A CONNECTOR DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING A CONDUIT IN A CHANNEL

Abstract: A quick operating connector assembly for securing a cable or a conduit to a support channel (11), comprising a unitary generally solid plastic element (26), said element having a central post (27), said post supporting two sets of opposed locking logs (28, 29), the logs (28) of the first set being offset from the logs (29) of the second set a predetermined distance, said sets of logs (28, 29) being disposed in a parallel relationship and each lug of said first set (28) terminating in a chamfered or bevelled periphery (31) to facilitate a jamming action when the element (26) is turned relative to the channel member (11).

Description: The present invention relates to a device for facilitating a connection between a channel member and a conduit support comprising a unitary generally solid element having a central post, said post supporting two sets of opposed locking lugs, the lugs of a first set being offset from the lugs of a second set a predetermined distance, said sets of lugs being disposed in generally parallel relationship, whereas each lug of said first set of lugs terminates in a chamfered of bevelled periphery to facilitate a jamming action when the element is manipulated relative to the channel member. The prior art is replete with clips, straps, and the like for securing cables, pipes and other conduits to the classic construction channel member. Representative examples of the classic channel member are disclosed and described in US-A-4 157 800 and 4 542 871. A device for facilitating a connection between a channel member and a conduit support is shown in the DE-U 1 934 838 which is considered to be the closest prior art and in the US-A 4 225 103, FR-A 25 17 411 and the US-A 4 542 871. All the devices are provided with lugs and are turned in position within the channel member. Therefore they need a distance between the lugs and the inner surface of the channel member. This distance has the disadvantage that the lugs are not secured within the channel member and it is easy to turn back the device so that it falls out of the channel member. A commercial conduit support or pipe clamp is disclosed and described in US-A 4 291 855. The present invention deals with a quick operating releasable connector device for effecting a connection between the classic channel member and a conduit support. While it is not intended that the present invention be so limited, it is especially useful in making a connector between the pipe or conduit clamp of the US-A 4 291 855 and the classic channel members. A feature of the invention is the provision of a connector device structure which when combined with a clamp of the structure disclosed in the US-A 4 291 855 results in a very secure but releasable, quick operating connection to a channel member. A further feature of the invention is the provision of a connector device operable to engage a channel member where the connector is formed (molded) integrally with a conduit support to form a unitary, single piece part. A repesentative embodiment of the device of the present invention comprises that the post is formed with a bore and a slit, said bore intersecting the slit so that a fastener means received and advanced into the bore is effective to open the slit to swell the post separating the lugs of the first set thereby intensifying the jamming action. This device has the advantage that it is easy to insert into the channel member and it is easy so secure the device within the channel member by means of the fastener means in one working step. By swelling the post the distance wetween the lugs and the inner wall of the channel member is decreased and therefore it is not possible to turn back the device after insertion. Firstly in case the fastener means is removed that lugs remove in the prior position and than it is possible to turn the device in order to disengage with the channel member. An assembly according to the present invention including a channel member, conduit support and connector device in combination may comprise a channel member of indeterminate length having opposed flanges, each flange having opposed bearing surfaces spaced apart a predetermined distance, a conduit support and a connector device for securing the conduit support to the channel member releasably, said connector device having a solid central post supporting two sets of opposed locking lugs, the lugs of a first set being offset from the lugs of the second set a distance equal to said predetermined distance whereby said lugs are operable to engage and straddle said opposed flanges. A combined connector device and conduit clamp may comprise a unitary single piece part molded of suitable plastic material. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from an examination of the succeeding specification when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the connector device poised for insertion and in place in the channel member. Figure 2 is a side elevation, partially in section, showing the connector device assembled to a channel member and supporting a conduit of the type disclosed in US-A-4 291 855. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the connector device, per se. Figure 4 is a view of the bottom side of the disclosure of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a plan view of the top side of the connector device. Figure 6 is a side view of the illustration of Figure 4 as observed in the direction of the arrows. Figure 7 is a side elevation of the right side of Figure 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now in detail to the drawings the reference numeral 11 designates a channel member of indeterminate length having a top wall 12, spaced sidewalls 13 and 14 each terminating in return bend portions defining flanges 16 and 17. The channel member sidewalls 13 and 14 have interior surfaces 18 and 19 spaced apart by a predetermined dimention D c . The flanges have opposed bearing surfaces 21-22 and 23-24, respectively spaced apart a distance D f . A connector device indicated generally by the reference numeral 26 includes a central post 27 supporting two sets of opposed locking lugs 28-28 and 29-29 offset from one another by a distance generally equal to dimention D f (see Figure 2). A first set of lugs 28-28 terminate in a chamfered or bevelled periphery as indicated at 31 and 32. Post 27, undercut as indicated at 20 and 25, is formed with a slit 33 intersected by a cylindrical or tapered bore 34. The locking lugs 28 and 29 are formed with planar generally parallel bearing surfaces 36 and 37 and the total area of the bearing surfaces 36 (locking lugs 28-28) is substantially less than the total area of the bearing surfaces 37 (locking lugs 29-29). The reference numeral 41 designates a conduit support in the form of a pipe clamp of the type disclosed in US-A-4 291 855 and includes a bight 42 surrounding a pipe or conduit 43, a latch 44, and a plate 46 received in a through slot 45 supporting a fastener means such as a screw 47. The screw 47 is received into bore 34 of connector device 26 connecting the conduit support 41 to the connector device. Alternatively, the slot 45 and the plate 46 can be eliminated so that a screw received in counterbored opening 50 is threaded directly into bore 34. As stated previously the conduit support 41 of the US-A-4 291 855 is merely exemplary of an operative commercially successful unit; it is not intended that the invention, in the various combinations claimed, be limited to this structure. For example, a conduit support can be formed (molded) integrally with a connector device forming a single piece part with an appropriate quick release latch in the conduit support portion for engaging and releasing a conduit. Operation Assume that the connector device 26 is in the exploded position of Figure 1. From this point the device is moved manually into the open end of the channel member 11 until the locking lugs 29-29 (second set) contact flanges 16-17. Next the connector device is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise relative to the channel member to the assembled position of Figures 1 and 2. Note that this rotating step is eased and facilitated by the chamfered periphery of the opposed lugs 28-28 (first set). The bearing surfaces of the respective sets of locking lugs mate snugly with the cooperating bearing surfaces of the flanges 16 and 17 as the locking lugs straddle the flanges. In addition, the overall length of the opposed lugs 28-28 is substantially equivalent to the channel dimention D c creating a jamming action in the invention of the channel. Next the conduit support 41 is secured to the connector device by advancing screw 47 into bore 34. This step enhances the jamming action in that the screw spreads slit 33 swelling post 27 and separating lugs 28=28 causing them to bear very tightly and under compressive stress against the interior surfaces of the chamber member sidewalls. Post undercuts 20-25 enhance the spreading of the slit by providing a hinge effect. Where the conduit support is molded integrally with the connector device obviously there is no need for the screw and plate elements.

Claims: A device for facilitating a connection between a channel member (11) and a conduit support (41) comprising a unitary generally solid element (26) having a central post (27), said post (27) supporting two sets of opposed locking lugs (28, 29), the lugs (28) of a first set being offset from the lugs (29) of a second set a predetermined distance, said sets of lugs (28, 29) being disposed in a generally parallel relationship, whereas each lug (28) of said first set of lugs terminates in a chamfered or bevelled periphery (31) to facilitate a jamming action when the element (26) is manipulated relative to the channel member (11), characterized in that, the post (27) is formed with a bore (34) and a slit (33), said bore (34) intersecting the slit (33) so that a fastener means (47) received and advanced into the bore (34) is effective to open the slit (33) to swell the post (27) separating the lugs (28) of the first set thereby intensifying the jamming action. A device of claim 1 characterized in that the post (27) is formed with opposed undercuts (20, 25) positioned parallel to said slit (33) to facilitate further said jamming action. A device of claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the channel member (11) has two sidewalls (13, 14) The sidewalls (13, 14) having internal surfaces (18, 19) spaced apart a distance generelly equal to the combined length of the set of locking lugs (28) having a smaller total bearing surface (36) area than the bearing surface (37) of the other set of locking lugs (29). A device of one of claim 1 - 3, characterized in that said conduit support (41) includes a fastener means (47) operable to be received in said bore (34) to secure said support (41) to the connector device (26), said fastener means (47) being further operable to open the slit (33) to move one set lugs (28) into snug, frictional contact with said channel member (11). A device of claim 4 characterized in that the connector device (26) and the conduit support (41) define a single unitary plastic piece part.

Inventors: HUNGERFORD JR., CHARLES S.
Applicants: HUNGERFORD JR., CHARLES S.
Application year: 1987
Main classification: F16L3
IPC codes: F16L3, F16B37