AU620391B2

AU620391B2 - Receiving troughs in distributing facilities of telecommunication systems

Info

Publication number: AU620391B2
Application number: AU33145/89A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Martin Behrendt; Bernd Koske; Frank-Helge Latte
Original assignee: RXS Schrumpftechnik Garnituren GmbH
Current assignee: RXS Schrumpftechnik Garnituren GmbH
Priority date: 1988-04-19
Filing date: 1989-04-18
Publication date: 1992-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 2009-04-18
Also published as: TR26465A; AU3314589A; ES2011194A6; DE3813078A1

Description

i: A1 It Is FORM 1 Ref: 87890 COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE: Class Int Class Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority: Related Art: Name and Address of Applicant: RXS Schrumpftechnik-Garnituren GmbH Profilstr. 4 5800 Hagen 1 FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY Address for Service: Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Complete Specification for the invention entitled: Receiving Troughs in Distributing Facilities of Telecomii;unication Systems The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of perfo-ming it known to me/us S00,6846 I a/04 8/ 5845/7 010 0 0 a a *0 0 0 0 4 0 Q 0 00 00 000 0 0 0 0 0 a 1A Receiving troughs in distributing facilities of telecommunication systems.

The invention relates to a receiving trough for connecting strips for constructing solderless distributing facilities in telecommunications and communications engineering.

To construct solderless distributing facilities in telecommunications and communications engineering, newly developed connecting, isolating and protection strips are available which allow compact distributing facilities to be constructed. The connecting strips are equipped with single-contact or double-contact terminals on the switching side. Thus, two insulation wires can also be placed in parallel on one contact. This makes it possible to perform switch-over operations without break. Such components can only be appropriately employed if they can be used for assembling appropriate constructional 15 units which, however, must then also be usable in distributing facilities already existing.

Thus, this invention is based on the object of creating a receiving trough in which the connecting strips can be arranged in a simple and clear manner.

There is disclosed herein a receiving trough in which connecting strips for constructing solderless distributing facilities in telecommunications and communications engineering can be attached by locking, comprising: a generally U-shaped channel section having a pair of side walls and a bottom, the side walls having angled upper edges with angled recess openings therethrough adapted to receive slots on one side and locking elements on the other side of said connecting strips, and in that manner the connecting strips are held orthogonally with respect to the trough longitudinal 4phwQu4the bottom having entry openings for electrical conductors therethrough, mounting means to mount the receiving trough extending from the channel section, and a dust cover adapted to be detachably locked into said recess openings by snap engagement therewith so as to cover said connecting strips, and the mounting means comprises tabs cut out of the side wall and/or the trough bottom, the tabs being adapted to be fastened by way of a threaded fastener to an angle bracket, which angle bracket comprises a rr t~ 1 -7 1B flange which in cooperation with said threaded fastener aids in clamping the mounting means to a distributing strip, the brackets further comprising an extension adapted to be received within a slot formed in the trough bottom.

Using a receiving trough according to the invention, connecting units or terminations can now be assembled in a simple and clear manner.

Such a unit is then essentially composed of the receiving trough, the connecting elements, known per se, and of corresponding designating unifs such as, for example, label frames. The entire unit can be additionally provided with a dust cover. It is particularly of advantage that the receiving trough according to the invention can be used wiLnout effort in the available cable distribution housings, in racks, on normal walls or on so-called assembly walls, a tr r a it a I it I ~BMS/2857l 3; /I j -2without additional mounting means. The connecting strips are also attached in the simplest manner by locking onto the receiving trough, in which arrangement overvoltage protection elements, which can be additionally plugged on, receive earth/frame contact from the receiving trough via spring elements through round or rectangular openings. The receiving trough itself is preferably manufactured of rustproof material and is either wholly or partially electrically insulated or protected by means of additional insulating pJates on the trough bottom which are mounted, for example, by simply being locked on. At the same time, corresponding edge protection, particularly in the case of through openings, can be provided so that the electric safety with respect to the lines can 15 be considerably increased by this means.

oorai 21 t The receiving trough is mounted in the facilities in the simplest manner by means of hooking and/or screwing elements which are inserted in or at suitable places of the facilities. Thus, for example, angles, claws or hooks can be used which are partly constructed as support feet for the receiving trough. Using these elements, the trough is mounted in the facilities, for example by engaging the back of the assembly strips and subsequent 4t locking by means of screws or similar elements.

The receiving trough according to the invention can also be provided with transverse separating areas so that the length required in each case can be optimally adapted by simple separation at the assembly site.

In the receiving troughs according to the invention, the cables or lines can be conducted outside or inside as required because various through openings for entry and exit are arranged in virtually all wall areas of the receiving trough.

It is furthermore an advantage of the invention that identifications can be clearly arranged at the receiving troughs. These identifications are preferably constructed as label frames which essentially correspond to the dimensions of the connecting strips. In addition, prefe::ably the same or similar locking mechanisms as in I i, 11 1 Ir 1r

I

-3the connecting strips are used in these label frames so that they can be placed and locked in virtually parallel to the connecting strips. This allows a quite clear arrangement and identification to be established.

The receiving trough according to the invention is completed with an appropriately arranged and preferably transparent dust cover.

A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a receiving trough according to the invention with connecting strip in place, in a front view, Figure 2 shows the receiving trough of Figure 1 in a perspective view, Figure 3 shows a second illustrative embodiment according to the invention, Figure 4 shows a third illustrative embodiment according to the invention, Figure 5 shows various arrangements for mounting the receiving trough according to Figure 4, Figure 6 shows an identification frame according to the invention in a top view, Figure 7 shows mounting elements for an identification frame in a side view, Figure 8 shows a second embodiment of mounting elements in a side view, Figure 9 shows a third embodiment of mounting elements in a side view, Figure 10 shows a dust cover for the receiving trough in top view, Figure 11 shows the dust cover in a front view, Figure 12 shows the dust cover in a side view, Figure 1 illustrates in a front view the design of an illustrative embodiment of the receiving trough 1 according to the invention. It consists essentially of a longitudinally directed, U-shaped channel section 6 with side walls 9 and a trough bottom Ib in which at least a part of the feed lines can be carried. At the top edges 7 of the receiving trough 1, the connecting strips 13 -4with the connecting elements 14 can be placed, preferably locked in, the locking mechanisms of the connecting strips engaging corresponding recess openings 8 and 24 in the top edge 7. The top edges 7 are in each case provided with recess openings 24 into which the connecting strips 13, having slots 16 on one side, can be inserted and locked in with locking elements on the other side. The receiving trough 1 is also provided with a foot section, by means of which it can be inserted and mounted in the most varied distributing facilities. The illustrative embodiment shown here firstly has angles 3 which are loosely inserted and by means of which the trough can be hooked under corresponding distributing strips. At these locations, tabs 2 are cut out of the side walls 9 of the i" 15 receiving trough i, at which tabs a clamping and locking t C with the angles 3 is performed by means of screws 4. In the lower foot space 5 of the receiving trough 9, lines 0 C can also be carried.

Figure 2 shows the receiving trough 1 according to Figure 1 in a perspective view. This clearly shows the individual constructions, particularly the use of the angles 3 which are hooked in by means of a further angle 12 and the distributing strips 17 in each case. The tabs 2 cut out of the side walls 9 are combined either directly, or on tabs 11 which are also cut out of the angles 3, by means of screws 4 and are used for locking the receiving trough 1, the screws 4 additionally being used as countersupports for the angles 12 and being braced against the distributing strips 17. The angles 3 are inserted with extensions 3a into slots 10 in the trough bottom lb and ensure the possibility of good alignment in the assembly. This detail is shown more closely in the section figure marked in the circle. The ends 3a are offset by the thickness of the trough bottom lb so that they can be installed without being at an angle after insertion into the slots 10. Furthermore, the recess openings 24 and holes 8 can be seen in which the connecting strips and the label frames are anchored.

Figure 3 shows a receiving trough 18 approximately having the construction already described, but the mounting means are here constructed in a different manner. The angles 20 and 21 cut out of the side walls 18a and the trough bottom 18b themselves here exhibit support tabs 20b and 21b cut out of them which are equipped with captive knurled screws 22 and by means of which a mounting can be effected in the manner already described above. In this arrangement, the ends of the K knurled screws 22 are supported on the distributing strips 17 and thus in each case form countersupports corresponding to the angles 20a and 21a so that the receiving trough 18 is mounted by this means. These I knurled screws 22, for example, are also provided with a slots so that a mounting can also be effected with the aid of a screwdriver. Furthermore, they have a hole or a socket 23 for introducing a plug so that earth potential can be picked up from here. In the angled top edges of Sthis receiving trough 18, as in the preceding illustrative embodiment, recess openings 8 and 24 are provided in the same manner for inserting and mounting the connecting strips. The trough bottom 18b is provided with various H entry openings 25, 27 and 28 for introducing lines. The entry openings 27, for example, have an edge protection.

Furthermore, a large section 25 is cut out of the trough bottom 18b, the part cut out at the trough side 18a being constructed as angle 21. The section 25 is preferably provided with an edge protection 26 for protecting the 3 lines introduced. At one end of the receiving trough 1, protruding mounting feet 19 are here provided by means of which a screwless fixing of position can be effected in corresponding recesses or at the distributing strips of the distributing facilities. Corresponding pins ensure protection against slipping and thus secure the installed position.

Figure 4 shows another illustrative embodiment of a receiving trough 30 according to the invention, in which arrangement the trough bottom 31 can be mounted directly on the distributing facility or a wall. For this purpose, openings 32 are provided, the shape of which is

I~

1 I I I. It ,Ir 11 :i I C ri I I -6designed in such a manner that a corresponding adjustment and alignment can be effected. In this case, two rows of slots 32 are provided which are in each case offset by 900 with respect to one another in their longitudinal extent 5 so that sufficient possibilities for displacement are given. Entry openings 35 exist in the centre of the trough bottom 31 and in the side walls 30a. The units for locking in the connecting strips can also be found in the manner described at the top edges 7 with the recess openings 8 and 24 for inserting the connecting strips. In addition to those previously described, this illustrative embodiment also has the additional advantage that the receiving trough 30 can be matched to the length required in each case by means of corresponding separating units.

15 For this purpose, transverse breaking edges or slots 33 having narrow breaking edges 34 are provided, along which a separation can be performed without effort. Thus, an arbitrary number of sections are here located behind one another, each of which exhibits corresponding entry openings 35, locking mechanisms 8 and 24 and mounting means 32. However, the constructions for separating can also be introduced additionally in the illustrative embodiments previous described.

Supplementing Figure 4, Figure 5 shows various possibilities for the constructions of mounting openings 32 in the trough bottom 31. These mounting openings have, for example, keyhole-like (32a, 32b), T-shaped (32c), L-shaped (32d), plus-shaped (32e) construction so that in each case a displacement in various directions is possible. The construction according to 32f shows a matrixshaped arrangement of several individual holes.

Figures 6 to 9 now show a further special feature of the invention. Thus, corresponding label frames 36, by means of which the connecting units can be clearly and interchangeably identified, can be clamped in in the same manner as connecting strips. These label frames 36 consist of an identification label 38 which is provided with insertion tabs 37. Correspondingly marked designation sheets can here be inserted and fixed as is -7 indicated in particular in Figure 6. Various locking mechanisms are explained in the figures below.

The locking mechanism of a label frame 36 according to Figure 7 is produced by means of spring noses 39 which are set out at an angle and which are locked into the locking openings 8 and 24 of the top edges 7 of the Sreceiving trough i, 18 and The locking mechanism of a label frame according i to Figure 8 consists of locking elements 40 which lock in a locking manner into the recess openings 8'and 24 of the top edges 7, a lateral position fixing being effected by two noses in each case.

exibt Finally the illustrative embodiment of Figure 9 exhibits a mounting mechanism which is normally used, for S 15 example, in the case of the connecting elements 13; that is to say a slot guide 16 is provided on one side and a locking arrangement is provided on the second side. Thus, this label frame 36 is inserted on one side with the slot i guide 16 into a recess opening 24 of the top edge 7 and is locked in by means of a spring element 41 on the second side by pressing in.

i c'l Figures 10, 11 and 12 show in addition a dust cover 42 for a receiving trough i, 18 or 30 according to the invention. This dust cover 42 is dimensioned in such a manner that it also covers the inserted connecting strips with the lines introduced and any overvoltage arresting elements which may have been placed on. It is preferably produced of transparent material so that the wired unit with the labelling can also be seen from the outside. The dust cover 42 has laterally arranged spring noses 43a and 43b which, for example, span the receiving trough and lock in as in the embodiment of 43a, or engage corresponding openings in the receiving trough as in the embodiment of 43b.

32 Claims 12 Figures

Claims

1. A receiving trough in which connecting strips for constructing solderless distributing facilities in telecommunications and communications engineering can be attached by locking, comprising: a generally U-shaped channel section having a pair of side walls and a bottom, the side walls having angled upper edges with angled recess openings therethrough adapted to receive slots on one side and locking elements on the other side of said connecting strips, and in that manner the connecting strips are held orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal trough, the bottom having entry openings for electrical conductors therethrough, mounting means to mount the receiving trough extending from the channel section, and a dust cover adapted to be detachably locked into said recess openings by snap engagement therewith so as to cover said connecting 15 strips, and the mounting means comprises tabs cut out of the side wall and/or the trough bottom, the tabs being adapted to be fastened by way of a threaded fastener to an angle bracket, which angle bracket comprises a 9t C flange which In cooperation with said threaded fastener aids in clamping the mounting means to a distributing strip, the brackets further c ftcomprising an extension adapted to be received within a slot formed in the trough bottom.

2. A receiving trough as claimed in claim 1 wherein an outwardly directed mounting feet extend laterally from the trough. S 25 3. A receiving trough as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the entry openings are provided with electrically insulating edge protection.

4. A receiving trough as claimed in claim 1 wherein the extension of the bracket is offset relative thereto by a corresponding thickness of the trough bottom. A receiving trough as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein transverse breaking edges are provided at spaced locations across the channel section.

6. A receiving trough as claimed in claim 5 wherein narrow breaking bridges are provided across edge transverse breaking slots so as to interconnect adjacent portions of said channel. TNMS/2857l fjl A4751s Y"! r I-rt 1

7. A receiving trough claims wherein mounting holes -9- as claimed in any one of the preceding are provided through the trough bottom.

8. A receiving holes are constructed trough as slots as claimed Swhich are in claim offset by in claim 7 wherein

900. 7 wherein the mounting the mounting 1. a I r 9. A receiving trough as claimed holes are of keyhole like construction. A receiving trough as claimed holes are of T-shaped construction. 11. A receiving trough as claimed holes are of L-shaped construction. 12. A receiving trough as claimed holes are of plus-shaped construction. 13. A receiving trough as claimed in claim 7 wherein the mounting in claim 7 wherein the mounting in claim 7 wherein the mounting in claim 7 wherein the mounting r A; cr r at A a *o a eq Oa 0 0 'peac 8 00 o holes are arranged in the form of a matrix. 15 14. A receiving trough according to any one of the preceding claims wherein instead of connecting strips, the label frames can be inserted into the recess openings. A receiving trough as claimed in claim 14 wherein the label frames comprise spring noses. 20 16. A receiving trough as claimed in claim 14 wherein the label frames comprise locking elements. 17. A receiving trough as claimed in claim 14 wherein the label frames are provided with locking elements, a slot guide and a spring element. 18. A receiving trough according to any one of claims 14 to 17 wherein the label frames comprise inserting tabs for identification labels. 19. A receiving trough according to any one of the preceding claims being formed of sheet metal material. 20. A receiving trough as claimed in claim 19 being coated with insulating material. 21. A receiving trough as claimed in claim 19 further comprising plates of insulating material inserted and locked thereto. 22. A receiving trough according to any one of claims 1 to 18 being formed of insulating material. 23. A receiving trough according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the dust cover is transparent. TMS/28571 Avs ~i 10 24. A receiving trough according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a connecting socket for earth potential is attached thereto. A receiving trough as claimed in claim 24 wherein the connecting socket comprises a knurled screw provided with a hole. 26. A receiving trough substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this EIGHTEENTH day of NOVEMBER 1991 RXS Schrumpftechnik-Garnituren GmbH Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON rti~g. ttt. TMS/28571