Clamp Device for Cable Tray Assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016018026-A1
Application number	US-201314772918-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 27, 2013
Priority date	Mar 7, 2013
Publication date	Jan 21, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A clamp device includes a clamping plate having a first side portion that is sized and shaped for reception into a channel defined by a bottom channel portion of one of the rails of the cable tray. The clamping plate has a second side portion configured for fastening to a cable tray support such that the bottom channel portion of the rail is clamped between the clamping plate and the cable tray support. The use of the clamp device increases the load-bearing capacity of the cable tray assembly over an identical cable tray that does not include the clamping plate.

First claim

1 . A clamp device for clamping a bottom channel portion of a rail of a cable tray to a cable tray support, the clamp device comprising:
a clamping plate having a first side portion sized and shaped for reception in a channel of the bottom channel portion of the rail, and an opposite second side portion defining an opening for receiving a fastener to fasten the clamping plate to the cable tray support.

2 . The clamp device set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a web bracket configured to interconnect a web of the rail to the clamping plate.

3 . The clamp device set forth in claim 2 , wherein the web bracket includes a web-securement portion configured for securement to an inboard side of the web, and an angled portion between the web-securement portion and the clamping plate.

4 . The clamp device set forth in claim 3 , in combination with a cable tray to form a cable tray assembly having a length, the cable tray including:
a pair of generally parallel rails extending lengthwise of the cable tray assembly, each rail having a vertical web and a bottom channel portion at a lower end of the web, the bottom channel portion defining a channel extending lengthwise of the rail and generally facing a centerline of the cable tray assembly, a plurality of rungs extending between the rails and spaced apart along the cable tray assembly; wherein the first side portion of the clamping plate is received in the channel of one of the rails.

5 . The clamp device set forth in claim 4 , in further combination with a cable tray support supporting the cable tray assembly, wherein the second side portion of the clamping plate is fastened to the cable tray support.

6 . A cable tray assembly having a length and a centerline extending lengthwise of the assembly, the cable tray assembly comprising:
a pair of generally parallel rails extending lengthwise of the cable tray assembly, each rail having a vertical web and a bottom channel portion at a lower end of the web, the bottom channel portion defining a channel extending lengthwise of the rail and generally facing the centerline of the cable tray assembly, a plurality of rungs extending between the rails and spaced apart along the cable tray assembly; at least one clamp device for securing the cable tray assembly to a cable tray support, the at least one clamp device including a clamping plate having a first side portion received in the channel of one of the rails, and a second side portion configured for securement to the cable tray support to clamp the bottom channel portion to the cable tray support.

7 . The cable tray assembly set forth in claim 6 , wherein the at least one clamp device further includes a bracket extending upward from the clamping plate and fastened to an inboard side of the vertical web to interconnect the clamping plate to the vertical web.

8 . The cable tray assembly set forth in claim 7 , wherein the bracket includes a web-securement portion secured to the inboard side of the web, and an angled portion between the web-securement portion and the clamping plate.

9 . A method of installing a cable tray assembly, the method comprising:
providing a cable tray having a length and a centerline extending lengthwise of the assembly, the cable tray including
a pair of generally parallel rails extending lengthwise of the cable tray assembly, each rail having a vertical web and a bottom channel portion at a lower end of the web, the bottom channel portion defining a channel extending lengthwise of the rail and generally facing the centerline of the cable tray assembly,
a plurality of rungs extending between the rails and spaced apart along the cable tray; and
inserting a first side portion of a clamping plate of a clamping device into the channel of one of the rails, fastening an opposite second side portion of the clamping plate to a cable tray support opposing a bottom surface of the bottom channel portion to clamp the bottom channel portion of the rail to the cable tray support.

10 . The method set forth in claim 9 , further comprising interconnecting the clamping plate to the vertical web of the rail using a bracket.

11 . The clamp device set forth in claim 1 , in combination with a cable tray to form a cable tray assembly having a length, the cable tray including:
a pair of generally parallel rails extending lengthwise of the cable tray assembly, each rail having a vertical web and a bottom channel portion at a lower end of the web, the bottom channel portion defining a channel extending lengthwise of the rail and generally facing a centerline of the cable tray assembly, a plurality of rungs extending between the rails and spaced apart along the cable tray assembly; wherein the first side portion of the clamping plate is received in the channel of one of the rails.

12 . The clamp device set forth in claim 11 , in further combination with a cable tray support supporting the cable tray assembly, wherein the second side portion of the clamping plate is fastened to the cable tray support.

13 . The clamp device set forth in claim 2 , in combination with a cable tray to form a cable tray assembly having a length, the cable tray including:
a pair of generally parallel rails extending lengthwise of the cable tray assembly, each rail having a vertical web and a bottom channel portion at a lower end of the web, the bottom channel portion defining a channel extending lengthwise of the rail and generally facing a centerline of the cable tray assembly, a plurality of rungs extending between the rails and spaced apart along the cable tray assembly; wherein the first side portion of the clamping plate is received in the channel of one of the rails.

14 . The clamp device set forth in claim 13 , in further combination with a cable tray support supporting the cable tray assembly, wherein the second side portion of the clamping plate is fastened to the cable tray support.

Assignees

• Cooper Technologies Co

Inventors

• Shelton Travis

Classifications

• H02G3/0456

  Ladders or other supports · CPC title

• F16B5/0614

  in angled relationship · CPC title

• F16B5/02

  by means of fastening members using screw-thread ({F16B5/0004 takes precedence}; construction of screw-threaded connections F16B25/00 - F16B39/00) · CPC title

• F16M13/022

  repositionable · CPC title

• H02G3/263 Primary

  Installation, e.g. suspension, of conduit channels or other supports · CPC title