AU2006201054B2 - Services Duct Assembly - Google Patents

Description

-1 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT, 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT ORIGINAL Name of Applicant: MODEMPAK LIMITED Actual Inventors: DAVID JOHN SIMS and MICHAEL RICHARD PROUT Address for service A J PARK, Level 11, 60 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra ACT in Australia: 2601, Australia Invention Title: Services Duct Assembly The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us.

-2 "SERVICES DUCT ASSEMBLY" BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION This invention relates to ducts for power cables, telecommunication cables, or other 5 services. SUMMARY OF THE PRIOR ART Devices that require a mains electricity power source are now used extensively in offices, hospital wards and the like. The growth in the number of these devices means that 10 there are increased numbers of mains power cables that run between power sockets and the devices. In offices, hospital wards and the like, the layouts are often only semi-permanent, and are changed with some frequency as staff join or leave firms, and office layouts, ward layouts or the like are changed according to changes in strategy and priority. It is usual for the cables that power the computers, monitors and the like, and the 15 telephone cables, network connection cables etc. to be routed through semi-permanent ductwork that is located, for example, recessed into skirting boards, walls or similar. Each duct can usually route a large number of cables. A typical duct would contain power cables, telephone cables and network cables. Ducts of this type can also be used to carry gas tubing or similar, if required. Ducts of different sizes can be used as required. The ducts ensure that the 20 cables are kept tidily out of sight, and also minimise a potential tripping or snagging hazard, as cables are not strewn across floors or draped across workstations and desks between devices and the power points or telephone jack sockets. Power points are added to the ductwork, usually on the lid or fascia of the duct, in appropriate locations, so that devices can be connected to the cables in the ducting. The ducting usually takes the form of long lengths 25 of aluminium or plastic extrusion, square or rectangular in cross-section. Ducts of this type are also commonly used for housing other services, such as gas pipes (e.g. oxygen pipes in hospitals). The modularity allows the overall length to be varied to suit the situation. Usually, the rear face of the duct is attached to a wall or similar, and the front face is easily removable to enable maintenance to be carried out, or to add or remove extra cables, pipes or other 30 services that can run within the ducting. An example of this known type of duct is illustrated in Figure 1, Often this ductwork is not recessed, and the rear face is usually attached directly to a wall or other surface. As most cable ducting is square or rectangular in cross-section, this usually means that lengths of the conduit stand proud of the wall or floor where they are -3 located. If ducting is laid attached to a wall close to the floor, this can create a small area underneath the ducting, where the wall meets the floor, that is hard to access for cleaning or similar, and can act as a dirt trap. This is especially undesirable for hospital usage. Similarly, the horizontal top surface of the ducting can act as a dust or dirt trap, or can provide a surface 5 that can easily be jarred or knocked, which can damage the ducting. Similarly, if ducting is laid parallel with other ducts, or laid close to joins or corners such as gibbing on walls, this can create narrow cavities or similar that are difficult to clean, and are also visually unappealing, 10 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a duct assembly which goes some way towards overcoming the above disadvantages or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice. In a first aspect the present invention consists in a services duct assembly 15 comprising: a duct having a channel, said channel open on one side, said channel including a base portion, said base portion opposite said open side, and a detachable lid, said detachable lid closing said open side of said channel in use, said lid including an outer lid surface and an inner lid surface; and 20 at least one detachable fascia, said fascia including a body portion with an outwardly facing surface and an inwardly facing surface, a proximal edge and a distal edge, lip; wherein said base portion of said duct is attachable in use to a wall, floor or other connection surface, said lid and said channel include cooperatively acting lid connection portions, for 25 releasable attachment of said lid to said channel, and each of said fascias and each edge of said duct further include cooperatively acting fascia connection portions to detachably connect said fascia to said duct, such that with a said fascia attached to said duct, the body portion of said fascia passes outwards from said channel and inwards towards said connection surface so that said distal edge contacts said connection 30 surface. To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended -4 claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 5 Figure I shows a cabling duct of known type, with integral sockets for power plugs or telecommunications jacks. Figure 2a shows an end or cross-sectional view of the duct according to the present invention, with side fascias in place, attached to a wall. Figure 2b shows and isometric view of the duct of Figure 2a. 10 Figure 3a shows an end or cross-sectional view of the duct according to the present invention with side fascias in place, attached to a wall, and semi-recessed by the addition of a gib board projecting from the wall, and running along one side of the duct. Figure 3b shows an isometric view of the duct of Figure 3a. Figure 3e shows an exploded view of the duct of Figure 3a. 15 Figure 4a shows an isometric view of the duct of Figure 4a. Figure 4b shows an end or cross-sectional view of the duct according to the present invention with side fascias in place, attached to a wall, and fully recessed by the addition of gib boards projecting from the wall either side of the duct. 20 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS While the invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, one specific embodiment is shown in the drawings, and will be described in detail, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to that illustrated and 25 described. A modular design is disclosed for a cable duct, comprising; a channel 1, open on one side and at the ends, the channel 1 of the preferred embodiment having a generally u-shape with a flat base portion 2 to allow the duct to be attached to a wall or floor 3, or similar; a lid 4 which can be removably attached to the channel I to close the open side; and selectable side 30 fascias 5, 6. The fascias 5, 6 help to protect the duct and improve the visual appearance of the duct and ductwork. The fascias 5, 6 blend with the channel I and lid 4, and also with the wall or floor surface 3 which the duct is connected to. With reference to Figure 1, a cable duct 7 of a known type is shown. The cable conduit has the fonn of un elongate box of indefinite length, rectangular in cross-section. The -5 duct is semi-modular, and a number of lengths can be laid end to end until the required overall length is achieved. Conduits of this type are usually semi-permanently connected via their rear face to a wall, floor, or similar, for long-term usage. The connection from the conduit to the wall is by any suitable means, such as screws passing through the rear face of the ducting 5 into rawlplugs or similar. Power cables or telephone cables 8 pass along the length of the duct 7, terminating at mains power point sockets 9, telephone jack plugs 10, or similar as required, these sockets 9, 10 integrally mounted in one wall of the duct, usually the outward or upwardly-facing face, opposite the connection to the wall or floor, 10 With reference to Figure 2a and 2b but also reference to Figure 3c, a cross-sectional view, and an isometric view of a cable duct according to the current invention are shown. A open channel 1 is attached via the rear face to a wall 3. The channel I includes lips 12 for removably attaching a duct lid 4 to the top of the channel 1. The lips 12 co-operatively act with clips II on the inside surface of the lid 4. In the preferred embodiment, these clips 11 15 and lips 12 are generally of a male/female interference-fit type, as shown in Figures 2a and 2b. However, any suitable type of clip or connector can be used but preferably the connector parts are readily formed by continuous extrusion as an integral part of the channel and/or lid. The duct 1 is illustrated with a number of cables 8 passing within it, these cables 8 terminating at and connected to mains power point sockets, telephone sockets or similar 20 mounted on the ducting lid as required. A number of individual conduit sections (ducts, lids and fascias) can be laid end to end to make up the total length to that which is required, to enable a length of cable to be laid around the edge of a room, for example. Sections may be joined at corners, for example, by mitre cutting the meeting sections. The required length of cable is laid within the channel I and connected as required to power points, telephone jack 25 sockets etc, on the lid 4. Each lid 4 is usually manufactured as one piece, with the sockets added as required by punching or cutting holes in the lid and inserting the socket hardware. Lids with an appropriate mix of sockets, or no sockets, are used to close the top of the duct channel 1 as required. The duct is usually attached to a wall or floor 3. In the embodiment described below, 30 the channel 1, lid 4 and fascias 5 will be described for a situation where the duct is attached by its rear face or base 2 (the bottom of the u-shaped channel) to a wall 3, so that the u channel is facing sideways. If required, the duct could easily be rotated through 90 or 270 degrees so that is attached to the floor or ceiling as required, or any other surface off the vertical.

-6 When attached to the channel 1, the upper and lower edges of the lid 4 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention do not lie flush with the edges of the duct channel. The lips 12 extend inward from either side of the channel and make contact with the clips 11 on the inside of the lid 4. Of course the position of the clips 11 and recesses 12 can be 5 reversed so that the recesses lips are on the lid 4, and the clips I I are within the channel 1. The lid is narrower than the channel so it does not completely cover the front face of the channel when in place. As the lid edges and the duct edges do not lie flush, with the lid in place a small step or rebate 13 is created at the top and bottom of the outer face of the box that is formed by attachment of the lid 4 to the channel 1. 10 The channel I of the current invention includes a further channel clip feature, recesses 14, located on each of the upper and lower walls of the u-shaped channel 1, adjacent open side edge. Fascias 5 can be connected to the channel I using these recesses 14. Fascia clips 17 on the fascias 5 slot into the duct fascia clip recesses 14. Again, the position of the clips 17 15 and recesses 14 could be reversed if required. The free end of clip 17 engages over a small lip 30 on clip recess 14 to secure the fascia in place. Several different types of fascia can be used as appropriate for different situations. The different types are described in more detail below. If the conduit is mounted directly to an otherwise smooth wall 3, and a smooth, 20 contoured and blended surface is required between the lid 4 and the wall 3 to which the cable duct 1 is attached, a surface mount fascia 5 is used. When viewed end-on, in cross-section, the surface mount fascia 5 has the appearance of a straight, slightly tapered section, with the thin end of the section curved in one direction to form a lip 18, and the thicker end of the section curved in the opposite direction, forming a projection 19 that will fit into the step 13 formed 25 by connection of the lid 4 and duct 1. The underside of the projection 19 has the fascia clip 17 (or recess 14) to enable connection to the channel 1. As noted above, the projection 19 on the end of the surface mount fascia 5 fits into the step or rebate 13, so that the outer surface 20 of the lid 4 and the outer surface 21 of the surface mount fascia 5 are co-planar along at least their edges. The edge of the surface mount 30 fascia 5 and the edge of the lid 4 meet but there is no overlap between the two parts. That is, the edge faces meet so that no ridge or seam is created at the join - the intention being to make the overall surface substantially continuous passing across the join from the lid outer surface 20 to the fascia outer surface 21. The main body section of the surface mount fascia 5 curves inwards at an angle towards the wall. At a point close to the wall, and close to the thin -7 end of the surface mount fascia, the surface mount fascia curves outwards, forming the lip 18 so that the outer surface 21 becomes co-planar with the wall 3, and the fascia 5 butts up against the wall 3. This lip 18 has the effect of forming a barrier against dirt or similar, which cannot easily pass between the lip 18 and the wall 3. The fascia 5 sheds dust, dirt and liquids 5 and also shields the sharp corners and surfaces of the duct I and lid 4 that might easily be accidentally knocked or caught in use, potentially damaging equipment or ducting, or injuring a person. It also has the effect of providing a visually and aesthetically pleasing side cover for the duct 1, helping to blend the duct I with the wall 3. An identical surface mount fascia clip 5 can be attached to the other side of the duct 1 in an identical manner, having the same effect, 10 and helping to blend the duct 1 with the wall 3. A second form of fascia clip 6 shall now be described with reference to Figures 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a and 4b. The channel and lid of the duct are the same as described above. Depending on where they are used, ducts of the type described above may be desired to be provided in a fully recessed or semi-recessed (one side only obscured) condition. A fully recessed condition 15 is illustrated in Figures 4a and 4b. A semi recessed condition is illustrated in Figures 3a and 3b. For example, the duct will be semi-recessed if it is routed parallel to and close beside a projecting length 22 on the wall 3, created by the addition of a second conduit, or a wall cladding or lining or similar. Typically a narrow gap or slot 23 will be left between the gib or second conduit 22, and the duct 1. 20 Similarly, if the duct is recessed on each side, two narrow gaps 23 will be formed, one each side of the ducting. It can be seen that the mounting surface will have an innermost portion, where the base of the duct is connected, and an outermost portion. The outermost portion is that part of the wall surface which does not form part of the recess in the duct sits. It should be noted that these terms, 'innermost', and 'outermost' refer to the local area around 25 the duct, and are intended to apply to parts of the wall connection surface which may be contacted by the various parts of the duct and fascias. They are not intended to be literally interpreted to mean the very outermost and innermost parts of the wall an connection surface, only those part in the immediate vicinity which are relevant. It is an advantage for this gap 22 or gap 23 to be covered, so they do not act as dust or dirt traps. It is also more visually 30 pleasing for the gaps to be covered. In these situations, a recess fascia 6 can be used. This is a shorter and slightly less sharply curved fascia than the surface mount fascia 5 described above. The recess fascia 6 is designed to connect with the channel I and lid 4 in the same manner as the surface mount fascia 5, and blends with the lid 4 in the same manner as the surface mount fascia 5, but does -8 not need to extend as deeply as the surface mount fascia, as the channel I is already recessed into the wall surface. This means that the distance between the outer surface 20 of lid 4 and the outer surface of the surrounding wall is less than it would be from the lid 4 to the wall 3 when a surface mount fascia 5 would be used. The lip 24 of the recess fascia 6 butts up 5 against the outer surface of the wall lining 22 in the same manner as has already been described for the surface mount fascia 5 and wall 3, in order to provide a barrier to dirt, and to blend in a visually pleasing manner with the outer surface of the wall lining 22 and provide a smooth surface between the duct lid 4, the fascia clip 6 and the wall lining 22, and closing off the gap 23 between the channel 1 and the gib 22. 10 In the similar manner to that already been described, a second clip can be added if required to the opposite side of the channel 1. If the ducting is fully surface mounted, two surface mount fascia clips 5 can be used, one attached on each side of the channel 1, as shown in Figures 2a and 2b. If the ducting is semi-recessed, one surface mount fascia clip 5 and one recess fascia clip 6 can be used, one 15 on each side of the channel 1, as shown in Figures 3a, 3b and 3c. If the duct is fully recessed, two recess fascia clips 6 can be used, one on each side of the channel 1, as shown in Figures 4a and 4b. It should be noted that the components of the duct - channel 1, duct lid 4 and fascia side clips 5, 6 - have the advantage of modularity. A lid 4 and channel 1 for a specific 20 situation can be cut to the required length from an overall length as provided from the manufacturer, or a manufacturer can provide sections of set length. Lids 4 can be provided with power or telephone sockets already in place. Similarly, the fascias 5, 6 of both types as described above can be manufactured in set lengths, or cut to length for specific situations as required. If the same type of clip 17 and clip recesses 14 are used for either side of the 25 channel 1, either of the fascia types 5, 6 can be clipped to either side of the channel 1 as required. Each of the individual components (duct lid 4 and clips 5, 6) can be mixed and matched with the others to produce the required overall ducting pattern. It should also be noted that a further advantage of the current invention is that the fascias 5, 6 can be removed and replaced repeatedly, if required, either for maintenance or if 30 they become damaged in service, or if the ducting is re-routed or relocated, and a different style of fascia is required. Similarly, the lids 4 can be replaced as required, either if they become damaged in use, or if extra cable is added to a duct, and additional power sockets, telephone jacks, or similar outlets are required at a point where they were not located before.

-9 If required, the ducting can also be used without the fascias 5, 6 connected. In that case an alternative lid may be used that fully covers the front face of the channel, including the clip recesses 14. Each individual component (lid 4, duct 1, and fascias 5, 6) are preferably 5 manufactured by extruding aluminium. However, the components that make up the current invention could be manufactured by a suitable method, from any suitable material to suit the conditions of intended use as required. Although in the preferred embodiment described above, the fascias 5, 6 are described as being manufactured from extruded aluminium, variations on this manufacturing method are 10 envisaged within the scope of the present invention. One example of an alternative construction would be for either of the fascias to include a lip manufactured from a different material than the extruded aluminium described above. For example, the respective lips 18 and 24 of the fascias 5, 6 could be made from a plastic or rubber material to form a small flexible sealing edge.

Claims (8)

1. A services duct assembly comprising: a duct having a channel, said channel open on one side, said channel including a base 5 portion, said base portion opposite said open side, and a detachable lid, said detachable lid closing said open side of said channel in use, said lid including an outer lid surface and an inner lid surface; and at least one detachable fascia, said fascia including a body portion with an outwardly facing surface and an inwardly facing surface, a proximal edge and a distal edge, lip; wherein 10 said base portion of said duct is attachable in use to a wall, floor or other connection surface, said lid and said channel include cooperatively acting lid connection portions, for releasable attachment of said lid to said channel, and each of said fascias and each edge of said duct further include cooperatively acting 15 fascia connection portions to detachably connect said fascia to said duct, such that with a said fascia attached to said duct, the body portion of said fascia passes outwards from said channel and inwards towards said connection surface so that said distal edge contacts said connection surface. 20

2. A services duct assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a said fascia is a surface fascia, used where said connection surface is substantially planar with the base portion of said duct, said surface fascia shaped such that when connected to said duct, the distal edge of said surface fascia extends back to the level of said base portion of said duct. 25

3. A services duct assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a said fascia is a recess fascia, used where said connection surface is discontinuously planar, said connection surface having at least a first planar portion and a second portion, said base portion connected in use to said first planar portion, said recess fascia shaped such that when connected to said duct, the distal edge of said recess fascia extends back to the level of said second portion, said 30 second portion closer to said open side of said channel than said first planar portion.

4. A services duct assembly as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said cooperatively acting lid connecting portions comprise lid clips located on said inner lid surface and lid clip receivers located within said channel, said lid and said channel sized relative to one another such that when said lid is connected to said channel, closing said open side, a step or rebate is created at the front edges of said duct, and when said fascia is connected to said duct, a part of said fascia occupies said rebate.

5 5. A services duct assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein said cooperatively acting fascia connection portions comprise fascia clips located on the outside surface of said duct, and fascia clip recesses located on said inwardly facing surface of said fascia, such that when said channel, said fascia and said lid are connected in use, said channel will be enclosed behind said lid and said fascias, such that a substantially smooth surface is presented on the 10 overall outward side.

6. A services duct assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein said fascia connection to said duct is further made in such a manner that said outer fascia surface and said outer lid surface are co-planar where said surfaces meet. 15

7. A services duct assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said distal edge or lip is manufactured from a flexible sealing material.

8. A services duct assembly substantially as herein described with reference to and as 20 illustrated by Figures 2 to 4b. MOEAK LIMITED 25 a A I PARK Patent Attorneys for the Applicants Date: