Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
  • H02G3/00—Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles
  • H02G3/02—Details
  • H02G3/08—Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes
  • H02G3/14—Fastening of cover or lid to box

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a variable-size junction box.
• the cables are inserted in conduits and tubes made of self-extinguishing PVC, which are fixed to the wall and allow to associate an adequate protection of the system with perfect harmonization with the aesthetics of the affected environments, while the wiring and any electrical devices required for the operation of the system are contained in junction boxes, which are likewise fixed to the wall mostly at the points where the tubes branch.
• junction boxes are usually made of self-extinguishing PVC and generally include a casing, whose dimensions can vary according to the various requirements, and a cover, which is closed by snap-on or by virtue of conventional screw-type or quarter- turn systems.
• junction box has many problems that, despite appearing to be trivial and negligible, as a whole are decisive for the functional and safe installation of the electrical system.
• the main drawback lies certainly in the fact that the size of the junction box is fixed and is determined solely and exclusively by the manufacturer, without giving the installer any possibility at all to change them.
• the aim of the invention is to solve the problems described above by providing a variable-size junction box that allows the installer to change its geometric dimensions, adapting them to the requirements of the situation.
• a particular object of the invention is to provide a junction box that has a cover opening and closure system that is simple and practical yet at the same time safe.
• a further object of the invention is to provide a junction box that can be manufactured at competitive costs and is at the same time highly reliable.
• a variable-size junction box comprising a casing, which has an open side, and a cover which is detachably associable with the casing in order to form at least one internal chamber, characterized in that it comprises a means for varying the volume of the internal chamber.
• Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the variable-size junction box according to the invention.
• Figure 2 is another perspective view of the variable-size junction box according to the invention.
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of the variable-size junction box according to the invention in the closed configuration
• Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the variable-size junction box according to the invention in the closed configuration
• Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the variable-size junction box according to the invention in another step of closure;
• Figure 6 is an enlarged-scale view of a detail of Figure 4;
• Figure 7 is a view of a detail of the variable-size junction box according to the invention during opening.
• a variable-size junction box generally designated by the reference numeral 1 , comprises a casing 2 which has an open side and a configuration that is substantially similar to the configuration of the known junction boxes commonly used in civil and industrial electrical systems, and a cover 3, which can be associated detachably with the casing 2 so as to form an internal chamber 4.
• Both the casing 2 and the cover 3 are generally made of self-extinguishing thermoplastic materials, which ensure excellent resistance to mechanical stresses, heat and fire.
• the casing 2 may have multiple cable ports, generally designated by the reference numeral 15, or appropriately provided incisions that allow easier opening of the ports.
• variable-size junction box 1 comprises a means 5 for varying the volume, which allow to change the. geometric dimensions of the internal chamber 4, consequently changing the overall dimensions of the variable-size junction box 1.
• the volume varying means 5 comprises a sliding engagement means, constituted substantially by a side wall 6, which is formed on the edge of the cover 3 so as to protrude therefrom substantially at right angles to the cover 3 and by two or more flexible elongated members 7, which are formed on the side of the cover 3 that is directed toward the internal chamber 4.
• the sliding engagement means allows the relative movement of the cover 3 with respect to the casing 2 and vice versa.
• the casing 2 partially enters the cover 3, causing part of the side wall 6 to overlap the side walls of the casing 2, thus forming the internal chamber 4.
• the position of the cover 3 may be removably locked relatively to the casing 2 through a stop means 8.
• the stop means 8 comprises teeth 9 formed on each one of the flexible elongated members 7 cooperating with a serrated portion 10 formed inside the casing 2.
• the teeth 9 cooperate with the respective serrated portion 10 in order to prevent the movement of the sliding engagement means in one of the two directions.
• Disengagement of the teeth 9 from the serrated portion 10 can occur exclusively by using a tool 12, which by being inserted in the cavity 11 , that can be accessed from outside, allows to bend the corresponding flexible elongated member 7 and therefore allows the free movement of the sliding engagement means.
• variable-size junction box 1 The hermetic tightness of the variable-size junction box 1 is ensured by a sealing gasket 13 of the O-ring type, which is accommodated in a seat 14 formed externally with respect to the casing 2, so that the gasket is interposed between the casing 2 and the side wall 6.
• variable-size junction box according to the invention is very simple and is described hereinafter.
• variable-size junction box 1 After fixing the casing 2 to a wall and after performing the necessary wiring of any cables, inserted through the cable ports 15, or after inserting additional components and accessories, the variable-size junction box 1 may be closed by resting the cover 3 on the casing 2 and by applying a slight pressure.
• This pressure by virtue of the sliding engagement means, causes the partial penetration of the casing 2 in the cover 3, the side wall 6 of which partially overlapping the side walls of the casing 2.
• the operator by virtue of the stop means 8, is able to stop the stroke of the cover 3 in preset positions, accordingly varying the geometric proportions and therefore the volume of the internal chamber 4 thus formed.
• variable-size junction box 1 can contain electrically live parts, it is necessary to use a tool in order to open the box to perform inspections or maintenance.
• variable-size junction box 1 may be inserted in the cavity 11 , which can be accessed from the outside, in order to bend the flexible elongated member 7. This maneuver leads to the disengagement of the teeth 9 from the serration 10, allowing the free movement of the sliding engagement means.
• the variable-size junction box 1 according to the invention, fully achieves the intended aim and objects, allowing the installer to vary its geometric dimensions, adapting them to requirements of the situation, and reserving exclusively to assigned personnel the opening and closure of the cover and the consequent access to any live parts of the system.
• junction box thus conceived is susceptible of modifications and variations, within the scope of the appended claims. All the details may be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.
• the materials used may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Connection Or Junction Boxes (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=35106761

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (3)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 2004
  • 2004-07-05 IT ITMI20041341 patent/ITMI20041341A1/it unknown
• 2005
  • 2005-06-15 EP EP05753058A patent/EP1766744A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2005-06-15 WO PCT/EP2005/006423 patent/WO2006002767A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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