EP2756495B1 - Arrangement of identification plates - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an arrangement of a plurality of identification plates according to the preamble of claim 1. Such arrangements are known from GB 2 327 411 known.

Such identification plates are also from the GB 2 277 315 A known and serve, for example, the identification of electrical components, in particular cables. A characterizing the respective cable marking is printed or engraved on the front surface or the back surface. Particularly in aggressive atmosphere applications, such as mining, stainless steel identification tags are used which are resistant to gases, acids and other substances. Other known identification plates consist of a simple strip of flat material and are attached by means of cable images on the cable, wherein at least one cable tie is wound around the cable and the label applied to the cable. However, it is disadvantageous that the identification plate is not fixed in its longitudinal direction and can slip out of the cable tie in this direction. In the EP 2 287 014 A1 such identification plates are shown, which are inserted into a cassette for storage and transport. For labeling the identification labels must be removed from the cassette and as well as from the GB 2 277 315 A known, there only individually illustrated identification plates, individually in a labeling device, such as a laser marking device, are inserted. In addition, the structure of the in EP 2 287 014 A1 shown cassette consuming, so that the cassette is expensive to produce and requires a high cost of materials.

It is therefore an object of the invention to develop an arrangement of identification plates of the type mentioned in such a way that the handling is facilitated.

This object is achieved by an arrangement of identification plates with the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The at least one fastening strap fulfills two tasks. On the one hand, a cable tie serving to fasten the identification plate to the cable can be made underneath it, so that slipping of the identification plate in its longitudinal direction is made more difficult or even prevented. On the other hand, a fastening element of the carrier plate can act on the fastening tab so that a large number of such identification labels can be combined to form the labeling plate arrangement. The labels of the assembly can then be placed together in a label maker and labeled, being held by the carrier plate in a predetermined position. The support plate is also much simpler structure than that in the EP 2 287 014 A1 described cassette and requires less material, which is particularly advantageous if it is to be used as a disposable packaging.

Suitably, the at least one fastening tab has two end sections extending from the front surface at a distance from one another and a connecting section connecting the end sections with one another and arranged at a distance from the front surface. The connecting portion expediently parallel to the front surface at a distance from this. Characterized is enclosed by the front surface and the connecting portion on the one hand and the end portions on the other hand, a passage for the cable tie, which prevents the label from slipping in its longitudinal direction from the cable tie. The end sections act as End stops for the cable tie, which prevent further slipping. The flat material strip expediently has two fastening tabs which are arranged symmetrically near its ends with respect to a center plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The label is then attached to the cable by means of two cable ties, which are each located near the ends of the strip of flat material. The area to be labeled is then located between the attachment tabs and may extend over a portion of the front surface or a portion of the rear surface, depending on which of the surfaces is to face the cable to be marked. The connecting portion may also be provided with a hole for passing through a fastening means such as a screw. This creates a further possibility for mounting the identification plate while keeping the labeling surface free, so that the identification plate can also be attached to objects other than cables or similarly elongated parts. If the label has two attachment tabs, both connection portions may be provided with a hole, or the hole may be arranged only in one of the connection portions.

The identification plates are preferably made in one piece from sheet metal, in particular stainless steel is used. It is particularly preferred that they are stamped or stamped parts. The at least one fastening tab is then cut out of the flat material strip at two edges extending in the longitudinal direction and integrally connected to the front surface at its sides extending transversely to the longitudinal direction. Viewed from the rear surface of the fastening tab forms a recess in the strip of flat material.

The identification plates are releasably attached to a carrier plate for transport purposes. The support plate has a number of attachment tabs corresponding number of mounting holes through which each one of the attachment tabs protrudes. At the edge of the mounting holes in each case at least one fastening element extending into the fastening opening can be arranged, which engages under the respective fastening tab and holds the relevant identification label in its position. Alternatively, the attachment openings and the attachment tabs can be matched in size to one another such that a clamping action by friction locks the identification plates in the carrier plate. The support plate thus serves on the one hand the recording of the identification plates for transport and storage purposes and replaces a complex packaging. On the other hand, the carrier plate is used to position a plurality of identification plates in a labeling device. For this purpose, the front surfaces and the rear surfaces of the identification plates attached to the carrier plate are each in a common plane, so that, for example, the laser of a laser marking device does not have to be individually focused for each identification plate. The carrier plate preferably has a number of labeling openings corresponding to the number of identification plates, by means of which the front surfaces of the identification plates are visible and thus inscribable. Alternatively, of course, the back surfaces are labeled when the arrangement is placed with the front surfaces down in the labeling device.

It is possible that the fastening openings each have at their edge two mutually opposite, elastically flexible latching tongues for engaging under the fastening tabs whose spacing from one another is smaller than the width of the fastening tabs measured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The identification plates are then simply fixed by pressing the mounting tabs in the mounting holes on the support plate, the locking tongues are first bent elastically and then snap back and engage under the mounting tabs.

The carrier plate may have one or more holes as a positioning aid. In particular, a positioning mandrel of the labeling device in such Engage the hole and position the carrier plate in the device as desired. Furthermore, a perforation of the carrier plate can be provided, which makes it possible to file the entire arrangement in a folder or a ring binder. Preferably, the carrier plate is made in one piece from plastic, advantageously polystyrene is used. It can be provided on the support plate, a free surface on which a label can be attached, wherein the free area and the labeling surfaces of the identification plates can be attached in the same process step.

Fig. 1a, 1b, 1c

ein Kennzeichnungsschild in Draufsicht auf die Vorderfläche, in Seitenansicht im Schnitt und in Draufsicht auf die Rückfläche;

Fig. 2

eine Anordnung, bestehend aus einer Trägerplatte und mehreren Kennzeichnungsschildern in Draufsicht von vorne.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments schematically illustrated in the drawing. Show it

Fig. 1a, 1b, 1c

an identification plate in plan view of the front surface, in side view in section and in plan view of the rear surface;

Fig. 2

an arrangement consisting of a carrier plate and a plurality of identification plates in plan view from the front.

This in Fig. 1a, b, c shown identification plate 10 is used to identify an electrical component such as a cable. It is manufactured in one piece from a substantially rectangular flat material strip 12 made of stainless steel sheet by means of a stamping or stamping process and extends in a longitudinal direction between two ends 14 delimited by narrow sides of the flat material strip 12. Near the ends 14, the identification plate 10 has a fastening tab 16 in each case, which is integrally formed on the flat material strip 12. Each of the fastening tabs 16 has two end portions 20 projecting from a front surface 18 of the flat material strip 12 and a connecting portion 22 interconnecting the end portions 20, which extends parallel to the front surface 18 at a distance. The fastening tabs 16, which are symmetrical with respect to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the center plate of the label 10 are formed, thus forming a protruding from the front surface 18 elevation and a recess in the front surface 18 facing away from back surface 24 of the flat material strip 12. Along two longitudinal edges 26, the connection between the mounting tabs 16 and the front surface 18 is interrupted by punching, so that the End portions 20, the connecting portion 22 and the front surface 18 form a passage channel 28 ( Fig. 1 b) through which a cable tie can be made. The connecting portions 22 also each have a hole 29 for passing a screw or other fastening means, wherein the hole 29 is produced in a single operation when punching or embossing.

The front surface 18 has a front labeling surface 30 between the fastening tabs 16, while the rear surface 24 has a rear labeling surface 32 between the fastening tabs 16. Both labeling surfaces 30, 32 can be provided with a marking by means of a suitable labeling device, such as a laser marking device, for marking a cable to which the identification plate 10 is fastened. For attachment to the cable this is wrapped by a cable tie, which is guided through the passageways 28. It is possible to attach the identification plate 10 so that the front surface 18 faces the cable or so that the rear surface 24 faces the cable.

In the Fig. 2 shown arrangement 50 has twelve identification labels 10 according to Fig. 1a, b, c and a carrier plate 40 made in one piece of polystyrene. The support plate 40 has twenty-four attachment openings 42, through which a fastening tab 16 is inserted. The mounting holes 42 are arranged in pairs at a distance from each other, which corresponds to the distance of the fastening tabs 16 of a label 10. The mounting holes 42 are dimensioned so that they are smaller in length and / or width However, this size difference is so small that the fastening tabs 16 can be pressed with slight deformation of the edges 44 of the mounting holes 42 into this and then held or clamped by means of friction. In particular, the fastening tabs 16 in the present embodiment in their measured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the width a slight oversize compared to the mounting holes 42, the edges 44 are slightly deformed when pressing the mounting tabs 16, wherein this deformation is at least partially elastic.

The carrier plate 40 serves firstly to receive the identification labels 10, so that an identification label set consisting of twelve identification labels 10 can be packaged, transported and sold as a sales unit. On the other hand, it also serves to supply the arrangement 50 to a labeling device. In order to be able to attach a marking to the front labeling surface 30, the carrier plate 40 has a labeling opening 52 between each two attachment openings 42, through which one of the front labeling surfaces 30 is visible. In addition, the support plate 40 has a positioning hole 54, which serves as a reference when positioning the assembly 50 in the labeling device and in which a mandrel can engage to transport the assembly 50 in a defined position in the labeling device and / or hold in this position. The support plate 40 also has a free surface 56, on which in turn a label can be attached.

In the embodiment shown in the drawing, the fastening tabs 16 are pressed into the mounting holes 42 and held there with friction. However, other embodiments are possible, in particular with arranged at the edges 44 of the mounting holes 42 fasteners. Thus, for example, it is possible for each attachment opening 42 to be unilaterally from its edge 44 has inside extending fastener which engages under the respective fastening tab 16. The identification plates 10 are then simply hung with their attachment tabs 16 in the mounting holes 42. Furthermore, it is possible that extends from two longer sides of the edge 44 of each mounting hole 42 an elastically flexible latching tongue into the interior of the mounting hole 42, wherein the distance between the locking tongues is smaller than the width of the fastening tabs. When pressing the mounting tabs 16 in the mounting hole 42, the locking tongues are elastically deformed and snap back to reach under the fastening tab 16 from both sides.

In summary, the following is to be noted: The invention relates to an arrangement of a plurality of identification plates 10 for marking articles, each identification plate 10 having a front surface 18 and a rear surface 24, extending in a longitudinal direction between two ends 14 flat material strip 12, the at least one fastening tab 16, which is connected to the front surface 18 and extends in sections at a distance from the front surface 18. According to the invention, a support plate 40 is provided on which the identification plates 10 are releasably secured, with their front surfaces 18 and their back surfaces 24 are each in a plane, wherein the support plate 40 has a number of mounting tabs 16 corresponding number of mounting holes 42, through each one of the attachment tabs 16 projects therethrough, and wherein the attachment tabs 16 are releasably secured to the support plate 40.

Claims (16)

1. Arrangement of a plurality of identification plates (10) for identifying objects, each identification plate (10) having a flat material strip (12), which has a front surface (18) and a rear surface (24), extends in a longitudinal direction between two ends (14) and has at least one fastening tab (16) which is connected to the front surface (18) and extends in sections at a distance from the front surface (18), the arrangement having a carrier plate (40) to which the identification plates (10) are releasably fastened, their front surfaces (18) and their rear surfaces (24) respectively lying in a plane, characterised in that the carrier plate (40) has a number of fastening openings (42), corresponding to the number of fastening tabs (16), through which one of the fastening tabs (16) respectively protrudes, the fastening tabs (16) being fastened releasably to the carrier plate (40).
2. Arrangement according to Claim 1, characterised in that the fastening tabs (16) are fastened to the edges (44) of the fastening openings (42) by means of friction locking.
3. Arrangement according to Claim 1, characterised in that the fastening openings (42) are respectively provided with at least one fastening element extending from their edge (44) and engaging under the respective fastening tab (16).
4. Arrangement according to Claim 3, characterised in that the fastening openings (42) respectively have on their edge (44) two mutually opposing elastically flexible latching tongues for engaging under the fastening tabs (16), the distance between which tongues is less than the width of the fastening tabs (16) as measured perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction.
5. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the carrier plate (40) has a number of text openings (52), corresponding to the number of identification plates (10), through which the front surfaces (18) of the identification plates (40) are visible.
6. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the carrier plate (40) has at least one hole (54) as a positioning aid.
7. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the carrier plate (40) has at least one perforation (54) for storage in a file or a ring binder.
8. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the carrier plate (40) is made in one piece from plastic, preferably polystyrene.
9. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the carrier plate (40) has a free surface (56) for applying text.
10. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least one fastening tab (16) of each identification plate (10) has two end sections (20) extending from the front surface (18) at a distance to each other, as well as a connecting section (22) which connects the end sections (20) to one another and is arranged at a distance from the front surface (18).
11. Arrangement according to Claim 10, characterised in that the connecting sections (22) respectively have a hole (29) for passing a fastening means through.
12. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that for each of the identification plates (10), the section (22) of the at least one fastening tab (16) extending at a distance from the front surface (18) runs parallel to the front surface (18).
13. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flat material strip (12) of each of the identification plates (10) has two fastening tabs (16) which are arranged near its ends (14), symmetrically with respect to a midplane extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction.
14. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each of the identification plates (10) is made in one piece from sheet metal, in particular from stainless steel.
15. Arrangement according to Claim 14, characterised in that each of the identification plates (10) is formed as a stamped part or as an embossed part.
16. Arrangement according to Claim 14 or 15, characterised in that at least one fastening tab (16) of each of the identification plates (10) is cut from the flat material strip (12) on two edges (26) extending in the longitudinal direction.

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