A Support Hook, and a Support Management System using Same Field of the invention

[001] This invention relates to support hooks and management systems for use with cables, hoses and other articles, by the use of the support hooks.

[002] The invention is particularly suited for use with a channel section member, and in one form is suitable with a means to hang from a mine roof or other industrial site.

Background of the invention

[003] A form of metal channel beam which is commonly used, for example, in the mining industry has a base and two side walls, with the free ends of the side walls folded inwardly to form a J-shaped flange. Such a channel is sold under the trade name "UNISTRUT" (trade mark). ¹

[004] There are a number of cable supports in the form of a hook which can be attached to a wall or other support means. However, none of these are suitable for use with such a channel in a simple manner. In some cases, the cables are attached to metal beams by cable ties.

[005] Various arrangements such as cable trays, cable ladders, and the like, are used for carrying a plurality of cables. These can be bulky and lack versatility.

[006] It is desirable to provide a means for supporting cables which can be assembled and in which the cable can be installed efficiently. It is also desirable to provide a cable management arrangement which has a degree of versatility.

Summary of the invention

[007] The present invention provides a support hook having an open receiving portion, and an attachment segment or portion, wherein the attachment segment or portion includes one or more lugs adapted to engage a channel or recess of a support member, the attachment segment or portion including a through hole.

[008] The present invention also provide a support arrangement including one or more support hooks as described in the preceding paragraph, attached to a support member, wherein the bolt hole is adapted to receive a bolt connectable to a threaded channel engagement element by which the hook is attached to the support member.

[009] The support member can be a channel member having internal projections, wherein the channel engagement element includes a pair of opposite edges adapted to engage the internal projections.

[010] The opposite edges of the engagement element can be stepped.

[0 1] The present invention also provides a management system including two or more support members as described in the preceding paragraphs.

[012] One or more of the support members can be attached to a beam.

[013] One or more of the support members can includes a telescoping mounting portion. [014] One or more of the support members can include a hanging attachment or is adapted to receive a hanging attachment.

[015] One or more of the support members can include an extension leg.

[016] The extension leg can be a telescopic extension leg.

[017] The support member can be adapted to be hung from a ceiling location.

[018] The support member can include a formation to receive a threaded end of one of the following: a roof positioned bolt; a bolt; and anchor bolt; a side positioned bolt.

[019] The support member can include at least one recess to receive portions of the hook, so that the hook can be supported by the support member.

[020] A portion of the support member can include a threaded aperture to allow the support member to be connected to a like support member or mounted on a threaded shaft of one of the following: a ground engaging support, a wall engaging support; a ceiling engaging support.

[021] The present invention also provides a gang of hooks mounted to or formed on a support member, the hooks being located on at least one side of the support member.

[022] The hooks.can be located on at least two sides of the support member.

[023] A mounting hole can located at one or more ends of the support member, including an upper end and or a lower end.

[024] The hole can be one or more than one of the following: threaded; threaded and passes through the full length of the support member.

[025] The gang can be manufactured from one or more of the following: polymeric material; composite material; metal; non conductive metal; hooks of metal and captured within a polymeric support member; integrally moulded from a polymeric material.

[026] The present invention further provides a support hook arrangement forming a take up loop system, the arrangement comprising at least one first hook on a first support member extending towards at least one second support member, each second support member having at least one second hook, and at least one third hook, the second and third hooks being on opposite sides of a the second support members and extending in generally opposite directions, the second and third hooks extending in a direction which is lateral to the direction of extension of the f irst hook.

[027] At least one third support member can be included having at least one fourth hook thereon, where each fourth hook extends in a direction generally lateral to the direction of extension of the first hook.

[028] The first and second support members can be: both ceiling mounted; one ceiling mounted, the other ground or wall mounted; both ground mounted; both located on a beam which engages a ground location.

[029] The present invention further provides a strut for mounting a hook support thereto, the strut having an upper and lower strut member adapted for telescoping movement with respect to each other, the upper and lower strut each including attachment means for attachment of a winching means to the respective struts so that a relative retraction or extension movement between the upper and lower struts can be effected.

[030] The lower strut can move into and out of the upper strut.

[031] The attachment means can be a protrusion or formation attached to or formed on the side of each of the upper and lower struts.

[032] The attachment means can be a hitching formation or a hitching ring. .

[033] The upper and lower struts can include at least one aperture each which are adapted to align so as to be able to pass a pin or bolt through the aligned apertures, to thereby secure the struts against relative movement therebetween.

[034] The upper strut can include in its upper end one of the following, a threaded aperture; a hook; an attachment formation which will allow the strut to be connected to a ceiling or other location.

[035] The lower end of the lower strut can include attachment means to allow a support member which can have a hook attached thereto or not, as the case may be, or other support to be operatively connected to the lower end of the lower strut.

[036] The present invention further provides a channel engagement element including a pair of stepped opposite sides.

[037] The present invention also provides a beam or support hook mounting arrangement including a beam or support member mounting means at an upper end of a first post, a lower end of the first post engaging a height adjustable means mounted to a lower second post to which is attached a base member or plate to provide stability to the mounting arrangement.

[038] The beam mounting means can be provided with and can comprise a U-shaped formation located on top of the first post.

[039] A support member mounting means, which may or may not have a hook thereon, is provided in the form of a threaded spigot or aperture to receive a matching threaded member or aperture on a support member or is attachable to a support member, to which there may or may not be mounted a hook.

[040] A concrete block or plinth having an aperture through it can cooperate with the lower second post and base so as to provide additional stability to the mounting arrangement.

[041] The present invention also provides a channel engagement element, a gang of hooks, a strut, a support hook ,a support member, and a management system being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[042] The channel engagement element, gang of hooks, strut, support hook, support member, and management system can be utilised for cables and or hoses and or lines and or conduits and or other elongated articles.

[043] The support hook or gang of hooks as described above can includes one or more of the following: a recess into which can be received a head of a bolt; a recess which is bounded by side walls, to receive a head of a bolt; a recess which is bounded by side walls and which terminate in a chamfered or bevelled end, the recess receiving a head of a bolt; a support section which is formed from a T-shaped cross section; one or more apertures through which a cable tie, wire or cord can be threaded so as to secure articles to said hook; a lug arrangement which allows the hook to engage a support or strut channel in either a lateral or longitudinal alignment.

Brief description of the drawings

[044] An embodiment or embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[045] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a channel or support member with an attachment member or threaded channel engagement element;

[046] Figure 2 illustrates an attachment member or element;

[047] Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a support hook according to a first embodiment of the invention, connected to a channel or support member or element;

[048] Figure 4 illustrates a support hook;

[049] Figure 5 illustrates another support hook;

[050] Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of a support hook, such as that of Figure 5, connected to a channel or support member;

[051] Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of a further support hook, connected to a channel or support member.

[052] Figure 8 illustrates a cable, hose, line or elongated article management arrangement;

[053] Figure 9 illustrates a support hook adapted for use with an upright support member;

[054] Figure 10 illustrates a channel engagement element adapted for use with a management arrangement;

[055] Figure 11 is a schematic cross-section of an adjustable support member;

[056] Figure 1 1 A is a view similar to figure 1 , with a profiled nut to engage;

[057] Figure 12 shows a partial section of a telescopic support member arrangement;

[058] Figure 12A shows section through another telescopic support member arrangement;

[059] Figure 12B shows a cross section through a further telescopic support member arrangement;

[060] Figure 13 illustrates a cross sectional view similar to Figure 7 of a hook and a

horizontally oriented channel or support member;

[061] Figure 14 illustrates a perspective view of another hook or elongated article support;

[062] Figure 15 illustrates a front perspective view of a centre support member and its interaction with two hooks to form a double hook arrangement for hanging cables, lines, hoses etc from a mine roof;

[063] Figure 16 illustrates a side view of the centre support member of figure 15;

[064] Figure 17 illustrates a front view of the centre support member of figure 15; [065] Figure 18 illustrates a perspective view of another support member, such as a rail or post or channel, for supporting a hook member with lugs of a different shape such as illustrated in figure 19;

[066] Figure 19 illustrates a rear perspective view of a hook with shaped lugs for cooperating with the support member of figure 18;

[067] Figure 20 illustrates a perspective view of a gang of hooks which are integrally moulded or integrally formed with a support member;

[068] Figure 21 illustrates a cross section of a beam for use with the embodiment of figure 8, so as to provide support for beam mounted support members;

[069] Figure 22 illustrates a perspective view similar to figure 8, except that the support members are arranged so as to form a take up stand or take up loop arrangement;

[070] Figure 23 illustrates a plan view of the arrangement of figure 22;

[071 ] Figure 24 illustrates a schematic view of a telescoping strut to carry the support members of previous figures;

[072] Figure 25 illustrates a beam and support member mounting bracket on an Acrowprop which passes through a base block to provide a stable mounting platform for a beam;

[073] Figure 26 illustrates a bracket to receive a support member and the bracket having means for attachment to a beam such as in figures 8 or 22.

[074] Figure 27 Illustrates a lower rear perspective view of support hook;

[075] Figure 28 illustrates a front lower perspective view of the support hook of Figure 27;

[076] Figure 29 illustrates an upper rear perspective view of the support hook of Figure 27;

[077] Figure 30 illustrates a upper front perspective view of the support hook of Figure 27;

[078] Figure 31 illustrates a plan view of the support hook of Figure 27;

[079] Figure 32 illustrates a rear view of the support hook of Figure 27;

[080] Figure 33 illustrates a left side view of the support hook of Figure 27;

[081 ] Figure 34 illustrates a front view of the support hook of Figure 27;

[082] Figure 35 illustrates a rights side view of the support hook of Figure 27.

[083] The numbering convention used in the drawings is that the digits in front of the full stop indicate the drawing number, and the digits after the full stop are the element reference numbers. Where possible, the same element reference number is used in different drawings to indicate corresponding elements.

[084] The orientation of the drawings may be chosen to illustrate features of the embodiment of the invention, and should not be considered as a limitation on the orientation of the invention in use.

[085] It is understood that, unless indicated otherwise, the drawings are intended to be illustrative rather than exact representations, and are not necessarily drawn to scale. The orientation of the drawings is chosen to illustrate the features of the objects shown, and does not necessarily represent the orientation of the objects in use. Detailed description of the embodiment or embodiments

[086] The invention will be described with reference to the drawings. While the following description will be made with respect to cables, it will be understood that the present invention and its embodiments can be used to support in addition to cables, or alternatively thereto:

hoses, lines and or other elongated articles.

[087] Figure 1 illustrates a channel member 1.002 suitable for use as a support member, such as a rail if non vertical or as a post if vertical, to carry support hooks according to an

embodiment of the invention. The channel can be of any suitable length. It is common to provide such channels in 6m lengths and whilst they are most commonly used in a generally horizontal orientation, they can be used in a vertical orientation as well.

[088] The channel member has a base 1.004 and side walls 1.006, 1.008. The free ends or rims 1.012, 1.014 of the side walls are folded inwardly through about 180° to provide a hooked or J-shaped flange or rim.

[089] A channel engagement member 1.016, which can be generally described as a slidable nut, is adapted to fit under and engage the rims of the channel, and is optionally biased to the open end of the channel member 1.002 by means of a spring 1.0161. The engagement member is square or rectangular, and has at least one pair of opposite sides, eg, 2.024, 2.026 which are wider than the transverse space between the folded rims of the channel, but less the internal width of the channel below the rims, is the distance between the inner sides of the side walls. The channel engagement member includes a threaded bolt hole 2.022 to receive a bolt 1.018. The bolt can be used to attach articles to the channel.

[090] Figure 3 illustrates a support hook 3.030 attached to a channel arrangement such as shown in Figure 1 , but with the spring removed. Figure 4 illustrates a support hook suitable for use in the arrangement of figure 3.

[091] The hook 3.030 includes a support segment 3.032 which is open at the upper end to enable easy insertion or support of a cable. The support hook also includes an attachment or engagement segment 3.034 adapted for use with the channel member. The attachment or engagement segment 3.034 includes a lug 3.036 and a through hole (4.042 in Figure 4) which passes through the lug 3.036 to permit the bolt 3.018 to pass through the hook and engage with the engagement member 3.016.

[092] The lug 3.036 is adapted to fit between the edges of the rims 3.012, 3.014. The lug 3.036 can be a close fit to prevent undue twisting of the hook in use.

[093] In use, the bolt 3.018 is inserted through the bolt hole, (4,042) and engages the engagement element 3.016 so the hook 3.030 is drawn into contact with the rims 3.012, 3.014 as the bolt 3.018 is tightened. The lug 3.036 is located between a washer 3.038 provided between the bolt head and the hook.

[094] The curve of the support segment can be of the order of, but not limited to, 100mm, while the external curve can be of the order of 125mm. [095] Figure 4 illustrates a support hook 4.030 adapted for use in the arrangement of Figure 3. The hook has a J shape with a support segment 4.032 and an attachment or engagement segment 4.034. The lug 4.036 projects outwardly, i.e., away from the cable support recess. The attachment or engagement segment 4.034 includes the projecting lug 4.036. The lug 4.036 can be a rectangular box shape. In this embodiment the lug 4.036 is narrower than the width of the main body of the hook. A through hole 4.042 passes through the lug 4.036. The through hole 4.042 is adapted to receive a bolt, such as 3.018, to engage an engagement element or slidable nut such as 3.016 so the hook can be attached to a rail such as 3.002.

[096] Optionally, a second through hole 4.044 can be provided passing through the

attachment segment but located above the lug 4.036. In case the through hole 4.044 is used for the bolt hole, the upper wall of the lug 4.036 would interact with an outer wall of the rail to provide stability. Preferably the holes 4.042 and 4.044 are recessed on the hook side.

[097] Figures 5 & 6 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a hook 5.030 and its attachment to a rail. The attachment or engagement segment 5.034 of the hook 5.030 includes two lugs 5.052, 5.054 separated by a distance 5.056 sufficient to, receive a rail 6.002. The bolt passes through a through hole 5.042 in the wall of the engagement segment of the hook at attaches to the attachment element 6.016 so the hook is attached to the rail 6.002.

[098] As can be seen in Figure 5, the hook 5.030 can be formed using ribs to provide stiffness and decrease the weight and the amount of plastic from which the hook can be formed. The hook has an inner J-shaped wall 5.066, which joins an outer J-shaped wall 5.064. The walls 5.064, 5.066 are interconnected by a plurality of transverse ribs such as 5.058. An intermediate rib 5.062 can be formed approximately parallel to the inner wall 5.066 and the outer wall 5.064. The ribs 5.058, the intermediate rib 5.062, and the inner and outer walls 6.066, 6.064 thus provide a honeycomb arrangement which stiffens the hook.

[099] Figure 7 illustrates a hook and rail assembly using a hook having a different

configuration to that described previously. The attachment or engagement segment 7.034 of the hook of Figure 7 has three lugs 7.052, 7.054, and 7.072. The centre lug 7.072 is adapted to fit within the gap between the inward folds 7.012, 7.014 of the rail 7.002. The through hole for bolt 7.018 passes through the centre lug, 7.072.

[0100] Figure 8 illustrates a cable management arrangement using support posts 8.082. The support posts include a channel section 8.002 or are formed from such a channel section.

[0101] The posts 8.082 can be supported in a number of ways. The posts can have a footing 8.086, which are height adjustable like height adjustable props; or the posts can be attached to a support beam 8.088, eg, by brackets 8.550; or the posts can have a hanging attachment 8.096.

[0102] The posts are upright and carry one or more support hooks 8.030. The support hooks can be of the type shown in Figure 4, with a single lug with through hole passing through the lug. [0103] Where a beam is used, the beam footings 8.092 can be adjustable in height. For example, the footing 8.0Θ2 can have a telescopically extendable leg as is illustrated in figure 25 which shows an Acrowprop footing 25.400 which has its own base 25.402 an externally threaded post 25.404 having a vertical slots 25.406 therein allowing a support pin 25.408 to slide vertically under force or gravity depending upon whether the threaded collar 25.410 is wound upward or downward on the external thread. The pin 25.408 thus provides a moveable base upon which the base of upper post 25.412 will rest so as to set the U shaped beam mount 25.414, (made from upright rectangular plates as visible in figure 8 and 22) to a desired height. Such an arrangement would permit the beam 8.088 to be installed at an angle to the horizontal, or any appropriate angle.

[0104] As also illustrated in figure 25, (but not visible in figures 8 or 22) is a concrete block 25.420, which can be provided so as to provide Acrowprop footing 25.400 with suitable stability, allowing the arrangement of figure 8 to be run along a mine entry or over open ground, if necessary, and to provide a predetermined about of 'bracing" to prevent the system of figure 8 from tipping over in normal circumstances encountered in an industrial or mining environment. The concrete block 25.420 has a vertical hole 25.422 through it, and is of a size that allows the threaded post 25.404 to pass through it, allowing the underneath of the block 25.420 to exert by gravity a stabilising force onto the upper portions of the base 25.402. The Acrowprop 25.400 may need to be disassembled to pass through the hole 25.422 if a tight fitting hole is required and thus greater resistance to relative movement, or if a larger hole Is provided then

disassembly may not be required.

[0105] The beam is preferably of the cross section as illustrated in Figure 21 , and is

manufactured by means of the processes and features as described in WO2004/113637. From that document it is described as follows: FIG. 21 "shows one configuration of a beam when made by a continuous cold rolling process, which process is preferred because of its high cost efficiency and the ability to maintain small dimensional tolerances to produce beams of consistent quality.... the end faces 7 of hollow flanges 3 are formed as radiussed curves. The section efficiency of this configuration is inferior to a rectangular cross-section flange although there may be applications for this cross-sectional configuration.... Alternatively, it may be shaped further to form a flat end face with radiussed curves A full penetration weld seam 8 is formed between the free edges 5a of sides 5 and an inner surface 2a of web 2 by a high frequency electrical resistance or induction welding process as described generally in United States Patent 5,163, 225. The resultant beam is an integrally formed member which relies upon the ability to transmit load between outer flange sides 4 via a continuous web element 2 extending therebetween." Such a beam can have an alloy coating of zinc or alloys of zinc. Such a beam was available under the brand name LITE STEEL BEAM and provided the best compromise between greatest span and load carrying capability yet of sufficient lightness of mass, to enable a 6 metre length to be carried by two average workers. [0106] While such a beam as described above is preferred, other beams and beam shape can be readily used.

[0107] Alternatively, the support member 8.082 can include an extendable leg 8.084, as shown in Figure 8. The leg 8.084 can slide telescopically within the rail in a similar manner to

Acrowprops. Thus, the arrangement shown in Figure 8 could be used to enable a transition from floor mounted cables to ceiling suspended cables.

[0108] The beams can be supported on stand alone supports which can, if the cables need to run across open ground or longer spaces, can be held in place by bases which are "anchored" by cored concrete blocks, which are first threaded on to ground based supports, to anchor the base to the ground, and then the beams located on the supports. Then to the beams, the hooks and cable support systems described herein can be attached to the beams to run cable and other lines etc, form one location to another, over unroofed or open ground. Such supports can include an Acrowprop system attached to the base, so that undulations in the ground can be readily accommodated.

[0109] Figure 9 illustrates a hook 9.030 adapted for use with an upright channel member or support member. The attachment or engagement segment 9.034 includes three lugs 9.035, 9.037, 9.039 with gaps therebetween to receive the folded ends of the channel. A through hole 9.042 passes through the centre lug 9.037 for the purpose of bolting the attachment or engagement segment 9.034 to the channel rail by means of a slidable nut or member such as 6.016. The lug arrangement of the hook 9.030, namely that the centre lug 9.037 is square in configuration, and the heights of the lugs 9.035 and 9.039 correspond to the width of the channel in the uni-strut, allows the hook to be assembled to a uni-strut such that it is aligned with the direction of extension of the channel of the uni-strut or at 90 degrees thereto.

[0110] Figures 10 Illustrates a sliding nut or engagement element, while Figures 11 , 12, 12A and 12B illustrate arrangements which allow for telescoping construction. In figure 11 , the inner U-Channel shaped extension leg 11.084 provides a telescoping construction with the outer Uni- Strut channel 11.002, whereby an engagement element 10.102/11.102 adapted for use with a telescopic extension leg 11. 084 inside the channel 11.002. The extension leg 11.084 has a sliding fit in the channel 11.002.

[0111] Figure 12 illustrates the relationship between the rail 12.002 and the extension leg 12.084. The extension leg 12.084 is shown partly in ghost using dash line for clarity. The channel has a thickness T1 , height H1 , width W1 , and the folded rims form an inverted gap of width G. The space between the folds is W2.

[0112] The extension leg 12.084 is also a channel section with thickness T2, height H2. The free ends of the extension leg section extend to within the recess G formed by the folds 11.012, 11.014 to provide two dimensional guidance for the telescopic leg. Thus, the engagement element 10.102 cannot extend across the gap formed by the channel folds 11.012, 11.014. The engagement element thus has a width between sides 10.104, 10.106 which is sufficient the engage below the ends of the folds of the channel, but which does not project into the gap to the extent that it would interfere with the sliding leg 11.084. The sides 10.104, 10.106 are stepped to engage with the wall of the folded ends of the rail, as shown in Figure 1 1. The gap G can be wider than the thickness of the extending leg, so the sides 10.104, 10.106 can extend a short distance into the gap G without interfering with the sliding leg.

[0113] In one commercially available channel, the dimensions are:

[01 14] H1 = 41.3mm; W1 = 41.38mm; T1 = 2mm; W2 = 22.2mm; F = 7mm.

[01 5] Whereas figures 12A and 2B show telescoping arrangements where externally positioned square hollow sections 12A.084 and 12B.084 are utilised around a central uni-strut 12A.002 and 12B.002, which include a series of holes 12A.0841 and 12B.0841 which will be alignable with the holes 12A.022 and 12B.022 on the central uni-strut, so as to secure the relative positions of the SHSs 12A.084 and 12B.084 and the central uni-strut channels 12A.002 12B.002 respectively.

[0 6] The telescoping arrangement of figure 2B is similar to that of figure 12A, except that a front and rear half uni-strut channel member 12B.336 and 12B.337 have been attached by bolting or pinning to the exterior of the SHS 12B.084

[0117] Figure 12A illustrates an embodiment similar to Figure 1 , which utilises a sliding nut or engagement member as illustrated in Figure 10.

[0118] Figure 13 illustrates a support hook similar to that of Figure 6, where the upper lug 6.052 is removed. This allows for a hook of simpler manufacture to be manufactured which will still adequately perform the previously described functions. In this arrangement of figure 13, the hook is prevented from twisting relative to the rail 13.002, by the interaction of the lug 13.054 with the outer bottom edge of the support member 13.002.

[0119] Figure 14 illustrates perspective view a hook of a construction similar to that of Figure 7, however in this arrangement, the lugs 14.052, 14.054 and 14.072 are not across the full width of the attachment or engagement segment 14.034. The lugs 14.052, 14.054 and 14.072 are indicated as having a width W2, so as to fit into a blind recess of similar width in a centre support 15.200 such as that illustrated in figures 15 to 17, so as to be able to form either a single hangable support or a double hangable support. Further, by the lug 14.072 being generally square in arrangement and the lugs 14.054 and 14.052 being appropriately spaced from the adjacent lug 14.072, the hook of figure 14 can be assembled either longitudinally aligned, or laterally positioned, that is at 90 degrees, to a uni-strut, whereby the channel walls will fit in to the respective spaces between the three lugs.

[0120] As illustrated in Figure 15, 16 and 17, the lugs 15.052, 15.072 and 15.054 on respect hooks enter into the respective recess 15.202 on either side of the centre support 15.200. The width W2 is sized so that a light interference fit between the sides of the lugs and the side walls of respective recesses 15.202 will be formed, allowing a user to insert one into the other by hand, but forming a tight fit. [0121] Once one or two of the hooks are positioned in the centre support 17.202, a machine screw can be used to secure the attachment or engagement segments to the centre support 17.200. To effect this, the centre support 17.200 has an M8 square nut 17.204 moulded into the centre support 17.200 to allow the hook to be bolted thereto. The square nut is of a dimension or width that will allow a bolt or machine screw, of predetermined lengths to engage the nut 17.204 from either side of the centre support 17.200.

[0122] As best seen in Figures 15 and 17, the centre support 17.200 has a hollow rectangular upper segment 17.206 which at the top thereof, embedded into the polymeric material form which it is made, is a captured M24 nut 17.208 and a through aperture 17.210 which will allow a threaded end of a hanging roof bolt (not illustrated) to pass through the aperture and engage the nut 17.208. The void or hollow 17.212 allows the threaded end of the roof bolt to enter as the centre support 17.200 is screwed onto the threaded end of the roof bolt. This void 17.212 will also allow room, by virtue of its elongated height, for adjustment of the position of the centre support 17.200 relative to the mine roof.

[0123] In the base of the centre support 17.200 is a blind M24 threaded hole 17.216 to allow an M24 polymeric stud bolt to be fitted for the purpose of connecting the bottom of one centre support 17.200 to the top of a lower like centre support 17.200, so as to provide a gang of hooks if required. Instead of a blind M24 threaded hole, a captured nut could be provided to achieve the same effect.

[0124] The threaded hole 17.216 also allows the centre support 17.200 to be mounted onto an upwardly extending threaded spigot, such as on a threaded rod on a ground based support. This means that the centre support 17.200 can be used both as a ceiling based support or a ground based support to receive a hook and thus support cables.

[0125] Illustrated in figures 18 and 19 are respectively a support member, such as a post or rail, and a hook, which have T-shaped lugs 19.052, 19.054 and 19.072, which will slide in and engage matching T-shaped slots in the support member of figure 18.

[0126] Illustrated in figure 20 is a gang of four support hooks 20.030 each having an open receiving portion 20.032. Each hook 20.030 is integrally moulded with an elongated post or support member 20.0301 which has a threaded aperture 20.0302 in either end to allow threaded engagement at the top with a roof bolt and in the base with a ground based threaded support. If desired threaded hole can proceed all the way through the post 20.0301 , so that if required an installer can install one or two or three of the four hooks as a gang by cutting off the unwanted number of hooks. As the through hole will be threaded, a simple cut with a hacksaw or like tool, will provide a threaded upper and lower end for the installer to use to hang or mount the gang of hooks. While only four hooks are illustrated in figure 20 due to illustrative

convenience, the preferred number to have is 6 hooks on the support post. The hooks 20.030 can be located on the one side of the post, however, if desired the gang of hooks can be made whereby the hooks are integrally formed on both sides of the post. [0127] Such a gang as illustrated in Figure 20 can be manufactured by any known means, but a preferred means is that the support member and hooks are all integrally moulded in a mould, with the aperture being made at the same time, but threaded later, or the hole and thread being formed in a post moulding process. Alternatively the hooks and support member can be made from appropriate metals according to the location of their installation, whether electrically conductive or not, or from composite, or the hooks can be made from metal and embedded into the support member as the support member is moulded so that once the support member sets the hooks are captured within a polymeric support member.

[0128] Illustrated in figures 22 and 23 is a take up loop arrangement, which in this case is mounted on a support beam in a manner similar to that of Figure 8. In the embodiment of figures 22 and 23, the support hooks 22.030 are arranged so that the hooks 22.030 on support member 22.002A are directed to extend in the direction of the support member 22.002B, while the hooks 22.030 on the support member 22.002B, extend in opposite directions from the opposite sides of the support member 22.002B and those directions are at approximately 90 degrees to the direction of extension of the hooks on support member 22.002A. The support member 22.002C has hooks on only one side, and extend generally parallel to the hooks on support member 22.002B. This arrangement as best illustrated in figure 23, allows a cable from one side to be looped around the hooks on the support member 22.002A and 22.002B so that if excess cable is present it can be neatly stowed on the support arrangement and is readily accessible for release in case the excess cable needs to be used when a mining machine or the like moves to a new position further away from the support arrangement. The cable will pass over the hooks on support member 22.002C and the hooks on support member 22.002B which are on the same side as on support member 22.002C. Then the cable will be double backed over a hook on support member 22.002A and then be supported by hooks on support member 22.002B which are on the opposite side of the support member 22.002B, and so on until the excess cable is taken up to the desired amount.

[0129] While the system of figures 22 and 23 is beam mounted in the illustrations, it will be understood that the arrangement of hooks and their support members can be all suspended from the ceiling, or the support members can be supported by a combination of these.

[0130] Further, in the illustration of figures 5, 8 and 22, the spacing between support members 22.002A and 22.002B and 22.002C is approximately one metre, but may be at any appropriate spacing according to engineering requirements. The cable 23.999 is schematically shown looped around two adjacent struts or support members 22.002A and 22.002B, however in a normal application the loop length would or may be considerably greater than a one metre spacing and thus several support members 22.002B having oppositely directed hooks would be in the loop take up system. The looping is shown as being on adjacent support members, partly for conveniences, and further to illustrate a basic embodiment of the invention. [0131] Illustrated in figure 24 is a telescoping strut 24.300, which can be manufactured from square or round hollow sections or tubes. The strut 24.300 has an upper strut 24.302 which can be of any appropriate length, which is indicated by the discontinuity at 24.311. The strut 24.302 has at its top end a plug 24.313 or similar, which will allow a threaded aperture 24.312 to be formed therein. The threaded aperture 24.312 can receive a threaded spigot to which hook 24.314 is attached so as to allow the upper strut 24.301 to be hooked onto a steel mesh or other ceiling mounted support such as used in a mine. If the mine has roof bolts, then the threaded aperture 24.312 can be used to directly screw the upper strut 24.312 onto the tail end of a threaded roof or rock bolt, without the need for the hook 24.314.

[0132] At an appropriate location on the outside of the upper strut 24.302 there is attached or formed a hitching loop 24.322, the purpose of which will be described in more detail below.

[0133] The lower end of the strut 24.302 is hollow and allows a lower strut 24.304 to move into and out of the lower end of the upper strut 24.302. The upper strut 24.302 has at least one through aperture 24.308 which are adapted to align with holes 24.306 in the lower strut, so that the two struts can be secured by means of a pin or a bolt and nut, to prevent relative movement between them. The lower strut 24.304 has several holes 24.306 for this purpose.

[0134] At the lower end of the lower strut 24.304 is an internally threaded aperture in which can be received a threaded joiner to allow the lower end of strut 24.304 to receive central support such as 17.206 or 20.0302. Alternatively the lower end of the lower strut 24.304 can terminate in a male threaded end so as to screw directly into these support members to support the hooks.

[0135] The lower end of the lower strut 24.304 also includes a hitching ring 24.320 which is formed or attached thereto. Once the upper strut 24.300 is suspended from a ceiling location, and hooks supports mounted to the lower ends of lower strut 24.304, and cables or pipes laid on the hooks, an operator can raise the lower strut 24.304 relative to the upper strut 24.302, by connecting a winch or winching means between the hitching rings 24.322 and 24.320, to readily lift the cables, hooks and supporting struts to a desired height, without the need to awkwardly lift the cables or lines directly up to ceiling located hooks.

[0136] In the above description, the hanging of the hook system from a ceiling has been described in a general sense, with a specific mechanism being the use of the threaded aperture in the support member upper region to connect to a tail end of a roof bolt. However, in many underground mines the mine operator will suspend a steel or metal mesh along or across the ceiling of a mine, to prevent rock fall. In these situations a clevis hook or similar, which will preferably allow the hook to be closed off once the hook is attached to the mesh, so as to provide a rook based support to which the support member of a hook arrangement can be attached.

[0137] The height adjustable mounting base 25.400 of figure 25 is illustrated having a mounting 25.414 to receive a beam such as that having a profile as illustrated in Figure 21, or any other elongated profile beam such as an I beam or a rectangular hollow section beam. However, if desired the upper end of upper post 25.412 can alternatively, or in addition, to the mounting 25.414, be provided with a threaded aperture 25.413 so as to receive a threaded spigot which will allow a hook support such as illustrated in figure 20 to be mounted directly thereon.

[0138] Illustrated in figures 8 and 22, the support members to which the hooks are attached are indicated as being attached to the beams 8.088, 22.088 by means of bracket arrangements. Such a bracket 26.550 is illustrated in figure 26, where the bracket 26.550 Has a square hollow section vertical portion 26.556, with apertures 26.559 and 26.560 on adjacent sides thereof. The portion 26.556 receives a uni-strut or other hook support member and the apertures 26.559 and 26.560 allow the uni-strut or support member to be secured relative to the bracket 26.550.

[0139] The bracket 26.550 includes two horizontally projecting members 26.557 ad 26.558 which have aligned apertures 26.5571 and 26.5581 respectively. The aligned apertures allow a bolt to pass through in the manner illustrated in figures 8 and 22, so that the tightening of the bolt/nut assembly will enable the members 26.557 and 26.558 to clamp to the upper and lower edges, respectively, of the beam 8.088 or 22.088, which beam will be positioned inside the space or bight 26.551 between the members 26.557 and 26.558.

[0140] Such a bracket 26.550 allows for vertically oriented support members to be supported on a beam such as beam 22.088. While the main use for such an arrangement is to carry or mount hooks to the support members, the vertically oriented support members also allow other items to be attached thereto, such as vertically oriented cable trays and the like, with the ability to also attach hooks as described above, to locations above or below the cable trays, or through the cable tray, as required. This will accordingly yield a relatively versatile system, that has ability to meet demands of ever changing cable and conduit support requirements in industrial situations such as mines.

[0141] It will be noted in the support hook embodiments illustrated in the drawings, some of the support hooks, such as in figures 3,6,7,9, 13 and 14, the engagement section such as 3.034 has on its forward face, a surface against which a bolt head will rest when secured. Such a bolt head in these embodiments will sit proud of the forward surface. Whereas in other

embodiments, such as in figures 4, 5 and 19, a recessed portion such as 4.0341 , 5.0341 and 19.0341 is provided in the engagement sections 4.034,5.034 and 19.034 respectively, so that when a bolt head rests against the forward face, it is recessed relative to the other forward faces of the section 4.034 for example. This helps to prevent the bolt head from being contacted as cables or pipes are lifted out of the support hook, due to its recessed location.

[0 42] Illustrated in Figures 27 to 35 is another embodiment of a support hook for use with above described system. Like parts have been like numbered. The support hook of figures 27 to 35 differs from previously described hooks, in that the engagement section 28.034 has a walled recess 28.0341 which has a left side wall 28.0344 and a right side wall 28.0343 which in use will shield a bolt head located in the recess 28.0341 from being contacted when a cable or pipe moves axially through the support hook, as well as in a downward and upward direction relative to the support hook. The walls 29.0344 and 28.0343 terminate at their uppers extremities respectively in chamfered or bevelled ends 28.0346 and 28.0345. These chamfers assist in the support hook not gouging or otherwise damaging cables and or pipes etc which are inserted in eth support hook in a downward direction.

[0143] The recess 28.341 terminates at its lower end in an inclined surface 28.0342 which extends outwardly to the support surface of the support section 28.032.

[0144] Another feature of differentiation is that in the support hook of figures 27 to 35 there is provided a web 28.500 between the support section 28.032 and the engagement sections 28.034. The web includes recesses 28.0325, so as to conserve polymeric material which would otherwise be needed to fill the void. The web 28.500 assists in reinforcing the connection of the support section 28.032 to the engagement sections 28.034. The web 28.500 further includes a rectangular aperture 28.0326 through it so that an operator, if required to, can pass a cable tie, wire or cord or similar type of tying material through the aperture 28.0326.to thereby secure a pipe, hose or cable to the support hook. While this embodiment has the aperture 28.0326 in the web 28.500, other apertures in other locations can be provided in the embodiments for the purpose of receiving a cable tie, cord or wire or similar article.

[0145] It will also be noted that the support hook of figures 27 to 35 has a support section 28.032 which is generally of a T-shape cross section. The cross of the T is comprised of the support formation 28.0322, which is reinforced by the presence of the leg of the T, in the form of a lateral flange 28.0321. This cross section produces a relatively strong support section 28.032 while at the same time using less material to manufacture than some of the previously described embodiments.

[0146] Another difference as viewed in figure 27, is that the engagement section 27.034 has on its side that engages a Uni-strut, a generally square lug 27.036 through which is formed a bolt hole 27.042, as well as an intermediate lug 27.052 which is generally rectangular in formation and which extends laterally across the engagement section 27.034. The square lug 27.036 has its width and length both able to be received within the width of the channel of a uni-strut, allowing the support hook to be assembled in line with the uni-strut channel or at 90 degrees thereto, in a manner similar to that of figure 14.

[0147] There is also located, near the base of the engagement section 27.034, two vertically extending rectangular lugs 27.054, which are spaced apart. This arrangement allows the support hook to be assembled to a uni-strut so that all the lugs 27.036,27.052 and 27 .054 will sit within the channel of the Uni-strut and the outboard sides of the lugs all engage the respective channel surfaces, when the support hook is aligned with the channel of the uni-strut. Further the spacing of the lugs 27.054 from the lug 27.036 means that when all are located in the channel of a uni-strut, there is generated additional resistance (in addition to the shape of the lug 27.036) to prevent the support hook rotating around the bolt when assembled. Such rotation may otherwise occur, as a plumber or electrician might longitudinally adjust the location of a pipe, hose or a cable across the support hook.

[0148] The spacing of the lug 27.052 from the base of the square lug 27.036 also assists in the prevention of rotation of the support hook relative to the uni-strut in which it is assembled, by one side of the channel of the uni-strut sitting in this space, when the hook is positioned in the uni-strut such that the longitudinal direction of engagement section is at 90 degrees to the longitudinal direction of extension of the channel in the uni-strut.

[0149] In this specification, reference to a document, disclosure, or other publication or use is not an admission that the document, disclosure, publication or use forms part of the common general knowledge of the skilled worker in the field of this invention at the priority date of this specification, unless otherwise stated.

[0150] The word "telescopically" is used in its mechanical sense to describe an extension arrangement in which one member slides inside another member.

[0151] In this specification, terms indicating orientation or direction, such as "up", "down", "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right" "upright", "transverse" etc. are not intended to be absolute terms unless the context requires or indicates otherwise. These terms will normally refer to orientations shown in the drawings.

[0152] Where ever it is used, the word "comprising" is to be understood in its "open" sense, that is, in the sense of "including", and thus not limited to its "closed" sense, that is the sense of "consisting only of. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words "comprise", "comprised" and "comprises" where they appear.

[0153] It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

[0154] While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all modifications which would be obvious to those skilled in the art are therefore intended to be embraced therein.