FR2477329A1 - TERMINAL APPARATUS FOR LOW VOLTAGE CABLES, ESPECIALLY FOR TELECOMMUNICATION CABLES - Google Patents

Abstract

THE APPARATUS 11 INCLUDES A BODY IN INSULATING MATERIAL 10 MADE OF TWO PROFILES 12 IN H, LEAVING BETWEEN AN INTERVAL 13. A GROUNDING FRAME, COMPRISING TWO LONGITUDINAL BRANCHES 15 AND A MEDIAN BRANCH 16 THROUGH THE INTERVAL 13 , SURROUNDING THE BODY 10. A CHANNEL 41, FORMED BETWEEN THE TWO PROFILES 12, RECEIVES THE END 43 OF A CABLE FROM WHICH THE CONDUCTORS 27 COME IN BEAMS 60 IN GROOVES 32 BOUNDED BY THE BRANCHES 28 OF THE PROFILES 12.

Description

i

The invention relates to a termi-

  nal for low voltage cables, especially for tele-

  communication, which is used to re conduct the conductors of a cable to sortable connection wires /, connected to the conductors of another cable, and which consists of a material body

  insulator comprising, on the one hand, a pair of grooves or

  green on opposite sides and used to receive the conduc-

  of the cable on one of these faces, known as the "connection face"

  dement "and sortable connection wires on the other side

1.0 known as "sorting face" and, on the other hand, connection contacts

cord arranged in rows lb along the walls of the grooves of the body of insulating material which connection contacts each pass through this body from the connection face to the sorting face, and carry at their ends clamping elements making it possible to connect, generally without prior stripping , cable conductors to sortable wires. Such terminal devices are used by

example in installation distribution boxes

  phonics where it is a question of connecting together in a certain order, conductor by conductor, the ends of telecommunication cables joined together. Such a distribution box has pre-established iches in which the terminal device is housed with the appropriate cable. Between

  two such devices which each terminate a cable

  Communication cables pass through sorting wires which ensure the connection of the two cables, conductor by conductor. In known devices of this type, the cable runs without being stripped only to the edge of the device and is fixed to an extension of the body of insulating material, located beyond the pair of grooves. This has the effect of lengthening the terminal device, the end zone of which

is not available for connection of conduits

  cable and sorting wires. Starting from this end zone, the conductors are passed one by one

  of cable, after stripping, to the connection contacts

  is lying. In connection work, the device is tilted

  similar terminal around the place located at the end, where the cable is fixed; high pressure is exerted on the cable conductors

  which require unacceptable efforts during assembly.

  To accommodate the connection contacts, very long grooves must be provided, which makes handling of the device difficult and prevents monitoring

contact status.

  The object of the invention is to create a convenient terminal device to handle, which ensures a solid connection of the cable and which, while being of simple construction, is distinguished by an impeccable earthing of the contacts.

  connection, by means of para-

  overvoltage. According to the invention, this object is achieved thanks to the fact that the elongated body of insulating material has a general double H profile, made of two H profiles, arranged in parallel leaving a gap between them and each forming grooves and is provided , at mid-height of the profile, a grounding frame which surrounds this body and which crosses the above-mentioned interval; that a channel,

  intended for the installation and fixing of a cable end

  ble not stripped, is formed between the two H-shaped profiles on the connection face; that the conductors of this end of the cable, which exit at the end of the channel, are returned in bundles around the front ends of the inner walls of the branches of the H-profile and

  return in opposite direction in the two grooves, opposite

laid their direction of laying in the fixed cable; and that the body comprises, on both sides of the branches of the H-profile and on the sorting face, pockets into which can be inserted collective retaining fittings for surge protection devices to be brought into contact with the setting frame to the ground and with contacts

de- connection.

  Over the entire length of the terminal device, the channel between the two H-shaped sections is used to receive

a whole terminal section of the cable, which provides a

  impeccable and a sturdy cable attachment to the device

  the same. The cable to be connected thus begins by traversing,

  without being stripped, the entire length of the terminal device.

It is only at the opposite end of the body of insulating material that the cable conductors are grouped into two bundles which come back on the connection face, in the grooves assigned to them.

  in the general double H profile.

  impeccable cable, work to connect the conductors can easily be done on either side of the final section of cable, securely attached. The double H profile is also used to form, on the sorting face of the device, pockets into which can be inserted, in the form of inserts, the collective holding fittings of the surge protection devices which ensure an impeccable earthing of a whole patch. Halfway up this body of insulating material, with a double H profile, there is indeed a grounding frame which, in the above-mentioned interval, comprises, between the two parallel H profiles, a continuous branch which ensures the strength and rigidity of the entire device and

  also receives fixing means to maintain the section

final lesson of cable which is housed in the channel.

  To receive these fixing means, the body of insulating material may comprise, on its sorting face, profiled recesses which are aligned with the channel, on the opposite connection face of the channel. As fixing means, a compressed air valve can be used which also exercises control functions on the cable to be connected. Since the grounding frame

  runs alongside the device, you can use this

dre as mounting plate to adapt, one behind

  the other, sections intended to constitute the extended body

insulating material; this body therefore does not need to be manufactured in one piece over its entire length but can be formed by assembling a number, chosen on request, of such sections with double H profile. Other characteristics and benefits of

  the invention will appear on reading the description which

  follows and which refers to the accompanying drawings, which

  illustrate a particular embodiment of the invention.

Figures 1 and 2 show, respectively in cross section along the line I-I in Figure 2 and in longitudinal section along the line II-II of Figure 1, a distribution box in the niches of which are

placed various terminal devices.

Figure 3 shows in perspective the device according to the invention, on the side of the cable connection face; for reasons of clarity, only a few

cable conductors have been shown, while some

  details of the device, such as

connection, have been omitted.

Figures 4 and 5 show, respectively in top view and in longitudinal section along the line V-V of Figure 4 or Figure 6, the upper part

  of the terminal device according to the invention.

  Figure 6 shows the end of the device

  nal, in section on the left half of this figure, and makes

  appear the particular profile of the body in iso-

lante. Figure 7 shows, in perspective, a collective support fitting for surge protection devices

used in this terminal device.

  The terminal device II according to the invention has a body of insulating material 10 which is elongated in the manner of a rail but which could be formed by assembling separate sections. The overall profile of the body 10, the shape of which emerges from FIGS. 3 and 6, consists of two H-shaped profiles 12 which are made integral

  from each other and which are arranged parallel leaving

  between them a gap 13. Halfway up the profiles 12, the body of insulating material 10 is surrounded by a frame

  metallic earthing 14. As we can see

especially in Figures 3 and 6, this frame 14 has longitudinal branches 15 and a middle branch 16 which is arranged in length in the above-mentioned interval 13, all these branches being located in the same plane. The longitudinal 15 and median 16 branches 16 are connected together by transverse branches 17 which frame

the body of insulating material 1Q at its two ends trans-

which can be arched so as to align with the middle branches 18 of the two profiles 12 in H. The longitudinal or external branches 15 of the frame 14 are

  fitted with projecting fixing lugs 19 using which

  the terminal device It is generally adapted on rails 21, inside a niche 22 belonging to a distribution box 20 which is shown in the figures

1 and 2. The incoming and outgoing cables 23 are connected

dice to the appropriate terminal device II on one of its faces, that is to say the connection face 24 of the cables, while sorting wires 26 leave from the opposite face of the device 11, i.e. from the sorting face

, and establish a connection between the various conduc-

  connected teurs 27 of two such devices II to be connected.

  As can be seen in particular from FIG. 6, the profile of the body of insulating material 10, consisting of sections joined together, is pressed in by the sorting face 25 into the earthing frame 14 so that passing through openings 29 formed in the frame 14, between the longitudinal 15 and middle branches

16 of this longitudinal branches 28 of cha-

  one of the two profiles 12 in kl ends on the op-

  laid, that is to say the connecting face 24. The other longitudinal branches 30 of the two profiles 12 in H protrude from the sorting face 25, beyond the plane of the grounding frame 14. These longitudinal branches 28, 30 are all closed towards the inside of the H-profile, which gives rise, on one of the faces, to grooves 31 between the branches 30 to receive the sorting yarn sudits 26 (as is apparent from the figure 4) and, on the opposite side,

grooves 32 between the branches 28 for the above-mentioned

cable ducters 27. From place to place along their length, these longitudinal branches 28, 30 are crossed by chambers 33 which, outside of said branches, are provided with openings 34 through which metallic connection contacts can be introduced 35 inside

chambers 33 (Figure 6).

On the sorting face 25, long partitions

gitudinal 36 are provided on two sides, parallel to the branches 30 and away from each other. As is apparent from the plan view of FIG. 4, transverse partitions 37, placed between the longitudinal partitions 36, limit therewith pockets 38 into which can be fitted fittings 40 for surge protection devices, which will be described below. after in detail, with reference to FIG. 7. The connection contacts 35 are made of metal blades which are bent to the profile visible in FIG. 6. At the end of this profile

appear clamping elements 39 with several tabs

your elastic bands between which the conductors 27 or the sorting wires 26 can be inserted by simple pressure,

  without first removing their insulation. During the

  darkly of the ends of these conductors or wires 26, 27, their insulator is pierced by the elastic tabs of the

clamping elements 39, which ensures electrical contact

that impeccable. Under the action of the tool used for this purpose, the conductor or wire thus inserted and brought into contact

is notched lengthwise during this depression.

  A receiving channel 41, whose width li-

  bre is equal to the section of the cable 23, is formed on the connection face 24, in the interval 13 between

the two H-shaped profiles 12 of the body of insulating material 10.

By its end 42 visible in FIG. 3, the cable 23 is housed in this channel 41, over a length approximately equal to the total length of the body of insulating material 10, and it is fixed to the middle branch 16 of the frame. update

earth 14. At the lower end of the appliance

nal 11, this fixing is ensured by a collar 43 visi-

  ble in Figure 3 while at its upper end, it is provided in the manner illustrated in Figure 5

which will now be referred to.

The end 42 of the cable 23 is placed in the channel 41 without being previously stripped. It is only at its upper end that stripping and disengagement of the above conductors 27 are carried out; in addition, an aluminum sheath 45 is released and is fixed by a tongue 46, -with the aid of a bolt 47, to the middle branch 16 of the grounding frame 14 so that this sheath 45- so be grounded. A housing

  44, which can be made of plastic

at the end

  tick, is threaded / cable 23. At the junction between this cable

ble 23 and the part of the housing 44 which is threaded over, there is placed a shrinkable sleeve 48 which contracts under the effect of heat and thus ensures a good seal between the cable 23 and the boot 44. The cable which is used here is of a particular type because it internally comprises a flexible conduit 49 which is part of a compressed air pipe and which, inside the housing 44, is connected to the tube 51 of a valve 50. Due when it is screwed in, this valve 50 also serves to adapt the box! holds the cable 23. Fuse resin 52 is filled inside the box 44 after having removed the conductors 27 from the cable 23 and after having carried out the operations fasteners described above. Valve 50 protrudes from the face

sorting device 25 of the apparatus II and is closed by a cap

screw cap 53.

The valve 50 and the elements 51, 49 and 52

  connected to it belong to a system of con-

  compressed air gauge. To constitute the compressed air duct 49, a duct of approximately 2 mm in diameter is sufficient, ending with a coupling (not shown) which is at the junction between the cable 23 and another conventional cable. In this way, air

  under pressure goes from the terminal device II to the coupling

  ment and to the cable which extends it, which may include the paper insulators which were usual up to now and be -35 controlled as regards the entries of humidity. As is particularly clear from FIG. 4 which shows in plan view the sorting face 25, the fixing means 43, 47, 50 of the end 42 of the cable 23, which have just been described, are located in a median longitudinal zone 54 of the body of insulating material 10. This zone 54 is located between the aforesaid side pockets 38 and there are also stiffening transverse partitions 55 between the longitudinal partitions 36 of the pockets 38 and the

  bottom 56 visible in Figure 5. To pass the sou-

  pope 50, it is also possible to provide a tubular element 57 in this region. The underside of the bottom 56 and that of the transverse partitions limiting the pockets 38 are in abutment on the upper face of the earthing frame 14. In the vicinity of the above-mentioned fixing lugs 19 of this frame 14, angles 58, coming from molding with the body of insulating material 10, can also be used

in support. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the conduc-

  teurs 27 of the cable 23 exit at the upper end

channel 41 and we pass them around the front end

  tale 59 (visible in FIG. 5) of the two internal branches 28

of the H-profile, by grouping them into two bundles, as shown in FIG. 3. In the opposite direction relative to the end 42 of the cable 23, these bundles 60 penetrate into the grooves 31, situated on either side from the canal

  41, to be connected to the clamping elements 39 above

so-called connection contacts 35.

  For this purpose, longitudinal guide racks 61 are provided at the ends of the branches

of the H-shaped profile, as can be seen in figs 4 and 6.

The body of insulating material "0 is made in one piece according to its special profile, with all its branches, partitions and bottoms, and has studs projecting at the ends of the branches. The guide racks 61 are manufactured

  separately and have additional seats for -

  receive these nipples. These racks 61 are then assu-

  -Jetties by gluing or welding at the ends of the branches.

The guide racks 61 have first of all the role of closing on one side the above-mentioned chambers 33 which cross the branches 28, 30 of the profiles 12 in H while leaving a passage for the clamping elements 39 which are provided at the ends of the connection contacts 35. To this end, the guide racks 61 are provided with openings which allow said clamping elements 39 to come out while holding them. The guide racks 61 also have an edge 62 projecting towards the inside of the profile at F3 and provided with notches 63, each of which is aligned.

laterally interlocked with connection contact 35 cor-

  respondent. The notches 63 can have the same shape as those of the bayonet sockets and are open towards the inside of the H-profile. Through this opening of the notches 637, the appropriate cable conductor 27 and sorting wire 26 are passed, which are thus kept at

  the correct orientation with respect to their connection contact

dement 35.

The fittings 40 to be inserted in the pockets 38, on the sorting face 25, have the appearance visible in FIG. 7. They each comprise a shoemaker 64 which is provided with a

  series of through chambers 65 comprising enlargements

  sements to receive a surge protection device 66. One of the faces of the housing 64, that is to say the outer face, is provided with a continuous grounding plate 67 which closes the chambers 65 on this face. The opposite face, which is at the top of FIG. 7, remains open and a contact spring 68 comes out through the opening of each of the chambers 65. These contact springs 68 are connected to the underlying surge protection devices 66 which can by example to be

filled with gas. The housing 64 is itself provided with a poi

gene 69 which is used for its handling and which simply came

  molding with the housing 64 of insulating material. In

  grip the handle 69, one can easily approach the

  coupling 40 of the sorting face 25 and push it into the

  verture of the corresponding pocket 38 formed in the body of insulating material 10. This connector 40 then occupies

  the position shown in Figure 6.

In the depressed state, the plates 67 of the fittings 40 are located on the side of the pockets 38 which is turned towards the external longitudinal partitions 36; at the bottom of these pockets 38 are L-shaped spring contacts, visible in FIG. 6, which are fixed to the grounding frame 14. A spring contact per pocket 38 is sufficient to connect to the setting frame To the earth

14 the whole series of surge protectors 66 asso-

attached to fitting 40.

  On the opposite face of the properly pressed fittings 40, the contact springs 68 which come out

  of each chamber 65 of the connection 40 enter the above

opening of the chambers 33 which maintain the contacts

  connection 35; the connection is thus obtained, visi-

  ble in Figure 6, between the contact springs 68 and the connection contacts 35. For this purpose, the connection contacts 35 are provided with an elbow 71 oriented towards the opening 34 of the chamber 33, this elbow 71 being essential to ensure an excellent connection with the aforesaid contact springs 68 of the fittings 40. After pressing these fittings 40, only the handles 69 protrude from the

  pockets 38, on the sorting face 25, which is clear

Figures 5 and 6.

In accordance with the instructions for use, the

  such terminal 11, completely assembled, is firstly provided, on its rear face, with cable 23, the final section 42 of which is laid in its entirety and fixed in channel 41, in the manner

  described. Then the two beams 60 are removed from the con-

  ductors 27 of the cable 23 through the upper end and - they are passed back into the two grooves 31, on either side of the cable, where the connection is made to the guide racks 61, using the clamping elements 39. A similar connection is then made on the sorting face 25 where the sorting wires 26 which are properly connected to the clamping elements 39 are introduced into the groove of the profiles 26 of the emerging connection contacts 35. After completion of the connections,

  we can cover the junctions on both sides with the

  of a front protective cover 72 and a pro-

  rear cover 73, at the level of the conductors (FIG. 6).

  Hoods 72, 73 are advantageously used, the width of which

  geur is relatively weak and preferably matches

to that of a pocket 38.

The rear protective cover 73 has raised side walls 74 which, on the connection face 24, cover the branches 28 of the H carrying the clamping elements 39 projecting. These side walls 74 are provided with flanges by which the cover 73 can be

  subject to grounding frame 14 using screws.

  The front protective cover 72 has a pro-

  caster 75 which is greater than the height of the elements which exit from the branches of the H on the sorting face 25, that is to say handles 69 and clamping elements 39. The front protective cover 72 can be mounted by elastic fitting and for this purpose carries elastic tabs 76 terminated by projections 77 which are of

  preferably molded with this cover 72. These tabs

  your 76 grasp the body of insulating material 10, at its median longitudinal region 54, and cooperate there, using their projections 77, with counter-projections 78 which are formed on the transverse partitions 55. It occurs a snap-fastening of these projections 77, 78 which has the effect of

  hold the cover 72 on the body of insulating material 10.

  As is apparent from the context, the word "sorting" which is used here in expressions such as "sorting wire" and "sorting face! ' designates the operation which consists in connecting a determined departure terminal, using

  of a wire called "sorting wire", to a suitable arrival terminal

  chosen from among a group of arrival terminals.

Claims (8)

1. Terminal device for low voltage cables   sion, in particular for telecommunication cables, which is used to connect the conductors of one cable to sortable connection wires or sorting wires, connected to the conductors of another cable, and which consists of a body of material =   insulator comprising, on the one hand, a pair of grooves or   green on opposite sides and used to receive the cons conductors of the cable on one of these faces, called "face of rac-   cordage "and the sorting connection wires on the other side called" sorting face "and, on the other hand, connection contacts arranged in rows along the walls of the grooves of the body of insulating material, which connection contacts pass through each body, from the face of   connection to the sorting face, and bear at their ends half of the clamping elements making it possible to connect, in general without prior stripping, the conductors of the cable to the sorting wires, characterized in that the elongated body   of insulating material (10) has a general double profile   ble H, made of two H sections (12) arranged parallel-   ment leaving a gap between them (13) and forming each of the grooves (31, 32) and is provided, at mid-height of the profile, with a grounding frame (14) which surrounds this body (10) and which crosses the above-mentioned interval (13); in that a channel (41), intended for laying and fixing a non-stripped cable end (42), is formed between the two H-shaped profiles (12) on the connection face (24) ; in that the conductors (27) of this end of cable (42), which exit at the end of the channel (41), are turned over in bundles (60) around the front ends (59) of the interior walls (28) of the branches of the H profile and return in the opposite direction in the two grooves (32), opposite to their laying direction in the fixed cable (23); and in that the body (10) comprises, on either side of the branches (30) of the H-profile and on the sorting face (25), pockets (38) in which holding fittings can be inserted collectives (40) for surge protection devices (66) to be brought into contact with the earthing frame (14) and with the connection contacts (35).   Terminal device according to claim 1, characterized in that the body of insulating material (10) has, on its sorting face (25), profiled recesses (54) for the adaptation of fixing means (47, 50 ), intended for the cable (23), which are aligned with the channel (41)   on the opposite connection face (24).   3. Terminal apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the fixing means comprise- * a compressed air valve (50) to which is connected a   flexible control conduit (49) of the cable (23).   4. Terminal apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the elongated body of iso- material   lante (10) is made of a series of sections with double pro- wire in H which are arranged one behind the other and   are attached to the common grounding frame (14). 5. Terminal device according to claim 4, characterized in that the ends of the branches (28, 30) of the H-sections carry guide racks   longitudinal (61) which are provided with openings for hand-   hold the emerging ends of the connection contacts   (35) and in that their border (62), projecting inwardly laughing of the profiles (12) in H, has notches (63) which are aligned respectively with the connection contacts (35) and are used for mounting the conductors cable (27) and corresponding sorting wires (26).   6. Terminal apparatus according to claim, characterized in that the notches (63) have the same forms like those of a bayonet fitting.   7. Terminal apparatus according to any one   of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the branches   ches (28, 30) of the profiles (12) in H are provided with bres (33) extending in the longitudinal direction of these branches (28, 30), which chambers (33) are open (34) towards the external face of the branches and serve to   housing of the connection contacts (35). 8. Terminal apparatus according to any one of claims' to 7, characterized in that the connection   collective holding (40) consists of a housing (64)   with chambers (65) intended for the various anti- overvoltage (66) and in that one face of this casing (64), turned towards the branches (28, 30) of the profiles (12) in H, is provided with a series of projecting contact springs (68)   which are each connected to one of the anti-surge devices sion (66). 9. Terminal device according to claim 8, characterized in that the face of the housing (64), remote from the branches (28, 30) of the profiles (12) in H, is provided with a grounding plate (67 ) which connects all the surge protection devices (66) and against which applies, in the depressed state, a contact (70) disposed in the pocket (38) and resting on the setting frame earth (14).