate arrangements 54 by passing a screw through an aperture formed midway across one of the elongate arrangements. The screw is then received in the bore 190 in one end of the cross member 180 and driven into the bore such that the threaded surface of the screw bites into the ridges in the bore. The cross member 180 and the elongate arrangement 54 are thus attached firmly to each other. A further screw is then used in the same fashion to attach the opposite end of the cross member 180 to the other one of the pair of elongate arrangements 54.
[0080] A cross section through a yet further embodiment of cross member 200 is shown in FIG. 7A and a perspective view of the further embodiment of cross member 200 is shown in FIG. 7B. Components common to the embodiment of FIGS. 6A and 6B and the embodiment of FIGS. 7A and 7B are designated by like reference numerals. The reader's attention is directed to the description provided above with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B for a description of such components in common. Components further to those of the embodiment of FIGS. 6A and 6B will now be described. The cross member 200 of FIGS. 7A and 7B comprises first and second further arms 202, 204. The first and second further arms extend from an oppositely directed face of the base member 182 to the two spaced apart arms 184, 186 and at opposite sides of the base member to thereby define a second channel 206 between the first and second further arms. Openings to the first and second channels 188, 206 are thus substantially oppositely directed. The cross member 200 of FIGS. 7A and 7B is 42 mm wide and 58 mm deep. The cross member 200 of FIGS. 7A and 7B is brought into use in the same fashion as the cross member 180 of FIGS. 6A and 6B.
