The present invention relates to strut channel fittings, and more particularly, to magnetic strut channel fittings configured to be magnetically adhered to a strut channel during assembly.
Strut channels are generally used for structural supports, such as supporting cables and mechanical/electrical components, during construction of various facilities or buildings. For example, strut channels can be assembled together to make various shelves, racks, and other support structures and assemblies. These strut channels are generally secured together with strut channel fittings. Currently, the strut channel fittings are held in place manually (using hands) during assembly and secured to the strut channels with fasteners such as bolts. Since the strut channel fittings need to be lined up correctly against open ends of the strut channels while tightening bolts through the strut channel fittings, it is often time consuming and difficult to mount the strut channel fittings to join multiple strut channels.
Accordingly, although various strut channel fittings are available currently in the market, further improvements are possible.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a magnetic strut channel fitting includes first and second plates, the first and second plates connected to each other, and a plurality of magnets embedded into at least one of the first and second plates, wherein the plurality of magnets allow the magnetic strut channel fitting to be magnetically adhered to a strut channel.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a magnetic strut channel fitting includes a substantially flat plate and a plurality of magnets embedded into the plate, wherein the plurality of magnets allow the magnetic strut channel fitting to be magnetically adhered to a strut channel.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a magnetic strut channel fitting includes a substantially flat connecting plate, first and second arm members, each of the first and second arm members having a vertical plate and a horizontal plate, and a plurality of magnets, the plurality of magnets embedded into the connecting plate to allow the magnetic strut channel fitting to be magnetically adhere to a strut channel, wherein the first and second arm members connected and separated by the connecting plate such that a channel insert area is defined therebetween.
These and other aspects of the present invention will be better understood in view of the drawings and following detailed description.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, referring to
Referring again to
In the depicted embodiment, a plurality of magnet holes 34 are defined on the first plate 12, through which the plurality of magnets 16 are inserted and secured therewithin to allow the magnetic strut channel fitting 10 to be magnetically adhered to the strut channel 18 during assembly, as illustrated in
Referring more particularly to
Each of the plurality of magnets 16 is dimensioned to be closely accommodated within each of the plurality of magnet holes 34. For example, the thickness of each of the plurality of magnets 16 is equal to the thickness of the first plate 12 such that each opposite end of each magnet 16 is flush with each surface of the first plate 12. This allows the magnetic strut channel fitting 10 to be installed in multiple orientations and also does not affect the interface between the magnetic strut channel fitting 10 and the strut channels 18, 20.
Referring again to
Preferred dimensions believed to be suitable for the magnetic strut channel fitting 10 include the first plate width FPW of approximately 1.625 inches, the second plate width SPW of approximately 1.625 inches, and the first and second plate lengths FPL, SPL of approximately 3.125 inches and 3.75 inches, respectively. The diameter of each of the plurality of magnets 16 and the diameter of each of the plurality of mounting holes 42 are preferably 0.25 inch and 0.56 inch, respectively.
Referring to
Referring to
The magnetic strut channel fitting 210 is dimensioned such that a part of the first strut channel 228 could be closely accommodated within the channel insert area 222, as shown in
It will be appreciated that other shapes, configurations and dimensions could be used fir the magnetic strut channel fitting, as deemed suitable for a given application factors such as construction type. For example, in an alternate embodiment, referring to
The thickness of each of the plurality of magnets 318, 418, 518 is equal to the thickness of the plate 312, 412, 512 such that, when the plurality of magnets 318, 418, 518 are embedded into the plurality of magnet holes 316, 416, 516, each opposite end of each of the plurality of magnets 316, 416, 516 is flush with each surface of the plate 312, 412, 512.
The magnetic strut channel fitting 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510 is made out of one or more materials having suitable properties for a desired application, including strength, weight, rigidity, etc. Preferably, the plurality of magnets 16, 226, 318, 418, 518 are rare earth disc magnets. Additionally, steel is generally preferred for the plates 12, 14, 112, 114, 212, 218, 220, 312, 412, 512. The magnetic strut channel fittings 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510 are formed as unitary pieces; for example by stamping from a single sheet of metal.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a magnetic strut channel fitting according to the present invention magnetically adheres to a strut channel during assembly, thereby providing faster and easier installation of strut channels.
In general, the foregoing description is provided for exemplary and illustrative purposes; the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Rather, those skilled in the art will appreciate that additional modifications, as well as adaptations for particular circumstances, will fall within the scope of the invention as herein shown and described and of the claims appended hereto.
This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/230,010, filed Dec. 21, 2018, which is a continuation of PCT/US2017/037207, filed Jun. 13, 2017, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/353,875, filed on Jun. 23, 2016, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2346582 | Insler | Apr 1944 | A |
2580099 | Clemens | Dec 1951 | A |
3245165 | Podoloff | Apr 1966 | A |
3852935 | Jones | Dec 1974 | A |
4591817 | Miller | May 1986 | A |
4742640 | Moore | May 1988 | A |
5301822 | Coleman et al. | Apr 1994 | A |
5313754 | Jensen | May 1994 | A |
5374019 | Fischer | Dec 1994 | A |
5660276 | Winnard | Aug 1997 | A |
5971379 | Leon, Jr. | Oct 1999 | A |
6811127 | Shiao | Nov 2004 | B1 |
7971736 | Stewart | Jul 2011 | B1 |
8242343 | Jones et al. | Aug 2012 | B2 |
8499943 | Neldner | Aug 2013 | B1 |
8955891 | Millsap | Feb 2015 | B2 |
10010173 | Ricco | Jul 2018 | B1 |
20050258059 | Joyce | Nov 2005 | A1 |
20080217506 | Cohoon | Sep 2008 | A1 |
20100269400 | Gesik | Oct 2010 | A1 |
20110132159 | Goodman, Jr. | Jun 2011 | A1 |
20110192519 | Gangl | Aug 2011 | A1 |
20120005868 | Suderman | Jan 2012 | A1 |
20140033602 | Gesik | Feb 2014 | A1 |
20150176754 | Houston et al. | Jun 2015 | A1 |
20150369422 | Alcorn | Dec 2015 | A1 |
20170290426 | Hovenden et al. | Oct 2017 | A1 |
20200306950 | Chang | Oct 2020 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2430683 | Apr 2007 | GB |
2532996 | Jun 2016 | GB |
2013002560 | Jan 2013 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20210123227 A1 | Apr 2021 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62353875 | Jun 2016 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 16230010 | Dec 2018 | US |
Child | 17141537 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | PCT/US2017/037207 | Jun 2017 | US |
Child | 16230010 | US |