FR2738961A1 - Modular electrical connection box - Google Patents

Abstract

The box includes a body (1) engaging a base (2) with elastic blades (221,201). The body presents a bottom (14) and lateral walls (10,13). Each wall presents two arches (131,132) which surround entries (133,134) to the box. An interior groove (129,109) is provided for linking the box to another box. Two cut-offs (144) are provided on the box bottom for fixing various electrical devices inside the box. Lateral clips (4) are provided on the body for attaching the box to another box.

Description

UNIVBRSZLLM BOX WITH MULTIPLE CENTER AND 8 UTILI8ATIOX OF
UMIVZRSILLZS BOXES FOR FORMING XOD $ AIRB8 BLOCKS.

 The present invention relates to a universal box with multiple centers and its use for forming modular blocks.

I1 is known by the French patent application
FR2621428 a modular block of a universal electric box that can be divided at will and suitably into an appropriate number of portions allowing two constant distances x and y to be between centers between the boxes.

 The drawback of such a device is that it requires the manufacture of a block of several boxes having horizontally the center distance (x) and vertically the center distance (y). Depending on the case when you need a center distance (y) you spoil two other boxes to use a single set of center distance (y).

The installer ends up being at the end of a certain moment with a series of boxes detached from the modular block while waiting to need again, for example, a center distance (y) to place this series of boxes.

 I1 is also known from French patent application 2692083, a multiple-position flush-mounting box making it possible to adapt with a single box to three types of center distance El, E2, E3 but requiring to do this a base which can be lost by the user.

 The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a universal electrical box with multiple centers greater than 2.

 This object is achieved by the fact that the universal electrical box with multiple centers has an open box body consisting of a bottom and side walls characterized in that the box body is provided with fixing means in a removable manner and in two perpendicular directions of a box end, said box having external dimensions in a first direction corresponding to the largest center distance and, in the second direction perpendicular to the first of the dimensions corresponding to an intermediate center distance, said box end having external dimensions maximum in two perpendicular directions equal to the intermediate center distance and in a direction of the fixing means allowing adaptation to at least a third center distance.

 According to another particularity, the fixing means consist of smooth holes for self-tapping screws arranged, inside the box end piece, symmetrically with respect to an axis C of symmetry perpendicular to the axis B in which the end piece has the greatest interior dimension.

 According to another particular feature, the end piece comprises in a direction perpendicular to the axis in which the end piece has the largest internal dimension and a distance corresponding to the smallest internal dimension of the self-breaking opening reducing elements.

 According to another particular feature, the end piece extends on each side below the smooth holes by two notched tongues intended to allow the mounting of apparatus with claw flanges or the like.

 According to another particular feature, the removable fixing means for the end piece on the box body are arranged in the angles thereof and form lugs in which a flat edge of the box end piece is mounted by rotation and a tongue forms a holding point in one of the two possible positions of the gearbox end.

 According to another particular feature, each box body comprises means of assembly to another box body in each of the two main directions of the box body.

 According to another particular feature, each box body is provided at its periphery with a plurality of knockout entries allowing the fitting either of a sheathing tube connection end of the electrical conductors, or directly of a sheathing tube of the electrical conductors.

 According to another particular feature, the tube inlets have an arch shape provided with a rim.

 Another object of the invention is to propose a use of these universal boxes to form modular blocks.

 This object is achieved by the fact that the use of at least two boxes after having smashed the entries of each of the boxes intended to be opposite after assembling boxes together is characterized in that during of the assembly, a connecting end piece is used formed of a pair of two half-shells, the external walls of which are provided on each side with a box body of grooves adapted to the shape of the edges of the arches and of locking tabs. adapted to the box body, said pairs of half-shells, once assembled, are placed in the inlet arches of the box bodies to form a tubular communication conduit between the associated boxes.

 According to another particular feature, the half-shells have on their internal walls a retaining rib of a corrugated tube.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the description below made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the box body and the box end according to the invention
- Figure 2A shows a perspective view of the box body according to the invention
- Figure 2B shows a perspective view of the same body of the upturned box with its bottom facing upwards
- Figure 3A shows a perspective view of the box end
- Figure 3B shows a perspective view of the same tip of the upturned box
- Figure 3C shows a top view of the gearbox end
- Figure 3D shows a sectional view of the gearbox end
- Figures 4A to 4D show the different possible assemblies of the nozzle on the box body
- Figure 5 shows a connecting piece for box body allowing the assembly of two box bodies together.

 - Figures 6A and 6B show in perspective two of the assembly possibilities with connecting piece.

 The invention consists of a box body (1) having a large dimension D along the axis A and a smaller external dimension d in a direction perpendicular to the direction A. To this box body is associated in a removable manner and in two positions oriented in perpendicular directions, a box end piece (2). This box end (2) is extended downwards by tabs (221, 201) whose maximum external dimension (i) corresponds to the internal dimension in the two perpendicular directions (i) of the box body (1). The box body (1) is constituted as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B with a bottom (14) and opposite side walls (10, 12) and two other side walls (11, 13) arranged in a direction perpendicular to the two The four side walls are arranged to create a space of dimension (i) inside. In direction A of large external dimension, the housing (1) is extended by arches (131, 132). Each opposite wall (11), respectively (13) has two arches (131, 132) respectively (111, 112). Each of the arches (131, 132, 111, 112) surrounds a knockout entry respectively (133, 134, 113, 114) formed in the respective wall (13, 11) by a precut. Between the two arches of a wall, is disposed on one side, for example (11), a recess (115) allowing the passage of a lug or hook (135) integral with the opposite wall (13) of a second box. The direction in which the arches protrude from the walls is called direction A, direction in which the box body has the largest dimension. In the direction perpendicular to this direction A the arches (101, 102, 121, 122) formed on the sides (10, 12) of this perpendicular direction are set back from the sides. These arches (101, 102) respectively (121, 122) lead to knockout windows respectively (123, 124, and 103, 104). The central part of the sides (10, 12) also comprises, near the bottom (14) of the box body, a cylindrical sector (108, 128) comprising for the first a hook-shaped notch (105) and for the second a hook protruding (125). These recessed arches (122, 121, 101, 102) have an internal groove (129, 109, 119, 139) allowing the maintenance of a connecting end piece (31, 34) between housings. The bottom of the box body is also provided with three circular lids (142, 141, 143) of different diameter, the bottom (14) is also provided with two recesses (144) making it possible to receive legs intended for the fixing of equipment specific to a manufacturer. The box body is also provided on one side (12) of projecting hooks (4) allowing it to be hooked in the recesses (5) of a second associated housing formed on the opposite side (10) of each housing. These recesses (5) have the shape complementary to the hooks (4).

 The gearbox end (2) will now be described using FIGS. 3A to 3D. This box end piece is made up of opposite side walls (21, 23) having seen from above a U shape and connected to each other by oblique walls (207, 227, 208, 228) extending by two straight portions (205, 206, 225, 226), to the central part of the U of the walls (21, 23). These portions (205, 206, 225, 226) are extended by a respective central portion (20, 22) the top view of which is in a U, with the legs of the U turned towards the inside of the box end. The central parts of the U's (20, 22, 21, 23) form planes arranged in a regular quadrilateral. These lateral sides delimit after removing removable elements (211, 212, 231, 232) in a direction B an interior space of larger dimension than in direction C. Perpendicular to these lateral sides (21, 23) is arranged in the angles between the sides (21, 23) and the sides (20, 22) of the can end piece a rim (24) forming an open bottom at its center. The external angles (240, 246) of this flange (24) are rounded so as to be housed and allow rotation inside the projecting flanges (116, 126, 130, 110) arranged in the corners of the box body (1 ). On the flat of this rim (24) is disposed, in each diagonal of the box end a projection (247) forming a tongue. Each tongue (24) comes to bear inside the passages arranged in the hooks (117, 107, 137, 127) formed on the projecting edges (116, 110, 130, 126). The internal boss constitutes a hard point to rotate the gearbox tip and change its orientation in a direction perpendicular to the previous one. This gearbox tip (2) extends beyond the plane formed by the flange (24) by tabs (201, 221) protruding inside the box body (1) when the end piece is placed on the upper edges of this box body. These tongues (201, 221) are provided with transverse grooves along a plane parallel to the plane of the flange (24), these grooves (2010, 2210) allow the attachment of apparatus having a claw, flange, or similar fastening system. .

The tabs also incorporate wells (222, 223, 224, 202, 203, 204) passing through the surface (24) and protruding near the upper surface of the sides (20, 22). These wells (222 to 224; 202 to 204) are, for example, smooth holes tapped later to allow the installation of self-tapping screws for fixing the equipment. The position of these wells (222 to 224; 202 to 204) is determined, to allow, when using the external wells (202, 222) and the other series of external wells (204, 224) on two ends of box attached to obtain a maximum center distance as shown in Figure 4B by the side center distance (85).

When using the central wells (203, 223) on two box end pieces arranged on boxes joined according to their largest dimension (A) also has the largest center distance. If these same screw wells (203, 223) are used on two box end pieces (3) arranged on two boxes joined according to their other dimension perpendicular to direction A, the second center distance referenced (71) is obtained. When using the two wells closest to each of the box ends arranged on two contiguous box bodies (204, 224, 202, 222) as shown in FIG. 4B, the most reduced spacing corresponding to the reference (57). So when the distance between two adjacent holes (202, 203; 203, 204; 222, 223; 223, 224) has a determined value x, it is possible according to the different arrangements adopted between the box body ( 1) and the gearbox end (2) to constitute modular assemblies corresponding to the illustrations in FIGS. 4A to 4D covering the centers of the apparatuses which may have the following values: d - 2 x, d - x, d, d + x , d + 2 x or the following other values D - 2 x, D - x, D, D + x, D + 2 x, depending on the arrangement adopted for the housings, the end caps and the holes. box (1) associated with the box tips (2) of the invention arranged in different directions relative to the directions of associations of the box bodies makes it possible to constitute modular assemblies intended for the reception of different electrical devices having variable spacings according to at least three different dimensions.

 FIG. 4A represents two box bodies (1) associated in the direction A on which the box ends (2) are mounted in the direction B parallel to the direction A. This so-called "vertical" mounting allows for a distance x equal to 7 mm and for the values of D equal to 85 mm and d equal to 71 mm, the fixing of two devices at the following centers 71, 78, 85, 92 and 99 n.

 FIG. 4B represents two box bodies (1) associated in a direction perpendicular to direction A and the box end pieces (2) associated so that direction C of these end pieces is parallel to direction A. This so-called "vertical" arrangement "thus allows the attachment of two 57 mm center distance devices with double plate or two 71 mm center distance devices with double plate or two devices with single plate representing a center distance of 85 mm. Intermediate centers of 64 or 78 mm can also be used.

 FIG. 4C represents the association of two box bodies (1) along a side corresponding to direction A and, on these box bodies, the box end pieces (2) are associated so that the direction C of these end pieces is parallel to direction A. This so-called horizontal mounting "allows the reception of devices with a center distance of 85 mm.

Figure 4D shows the association of two box bodies (1) along a side perpendicular to the direction
A with on these box bodies box end caps (2) mounted so that direction B is parallel to direction A. To make the associations of box bodies (1) shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D, the hooks are fitted respectively (125) in the recesses (115) when the associations are made by the side of the largest dimension, that is to say said in so-called vertical mounting and, the hooks (105) are associated in the notches (125) when the box bodies are mounted by the sides of the smallest dimension, that is to say said in horizontal mounting. In the vertical mounting the arches (132, 131) face the arches (111, 112) of the following housing and are linked together by a connecting element shown in Figure 5. In the horizontal mounting the arches (122 , 121) are facing the arches (101, 102) of the following housing and are linked together by a connecting element such as that shown in Figure 5. Before the establishment of a connecting element the windows arches opposite the assembly side are knocked down. The connecting elements shown in Figure 5, consist of two half-shells (31, 32) possibly associated with another pair of half-shells (33, 34) when it comes to making a contiguous connection on the long side or two half-shells (31, 32) closed on themselves and each arranged in one of the recesses of the arches (122, 121) on the short sides. Each half-shell (31, 32) respectively (33, 34) has a central groove (311, 321, 331, 341) intended to receive the edge of the arch of each adjacent casing. This groove (311, 321, 331 , 341) therefore has a width equal to twice each edge (121, 122, 111, 112, 131, 132, 101, 102) of arch. Each half-shell ends on one side with a hook (315, 345) and on the other on the associated half-shell with a recess (333, 323) intended to receive the hook either of the associated half-shell ( 345) for (333), that is to say of the pair of half-shells arranged opposite (315). The half-shells are connected by a central element (36, 35) and comprise, near this central portion and the groove, lugs (324, 334, 344, 314) for assembly to the housing body (1). Finally, a central rib (322, 312, 342, 332) allows these half-shells to possibly play the role of a corrugated tube mounting nozzle whose diameter is determined by the radius of the ribs formed on these half-shells.

 FIG. 6A represents the assembly of two box bodies (la, lb)) according to the so-called "vertical" assembly of FIG. 4A in which the connection of the box bodies is reinforced by one or more connecting elements or end pieces (31 , 32, 33, 34) also ensuring tight communication between the two box bodies (la, lb).

 FIG. 6B represents the assembly of two box bodies (1) according to the so-called horizontal assembly "of FIG. 4C, with connecting end piece.

 Other modifications within the reach of the skilled person are also part of the spirit of the invention.

Claims (10)

RIVINDICATICIS  1. Universal electrical box with multiple centers, characterized in that it comprises an open box body (1) consisting of a bottom (14) and side walls (10 to 13) characterized in that the box body is provided of means for removably fixing and in two perpendicular directions of a box end piece (2), said box (1) having external dimensions D in a first direction corresponding to the largest center distance and, in the second direction (d) perpendicular to the first of the dimensions corresponding to an intermediate center distance, said end of boxes having maximum external dimensions in two directions perpendicular equal to the intermediate center distance and in a direction of the fixing means allowing adaptation to at least a third center distance.  2. Universal electrical box with multiple centers according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing means consist of smooth holes (202 to 204; 222 to 224) for self-tapping screws disposed & inside the box end (2) symmetrically with respect to an axis C of symmetry perpendicular to the axis B in which the nozzle & the largest internal dimension.  3. Universal electrical box with multiple centers according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the end piece (2) has in a direction C perpendicular to the axis B in which the end piece has the largest internal dimension and has a distance corresponding to the smallest internal dimension of the self-breaking opening reducing elements (211, 212, 231, 232).  4. Universal electrical box with multiple centers according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the end piece (2) extends on each side below the smooth holes (202 to 204; 222 to 224) by two tongues (201 , 221) notched intended to allow the mounting of claw, flange, or similar apparatus.  5. Universal electrical box with multiple centers according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the removable fixing means of the end piece on the box body are arranged in the corners of the body and form lugs (107, 117, 127, 137) in which a flange (24) plane of the gearbox end piece (2) is rotatably mounted and a tongue (247) forms a holding point according to one of the two possible positions of the gearbox end piece (2 ).  6. Universal electrical box with multiple centers according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each box body (1) comprises means (135, 115, 105, 125) for assembly to another box body according to each of the two main directions of the box body.  7. Universal electrical box with multiple centers according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each box body is provided at its periphery with a plurality of inputs (103, 104, 113, 114, 123, 124, 133 , 134) knockouts allowing the establishment either of the end fitting of the sheathing tube of the electrical conductors, or directly of the sheathing tube of the electrical conductors.  8. Universal electrical box with multiple centers according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the tube inlets have an arch shape (111, 112, 101, 102, 121, 122, 131, 132) provided with a flange.  9. Use of at least two boxes according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that after having smashed the entries (103, 104, 113, 114, 123, 124, 133, 134) of each of the boxes (1 ) intended to be in facing relation after assembling the boxes together, a connecting end piece assembles the boxes, said end piece being formed of a pair of two half-shells (31, 32) whose walls external are provided on each side with a box body of grooves (321, 311) adapted to the shape of the edges of the arches and of locking tabs (314, 324) adapted to the body of the box, said pairs of half-shells ( 31, 32) once assembled are placed in the inlet arches of the box bodies to form a tubular communication conduit between the associated boxes.  10. Use of at least two boxes according to claim 10, characterized in that the half shells (31, 32) have on their internal walls a rib (312, 322) retaining a corrugated tube.