Expansion splice plate for a cable tray run

Abstract

A cable tray expansion splice plate for connecting first and second cable tray sections end-to-end is disclosed. The splice plate includes an elongate body having a central section, an upper flange section, and a lower flange section. In one embodiment, the lower flange section defines a channel for receiving components of the first and second cable tray sections such that the lower flange section underlies the components. Fastener openings in the central section and the lower flange section receive fasteners to fasten the body to the cable tray sections. These openings include slots which permit the cable tray sections to move relative to one another in a longitudinal direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cable tray expansion splice plate for connecting first and second cable tray sections end-to-end, said splice plate comprising
 an elongate body having opposite ends, a generally planar central section, an upper flange section extending laterally outward from an upper end of the central section, and a lower flange section extending laterally inward from a lower end of the central section, the lower flange section defining a channel for receiving components of the first and second cable tray sections such that the lower flange section underlies the components,   a first set of openings in the central section and the lower flange section for receiving fasteners to fasten the body to the first cable tray section, and   a second set of openings in the central section and the lower flange section for receiving fasteners to fasten the body to the second cable tray section,   each opening of the first set of openings comprising a slot having a major axis extending lengthwise of the body to permit movement of the cable tray sections relative to one another in a direction extending longitudinally of the cable tray sections.   
     
     
         2 . The splice plate of  claim 1 , wherein each opening of the second set comprises a slot having a major axis extending lengthwise of the body to permit movement of the cable tray sections relative to one another in a direction extending longitudinally of the cable tray sections. 
     
     
         3 . The splice plate of  claim 2 , further comprising a third set of openings in the central section and the lower flange section for receiving fasteners to fasten the body to the second cable tray section, each opening of the third set comprising a slot having a major axis extending lengthwise of the body to permit movement of the cable tray sections relative to one another in a direction extending longitudinally of the cable tray sections. 
     
     
         4 . The splice plate of  claim 3 , wherein the lower flange section of the body comprises a heel portion projecting outward from the central section and a toe portion projecting inward from the heel portion to a location inboard of the central section. 
     
     
         5 . The splice plate of  claim 4 , wherein each of the first, second, and third sets of openings includes two slots in the central section and one slot in the toe portion of the lower flange section. 
     
     
         6 . The splice plate of  claim 5 , wherein the slots of each set of the first, second, and third sets lie in a single plane extending transversely of the splice plate. 
     
     
         7 . The splice plate of  claim 1 , wherein the lower flange section of the body comprises a heel portion projecting in an outboard direction from the central section and a toe portion projecting in an inboard direction from the heel portion to a location inboard of the central section. 
     
     
         8 . The splice plate of  claim 7 , wherein each of the first and second sets of openings includes two openings in the central section and one opening in the toe portion of the lower flange section. 
     
     
         9 . The splice plate of  claim 8 , wherein the openings of each set of the first and second sets lie in a single plane extending transversely of the splice plate. 
     
     
         10 . Two splice plates as set forth in  claim 1  connecting two cable tray sections end to end. 
     
     
         11 . A cable tray expansion splice plate for connecting first and second cable tray sections end-to-end, said splice plate comprising
 an elongate body having opposite ends, a generally planar central section, an upper flange section extending laterally outward from an upper end of the central section, and a lower flange section extending laterally inward from a lower end of the central section,   a first set of openings in the central section and the lower flange section for receiving fasteners to fasten the body to the first cable tray section, and   a second set of openings in the central section and the lower flange section for receiving fasteners to fasten the body to the second cable tray section,   each opening of the first and second sets of openings comprising a slot having a major axis extending lengthwise of the body to permit movement of the cable tray sections relative to one another in a direction extending longitudinally of the cable tray sections.   
     
     
         12 . The splice plate of  claim 11 , wherein the lower flange section of the body defines a channel for receiving components of the first and second cable tray sections such that the lower flange section underlies the components. 
     
     
         13 . The splice plate of  claim 12 , wherein the lower flange section of the body comprises a heel portion projecting outward from the central section and a toe portion projecting inward from the heel portion to a location inboard of the central section. 
     
     
         14 . The splice plate of  claim 13 , wherein each of the first and second sets of openings includes two slots in the central section and one slot in the toe portion of the lower flange section. 
     
     
         15 . The splice plate of  claim 14 , wherein the slots of each set of the first and second sets lie in a single plane extending transversely of the splice plate. 
     
     
         16 . The splice plate of  claim 11 , further comprising a third set of openings in the central section and the lower flange section for receiving fasteners to fasten the body to the second cable tray section, each opening of the third set comprising a slot having a major axis extending lengthwise of the body to permit movement of the cable tray sections relative to one another in a direction extending longitudinally of the cable tray sections. 
     
     
         17 . The splice plate of  claim 16 , wherein the lower flange section of the body defines a channel for receiving components of the first and second cable tray sections such that the lower flange section underlies the components. 
     
     
         18 . The splice plate of  claim 17 , wherein each of the first, second, and third sets of openings includes two openings in the central section and one opening in the lower flange section. 
     
     
         19 . The splice plate of  claim 18 , wherein the slots of each set of the first, second, and third sets lie in a single plane extending transversely of the splice plate.