EP0479668A1 - Marker ring, particularly for electrical materials. - Google Patents

Abstract

It relates especially to a marker strip (14) of the kind including a support base (13), and, carried detachably by this support base (13), whilst being aligned with the latter, a plurality of markers (10). <??>According to the invention, since the support base (13) is of synthetic material, the markers (10) which it carries are in one piece with it. <??>Application, in particular, to the marking of cables or end terminals. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates generally to markers of the type used for identifying or marking any electrical equipment such as cable, terminal block or the like.

It relates more specifically to those of these benchmarks, commonly known as protected, which are to be put in place in a benchmark holder (s) itself duly reported for this purpose on the equipment to be equipped.

They bear for example a number, a letter or any other conventional sign, and, in general, they are used in groups, according to a composition made according to the needs.

Usually, to date, these markers are supplied in groups to users, in the form of marker strips comprising, on the one hand, a support base, and, on the other hand, carried detachably by this support base. , by being duly aligned thereon, a plurality of marks of the same nature.

More precisely, still, to date, these pins are usually attached by gluing to the support base which carries them.

This results in various drawbacks.

First of all, the support base and the markers then coming from different manufacturers, the production of the set of a marker strip requires a multiplicity of distinct successive operations.

It is first of all necessary to produce the support base, it is necessary to jointly produce the marks, for example by extrusion, in which case it is then necessary to cut off to the necessary length the corresponding extrusion profile, and finally it is necessary to stick on the support base the marks thus obtained.

Overall, this results in a non-negligible cost for the whole.

In addition, bonding does not allow good control of the fixing of the pins on their support base, and, as experience has shown, it is not uncommon for, during successive manipulations, at least part of these do not inadvertently come loose from this support base while being in practice lost.

Finally, since the benchmarks are necessarily applied to the support base as close as possible thereto in order to benefit from a good grip on it, their entry is often difficult, even when, as is usual, it is practiced using a gripper.

The present invention generally relates to a provision for eliminating these drawbacks and also leading to other advantages.

More specifically, it firstly relates to a strip of marks of the kind comprising a support base, and, carried detachably by this support base, by being aligned on the latter, a plurality of marks, this reference strip being generally characterized in that, the support base being made of synthetic material, the reference marks which it carries are in one piece with it; it also relates to a file suitable for storing a plurality of such reference strips.

In short, according to the invention, the support base for a strip of marks and the marks carried on the plot are advantageously produced jointly, in a single molding operation, for the benefit of the cost of the assembly.

Conjointly, the control of the fixing of the marks on their support base is advantageously well controlled, and, normally, none of these marks is liable to inadvertently escape this support base without having been voluntarily detached from it beforehand. this.

In practice, according to a particular and preferred embodiment, each of the pins extends between two flanges, which project, parallel to one another, on the support base, in one piece with the latter, and to each of which such a reference is itself connected in one piece by a portion of less resistance.

Besides that, by being thus in a way suspended from the flanges which surround them, the pins are advantageously protected from any untimely shock by them, they can advantageously, thanks to such flanges, be moved away from the support base, by heightening with respect thereto, which facilitates gripping.

In practice, also, according to a particular and preferred embodiment, the support base, which is in the form of a simple plate, is generally curved, for example in the form of a dihedral, and the marks it carries extend from its convex side.

It follows that, stored in a filing cabinet, the guide strips thus produced are advantageously presented obliquely to the user, which makes it easier for the user to grasp them or to grip the marks they carry, without, however, making the filing cabinet is complicated.

Indeed, the grooves that this binder has for their storage can then advantageously be straight, which effectively facilitates the realization.

Finally, according to the invention, the sides of each of the grooves of this binder advantageously have, projecting from place to place, bosses which, from one of these sides to the other, are alternated.

It follows that, inserted slightly by force into such a groove, the support base of a guide strip according to the invention is subject to a slightly wavy deformation such as to advantageously ensure very simply satisfactory maintenance.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'une réglette de repères suivant l'invention, avec, représenté détaché, un des repères portés par celle-ci ;
• la figure 2 est, à échelle supérieure, une vue partielle en plan de cette réglette de repères, suivant la flèche 11 de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 en est, à l'échelle de la figure 2, une vue partielle en élévation, suivant la flèche III de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 en est, à la même échelle, une vue en coupe transversale, suivant la ligne IV-IV de la figure 3 ;
• la figure 5 reprend, à échelle supérieure, et avec un arrachement local, le détail de la figure 1 repéré par un encart V sur cette figure 1 ;
• la figure 6 reprend, à échelle supérieure, et avec un arrachement local, le détail de la figure 2 repéré par un encart VI sur cette figure 2 ;
• la figure 7 reprend, à l'échelle de la figure 6, le détail de la figure 3 repéré par un encart VII sur cette figure 3 ;
• les figures 8 et 9 sont des vues partielles en perspective, qui, analogues à celle de la figure 5, concernent chacune respectivement une variante de réalisation ;
• la figure 10 est une vue en perspective d'un classeur suivant l'invention, représenté ouvert, avec un tronçon de réglette de repères à mettre en place dans l'une des rainures qu'il comporte ;
• la figure 11 est, à échelle supérieure, une vue partielle en plan de ce classeur, suivant la flèche XI de la figure 10 ;
• la figure 12 en est, à échelle encore supérieure, une vue partielle en coupe transversale, suivant la ligne XII-XII de la figure 11 ;
• les figures 13, 14 et 15 reprennent, chacune respectivement, à échelle supérieure, les détails de la figure 11 repérés par des encarts XIII, XIV et XV sur cette figure 11.

The objects of the invention, their characteristics and their advantages, will moreover emerge from the description. tion which will follow, by way of example, with reference to the appended schematic drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a guide strip according to the invention, with, shown detached, one of the marks carried by it;
• Figure 2 is, on a larger scale, a partial plan view of this guide strip, according to arrow 11 in Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a scale view of Figure 2, a partial elevational view along arrow III of Figure 2;
• Figure 4 is, on the same scale, a cross-sectional view along the line IV-IV of Figure 3;
• Figure 5 shows, on a larger scale, and with a local cutaway, the detail of Figure 1 identified by an insert V in this Figure 1;
• Figure 6 shows, on a larger scale, and with a local cutaway, the detail of Figure 2 identified by an insert VI in this Figure 2;
• Figure 7 shows, on the scale of Figure 6, the detail of Figure 3 identified by an insert VII in this Figure 3;
• Figures 8 and 9 are partial perspective views, which, similar to that of Figure 5, each relate respectively to an alternative embodiment;
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a filing cabinet according to the invention, shown open, with a section of guide strip to be placed in one of the grooves which it comprises;
• Figure 11 is, on a larger scale, a partial plan view of this binder, along arrow XI of Figure 10;
• Figure 12 is a still larger scale, a partial view in cross section along the line XII-XII of Figure 11;
• FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 show, each respectively, on a larger scale, the details of FIG. 11 identified by inserts XIII, XIV and XV in this FIG. 11.

These figures illustrate, by way of example, the application of the invention to marks 10 of tubular shape and of generally oval cross section.

These references 10, the general configuration of which is well known in itself, not pertaining to the present invention, they will not be described in more detail here.

It will suffice to indicate that, usually, and as shown diagrammatically in broken lines in FIG. 1, their implementation is carried out using a gripper 11 on the blade 12 from which they are successively engaged according to the desired composition.

In a manner known per se, a plurality of such marks 10, of the same kind, and duly aligned, are detachably carried by a support base 13, the assembly constituting what is usually called a strip of marks 14.

According to the invention, the support base 13 is made of synthetic material, and the pins 10 which it carries are in one piece with it, the assembly coming from a single and same molding operation.

In the embodiment shown, the support base 13 is in the form of a simple plate, of generally rectangular outline, and of relatively thin thickness, and it is generally curved in the form of a dihedron.

It thus has a first panel 13A, which bears the marks, on the convex side of the assembly, and a second panel 13B, which, of width greater than that of the previous one, extends obliquely relative to the latter.

The angle A of the corresponding dihedral is for example of the order of 150 °.

However, of course, this numerical value is given here for information only, without any limitation for the invention being possible.

On the side of the pins 10, that is to say on its face 13A, the support base 13 has, laterally, projecting, at each of its transverse ends, a lug 16 of a nature to facilitate gripping.

In the embodiment shown, the marks 10, which all bear the same sign 17, for example, and as shown, any letter of the alphabet, are all oriented in the same direction.

In practice, they all extend transversely relative to the support base 13.

In other words, their generatrices are perpendicular to the general direction of elongation of this support base 13.

According to the invention, each of these pins 10 extends between two flanges 18, which project, parallel to one another, on the support base 13, and, more precisely, on the pan 13A of that here, in one piece with this support base 13, and to each of which such a reference 10 is itself connected in one piece by a portion of lesser resistance 20.

In the embodiment shown, this portion of least resistance 20 is formed by the end of a boss 21 which, in one piece with the corresponding flange 18, has, in cross section, a section which goes into reducing this flange 18 to the reference 10 concerned.

For example, this cross section is a trapezoid, and the corresponding portion of least resistance 20 extends only over a fraction of the length of a reference 10, FIGS. 1 to 7.

As a variant, in FIG. 8, the cross section of a boss 21 is triangular, and it follows that at its end, that is to say at its connection with the reference 10 concerned, this boss 21 extends along a simple edge.

In this case, and as shown, the portion of least resistance 20 preferably extends over the entire length of the mark 10.

If, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, and it is the same in that shown in FIG. 8, the portions of least resistance 20 extend in the mean median plane of the marks 10, at the ends of the largest dimension of their cross section, it is not the same in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9.

Indeed, according to the latter, the portions of least resistance 20 extend below the mean median plane of the markers 10.

Thus, the burrs inevitably remaining on the marks 10 when the portions of least resistance 20 are broken are advantageously hidden from view by the marks 10 themselves.

Anyway, thus suspended from the flanges 18, the pins 10 are advantageously spaced by a distance E from the support base 13, which facilitates gripping.

In the embodiment shown, the support base 13 has, moreover, in line with each of the pins 10, an opening 23, which allows these pins 10 to be buttressed when it is printed or applied a sign 17.

To detach a reference 10 from the support base 13, it suffices to engage the blade 12 of a gripper 11 there, and to tilt or rotate the latter until the portions of least resistance 20 break. which connect it to the flanges 18 to which it was previously attached.

Preferably, and as shown diagrammatically by an arrow F in FIG. 10, the reference strips 14 thus formed are stored, parallel to one another, in a filing cabinet 25.

In a manner known per se, this filing cabinet 25 comprises at least one panel 26 provided with grooves 27 suitable for each receiving such a guide strip 14 individually.

In the embodiment shown, it comprises two panels 26 hinged to one another in the manner of the two parts of a case, according to arrangements which, pertaining to those skilled in the art, and well known by themselves, will not be described in detail here, and each of these panels 26 is provided with a network of parallel grooves 27.

In practice, apart from stapling means capable of keeping them in the closed position relative to each other, these two panels 26 are identical to each other.

In the embodiment shown, the corresponding stapling means comprise, on one of the panels 26, an elastically deformable tongue 28, forming a hook, and, in correspondence, on the other of these panels 26, in favor of 'a recess 29 of the corresponding edge thereof, a notch 30 with which this elastically deformable tongue 28 can engage.

According to the invention, and as is better visible in FIGS. 13 to 15, the flanks of each of the grooves 27 have, projecting from place to place, bosses 32, which, from one of these flanks to the other, are alternated, and which, as can be seen in FIG. 12, extend over almost the entire height of such a groove 27, counting from the bottom thereof, going in diverging from each other at their ends.

In practice, the grooves 27 are each formed individually between two partitions 33, and they alternate with grooves 34 in which intervene, transversely, from place to place, of a partition 33 of a groove 27 to the corresponding partition 33 of the groove 27 immediately close to the spacers 35.

For example, and as shown, these spacers 35 are established in line with the bosses 32.

Thus, these are advantageously butted, and they are therefore effectively capable of imparting to the pan 13B of the support base 13 of a guide strip 14, when the latter is inserted in a groove 27, a configuration largely corrugated so as to ensure proper maintenance of this strip of marks 14 in this groove 27.

As shown diagrammatically in broken lines in FIG. 11, the pan 13A, bearing the markers 10, of a strip of markers 14 thus stored in a groove 27 of the filing cabinet 25 advantageously extends obliquely, which facilitates access to this strip of marks 14 or marks 10 which it carries.

Together, the grooves 27 of the folder 25 can thus be advantageously straight.

In other words, the partitions 33 which delimit them can advantageously extend perpendicular to the bottom from which they originate.

Of course, the present invention is not however limited to the embodiments described and shown, but encompasses any variant and / or combination of their various elements.

For example, to obtain the desired obliquity, the plate forming the support base of the guide strip according to the invention can be by itself generally straight, while being integral, obliquely, with a bar, possibly split into studs, by which it is able to be inserted into a groove in the associated filing cabinet.

Instead of simple lugs, the guide strip according to the invention can also be provided, if desired, with gripping tabs, and these can be optionally notched.

Claims (16)

1. strip of markers, of the type comprising a support base (13), and, detachably carried by this support base (13), while being aligned on the latter, a plurality of markers (10), characterized in that, the support base (13) being made of synthetic material, the pins (10) which it carries are in one piece with it. 2. Strip according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the pins (10) extends between two flanges (18), which project, parallel to one another, on the support base (13) , integrally with it, and to each of which such a reference (10) is itself connected in one piece by a portion of lower resistance (20). 3. Strip according to claim 2, characterized in that said portion of least resistance (20) is formed by the end of a boss (21) which, in one piece with the corresponding flange (18), has, in cross section, a section which tapers from said flange (18) to the mark (10) concerned. 4. Strip according to claim 3, characterized in that, at its end, that is to say at its connection with the mark (10) concerned, said boss (21) extends along a simple edge. 5. Strip according to any one of claims 3,4, characterized in that said portion of least resistance (20) extends over the entire length of a mark (10). 6. A strip according to any one of claims 3,4, characterized in that said portion of least resistance (20) extends only over a fraction of the length of a mark (10). 7. Strip according to any one of claims 2 to 6 characterized in that said portion of least resistance (20) extends below the general mean plane of a mark (10). 8. Strip according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the support base (13) is in the form of a simple plate. 9. A strip according to claim 8, characterized in that the support base (13) is curved, for example in the form of a dihedral, and the marks (10) extend from its convex side. 10. Strip according to any one of claims 8, 9, characterized in that, on the side of the pins (10), the support base (13) has, laterally, projecting, at each of its ends, a lug (16). 11. Strip according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, in line with each mark (10), the support base (13) has an aperture (23). 12. Filing cabinet of the kind comprising at least one panel (26) provided with grooves (27) suitable for each receiving individually guide bars (14), characterized in that it is adapted to receive guide bars (14) conforming to any of claims 1 to 11. 13. File according to claim 12, characterized in that the sides of each of the grooves (27) which it comprises have, projecting, from place to place, bosses (32), which, from one of these sides to the other, are alternated. 14. File according to any one of claims 12,13, characterized in that the grooves (27) which it comprises are each formed individually between two partitions (33), and they alternate with grooves (34) in which intervene , transversely, from place to place, of one of the partitions (33) of such a groove (27) to the partition (33) corresponding to the groove (27) immediately close to the spacers (35). 15. File according to claims 13,14, taken together, characterized in that said spacers (35) are established at the level of said bosses (32). 16. File according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that, comprising two panels (26) articulated to one another in the manner of the two parts of a case, each of said panels (26) is provided with grooves (27).

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