Lightweight and Corrosion-Proof A Polymer Wall Bracket for Pipes, Cables, and Conduits

Wall brackets used in construction and building services have traditionally been made from steel or aluminium, materials that are strong but heavy, conductive, and prone to corrosion in damp or chemically active environments. A divisional patent application from Australian inventor Michael Ferman describes a polymer bracket specifically designed for supporting pipes, electrical lines, optical fibres, and similar services in both above-ground and below-ground applications where corrosion resistance, light weight, and electrical non-conductivity are important.

The Problem

Metal wall brackets dominate the building services market because of their structural strength, but they carry practical disadvantages in certain environments. In below-ground applications such as cable ducts and conduit runs, persistent moisture causes metal brackets to corrode over time, weakening their load-bearing capacity and potentially creating galvanic corrosion issues with the pipes or cables they support. In electrical and telecommunications installations, the conductivity of metal brackets introduces earthing and interference considerations that require additional design measures.

Polymer brackets address these concerns but have historically suffered from inadequate structural performance, particularly under sustained loads or where pipes are likely to shift. Designing a bracket that achieves the strength and rigidity of a metal component using polymer materials – while remaining light enough for easy installation and safe for use in hazardous enclosed spaces – requires careful attention to geometry and internal reinforcement.

What This Invention Does

The polymer bracket described in this patent features an elongate upper surface that supports the objects being mounted – pipes, cables, or conduits – and a mounting element at one end that attaches the bracket to a wall or structure. The mounting element extends beneath the upper surface substantially perpendicular to it and rises to a location above the upper surface, where an uppermost mounting hole allows the bracket to be fixed to the wall through a through-bolt or screw.

Two brace elements extend beneath the upper surface to the lower portion of the mounting element, forming a triangular support structure on each side of the bracket. Each triangular side element is reinforced with an integral stiffening rib along the long edge of the triangle, and a bead runs alongside the rib to form a channel that further stiffens the structure. The triangular sides are perforated with arrays of circular openings that reduce weight while maintaining structural performance and provide versatile fixing points for accessories or fasteners.

The upper surface is perforated with through slots arranged along its longitudinal centre line, which can be used to retain fasteners, fixtures, or accessories. The upper surface also features overhanging lips along its side edges that increase the bearing width for objects resting on the bracket. One or more mounting openings are accessible between the bracing elements, allowing fixings to be inserted from below as well as from the top.

Key Features

Polymer construction. The bracket is made entirely or primarily from a polymeric material selected to be resilient, rigid, fire resistant, and safe for use in hazardous environments and enclosed spaces – properties that make it suitable for building services installations where metal brackets would be inappropriate.

Triangular brace geometry. Two triangular side elements extend from the underside of the upper surface to the lower portion of the mounting element, providing efficient structural bracing that translates loads from the supported object into the mounting element and wall fixing.

Integral stiffening ribs. The long edge of each triangular side element carries an integral stiffening rib, reinforcing the hypotenuse of the triangle against bending forces and improving the load capacity of the bracket.

Perforated sides and upper surface. Arrays of circular openings in the triangular sides reduce the overall weight of the bracket while maintaining strength. Through slots in the upper surface provide fixing points for accessories and help retain fasteners.

Overhanging upper surface lips. The side edges of the upper surface extend as overhanging lips, increasing the effective bearing width and preventing supported pipes or cables from slipping sideways off the bracket.

Extension above upper surface. The mounting element rises to a point above the level of the upper surface, where an uppermost mounting hole allows a fixing to be located for wall attachment without interfering with the objects being supported.

Alternative bracing arm embodiment. An alternative embodiment replaces the triangular side elements with bracing arms, each reinforced with an integral stiffening rib and bead-channel structure, providing a lower-profile option for applications with different clearance requirements.

Who Is Behind It?

The applicant and sole named inventor is Michael Ferman of Australia. This divisional application was filed on 18 February 2026, derived from parent application AU 2024200351. The application is managed by IP Solved (ANZ) Pty Ltd in Royal Exchange, New South Wales.

Why It Matters

Building services installations increasingly require materials that perform reliably in corrosive, wet, or electrochemically sensitive environments. The electrical infrastructure for renewable energy systems, telecommunications networks, and water and wastewater facilities all involve conduit and cable runs in environments where metal bracket corrosion is a maintenance and safety concern. A polymer bracket with the load-carrying geometry of a metal equivalent provides a drop-in alternative for these applications without the need for protective coatings or periodic replacement.

The combination of perforated triangular bracing, integral ribs, and through-slot upper surface in a single integrally formed polymer component represents a practical solution to the weight and strength trade-off that has limited the adoption of polymer brackets in demanding building services applications. For contractors working in below-ground or chemical plant environments, a bracket that can be installed, forgotten, and relied upon without corrosion-related maintenance has real commercial value.

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AU 2026201199 was published in the Australian Official Journal of Patents on 19 March 2026 and is open for public inspection. Patent applications represent inventions that are sought to be protected and do not necessarily reflect commercially available products.

Related Concepts

Polymer engineering for structural applications turns on balancing stiffness, weight, and environmental resistance. In building services, non-metallic brackets are particularly valued where galvanic corrosion or electrical conductivity would make steel or aluminium problematic – such as conduit runs in wet or chemically active underground environments.

The triangular brace geometry used in this patent follows the same load-distribution principles seen in structural engineering trusses, where triangulation converts bending forces into pure tension and compression along the members. Combined with integral stiffening ribs, this approach allows a cable and conduit support bracket to match the performance of heavier metal equivalents at lower weight and without corrosion risk.