Claims:WE CLAIM:

1. A busway mounting arrangement comprising:
a support element (32) resting on a floor (2), the support element (32) having a first flat surface (321), a first set of holes (322) and a second set of holes (323) configured thereon;
a busway housing (11) having a second flat surface (112A), a third flat surface (112B), a first set of female grooves (111) and a first set of male profiles (113) configured thereon, wherein any one of the second flat surface (111A) and the third flat surface (11B) of the busway housing (11) resting on the first flat surface (321) of the support element (32) to form any one of a horizontal arrangement and a vertical arrangement therewith for installation of the busway (1) to a required position on an installation site depending on installation site requirements;
a clamp (31) fitted on the support element (32) for fixing the housing (11) thereon, the clamp (31) having a base (312), a second set of male profiles (311), a second set of female grooves (315) and a hole (313) configured thereon, the base (312) resting on the support element (32) allowing any one of the second set of male profiles (311) and the second set of female grooves (315) to engage with the busway housing (11) depending on installation site requirements,
• a bolt (33) fitted between the clamp (31) and the support element (32) by passing through the hole (313) of the clamp (31) and the first set of holes (322) of the support element (32), and also fitted in the second set of holes (323) for mounting onto elements (35) attached to the floor (2) to restrict relative motion between the support element (32) and the floor (2); and
• a nut (34) for tightening onto the bolt (33) causing the clamp (31) to create force between any one of the flat surfaces (112A/112B) of the busway housing (11) and the first flat surface (321) of the support element (32) as well as between one of the male profiles and corresponding female grooves of the clamp (31) and the busway housing (11) to fix the busway (1) to the required position as per installation site requirements,
wherein, the housing (11) with the busway (1) is moved to the required position causing the second flat surface (112A) to rest on the first flat surface (321) of the support element (32) that in turn causes the second set of male profiles (311) to engage with corresponding first set of female grooves (111) in the housing (11) enabling the horizontal arrangement of the housing (11) on the support element (32), thereafter the bolt (33) is fitted between the clamp (31) and the support element (32) and tightened thereon using the nut (34) to create forces by the clamp (31) to fix the busway (1) at the required position as per the installation site requirements,

wherein, when the installation site requirement changes, the nut (34) is loosened to stop the force between the second flat surface (112A) of the housing (11) and the first flat surface (321) of the support element (32), thereafter the housing (11) with the busway (1) is moved to and fro about the Z-axis to reach another required position as per the new installation site requirements causing the third flat surface (112B) to rest on the first flat surface (321) of the support element (32) that in turn causes the second set of female grooves (315) to engage with corresponding first set of male profiles (113) of the housing (11) enabling the vertical arrangement of the housing (11) on the support element (32), thereafter the bolt (33) is fitted between the clamp (31) and the support element (32) and tightened thereon using the nut (34) to create forces by the clamp (31) to fix the busway (1) at the required position as per the new installation site requirements.

2. The busway mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support element (32) rests on an edge (21) of the floor (2).

3. The busway mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base (312) is a circular base resting tangentially on the support element (32).

4. The busway mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hole (313) is configured at a dorsal face (314) of the clamp (31).
5. The busway mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support element (32) and the clamp (31) form a support assembly for the busway (1).
, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a busway mounting arrangement, and more particularly to detachable supports for installation of busway systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Busways are installed in various orientations in buildings. A typical application of busways is as riser mains in a building. Several technologies are available for supporting the busway in buildings. Busways are installed one unit at a time at the installation site. Most solutions employ the use of physical engagement using hardware. The placement of the male or female engagement elements however cannot be pre-determined owing to changes in the site requirements and deviations in the manufacturing processes. The site environment is constantly changing and there are frequent instances of change in the installation plan. Thus, the features which enable installation can seldom be prepared at the factory before reaching site.

Most manufacturers resort to adaptable designs which facilitate physical modification of busways during installation by drilling holes on the busway housing at site for installation. The slightest of mistakes in the hole-position can lead to installation mismatch.

In US2969438 Herman et al have shown a way of using wheels for adjusting the mounting arrangement of busways. Wheels however cannot be locked in place easily. In US3190604 Jorgensen et al have shown a method of clamping the busway onto a support arrangement using spring-like components. This arrangement however is very elaborate and works best in hanging arrangement acting against gravity.
Hence, there exists a need for support structures which can be shifted to suit the site requirement, without any physical modifications.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a busway mounting arrangement which allows busway position flexibility.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a busway mounting arrangement that does not require component machining.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a busway mounting arrangement that can be assembled in two distinct ways using the same set of components.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a tangential contact between the mounting clamp and the support element to maximize the normal force created between the housing and the support element.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides a busway mounting arrangement. The busway mounting arrangement comprises a support element, a busway housing, a clamp, a bolt and a nut.

The support element rests on an edge of a floor. The support element includes a first flat surface, a first set of holes and a second set of holes configured thereon.

The busway housing includes a second flat surface, a third flat surface, a first set of female grooves and a first set of male profiles configured thereon. Any one of the second/third flat surfaces rest on the first flat surface of the support element to form any one of a horizontal arrangement and a vertical arrangement therewith for installation of the busway to a required position on an installation site depending on installation site requirements.

The clamp is fitted on the support element for fixing the housing thereon. The support element and the clamp form a support assembly for the busway. The clamp includes a base, a second set of male profiles, a second set of female grooves and a hole configured thereon. The hole is configured at a dorsal face of the clamp. The base for example a circular base rests tangentially on the support element allowing any one of the second set of male profiles and the second set of female grooves to engage with the housing depending on installation site requirements.

The bolt is fitted between the clamp and the support element by passing through the hole of the clamp and the first set of holes of the support element, and also fitted in the second set of holes for mounting onto elements (35) attached to the floor to restrict relative motion between the support element and the floor.

The nut is used for tightening onto the bolt to cause the clamp to create force between any one of the flat surfaces of the housing and the first flat surface of the support element as well as between one of the male profiles and corresponding female grooves of the clamp and the housing to fix the busway to the required position as per installation site requirements.

The housing with the busway is moved to the required position causing the second flat surface to rest on the first flat surface of the support element that in turn causes the second set of male profiles to engage with corresponding first set of female grooves in the housing enabling the horizontal arrangement of the housing on the support element. Thereafter, the bolt is fitted between the clamp and the support element and tightened thereon using the nut to create forces by the clamp (31) to fix the busway at the required position as per the installation site requirements.

When the installation site requirement changes, the nut is loosened to stop the force between the second flat surface of the housing and the first flat surface of the support element, thereafter the housing with the busway is moved to and fro about the Z-axis to reach another required position as per the new installation site requirements causing the third flat surface to rest on the first flat surface of the support element that in turn causes the second set of female grooves to engage with corresponding first set of male profiles of the housing enabling the vertical arrangement of the housing on the support element. Thereafter, the bolt is fitted between the clamp and the support element and tightened thereon using the nut to create forces by the clamp (31) to fix the busway at the required position as per the new installation site requirements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features as well as the advantages of the invention will be clear from the following description.
In the appended drawings:
Figure 1 shows a support element of a busway mounting arrangement, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a side view of a busway housing of the busway mounting arrangement, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a side view of a clamp of the busway mounting arrangement, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a generic view of the clamp of figure 3;
Figure 5 shows a generic view of an assembly of the busway mounting arrangement, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 6 shows a top view of a complete ‘edgewise’ assembly of the busway mounting arrangement, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 shows a side view of the complete edgewise’ assembly of figure 6;

Figure 8 shows a closer view of the clamp of figure 7 on the support element of figure 1; and

Figure 9 shows a side view of a complete flatwise assembly of the busway mounting arrangement, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiment.

The present invention provides a busway mounting arrangement. The busway mounting arrangement can be assembled in two distinct ways using the same set of components without requiring component machining to allow busway position flexibility. The present invention provides a mounting means which can be employed in both vertical and horizontal installations; a method to adjust the support location and lock the busway in place and support structures which can be shifted to suit the site requirement, without any physical modifications.

The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures.

Referring to figures 1-9, a busway mounting arrangement, in accordance with the present invention is shown. The busway mounting arrangement comprises a support element (32), a busway housing (11), a clamp (31), a bolt (33) and a nut (34).

The support element (32) rests on a floor (2). Specifically, the support element (32) rests on an edge (21) of the floor (2). The floor (2) has a shaft (22). In an embodiment, the shaft (22) is a large duct that runs through the height of the building. The purpose of the shaft (22) is to make a place for mounting the bus duct i.e. the busway (1). The support element (32) includes a first flat surface (321), a first set of holes (322) and a second set of holes (323) configured thereon as shown in figure 1. In an embodiment, the second set of holes (323) is configured on a ventral face (not numbered) of the support element (32).

The busway housing (11) (herein after ‘the housing (11)’) rests on the support element (32) in any one of a horizontal arrangement and a vertical arrangement therewith. The horizontal arrangement is also referred to as an edge-wise assembly. The vertical arrangement is also referred to as a flat-wise assembly. The housing (11) encloses the elements of the busway (1) between two identical halves (not numbered) thereof. The housing (11) includes a second flat surface (112A), a third flat surface (112B), a first set of female grooves (111) and a first set of male profiles (113) configured thereon as shown in figure 2. In an embodiment, the female grooves (111) extend all over the length of the housing (11).

At any given time, any one of the second flat surface (111A) and the third flat surface (11B) of the housing (11) rests on the first flat surface (321) of the support element (32) to form any one of the horizontal arrangement and the vertical arrangement therewith for installation of the busway (1) to a required position on an installation site depending on installation site requirements. Specifically, the second flat surface (112A) rests on the first flat surface (321) of the support element (32) to form the horizontal arrangement therewith as shown in figure 8. The third flat surface (112B) rests on the first flat surface (321) of the support element (32) to form the vertical arrangement therewith as shown in figure 9.

The clamp (31) is fitted on the support element (32) for fixing the housing (11) thereon. Specifically, the support element (32) and the clamp (31) form a support assembly for the busway (1). The clamp (31) includes a base (312), a second set of male profiles (311), a second set of female grooves (315) and a hole (313) configured thereon as shown in figures 3 and 4. Specifically, the hole (313) is configured at a dorsal face (314) of the clamp (31). The base (312) rests on the support element (32). In an embodiment, the base (312) is a circular base resting tangentially on the support element (32) such that any one of the second set of male profiles (311) and the second set of female grooves (315) engages with the housing (11) depending on installation site requirements.

In an embodiment or in edgewise assembly figures 6-8, the second set of male profiles (311) engage with corresponding first set of female grooves (111) in the housing (11) enabling the horizontal arrangement of the housing (11) on the support element (32). Specifically, the second set of male profiles (311) of the clamp (31) rest inside corresponding first set of female grooves (111) of the housing (11) from either or one side and is tightened therein to create friction/ frictional force there between thereby restricting the relative motion between the support assembly and the busway (1) and thus restricting the relative motion between the busway (1) and the floor (2).

In another embodiment or in flatwise assembly as shown in figure 9, the second set of female grooves (315) engage with corresponding first set of male profiles (113) of the housing (11) enabling the vertical arrangement of the housing (11) on the support element (32) and is tightened therein to create friction/ frictional force there between thereby restricting the relative motion between the support assembly and the busway (1) and thus restricting the relative motion between the busway (1) and the floor (2).

Thus, the first set of female grooves (111) in the housing (11) and the corresponding second set of male profiles (311) on the clamp (31) as well as the second set of female grooves (315) in the clamp (31) and the corresponding first set of male profiles (113) of the housing (11) allow the clamp (31) and the housing (11) to be mounted in two ways so that the busway mounting location can be flexed in either of these two locations.

The bolt (33) is fitted between the clamp (31) and the support element (32) by passing through the hole (313) of the clamp (31) and the first set of holes (322) of the support element (32) to restrict relative motion there between i.e. between the support element (32) and the floor (2), and also fitted in the second set of holes (323) for mounting onto elements (35) attached to the floor (2) to restrict relative motion between the support element (32) and the floor (2). In other words, the first set of holes (322) of the support element (32) are for the bolt (33) to pass two more holes on the second set of holes (323) which can then be mounted onto elements 35 to restrict relative motion between the two.

The nut (34) is used for tightening onto the bolt (33) to cause the clamp (31) to create force for example frictional force between any one of the flat surfaces (112A/112B) of the housing (11) and the first flat surface (321) of the support element (32) as well as between one of the male profiles and corresponding female grooves of the clamp (31) and the housing (11) to fix the busway (1) to the required position as per installation site requirements. In other words, a normal force is generated between the point where the clamp (31) touches the first flat surface (321) of the support element (32) and the housing flat surface (112A/112B). The tangential contact between the clamp (31) and the support element (32) maximizes the normal force created between the housing (11) and the support element (32).This force enables a frictional force to be generated against the weight of the busway (1). The same normal force is also generated between the smaller second set of male profiles (311) of the clamp (31) and the corresponding first set of female grooves (111) in the housing (11) or between the first set of female grooves (111) of the housing (11) and the corresponding second set of male profiles (311) on the clamp (31). Upon loosening the nut (34), the said frictional force disappears enabling the movement of the busway (1) to and fro about the Z-axis. A favorable position can be reached as per the site conditions and the nut (34) can then be fully tightened to fix this position.

The busway mounting arrangement is explained herein below in further details to describe an operation thereof in accordance with the present invention.

Edgewise assembly: The housing (11) with the busway (1) is moved to the required position causing the second flat surface (112A) to rest on the first flat surface (321) of the support element (32) that in turn causes the second set of male profiles (311) to engage with corresponding first set of female grooves (111) in the housing (11) enabling the horizontal arrangement of the housing (11) on the support element (32), thereafter the bolt (33) is fitted between the clamp (31) and the support element (32) and tightened thereon using the nut (34). This tightening causes the clamp to create a force between the second flat surface (112A) and the first flat surface (321) as well as between the second set of male profiles (311) and corresponding first set of female grooves (111) that results in fixing the busway (1) at the required position as per the installation site requirements. (Refer figures 6-8).

Flatwise assembly: When the installation site requirement changes, the nut (34) is loosened to stop the force between the second flat surface (112A) and the first flat surface (321) and also stopping the force between the second set of male profiles (311) and corresponding first set of female grooves (111). Since there is no force to restrict motion, the housing (11) with the busway (1) is moved to and fro about the Z-axis to reach another required position as per the new installation site requirements. This movement causes the third flat surface (112B) of the housing (11) to rest on the first flat surface (321) of the support element (32) that in turn causes the second set of female grooves (315) to engage with corresponding first set of male profiles (113) of the housing (11) enabling the vertical arrangement of the housing (11) on the support element (32). Thereafter, the bolt (33) is fitted between the clamp (31) and the support element (32) and tightened thereon using the nut (34) that again causes the clamp (31) to create forces for fixing the busway (1) at the required position as per the new installation site requirements. (Refer figure 9).

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

1. The busway mounting arrangement allows busway position flexibility by bringing the busway (1) to the desired location of fixing followed by engaging the male and female profiles of the clamp (31) and the housing (11)
2. The busway mounting arrangement does not require component machining. The bus duct/ busway position can thus be varied as per the site requirement without making structural modifications in any of the components involved.
3. The busway mounting arrangement can be assembled in two distinct ways using the same set of components.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.