EP0461188B1 - Coded marking supports and device for making the coded marks - Google Patents

Abstract

A marking support (43) is comprised of a plate (5) on which may be ratched a plurality of aligned identification elements (1). In an alternate embodiment, the plate (5) is provided with clamping members (10) allowing to fix the marking support (43) to a cable, the plate (5) being substantially parallel to the cable.

Description

The subject of the invention is coded marker supports and a device for producing coded markers.

To locate isolated or bundled electrical cables, it is known to use markers formed of a combination of alphanumeric characters assembled in a marker support. These characters are generally constituted by flexible tubular sections carrying a letter or a number. They are introduced in a row in a housing of the marker support, which, in a current embodiment, consists of a sheath section having two longitudinal compartments, one of these compartments being intended to house a marker, the other compartment used to thread the marker carrier onto a cable or allowing the marker carrier to be secured to a cable by means of an auxiliary fastening member.

The use of the tubular characters mentioned above for the production of marks has the disadvantage of not being suitable for the rapid production of series of marks. An example of a marking device is known from document CH-A-474 129.

The subject of the invention is marker carriers and a device for producing coded markers on such marker carriers which do not have this drawback.

In accordance with the invention as defined in claim 1, a marker support for supporting a marker formed by at least two aligned identification elements comprises an oblong plate comprising at least two latching members aligned to secure the plate respectively two identification elements each having a latching member complementary to a latching member of the wafer.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the plate comprises on one of its faces means housing to receive each identification element in a determined position.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the plate comprises on its other face at least one elastic clamping member for pinching a cable. Advantageously, the plate forms a tablet connected to the clamping members by one of its ends.

• un peigne ayant un dos d'où s'étend au moins une rangée de dents parallèles espacées d'un pas P, chaque dent ayant une face munie d'au moins deux organes d'encliquetage alignés, les organes d'encliquetage d'une rangée de dents étant disposés selon des lignes perpendiculaires aux dents et
• une pluralité de bandes constituée chacune d'une pluralité d'éléments d'identification reliés les uns aux autres et ayant chacun un organe d'encliquetage complémentaire d'un organe d'encliquetage d'une dent, les organes d'encliquetage d'une bande étant espacés du pas P.

In accordance with the invention, a device is also provided for producing coded marks formed by at least two aligned identification elements comprising:

• a comb having a back from which extends at least one row of parallel teeth spaced apart by a pitch P, each tooth having a face provided with at least two latching members aligned, the latching members of a row of teeth being arranged in lines perpendicular to the teeth and
• a plurality of bands each consisting of a plurality of identification elements connected to each other and each having a latching member complementary to a latching member of a tooth, the latching members of a strip being spaced from pitch P.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un support de repère destiné à supporter un repère formé de cinq éléments d'identification ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe selon un plan longitudinal médian d'un support de repère et de cinq éléments d'identification ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective d'un deuxième support de repère conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective d'un troisième support de repère conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective d'un quatrième support de repère conforme à l'invention, muni d'une gaine de protection ; et
• la figure 6 est une vue de dessus d'une portion d'un dispositif pour la réalisation de repères codés formés par cinq éléments d'identification alignés.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of embodiments of the invention given by way of example and without limiting intentions. Reference is made to the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a marker support for supporting a marker formed of five identification elements;
• Figure 2 is a sectional view along a median longitudinal plane of a reference support and five identification elements;
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second marker support according to the invention;
• Figure 4 is a perspective view of a third marker support according to the invention;
• Figure 5 is a perspective view of a fourth reference support according to the invention, provided with a protective sheath; and
• Figure 6 is a top view of a portion of a device for producing coded marks formed by five aligned identification elements.

The marker supports shown in the figures are designed to allow the assembly of five identification elements 1 aligned forming a marker (this number being arbitrary). As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, an identification element 1 according to the invention comprises a body 2 having a first face in the center of which protrudes a male latching member 3 and a second face, opposite to the previous one on which a distinctive sign is inscribed. In the example shown, the body of the identification element 1 has the shape of a pyramid trunk on the base of which is inscribed a number or a letter, and the latching member 3 is spheroidal.

In Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a first embodiment of a reference support according to the invention. This support 40 is constituted by a rectangular plate 5 comprising five contiguous aligned cells 6 each having a shape complementary to that of the body 2 of an identification element 1 making it possible to wedge it in a determined position. At each cell 6, the plate 5 further comprises a female latching member complementary to that of an identification element 1. In the example shown, this latching element is delimited by a conical hole 7 opening out in the center of the bottom of a cell 6 and flaring from the cell. The diameter of the hole 7 at the bottom of the cell 6 is slightly less than that of the spheroidal projection 3 of an identification element 1. The material of the reference support 4 is chosen to be sufficiently elastic to allow the latching of an identification element 1 in a cell 7 by a simple pressure. Thus, the identification element 1 is subject to the reference support 4.

The marker support shown in Figures 1 and 2 is intended to be fixed on the object to be identified. If this object is a small diameter cable, it can be introduced into a conventional tubular marker support.

In Figure 3 there is shown a second embodiment of a reference support according to the invention. This support 41 differs from that which has just been described in that the plate 5 is extended at each of its ends and comprises, projecting from each of the extensions 8 thus formed, a bridge 9 allowing the passage of a link.

The marker support 42 shown in Figure 4 comprises a plate 5, identical to that which has been described in relation to Figure 1, and an elastic clamping member 10 projecting at one end of the plate 5, opposite cells 6. The clamping member 10 comprises two jaws 11 serrated separated by a slot 12 of longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wafer 5. This arrangement allows the fixing of the support on a cable so that the plate 5 extends substantially parallel to the cable. The elasticity of the clamping member 10, by which the jaws 12 are returned to the position they occupy at rest, is obtained by the choice of an appropriate material for producing the support 42. It will be noted that the connection between the pinching member 10 and the plate 5 is produced at the level of an extension of this plate. Thanks to this arrangement, it is possible to fit a transparent protective sheath covering the entire marker on the wafer 5.

In FIG. 5, a variant has been represented. 43 of the support of Figure 4, comprising three elastic clamping members 10 aligned. These three members are integral and are connected to the plate 5 proper only by one of its ends. In this way, the plate 5 remains completely clear from the rest of the reference support and it can be coated with a transparent sheath 13 protecting the identification elements 1 which it carries.

In a variant, not shown, of the marker support 43 shown in Figure 5, the clamping members 10 are integral with the plate 5 and the support comprises two grooves extending laterally along the two longitudinal sides of the marker. These grooves allow the locking of a transparent cover covering the mark. Advantageously, provision is made to manufacture protective assemblies comprising several covers of this type, connected to each other by their longitudinal edges by means of connecting elements, preferably breakable. The protective elements make it possible to assemble several reference supports.

In large electrical installations, it is often necessary to use a large number of marks to mark cables or cable harnesses. To allow rapid production of a large quantity of marks, the device shown in FIG. 6 is provided, in accordance with the invention. This device comprises a comb having a rectilinear back, from which extend, in opposite directions, two rows 21 of teeth 22 spaced apart by a pitch P and perpendicular to the back 20. These teeth may be almost contiguous or be, as in the example shown, separated by a gap 23. They are formed individually by the one of the reference supports which have been described above. In the example shown, the teeth 22 conform to the support 40 described in relation to FIG. 1. As a result of this arrangement, the cells 6 and the latching members 7 are arranged on lines parallel to the back 20. The device for producing coded markers according to the invention further comprises strips 24 each consisting of a plurality of identification elements 1 connected to each other by those on their sides intended to be opposite the lateral sides of a marker support, the mounted state. When the teeth 22 are separated by a gap 23, the identification elements 1 of each strip 24 are connected by means of junction elements or lugs 25 whose width is equal to that of the gaps 23. In this way, the identification elements 1 of each band are spaced apart by the pitch P. The signs carried by the identification elements 1 of the same band can be identical or different and, in the latter case, be arranged according to any type of interesting progression for coding. By way of example, a strip may comprise a succession of series of increasing numbers (0, 1, ... 8, 9), of increasing numbers doubled by letters succeeding one another in alphabetical order, etc.

To make series of marks using this device, it suffices to snap onto a row 21 of teeth 22 of the comb (as shown for the right row in FIG. 6) strips 24 suitably chosen and arranged relative to each other to form the desired landmarks. Once the marks have been formed, it remains to separate the row 21 of teeth 22 concerned from the comb as well as to separate the teeth 22 themselves. To facilitate this operation, a weakened zone 26 is provided at the level of the attachment of each tooth 22 to the back 20 of the comb as well as a weakened zone 27 on each side of the junction legs 25. These legs can moreover be replaced by a single link (or a pair of links). Depending on the nature of the material used to make the comb 20,22 and the strips 24, a sharp tool will be used to shear the weakened areas 26, 27 or the elements to be separated must be folded alternately with respect to each other .

The invention is not limited to the embodiments which have just been described and it is capable of variant embodiments. In particular, when the signs carried by the identification elements 1 have not no reading direction (in the case of a color for example), it is not necessary to provide wedging (interlocking of angular pieces, for example) to prevent the pivoting of the identification elements relative to the reference support. When this is the case, this calibration can be carried out without any specific calibration means, by the simple juxtaposition of identification elements having a flat side in contact (square identification elements snapped onto a reference support in relation to abutment for example) or by providing latching members not forming a pivot.

Claims (19)

1. Apparatus for the realisation of coded marks made up of at least two lined up identification elements, characterized by :

   - a stand (20) from which at least one row (21) of parallel teeth (22) spaced out a pitch P, each tooth (22) with a side provided with at least two lined up pawls (7), the pawls of one row (21) of teeth (22) set in accordance with perpendicular lines.

   - several strips (24) made up several identification elements (1) joined together and carrying one pawl (3) complementary of one pawl (7) of one tooth (22), the pawls (3) of a strip (24) spaced out a pitch P.
2. Apparatus according to the claim 1, characterized by two rows (21) of teeth (22) opposite on both sides of the stand (20) of the comb.
3. Apparatus according to the claims 1 and 2, characterized by the teeth (22) joined up at the stand (20) with a weakened zone (26).
4. Apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized by the teeth (22) which aren't into contact and by the identification elements (1) joined together in strip one behind the other by at least a breakable tongue (25).
5. Apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized by each tooth (22) made up an oblong plate (5) with at least two lined up pawls (7) for respectively fix, at the plate (5) two identification elements (1) carrying one pawl (3) complementary of one pawl (7) of the plate (5).
6. Apparatus according to the claim 5, characterized by the plate (5) able to be intriduced into a transparent supple groove.
7. Apparatus according to the claim 5, characterized by the plate (5), this plate can be protected by an over-turning pawl.
8. Apparatus according to the claims 5 to 7, characterized by the plate (5) with, on his other side, at least one elastic clamping organ (10).
9. Apparatus according to the claim 8, characterized by an oblong plate (5) which make up a plate joined together with the clamping organs by one of its ends.
10. Apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized by the oblong plate (5) which forms one body with at least one clamping organ (10) by one of its ends.
11. Apparatus according to the claim 5, characterized by the plate (5) which ends with a tip, at one of its ends.
12. Apparatus according to the claims 5 and 11, characterized by the oblong plate (5) which ends with a tip, at one of its ends and, at the other one, is firmly attached to a clamping organ (10) for clamping a cable.
13. Apparatus according to the claims 5 and 11, characterized by the oblong plate (5) with ends, at one of its ends, with a tip and, at the other one, with a stop.
14. Apparatus according to the claims 5, 7, 11 and 13, characterized by the sides of the oblong plate (5) which have a profile acting to pawls.
15. Apparatus according to the claim (5), characterized by the oblong plate (5) which is equiped with internal and external pawls (7) for being fixed at the identification elements (1) and at the overturning pawl.
16. Apparatus according to the claim 5, characterized by the oblong plates which are joined together by their ends (the most distant), by two uprights the contact zones (with the plate) of which are weakened.
17. Apparatus according to the claim 1, characterized by the identification elements (1) which have a numerical progress by unit.
    EX : 0-1-2-3 and so on...upon some strips (24).
18. Apparatus according to the claim 1, characterized by the identification elements, upon some strips (24), which have a numerical progress by unit, doubleed or tripled, and so on... Ex : 0-0-1-1-2-2-3-3- or 0-0-0-1-1-1-2-2-2-3-3-3-, and so on...
19. Apparatus according to some previous claim or other, characterized by the internal structure of the clamping organ which is made up of elastic notched crossed elements or into head-on contact permitting at the clamping organ (10) to have a very big clamping capacity
    ( diameter : from about 0,5mm to 4mm).

Images