Supports – Pipe or cable – Brackets
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-11
2001-12-04
Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Pipe or cable
Brackets
C248S049000, C248S071000, C403S294000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325337
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a connector suitable for use in connecting articles together such as for example components of cable support apparatus.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Cable support apparatus which form a rigid structure for supporting cables are known and typically comprise a series of tray sections of selected length and shape which are connected together to form a cable support structure of selected configuration. These tray sections are adopted to be attached to a building wall or other structure. It is the current practice to interconnect adjacent tray sections by means of connectors sometimes referred to as fish plates. The currently used fish plates which are bolted to adjacent tray sections so as to hold the sections together. A typical system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,432,519.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved connector which is suitable for use with table support apparatus.
According to the present invention there is provided a connector for use in joining adjacent support sections of a cable support assembly, the support sections including a wall having connector mounting apertures therein; the connector including a main body and a plurality of fasteners extending from a fastener mounting surface of the main body, each fastener including a shank and a generally resiliently deformable head portion in the region of the free end of the shank, the head portion being deformable so that it can pass through a respective one of the mounting apertures of one of the support sections and subsequently adopt a configuration where, when the connector is in a fitted position retraction of the fastener head through the mounting aperture in the support section is inhibited.
The main body may, in one form, include a channel shaped plate which includes a main connector web one surface of which defines the fastener mounting surface and opposed flanges on opposite sides of the connector Web and the flanges extending from the web to either side of the fastener mounting surface thereof.
Preferably, the flanges form side rails which in the fitted position overlie the edges of the cable support sections. These flanges improve the load carrying capacity and restrict movement of the tray sections.
In one preferred form, the main body may be formed of plastics material such as Nylon™. Preferably, the nylon includes glass fibre therein. Any suitable manufacturing technique can be used to form the main body, for example, it may be moulded.
The connector may further include an electrical conductive element operatively connected to the main body so that in the assembled position abuts against the sections of the cable support assembly. The electrical conductive element may be urged in abutment against the sections by biassing means.
Preferably, the electrical conductive element includes a plate which includes mounting apertures therein through which the fastenings pass for movement relative thereto. In this way the plates is held on the main body of the connector. Preferably, the electrical conducting element is formed from copper foil.
There may further be provided biassing means for urging the electrical conductive element into abutment with the section of the support assembly when in the assembled position. In one preferred form, the biassing means may include one or more leaf springs secured to the main body. Preferably, the leaf springs are moulded to the main body. The purpose of the leaf springs is to increase the surface contact pressure of the plate in the wall of the tray sections. In another form of the invention the electrical conductive element may be integral with the main body. For example, it may be defined by the biassing means.
Preferably, the head portion of each fastener is generally arrow shaped or wedge shaped.
Preferably, the fastenings are moulded to the main body.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a further modified connector which is suitable for use with cable support apparatus.
According to the present invention there is provided a connector for use in joining adjacent sections of a cable support assembly. the sections including a wall having connector mounting apertures therein; the connector including a main body and a plurality of fastenings extending from a surface of the main body, each fastening including a shank portion and a generally resiliently deformable head portion in the region of the free end of the shank, the head portion being deformable so that it can pass through a respective one of the mounting apertures of one of the sections and in a fitted position subsequently adopt a configuration where retraction of the fastener head through the mounting aperture is inhibited, the connector further including biassing means which when the connector is in the fitted position, causes a biassing force towards the walls of the sections of the cable support assembly, said biassing means including one or more substantially resilient tabs in the main body of the connector, the or each said tab being configured so that in the fitted position the or each tab causes said biassing force.
Preferably, the or each tab includes a projecting portion which in an unstressed state projects from the main body. Preferably, the or each tab may be in the form of a substantially U-shaped cut out portion of the main body of the connector. Preferably, the free edge section of the U-shaped tab is of greater thickness than the remaining portion of the tab and thereby defines the projecting portion. In one particular embodiment, there are at least two tabs, the tabs being oriented in reverse configuration relative to one another.
preferably, the main body includes a channel shaped plate which includes a main connector web and opposed flanges on opposite sides of the connector web and extending from the web with the surface thereof Preferably, the electrical conductive element includes a plate which includes mounting apertures therein through which the fastenings pass for movement relative thereto.
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Ogden Bruce J.
Pedley John W.
Reinke Ronald J.
Chan Korie
Framatome Connectors International
Perman & Green LLP
Ramirez Ramon O.
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