Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Including component designed to receive a disparate article... – Task-area type repositionable component
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-22
2001-02-13
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Including component designed to receive a disparate article...
Task-area type repositionable component
C052S220100, C052S036500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06185876
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to an installation duct for receiving at least gas outlet couplings.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Installation ducts of this type are used to provide compressed gases and electricity in different areas of a building and are arranged, in general, on the walls of the building. Compressed gases are needed, e.g., in rooms used for medical purposes for therapeutic devices.
An installation duct, through which electric and pneumatic supply lines are led to the outlets located at cover plates of the installation duct, has been known from DE 39 37 518 A1. The cover plates are designed here such that they can be screwed to the side walls of the installation duct, so that a common duct is enclosed by the cover plates and the side walls. Similar installation ducts are also used for fastening to building walls.
The drawback of the prior-art installation duct is that the gas supply lines leading to the pneumatic connections, hereinafter called gas outlet couplings, are accessible only with the cover plate removed and the connection of the gas supply lines to the connecting branch of the gas outlet couplings is hindered by the side walls of the installation duct. Since the position of the gas supply lines within the installation duct changes due to the removal of the cover plate from the side walls or the mounting of the cover plate on the side walls, a leakage test must be performed with the cover plate removed and with the cover plate mounted alike. Should the gas connection be leakproof with the cover plate mounted but leaky with the cover plate mounted, it is not possible to analyze the causes from the outside. In addition, only flexible gas supply lines, but no rigid pipelines can be used in the prior-art installation duct.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention is to improve an installation duct such that the gas supply lines leading to the gas outlet couplings can be laid in a simple manner and that their position cannot change thereafter.
According to the invention, an installation duct is provided for receiving at least gas outlet couplings. A rail-like connection plate is disposable on a mounting surface. Gas outlet couplings are fastened to the connection plate. A middle part, disposable on the connection plate, has an upper side wall, a lower side wall and a support plate, which connects the side walls in an H-shaped pattern and is located between the said side walls. Openings in the support plate in the area of the gas outlet couplings are dimensioned such that the gas outlet couplings can be led through the openings. A cover plate is fastened to end parts of the side walls pointing opposite the connection plate. The cover plate has passage openings for the gas outlet couplings.
According to another aspect of the invention, the installation duct with rail-like connection plate, middle part and cover is installed and used.
The advantage of the present invention is essentially that a rail-like connection plate, used as a fastening surface for the gas outlet couplings, is first fastened to the wall surface carrying the installation duct, so that the gas outlet couplings are fixed on the wall surface and can be connected to the gas supply lines specifically for the particular types of gas. The gas supply lines may be designed as copper pipes. Since the gas outlet couplings are seated elevated on the connection plate, the connections to the corresponding gas supply lines can be performed without special tools because the connecting branches of the gas outlet couplings are accessible on all sides. A leakage test of the gas-carrying supply lines and of the gas outlet couplings is subsequently possible. Possible leakage points can be localized in a simple manner because of free accessibility on all sides.
In a second step, a middle part of the installation duct is placed on the connection plate and is screwed thereto. The middle part comprises two side walls, which are arranged in parallel to one another and are connected to one another via a support plate in an H-shaped pattern. The middle part is designed as a one-piece extruded section. The support plate has openings, through which the gas outlet couplings can be led during the connection of the middle part to the connection plate. A cover plate is then placed on the end parts of the side walls facing away from the connection plate, the side walls being provided with passage openings at the level of the gas outlet couplings. Gas outlet plugs can thus be introduced into the gas outlet couplings from the outside.
The middle part is advantageously designed as a part that can be inserted into the connection plate. To achieve this, the end area of the upper side wall is provided with individual legs bent off at right angles in the downward direction, which can be inserted into a groove located between the connection plate and the mounting surface.
The connection plate is advantageously provided with a projection, on which the gas outlet couplings are mounted. A free space, by which the connection of the gas supply lines to the connecting branches is substantially simplified, is thus created between the mounting surface and the connecting branches of the gas outlet couplings.
The support plate is preferably fastened between the side walls such that it covers the projection of the connection plate when the middle part is placed on the connection plate. Two supply ducts are thus created within the installation duct, namely, a first duct between the projection, the connection plate, the support plate and the side walls, through which gas supply lines can be led, and a second duct for electric lines is defined by the cover plate, the support plate and the side walls.
The end parts of the side walls are advantageously designed to receive additional connection plates. For example, snap connections, with which the connection plates are fixed to the end parts, are suitable fastening elements for the connection plates. Additional connection plates may be provided with electric outlets. An installation duct thus offers both pneumatic and electric energy.
The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment shown, but a plurality of connection plates with gas outlet couplings may also be present over the course of the installation duct, and the cover plates may also be provided, outside the gas outlet couplings, with connections for data transmission, so that connection to a centrally arranged energy supply unit and monitoring unit is possible. A modular system design of the installation duct according to the present invention can be obtained due to the different design and equipment of the cover plates.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.
Kricheldorff Klaus Pete
Kummerfeld Ryszard
Drager Medizintechnik GmbH
Friedman Carl D.
McDermott Kevin
McGlew and Tuttle , P.C.
LandOfFree
Installation duct does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Installation duct, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Installation duct will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2559365