FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally but not exclusively, relates to improvements in and relating to slotted framing systems, retrofittable parts and fittings therefor.

In particular, the present invention includes, and has application to, support frames and parts and fittings therefor, utilising slotted framing channels

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Mechanical framing systems which include slotted (U-shaped) metal channels which include a plurality of spaced apart slots therein and are well known in the art. The slotted channels can be used for a variety of different applications, some non-limiting examples of which, are set out below:

Electrical Industry examples include steel shelving units; computer racks; and cable containment systems.

Building services examples include electrical cable trays, cable clamps, cable baskets, supporting pipework for water systems or fire sprinkler piping systems, holding pipe clamps, side guides and pipe hangers.

Security services include supporting camera systems CCTV cameras, wiring and related support brackets.

Plumbing supporting various pipe work for hot and cold water, drainage using specific pipe clamps and munzing rings to suspend pipework.

It would be useful if there could be provided an alternate jointing solution to connect the slotted channels to each other in multiple ways acting as a customised suspension/support system for all building services to attach from that can be adapted in size and shape to suit the space unique to each area or space.

It would be useful if there could be provided a single clamp which is capable of being used for multiple purposes to reduce the number of different clamps or other components required for mechanical support systems. Furthermore, it would be advantageous if there could be provided a clamping system wherein structural elements such as brackets are held in placed in the slotted metal channels - via the slots - rather than the open U-face (i.e. semi-enclosed region) of the channel as with prior art clamping systems.

An advantage of providing a clamp which enables the open face of a slotted channel to remain open is that this provides more surface area for service providers to attach their specific pipe hangers, cable tray systems or other such devices to the slotted channels.

Alternatively, it is an object of the present invention to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a clamp for a clamp for a slotted framing system which includes: a base; a T-shaped or inverted L-shaped lock element extending from said base portion comprising a:

- T-bar portion and a leg portion; or

- L-bar portion and a leg portion; and wherein the base has been adapted for receiving at least two adjustable clamping elements; wherein in use the clamping elements are located on either side of the leg portion of the T-shaped or inverted L-shaped lock elements.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts for a slotted framing system which includes: a) a clamp which includes:

- a base portion;

- a T-shaped or inverted L-shaped lock element extending from said base portion comprising a:

- T-bar portion and a leg portion; or - L-bar portion and a leg portion; and wherein the base portion has been adapted for receiving two adjustable clamping elements; wherein in use the clamping elements are located on either side of the leg portion; and b) at least one structural element; wherein each structural element includes at least one slot dimensioned to, in-use:

- - receive the T-bar or L-bar portion of the clamp and enable the T-bar or L- bar portion to pass through the slot, when the respective longitudinal axes of the T-bar or L-Bar portion and slot are aligned;

- to prevent the T-bar or L-Bar portion from passing through the slot when the respective longitudinal axes are not aligned.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts for a slotted framing system substantially as described above wherein the kit further includes: c) a plurality of slotted (U-shaped) metal channels.

Preferably the longitudinal axis of the T-bar or L-Bar portion and an axis of the base portion which bisects the centre of the base, are substantially parallel and aligned (i.e. not offset) to one another, when viewed from the top or bottom of the clamp.

Further aspects of the present invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading of the following description which provides at least one example of a practical application of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the present invention will be described below by way of example only, and without intending to be limiting, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a clamp according to a preferred embodiment of one aspect of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a side view of the clamp in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows an end on view of the clamps in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a structural element in the form of one type of right- angled bracket according to a preferred embodiment of a further aspect of the present invention;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a structural element in the form of a different type of right-angled bracket, in use, in a racking system according to a preferred embodiment of a further aspect of the present invention;

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a structural element in the form of a still further different type of right-angled bracket, in use, in a racking system according to a preferred embodiment of a further aspect of the present invention;

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a structural element in the form of a base plate used to support a vertical 3-slotted channel member;

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a structural element in the form of a linear connecting element;

Figure 9 shows a perspective partial view of a racking system utilising the linear connecting element of Figure 8;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In relation to Figures 1 - 3 there is shown a clamp 100 for a slotted framing. The clamp 100 has a base 101 and a T-shaped lock element 102 which has a T-bar portion 103 and a leg portion 104.

The base 101 has two threaded apertures 105 on either side of the leg portion 104 which receive in use, adjustable clamping elements in the form of grub screws 106.

The base 101 has a major axis in the form of a longitudinal axis Y-Y which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X of the T-bar portion 103.

The T-bar portion 103 has a tip 107 which is facing the base 101. The tip 107 helps retain the clamp in place on the slotted channel once tightened. As the tip can create an indent on the surface of the slotted channel, or surface of a bracket, to assist with retarding sliding movement of the claim and holding the clamp in place. The clamp 100 also has a gripping washer 108 on the leg portion 104 made from rubber which in use helps hold the clamp in position until the grub screws have been fully tightened.

The base 101 also has two elongate projections 109 on opposed edges thereof which function as grips to assist with rotating the clamp to lock it within a slot of a U-shaped channel.

Figure 4 shows a right-angled structural element in the form of a right-angled bracket 400 which has a vertical arm 401 and a horizontal arm 402. The respective arms 401 and 402 are also linked via a reinforcing web 403.

Each arm 401 ,402 respectively has an elongate slot 404,405 therein.

Figure 5 shows a partial view of a racking system 500 which has a vertical 3-slotted U-shaped channel member 501 and a horizontal 3-slotted U-shaped channel member 502 each channel member 501 ,502 having a plurality of slots 503 in the three faces of the U-shape.

The respective vertical and horizontal orientated channel members 501 ,502 are held together at right-angles via a structural element in the form a right-angled bracket 504 having a vertical arm 505 with a slot 506 therein and a horizontal arm 507 with a slot 508 therein.

Clamps 100 as shown in Figures 1 - 3 have been passed through slots 506, 508 in the bracket 504 and slots 503 in the respective channel members 501 and 502 and then rotated so the T- bar portion (not shown) is substantially at 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the slots 503. The grub screws 106 of the clamps 100 are then tightened to hold the channels 501 ,502 together.

Figure 6 shows a partial view of a racking system 500 utilising a different type of right-angled bracket 600 to that shown in Figure 5.

The bracket 600 in this case again has a vertical arm 601 and a horizontal arm 602 with respective slots 603, 604. The bracket 600 is being used to connect a vertically oriented 3- slotted channel member 605 to horizontally oriented 3-slotted channel members 606 and 607 respectively via clamps 100.

As can be seen one of the clamps 100 has the longitudinal axis of its T-bar portion at 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the slot 503 in 3-slotted horizontal channel member 606. Whereas the other two 3-slotted clamps 100 have the longitudinal axis of the T-bar at 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the respective slots 503 in the vertical and horizontal channel members 605 and 607. Figure 7 shows a structural element in the form of a base plate 700 which has a foot portion 701 and an upright portion 702 projecting therefrom. The upright portion 702 is in the form of a 3- slotted channel 702 with slots 704 therein.

Fitted into the upright portion 702 is a vertical 3-slotted channel member 705 which has slots 706 therein. Clamps 100 are used to secure the 3-slotted channel 705 to upright portion 702 via the respective slots 704 and 706.

Figure 8 shows a structural member in the form of a linear connecting element 800 which has a stop tab 801 projecting orthogonally therefrom at one end thereof and a slot 802 therein.

In Figure 9 there is a racking system 900 having a linear connecting element 800 is connected to a first 3-slotted channel member 801 and a second 3-slotted channel member 802 both members 801 , 802 being located on longitudinal axis Z-Z. Interspersed orthogonally between the first and second 3-slotted channels 801 ,802 is third 3-slotted channel member 803 which has a longitudinal axis Y-Y which is at 90 degrees to axis Z-Z.

Clamps 100 are used to secure the respective 3-slotted channels 801 , 802 and 803 via the respective slots 804 therein.

DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION AND ALTERNATE WAYS TO IMPLEMENT

The present invention has application to known slotted framing systems particularly those which utilise rolled formed slotted-metal channels also known as single-slotted or 3-slotted channels/struts which respectively have a plurality of slots running along:

- the centre face of the channel/strut; or

- the length of each face of the channel/strut.

In relation to the present invention the base of the clamp may have a variety of different configurations without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In one preferred embodiment the base of the clamp may have a substantially elongate profile.

In other embodiments the base of the have a substantially square or circular profile.

The base may be adapted for receiving the clamping members in a number of ways.

In one example the base may have threaded apertures. The clamping members being in the form of screws or bolts. In another example the base may have slots for receiving cams therein each slot including opposed aligned side apertures to receive cam axles therein once the cam is properly located within said slots.

The T-bar portion of the T-shaped lock element may be dimensioned to fit within slots in a framing channel or support tray when the respective longitudinal axes of the T-bar portion and slot are substantially aligned with one another.

Conversely, when the longitudinal axis of the T-bar portion is not substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the slot the T-bar portion can not fit within, nor pass through the slot.

In a preferred embodiment, the T-bar portion may have a pointed (i.e. tipped) profile when viewed side on. The tip of the point facing the base of the clamp. This tip helps the clamp bed into a channel, bracket or support tray when the clamping elements apply a clamping force.

The clamping members in one embodiment are in the form of a threadable element. Preferably, the threadable element may be in the form of a grub screw.

In another embodiment the clamping members may be in the form of rotatable cam elements. The cam elements fitting within a notch on outside of the base of the clamp and allowing for quick and tool free assembly.

The gripping washer may be made from a variety of materials without departing from the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment the gripping washer may be made from rubber.

Alternatively, the gripping washer may be made from silicon or other materials having a suitable frictional co-efficient to help hold the clamp in place until the clamping elements are fully tightened.

The structural elements may come in any number of different forms. Some non-limiting examples are given below.

In a first example a structural element may be in the form of a right-angled bracket.

In a second example the structural element may be in the form of a base plate member.

In a third example the structural element may be in the form of a linear connecting element.

In a fourth example the structural element may be in the form of a tray element.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other structural elements may also be of application to the present invention. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”. The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications cited above and below, if any, are herein incorporated by reference.

Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour in any country in the world. The present invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents thereof, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be included within the present invention.