DESC:
FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of cradle clamp assembly for joining two cable trays.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Typically, in solar power plants for carrying long cables, multiple cable trays are connected to one another over a long distance. These trays are laid over vertical posts erected in foundations. The vertical posts are erected over the entire solar power plant and are used to support cable trays and in turn the cable trays carry electrical cables used for power distribution, control, and communication purposes. However, the available terrains on which these foundations are erected are undulating in nature which makes it difficult for erecting vertical posts. Also, with respect to the terrain undulation, a cable ladder system is subjected to vertical oscillations which may damage the cable trays. Further, due to environmental conditions water may get stagnated in the cable trays causing damage to the cables.
There is, therefore, felt a need of a cradle clamp assembly that alleviates the above-mentioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a cradle clamp assembly for joining two cable trays.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a cradle clamp assembly that helps in reducing the number of vertical posts.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a cradle clamp assembly that helps in maintaining a ground clearance and avoids stagnation of water in cable trays.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure relates to a cradle clamp assembly for joining two cable trays. The cable trays include a first tray and a second tray. The cradle clamp assembly includes at least one rail having a first set of apertures at least at the extremities thereof. Two inverted L-shaped brackets having a first operative horizontal wall and a second operative vertical wall. The first operative horizontal walls are mountable on the rails at the extremities by means of fasteners and each of the second operative vertical walls is having a second aperture.
The first cable tray is fastened at its end to the rails via the brackets and the fasteners while the second cable tray is mounted in a hingeable relationship with respect to the first cable tray at the second aperture of the inverted L-shaped brackets by means of fasteners.
In an embodiment the cradle clamp assembly includes a hinge clamp that has a planar surface that is configured to receive the second cable tray.
In another embodiment the cable trays include two types of trays. A first cable tray of a first width and a second cable tray of a second width that is less than the first width. The first cable tray is configured as a cantilever.
In still another embodiment a first tray has a first width and a second tray of a second width that is larger than the first width. The cradle clamp assembly is configured to receive the first cable tray on an operative inner side thereof and the second cable tray on an operative outer side thereof.
In an embodiment a first tray has a first width and a second tray of a second width that is smaller than the first width. The cradle clamp assembly is configured to receive the first cable tray on an operative outer side thereof and the second cable tray on an operative inner side thereof.
In another embodiment the rail has an L-section is defined by a third operative horizontal wall and a fourth operative vertical wall, wherein the first set of apertures is defined on the third operative horizontal wall.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A cradle clamp assembly of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1A illustrates an isometric view of an L-shaped bracket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 1B illustrates a top view of the L-shaped bracket of Figure 1A;
Figure 1C illustrates a side view of the L-shaped bracket of Figure 1A;
Figure 1D illustrates a front view of the L-shaped bracket of Figure 1A;
Figure 2A illustrates an isometric view of a hinge clamp, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2B illustrates a top view of the hinge clamp of Figure 2A;
Figure 2C illustrates a side view of the hinge clamp of Figure 2A;
Figure 2D illustrates a front view of the hinge clamp of Figure 2A;
Figure 3A illustrates an isometric view of the hinge clamp of Figure 2A connected to the L-shaped bracket of Figure 1A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3B illustrates a top view of the hinge clamp of Figure 2A connected to the L-shaped bracket of Figure 1A;
Figure 3C illustrates a side view of the hinge clamp of Figure 2A connected to the L-shaped bracket of Figure 1A;
Figure 3D illustrates a front view of the hinge clamp of Figure 2A connected to the L-shaped bracket of Figure 1A;
Figure 4 an isometric view of the L-shaped bracket and rails, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 5 illustrates an exploded view of the cradle clamp assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 6 illustrates a side view of the L-shaped bracket and rails of Figure 4;
Figure 7 illustrates a top view of two cable trays connected two each other in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 8 illustrates a side view of two cable trays connected via the cradle clamp assembly in an undulating configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 9 illustrates a side view of two cable trays connected via the cradle clamp assembly in a flat configuration, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 – Cradle clamp assembly
102 – First tray
104 – Second tray
106 – Rail
108 – First set of apertures
110 – L-shaped brackets
112 – First operative horizontal wall
114 – Second operative vertical wall
116 – Second aperture
118 – Fasteners
120 – Hinge clamp
122 – Third operative horizontal wall
124 – Fourth operative vertical wall
126 – Vertical port
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “including” and “having” are open-ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element is referred to as being “mounted on”, “adjacent to”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
Terms such as “inner”, “outer”, “disposed”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
In solar power plants for carrying long cables, multiple cable trays are connected to each other for power distribution purposes. The vertical posts are erected over the solar power plants to support cable trays to carry the electrical cables for communication purposes. However, the available terrains on which these foundations are erected are undulating in nature which makes it difficult for erecting vertical posts. Due to the terrain undulation, the cable ladder system is subjected to up and down movement which may damage the cable tray. Further, due to environmental conditions water may get stagnated in the cable trays causing damage to the cables.
The present disclosure envisages a cradle clamp assembly for joining two cable trays that alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks of the clamping mechanism.
The present disclosure envisages a cradle clamp assembly. The cradle clamp assembly (herein after referred to as “cradle clamp 100”) is explained with reference to Figure 1A to Figure 9.
A cradle clamp (100) for joining two cable trays and the trays include a first tray (102) and a second tray (104). The first tray is connected to the second tray for carrying cables for power distribution. The cradle clamp (100) comprises at least one rail (106) having a first set of apertures (108) at least at the extremities and two inverted L-shaped brackets (110) having a first operative horizontal wall (112) and a second operative vertical wall (114). The first operative horizontal walls (112) are mountable on the rails (106) at the extremities by means of fasteners and each of the second operative vertical wall (114) having a second aperture (116).
In the cradle clamp (100), the first cable tray (102) is fastened at its end to the rails (106) through the brackets (110) and the fasteners, while the second cable tray (104) is mounted in a hingeable relationship with respect to the first cable tray (102) at the second aperture (116) of the inverted L-shaped brackets (110) by means of fasteners (116).
In an embodiment, cradle clamp assembly (100) includes a hinge clamp (120) that has a planar surface that is configured to receive the second cable tray (104) and a vertical surface having third aperture to connect the L-shaped brackets (110) by fasteners.
In another embodiment, the cable trays includes two types a first cable tray (102) of a first width and a second cable tray (104) of a second width that less than the first width. The first cable tray (102) is configured as a cantilever and the second cable tray (104) is connected to the first cable tray (102) by cradle clamp.
In yet another embodiment, a first tray has a first width and a second tray of a second width that is larger than the first width. The cradle clamp (100) is configured to receive the first cable tray (102) on an operative inner side thereof and the second cable tray (104) on an operative outer side.
In still another embodiment, a first tray has a first width and a second tray of a second width that is smaller than the first width. The cradle clamp (100) is configured to receive the first cable tray (102) on an operative outer side and the second cable tray (104) on an operative inner side.
In an embodiment, the rail (100) has an L-section defined by a third operative horizontal wall (122) and a fourth operative vertical wall (124), and first set of apertures (108) are defined on the third operative horizontal wall (122).
In another embodiment, the cradle clamp assembly (100) can be used for joining two cable trays of unequal widths.
The cradle clamp assembly (100) of the present disclosure helps in reducing the number of vertical posts required in solar power plants.
The cradle clamp assembly (100) of the present disclosure helps in maintaining a ground clearance and avoids water stagnate in cable trays.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a cradle clamp assembly that:
• helps in reducing the number of vertical posts; and
• helps in maintaining a ground clearance and avoids stagnation of water in cable trays.
The foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A cradle clamp assembly (100) for joining two cable trays, said trays include a first tray (102) and a second tray (104), said cradle clamp assembly (100) comprising:
• at least one rail (106) having a first set of apertures (108) at least at the extremities thereof; and
• two inverted L-shaped brackets (110) having a first operative horizontal wall (112) and a second operative vertical wall (114), said first operative horizontal wall (112) mountable on the rails (106) at the extremities by means of fasteners and each of said second operative vertical wall (114) having a second aperture (116);
wherein said first cable tray (102) is fastened at its end to said rails (106) via said brackets (110) and said fasteners, and
said second cable tray (104) is mounted in a hingeable relationship with respect to the first cable tray (102) at said second aperture (116) of said inverted L-shaped brackets (110) by means of fasteners (118).
2. The cradle clamp assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cradle clamp assembly (100) includes a hinge clamp (120) that has a planar surface that is configured to receive said second cable tray (104).
3. The cradle clamp assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cable trays includes two types a first cable tray (102) of a first width and a second cable tray (104) of a second width that is less than said first width.
4. The cradle clamp assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first cable tray (102) is configured as a cantilever.
5. The cradle clamp assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein a first tray has a first width and a second tray of a second width that is larger than said first width.
6. The cradle clamp assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said cradle clamp assembly (100) is configured to receive said first cable tray (102) on an operative inner side thereof and said second cable tray (104) on an operative outer side thereof.
7. The cradle clamp assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein a first tray has a first width and a second tray of a second width that is smaller than said first width.
8. The cradle clamp assembly (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said cradle clamp assembly is configured to receive said first cable tray (102) on an operative outer side thereof and said second cable tray (104) on an operative inner side thereof.
9. The cradle clamp assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rail (100) has an L-section defined by a third operative horizontal wall (122) and a fourth operative vertical wall (124), wherein said first set of apertures (108) is defined on said third operative horizontal wall (122).
Dated this 05th day of February 2020

MOHAN RAJKUMAR DEWAN, IN/PA-25
OF R.K. DEWAN & COMPANY
APPLICANT’S PATENT ATTORNEY