EP0526324A1 - Cable-clamp - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a cable clamp of the type including a clamping strip (14) capable of clipping onto a base (12) defining with the latter a calibrated opening (15). According to the invention, the clamping strip (14) forms one part which, independent of the base (12), is detachable, with respect to the latter, and it is adapted so as to be attached to this base (12) in either of two separate positions to which there correspond different passage cross-sections for the calibrated opening (15). Application to electrical appliances, in particular to power plugs, extension pieces and multi-socket units. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates generally to the cable clamps usually fitted to at least some electrical devices, such as for example plugs, plugs, extension cords and power strips, to ensure mechanical blocking of the cable thereon. or cord connected to them for their service.

Most often, to date, these cable clamps have two jaws, or clamping bars, at least one of which is integral with the body of the electrical appliance, and which are to be brought close to each other at the using two screws.

This is the case, for example, in German patent application No 1,665,113.

By themselves, these two screws inevitably increase the cost of the assembly.

In addition, their implementation is relatively difficult and insecure.

As a variant, at least for certain electrical devices, and in particular for electrical devices of the kind opening in the wallet, automatic cable ties have already been proposed, which systematically intervene even when the electrical device is closed. , while ensuring the desired mechanical retention for the corresponding cable or cord.

It is further described, in the German utility model No 70 17 395 and in American patent No 4 095 043, a clamping bar capable of snapping onto a base to ensure such retention.

In the German utility model No 70 17 395, the clamping bar is permanently hinged to the base, and, in the closed position, it engages between two projections thereof.

In US Patent No. 4,095,043, it forms a part which, independent of the base, is removable with respect thereto, and, in the closed position, it engages as before between two projections, which, more pronounced than the previous ones, form two cheeks.

In either case, the mechanical retention sought for the cable or cord concerned is obtained by the fact that, when it is thus in the closed position, the clamping bar imposes a baffled path on this cable or cord, at the expense of bulk.

In addition, at least in the case of US Patent No. 4,095,043, this mechanical restraint occurs only after the closure of the corresponding electrical device.

However, to meet certain standards now in force, this mechanical restraint must on the contrary be independent of the closing of the electrical appliance.

In other words, it must be ensured even when this electrical appliance is open.

In the French patent which, registered under No 86 16970, was published under No 2.607.979, a cable clamp is proposed which meets this requirement, insofar as it implements a base secured to the housing of the electrical appliance and a clamping bar, which, coming from a single piece of this base or formed from a part initially independent of the latter and then duly attached thereto, is permanently articulated on this base.

However, the calibrated opening that this clamping bar defines with the base in this French patent only corresponds to a well-defined passage section.

The corresponding cable clamp can therefore only be suitable for a relatively small range of different diameters for the cable or cord to be used.

Now, for the sake of standardization, it is necessary, at least in certain applications, to be able to have a cable clamp suitable, on the contrary, for a relatively wide range of different diameters for this cable or cord.

The present invention generally relates to a provision making it possible to respond relatively simply and economically to this need.

More specifically, it relates to a cable clamp for an electrical appliance, of the type comprising a clamping bar capable of snapping onto a base, defining with it a calibrated opening, this cable clamp being generally characterized in that, in combination, the clamping bar forms a part which, independent of the base, is removable relative to the latter, and this clamping bar is adapted to be attached to this base in one or the other of two distinct positions to which correspond different passage sections for the calibrated opening that it defines with the latter, this base having opposite one another two uprights each comprising, for cooperation with the clamping bar, two notches, which are duly stepped in height, and which, from one of amounts to another, are established at different levels.

Because the clamping bar is able to define with the base to which it is associated different passage sections in either of its positions thereon, the cable clamp according to the invention is advantageously likely to be suitable for a relatively wide range of different diameters for the cable or cord capable of being used.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective éclatée d'un serre-câble suivant l'invention ;
• les figures 2, 3 en sont des vues en coupe transversale qui en illustrent deux phases successives de mise en oeuvre, pour une première position de la barrette de serrage qu'il comporte ;
• la figure 4 en est une vue en plan, suivant la flèche IV de la figure 3 ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe transversale analogue à celle de la figure 3, pour une deuxième position de la barrette de serrage ;
• la figure 6 est une vue en plan qui, analogue à celle de la figure 4, correspond à une variante de réalisation.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, by way of example, with reference to the appended schematic drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a cable clamp according to the invention;
• Figures 2, 3 are views in cross section which illustrate two successive stages of implementation, for a first position of the clamping bar which it comprises;
• Figure 4 is a plan view, along arrow IV of Figure 3;
• Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of Figure 3, for a second position of the clamping bar;
• Figure 6 is a plan view which, similar to that of Figure 4, corresponds to an alternative embodiment.

As illustrated in these figures, it is, overall, to ensure the mechanical retention of any cable or cord 10 relative to the electrical device, not shown, to which it is connected.

The cable clamp 11 used for this purpose according to the invention comprises, in a manner known per se, on the one hand, a base 12, which is integral with the body or housing of the electrical appliance concerned, and, on the other hand, a clamping bar 14, which, according to methods described in more detail later, is capable of snapping onto the base 12 by defining therewith a calibrated opening 15 corresponding to the diameter of the cable or cord 10.

Let D1 be this diameter in the form of implementation illustrated by FIGS. 1 to 4, and let D2 be this diameter in the form of implementation illustrated by FIG. 5.

According to the invention, the clamping bar 14 forms a part which, independent of the base 12 is removable with respect to the latter, and, jointly, it is adapted to be attached to this base 12 in one or the Another of two distinct positions to which there correspond different passage sections for the calibrated opening 15 which it defines with this base 12.

In the embodiments shown, the base 12 has, facing each other, two uprights 16, 16 ′, which, for cooperation with the clamping bar 14, each have, duly stepped over their height, two notches 17A-18E, 17′A-18′E separate.

For convenience, the notches 17A, 17′A will be referred to below as support notches, and the notches 18E, 18′E snap notches.

According to the invention, from one of the uprights 16, 16 ′ to the other, these notches 17A-18E, 17′A-18′E are established at different levels NA-NE, N′AN′E relative to the bottom 20 of the base 12, that is to say relative to the surface thereof on which these uprights 16, 16 ′ protrude.

In practice, on each upright 16, 16 ′, the catch notch 18E, 18′E is established at a level NE, N′E higher than that NA, N′A according to which the support notch 17A is established, 17′A, and the support notch 17A of the upright 16 is established at a level NA lower than that N′A of the support notch 17′A of the upright 16 ′, however that its catch notch 18E is established at a level NE higher than that N′E of the latter’s latching notch 18′E.

Jointly, of an upright 16, 16 ′ to the other, the support notches 17A, 17′A are established at a distance D3 from one another, measured at the level of their median zone, FIG. 1, greater than that D4 along which the detent notches 18E, 18′E are established, so that each of the uprights 16, 16 ′ has cantilevered steps which, directed towards the other, approach that as they move away from the bottom 20 of the base 12, but, jointly, of an amount 16, 16 ′ to the other, the distance D5 separating the support notch 17A, 17′A of one of these uprights 16, 16 ′ of the catch notch 18E, 18′E of the other is substantially the same, this distance D5 being adapted to the length L1 of the clamping bar 14.

Preferably, and as shown, each of the uprights 16, 16 ′ of the base 12 is further hollowed out in height of a notch 22, 22 ′, which faces towards the other, and which, accessible from the outside from above, intersects with its latching notch 18E, 18′E.

In practice, in the embodiments shown, the bottom 23, 23 ′ of this notch 22, 22 ′ extends slightly obliquely relative to the bottom 20, and, from one of the uprights 16, 16 ′ to the other , the bottoms 23, 23 ′ approach each other at the same time as they approach the bottom 20.

Finally, the base 12 forms, between its uprights 16, 16 ′, a cradle 24, substantially semi-circular.

In practice, this cradle 24 affects the central region of the bottom 20 of the base 12, and it has transversely projecting over part of its height a rib 25 suitable for constitute an anchoring tooth for the cable or cord 10 to be retained.

Preferably, and as shown, the uprights 16, 16 ′ are both established at a distance from this cradle 24, so that the clamping bar 14 can have a sufficient length.

This clamping bar 14, for its part, has, asymmetrically, two different ends, one, 27A, relatively thick and rigid, for its picking under the notch 17A, 17′A of one of the uprights 16, 16 ′ of the base 12, the other, 27E, relatively thin and elastically deformable, for its latching on the latching notch 18E, 18′E of the other of these uprights 16, 16 ′.

In practice, in the embodiments shown, the relatively thick and rigid end 27A has a notch 28 in an offset, for its engagement under the support notch 17A, 17′A concerned.

Jointly, the relatively thin and elastically deformable end 27E of the clamping strip 14 extends obliquely relative to the current part, or median, 30 thereof.

In practice, this relatively thin and elastically deformable end 27E forms a hollow V 32 with this current part, or median, 30, and it is generally in the form of a tongue.

Jointly, by its running part, or median, 30, which is generally curved according to a semi-circular profile, the clamping bar 14 forms, between its ends 27A, 27E, like the cradle 24 of the base 12, a cradle 34.

As before, in this cradle 34, extends, transversely, projecting, over part of its height, at least one rib 35 capable of constituting an anchoring tooth for the cable or cord 10 to be retained.

In practice, in the embodiment shown, two ribs 35 are provided parallel to one another in the cradle 34 of the clamping bar 14, transversely with respect thereto, being arranged with so as to frame the rib 25 of the cradle 24 of the base 12.

As before, also, the ends 27A, 27E of the clamping bar 14 both extend away from its cradle 34.

For its reinforcement, the current or middle part 30 of the clamping bar 14 has, at the back of the cradle 34 that it forms, at least one stiffening rib 36.

In practice, in the embodiment shown, three ribs 36 are provided, parallel to each other, and transversely relative to the cradle 34, being arranged alternately with the ribs 35 thereof.

Finally, for its lightening, the relatively thick and rigid end 27A of the clamping bar 14 has, at the back of its notch 28, at least one groove 38.

In practice, in the embodiment shown, two grooves 38 are provided, parallel to each other, and transversely relative to the cradle 34.

Preferably, the width L2 of the clamping bar 14 is adapted to that of the uprights 16, 16 ′ of the base 12, taking into account the need for a stop in translation thereon.

In any case, it is less than that L3 of the notches 22, 22 ′ affecting these uprights 16, 16 ′.

However, for the implementation of the cable clamp 12 according to the invention, it can be carried out as follows.

First, the cable or cord 10 to be retained is placed in the cradle 24 of the base 12, as shown in FIG. 2.

In a second step, the clamping bar 14 is engaged, obliquely, by the notch 28 of its relatively thick and rigid end 27A, under the support notch 17A, 17′A of one of the uprights 16, 16 ′ of the base 12 chosen according to the diameter of the cable or cord 10 to be retained.

When, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, this cable or cord 10 has a relatively large diameter D1, the clamping bar 14 is thus engaged obliquely under that of the support notches 17A, 17′A whose level NA, N′A is itself the greatest.

It is therefore, in practice, in this case, the support notch 17′A, level N′A, the upright 16 ′, FIG. 2.

With, if necessary, using a tool 40, the blade of a screwdriver for example, as shown in Figure 2, it is then exerted a driving push on the clamping bar 14 on the side opposite to its relatively thick and rigid end 27A, along the arrow F1 in FIG. 2, for example by applying this tool 40 to the hollow of the V 32 formed by its current or median part, its relatively thin and elastically deformable end 27E, up to 'so that, by temporary elastic deformation, this relatively thin and elastically deformable end 27E crosses the detent notch 18E, at level NE, of the upright 16 of the base 12 and comes to get under it, FIG. 3.

The cable or cord 10 is then energetically clamped between the base 12 and the clamping bar 14, in the calibrated opening 15 formed by the latter.

If the clamping bar 14 must be removed, it suffices to insert, into the notch 22 of the upright 16, any tool 40, and, for example, as shown in dashed lines, the previous screwdriver blade, then, bearing on the bottom 23 of this notch 22, to exert a push on the relatively thin and elastically deformable end 27E of this clamping bar 14, along the arrow F2 in Figure 3, until this end relatively thin and elastically deformable 27E escapes from the latching notch 18E of this amount 16.

When, as shown in FIG. 5, the cable or cord 10 to be retained has a relatively small diameter D2, it is under the support notch 17A of the upright 16 of the base 12, of level NA lower than level N ′ A previous, that the clamping bar 14 is engaged, and hooked, by its relatively thick and rigid end 27A, while its relatively thin and elastically deformable end 27E is engaged, and latched, on the latching notch 18′E of the amount 16 ′, of level N′E higher than the previous level NE.

Of course, in the foregoing, it is assumed that there are provided retaining means suitable for preventing the clamping bar 14 from inadvertently escaping laterally from the base 12 when it is thus engaged therewith.

For example, in FIG. 6, at least one of the uprights 16, 16 ′ of this base 12, and in practice each of these, presents, laterally, to do this, over at least part of its height, two cheeks 42, 42 ′ between which the clamping bar 14 is inserted.

As a variant, this clamping bar 14 can itself have two cheeks by which it frames, in the manner of a yoke, one and / or the other of the uprights 16, 16 ′ of the base 12.

The present invention is moreover not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but encompasses any variant.

Claims (14)

Cable clamp for an electrical appliance, of the type comprising a clamping bar (14) capable of snapping onto a base (12) by defining therewith a calibrated opening (15), characterized in that, in combination, the clamping bar (14) forms a part which, independent of the base (12), is removable with respect to the latter, and in that this clamping bar (14) is adapted to be attached to this base (12 ) in one or the other of two distinct positions to which it corresponds to different passage sections for the calibrated opening (15), the base (12) having opposite two uprights (16 , 16 ′) each comprising, for cooperation with the clamping bar (14), two notches (17A-18E, 17′A-18′E), hereinafter called support notches and latching notches, which are duly stepped in height, and which, from one of said uprights (16, 16 ′) to the other, are established at different levels (NA-NE, N′AN′E). Cable clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping bar (14) asymmetrically has two different ends, one (27A), relatively thick and rigid, for its hooking under the support notch ( 17A, 17′A) of one of the uprights (16, 16 ′) of the base (12), the other, (27E), relatively thin and elastically deformable, for its snapping onto the snap notch (18E , 18′E) of the other of these uprights (16, 16 ′). Cable clamp according to any one of claims 1, 2, characterized in that, from one upright (16, 16 ′) of the base (12) to the other, the support notches (17A, 17 ′ A) are established at a distance (D3) from each other greater than that (D4) according to which the detent notches (18E, 18′E) are established. Cable clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, on each upright (16, 16 ′), the latching notch (18E, 18′E) is established at a level (NE, N ′ E) greater than that (NA, N′A) along which the support notch (17A, 17′A) is established. Cable clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the support notch (17A) of a drive (16) of the base (12) is established at a level (NA) below that (N′A) of the support notch (17′A) of the other upright (16 ′) and its latching notch (18E) is established at a level (NE) higher than that (N′E) of the latching notch (18′E) of the latter. Cable clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each of the uprights (16, 16 ′) of the base (12) is hollowed out at the height of a notch (22, 22 ′), which is turned towards the other, and which, accessible from the outside from above, overlaps its catch notch (18E, 18′E). Cable clamp according to claim 6, characterized in that the bottom (23 ′) of said notch (22, 22 ′) extends obliquely. Cable clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, for retaining the clamping bar (14), at least one of the uprights (16, 16 ′) of the base (12 ) laterally has two cheeks (42, 42 ′) over at least part of its height. Cable clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, the base (12) forming a cradle (24) between its uprights (16, 16 ′), these are one and the other established at a distance from this cradle (24). Cable clamp according to claim 2, characterized in that the relatively thick and rigid end (27A) of the clamping bar (14) has a notch (28) in a recess. Cable clamp according to claim 2, characterized in that the relatively thin and elastically deformable end (27E) of the clamping bar (14) extends obliquely to the current part, or the middle part (30) of this one. Cable clamp according to claim 2, characterized in that the relatively thin and elastically deformable end (27E) of the clamping bar (14) is hollowed out a V (32) with the current, or middle, part (30) thereof. Cable clamp according to claim 2, characterized in that the relatively thin and elastically deformable end (27E) of the clamping bar (14) is in the form of a single tongue. Cable clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the clamping bar (14) forms a cradle (34) between its ends (27A, 27E).

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