Clamp device for cable tray assembly

Abstract

A clamp device includes a clamping plate having a first side portion that is sized and shaped for reception into a channel defined by a bottom channel portion of one of the rails of the cable tray. The clamping plate has a second side portion configured for fastening to a cable tray support such that the bottom channel portion of the rail is clamped between the clamping plate and the cable tray support. The use of the clamp device increases the load-bearing capacity of the cable tray assembly over an identical cable tray that does not include the clamping plate.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A cable tray assembly having a length and a centerline extending lengthwise of the assembly, the cable tray assembly comprising:
 a pair of generally parallel rails extending lengthwise of the cable tray assembly, each rail having a vertical web and a bottom channel portion at a lower end of the web, the bottom channel portion includes a heel portion projecting laterally outward from the vertical web, and a generally horizontal toe portion projecting laterally inward from the heel portion to a location inboard of the vertical web, the heel portion and toe portion defining a channel extending lengthwise of the rail and generally facing the centerline of the cable tray assembly;   a plurality of rungs extending between the rails and spaced apart along the cable tray assembly, wherein the rungs are secured to inboard portions of the rails such that upper surfaces of the generally horizontal toe portions support the rungs; and   at least one clamp device configured to secure one of the rails to a cable tray support, the at least one clamp device including a planar clamping plate having a first side portion received in the channel of said one of the rails and disposed outboard of the vertical web of said one of the rails, and a second side portion extending inboard of the toe portion of said one of the rails and configured to be secured to the cable tray support to clamp the bottom channel portion of said one of the rails to the cable tray support, wherein the planar clamping plate lies flat against the generally horizontal toe portion of the bottom channel portion of said one of the rails.   
     
     
         12 . The cable tray assembly set forth in  claim 11 , in combination with the cable tray support supporting the cable tray assembly, wherein the second side portion of the clamping plate is secured to the cable tray support. 
     
     
         13 . The cable tray assembly set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the at least one clamp device further includes a bracket extending upward from the planar clamping plate and fastened to an inboard side of the vertical web to interconnect the planar clamping plate to the vertical web. 
     
     
         14 . The cable tray assembly set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the bracket includes a web-securement portion secured to the inboard side of the web, and an angled portion between the web-securement portion and the planar clamping plate. 
     
     
         15 . The cable tray assembly set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the bracket and planar clamping plate are separate, discrete components. 
     
     
         16 . The cable tray assembly set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the bracket includes a planar clamping plate securement portion configured to be secured to the planar clamping plate. 
     
     
         17 . The cable tray assembly set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the planar clamping plate securement portion defines an opening for receiving a fastener to fasten the bracket to the planar clamping plate. 
     
     
         18 . The cable tray assembly set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the opening is a slot extending lengthwise of said one of the rails. 
     
     
         19 . The cable tray assembly set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the web-securement portion includes at least one opening, the cable tray assembly further comprising a fastener received in the at least one opening and fastened to the inboard side of the vertical web of said one of the rails to secure the bracket to the vertical web. 
     
     
         20 . The cable tray assembly set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the second side portion of the planar clamping plate defines an opening for receiving a fastener to secure the planar clamping plate to the cable tray support. 
     
     
         21 . The cable tray assembly set forth in  claim 20 , wherein the opening is a slot extending lengthwise of said one of the rails. 
     
     
         22 . A method of installing a cable tray assembly, the method comprising:
 providing a clamp device including a clamping plate having a first side portion and a second side portion;   providing a cable tray having a length and a centerline extending lengthwise of the assembly, the cable tray including
 a pair of generally parallel rails extending lengthwise of the cable tray assembly, each rail having a vertical web and a bottom channel portion at a lower end of the web, the bottom channel portion includes a heel portion projecting laterally outward from the vertical web, and a generally horizontal toe portion projecting laterally inward from the heel portion to a location inboard of the vertical web, the heel portion and toe portion defining a channel extending lengthwise of the rail and generally facing the centerline of the cable tray assembly, 
 a plurality of rungs extending between the rails and spaced apart along the cable tray, wherein the rungs are secured to inboard portions of the rails such that upper surfaces of the generally horizontal toe portions support the rungs; 
   inserting the first side portion of the planar clamping plate of the clamp device into the channel of one of the rails and outboard of the vertical web, wherein a second side portion extends inboard of the toe portion of said one of the rails; and   securing the second side portion of the planar clamping plate to a cable tray support opposing a bottom surface of the bottom channel portion of said one of the rails to clamp the bottom channel portion to the cable tray support, wherein the planar clamping plate lies flat against the generally horizontal toe portion of the bottom channel portion of said one of the rails.   
     
     
         23 . The method set forth in  claim 22 , further comprising interconnecting the planar clamping plate to the vertical web of said one of the rails using a bracket. 
     
     
         24 . The method set forth in  claim 23 , wherein further comprising securing the bracket to the planar clamping plate. 
     
     
         25 . The method set forth in  claim 24 , wherein said securing the bracket to the planar clamping plate comprising inserting a fastener through aligned openings in the bracket and the planar clamping plate. 
     
     
         26 . The method set forth in  claim 23 , wherein the bracket and the planar clamping plate are formed as a single, one-piece component. 
     
     
         27 . The method set forth in  claim 26 , wherein the bracket includes a web-securement portion configured to be secured to the inboard side of the web, and an angled portion between the web-securement portion and the planar clamping plate. 
     
     
         28 . The method set forth in  claim 27 , wherein the web-securement portion defines at least one opening configured to receive a fastener to secure the web-securement portion of the planar clamping plate to the inboard side of the web.