AU747001B2

AU747001B2 - A trunking routing accessory such as a corner or branch

Info

Publication number: AU747001B2
Application number: AU95221/98A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Yvon Buard
Original assignee: Legrand SA; Legrand SNC
Current assignee: Legrand SA; Legrand SNC
Priority date: 1997-12-04
Filing date: 1998-12-03
Publication date: 2002-05-09
Anticipated expiration: 2018-12-03
Also published as: TR199802532A3; DE69812284T2; ZA9810992B; AR017786A1; PT921616E; EP0921616A1; AU9522198A; TR199802532A2; HU223728B1; EP0921616B1; PL330060A1; DE69812284D1; RU2212084C2; BR9805770A; PL192980B1; HUP9802804A2; HUP9802804A3; FR2772200A1; FR2772200B1; ES2195294T3

Description

Regulation 3.2(2)

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Application Number: Lodged:

S

0 0S S S

SS

@5 0 S 'S

S.

SS

5 9

S

S S *S S S S

S.

OS**

S 5* 0O S

S

S.

S

005605 *0 55 9 0

S

Invention Title: A TRUNKING ROUTING ACCESSORY SUCH ASA CORNER OR BRANCH The following statement Is a full description of this invention, Including the best method of performing It known to us 1 FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is generally concerned with trunking of the type used to support, house and protect various types of device, for example, in particular various forms of electrical device, and to support, house and protect conductors, pipes or other equipments connected to such devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As is well known in itself, trunking has, by definition, a base with an open cross-section by which it is fixed to a wall of any kind and a cover which is removably attached to the base to close it.

As is also well known in itself, trunking of the above kind is in practice used in sections either because, running continuously with the same orientation along the wall that supports it, its total length is greater than the unit length available, or because its orientation changes part-way along a run.

The change of orientation can take place when it passes from a first wall to a second wall forming a dihedron with the first wall, for example.

It can also occur flat on the same wall, however.

To re-establish the desirable continuity in this case, in particular from the point of view of the required electrical insulation, it is usual to employ .between two successive sections of trunking with different orientations an appropriate accessory o referred to herein for convenience only as a routing accessory.

The same applies at a branch connection using three trunking sections, one of which necessarily has a different orientation to the other two.

The present invention is more precisely concerned with routing accessories of*the above type.

It can therefore concern either what is usually a "corner", for example an inside corner when called a "co rner,,, for example -an inside corner when the trunking sections are fitted to walls defining a re-entrant dihedron or an outside corner when the walls define an outwardly projecting dihedron, or a branch connection, for example a T connection, the branch connection possibly occurring at either of the aforementioned kinds of dihedra.

The corresponding routing accessories generally comprise a mask adapted to lie between the covers of the different trunking sections to be joined, to be more precise between the natural flanges of the bases when, having a U-shaped cross section, the bases comprise a back and two lateral flanges.

In some cases at least they also include a plate adapted to lie between the bases of the different trunking sections, to be more precise between the backs of the bases when, as previously, they have a U-shaped cross-section.

The plate provides the required continuity of insulation vis A vis the wall or walls.

S 20 It can also serve to position the bases of the S.different trunking sections, so advantageously facilitating fitting them.

Finally, it sometimes includes retaining means :for the associated mask contributing to the fixing S: 25 thereof.

The mask assures the desirable continuity of insulation from one of the trunking cover sections concern to the other and between the lateral flanges of their bases when they have a U-shaped cross-section.

Independently of retaining means for additionally fixing it to the plate, the mask is at present usually provided with fixing means, for example clipping means, identical to those operative between the cover of a trunking section and its base, and therefore fixes to the base in the same manner as the cover, in practice by means of rims on the cover, usually along a free edge of its lateral flanges.

Although they are well suited to holding a cover of the above kind onto a base of the above kind, in particular because of the length along which the cover and the base are interengaged, and also because the cover does not usually project significantly beyond the base, such fixing means are less well suited to retaining an accessory of any kind, and in particular a routing accessory of any kind of the sort referred to here.

A routing accessory of the above kind is always of relatively short length and, compared to the bases that it links, it is operative cantilever fashion from one base to the other.

Furthermore, it is frequently more exposed to impacts than the trunking sections themselves, especially at an outside corner.

Accordingly, it is by no means rare, for 20 example in the event of an impact, for the mask of a ee *e routing accessory of the above kind to separate totally or partly from one or both of the trunking sections between which it lies.

It is of course feasible to harden the fixing 25 of the mask by reducing accordingly the play for clipping it, which increases the force needed to detach e. S it.

However, this is not desirable in practice because it is desirable for the mask to be relatively easily removable, in particular for maintenance purposes and/or should it be necessary to modify the overall configuration of the trunking sections concerned as the installation concerned changes.

Furthermore, the cutting of the covers of the trunking sections is always a somewhat hit and miss affair so that, if for no more than aesthetic reasons, the mask of the routing accessory employed must cover the ends of the covers.

It is therefore necessary for the covers to be fitted before the mask.

They are therefore fitted without any positioning marks and as a result there may be at least some localized gaps where the mask overlies them, which is the opposite of what is required.

A general aim of the present invention is an arrangement that addresses at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention there is provided a trunking routing accessory, such as corner or branch, adapted to establish continuity between at least two differently oriented trunking sections, each trunking section including a base and a cover, said routing accessory including a mask in one piece with at least two end flats and two supports for the same mask, with one support for each trunking section, each support having receiving means for attaching an end flat of the mask to it and assembly means for attaching said support to said base by nesting it over the rims of the lateral flanges of the base of corresponding trunking section such that said support is positioned above the bottom of said base.

Briefly, in accordance with embodiments of the invention, a specific 20 support may be provided for fixing the mask at the end of each of the trunking sections, to which the mask is fixed instead of being fixed to the bases of the trunking sections. The support is itself fixed to the bases by assembly means which are advantageously of a different and more suitable type, instead of being of the same type as the fixing means operative between the cover of trunking g 25 section and its base.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, for example, the assembly means are groove means provided.

along at least a part of the length of each of the longitudinal edges of the support employed and through which the support can cooperate nesting fashion with the rims that the bases of the trunking sections usually have for the fixing means of the cover, through simple interengagement with those rims.

The mask and the supports being in practice injection molded components, the clearances between their respective receiving means are advantageously much easier to control than in the case of extruded components, as is the case in practice with the bases and the covers of the trunking sections.

Thus, in accordance with the invention, it is advantageously possible to arrive at a good compromise between easy mounting and demounting of the mask and its resistance to detachment in the event of an impact.

This advantageously authorizes a loosening of the manufacturing tolerances for the bases of the trunking sections, freeing them from the constraint 20 that results from the present need for the mask of the oe routing accessories to be properly attached to them.

S This is all the more true in that the support provided in accordance with the invention can initially be attached to the base more or less approximately 25 because after and by virtue of the fitting of the corresponding cover its attachment is firmed up by the relative movement towards each other of the corresponding rims of the base.

:In other words, the covering of the support in accordance with the invention by the cover of the 0 trunking sections advantageously assures correct retention of the support and therefore high resistance to detachment in the event of an import.

Because the retention of the mask on the support by the receiving means provided for this purpose is itself, excellent, for the reasons previously explained, the preferred arrangement in accordance with the invention advantageously guarantees uninterrupted protection as normally provided by the trunking concerned despite any impacts to it.

During installation of the system, the support in accordance with the invention can advantageously serve as a clip for temporarily retaining conductors or pipes installed in the bases of the trunking sections concerned before the covers are fitted.

It also advantageously provides a marker. for cutting and positioning the covers, itself forming a marker.

It is therefore advantageously certain that the mask subsequently fitted will cover the covers as required.

Finally, the mask of the invention being fixed by means of a specific support, the mask itself has few 2 delicate technical functions and can therefore be a 20 relatively simple component that is economic to oooo :manufacture Thus it is advantageously feasible for the user to change the mask, if required, for example to e:o substitute for it another mask having a different 25 appearance so that the overall appearance can be .g changed.

•o ~BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent in the following description given by way of example with reference. to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a locally cut away perspective view of an installation including a plurality of differently oriented trunking sections with routing accessories in accordance Swith the invention between them; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view to a larger scale referring to one of the above routing accessories; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the plate of that routing accessory, shown to the same scale as Figure 2; Figure 4 shows the detail IV of the plate shown in Figure 3 to a larger scale; Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the supports of the routing accessory in accordance with the invention; Figure 6 is another perspective view of the support; Figure 7 is a view in longitudinal section taken along the line VII-VII in Figure 5 and to a larger scale; Figure 8 is a view in cross section taken along 000000 the line VIII-VIII in Figure 6; "Figure 9 shows to a larger scale the detail IX 20 from Figure 8; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the mask used in the routing accessory in accordance with the invention, as seen from below; Figure 11 is a view of the mask in cross S. 25 section taken along the line XI-XI in Figure 10 and to a larger scale; Figure 12 shows the detail XII from Figure 11 to a still larger scale; Figure 13 is a perspective view of the plate of 0 another routing accessory in accordance with the a'".invention; Figure 14 is a perspective view of the corresponding mask, as seen from below; Figure 15 is a perspective view of an adapter associated with the mask, as seen from the front; Figure 16 is a view of the adapter in longitudinal section taken along the line XVI-XVI in Figure 15 and to a different scale; Figure 17 is another perspective view of it, as seen from the rear and to a different scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The figures illustrate, by way of example, an installation in which trunking 10 runs horizontally as a baseboard along the foot of successive walls 11A, 11B, 11C.

For example, and for convenience of description, the walls 11A, 11B form a projecting dihedron D and the walls 11B, 11C form a re-entrant dihedron D'.

The angle of the two dihedra D, D' is substantially a right angle, ignoring manufacturing tolerances.

The trunking 10 comprises three successive trunking sections 10A, 10B, The trunking sections 10A, 10B respectively correspond to the walls 11A, 11B and at the dihedron D where they join a routing accessory A of the type commonly referred to as an "outside corner" is provided.

Similarly, the trunking section 10C corresponds to the wall 11C and at the dihedron D' where it joins .oo. onto the trunking section 10B a routing .accessory A' of o. the type commonly referred to as an "inside corner" is provided.

The installation shown by way of example further includes a trunking section 10' branching off the trunking 10 in the hollow of the dihedron D' and connected to the trunking sections 10B, 10C at the routing accessory A' joining them, with an adapter 12 between it and the routing accessory as described in more detail below.

All the trunking sections 10A, 10B, 10C and have generally the same structure and each includes a base 13 and a cover 14, also described in more detail below.

In the installation shown, the trunking 10 and therefore the trunking sections 10A, 10B and 10C are installed, for example, in the corner between the corresponding walls 11A, 11B and 11C and the common floor 15 and the trunking section 10B likewise is in the corner between the walls 11B and 11C.

The base 13 of the trunking sections 10A, and 10' therefore has a generally triangular section.

The corresponding provisions are not relevant to the present invention and will not be described in detail here.

For an understanding of the invention suffice to say that the base 13 has two lateral flanges 16 S* forming a dihedron, that along their free edge the S. 0 20 flanges 16 form an inwardly directed rim 18, and that 5. for clipping the corresponding cover 14 the rims 18, which are therefore at the front, each form a channel 19 along their respective free edge.

In the embodiment shown by way of example the 0. 25 cover 14 covers the rims 18 entirely, extending beyond the channels 19 with which it is engaged.

It is clear from the foregoing description that the routing accessories A, A' are designed to establish o continuity between at least two differently oriented trunking sections 10A, 10B, 10C, Although the routing accessory A is used between only two trunking sections, here the trunking sections 10A, 10B, the routing accessory A' is used between three trunking sections, here the trunking sections 10B, 10C and In a manner that is known in itself each of the routing accessories A, A' includes a plate 20, adapted to extend between the bases 13 of the corresponding trunking sections and a mask 21, 21' adapted to extend between their covers 14.

In accordance with the invention, each of the routing accessories A, A' further includes at least one support 22a, 22b having, as described in more detail below, assembly means 23 for attaching it to the base 13 of one of the trunking sections concerned, here one of the trunking sections 10A, 10B or 10C, and, also as described in more detail below, receiving means 24 for attaching to it the corresponding mask 21, 21'.

In the embodiments shown, the mask 21, 21' of the routing accessories A, A' in accordance with the invention includes at least two symmetrical flats referred to herein for convenience only as end flats.

0 E In the case of an outside corner the mask 21 of 9. 5 20 the routing accessory A is in practice reduced to the 41 two end flats 25a, *ad 0 0016% The same applies to an inside corner.

'S

In the case of an inside corner with a branch, however, like that shown, the mask 21' of the routing 25 accessory A' has three flats, namely two end flats 25'b also symmetrical, and an intermediate flat 26.

In the embodiment shown, and by virtue of S, arrangements which, not being relevant to the present invention, will not be described in detail here, the 0ce end flats 25a, 25b of the routing accessory A are continuously joined to each other by a hinge area 27 and the end flats 25'a, 25'b and the intermediate flat 26 of the routing accessory A' are continuously joined in pairs by hinge areas 27.

Be this as it may, in the embodiment shown of each of the routing accessories A, A' in accordance with the invention there are two supports 22a, 22b for the same mask 21, 21', with one for each end flat 25a, 25b, The two supports 22a, 22b are the same for both of the routing accessories A, A'.

They are symmetrical to each other and have the same configuration as each other.

Accordingly, only one of the supports 22a, 22b is described in detail hereinafter, with reference to Figures 5 through 9, in this instance the support 22b.

In the embodiment shown, the support 22b has two parallel longitudinal edges 28 and its assembly means 23 are groove means along at least a part of the length of each of the longitudinal edges 28.

sTo be more precise, in this embodiment, the support 22b is in the general form of a plate and the .e 0 so groove means forming its assembly means 23 are back-to- 20 back on the edge surface of the longitudinal edges 28.

,To be even more precise, along each of the .eu longitudinal edges 28 of the support 22b the groove means forming the assembly means 23 of the support 22b S. are formed between two rims 29, 30 substantially eo 25 parallel to each other and projecting laterally outwards, one at the top and the other at the bottom.

e In the embodiment shown, the rims 29, 30 each extend only part of the length of the longitudinal edges 28 of the support 22b and, overlying each other o 30 over at least a part of their own length, they are offset longitudinally relative to each other.

The top rim 29 is level with and continuous with the top surface 31 of the support 22b.

However, in the embodiment shown, the top surface 31 of the support 22b is itself at two levels, a top level at the front and a bottom level at the rear, with a step 32 between the two levels transverse to the whole, i.e. perpendicular to the longitudinal edges 28. The height of the step is at least equal to the thickness of the cover 14 of the trunking sections 10B, Consequently, in the embodiment shown, the top rim 29 of the groove means forming the assembly means 23 extends only part of the length of the longitudinal edges 28 of the support 22b corresponding to the top level part of the top surface 31 thereof.

In practice, in the embodiment shown, the top rim 29 extends from the front transverse edge 33 of the support 22b.

In the embodiment shown, the support 22b has an upstanding edge 34 along each longitudinal edge 28 over at least part of its length, in practice over all of its length, and the bottom rim 30 of the groove means forming the assembly means 23 forms an outwardly 20 directed right angle lip on the upstanding edge 34.

In practice, in the embodiment shown, the bottom rim 30 extends from the rear transverse edge of the support 22b.

S..

°SeeS As in the embodiment shown, the edge surface of 25 the bottom rim 30 is preferably beveled by means of a chamfer 36.

o To reduce the weight of the system, and also •.2for reasons connected with molding, the bottom edge can have spaced recesses 37 in its edge surface (see 30 Figures 5 and 9) As in the embodiment shown, at least one of the rims 29, 30 preferably has at least one transverse rib 38 projecting from its inside surface, i.e. projecting from its surface that faces towards the other rim 29, 30, the rib forming a brake.

As shown, a plurality of ribs 38 are provided in this way at intervals along the bottom rim 30, for example, in the part of the latter that the top rim 29 overlies, and the top rim 29 is smooth.

In the embodiment shown, the receiving means 24 provided on the support 22b for attaching a mask 21, 21' thereto include at least one clipping recess 39 in which there is at least locally a detent As in the embodiment shown, the receiving means 24 preferably include at least two clipping recesses 39 aligned with each other, parallel to the longitudinal edges 28 of the support 22b and the detents 40 of which are different levels Nl, N2, a top level and a bottom level.

As shown here, for example, there are at least two clipping recesses 39 aligned along each of the two

S

longitudinal edges 28 of the support 22b.

However, in the embodiment shown, the front o transverse edge 33 of the support 22b is oblique to its 20 longitudinal edges 28, at an angle substantially equal o• to 450 As a result there are only two clipping recesses 39 along the shorter longitudinal edge 28, the

S..

detents 40 of which are at different levels Nl, N2.

25 There are four clipping recesses 39 along the longer longitudinal edge 28, the detents 40 of which are alternately at two different levels Nl, N2.

In practice, in the embodiment shown, all the clipping recesses 39 are only in the top level part of S 30 the top surface 31 of the support 22b.

They also all have the same type of configuration.

In the embodiment shown, the clipping recesses 39 have an elongate buttonhole profile in plan view substantially parallel to the longitudinal edges 28 of the support 22b.

However, the contour of the clipping recesses 39 become smaller from the front transverse edge 33 of the support 22b to its rear transverse edge 35 and, for the clipping recesses 39 in the same row, this contour is inscribed within a more general contour common to all of the row.

In practice, the clipping recesses 39 are all in the form of a bottomless well, the common upstanding edge 34 of which forms a longitudinal wall of each of them, and the associated detent 40 is formed by the edge of a longitudinal wall 41, opposite the other longitudinal wall and also common to all of the clipping recesses 39 in the same row. However, their heights are different depending on the level N1, N2 at 0: which the detent 40 is located.

"•The detent 40 is preferably preceded by an entry chamfer 42 and in the embodiment shown, the entry 20 chamfer 42 is produced by an oblique conformation of the longitudinal wall 41 where it opens onto the top surface 31 of the support 22b.

In the embodiment shown, the support 22b has a laterally projecting lug 44 at one end at least of its 0000 25 front transverse edge 33.

As shown here, for example, it has a laterally projecting lug 44 of this kind at each end of its front transverse edge 33.

The two lugs 44 are aligned with each other and S 30 continuous with the front edge surface of the front transverse edge 33 of the support 22b.

The lug 44 on the side of the longer longitudinal edge 28 of the support 22b is formed with a hook at its free end.

In other words, at its free end it has a rim parallel to the longitudinal edges 28 of the support 22b.

In the embodiment shown, the same lug 44 has a right angle rim 46 along one edge, to be more precise along its bottom edge, substantially halfway along it.

The lug 44 on the side of the shorter longitudinal edge 28 of the support 22b is smooth, however.

In practice, in the embodiment shown, the support 22b has an upstanding edge 47 parallel to its front transverse edge 33, but slightly set back relative to it, level with the upstanding edges 34 along its longitudinal edges 28 and with its ends forming the lugs 44.

*sees: In the embodiment shown, the support 22b S: includes at least one localized opening 48.

"•As shown here, for example, only one such opening 48 is provided and it is in the middle area of 20 the top level part of the top surface 31 of the support 22b.

S. Finally, in the embodiment shown, the support 22b incorporates at least one notch 49.

As shown here, for example, only one notch 49 25 is provided along its rear transverse edge 35 and the notch 49 occupies a great deal of the bottom level part

C

of its top surface 31.

The distance between the rims 29, 30 of the groove means forming the assembly means 23 of the 30 support 22b is substantially equal to the thickness of the rims 18 on the flanges 16 of the base 13 of the trunking sections 10A, 10B, O10C and so the support 22b can be attached to a base 13 of this kind merely by nesting it over the rims 18 of the base 13, by virtue of temporary localized elastic deformation of the flanges 16 thereof.

As already mentioned above, the support 22a is similar to the support 22b.

Only the direction of the inclination of its front transverse edge 33 relative to its longitudinal edges 28 changes.

To cooperate with the hook-shape lug 44 on the supports 22a, 22b, the plate 20, 20' of the routing accessories A, A' in accordance with the invention has two lateral retaining bosses 52.

In the case of an outside corner plate, the retaining bosses 52 are at the edges of a recess 50 in the projecting part of the plate 20 (see Figures 3 and 4) The arrangement is substantially the same for S: an inside corner plate (not shown) S"When, as shown here, an inside corner is used

S.

-to make a branch connection, the plate 20' can be 20 optimized, if required, in particular to increase the volume through which electrical conductors can be passed.

As shown in Figure 13, the projecting part of the plate 20' can be significantly wider, for example, 25 forming a forward extension 53, and the retaining bosses 52 are then at the ends of the forward portion "53.

Otherwise the plates 20, 20' of the routing accessory A, A' of the invention have similar

Y.

S 30 configurations: each has, in a symmetrical fashion, two arms 54a, 54'a, 54b, 54'b having a profile which overall images that of the base 13 of the trunking sections 10B, 10C, with a step 55 near the end for fitting them under a base 13, as shown in continuous line in Figure 2 for the plate 20 and as shown in chain-dotted line in Figure 3 for the same plate Of course, the arms 54a, 54b of the plate form an obtuse dihedron, the angle of which is substantially equal to 2700 and the arms 54'a, 54'b of the plate 20' form an acute dihedron of which the angle is substantially equal to 900.

At least one clipping lug 56 projects from the bottom surface of each of the end flats 25a, 25'a, 25'b of the mask 21, 21' of each of the routing accessories A, A' of the invention; it is elastically deformable and has a transverse detent 57 to cooperate with a detent 40 on one or other of the supports 22a, 22b.

As in the embodiment shown, at least two clipping lugs 56 preferably project in this way on the bottom surface of each of the end flats 25a, 25'a, ,i 25'b of the masks 21, 21'; they are aligned with each other and substantially parallel to the longitudinal 20 edges 58 of one end flat 25a, 25'a, 25b, 25'b and their •co.detents 57 are all at the same level.

9. 9 In the embodiment shown, there are at least two aligned clipping lugs 56 along each longitudinal edge 58 of each of the end flats 25a, 25'a, 25b, 25'b of the 25 masks 21, 21'.

In the case of an outside corner, the mask 21 of the routing accessory A therefore includes two clipping lugs 56 on one side and four of them on the other, like the clipping recesses 39 of the supports 30 22a, 22b.

In the case of an inside corner, however, the mask 21' of the routing accessory A' has only two clipping lugs 56 on each side.

What is more, instead of being strictly parallel to each other, the rows of clipping lugs 56 on the same end flap 25a, 25'a, 25b, 25'b are slightly convergent, like the general contour within which are inscribed the contours of the clipping recesses 39 in the same row on the supports 22a, 22b; this is to encourage correct longitudinal positioning of a mask 21, 21' on the supports 22a, 22b.

Like the cover 14 of the trunking sections 10C, the end flats 25a, 25'a, 25b, 25'b of the masks 21, 21' are sufficiently large in the transverse direction to cover entirely the rims 18 on the base 13 of the trunking sections 10A, 10B, As previously indicated, an adapter 12 is associated with the mask 21' of the routing accessory

A.

A slot 59 with two substantially parallel lips 60 on the adapter 12 is adapted to fit over the intermediate flat 26 of the mask 21' and preferably includes, in the slot 59, and as can be seen better in Figure 16, at least one shoe 61 carried by an elastically deformable tongue 62 and adapted to bear o. against the edge surface of the intermediate flat 26.

As shown here, for example, two shoes 61 are provided, each at the end of an elastically deformable o go **tongue 62, and the tongue projects from the back 63 of 25 the slot 59, obliquely to the back 63.

In the embodiment shown the adapter 12 00 includes, internally, at least one detent 65 and the 0 mask 21' includes at least one detent 66 projecting from the inside surface of its intermediate flat 26 to cooperate with the aforementioned detent As shown here, for example, the detent extends longitudinally and is formed by the edge of an opening 67 surrounding the shoes 61 and the elastically deformable tongues 62, to facilitate the formation of those members, and which can be divided into two openings, one for each combination of a shoe 61 and an elastically deformable tongue 62.

As shown here, a plurality of detents 66 are provided on the mask 21', to be more precise on its intermediate flat 26, each at the end of a rib 68 transverse to the lengthwise direction of the intermediate flat 26.

In the embodiment shown the adapter 12 further includes, externally, at least one longitudinally elongate detent 70 on the back of its slot 59, projecting from a tongue 69 flanking it over at least part of its length and in practice over all of its length.

The detent 70 is designed to brace the cover 14 of the trunking section It is therefore at a distance from the back 63 S: of the slot 59 and the tongue 69 carrying it is set back relative to the top lip 60 of the adapter 12.

In the embodiment shown, the tongue 69 in S 20 practice extends beyond the bottom lip 60 of the "adapter 12 relative to its top lip As shown in chain-dotted line in Figure 16, the adapter 12 preferably has, externally, at the back of ."its slot 59 and substantially parallel to the lips 00*W 25 a closure flange 71 for use when no branch connection is required at this location.

S0- In the embodiment shown, the closure flange 71 is in practice aligned with the tongue 69 although it can be detached from it.

V0640 4 30 The closure flange 71 in practice has a triangular contour in plan view, imaging the profile of the base 13 of the trunking section As shown in chain-dotted line in Figure 16, the closure flange 71 preferably incorporates an array of pre-cut lines 72 catering for a branch connection having a transverse profile different from that of the trunking section Clearly, to install a routing accessory A, A' in accordance with the invention the first step is to install the corresponding plate 20, 20' at the dihedron D, D'.

Then the base 13 of the trunking sections 10C and 10' is installed, the base 13 of the trunking sections 10A, 10B, 10C covering the ends of the arms 54a, 54'a, 54b, 54'b of the plate 20, Finally, two supports 22a, 22b are attached to the rims 18 of the bases 13 installed as described above, for each of the dihedra D, the supports 22a, 22b nesting over the rims 18 by virtue of the groove means forming the corresponding assembly means 23 and their lugs 44 hooking onto the plate 20, 20' concerned by virtue of the retaining bosses 52 provided for this purpose.

eAll that then remains is to fit a cover 14 to S' 20 each of the bases 13, the cover 14 covering the bottom •level part of the top surface 31 of the support 22a, 22b concerned.

Note that the supports 22a, 22b of the invention then advantageously serve as markers for o* 25 cutting the covers 14 to length.

The final step for each of the dihedra D, D' is to attach a mask 21, 21' to the corresponding supports .22a, 22b by simply clipping the mask 21, 21' onto the supports 22a, 22b by means of the clipping recesses 39 30 forming the corresponding receiving means 24.

There is at least one clipping lug 56 along each of the longitudinal edges 58 of each of the end flats 25a, 25'a, 25b, 25'b of the masks 21, 21' and its detent 57 engages with the detent 40 of the corresponding clipping recess 39 of the support 22a, 22b concerned.

Although the cover 14 of the trunking sections 10B, 10C and therefore the masks 21, 21' continuous with the cover 14 entirely cover the rims 18 on the base 13 of the trunking sections 10A, 10B, 10C in the above description, this is not necessarily the case.

To the contrary, the cover 14 of the trunking sections 10A, 10B, 10C and therefore the masks 21, 21' can extend transversely only from one of the rims 18 to the other, level with the rims 18 instead of on top of them, increasing the overall thickness.

To allow for the resulting height difference the detents 40 on the supports 22a, 22b are at different levels N1, N2.

In one case only the detents 40 of the top o •level N1 are used and in the other only the detents of the bottom level N2 are used. S. However, in either case, the supports 22a, 22b 20 are advantageously the same, reducing manufacture and 000.

0 inventory.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and uses described and shown but encompasses any variant thereof.

0**e 25 In particular, it goes without saying that a branch connection is not necessarily associated with an inside corner and that, to the contrary, an inside corner may be used in isolation and/or a branch connection can be provided anywhere, on an uninterrupted surface, in particular at a distance from any inside corner.

Furthermore, although for convenience the trunking sections described have been shown installed at the baseboard level, i.e. at floor level, it goes without saying that they can be installed at coving level, i.e. at ceiling level.

go .00.

00 0 *0:0 go* 00C .00.

Claims

1. A trunking routing accessory, such as corner or branch, adapted to establish continuity between at least two differently oriented trunking sections, each trunking section including a base and a cover, said routing accessory including a mask in one piece with at least two end flats and two supports for the same mask, with one support for each trunking section, each support having receiving means for attaching an end flat of the mask to it and assembly means for attaching said support to said base by nesting it over the rims of the lateral flanges of the base of corresponding trunking section such that said support is positioned above the bottom of said base.

2. A routing accessory as claimed in claim 1, wherein each support has two parallel longitudinal edges and its assembly means are groove means provided along at least part of the length of each of the longitudinal edges.

S3. A routing accessory as claimed in claim 2, wherein each support is in the general form of a plate and the groove means forming its assembly means are back-to-back on the edge surface of its longitudinal edges.

4. A routing accessory as claimed in claim 3, wherein along each of the longitudinal edges of each support the groove means forming the assembly means of the support are formed between two rims, one at the top and one at the bottom, substantially parallel to each other and projecting laterally outwards.

A routing accessory as claimed in claim 4, wherein the top rim is level with the top surface of each support and continuous therewith.

6. A routing accessory as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein each support has an upstanding edge along each of its longitudinal edges over at least a part of their length and the bottom rim forms a right angle lip on an upstanding edge.

7. A routing accessory as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the surface of the bottom rim is beveled by a chamfer. 24

8. A routing accessory as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein at least one of the rims has at least one transverse rim projecting from its inside surface, from its surface facing towards the other rim.

9. A routing accessory as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the rims extend only part of the length of the longitudinal edges of each support, overlie each other over at least part of their own length and are offset longitudinally relative to each other.

A routing accessory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein receiving means on each support include at least one clipping recess in which there is at least locally a detent.

11. A routing accessory as claimed in claim 10, wherein the detent is preceded by an entry chamfer.

12. A routing accessory as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the clipping recess has an elongate buttonhole contour in plan view substantially parallel to the longitudinal edges of each support. leo l

13. A routing accessory as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein receiving means on each support include at least two clipping recesses aligned with each other parallel to the longitudinal edges of said support, and the detents of which are at two different levels. o

14. A routing accessory as claimed in claim 13, including at least two aligned clipping recesses along each of the longitudinal edges of the support.

A routing accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the front transverse edge of each support is oblique to its longitudinal edges.

16. A routing accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein each support has a lug projecting laterally at one end at least of its front transverse

17. A routing accessory as claimed in claim 16, wherein each support has a projecting lug at each end of its front transverse edge.

18. A routing accessory as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the lug is hook-shaped.

19. A routing accessory as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the lug has a right angle lip along one edge.

A routing accessory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the top surface of each support is at two levels, a top level at the front and a bottom level at the rear.

21. A routing accessory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein each support has at least one localized opening.

22. A routing accessory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein each support incorporates at least one notch. e oo oo •o *0 es

23. A routing accessory as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the case of an inside corner with branch connection, the mask has three flats, namely two end flats and an intermediate flat. .00 000

24. A routing accessory as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of each of the end flats of the mask has at least one clipping lug projecting from it .000 which is elastically deformable and has a transverse detent. S 0 :0"i

25. A routing accessory as claimed in claim 24, wherein the bottom surface of each of the end flats of the mask has projecting from it at least two clipping lugs aligned with each other parallel to the longitudinal edges of an end flat and the detents of which are all at the same level.

26. A routing accessory as claimed in claim 25, including at least two aligned clipping lugs along each of the longitudinal edges of each of the end flats of the mask.

27. A routing accessory as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two supports are symmetrical to each other.

28. A routing accessory according to claim 23, wherein the mask is associated with an adapter incorporating a slot with two parallel lips adapted to be engaged over the intermediate flat of the mask.

29. A routing accessory as claimed in claim 28, wherein the adapter includes at least one shoe in its slot carried by an elastically deformable tongue and adapted to bear against the edge of the intermediate flat of the mask. A routing accessory according to claim 28 or claim 29, wherein the adapter has at least one detent at the back of its slot projecting on a tongue flanking it S-over at least part of its length.

S.

31. A routing accessory as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 30, wherein the adapter has a covering flange on the back of its slot.

32. A routing accessory according to claim 31 wherein the closure flange of the adapter incorporates an array of pre-cut lines.

33. A routing accessory as claimed in claim 30 in conjunction with claim 31 wherein the covering flange of the adapter is aligned with its tongue.

34. A routing accessory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 33, wherein a plate adapted to extend between the bases of the different trunking sections has two lateral retaining bosses. A routing accessory as claimed claim 1 substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings. DATED this 2 1 st day of February 2002 LEGRAND AND LEGRAND SNC WATERMARK PATENT TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS 290 BURWOOD ROAD HAWTHORN VICTORIA 3122 AUSTRALIA RLT/AJLIMBL *000 S. 6. 0: