INTERCONNECTION OF TRAYS

Description

Technical Field of the Invention The invention relates to cable trays used as power transmission lines in industrial plants (big industrial plants), hangars, tunnels, infrastructure facilities, congress centres, schools, universities, collective housing, hospitals, sports facilities and complexes, hotels, shopping centres and any and all similar living and transportation areas.

The invention particularly relates to cable trays of high strength (strength) because of their structural designs, and easy and quick to install, and a method for combination of said trays.

Background of the Invention

It is known that cable trays are used for power transmission in the related art. The said cable trays are particularly preferred in several business centres such as industrial plants and shopping centres where high technology systems are used together in order to avoid the environmental pollution caused by cables and also to provide safety of cables. Cable trays are the installation members allowing passage of several cables through them and thus providing safety of cables as well as eliminating cable pollution. It is possible to install trays of desired sizes by means of combining more than one tray parts in cable trays. Physical sizes and raw material thicknesses of the cable trays vary depending on number of cables passing through them and the weight to be caused by the cables. In case the number of cables to pass through it is much, cable trays of high strength should be used, which is provided by means of more thickness of raw material in the related art. However, higher thickness of raw material increases manufacturing and transportation costs of the said trays considerably. For that reason, cable trays providing high strength with the same material thickness are needed. Moreover, in the related art although the raw materials selected for cable trays used in power transmission lines are thick, carrying capacities thereof are poor because of structural designs. Adequacy of raw material thickness is not sufficient on its own to increase carrying capacity of cable trays and high weight of the trays also causes reduction in use life thereof by means of causing adverse impacts such as flexing in areas of use. The existing products used in the areas where high temperature differences occur (desert climate, polar climate, areas where night time and day time temperatures differ) undergo deformation. Despite the fact that the raw materials of cable trays used in the related art is thick, the strength is low because of poor structural design, and life and material loss occurs in case of fire, hitting and during transportation, shipment.

Another disadvantage of the related art experienced in terms of installation of cable trays used in power transmission lines is that quick and easy combination of trays is not possible. It is particularly very important in big operations to conduct this operation (combination of parts) quickly. Quick and easy combination of cable trays for the sake of reducing workmanship cost will also shorten the period of installation of line connections without compromising from security.

Protection of life safety of installation operators working in installation of cable trays is also considerably important. Capability to perform installation works easily and in a short time particularly high places and narrow areas by operators installing cable trays is also necessary. Connection of existing products is made by use of additional parts and bolts. Since the installation areas and passage places of cable trays are not convenient for working, each unit used extra (in high places and narrow areas) distracts attention and requires working with 2 hands and endangers the life safety of installation operators.

In the applications of the related art, additional parts, bolts and clamps are used for interconnection of trays. And this damages general economy and natural sources and thus causes extra costs. In addition, it causes time, transportation and installation burdens for the final user. Moreover, use of clamps during pre-installation cause extra burden for operator. Since the operator is to carry each additional part to be used for connection of trays, extra work load occurs during installation.

One of the matter which is studied in the related art is the performance of interconnection of cable trays by use of less members and more quickly. In the light of the technical problems solved in parallel to developments in technologies related to the said cable (carrying) trays used for power transmission, it is possible to see patent Applications made by several firms. For instance, European patent numbered EP1788681 filed by Interflex firm has aimed to provide quick engagement of cable trays and for this purpose, stretches have been provided on upper parts of the trays. Another example for cable trays is disclosed under the PTC patent application numbered WO2009007020 filed by Niedax firm. The number of examples that can be given for the applications related to cable trays can be increased but the solutions for quick and easy engagement of trays without need for extra parts are inadequate in the documents of the related art.

When the developments in the related art and the patent applications filed are examined together, the need for cable trays having high strength and quick and easy to install and existence of need for such embodiment and inadequacy of the existing solutions in the related art have necessitated a development in the related art.

Brief Description of the Invention

The present invention relates to a easy engaging cable trays of high strength meeting the needs mentioned above, eliminating all disadvantages and providing some additional advantages.

From the current status of the related art, the purpose of the invention is to realize operation of trays by the installation operator in a easy and quick manner. As the trays are engaged into each other, it is easy to perform installation by use of one hand. When it is needed to use hardware materials during installation, the hardware material (fixing nut) fixed onto the product is ready for use. The only thing to be done is to rotate clockwise the hardware material ready for use. No extra parts, clamps or additional installation members are needed while interconnecting the trays.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide installation by one operator with one single hand, quickly and safely and without endangering life safety since no extra installation apparatus is used.

More specifically, the purpose of the invention is to disclose a cable tray of maximum strength with minimum sheet thickness. Thus the problems arising during the installation and transportation problems arising from raw material weights of the cable trays have been minimized. The carrying capacity provided by 2mm thick sheet in the products produced in the related art is provided by 0,70mm thick sheet in the cable tray being subject of this invention.

The purpose of the invention is to provide prevention of life and property loss occurring during transportation and shipment in case of fire, hitting. Another purpose of the invention is to provide low weight of raw material. In respect to building static, it does not cause additional load onto building as the weight is low because of low sheet thickness.

A further purpose of the invention is to provide more quick and easier engagement of trays. Thus workmanship and time loss will decrease. A further purpose of the invention is to minimize the probabilities that might cause damage because of their structure during loading of members (cables) to be carried by trays being subject of the invention. For instance, the dirt that might occur during drilling holes is in base form.

Another purpose of the invention is that no extra clamps and/or similar locking members are needed for pre-installation.

In order to achieve the above mentioned purposes, the invention is cable tray containing carrying base manufactured of different width depending on desired capacity of carrying, side walls located vertically on both sides of the said carrying base, used in industrial plants (big industrial plants), hangars, tunnels, hospitals, sports complexes, hotels, shopping centres and any and all similar living and transportation areas and whereon the material to be carried -preferably cable- are passed and it comprises H type transversal base forms of each cable tray to be interconnected, increasing strength homogenously distributed on the said base in order to increase the transverse strength and carrying capacity of the tray and base forms increasing strength provided longitudinally in two equal distribution position on the base, nut corresponding rim provided on one end mutually and nut sitting surface, fixing nut on other end in a manner corresponding to the said rim and sitting surface respectively and bolt space wherein the bolt is passed in such that the end of the cable tray containing fixing (fixed) nut and bolt is engaged into rim corresponding to the nut on other cable tray and bolt sitting surface from top and containing locking clamps bevelling proper engagement after interconnection of trays and providing reference for other engagement members and minimizing imbalances, wastes and elevation difference that might occur when the said trays are connected and thus providing proper installation.

In preferred embodiments, the method for engagement of trays being subject of the method comprises operation steps of tightening of the bolts by use of a bolt tightening means until leaving a space of 2-3 mm after placing the bolts into bolt space manually by the installation operator, positioning the tray having nut placed, into other tray in a manner allowing engagement into the corresponding nut rim on the other cable tray and bolt sitting surface from top, bending 180° the locking clamps located under the tray by means of at least one locking bending means -preferably pliers- and locking thereof after operation of engagement of the trays.

In order to achieve all advantages mentioned above and to be understood better with the detailed description given below, the present invention provides several advantages together with the said characteristics. The structural and characteristic features and all advantages of the invention will be understood better in the figures given below and the detailed description by reference to the figures. Therefore, the assessment should be made based on the figures and taking into account the detailed descriptions.

Brief Description of Figures In order to make the embodiment and additional members being subject of the present invention as well as the advantages clearer for better understanding, it should be assessed with reference to the fallowing described figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the cable tray being subject of the invention,

Figure 2a is a view indicating steps of installation (engagement) of the cable tray. Figure 2b is a view indicating steps of installation (engagement) of the cable tray.

Figure 2c is a view indicating steps of installation (engagement) of the cable tray.

Figure 2d is a view indicating steps of installation (engagement) of the cable tray. Figure 2e is a view indicating steps of installation (engagement) of the cable tray.

Figure 2f is a view indicating steps of installation (engagement) of the cable tray.

Figure 2g is a view indicating steps of installation (engagement) of the cable tray.

Figure 2h is a view indicating steps of installation (engagement) of the cable tray. Figure 2j is a view indicating steps of installation (engagement) of the cable tray.

Figure 3a is a view of members required for fixing the cable tray being subject of the invention in the area where it will be used.

Figure 3b is a perspective (top) view indicating the status where the cable tray being subject of the invention has been fixed in the area where it will be used. Figure 3c is an illustrative view of separated embodiment of the cable tray being subject of the invention by use of bracket.,

Figure 3d is an isometric (bottom) view indicating the status where the cable tray being subject of the invention has been fixed in the area where it will be used.

Reference Numbers and Abbreviations 1. Carrying base

2. Side wall

3. Transverse base forms

4. Longitudinal base forms

5. Feeder

6. Fixing (fixed) nut

7. Longitudinal side wall forms

8. Locking clamps

9. Fixing (fixed) nut corresponding rim

10. Longitudinal side wall upper bending

11. Middle connection holes

12. Bolt

3. Bolt sitting surface

14. bolt tightening mean (brace) 15. Locking clamp bending means(pincers)

16. Fixing spaces

17. Fixing means

18. TiJ hanging u support console

19. TlJ hanging clamp support console

20. TIJ supporting wall support console

21. TIJ hanging ceiling connection

22. Profile hanging support console

23. Bolt space Detailed Description of the Invention

In this detailed description, easy engaging cable tray of high strength being subject of this invention has been disclosed solely for the purpose of better understanding of the subject and described in a manner not causing any restrictive effect.

A perspective view of the cable tray is shown Figure 1. The cable tray being subject of the invention comprises carrying base (1) manufactured in different widths subject to desired capacity of carrying, where the material -preferably cable= is to be passed, side walls (2) vertically combined on both sides of the said carrying base (1). In order to increase the transverse strength and carrying capacity of the cable tray, H type transverse base forms (3) distributed homogenously on the said base (1) and base forms (4) spread in two equal distributed positions longitudinally on the base (1) have been provided. H type transverse base forms provides high strength for the said cable tray. H type transverse base forms simulated as a result of all studies conducted provides obtaining a cable tray of more strength than those existing base forms of higher sheet thickness even in case of use of sheet of lower thickness. Also longitudinal base forms have another important effect for increasing strength. In addition, in order to provide a high strength and high carrying capacity despite low thickness of the sheet of the said cable tray, feeders (5) reducing the transverse flexing of the tray in joint places where the carrying base (1) and side walls (2) joint, and providing strength against strokes that might come from side have been provided. Moreover, the longitudinal side wall forms (7) enhancing the strength along the cable tray and carrying capacity of cable tray, reducing flexibility and providing strength against strokes that might come from side extend parallel to the said carrying base (1) on the said side walls (2). In order to enhance the longitudinal strength and carrying capacity of cable tray, to reduce flexibility and to provide strength against strokes that might come from side, longitudinal side wall upper bendings (10) have provided along the wall (2) in upper parts of the said side walls (2). Forming tray of desired length is provided by means of connecting more than one cable tray. Nut corresponding rim (9) and bolt sitting surface (13) are located on one end of the cable trays in corresponding manner. Fixing nut (6) and bolt (12) are located on the rim and sitting surface (9,13) on other ends in a manner corresponding to each other respectively. For quick and easy connection of cable trays, the connection operation is completed by placing in a manner that one end of the cable tray containing fixing nut (6) and bolt (12) lock into the rim and bolt sitting surface (9, 13) corresponding thereto on other cable tray from top. Locking clamps (8) bevelling proper engagement after interconnection of trays and providing reference for other engagement members and preventing disconnection of the trays during connection and thus minimizing the accident risk that might occur during connection of trays, providing work security, minimizing the imbalances, wastes and elevation difference that might occur when the said trays are connected and thus providing proper installation are bended by a bending means (15) and locking operation is completed.

Figure 2a is a view indicating steps of installation (engagement) of the cable tray. As shown in the figure, after the said bolts (12) are rimmed manually by installation operator, they are tightened until leaving a space of 2-3 mm by use of at least one bolt tightening means -brace- (14) and it is visually checked that the space of bolts (12) is 2-3 mm (Figure 2b, detail A). Fixing nut (6) is located on the side corresponding to the end of the tightened tray bolt (12). The tray of which bolt (12) is placed is placed into other tray in a manner it can lock from top into the nut corresponding rim located on the other cable tray bolt sitting surface (9, 13) (Figure 2c). The operator checks if the nut (6) locks into fixing nut rim and the bolt into the bolt sitting surface (9, 13) ^' (Figure 2d, Detail B). The tray locked into the fixing nut rim and bolt sitting surface (9, 13) from top is sit into the housing by pushing tray manually. The bolts (12) are tightened at the recommended torque by use of at least one bolt tightening mean -brace- (14) (figure 2f). After completion of interconnection of trays, the position of the locking clamps (8) located under the tray is as indicated in Detail C of Figure 2g. The said locking clamps (8) is twisted 180 degrees by use of at least one locking clamp bending mean - preferably pliers- (15) (Figure 2h, Detail D). In the next operation, the fixing means - preferably screw- (17) located on bolt sitting surface (13) and fixing spaces (16) extending transversely on the carrying base (1) are tightened and the installation is completed.

Figure 3a is a view of members required for fixing the cable tray being subject of the invention in the area where it will be used. Where: TIJ hanging u support console (18), TIJ hanging clamp support console (19), TIJ supporting wall support console (20), TIJ hanging connection (21) and profile hanging support console (22) are shown. Figure 3b is a perspective (top) view indicating the status where the cable tray being subject of the invention has been fixed by means of members (18, 19, 20, 21 , 22) shown in Figure 3a in the area where it will be used. Figure 3c is an illustrative view of preferred separated embodiment of the cable tray being subject of the invention by use of bracket., Figure 3d is an isometric (bottom) view indicating the status where the cable tray being subject of the invention has been fixed in the area where it will be used in order to provide better understanding of the subject. In alternative embodiments of the invention cable trays not having feeders, longitudinal side wall forms or longitudinal side wall top bendings and where holes of different geometric structure are located are realized. All of these alternative embodiments will remain within scope of cable tray being subject of the invention.

The protection area of this application has been specified under claims and cannot be limited to the descriptions only given as sampling above. It is clear that any innovation can be provided by a person skilled in the related art by use of the similar embodiments and/or can also apply this embodiment in other areas for similar purposes used in the related art. Therefore, such embodiments will be lack of innovation criteria and particularly exceeding the related art in existence of our application.