FR2738679A1 - SHEET PLASTER FOR ENVELOPE, SUCH AS BOX OR CABINET, AND CORRESPONDING ENVELOPE, IN PARTICULAR FOR ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES - Google Patents

Abstract

This is a plate (11) made of sheet which, for its picking on a support (13), itself metallic, is equipped with at least one latch (15), with a cam (16) mounted to rotate and bolt (18), with, for establishing an equipotential link between this faceplate (11) and the support (13), an electrical continuity device (32) capable of intervening between them. According to the invention, the electrical continuity device (32) comprises a metal connection lug (33) which is integral in rotation with the cam (16) of the latch (15), and which, in the general shape of a U, has two wings, namely, a first wing (35), through which it bears on the faceplate (11), at the rear thereof, and a second wing (36), through which, for contact with the support (13), it extends over the surface of the bolt (18) of the latch (15), on the side of this bolt (18) facing the faceplate (11). Application, in particular, to enclosures, such as boxes or cabinets, for electrical appliances.

Description

"Plastron sheet metal envelope, such as cabinet or cabinet, and

  The present invention relates generally to the envelopes used for housing, protecting and isolating any apparatus, and in particular to

any electrical appliances.

  It can be as well of boxes to fix on a wall

only cabinets resting on the floor.

  The present invention is more particularly the case where, the devices concerned are modular devices arranged in rows, such an envelope comprises, in practice facade, one or more plastrons, at a rate of one per row, limiting for security the access to these devices in the only part of their facade, these plastrons comprising in practice for this purpose an elongated window in favor of which only protrudes forward this part of the facade

of these devices.

  Most often, such a plastron is simply crocheted on a fixed support, for example in the form of a frame, and it is equipped for this purpose with at least one lock comprising a cam, which, on the one hand, is rotatably mounted to the rear of the plastron, under the control of a control member at the disposal of the user at the front thereof, and which, on the other hand, carries transversely projecting a bolt by which the lock is able to engage on the fixed support, at the back

of the last.

  The present invention is more particularly aimed at the case where the plastron is made of sheet metal, and o, together, the fixed support on which it is hooked is

itself metallic.

  It is necessary, in this case, to provide an equipotential bonding between this faceplate and the fixed support, and, to do this, to establish between it and this fixed support, a device

electrical continuity.

  According to a first known provision, this electrical continuity device uses a conductive wire, which at one of its ends is welded to the fixed support, and which, at the other of its ends, is equipped with a lug by which it is connected to the front plate, by clamping on the head of a dowel stud duly attached by welding on

this plastron.

  Such an electrical continuity device is relatively expensive to set up, especially in that it requires for its realization specific components, such as the threaded stud to report on the front plate. He is also opposed to an easy removal of this plastron. According to a second arrangement already known, the electrical continuity device to be implemented is formed of a clip, which is resiliently attached to the fixed support, and which carries a nut with which screwing cooperates a screw applying to the plastron a washer

notched.

  This electrical continuity device also requires

  for its implementation of specific components.

  Its effectiveness is also relatively uncertain.

  The present invention generally relates to a provision making it possible to avoid in a very

simple these disadvantages.

  More specifically, it firstly relates to a plate plastron of the kind which, for its hooking on a support, itself metallic, is equipped with at least one lock, this latch comprising a cam, which, on the one hand, is rotatably mounted at the rear of the plastron, under the control of a control member at the disposal of the user at the front thereof, and which, on the other hand, carries transversely protruding a bolt by which the latch is adapted to engage on the support, at the rear of the latter, with an electrical continuity device capable of intervening between the plastron and the support, this plastron being in a manner characterized in that said electrical continuity device comprises a metal connecting lug, which is integral in rotation with the latch cam, and which, in the general U-shape, has two wings, namely, a first flange, through which it is on the plastron, at the back of it, and a second wing, by which, for a contact with the support, it extends to the surface of the latch bolt, the side of the bolt facing the plastron; it also relates to any envelope, such as cabinet or cabinet, equipped

at least one such plastron.

  In short, it is associated, according to the invention, to at least one of the latches of the plastron, a connecting lug, which, by its first wing, comes to bite on this plastron, tearing locally, if necessary, when of the first rotation of the latch, the coating which is possibly provided with this plastron, and which, by its second wing, comes to bear on the support of this plastron, thus constituting very simply by itself the device of electrical continuity to be established between this plastron and its support, the area of this support on which its second wing is being jointly

  intentionally left naked for this purpose.

  In other words, to constitute the desired electrical continuity device, it is advantageously taken advantage, according to the invention, of one of the locks equipping any

already the plastron.

  The corresponding connecting leg is in practice a relatively moderate cost, and it is the same for its implementation, to the extent, at least, o this establishment

  fits into that of the lock itself.

  No specific component other than this connecting lug is also to be provided, neither on the front plate nor on

the support of it.

  Finally, this connection tab does not hinder

  advantageously in no way the removal of the plastron.

  The characteristics and advantages of the invention

  will emerge from the description which follows,

  As an example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which: Figure i is, on a reduced scale, a perspective view of an envelope for electrical appliances equipped with plastrons according to the invention; FIG. 2 is, on a larger scale, and along the line II - II of FIG. 1, a partial view in cross section of this plastron and its support passing through the axis of the latch which this plastron is equipped with for its picking on this support; Figures 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views of the bolt of this latch, respectively, respectively, lines III-III and IV-IV of Figure 2; FIG. 5 shows, on a larger scale, the detail of FIG. 2 indicated by an inset V in this FIG. 2; Figure 6 is a partial perspective view of the plastron and its support, seen from the rear; Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view from the front; Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the lock to equip the front plate and the connection tab reported according to the invention on the latch; Figure 9 is a larger scale, a perspective view of this connection lug, shown in isolation; Figure 10 is a partial side view along the arrow X of Figure 9; FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the organ of

  lock control, seen from the back.

  As illustrated in these figures, it is, generally, the equipment of an envelope 10, which, for the housing of any apparatus, and, for example, any electrical devices, not shown, comprises, facade, at least one plastron 11 having a window 12, elongated, in favor of which only is likely to project forwardly the front portion of these devices. In practice, in the embodiment shown, the envelope 10 is a box to be fixed to a wall, not shown, and it comprises, superimposed in height in the same plane, two

plastrons 11.

  These two plastrons 11 are identical to each other. This is, in practice, plastrons 11 sheet, which, for their picking on a support 13 secured to the frame of the casing 10, and therefore fixed, are equipped with at least one

lock 15.

  In practice, also, the support 13 is itself metallic, and, generally formed of a frame, it comprises, laterally, two uprights 14, only one of which is visible in the figures, and, more specifically, in FIGS. and 6, and on which each of the plastrons 11 is crooked by a latch

15 at its ends.

  In a manner known per se, this latch 15, which is a latch of the quarter-turn type, comprises a cam 16, generally hub-shaped, which, on the one hand, is rotatably mounted at the rear of the plastron 11, under the control of a control member 17 at the disposal of the user at the front thereof, and which, on the other hand, bears, transversely, projecting, away from the plastron 11, a bolt 18 by which lock 15 is

  adapted to engage on the support 13 at the rear of the latter.

  In practice, the cam 16 is in one piece with the

bolt 18.

  In practice, too, the lock 15 thus constituted

is metallic.

  For the positioning of each of the plastrons 11, the

  support 13 has, locally, on its free edge 19, that is,

  ie on the free edge 19 of each of its amounts 14, at

minus one notch 20.

  In practice, there is thus provided, from place to place, at a regular pitch, a plurality of notches 20 over the entire height of the free edge 19 of the uprights 14 of the support 13, and it results from the geometric characteristics of the assembly. that each of the latches 15 is established at the right of such a notch 20. As a corollary, in the embodiment shown, the control member 17 of the latch 15 is in

synthetic material.

  In practice, this control member 17 comprises, in one piece, on the one hand, a head 21, which protrudes on the front plate 11, in front of the latter, comprises, in the manner of the head of a screw, for its control in rotation, a groove 22, and, secondly, an axis 23, which passes, successively, the plastron 11, in favor of a hole 24 thereof, and the latch 15, in favor of a hole 26 of the latter, and on

  which latch 15 is wedged in rotation.

  The hole 24 of the plastron 11 is of generally circular contour, in the image of the cross section of the axis 23 of the control member 17, but on a portion of its

  periphery, figure 7, it is bordered by an indentation 28, itself

even of circular outline.

  As a corollary, and as is best seen in Figure 11, the axis 23 of the control member 17 has, projecting along one of its generatrices, over part of its length from the head 21, a boss 29 which, on the one hand, cooperates in abutment with the ends of the notch 28, to limit in correspondence the rotation of the latch 15, and which, on the other hand, cooperates in interlocking with a lateral extension 30 of the hole 26 of the latch 15, for the training in

rotation of it.

  The foregoing are either well known in themselves or out of the scope of the present invention.

  They will not be described in more detail here.

  In a manner also known per se, an electrical continuity device 32 is provided for establishing an equipotential bonding between the plastron 11 and the support 13.

  likely to intervene between them, figure 3.

  According to the invention, this electrical continuity device 32 comprises a metal connection tab 33, which is integral in rotation with the cam 16 of the latch 15, and which, in the general U-shape, present, each disposed respectively on the side and the other of a medial portion 34, two wings, namely, a first wing 35, by which it bears on the plastron 11, at the rear of the latter, and a second wing 36, by which, for a contact with the support 13, it extends to the surface of the bolt 18 of the latch 15, on the side of this

  bolt 18 turned to the plastron 11.

  In practice, the electrical continuity device 32

  is exclusively formed of this connection tab 33.

  In the embodiment shown, the first flange 35 of this connecting lug 33 is in the general shape of a washer, with, in its central zone, a hole 37, and

  it surrounds the axis 23 of the control member 17.

  In its middle part 38, this first flange 35 is substantially flat, and it extends substantially

  perpendicular to the axis 23 of the control member 17.

  In its peripheral portion of smaller diameter 39, it is generally frustoconical, and it goes closer to the axis 23 of the control member 17 as and when

  that it moves away from the head 21 of it.

  In its peripheral part of larger diameter 40, the first flange 35 of the connecting lug 33 is also generally frustoconical, but, unlike its peripheral portion of smaller diameter 39, it then moves closer to the head 21 of FIG. the control member 17 as and when

  as it moves away from the axis 23 thereof.

  In other words, the peripheral parts of smaller diameter 39 and larger diameter 40 of this first wing project in opposite directions relative to each other on both sides of the middle part 38 they

frame.

  For the passage of the boss 29 of the axis 23 of the control member 17, the first flange 35 of the connecting lug 33 has, in a complementary manner, a notch 42, which, in practice, essentially affects its peripheral portion of smaller diameter 39, opening into its bore 37,

  and which, however, bites locally on its middle part 38.

  For contact with the plastron 11, the first flange 35 of the connection tab 33 has, projecting on its edge 43, which is the edge of its peripheral portion of larger

  diameter 40, at least one claw 44.

  In the embodiment shown, it

  comprises, distributed circularly, several claws 44.

  In practice, in this embodiment, three claws 44 are provided, 120 two by two, with one of them substantially in the median plane of the leg of

  connection 33 passing through its middle part 34.

  Each of the claws 44 is in the extension of the peripheral portion of larger diameter 40, forming on the wafer 43 thereof a sharp edge protrusion

triangular general.

  Preferably, and as it is better visible in FIG. 10, this triangular contour is asymmetrical,

  with an inclined flank 45 and a right flank 46.

  In practice, the inclined flank 45 is downstream in the direction of rotation of the latch 15, which, as indicated by the arrow F1 in FIG. 6, goes from the position for which it releases the plastron 11 to the position, represented on this figure 6, for which, on the contrary, he hooks this plastron

  11 on the support 13, and the right flank 46 is, him, upstream.

  In the embodiment shown, the median portion 34 of the connecting lug 33 is derived from the smaller diameter peripheral portion 39 of the first flange 35, being isolated from its middle portion 38 by slots 47, to leave more of elasticity to the peripheral part of more

  large diameter 40 carrying claws 44.

  This median portion 34 is substantially generally straight, parallel to the axis 23 of the control member 17, and is connected by an angled return 49 to the smaller diameter peripheral portion 39 of the first

wing 35.

  In the embodiment shown, the second flange 36 of the connecting lug 33 comprises two sections, namely, on the one hand, a first section 50, which is in the general shape of a washer, with, in its central zone, a drilling 51, and by which it surrounds the axis 23 of the control member 17, and, secondly, a second section 52, which is in the general shape of lamella, and which extends along the bolt 18 of the latch 15. Preferably, there is provided, between this second flange 36 of the connecting lug 33 and the axis 23 of the control member 17, for the axial retention of the assembly, latching means, and in practice, it is about means

unidirectional snap.

  In the embodiment shown, these latching means comprise, on the second flange 36 of the connecting lug 33, at least two elastically deformable tongues 53, and, on the axis 23 of the control member 17,

  a shoulder 58 turned on the side of the head 21 thereof.

  The elastically deformable tongues 53, which at their free end define between them the bore 51, are derived from the periphery of smaller diameter of the first section 50 of the first flange 35 of the connecting lug 33, and, at rest, they extend obliquely to the general plane of this first section 50, away from the head 21 of the control member 17 as and when they

deviate from this plan.

  In practice, these resiliently deformable tongues 53 are three in number, and they are regularly

distributed circularly.

  Together, the shoulder 58 of the axis 23 of the control member 17 is formed in favor of a smaller diameter section 59 thereof, and to facilitate its engagement on the elastically deformable tongues 53 of the connecting tab 33, the free end of this axis 23 is cut by

a chamfer 60.

  The second section 52 of the second flange 36 of the connecting lug 33 extends in continuity with the first section 50, substantially perpendicular to the axis 23 of

the control member 17.

  For contact with the support 13, this second flange 36 has, projecting, on its second section 52, at least one boss 61, 62, which, in practice, results from a simple

  local deformation of this second section 52.

  In the embodiment shown, the second flange 36 of the connecting lug 33 comprises, staggered on its second section 52, along the bolt 18 of the latch 15, two

bosses 61, 62.

  The boss 61, which is the one closest to the median portion 34, is elongated transversely with respect to the elongation direction of the bolt 18 of the latch 15, for contact at its ends with the flanks of that of the notches 20 of the support 13 next to which is this

lock 15.

  Of course, the constructive arrangements are such that, by its distance from the axis 23 of the control member 17, this boss 61 is effectively able to cooperate with this

notch 20.

  The boss 62, which is the one farthest from the median portion 34, is hemispherical, for contact with its top region with the support 13, in full surface thereof. For this boss 62 to participate in the desired electrical continuity, the support 13 is, on its rear face, exposed on at least part 63 of its surface from its

free edge 19.

  In other words, and as shown schematically by hatching in FIG. 6, it is devoid of any coating, and in particular of any layer of paint, all along a strip-like portion 63 of its surface, who, from

  its free edge 19, extends parallel thereto.

  In the embodiment shown, the second flange 36 of the connection tab 33 has, at its free end, and therefore at the free end of its second section 52, a spoiler 65, through which, for its retention, she is

  engaged under a shoulder 66 of the bolt 18 of the latch 15.

  In practice, this spoiler 65 is a simple tongue which, of smaller width than that of the second section 52

  prolonged, is slightly deflected with respect to this

  ci, in the opposite direction to the first wing 35.

  Together, the shoulder 66 that the bolt 18 comprises

  latch 15 is formed in favor of a recess 68 of the

  which opens on one and the other of its main faces,

  and it is generally inclined, in the manner of spoiler 65.

  For reception of the first flange 35 of the connecting lug 33, the cam 16 of the latch 15 has, recessed on its transverse face facing the plastron 11, a housing 69. This housing 69 is at least in place , delimited peripherally by a flange 70 by which the latch 15 bears on the plastron 11 around the first flange 35 of

the connecting leg 33.

  In practice, this flange 70 is formed by lugs 71 that the cam 16 has a projection at the periphery of its face

  transverse facing the plastron 11.

  Three lugs 71 are thus provided, being distributed circularly. In the embodiment shown, the flange 70 formed by these lugs 71 has a notch 72 on the side of the cam 16 diametrically opposite the bolt 18, to facilitate the

  setting up the connection tab 33.

  For reception of the median portion 34 of this connecting lug 33, the cam 16 of the latch 15 has, externally, on the side diametrically opposed to the bolt 18, a groove 74 which, parallel to the axis 23 of the control member 17, runs along its entire height, to the right of the notch 72,

in the middle zone of it.

  For receiving the second section 52 of the second flange 36 of the connecting lug 33, the latch 18 of the latch 15 has, on its face facing the cam 16, a recess 75, which, starting from this cam 16, runs on almost all of its length, intersecting, at its end, the recess 68 in favor of which intervenes the spoiler 65 that

  has itself at its free end this second section 52.

  The clearance 75 forms, laterally, for the support of the second section 52 of the second flange 36 of the connecting lug 33, two benches 76, which, parallel to each other, and parallel to the lengthwise direction of the bolt 18, each extend respectively on either side of a median recess 77, to promote a possible elastic play

bosses 61, 62.

  On assembly, the connecting lug 33 is engaged laterally on the latch 15, along the arrow F2 of FIG. 8, its first flange 35 coming to fit into the housing 69 formed by the cam 16 of this latch 15, while the second section 52 of its second wing 36 takes place in the clearance 75 provided for this purpose on the surface of the

bolt 18 of this latch 15.

  The connecting lug 33 then forms with the latch 15 a unitary subassembly 78, which, as shown schematically by the arrow F3 in FIG. 7, is applied to the plastron 11,

  the back of it, around its hole 24.

  Together, and as shown diagrammatically by the arrow F4 in FIG. 7, the control member 17 is engaged by its axis 23 in this hole 24, until, as shown in FIG. 6, it comes into engagement , by the shoulder 58 of this axis 23, with the elastically deformable tongues 53 of the

  second wing 36 of the connecting leg 33.

  The latch 15 is then in place on the front plate 11, with the claws 44 of the connecting lug 33 firmly and resiliently applied to the front plate 11 at the rear thereof. As a corollary, the connecting lug 33 is secured in rotation to the cam 16 of the latch 15 by the boss 29 of the control member 17, which itself is engaged

with the set.

  In practice, the establishment of the locks 15 on the front plate 11 is for a position of their bolt 18

  authorizing the mounting of the plastron 11 on the support 13.

  For this assembly, it is sufficient to bring the plastron 11 on the support 13 in favor of notches 20 of this

  last, then rotate the latches 15 by one quarter turn.

  During the corresponding rotation, the claws 44 of the connection tab 33 bite on the plastron 11, tearing locally the coating, in practice a layer of paint, which, usually, it is duly provided, which leads this connection tab 33 to be in contact

electric with this plastron 11.

  At the end of this rotation, and because of the bosses 61 and 62 of the second section 52 of its second flange 36, this connecting lug 33 is also in electrical contact.

with the support 13.

  Thus, the electrical continuity sought between the

  plastron 11 and the support 13 is duly established.

  As will be noted, by cooperating with a notch of the support 13, the boss 61 of the second section 52 of the second flange 36 of the connecting lug 33 advantageously also provides indexing in the position of

latch lock 15.

  Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown, but encompasses

any variant of execution.

Claims (21)

  1. Plastron sheet metal of the kind which, for its hooking on a support (13), itself metal, is equipped with at least one lock (15), said latch (15) having a cam (16) which, on the one hand, is rotatably mounted at the rear of the front plate (11), under the control of a control member (17) at the disposal of the user at the front of the latter, and which, d on the other hand, door projecting transversely a bolt (18) by which the latch (15) is adapted to engage on the support (13), at the rear of the latter, with an electrical continuity device (32) capable of intervening between this plastron and the support (13), characterized in that, said electrical continuity device (32) comprises a metal connection lug (33), which is integral in rotation with the cam (16) of the latch (15), and which, in the general U-shape, has two wings, namely, a first wing (35), by which it bears on the plastron (11), at the rear of the latter, and a second one me wing (36), by which, for contact with the support (13), it extends to the surface of the bolt (18) of the latch   (15), on the side of the bolt (18) facing the plastron (11).   2. Plastron according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the general form of washer, the first flange (35) of the connecting lug (33) surrounds the axis (23) of the organ control (17) of the latch (15).   3. Chest according to claim 2, characterized in that the first flange (35) of the connecting lug (33) has, projecting on its edge (43), at least one claw (44). 4. Plastron according to claim 3, characterized in that, in its peripheral portion of larger diameter (40), the first flange (35) of the connecting lug (33) is generally frustoconical, approaching the head ( 21) of the control member (17) of the latch (15) as it moves away from the axis (23) thereof, and the claw (44) is an extension of this peripheral part of more large diameter (40).   5. Plastron according to any one of   Claims 3, 4, characterized in that the claw (44)   has first flange (35) of connecting flange (33) forms a pointed protrusion.   6. Plastron according to any one of   Claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the first wing   (35) of the connecting tab (33) comprises, distributed   Circularly, several claws (44).   7. Plastron according to any one of   Claims 2 to 6, characterized in that for receipt of   the first flange (35) of the connecting lug (33), the cam (16) of the latch (15) has recessed on its face   transverse facing the plastron (11), a housing (69).   8. Plastron according to claim 7, characterized in that, said housing (69) being delimited by a flange (70), said rim (70) has a notch (72) on the side of the   cam (16) diametrically opposed to the bolt (18).   9. Plastron according to any one of   Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that for receipt of   the median portion (34) of the connecting lug (33), the cam (16) of the latch (15) has, externally, on the diametrically opposite side to the bolt (18), a groove (74) which, parallel to the the axis (23) of the control member (17), runs on all its height.   10. Plastron according to any one of   Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the second wing   (36) of the connecting lug (33) comprises two sections, namely, a first section (50), generally in the form of a washer, by which it surrounds the axis (23) of the control member (17) , and a second section (52), in the general form of   lamella, which extends along the bolt (18) of the latch (15).   11. Plastron according to claim 10, characterized in that, for contact with the support (13), the second flange (36) of the connecting lug (33) has at least one projection a boss (61, 62).   12. Plastron according to claim 11, characterized in that said boss (61, 62) results from a deformation   local of the second wing (36) of the connecting lug (33).   13. Chest protector in any one of   claims 10, 11, characterized in that the second wing   (36) of the connecting lug (33) comprises, staggered along the bolt (18) of the latch (15), two bosses (61, 62). 14. Plastron according to claim 13, characterized in that, the support (13) having at least one notch (20) on its free edge (19), one (61) of said bosses (61, 62) is extended transversely relative to the direction of elongation of the bolt (18) of the latch (15), for contact by its   ends with the flanks of this notch (20).   15. Plastron according to claim 13, characterized in that one (62) of said bosses (61, 62) is hemispherical, for contact by its summit zone with the   support (13), in full surface thereof.   16. Chest protector in any one of   Claims 10 to 15, characterized in that the bolt (18) of   latch (15) comprises, for the support of the second flange (36) of the connecting lug (33), two benches (76) which, parallel to each other and parallel to its direction of elongation, extend each respectively on the   another of a median recess (77).   17. Chest protector in any one of   Claims 10 to 16, characterized in that at its end   free, the second flange (36) of the connecting lug (33) has a spoiler (65), by which, for its restraint, it is   engaged under a shoulder (66) of the bolt (18) of the latch (15).   18. Breastplate according to any one of   Claims 1 to 17, characterized in that between   the second flange (36) of the connecting lug (33) and the axis (23) of the control member (17), latching means (53, 58).   19. Plastron according to claim 18, characterized in that said detent means (53, 58) are unidirectional.   20. Envelope, such as a cabinet or cabinet, in particular for electrical appliances, of the kind comprising at least one plastron (11) hooked sheet metal on a support (13) by at least one latch (15), characterized in that said plastron (11) complies with any of Claims 1 to 19.   21. Envelope according to claim 20, characterized in that, on its rear face, the support (13) is exposed on at least part (63) of its surface to be counted. from its free edge (19).