DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of stiffeners.
DEFINITION
As used in the present disclosure, the following terms are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicate otherwise.
Beaded flange – The term “Beaded flange” hereinafter refers to a flange having its ends curled outwards.
Side rail – The term “Side rail” hereinafter refers to long narrow members connecting the ends of a cable tray.
Trapezoidal frame – The term “Trapezoidal frame” hereinafter refers to a frame defined by an operative top plate and side walls but no base.
BACKGROUND
Typically, support structures such as cable trays, hulls and beams include joints and flanges are subjected to stresses that in turn cause out-of-plane deformation of the support structure. Examples include cable trays employed for supporting electric cables for power distribution, control, and communication that consist side rails and rungs that are joined together. However, the side rails of the cable trays are also subjected to heavy loading because of the heavy cables laid thereon and the subsequent stress development, thereby causing deformation of the side rails. As a result, the deformed side rails need to be frequently replaced which adds to the maintenance cost.
There is, therefore, felt a need of a stiffener that reduces stress on side rails and 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 stiffener that prevents deformation of side rails.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a stiffener that is less expensive.
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 envisages a stiffener for side rails of a cable tray. The stiffener comprises a trapezoidal frame and beaded reinforced flanges. The trapezoidal frame is defined by a flat wall and inclined side walls integral with and extending from ends of the flat wall. The beaded reinforced flanges are configured to extend from the side walls.
In an embodiment, the reinforced flanges are formed by bending the ends of the flanges to define extended bent flanges.
In another embodiment, the extensions of the flanges extend inwardly beyond the end of the inclined side walls.
In yet another embodiment, the ends of the flanges are pressed to abut the flanges.
In still another embodiment, an aperture is configured on each flange facilitate fastening of the stiffener to the side rail.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A stiffener for side rails of a cable tray of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a top view of a stiffener, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the stiffener of Figure 1;
Figure 3 illustrates a bottom view of the stiffener of Figure 1;
Figure 4 illustrates a front view of the stiffener of Figure 1;
Figure 5 illustrates a top view of the stiffener of Figure 1 bolted into the side rail; and
Figure 6 illustrates an isometric view of the stiffener of Figure 1 bolted into side walls of the side rail of a cable tray.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND DRAWING
100 – Stiffener
102A, 102B –Flange
102C, 102D – Apertures
103 – Extension
104A, 104B – Side walls
106 – Flat plate
108 – Bolts
110 – Nuts
112 – Side rail
114 – Cross member
116 – Cable tray
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. When an element is referred to as being “mounted on,” “engaged 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.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
Terms such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “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.
A preferred embodiment of a stiffener for side rails of a cable tray of the present disclosure is now described with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 6.
The cable tray is usually subjected to stress due to heavy loading of electric cables, which causes deformation of the cable tray, which eventually reduces the life of the cable tray. The stiffener is employed to relieve the stress on the cable tray.
Referring to Figure 1, the stiffener (100) comprises a trapezoidal frame and beaded reinforced flanges. The trapezoidal frame is defined by a flat wall (106) and inclined side walls (104A, 104B). The inclined side walls (104A, 104B) are configured to be integral with and extending from ends of the flat wall (106). The beaded reinforced flanges (102A, 102B) extend from the ends of the side walls (104A, 104B).
The reinforced flanges (102A, 102B) are formed by bending the ends of the flanges (102A, 102B), to define extended bent flanges (102A, 102B).
The extensions (103) of the flanges (102A, 102B) extend inwardly beyond the end of the inclined side walls (104A, 104B) to provide an additional strength to the stiffener (100).
The ends of the flanges (102A, 102B) are pressed to abut the flanges (102A, 102B).
An aperture (102C, 102D) is configured on each flange (102A, 102B) to facilitate fastening of the stiffener (100) to the side rail (112).
The side rails (112) are disposed over a long distance to effectively support the electric cables. However, the weight of the cables over a long period of time causes stress on the cable tray (116), thereby causing the cable tray (116) to deform. To relieve the stress on the cable tray (116) and avoid the subsequent deformation, the stiffener (100) is fastened to the operative inner surface of the side rail (112) by bolts (108), as illustrated in Figure 5 and Figure 6.
Usually the region of the side rails (112) of the cable tray (116) to which the cross-members (114) of the cable trays (116) are attached to is the weakest. The stiffener (100) is hence, fastened at an operative inner surface of the side rail (112), typically near the region where the cross-members are attached, to relieve the stress applied on the side rails (112). The stress is transferred to the flat wall (106), and the region connecting the flat wall (106) and the side walls (104A, 104B) provide resistance against the stress. Since, the stress is transferred to the stiffener (100) the deformation of the side rails (112) is avoided, thereby increasing the service life of the side rails (112).
In an embodiment, the stiffener (100) is fastened to the side rail (112) by means of bolts (108) and nuts (110). The nuts (110) are tightened to secure the stiffener (100) to the side rails (112). In another embodiment, the nus (110) act as earthing for the cable tray (116) and thereby prevent electrical hazards.
In an embodiment, the nuts are groove nuts and the bolts are mushroom head garage bolts. In another embodiment, M8 mushroom head garage bolts are used to bolt the stiffener (100) into the operative inner surface of the side rails.
In an embodiment, the stiffener (100) is of a metallic material. In another embodiment, the stiffener (100) is of stainless steel or aluminium.
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 ADVANCES AND ECONOMICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a stiffener for side rails of a cable tray that:
• prevents the side rails from out of plane deformation; and
• is less expensive.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveals 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.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, or group of elements, but not the exclusion of any other element, or group of elements.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
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 stiffener (100) for side rails (112) of a cable tray (114), said stiffener (100) comprising:
• a trapezoidal frame defined by a flat wall (106) and inclined side walls (104A, 104B) integral with and extending from ends of said flat wall (106); and
• beaded reinforced flanges (102A, 102B) extending from said side walls (104A, 104B).
2. The stiffener (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reinforced flanges (102A, 102B) are formed by bending the ends of the flanges (102A, 102B) to define extended bent flanges (102A, 102B).
3. The stiffener (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein extensions (103) of said flanges (102A, 102B) extend inwardly beyond the end of the inclined side walls (104A, 104B).
4. The stiffener (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said ends of said flanges (102A, 102B) are pressed to abut the flanges (102A, 102B).
5. The stiffener (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein an aperture (102C, 102D) is configured on each flange (102A, 102B) to facilitate fastening of said stiffener (100) to said side rail (112).