EP0612052B1 - Device and method for marking an electric cable and marking tag therefore - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates generally to tracking devices of the type used for the identification of any elements, and in particular for that of cables, which, in an electrical installation, extend between any material and the electrical equipment controlling these.

It relates more particularly to those of these tracking devices which comprise, overall, on the one hand, a support suitable for receiving any identification message, and, on the other hand, in one piece with this support, for the subjection of the assembly to a cable to be identified, at least one fixing base.

For example, the identification message is formed by one or more marks in the form of rings engaged on the support, when it is a simple bar, or in the latter, when it is of a sheath.

As a variant, it may be formed by one or more pins in the form of U-shaped jumpers to be snapped transversely side by side on the support.

Alternatively, also, the identification message can be carried by a band to be engaged in the support when the latter forms a sheath, or even be directly printed on the latter.

As a corollary, the fixing base is most often provided at one and / or the other of the ends of the support, and, for example, it confines itself to presenting two holes for the passage of a clamping collar, as, for example, known from FR-A-2 625 824.

Alternatively, it comprises by itself in one piece such a clamp.

In any case, it is obviously important to provide identical identification messages at the two ends of the same cable.

The present invention generally relates to a provision capable of facilitating operations.

More specifically, it firstly relates to a tracking device, comprising, according to claim 1, a support suitable for receiving an identification message, and, in a single holding with this support, for the subjection of the assembly to an element to be identified, at least one fixing base, this identification device being characterized in that it is detachably coupled with another identification device, which , preferably, is a tracking device of the same type, and, more precisely, an identical tracking device.

For example, the locating device according to the invention is connected in one piece to the other locating device by a frangible fastener.

Anyway, thus duly linked to each other at the origin, the two tracking devices intended for the identification of the two ends of the same cable can advantageously be treated at the same time during the establishment of the necessary identification messages, which advantageously minimizes the risk that any discrepancy between these identification messages may occur.

It then suffices to separate the two tracking devices thus jointly treated from one another.

For example, and according to a development of the invention, when these two locating devices are initially connected to each other by a frangible fastener, this frangible fastening constitutes a hinge zone allowing these two locating devices to be superimposed on each other when composing the identification messages they must carry, in particular if they are tracking devices, if not identical, at least of the same type.

The operations to be carried out are advantageously made easier and safer, in particular when the identification messages are composed from markers, and that, initially arranged in a detachable manner in a chain, these markers are markers to be snapped transversely onto the supports. to equip.

The tracking devices according to the invention being superimposed on each other with their respective supports back to back, it suffices, in fact, to apply transversely the assembly with a string of markers and give it a relative winding movement with respect thereto over one revolution, with, at each half-turn, depositing a marker on the support of the marker device then in contact of the rosary of landmarks.

The present invention also relates to such an implementation method.

The present invention also relates to a benchmark capable of facilitating the implementation of this method.

This mark which is of the kind comprising a middle part and two lateral wings each projecting towards one another on their inner surface a bead for its snap-fastening on a marking device comprising for this purpose a support whose edges form shoulders specific to such a snap-fastening is characterized in that its two lateral wings each further have, on their lower surface, projecting a bead of generally convex cross section.

By rolling on their respective beads, the pins advantageously come off more easily.

The other conditions being equal, the present invention advantageously allows a significant saving of time during installation compared to already known tracking devices of the same type.

• la figure 1 est une vue partielle en perspective d'un câble dont chacune des extrémités est équipée d'un dispositif de repérage suivant I'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective d'un dispositif de repérage suivant l'invention dûment jumelé de manière détachable avec un autre dispositif de repérage identique ;
• les figures 3 et 4 sont, à échelle supérieure, des vues en coupe transversale de l'ensemble correspondant, suivant, chacune respectivement, les lignes III-III et IV-IV de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 5 est, à l'échelle des figures 3 et 4, une vue partielle en coupe longitudinale de cet ensemble, suivant la ligne V-V de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 6 est une vue en perspective d'un chapelet de repères propres à être mis en oeuvre sur un dispositif de repérage suivant l'invention ;
• la figure 7 reprend, à échelle supérieure, le détail de la figure 6 repéré par un encart VII sur cette figure 6 ;
• les figures 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D et 8E sont des vues en perspective illustrant diverses phases successives de mise en oeuvre conjointes de deux dispositifs de repérage jumelés suivant l'invention ;
• la figure 9 en est, à échelle supérieure, une vue en coupe transversale des deux dispositifs de repérage ainsi jumelés, suivant la ligne IX-IX de la figure 8D ;
• la figure 10 est une vue en perspective qui, analogue à celle de la figure 8A, se rapporte à une variante de réalisation ;
• la figure 11 est, à échelle différente, une vue en coupe transversale qui, analogue à celle de la figure 9, se rapporte à une autre variante de réalisation ;
• la figure 12 est, à échelle différente, une vue en perspective se rapportant à une autre application de l'invention ;
• la figure 13 est une vue en perspective se rapportant à une autre application de l'invention ;
• la figure 14 est une vue de bout de deux dispositifs de repérage correspondant à cette dernière application ;
• la figure 15 est une vue en perspective illustrant une phase de mise en oeuvre de ces dispositifs de repérage.

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

• Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a cable each end of which is equipped with a locating device according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a perspective view of a tracking device according to the invention duly detachably paired with another identical tracking device;
• FIGS. 3 and 4 are, on a larger scale, cross-sectional views of the corresponding assembly, according to, each respectively, lines III-III and IV-IV of Figure 2;
• Figure 5 is, on the scale of Figures 3 and 4, a partial view in longitudinal section of this assembly, along the line VV of Figure 2;
• Figure 6 is a perspective view of a string of pins suitable for being implemented on a tracking device according to the invention;
• Figure 7 shows, on a larger scale, the detail of Figure 6 identified by an insert VII in this Figure 6;
• FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D and 8E are perspective views illustrating various successive phases of joint implementation of two paired locating devices according to the invention;
• Figure 9 is a larger scale, a cross-sectional view of the two locating devices thus paired, along the line IX-IX of Figure 8D;
• Figure 10 is a perspective view which, similar to that of Figure 8A, relates to an alternative embodiment;
• Figure 11 is, on a different scale, a cross-sectional view which, similar to that of Figure 9, relates to another alternative embodiment;
• Figure 12 is, on a different scale, a perspective view relating to another application of the invention;
• Figure 13 is a perspective view relating to another application of the invention;
• Figure 14 is an end view of two tracking devices corresponding to the latter application;
• Figure 15 is a perspective view illustrating a phase of implementation of these tracking devices.

Figures 1 to 11 illustrate the application of the invention to a cable 10 that is to identify, that is to say to identify, by relating to one and the other of its ends 11A, 11B a tracking device 12A, 12B carrying the same identification message.

In the embodiments shown, this identification message is generally formed by marks 13 arranged side by side.

Overall, and according to the invention, the two tracking devices 12A, 12B thus implemented for the same cable 10 each comprise a support 14, suitable for receiving at least one reference 13, and, in one piece with this support 14, for securing the assembly to the cable 10, at least one fixing base 15.

According to the invention, and in accordance with arrangements described in more detail later, the tracking device 12A, for example, is detachably paired with another tracking device, in this case the tracking device 12B, and, preferably , and as shown, this other locating device 12B is a locating device of the same type.

In practice, it is a locating device identical to the locating device 12A.

In the embodiments shown, the support 14 of these locating devices 12A, 12B is elongated, to be arranged longitudinally along a generator of the cable 10, and there is provided a fixing base 15 at each of its ends.

In practice, the support 14 is in the form of a bar, the upper surface of which has a slightly convex profile in cross section, and the edges of which, parallel to one another, form longitudinally by their lower surface. , two shoulders 18 on which, as will appear below, a reference 13 can be added transversely by simple snap-fastening.

In the embodiments more particularly shown in Figures 1 to 10, the cross section of the upper surface of the support 14 is generally rounded.

In the embodiments shown, the support 14 has longitudinally, projecting from its lower surface, in the median zone thereof, between the shoulders 18, a stiffening rib 19.

Each fixing base 15 forms, projecting, a guard 20 at the end of the support 14, for the corresponding longitudinal retention of the pins 13.

Each fixing base 15 also has two holes 21 for the passage of a clamp 23.

Preferably, and as shown, these holes 21 extend in height in the very thickness of the fixing bases 15, so that they are transversely in continuity with each other, and that, taken as a whole, and taking into account the rigidity of the assembly, they do not impose a baffled path on the clamp 23 which is engaged therein.

In practice, for each fixing base 15, the holes 21 are defined by three bars 24, which, parallel to each other, are parallel to the support 14, being offset in width with respect to each other to facilitate production by molding the assembly, and the central bar 24 is offset in height relative to the extreme bars 24, having longitudinally projecting, on the side thereof, a rib 26 intended to serve as a brake for the clamp 23.

In the embodiments shown, this rib 26 has a triangular profile in cross section.

In the embodiments shown, each of the locating devices 12A, 12B has longitudinally, on its lower surface, a flat seat 27, by which the other locating device 12A, 12B can be applied to it.

This seat 27 is in practice formed by the lower surface of the stiffening rib 19 of the support 14 and those of the fixing bases 15, these surfaces being in continuity with each other at the same level.

In practice, due to the rib 19, the shoulders 18 of the support 14 extend away from the seat 27.

In the embodiments shown, the fixing bases 15 are extended overall by a quarter olive portion 28 beyond the portion where they have holes 21, and, on its lower surface, this quarter-olive portion 28 is largely hollowed out.

In the embodiments shown, each of the locating devices 12A, 12B is connected in one piece to the other locating device 12A, 12B by a frangible attachment 29, FIGS. 5 and 8A.

In practice, this frangible attachment 29 intervenes at a fixing base 15, and it constitutes a hinge zone allowing the two tracking devices 12A, 12B to be superimposed on each other by their respective seats 27.

In the embodiment more particularly shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, there is thus a frangible attachment 29 for each of the fixing bases 15, and this extends generally parallel to the support 14, over only a fraction of the length of the mounting bases 15 from the guard 20 that they form.

To facilitate tearing, this frangible fastener 29 has a height which decreases from the guard 20 at the end of the fixing base 15 concerned.

In the embodiments shown, the markers 13 generally have a U shape, with a central part 30 and two lateral wings 31.

On their inner surface, the lateral wings 31 each have a protrusion towards one another a bead 32, for picking on the shoulders 18 of the support 14 of a locating device 12A, 12B.

In the embodiment more particularly shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, the lower surface of the middle part 30 has in cross section a rounded profile, like that of the cross section of the support 14 of the locating devices 12A, 12B.

In the embodiments shown, the pins 13 are initially detachably arranged in a chain 33 while being successively joined to one another by their lateral wings 31.

In practice, the pins 13 are connected to each other by a frangible fastener 34, which runs at the base of their lateral wings 31, extending over only a fraction, for example of the order of half, of the width of these.

In the embodiments shown, this frangible fastener 34 has a height which decreases from one of its ends to the other.

Finally, in the embodiments shown, the chain 33 of markers 13 detachably forms, at one of its ends, a clip 35 allowing it to be hung if desired on any support, in the manner of a pen .

If desired, the implementation of the tracking devices 12A, 12B twinned according to the invention can be done jointly as follows.

Firstly, in FIG. 8A, these locating devices 12A, 12B are folded back against each other, by rotation around the hinge areas formed by their frangible fasteners 29, according to the arrow F1 in FIG. 8A, which leads to superimpose each other by their seats 27, Figure 8B.

The respective supports 14 of these tracking devices 12A, 12B are then placed back to back.

In a second step, and as shown in FIG. 8B, the assembly constituted by these two marking devices 12A, 12B thus superimposed is applied transversely to the chain 33 of marks 13, which leads to one of the marks 13 of this chain 33 to be snapped on by elastic deformation on the shoulders 18 of the support 14 of the locating device 12A, 12B then in contact with this chain 33.

It is then imparted a relative winding movement over one revolution to all of the two locating devices 12A, 12B relative to the chain 33 of markers 13, according to arrow F2 in FIG. 8B, that is, as indicated on the Figures, it is the set of two tracking devices 12A, 12B which effectively pivots on itself, or that, as a variant, it is the chain 33 of marks 13 which is wound on this assembly.

During the corresponding relative winding movement, there is first of all a detachment with respect to the chain 33 of the reference 13 previously deposited on the support 14 of one of the two identification devices 12A, 12B.

There is then, during the next half-turn, the deposition of a new mark 13 on the support 14 of the other of these marking devices 12A, 12B, according to the same process as above.

Thus, at each half-turn there is the removal of a mark 13 on the support 14 of the marking device 12A, 12B then in contact with the chain 33 of marks 13.

It suffices, finally, to separate pins 13 thus deposited from the rest of the chain 33, by twisting on itself of this chain 33, according to arrow F3 in FIG. 8D.

The two marking devices 12A, 12B then each have the same marking 13, as shown in FIG. 9.

After separation, by rupture of their frangible attachments 29, as shown diagrammatically for one of them in FIG. 8E, the tracking devices 12A, 12B can be attached by cable ties 23 to the cable 10 to be identified, l one at the end 11A of this cable 10, the other at its end 11B.

Of course, for the composition of a more complex identification message, several marks 13 can be duly placed side by side on the supports 14 of the marking devices 12A, 12B, according to the same process as that previously described.

In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 10, there is only one frangible attachment 29 for one of the fixing bases 15 of the tracking devices 12A, 12B, and this extends generally perpendicularly to their support 14.

For the rest, the provisions are of the same type as those described, and the same applies to the implementation process.

In the variant embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the lower surface of the middle part of the markers 13 has in cross section a profile different from that of the cross section of the upper surface of the support 14 of the locating devices 12A, 12B.

In practice, in the embodiment shown, it keeps the same rounded profile as previously, while the cross section of the upper surface of the support 14 of the locating devices 12A, 12B is generally polygonal, with a median face 37 parallel to the 'seat 27 and two lateral sides 38 oblique with respect to this median face 37, converging towards one another as they move away from the seat 27.

The latching of the marks 13 on the support 14 of the marking devices 12A, 12B is thereby facilitated.

In addition, in this alternative embodiment, the two lateral wings 31 of the pins 13 each project on their lower surface a bead 40 of generally convex cross section.

In Figure 11 there is shown in solid lines two marks 13 in place on the supports 14 of two locating devices 12A, 12B, with, in broken lines, for one of them, the initial position I in the chain 33 , and an intermediate position before it snaps onto the support 14 of the tracking device 12A, 12B, in this case 12B, corresponding.

For this intermediate position, this mark 13 carries by its bead 40 on the bead 40 of the mark 13 to which it is still attached, while rolling on it.

Because of their convexity, the beads 40 thus in contact favor the separation of the pins 13.

In the embodiment shown, the beads 40 extend over the entire width of the lateral wings 31 of the pins 13 and their cross section convex is generally rounded.

FIG. 12 illustrates the application of the invention in the case where the two tracking devices 12A, 12B duly paired are not identical to each other, or even of the same type, these tracking devices 12A, 12B being intended for tracking different items.

For example, and as shown, the locating device 12A is as previously intended for locating a cable, while the locating device 12B is intended for locating any device, and for example a terminal block , not shown, to which this cable must be connected.

In the embodiment shown, the fixing base 15 of the tracking device 12A is formed of legs 42 suitable for engagement on the cable in the manner of a jumper, and that of the tracking device 12B is formed of legs 43 suitable for snap-fastening.

Since such fixing bases 15 are well known in themselves and not part of the present invention, they will not be described in more detail here.

Arranged end to end, the supports 14 of these locating devices 12A, 12B are connected to each other by a zone of lesser thickness 29 'which can be broken.

In the embodiment shown, the identification messages, identical to one another, are directly printed there.

Figures 13 to 15 illustrate the application of the invention in the case where the two tracking devices 12A, 12B duly paired are each formed by a section of profile, respectively 45A, 45B.

In the embodiment shown, these are identical marking devices intended for locating the ends of the same cable, not shown, as was the case in the application of the invention illustrated by FIGS. 1 to 11 .

The support 14 forms a sheath, which is of generally oval cross section in the embodiment shown, and in which can be engaged, side by side. side by side, one after the other, for the constitution of the sought identification message, markers 13 '.

For example, these are markers 13 ′ in the form of a ring, which, for the composition of this identification message, can first be placed on one of the teeth 46A, 46B of a tool 47 having served to remove them from their initial support, not shown, prior to their joint engagement in support 14.

To operate simultaneously on the two locating devices 12A, 12B, the tool 47 has two teeth 46A, 46B in the embodiment shown, but this is not necessarily so.

The corresponding arrangements are moreover well known in themselves, and, not falling within the scope of the present invention, they will not be described in more detail here.

In a manner also known per se, the fixing base 15, which is obviously integral with the support 14, extending over the entire length of the latter, also forms a sheath by which the assembly can be engaged on the cable to be fitted.

In the embodiment shown, the cross section of this fixing base 15 generally forms two lobes 48 connected to each other by a bridge 49 median and returning to the right of the support 14.

But the shape of this cross section can be very diverse.

In the embodiment shown, the two locating devices 12A, 12B extend parallel to one another and they are connected in one piece to each other by a frangible fastener 29 which intervenes at the level of their mounting base 15, extending, of course, over the entire length thereof.

For example, and as shown, the sections 45A, 45B to which the two tracking devices 12A, 12B belong are precut into several sections forming, one after the other, as many tracking devices 12A, 12B linked in pairs so as to detachable.

In practice, these are two co-extruded profiles.

In practice, too, they are made of transparent synthetic material, so that the corresponding identification message is readable.

Claims (21)

1. A marking device comprising a support (10) for receiving an identification message and, in one piece with said support (14), for fastening the assembly to an element to be marked, at least one fixing base (15), characterised in that it is detachably paired with another marking device (12A, 12B).
2. A marking device according to claim 1 characterised in that it is detachably paired with another identical marking device (12A, 12B).
3. A marking device according to either one of claims 1 and 2 characterised in that it is connected in one piece to the other marking device (12A, 12B) by a frangible attachment (29).
4. A marking device according to claim 3 characterised in that the frangible attachment (29) occurs at the location of the fixing base (15).
5. A marking device according to either one of claims 3 and 4 characterised in that the frangible attachment (29) constitutes a hinge zone permitting the two marking devices (12A, 12B) to be arranged in mutually superposed relationship.
6. A marking device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterised in that it longitudinally has a flat surface (29) by way of which the other marking device (12A, 12B) can be applied thereto.
7. A marking device according to claim 6 characterised in that, its support (14) being an elongate support of which the edges longitudinally form two shoulders (18) to which a marker (13) can be fitted transversely by simple latching engagement for making up at least one identification message, said shoulders (18) extend at a spacing from its surface (27).
8. A marking device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 characterised in that, its support (14) being an elongate support of which the edges longitudinally form two shoulders (18) to which a marker (13) can be fitted transversely by simple latching engagement for making up at least one identification message, the cross-section of the upper surface of said support is generally polygonal.
9. A marking device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 characterised in that, its fixing base (15) comprising two holes (21) for a clamping collar (23) to pass therethrough, said holes (21) extend in respect of height in the actual thickness of said fixing base (15) in such a way that they are transversely in continuity with each other.
10. A marking device according to claim 9 characterised in that the two holes (21) in its fixing base (15) being defined by three bar portions (24) which, parallel to each other, are parallel to the support (14), the central bar portion (24) is displaced in respect of height in relation to the end bar portions (24) and at the side of the latter it is longitudinally provided in projecting relationship with a rib (26).
11. A marking device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 characterised in that there is a fixing base (15) at each of the ends of the support (14).
12. A marking device according to claims 3 and 11 in combination characterised in that there is a frangible attachment (29) for each of the fixing bases (15) and it extends generally parallel to the support (14).
13. A marking device according to claims 3 and 11 in combination characterised in that there is a frangible attachment (29) only for one of the fixing bases (15) and it extends generally perpendicularly to the support (14).
14. A process for using a marking device (12A, 12B) with which there is paired another marking device (12A, 12B) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 characterised in that, relating to positioning on said marking devices (12A, 12B) for making up an identification message of markers (13) to be latched in position, which are initially disposed detachably in a string (33), the marking devices (12A, 12B) are arranged in mutually superposed relationship with their respective supports (14) disposed back-to-back, the assembly is applied transversely to the string (33) of markers (13) and there is imparted thereto a relative winding movement over a revolution with respect thereto, with, in each half-revolution, the deposit of a marker (13) on the support (14) of the marking device (12A, 12B) then in contact with said string (33) of markers (13).
15. A marker comprising a central portion (30) and two lateral wings (31) each having in projecting relationship towards each other on their internal surface a ridge (32) for latching engagement thereof on a marking device (12A, 12B) comprising for that purpose a support (14) whose edges form shoulders (18) for such latching engagement, characterised in that, for carrying out the process according to claim 14, its two lateral wings (31) also each have in projecting relationship on their internal surface a ridge (40) of generally convex cross-section.
16. A marker according to claim 15 characterised in that the lower surface of its central portion (30) comprises in cross-section a profile which is different from that of the cross-section of the support (14) of the marking device (12A, 12B).
17. A marking device according to claim 1 characterised in that it is paired with another marking device (12A, 12B) by way of a cuttable zone (29) of smaller thickness.
18. A marking device according to claim 17 characterised in that the other marking device (12A, 12B) is of a different type.
19. A marking device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterised in that it is formed by a portion of a shaped member (45A, 45B).
20. A marking device according to claim 19 characterised in that the shaped member (45A, 45B) to which it belongs is pre-cut into a plurality of portions.
21. A marking device according to either one of claims 19 and 20 characterised in that the other marking device (12A, 12B) with which it is paired is also formed by a portion of a shaped member (45A, 45B) and the two shaped members (45A, 45B) are co-extruded shaped members.

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