Abstract:
A device for supporting or routing lines in passages, in particular sewers, has a cable conduit that accommodates the lines. The cable conduit is made up of single segments that are connected to each other, which has a base from which cheek pieces protrude. The base is made up of adjacent segments, preferably of sheet metal, that are connected flexibly to one another. Cheek pieces that project from the base are formed of a flexible material, preferably plastic.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This is a continuing application, under 35 U.S.C. § 120, of copending international application No. PCT/AT03/00133, filed May 9, 2003, which designated the United States; this application also claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of Austrian patent application No. A 724/2002, filed May 10, 2002; the prior applications are herewith incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a device for supporting or routing lines in canals and similar passages, in particular in sewers. The device has a cable conduit that accommodates the lines and which is made up of single segments that are connected to each other. The segments are formed with a base and cheek pieces projecting from the base.  
         [0004]     The term “line” as used herein should be understood to include all lines, but in particular fiber optic cables, as well as other live cables and/or those that carry a liquid or gaseous medium.  
         [0005]     Recently there has been an increasing need to run fiber optic cables into individual building lots or into buildings located on such lots. In order to avoid excavating to the greatest extent possible, it is known that such cables can be installed in existing sewers. To this end, cable conduits are mounted on the sewer walls, particularly in main sewers that are accessible; the fiber optic cables are then secured to these cable conduits. The placement of cable conduits of the kind customarily used up to now becomes problematic in the case of inaccessible sewers that are assembled from sections of pipe, in which at specific intervals there are cleanout or inspection shafts that lead to the surface. Certainly, it is possible to introduce cable guides into sewers of this kind by way of such shafts; nevertheless, this also rendered more difficult because branch sewers-for example, to residences—must be kept free of such cable guides in order to prevent blockages caused by solids adhering to the cable guides.  
         [0006]     Austrian patent AT 408 139 B describes how flexible pipes are installed in supporting profiles assembled from sections; these supporting profiles comprise a base and cheek pieces that extend from the base and are connected to it so as to form a single piece. The individual sections can be coupled together at their ends through insertible connectors so that they are flush with each other. This configuration makes it possible to accommodate pipes, in particular pipes that are of plastic and which are subjected to considerable thermal dilatation, and compensate for the resulting changes in length.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a device for supporting and guiding lines in canals which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and which device can be fixed in position on the walls of sewers, even of inaccessible sewers, by way of a robotic device designed for work in such passages, and thereby adapted to specific requirements. This means that it is necessary to fix the cable conduits in locations where the flow through the sewer will not be impeded, i.e., as far as possible at the top or crown of the sewer, although it is essential to be able to change the particular location in those vicinities where there are junction points, so as to ensure that the flow through the sewer in not impeded.  
         [0008]     With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a device for supporting or routing lines, comprising: 
        a cable conduit for accommodating the lines, the cable conduit being formed with a plurality of interconnected individual segments;     each of the segments having a base and cheek pieces projecting from the base;     the base of a respective the segment being flexibly jointed with the base of an adjoining the segment, and the cheek pieces being formed of a flexible material.        
 
         [0012]     Preferably, the flexible material of the cheek pieces is plastic and the base is formed of sheet metal.  
         [0013]     In other words, the objects of the invention are achieved with the foregoing configuration. Here, the configuration makes it possible to swivel the cable channel in the plane of the base, so that the individual segments swivel about the flexible connection and—due to the fact that they are of flexible material—the cheek pieces adapt to the position of the segments that form the base. Thus it is possible that the cable conduit curves in the desired manner.  
         [0014]     The configuration according to the present invention also permits simple assembly of the cable conduit in the area of a shaft. When this is done, the segments are so swiveled about the flexible connection that-arranged one above the other-they form a stack that can be introduced into the sewer opening by way of the shaft, where the stack of segments deploys and the individual segments are connected to the cheek pieces, which are flexible and can thus be transported in the form of a roll. According to the present invention, the cheek pieces incorporate side slots that accommodate the edges of the segments that form the base.  
         [0015]     It is preferred that the edges of the segments that are accommodated by the slot be curved in an arc so that these edges are introduced into the slots along the radius of curvature by pivoting the cheek pieces and are securely connected to the cheek pieces as a result.  
         [0016]     According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, adjacent segments are connected by hollow rivets and can swivel about the axes of these rivets, which are approximately perpendicular to the plane of the base, so that a flexible connection between the individual segments is created in a simple manner and, if the heads of the hollow rivets are countersunk, there are no projections that can interfere with the flow through the sewer. Above all, however, this configuration entails the advantage that fasteners that can be anchored in the passage walls, preferably self-tapping screws, can be installed through these hollow rivets.  
         [0017]     It is preferred that pipes that have several channels that can accommodate, in particular, fiber optic cables, be supported within the cable conduits.  
         [0018]     According to the present invention, in order to permit the subsequent attachment of additional lines to previously installed cable conduits, at least one cheek piece has at least one chamber that extends through it in the longitudinal direction; this can accommodate such an additional line. In order to simplify insertion of such an additional line, it is expedient that the chamber have at least one side opening that can preferably be closed, at least partially, by at least one flexible lip. The flexible lip prevents the additional line from slipping out of place once it has been inserted.  
         [0019]     In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, within the cable conduit there is a spacer that protrudes from the base and preferably covers the hollow rivets. This spacer separates two lines, or the pipes that contain such lines and, if it is disposed above the hollow rivets through which the fasteners are installed, prevents such fasteners from damaging the lines or pipes, since these then pass through the spacer. It is preferred that the spacer be of foam that provides flexible support for the lines or pipes and adapts to the shape of the cable conduit.  
         [0020]     If a self-tapping screw is used as the fastener then, according to another embodiment of the present invention, this is surrounded along part of its threaded section by a sealant, preferably a silicone sealant. When the self-tapping screw is inserted, this sealant seals off the sewer wall around the hole for the fastener.  
         [0021]     As has been discussed heretofore, the cable conduit is disposed in this sewer between the shafts that are connected to the sewer and lead to the surface. In order to permit problem-free connection to a line that runs into the connecting sewer, on the one hand, and branch lines on the other hand, and to do so without unacceptably tight curves that would damage fiber optic cables were they permitted, in the device according to the present invention the cable conduit is connected to a conduit box that is provided in such a shaft; this conduit box incorporates an extension piece that accommodates the lines and can be coupled to the cable conduit. This extension piece can be so formed that the lines that are routed through the extension piece do not incorporate any inadmissibly tight curves and their ends are connected to continuation lines through clamps that are located within the conduit box.  
         [0022]     In addition, in the end area that has the extension piece, the conduit box can be provided with a rounded guide surface, over which a high-pressure cleaning hose that is to be inserted into the passage when it is to be cleaned is routed. This means that there is no longer any need for the system of guide rollers for the cleaning hose that was formerly essential and had to be installed in the transition area between the shaft and the wall of the sewer on special supporting brackets. This guide surface is bordered by cheek pieces so as to prevent the cleaning hose from slipping laterally off the guide surface.  
         [0023]     It is also possible to provide the conduit box with studs that protrude from its sides and serve to attach or support guide rollers for a high-pressure cleaning hose.  
         [0024]     Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.  
         [0025]     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a device for supporting or routing lines in passages, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.  
         [0026]     The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0027]      FIG. 1  is a cross section through the cable conduit of a device according to the present invention, along the line I-I in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 1A  is a diagrammatic cross section through a cheek piece;  
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a partial plan view of the cable conduit as viewed from below in the direction indicated by the arrow II in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a self-tapping screw for attaching the cable conduit to a sewer wall;  
         [0031]      FIG. 4  is an elevational front view of a conduit box mounted in a shaft;  
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a side view, in partial cross section, of the conduit box shown in  FIG. 4 ; and  
         [0033]      FIG. 6  is a cross section taken along the line VI-VI in  FIG. 5  through the conduit box. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0034]     Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, particularly, to  FIGS. 1 and 2  thereof, the device according to the present invention, which is used to support or route lines in sewers includes the cable conduit shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . This cable conduit comprises a base  1  and side walls, or cheek pieces  2  that extend from the base  1 . As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the base  1  comprises individual sheet-metal segments  3  that are connected flexibly to one another by way of hollow rivets  4 , the heads of which are countersunk into the segments  3  so that they do not protrude and thereby impede the flow through the sewer.  
         [0035]     The cheek pieces  2  are formed from flexible plastic. They incorporate side slots  5  that accommodate arc-shaped edges  6  of the segments  3  forming the base  1 . The edges  6  can be introduced into the slots  6  by pivoting the cheek pieces  2  about the radius of curvature of the edges  6  of the segments  3 , after which they are securely anchored in the cheek pieces  2 .  
         [0036]     As can be seen from  FIG. 1 , the cheek pieces  2  have continuous chambers  7  formed with side openings  9  that can be partially closed by the flexible lips  8 , and by which additional lines can be supported in the cable conduit. The additional lines are introduced through the openings  9 .  
         [0037]     Two pipes  10  that enclose channels  11  are disposed in the space between the cheek pieces  2 . Lines, preferably fiber optic cables, are routed through these pipes. The pipes  10  are separated from one another by a spacer  12  that is of hard plastic and thus provides flexible support for the pipes  10  and can adapt to the curvature of the cable conduit. The spacer  12  is disposed above the hollow rivets  4 .  
         [0038]     Self-tapping screws  14 , shown in detail in  FIG. 3 , are used to secure the cable conduit to the sewer wall  13 . The screws  14  pass through the hollow rivets  4  and the spacer  12 , and they are anchored in the sewer wall. Each self-tapping screw  14  is surrounded along a section of its thread by a silicone sealant  15  which, as can be seen from  FIG. 1 , seals off the screw hole in the passage wall once the screw has been inserted.  
         [0039]     With reference to FIGS.  4  to  6 , the sewer opens out into a clean-out or inspection shaft  16  that is connected to the surface. A conduit box  18  is mounted on the wall of the shaft in the area of the opening. The conduit box  18  is secured to the wall  17  of the shaft by screws that pass through tabs  19 . The conduit box  18  can be coupled to the cable conduit, which is formed from a base  1  and the cheek pieces  2 , through an extension piece  20  that is so configured that the individual fiber optic cables  21  are curved in a manner that prevents them from becoming damaged. Within the conduit box  18 , the individual fiber optic cables  21  are connected through sleeve connectors  22 ; the fiber optic cables are then either routed to an adjacent section of the passage, or connected to a branch cable  21 ′ that emerges into the shaft  16  through a twist connector  23  to be routed onward along the wall of the shaft. The conduit box  18  is closed off by a cover  24  so as to be watertight.  
         [0040]     In the area of the extension piece  20 , the conduit box  18  has on its outside a rounded guide surface 26  that is bordered on its side by projecting cheek pieces  26 . This guide surface  25  serves to support a high-pressure cleaning hose that can be introduced into the sewer through the shaft  16 , and because of the manner it which it curves, prevents damage to the high-pressure hose at the guide points; the high-pressure hose is prevented from sliding off the side of the guide surface by the cheek pieces  26 .  
         [0041]     In addition, studs  27  extend from the opposite side surfaces of the conduit box  18 ; if they are required, guide rollers for a high-pressure cleaning hose or supports for such guide rollers can be mounted on or secured to these studs.  
         [0042]      FIG. 1A  is a schematic cross section through a cheek piece at a scale that is greater than that used for  FIG. 1 . The cheek piece  2  has a bottom  30  from which there extend dividers  31  that are, in particular, parallel and end at the lips  8 . These flexible lips  8  define the chambers  7  that are formed between the dividers  31 . The recess  34  into which the curved end area  6  of the base  1  can be inserted can also be seen in  FIG. 1A .  
         [0043]     In order to ensure firm installation on a wall, or in particular a ceiling, on which the device is to be installed, in the end area of the cheek piece  2  that is remote from the base there is a distance piece  32  that is preferably perpendicular to the base  1 ; in principle, this distance piece  32  could also extend the bottom  30 . If the base  1  is to be secured to a wall by means of the screw  14 , this distance piece is pressed against the wall and thereby forms a seal and simultaneously prevents the uppermost divider  31  of the cheek piece  2 , i.e., the one remote from the base, from being bent excessively by small irregularities in the surface of the wall, so that the opening  9  is closed, with the result that subsequent installation of lines is made much more difficult. This distance piece  32  is shown diagrammatically in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0044]     In addition to the foregoing, a flange  33 , especially one that is pliable, flexible or elastic, can branch off from the base  30  toward the interior of the device. This flange subtends an angle of 0° to 60° with the base or with a perpendicular to the base  30 . This resilient flange  33  is intended to provide elastic or flexible support for or secure the pipe(s)  10  in the interior of a channel  11 , as can be seen in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0045]     The distance piece  32  and the resilient flange  33  can be formed in one piece on the cheek pieces  2 , and are substantially of the same material.  
         [0046]     Both the distance piece  32  and the resilient flange  33  can extend, either continuously or intermittently, along the entire length of the cheek piece  2 . In principle, these parts can also be configured in sections or extend across sequential subareas of the cheek pieces  2 .