US20050120652A1

US20050120652A1 - Device for laying and fixing pipes for various circuits, domestic or industrial

Info

Publication number: US20050120652A1
Application number: US10/502,433
Authority: US
Inventors: Fabien Cacciani; Michel Hoffmann
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-01-22
Filing date: 2003-01-20
Publication date: 2005-06-09
Also published as: AU2003216747A1; EP1468478B1; FR2835035A1; EP1468478A2; WO2003063316A2; DE60302039D1; ES2250879T3; CA2473696A1; WO2003063316A3; ATE308143T1; FR2835035B1

Abstract

The invention concerns a device comprising a profiled section A made of plastic material with a base plate (2) whereof the reverse side is equipped with means for adhesive fixing (3) against a wall and the face is provided with elastically deformable wings defining in pairs longitudinal troughs (5) with C-shaped cross-section, arranged projecting and transversely spaced apart from one another, at least one of the wings of each trough being integral with the base plate and made of the same semirigid material. The base plate (2) is divided into sections by cleavable or precut transverse lines, coincident with transverse grooves (21) provided in the trough (5), to form in the profiled section independent laying supports. A finish profiled section made of plastic material B provided with snap-on fixing means on the trough (5), is longitudinally cleavable to cover one or several laying supports and the associated pipes (6).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a laying and fixing system for pipes of various circuits, domestic or industrial.
It therefore relates to pipes for heating, hot and cold water supply, and all other fluid circuits as well as pipes for the protection of electrical circuits or signal-transmission circuits. During the construction of a network of pipes, it is necessary to preform each pipe on site and preposition it before fixing it in place definitively. These operations then have to be repeated for each pipe or conduit.
This preparation is time-consuming for the metal or plastic pipes which are bent on demand, but also pipes made up of straight lengths connected by T or C fittings attached by welding, brazing or adhesive bonding.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Documents FR 1 319 291, FR 2 568 730 and BE 571 724 disclose moldings or ducts formed from a continuous profile comprising a fixing mounting plate with a flat back covered by an adhesive layer and at least two opposing flexible wings defining a closed C, these wings being able to be pushed apart elastically to allow the insertion of one or more conductors into the cavity which they form. In document FR 2 568 730 the profile may comprise several juxtaposed receiving cavities that can be separated at the time of laying, while in document BE 571 724 the duct comprises one or two juxtaposed and inseparable cavities formed by C-shaped wings, that is to say having separated edges.
In shape and structure, these ducts for electrical conductors are unsuitable for laying more rigid, heavier pipes of larger transverse dimensions than the conductors and in particular would be unable, by the force of the adhesive alone, to ensure permanent fixing of one or more pipes having a greater mass per unit length. Furthermore, with visible pipes, these supports would form an aesthetically unpleasing system requiring complementary means to conceal them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Taking ducts for electrical conductors as a starting point, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fixing duct for pipes that simplifies the pipe installation process, and reduces laying time and costs while doing away with any finishing operation for pipes that remain visible.
The invention therefore relates to a duct comprising a plastic profile with a mounting plate whose back is supplied with an adhesive fixing means for fixing it to a wall and whose front is provided with elastically deformable wings in pairs defining a longitudinal cavity for receiving and retaining an elongate body.
According to the invention, the deformable wings are those of longitudinal open C-section gutters projecting from the front of the mounting plate and separated transversely from each other by a gap E, at least one of the wings of each gutter being molded integrally with the mounting plate and made of the same semirigid material, while, on the one hand, the said mounting plate of the profile is divided into sub-lengths by breakable or precut transverse lines coinciding with transverse slots formed through the gutters, in order to form independent ducts in this profile and on the other hand, the system also comprises a plastic finishing profile which, having fixing means for clipping it onto the gutters or pipes, can be cut to length to cover one or more ducts and the associated pipes, along a rectilinear part of laid, fixed pipes.
Thus, when the pipes have been formed to shape, that is to say bent and formed or cut into straight sub-lengths, they are put in position by clipping onto them sub-lengths of duct and pressing the back of these sub-lengths, their peel-off film having first been removed, onto the wall, to which they can later be fixed by other mechanical means, such as screws or equivalent. When all the pipes are laid and fixed and require concealing, the finishing profile is cut into straight sub-lengths, by straight or oblique cuts, and is clipped onto the installation. In this way, a single finishing sub-length conceals from view one or more ducts and the pipes contained inside them.
By this means all the laying operations are effected faster than by the traditional method and the resulting installations are more finished and more aesthetically pleasing.
In one embodiment, at least one longitudinal gutter, of smaller internal diametrical dimension than the pipe gutters, project from the mounting plate into the gap E between two pipe gutters to accommodate and retain an insulated conductor of a circuit for the transmission of electrical or optical signals.
In another embodiment, the finishing profile comprises, projecting from its back, various longitudinal open C-section gutters, each able to receive and retain an insulated conductor, for the transmission of electrical or optical signals, that fits in the gap E between the pipe gutters of the duct.
Each of these two provisions enables the pipe ducts or the finishing profile to be used for laying and retaining a variety of conductors. This is particularly beneficial when it comes to electrical or optical circuits which may be added well after the pipes have been installed, as it saves making chases in the walls, or using other contrivances to conceal these conductors in a habitable room where for example pipes have been laid along the baseboard or cornice and concealed by a finishing profile.
Other features and advantages will emerge from the following description referring to the appended schematic drawing showing, by way of examples, a number of embodiments of the duct according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the system according to the invention designed for two pipes,
FIG. 2 is a side view in cross section of another embodiment of the duct, when laid against a wall,
FIG. 3 is a front elevation showing the application of the device to the positioning of two pipes carrying hot and cold water to a hand wash basin,
FIG. 4 is an end view of another embodiment of the system,
FIGS. 5 and 6 are partial side views of a pipe gutter showing two embodiments of liners that can be put in it,
FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of another embodiment of the pipe gutter,
FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view of another embodiment of the pipe gutter,
FIGS. 9 to 12 are sectional side views of other embodiments of the system,
FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of a room fitted with the system laid along the baseboard and running around a door, and
FIGS. 14 to 18 show other embodiments of the system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 1, the reference A denotes a semirigid plastic profile comprising a mounting plate 2, on the back of which is a layer of adhesive 3 protected by a peel-off film 4. Projecting from the front of the mounting plate 2 are two open C-section gutters 5 whose internal dimension is appropriate for the pipes 6 with which these gutters are intended to engage. The two gutters are separated by a space E equal to or greater than the usual spacing of the pipes of the network in question.
In this space, the mounting plate 2 comprises one or more breakable longitudinal lines 7 consisting of a reduction in the thickness of its component material, and/or consisting of precuts (not shown). It also comprises breakable transverse lines 11 that are also formed by a thinning of the material or by a precut, and coincide with slots 21 running through the gutters 5 all the way to the mounting plate 2. In practice the spacing P from each breakable line and slit 21 to the next is about 10 centimeters.
The profile A is accompanied by a finishing profile B made of a semirigid or flexible plastic and intended to form a cap to conceal the ducts and pipes.
When constructing a hot and cold water supply system with two pipes, as shown in FIG. 3, as the installer forms the pipes 6 to the correct shape, for example by bending them at 10 and cutting them to length, he prepositions them on the wall where they are to be fixed. Once all the components of a sub-length of the system are correct they are positioned on the wall using either a length of the duct profile, as shown at T1 and T3 in FIG. 3, this length being a multiple of the spacing P between two breakable lines 11 of the profile A, or a number of independent ducts T2, obtained by cutting sub-lengths of the base profile A. Each element T1, T2 or T3 is first placed on the pipes 6 by clipping its gutters 5 onto them, i.e. by forcing their wings apart so that they pass the diametrical plane of the pipe before returning elastically to their original position. After removing the films 4 from the back of each of the elements T1 and T2, the latter are stuck to the wall.
The adhesive layer 3 has sufficient holding power to keep the lengths of piping in position while the installer continues laying out the rest of the installation, for example fitting the tee joints 8 of the circuit branch consisting of two lengths of pipe 9 installed for example in a length T3 of the support profile.
If need be, for example if the two pipes have to follow different paths, the profile A of the duct is divided lengthwise into two independent elements by separating it along one of its breakable longitudinal lines 7.
Once all or part of the installation is in position, final fixing of the pipes is carried out by means of staples, collars, screws or any other means known to the installer. At this point the profile B is cut into covering sub-lengths C1, C2 and C3 so that they will cover a straight section of the laid pipe network, that is the supports T1, T2 and T3 and the pipes projecting from them.
The profile B entirely conceals the whole installation from view and forms a whole but does not detract from the appearance of the room in which it is laid, and even allows it to be run against the walls, along the baseboard or cornice, and if necessary to be run around window frames and doorframes.
The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 differs from the previous embodiment in that each of the two gutters 5 a is still C-shaped but has an opening 16 turned to one side rather than away from the mounting plate 2. This figure also shows that the angle subtended by the opening 16 to the center a extends from a value of at least 90° up to 170° to suit the deformation characteristics of the material of the support, in order that the cylindrical pipes 6 can be clipped into and held by each gutter.
This FIG. 2 also shows that, in the gap between the two gutters 5 a, it is possible to provide a gutter 12 of smaller diametrical dimension: this can be used for laying insulated conductors, for transmitting low-voltage current or electrical or optical signals.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the duct equipped with two gutters 5 a engages with a finishing profile 13 forming a cap. It has a U-shaped cross section with wings 13 b provided with clip-fastening means such as spurs 14 able to engage elastically in grooves 31 at the foot of each gutter. The web 13 a of the cap comprises, as shown in FIG. 4, two gutters 17, projecting from its back into the gap E between the pipe gutters 5 a. These gutters 17 are also intended to take insulated conductors for carrying low-voltage current or for transmitting electrical optical signals.
The number of pipe gutters 5 carried by any one support may of course be other than two, and may be one, three or four, for example, depending on the application.
In the same way the inside diameter D of each gutter 5 or 5 a varies as a function of the application, i.e. washing, heating, carrying industrial fluids. However, for ordinary applications the inside diameter D, in FIG. 5, is that of the largest outside pipe diameter 6 encountered, such as 18 millimeters for a pipe carrying water for washing. In this case and in order to retain pipes 6 d of smaller outside diameter, liners 22 in the form of an open C are put in place in the gutters as shown in FIG. 5. These liners are made of flexible plastic so as not to add their stiffness to that of the wings of the gutters. They have an outside dimension that enables them to be clipped into the gutters and an inside diameter equal to the outside diameter of standardized pipes, such as 16, 12 or 10 mm.
In FIG. 6 the liner 23 is H-shaped, that is it consists of a central straight bar connecting two curvilinear bars. It defines two housings 23 a, each able to accommodate and retain an insulated conductor 24. This type of liner makes it possible to use the pipe gutter or gutters that have been left vacant, for carrying various conductors.
The liner 20 could have four housings if given a second straight bar perpendicular to the first straight bar.
FIG. 7 shows that each of the pipe gutters, which hitherto had two wings integral with the mounting plate 2, may have only one wing integral with this mounting plate, for example the wing 5 f, and have a wing 5 m connected to a lug 25. This lug is able to slide relative to the mounting plate 2 so as to form, between the wings 5 f and 5 m, an oblong housing capable of accommodating a pipe having this cross section or a pipe of larger diameter. The lug 25 is made fast by a screw 26, which passes through an oblong hole 27 and screws into a nut 28 embedded in the mounting plate 2.
Although not shown in the drawing, it is envisioned that each wing of the gutter 5 be able to slide relative to the mounting plate 2. This enables the angle of the pipe to be adjusted so that a slope can be given to a drain pipe.
Notice that the mounting plate 2 can also be reinforced by a rigid plate embedded within it or may contain any insert that allows its final fixing such as wall plugs. As shown in FIG. 8, the mounting plate 2 can also be pierced by holes 29 for the passage of screws, sleeves or wall plugs 30, as shown in FIG. 12.
In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the longitudinal edge of each of the wings of each of the gutters 5 of a support is given a spur 32, tooth or equivalent means for engaging with the spur 33 a, or complementary tooth, formed on each edge of a clip 33. The latter is fitted onto the gutter after the latter has taken a pipe whose outside diameter is greater than that for which it is designed and which could therefore come out under the elastic loading on its wings.
This figure also shows that in order to avoid retention of condensation, at least one of the wings 5 i of each gutter 5 is pierced with holes 34 set out lengthwise at a regular pitch that is a submultiple of the pitch P at which the breakable lines 11 of the profile are set apart.
In FIG. 9, the finishing profile 13 d is L-shaped and therefore comprises a web 13 e and a wing 13 f. The wing 13 f has a retaining spur 14 on the outer wing of the upper gutter 5 s of the ducts. The finishing profile 13 d also includes an integral rib 35 projecting from the web 13 e, one of the edges of which is provided with a spur 35 a able to engage with the other wing of the gutter 5 s, to help fix the profile 13 d on each of the ducts. Additionally, one or more gutters 36 for conductors project from the web 13 e of the profile and fit in the gaps E between pipe gutters 5. When the profile 13 d is laid on a series of ducts, the whole has the general form of a baseboard and can be run along the bottom of a wall, as shown in FIG. 13.
In FIG. 10, the finishing profile 13 g is U-shaped and both of its wings have inner spurs 36 able to clip-fasten onto complementary spurs 37 formed on ribs 38 along the edge of the profile A and each duct T, detached from this profile. At least part of this profile 13 g is molded 13 h. Its web 13 j which is at a greater transverse distance from the pipe gutter 5 carries, projecting from its inside face, a number of gutters 36 for conductors.
With this arrangement it is possible, once the pipe network has been installed, to use the circuit described by the installation to install other electrical conductors added as the home expands its systems, e.g. telephone cable, computer cable, loudspeaker wires, computer-television link etc, and this without having to do anything more than remove and refit the finishing profile 13 g on the duct sub-lengths.
In the variant shown in FIG. 11, the profile 13 k comprises, projecting from its web, a number of internal ribs 40 with spurs 41 along their free edges, opposing one another so that they can be clipped onto a pipe gutter 5 or 5 a. In the gap between the ribs 40, the web projects outwards to form a throat 42. In this throat the web comprises, locally and at regular intervals, zones 43 where its wall is thinner and can be cut or broken through to install an electrical accessory, such as a switch, socket, etc. Running alongside the wing 44 of the finishing profile 13 k is a longitudinal partition 45 with which it forms an open channel 46 capable of containing one or more insulated conductors for the transmission of electrical or optical signals. Lastly, the parts of the profile that are intended to come into contact with a surface, such as the wall 47 or the floor 48, have seals against the entrance of at least dust, such as a lip seal 49 or compressible seal 50.
FIG. 12 shows an embodiment suitable for cornice application. The mounting plate 2 of the duct profile is bordered by two lateral flaps 52 for fixing temporarily to the perpendicular surfaces of a corner between two surfaces 53, 54 and each of these flaps has on its back an adhesive layer 55 protected by a peel-off film. The mounting plate is pierced by holes 56 for the passage of shouldered sleeves 30 which have an end shaped as a wall plug 30 a. The wings 13 m of the finishing profile 131 are shaped to hide the flaps 52 and form an attractive cornice. They may, like the web of the profile, take the form of any ordinary molding to improve the decorative effect, and they may be colored or translucent.
Similarly, the gutters for conductors can carry fixed or flashing hanging lights visible through the material of the finishing profile.
FIG. 16 illustrates another advantageous embodiment in which a partition 63, parallel to the mounting plate 2, is added to the profile A. This partition 63 is pierced with oblong holes 64 in which pipe fixing members 6 are engaged. These members comprise a spring clip and a T-shaped foot 66 which fits into one of the oblong holes 64 and after a quarter-turn is retained in the latter. The presence of ventilation openings 68 may also be noted.
Whatever its embodiment, the duct according to the invention saves the user having to prepare the positioning of various pipes and conduits, and in particular avoids the need to fix in wall plugs, screw lugs or collars at the same time as he is shaping the pipes, so that there is a considerable reduction in the amount of time required for installation.
Another advantage is that the duct can be used without any special skill or any special tool, all that is required being a hammer to cause its adhesive bonding to the wall and some sort of cutting blade to cut it into longitudinal sub-lengths or independent elements.
In the more elaborate embodiments, comprising means for retaining conductors and molded finishing profiles, the system according to the invention can be surface-mounted and may or may not follow the outlines of window or door frames. Furthermore, it is envisioned that the finishing profile 13 be equipped with clips 58 with elastically deformable wings that fit directly onto pipes 6 in order to conceal the latter. FIG. 15 shows another variant in which the finishing profile 13 has down-turned clips 59, enabling the profile to be fixed from above. The profile may however have only one clip 59 as shown in FIG. 18.
FIG. 17 shows a profile 13 containing a space 68 reserved for running cables, for example. The invention can of course be produced in any appropriate material. One possibility is to make the finishing profile 13 in wood, clips being attached to it.
Another possibility is to place a layer of insulating material in the system to insulate the pipes 6.
Moreover, the system can be clipped unobtrusively to a pipe 6 or can be clipped to the collar holding this pipe in position.

Claims

1-17. (canceled)

18. A laying and fixing system for pipes of various circuits, comprising:

a plastic profile with a mounting plate having a front and a back;

an adhesive fixing means on the back of the mounting plate for fixing the profile to a surface;

elastically deformable wings in pairs on the front of the mounting plate defining a longitudinal cavity for receiving and retaining an elongate body;

wherein the deformable wings are generally longitudinal open C-section gutters projecting from the front of the mounting plate and are separated transversely from each other by a gap;

wherein at least one of the wings of each gutter is molded integrally with the mounting plate and made of a same semi-rigid material;

wherein the mounting plate of the profile is divided into sub-lengths by breakable or precut transverse lines coinciding with transverse slots formed through the gutters so as to form independent ducts in the profile,

the system further comprising a plastic finishing profile having fixing means for clipping it onto the gutters, wherein the finishing profile can be cut to length to cover one or more ducts and the associated retained elongate bodies along a rectilinear part of said laid, fixed elongate bodies.

19. The laying and fixing system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the openings of the gutters of the profile open laterally toward a longitudinal edge of the mounting plate.

20. The laying and fixing system as claimed in claim 18, further comprising open C-shaped liners, each capable of being inserted in one of the gutters to reduce an inside diameter of the gutter for accommodating an elongate body.

21. The laying and fixing system as claimed in claim 18, further comprising H-shaped liners, each capable of being inserted in one of the gutters to reduce an accommodating diameter of the gutter and to retain the elongate body having a smaller cross section where the elongate body comprises an insulated conductor for transmission of electrical or optical signals.

22. The laying and fixing system as claimed in claim 18, further comprising at least one longitudinal gutter of smaller internal diametrical dimension than the C-section gutters, wherein the smaller longitudinal gutter projects from the mounting plate into the gap between the C-section gutters to accommodate and retain an insulated conductor of a circuit for the transmission of electrical or optical signals.

23. The laying and fixing system as claimed in claim 18, wherein one of the wings of a pair is not molded integrally with the mounting plate and is connected to a lug that is parallel to the mounting plate, able to slide relative to the mounting plate, and is engaged by means that fasten the lug to the said mounting plate, in any position near or far from the other wing.

24. The laying and fixing system as claimed in claim 23, wherein each wing of one of the gutters is able to slide relative to the mounting plate.

25. The laying and fixing system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the wings of each of the gutters are provided on edges thereof with spurs, teeth or equivalent means able to engage with complementary spurs on edges of clips for securing contents of the gutters.

26. The laying and fixing system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the finishing profile includes a U-shaped cross section and comprises elastically deformable wings and means for clipping the wings onto outer wings of two outermost gutters of the duct.

27. The laying and fixing system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the finishing profile includes an L-shaped cross section and comprises, projecting from a web, an elastically deformable longitudinal rib and a wing, both provided with a clip-fastening spur able to engage respectively with wings of one of the gutters.

28. The laying and fixing device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the finishing profile comprises, projecting from a back thereof, various longitudinal open C-section gutters, each able to receive and retain a conductor for transmission of electrical or optical signals, that fit in the gap E between the gutters on the mounting plate.

29. The laying and fixing system as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a longitudinal partition running alongside a wing of the finishing profile to delimit an open channel for receiving at least one insulated conductor for transmission of electrical or optical signals.

30. The laying and fixing system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the finishing profile comprises zones for positioning or fixing an electrical device, the zones being closed by thin covers of breakable material.

31. The laying and fixing system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the mounting plate of each duct is pierced by holes for the passage of sleeves or wall plugs working in conjunction with final fixing screws.

32. The laying and fixing system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the fixing mounting plate of each duct is bordered by two lateral flaps for fixing temporarily to perpendicular surfaces, each of the flaps comprising on a back an adhesive layer protected by a peel-off film.

33. The laying and fixing system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the profile includes a partition parallel to the mounting plate containing pipe fixing member retention means.

34. The laying and fixing device as claimed in claim 33, wherein the pipe fixing member retention means each have a T-shaped foot engaging in an oblong hole formed in the surface.