EP1192693A1

EP1192693A1 - Accessory for fixing a wire cable tray, and wire cable tray equipped with at least such an accessory

Info

Publication number: EP1192693A1
Application number: EP00940484A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Claude Badey; James Deciry
Original assignee: Metal Deploye SA
Current assignee: Metal Deploye SA
Priority date: 1999-07-06
Filing date: 2000-06-09
Publication date: 2002-04-03
Also published as: MXPA01013144A; FR2796121B1; AU5541400A; US6590154B1; WO2001003266A1; FR2796121A1

Abstract

The invention concerns an accessory, called fixing accessory, designed to be fixed by elastic pinching, locally to wire cable tray comprising, in meshed form, wires (11, 12) of two different types, namely, longitudinal wires (11) and, set transversely at various spots along said longitudinal wires (11), U-shaped transverse wires (12), the assembly globally forming, as for a wireway, three panels (13, 14), namely, a base panel (13) and two side panels (14). Said fixing accessory (16) being designed to be mounted on any one of said panels (13, 14), comprises fixing means whereby it is to be made integral with the panel (13, 14) which it equips, and at least one bore (26, 27) running right through it and through which it is capable of receiving any particular fixing element, such as a clamping ring, bolt or the like: the fixing accessory (16) comprises, for forming its fixing means, one first fixing surface (22), designed to be engaged beneath at least a wire (11, 12) and a second fixing surface facing the first fixing surface (22), and designed to bear on at least two wires (11, 12) of the same type as said wire (11, 12).

Description

"Attachment accessory for cable tray, and cable tray fitted with at least one such accessory"

The present invention relates generally to cable trays in wires.

As is known, these wire cable trays comprise, in a meshed form, wires of two different types, namely, on the one hand, longitudinal wires, commonly called warp wires, which run, longitudinally, from rectilinear or almost rectilinear manner, over their entire length, and, on the other hand, established transversely from place to place along these longitudinal wires, being duly subject to them, transverse wires shaped as U, commonly called wires frame, the assembly generally forming three panels, in practice planes or substantially planes, namely, a bottom panel and two side panels, commonly called wings.

These wire cable trays are commonly used to provide, like a chute, support, housing and protection of elongated elements such as electric cables or the like, or even tubes, for example of instrumentation or transport fluids.

By electric cables is meant HERE, and in what follows, not only cables suitable for the transport and distribution of electrical energy, but also cables and fibers suitable for transmitting information electrically, optically or other.

In what follows, to facilitate the presentation, we will discuss electrical cables; but of course, everything that is said about electrical cables is valid for any element of the elongated type.

With regard to such electric cables, cable trays with wires have many advantages which make them appreciated by electrician installers, and, in particular, advantages of ease of laying, and therefore of economy, of flexibility, electric cables. can be pulled out by any of their meshes, transparency, and therefore location of electrical cables, ventilation, cleanliness, security, both for electrical cables and for users, and performance.

However, to date, the fixing of electric cables to one or other of their panels, which is necessary for the maintenance of these electric cables, and which is done in practice using cable ties passed transversely in loop around one or the other of their longitudinal wires by enclosing one or more of these electric cables, is not always entirely satisfactory.

The reason is, in particular, that their wires necessarily cross at different levels, the longitudinal wires being in practice arranged outside the transverse wires.

It follows that, if they are not sufficiently rigid, the electric cables come to match the corresponding unevennesses.

In fact, it is frequently possible to observe that these electric cables are thus the object of a wavy deformation, in particular when they are electric cables of relatively small diameter.

Besides that this wavy deformation can sometimes be considered as unsightly, it can also be detrimental to the durability of electric cables and / or to the quality of their performance. This is particularly the case for electric cables with internal capillary wiring suitable for connection networks of computer equipment for which the diameter of the electrical conductors is only a few tenths of a millimeter.

In addition, whatever the nature and / or the diameter of the electric cables, the clamps ensuring their maintenance can inadvertently move along the longitudinal wire which they enclose, so that, ultimately, the maintaining these electrical cables is not completely under control.

The present invention generally relates to a provision making it possible to avoid these drawbacks and leading, in addition, to other advantages. To avoid these drawbacks, it has already been proposed, in particular in document WO 99/06746, a cable tray of wires of the kind comprising, in a meshed form, wires of two different types, namely, on the one hand, wires longitudinal, which run longitudinally over its entire length, and, on the other hand, established transversely from place to place along these longitudinal wires, being duly subject to them, transverse wires shaped as U, the assembly forming , overall, in the manner of a chute, three panels, namely, a bottom panel and two side panels, this cable tray of wires being fitted, locally, on any one of its panels, with at least an accessory, here said for simple attachment accessory convenience, comprising, on the one hand, securing means, by which it is made integral with the panel which it equips, and, on the other hand, at least one drilling, which runs right through it, and by which it is suitable for receiving any fixing member, such as a clamp, bolt or the like.

The fixing accessory thus implemented has first of all the advantage of providing the electrical cables, at any place chosen by the installer, with a wider base than that provided by a single wire, this fixing accessory being provided under the general shape of a wafer, and therefore offering electric cables an advantageously flat seat.

Such a fixing accessory is arranged so that it is placed astride one of the longitudinal wires, and, more generally, on one of the external wires, or that it is inserted in one of the meshes that these form with the transverse threads, and, more generally, with the inner threads, its free surface extends at level with the generator of the inner threads furthest from the outer threads, without unevenness therewith.

Thus, any wavy deformation between their successive supports is advantageously avoided for electric cables. According to this document, the fixing accessory comprises, on the cross, for the constitution of its securing means, on the one hand, a first securing surface, by which it bears on at least one external wire and, on the other hand, a second securing surface, which is turned towards the first securing surface, and by which it is engaged under at least two internal wires The present invention aims to provide a cable tray of the above type in which the fixing accessory can be secured to the cable tray on two wires of the cable tray which are parallel and of the same type, to namely two longitudinal wires or two transverse wires, the fixing accessory being therefore easy to make. Thus, according to the invention, a fixing accessory, intended to be fixed, by elastic pinching, locally to a cable tray of the above kind is characterized in that it comprises, for the constitution of its means of securing, on the one hand, a first securing surface, which is intended to be engaged under at least one wire and, on the other hand, a second securing surface, which is turned towards the first securing surface, and which is intended to bear on at least two wires of the same type as said wire.

The fixing accessory according to the invention is subject to the cable tray made of wires which it equips is done simply by itself, in the manner of a simple snap-fastening, by pinching at least one wire of this type. cable tray, without the intervention of any other means or auxiliary fixing member.

In addition, this attachment accessory is advantageously removable, which, if desired, allows its removal and recovery. Furthermore, the fixing accessory according to the invention is advantageously wedged in position on the cable tray in son which it equips, both transversely and longitudinally, and, through it, it is advantageously the same for the fasteners it receives.

In particular, thanks to this fixing accessory, the clamps used to hold the electric cables are advantageously wedged longitudinally in position on the cable tray in wires, for the benefit of better control over the maintenance of electric cables and the sustainability of this maintenance.

But, in addition to the facility thus offered for the implementation of these clamps, the fixing accessory according to the invention has other advantages.

In particular, it allows, if desired, in the same way as the accessory of the document already cited, to install, parallel to each other, within the cable tray made of wires, two separation angles defining, in this cable tray, a separate compartment, which can be used for the accommodation of particular electric cables, in particular when these must be sheltered from a metal screen, and which, if necessary, is susceptible to be closed by a cover

The fixing accessory according to the invention can also be used for the intervention of hangers ensuring the suspension of the assembly, or that of consoles ensuring its support

In general, it also allows the attachment of mechanical or electrical devices whose part intended for its attachment does not correspond to the geometry of a mesh of the cable tray made of wires, being in particular smaller than that this. Advantageously, the accessory has a U-shaped section having a core and two wings, the core having a groove extending parallel to the wings, the bottom of the groove being on the same side as the wings relative to the core. from the U.

Preferably, the first securing surface comprises a so-called securing tongue extending parallel to the groove and defined by a U-shaped cutout made at least in the bottom of the groove.

Advantageously, the U-shaped cutout is also provided in the edges of the groove over a depth substantially equal to the diameter of the wire under which the securing tab is engaged. Preferably, the second securing surface is distributed between at least two securing surfaces located on either side a securing tab and each provided on each of the wings of the fixing accessory.

Advantageously, the second securing surface comprises a so-called securing notch formed on the edge of at least one wing. Preferably, the securing notch is arranged in line with the part of the securing tab close to its root.

Advantageously, the securing tab is elastically deformable and each securing notch is bordered by an access ramp. Preferably, each foot of the access ramp has a so-called positioning notch.

According to a preferred embodiment, the fixing accessory comprises two securing tongues each associated with a pair of securing surfaces. Advantageously, the accessory comprises at least two holes of different types, namely at least one circular contour bore and at least one elongated hole in the buttonhole.

Preferably, the accessory is in the general form of a plate. Advantageously, the accessory has a rectangular outline.

Preferably, the accessory is made of sheet metal.

The invention also relates to a cable tray made of wires equipped with a fixing accessory as above.

Advantageously, the wire cable tray is equipped with several fixing accessories, some of which, at least, are aligned, being staggered from place to place along its length.

Advantageously, the longitudinal wires of the cable tray extend outside the transverse wires, and the first securing surface of the fixing accessory is engaged under two longitudinal wires. 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 a perspective view of a wire cable tray equipped with a fixing accessory according to the invention;

- Figure 2 shows, on a larger scale, the fixing accessory of Figure 1 seen from above;

- Figure 3 is a sectional view along III-III of Figure 2;

- Figure 4 is a sectional view along IV-IV of Figure 2; - Figure 5 is a partial view of Figure 4, on a larger scale;

- Figure 6 is a top view which illustrates the first phase of installation of this accessory according to the invention on the cable tray in son it must equip; - Figure 7 is a sectional view along VII-VII of Figure 6;

- Figure 8 is similar to Figure 6 and illustrates an intermediate phase;

- Figure 9 is a sectional view along IX-IX of Figure 8;

- Figure 1 0 is similar to Figures 6 and 8 and illustrates the final implementation of the accessory;

- Figure 1 1 is a view along XI-XI of Figure 1 0.

As illustrated in these figures, it is generally a question of equipping a cable tray with wires 1 0.

In a manner known per se, this cable tray of wires 1 0 comprises, in a meshed form, wires 1 1, 1 2 of two different types, namely, on the one hand, longitudinal wires 1 1, which run, longitudinally , in a rectilinear or substantially rectilinear fashion, over its entire length, and, on the other hand, established transversely from place to place, at a regular pitch P, along these longitudinal wires 11, being duly subject to them , transverse wires 1 2 shaped as a U, the assembly forming, overall, at the way of a chute, three panels 1 3, 1 4, namely, a bottom panel

I 3 and two side panels 1 4.

In practice, the wires 1 1, 1 2 are metallic wires, and, more precisely, steel wires, and, at their crossing, they are secured to each other by welding.

By construction, the wires 1 1, 1 2 cross at different levels. In practice, the longitudinal wires 1 1 are at a lower level, and the transverse wires 1 2 at a higher level.

In other words, the longitudinal wires 1 1 extend outside the transverse wires 1 2.

In the embodiment shown, all these wires 1 1, 1 2 are round wires.

In other words, they all have a circular cross section. For example, and as shown, the diameter of the latter is the same for all, but it is not necessarily always so.

Other cross-sectional shapes for the wires are possible: square, rectangular, round with flats, polygonal or other; the concept of diameter here therefore covers that of width or thickness of the wire according to the shape of its section. In the embodiment shown, the bottom panel 1 3 has two longitudinal wires 1 1, and, at each step P, these longitudinal wires

I I define, with the corresponding transverse wires 1 2, a mesh.

But, as before, the number of longitudinal wires 1 1 that this bottom panel 1 3 comprises, and, therefore, the number of meshes that they form at each step P, may be different.

In the embodiment shown, each of the side panels 1 4 has only two longitudinal son 1 1, namely, a longitudinal wire 1 1 intermediate, which occurs substantially at mid-height, and a longitudinal wire 1 1 of shore. But, as before, this number of longitudinal wires 1 1 may be different. In particular, the side panels 1 4 can, like the bottom panel 1 3, form meshes, of the same extension as the meshes of this bottom panel 1 3 or of different extension.

In the embodiment shown, the longitudinal wire 1 1 of the edge of the side panels 1 4 comprises, from place to place, according to the pitch P, corrugations 1 5 by means of which it abuts the transverse wires 1 2, but it this is not necessarily always the case.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the cable tray 1 0 son is intended to provide support, housing and protection of electrical cables, and, for the maintenance of these, it is implemented organs fixing, in this case clamps.

According to the invention, the cable tray 1 0 is equipped locally on any of its panels 1 3, 1 4, and, in this case, in the embodiment shown, on its panel bottom 1 3, of at least one accessory 1 6, called HERE attachment accessory, comprising, on the one hand, according to methods described in more detail later, securing means, by which it is made integral with the panel 1 3, 1 4 that it equips, in this case the bottom panel 1 3, and, on the other hand, at least one bore 26, 27 which passes right through it, and by which it is able to receive any fixing member, and, for example, in the case of a bore 27, a clamp.

Of course, the cable tray 1 0 son can be equipped with several fixing accessories 1 6, some of which, at least, are aligned, being staggered from place to place along its length. Preferably, all the fixing accessories 1 6 used are identical to each other.

Only one of them will therefore be described HERE.

In the embodiment shown, this fixing accessory

1 6 is in the general form of a sheet metal sheet cut phée U-section having a core 1 7 and two wings 1 8; in its central region, the core 1 7 has a groove 1 9 extending longitudinally, that is to say parallel to the wings 1 8; the bottom 20 of the groove 1 9 is, with respect to the core 1 7, on the same side as the free edge of the wings 1 8.

The bottom 20 of the groove 1 9 of the core 1 7 of the fixing accessory 1 6 has cutouts 21 in U, here two cutouts 21, defining securing tongues 22 extending parallel to the groove 1 9 and one of the faces of which constitutes the first securing surface, in the embodiment shown, the cutouts 21 also partially affect the sides, HERE inclined, of the groove 1 9.

The securing tabs 22 are associated with securing notches 23 formed on the edges of the wings 18; these securing notches 23 are advantageously arranged, transverse to the groove 1 9, in line with the part of the corresponding securing tongue 22 close to its root; the edge of the securing notches 23, which faces the first securing surface, constitutes the second securing surface; as can be seen in the drawings, each securing tab 22 is associated with two securing notches 23 each formed on each of the wings 18.

The width of the fixing accessory 1 6 measured transversely to the groove 1 9 is hardly less than the pitch P; in other words, it corresponds, apart from the assembly clearance, to the distance which separates two transverse wires 1 2 so that it can be arranged, as visible in the figures, on the bottom panel 1 3 of the cable tray 1 0 , between two transverse wires 1 2; advantageously, its length, which is that of the groove 1 9, generally corresponds to the width of the cable tray 1 0.

Figures 1 0 and 1 1 illustrate the securing of the fixing accessory 1 6 to the cable tray 10: the two longitudinal wires 1 1 of the bottom panel 1 3 of the cable tray 1 0 are clamped, somehow taken sandwiched between, on the one hand, each securing tab 22 and, on the other hand, the bottom of the securing notches 23 associated with each securing tab 22; HERE, the securing notches 23 have a trapezoidal shape closely matching the section of the longitudinal wires 1 1.

Thus, the fixing accessory 1 6 is maintained, thanks to its securing means, in all directions relative to the cable tray 1 0.

To facilitate the installation of the fixing accessory 1 6 in its position shown in Figures 1 0 and 1 1, it is preferable to border each securing notch 23 of an access ramp 24 whose foot has a notch 25 called positioning. The positioning notch 25 is in line with the core of the U of the U-shaped cut defining the securing tab 22, so that access to the positioning notch 25 is free, the securing tabs 22 not extending directly above the positioning notches 25. The two cutouts of each wing 1 8, defining the notches 23 and 25 separated by the access ramp 24, as well as the securing tabs 22, are offset parallel to the groove 1 9 of a length equal to the transverse distance which separates two longitudinal wires 1; therefore, by placing the fixing accessory 1 6 on the bottom panel 1 3 of the cable tray 1 0, Figures 6 and 7, the positioning notches 25 naturally cover the longitudinal wires 1 1; the fixing accessory 1 6 according to the invention extends astride two longitudinal wires 1 1 and therefore comes to rest, against these longitudinal wires 1 1, by the bottom of its positioning notches 25. It then suffices to move the 'attachment accessory 1 6 relative to the cable tray 1 0 according to arrow F7 of Figure 7, along the transverse son 1 2 concerned; thanks to the cylindrical shape here of the longitudinal wires 1 1, the securing tabs 22 mount on said wires 1 1 while the latter climb the access ramp 24; during this movement, illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the securing tabs 22 are lifted elastically; the ramps 24 and the tabs 22 pinch, and therefore take in sandwich, the longitudinal wires 1 1; continuing to slide along arrow F9 in FIG. 9, the longitudinal wires 1 1 cross the ramps 24 and fall into the securing notches 23, which advantageously ensures a disengageable locking of the assembly on the cable tray made of wires 1 0.

According to a process opposite to the previous one, the fixing accessory 1 6 according to the invention can be removed, so that it is advantageously removable.

To perfect the subjugation, one can if desired partially wind the securing tabs 22 around the wires 1 1 using a tool such as a screwdriver thanks to the rectangular opening 28 which they have at their end

By construction, the fixing accessory 1 6 according to the invention preferably has a conformation such that it advantageously extends substantially level with the transverse wires 1 2.

For the seat of the electric cables, it suffices to have, from place to place, along these, such fixing accessories 1 6.

In the embodiment shown, the fixing accessory 1 8 according to the invention comprises at least two holes 26, 27 of different types, namely, at least one hole 26 of circular outline and at least one hole 27 elongated in the buttonhole .

Preferably, there are several holes 26 and several holes 27.

For example, the various holes 26, 27 thus provided are distributed in rows, parallel to the wings 1 8.

In the embodiment shown, there are thus three rows of holes 26, 27.

The central row, which extends along the center line of the fixing accessory 1 6 according to the invention, comprises, for example, as shown, a hole 26 in its central area, and two holes 26 on the side and d 'other from the previous one, slightly smaller in diameter. The lateral rows have, for example, and as shown, only holes 27.

In practice, all the holes 27 are elongated transversely, that is to say perpendicular to the wings 1 8 To hold the electric cables, it suffices, then, at each of these fixing accessories 1 6, to grip these electrical cables by one or more clamps together with such a fixing accessory 1 6, by passing this or these clamps through holes 27 of this fixing accessory 1 6. It is possible to carry by the fixing accessories 1 6 implemented jointly at least one angle including a fixing wing, which, from place to place, and in a regular pitch, is perforated with elongated holes in the buttonhole, for the passage of a fixing member , in this case a bolt. For their subjection to the cable tray 1 0 wires, they are fixed, by bolts, to the fixing accessories 1 6 equipping according to the invention this cable tray 1 0 wires, by means of holes 26 of these accessories fixing 1 6

The fixing accessories 1 6 can also wear, when the elongate elements are tubes, self-tightening clamps as described in document WO 94/04861.

As will be understood, instead of being attached to the bottom panel of the wire cable tray which it equips transversely, the fixing accessory according to the invention can be attached to it longitudinally; moreover, it can also be attached to any of the side panels thereof.

The fixing accessory as described is made of cut sheet metal and peg; of course, it can also, if desired, be made of synthetic material.

Claims

1 Accessory, said fixing, intended to be fixed, by elastic pinching, locally to a cable tray of wires of the type comprising, in a meshed form, wires (11, 12) of two different types, namely, of a on the other hand, longitudinal wires (11), which run longitudinally over its entire length, and, on the other hand, established transversely from place to place along these longitudinal wires (11), being duly subject thereto, transverse wires (12) U-shaped, the assembly forming, overall, in the manner of a chute, three panels (13, 14), namely, a bottom panel (13) and two side panels (14), said fixing accessory (16) being designed to be mounted on any one of these panels (13,14) and comprising, on the one hand, securing means by which it is intended to be made integral with the panel ( 13, 14) that it equips, and on the other hand, at least one bore (26, 27), which crosses it right through and p ar which it is able to receive any fixing member, such as clamp, bolt or other, characterized in that the fixing accessory (16) comprises, for the constitution of its securing means, on the one hand, a first securing surface (22), which is intended to be engaged under at least one wire (11,12) and, on the other hand, a second securing surface (23), which is turned towards the first securing surface (22), and which is intended to bear on at least two wires (11,12) of the same type as said wire

(11,12).

2. Fixing accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a U-shaped section having a core (17) and two wings (18), the core (17) having a groove (19) s extending parallel to the wings (18), the bottom (20) of the groove (19) being on the same side as the wings (18) relative to the core (17) of the U.

3. Fastening accessory according to claim 2, characterized in that the first securing surface (16) comprises a tongue (22) said securing extending parallel to the groove (19) and defined by a U-shaped cutout (21) at least in the bottom (20) of the groove (1 9).

4. fixing accessory according to claim 3, characterized in that the cutout (21) in U is also formed in the edges of the groove (1 9) to a depth substantially equal to the diameter of the wire (1 1, 1 2 ) under which the securing tab (22) is engaged

5 fixing accessory according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the second securing surface is distributed between at least two securing surfaces (23) located on either side of a tongue d 'securing (22) and each provided on each of the wings (1 8) of the fixing accessory (1 6)

6 fixing accessory according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the second securing surface has a notch (23) called securing provided at the edge of at least one

7. Attachment accessory according to claim 6, characterized in that the securing notch (23) is arranged in line with the part of the securing tongue (22) close to its root.

8. fixing accessory according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the securing tab (22) is elastically deformable and each securing notch (23) is bordered by an access ramp ( 24).

9. Attachment accessory according to claim 8, characterized in that each access ramp foot (24) has a notch (25) called positioning.

1 0. Fastening accessory according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that it comprises two securing tabs (22) each associated with a pair of securing surfaces (23).

1 1. Fixing accessory according to one of claims 1 to 1 0, characterized in that it comprises at least two holes (26, 27) of types different, namely at least one hole (26) of circular outline and at least one hole (27) elongated in the buttonhole.

1 2. fixing accessory according to one of claims 1 to 1 1, characterized in that it is in the general form of a plate. 1 3 fixing accessory according to claim 1 2, characterized in that it has a rectangular outline.

1 4. fixing accessory according to one of claims 1 to 1 3, characterized in that it is sheet metal.

1 5. Wire cable tray, characterized in that it is equipped with a fixing accessory (1 6) according to one of claims 1 to 14.

1 6. Wire cable tray according to claim 1 5, characterized in that it is equipped with several fixing accessories (1 6), some of which, at least, are aligned, being staggered from place to place on its length. 1 7. Wire cable tray according to one of claims 1 5 or

1 6, characterized in that the longitudinal wires (1 1) extend outside the transverse wires (1 2), and the first securing surface (22) of the fixing accessory (1 6) is engaged under two longitudinal wires (1 1).