FR2741502A1 - Electrical installation accessory for fitting lighting or power outlets - Google Patents

Abstract

The electrical installation accessory is in the shape of a ring that lines a hole formed in the panel where the electrical equipment is to be mounted. The ring has a back piece (3) that extends beyond the diameter of the hole in the, and has a sleeve (32) that lines the hole. An intermediate piece (4) of tubular shape fits inside the ring and provides mountings for the electrical equipment. The intermediate piece has mounting holes distributed round its face. A cap (6) fits between the lining sleeve and the intermediate piece, and is pressed into place so it clamps the ring to the wall. The cap has an outer lip (61) that covers the edge of the hole in the panel.

Description

Electrical installation accessory such as lumi points
neux, socket and switch, intended to be
fixed in a panel hole
The present invention relates to an electrical installation accessory such as light points, socket and switch, intended to be fixed in a panel orifice.

 The invention also relates to electrical equipment formed from one or more accessories.

 The accessories of electrical installations such as the sockets for the luminous points (halogen bulb, incandescent bulb or neon bulb) the sockets and switches exist in the form of accessories intended to be recessed in the wall or to be attached to the wall and as such they are perfectly suited.

 However, when these accessories are intended for particular equipment such as furniture such as bathroom mirrors, display cases, etc., this equipment is very unsuitable since they cannot be actually embedded in the panel. In general, this equipment comes on the wall. Such an installation is certainly possible but has various drawbacks. In particular, the accessories project from the surface of the panel, which, in addition to the often negative aesthetic appearance, has the disadvantage of being an obstacle for the passage of mobile elements such as for example the side panel or panels. of a mirror called a diptych or a triptych.

 In addition, this equipment must be installed permanently before the installation of the furniture they equip. They can only be installed by professionals and as such such equipment can not be sold as is in DIY stores.

 I1 thus exist accessories for installing lighting panels for mirrors, these accessories being composed of separate parts, neither joined together nor adapted so as to be interchangeable. The only adaptation of these parts to their use in a humid room, with risk of water projection consists of hoods screwed over the connection parts of the accessories (terminal blocks, dominoes, etc ...).

 However, such installations, in addition to having prominent accessories mounted on the surface, do not allow the interchangeability of the equipment to respect the protected volumes, for example in a bathroom.

 I1 also exists of equipment formed of parts or accessories assembled by cables but these cables and the connection terminals remain accessible to the user who installs them; they are in no way protected and offer no guarantee that they will be protected after their installation.

 The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks and proposes to create a versatile electrical installation accessory, intended to be mounted in a panel or similar product, in particular for bathroom equipment, which is versatile and interchangeable and suitable for various accessories such as halogen or non-halogen light points, sockets and switches.

To this end, the invention relates to an accessory of the type defined above, characterized in that it comprises - A) a rear part
having a flanged bottom carrying a tubular element
area of section smaller than that of the orifice
reception and provided with a connecting means while the
flange has a section higher than this orifice for
come to bear against the rear face of the panel at
around the orifice, - B) an intermediate piece
tubular to pass through the receiving orifice
tion and house the electrical component (socket, socket,
light switch)
- terminated at its rear end and at its end
front by means of connection and clamping to re
cevoir the back piece and the front piece and blo
the accessory on the panel, - C) a frontal piece of annular shape having
- a collar intended to be applied against
the front face of the panel, and a tubular part
provided with a connecting means for the front end
of the intermediate piece.

 The accessory according to the invention is fixed directly in the orifice of a panel or plate and includes all the means of protection for a bathroom installation or protected enclosure, subject to particular constraints.

 The component of the accessory, that is to say the socket receiving the bulb, the switch, the socket, etc ..., do not have connection means accessible by touch or splashing water .

 This accessory is versatile because with a slight modification near its interior depending on its use (socket, light point, switch) its exterior is the same. It is therefore fixed in the same holes made in the panel. Even if the panel is pre-equipped, it is possible to invert the locations of the accessories to take into account the constraints concerning the protected volumes, allow mounting on the right or left or take into account a particular requirement of a user.

 The assembly of the accessory to the plate is particularly simple since it suffices to connect the rear part to the intermediate part, for example by clipping, then to introduce this assembly into the orifice of the panel and to screw the front part to block the 'together with the panel, with a shim if necessary compensating for the possibly reduced thickness of the panel.

 The versatility of this accessory makes it possible to pre-assemble equipment made up of several accessories to place them in pieces of furniture like lighting panels for bathroom mirrors.

According to other advantageous characteristics - the intermediate piece comprises means for fixing the
electrical component.

- the rear part includes fixing means for the
electrical component housed in the intermediate room.

- the rear part and the corresponding end of the
intermediate piece are provided with connecting means by
snap on peripheral rib and groove.

- the intermediate piece and the corresponding end of
the front part are provided with means of connection by
screwing.

- the fixing means intended for a spot of the piece in
intermediate consist of a bottom with raised edges
receiving a cup-shaped reflector, the bottom and
the edges being interrupted by an opening to receive
see a side socket for the halogen bulb.

- the means for fixing a switch component are
formed by curved tabs, carried by the
inner wall of the intermediate piece.

- the rear part of the accessory forming a lumi point
bulbs with screwed socket or bayonet bulb
fastening means in the form of tabs
clip to fix the socket receiving the bulb.

 It is particularly advantageous that the rear part (3, 3A-3D) is connected to the intermediate part (4, 4A-4D) by a clipped connection since these two parts are generally assembled before they are placed in the panel, so that the connection between the intermediate piece and the front piece is made by screwing to allow the accessory to be clamped on its support (panel) without risking unscrewing the rear piece since it is clipped onto the intermediate piece. As already indicated, the rear part can also be screwed from the rear to the panel.

The present invention will be described below in more detail with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which
- Figure 1 shows an exploded view table of the various elements making up an electrical installation accessory according to the invention as well as the variants of these various elements.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view in the assembled state of an accessory according to the invention,
FIG. 3 is a top view (external face) of the rear part,
FIG. 4A is a bottom view of the rear part,
FIG. 5B is a sectional view along BB of the rear part of FIG. 3,
FIG. 4C is a sectional view along CC of FIG. 3,
FIG. 4D is an enlarged view of the detail in FIG. 4A surrounded by a circle,
FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a variant of the rear part,
FIG. 5B is a side view of the rear part of FIG. 5A,
FIG. 5C is a sectional view along CC of a rear part having the external appearance of that of FIG. 3C but corresponding to the internal variant of FIG. 5A,
FIG. 5D shows on an enlarged scale the detail surrounded by a circle in FIG. 5A,
FIG. 6A is a top view of a variant of an intermediate piece intended to receive a halogen spot,
FIG. 6 is a half-view cut from the side of the intermediate piece of FIG. 6A,
FIG. 6C is a bottom view of the intermediate piece of FIG. 6A,
FIG. 6B is a sectional view along DD of FIG. 6A,
FIG. 7A is a top view of an intermediate piece receiving the component of a switch,
FIG. 7B is a half-section of the intermediate piece in FIG. 7A,
FIG. 7C is a bottom view of the intermediate piece in FIG. 7A,
FIG. 8A is a top view of an intermediate piece intended to receive a socket,
FIG. 8B is a half-section of the intermediate piece in FIG. 8A,
FIG. 8A is a top view of the front piece,
FIG. 9B is a sectional view along BB of FIG. 9A,
FIG. 9C is a bottom view of the front part of FIG. 9A,
FIG. 10 is a partial section on an enlarged scale of the upper part of the intermediate piece,
FIG. 11B is a partial section view on an enlarged scale of the threaded part of the cylindrical element of the front piece,
FIG. 12 is an example of mounting an electrical installation formed of accessories according to the invention,
FIG. 13 shows the assembly of FIG. 12 once the assembly is completed,
- Figure 14 shows the establishment of a mirror on a mirror support provided with an electrical installation made with accessories according to the invention.

 FIG. 1 shows a table grouping together the various constituent elements of the electrical installation accessory according to FIG. 1 as well as the variants of some of its components.

 intended to be mounted and fixed in the orifice 2 of a panel 1. An example of such an assembly of the electrical accessory is shown in FIG. 2.

 The electrical installation accessory can be a light point such as a halogen spotlight, a screw or bayonet socket to receive an incandescent bulb or a neon bulb, a socket or a switch intended to be mounted and fixed in the orifice 2 of a panel 1. An example of such an assembly of the electrical accessory is shown in FIG. 2.

 This accessory can be mounted independently or be part of a set to be wired or pre-wired, to equip a lighting panel such as a bathroom mirror top.

 This electrical installation accessory consists of a rear part leaning against the rear face of the panel, an intermediate part crossing the panel while being connected to the rear part and a front part which comes to rest against the front of the panel, if necessary with a piece forming a shim. These different parts are joined to each other by connection and tightening means such as a clip-on connection or a screw connection.

 In more detail, Figure 1 shows the rear part 3A, 3D and the intermediate part 4A-4D with different variants which relate only to the interior arrangement of these parts and not the external parts cooperating with the other parts of the accessory .

 The rear part 3, 3A is a molded part in the form of a washer, with a bottom 31 and a tubular element 32 provided with a connecting means in the form of an internal rib 33 extending over the entire periphery or a fraction thereof. this. The bottom 33 also includes a passage 34 in the form of a tunnel (FIGS. 3, 4) for the outlet of the electric cable not shown and recessed housings 35 for fixing screws making it possible to block the rear part in rotation against the panel 1. De on either side of the outlet 4, 34, the bottom has slots 36, flattened, to receive screws making it possible to tighten the cable outlet 34 to pinch the cable and block it in traction.

 The bottom view of FIG. 4A and the two sections of FIGS. 4B and 4C clearly show the different structural characteristics of the rear part 3A.

 FIG. 4D shows on an enlarged scale the cable outlet 34 with on both sides the two flattened parts 36 and the screw holes not referenced.

 The rear part 3A (FIGS. 4A-4D) has a smooth interior surface in the tubular element 32.

 By cons, the 3D part (according to Figures 1 and 5A-5D) is intended to hold a component such as a socket for a bulb. This component is snap-on and for this, inside the tubular element 32, the bottom is provided with clipping tabs 37. The bottom is also bordered, inside the tubular element 32, by tabs centering 38, directed along the axis, as well as baffles 39 for guiding and retaining the electrical wires.

 In this variant, the cable outlet 34 is provided with a central partition 341 to separate the electrical wires and allow them to be pinched better.

 The other variants of this 3D rear part are identical to those of part 3A and their description will not be repeated.

 The intermediate part 4, 4A-4D, according to FIGS. 1 and 2 and 6A-8A, is in the form of a tubular element internally receiving the electrical component associated with this intermediate part.

 Externally, all the variants of the intermediate parts 4A-4D are identical and their description will not be repeated.

 According to Figures 1, 2, 6A-6C, the intermediate part 4, 4A, ends at the rear end with a part 41 receiving the rear part 3 (Figure 2). This part 41 is provided with a peripheral groove 42 or extending over a part of the periphery and on which the rib 33 of the rear part 3 is clipped, thus constituting connection means.

 The intermediate part 4, 4A continues with a central cylindrical circular part 43, of length corresponding substantially to the thickness of the panel; this central part is smooth.

 At the front, the intermediate part 4, 4A ends with a connecting means in the form of a threaded part 44 to receive the front part 6, 6A.

 The screwing of the parts 4, 6 allows the parts 3, 4, 6 to be clamped against the two faces of the panel 1.

 In the above description, the terms front face, rear face or rear part and front part have been used to designate respectively the non-visible face of the panel or the accessory once the assembly has been installed, the other face or the '' other part corresponding to the visible face or to the visible part of the accessory, after installation.

 The intermediate piece 4 and especially its thread are dimensioned for a usual thickness of panel, for example 22 mm. If the accessory is to be mounted in a panel of lesser thickness, for example 18 mm, it suffices to insert a piece forming a shim 5A (FIG. 1) to allow the accessory to be clamped against the faces of the panel. This wedge comes against the rear face of the panel 1 and receives the rear part 3 in support. As the rear part is preferably fixed to the panel by screws, the wedge 5A also has passages 51 corresponding to the passages of the rear part to receive the screws (figure 1).

 The different variants of intermediate parts 4A-4D will be described below with particular reference to FIGS. 6A-8B in addition to the drawings in FIG. 1.

 The intermediate part 4A (FIGS. 1 and 6A-6D) is intended to receive the equipment of a spotlight with halogen bulb.

 For this, the interior volume of the part 4A is provided with a partition 45 dividing this volume into a front cavity and a rear cavity; this partition comprises a bottom 451, central, with raised edges 452. On one side, the bottom is interrupted by an opening 453 to receive the lateral socket in which the halogen bulb is fixed. On its other face, the bottom 451 is provided with pins 46 used to hold the power supply wires.

 The upper cavity of this intermediate piece receives a cup-shaped reflector, preferably metallic, placed freely on the partition forming the bottom and the edges, under the bulb.

 The variant of intermediate piece 4B (FIGS. 1, 7A-7C) externally has the same characteristics as part A and these characteristics bear the same references.

 Internally, this part 4B, which receives the component of a switch, comprises holding tabs 47 of curved shape.

 This switch is completed by a button, for example 7B (Figure 1).

 The intermediate piece 4C receives a plug (FIGS. 1, 8A, 8B) and for this it has, at its front opening, two sectors 48 bordered by parallel, circular cords, to block the rotation of the component of the plug, housed in this intermediate piece and simply fixed by its tightening.

 To prevent this component from being pushed back when the electrical plug is inserted, it is advantageous to screw the rear part against the rear face of the panel fitted with this accessory.

In other cases, this screwing of the rear part is not necessary.

 The rear part 4D receiving a socket for a screw or bayonet bulb, incandescent or neon, internally has no particular element this intermediate piece simply houses this socket also blocked by clipping against the bottom of the rear part.

 The front part 6, 6A (FIGS. 1, 9A-9C) consists of a flange 61 extending rearwards by a cylindrical part 62, internally threaded to be screwed onto the thread of the part 44 of the intermediate part 4 (Figures 10, 11). The outer surface of the cylindrical part 62 has longitudinal grooves 63, serving to block the part 6 in rotation, in its mold, to allow the part of the mold forming the thread to be unscrewed.

 The front surface of the collar 61 is treated as a function of the desired decorative appearance (metallization, lacquer, etc.).

 Figure 12 shows an example of an electrical installation made with accessories such as those described above. This electrical installation consists for example of a socket 100 formed by a rear part 3A, an intermediate part 4C, a part forming a shim of thickness 5A and a front part 6A.

 This assembly is mounted in an orifice 200 of the panel 1. The parts constituting the accessory (socket) 100 correspond to the parts described above. The cable 300 from this socket is also shown.

 The other part of the electrical installation consists of a set of two light points 101, 102 and a switch 103. These sets are connected by electric cables 301, 302, 303. The latter is connected to a transformer 104, fixed on the top face of the panel 1.

 The transformer is provided here since the light points 101, 102 are halogen bulb spots.

 The accessories 101 consist, as indicated above, of a rear part 3A, of a rear part 3A, of an intermediate part 4A, of a possible shim 5A, of a front part 6A with a window 8A since it is a halogen bulb.

 Finally, the accessory 103 constituting the switch consists of a rear part 3A, an intermediate part 4B, a front part 6A.

 The entire equipment is shown in perspective in exploded view in Figure 12. Figure 13 shows the assembled state.

 It should be noted in these two figures that the light points and switches with or without transformer are joined by cables different from the electric cable 300 ensuring the supply of the socket 100.

 The holes 200-203, produced in the panel 1, are of the same diameter since the accessories and in particular the intermediate parts have the same diameter which makes it possible to indifferently place an accessory in one of the holes for example to take into account, which is very important, from the regulations concerning electrical installations in protected rooms such as bathrooms.

 Indeed, depending on whether the protected volume (bathroom accessory surrounded by a certain protective volume in which there is no element of electrical installation, accessible, one can for example reverse the socket 100, as shown in Figure 2, with the switch 103 to respect the protected volume.

 The equipment according to the invention is particularly suitable for a mirror provided with its lighting, such as the mirror 400 shown in FIG. 14. In this figure, the equipment is shown in the mounting position the electrical installation is placed in the panel 401 which will come in a horizontal position while the panel 402, serving as a support for the mirror 403, is in a horizontal position to facilitate the positioning of the mirror 403 by bonding using double-sided adhesive elements 404.

 Once the mirror 403 is stuck against the panel 402, the assembly is straightened to put the panel 402 against the wall (vertical position), the panel 401 then coming in a horizontal position.

 The parts constituting the accessory according to the invention, with the exception of the components which these parts receive, are made of plastic.

 The molds are very simple since for all the intermediate parts the external parts of the mold are identical and only the internal parts change, depending on the electrical component to be received.

 The rear part is based on the same manufacturing principle since to move from a mold used for part 3A to that of the 3D part, internal parts are sufficient for the legs 37, 38, and 341.

 In the case of the front piece 6, 6A, as this piece has a shape of revolution due to the threading of the tubular part 62, for the unscrewing of the threaded core of the mold, the front piece 6, 6A must be locked in rotation in the mold by grooves 63.

 The assembly of several accessories and their wiring presents no particular difficulty since it suffices to mount the rear parts and their respective intermediate part by blocking by this assembly the cable which supplies them.

 As the front pieces are the same for all the accessories, they can be screwed on after the accessories have been placed.

 This installation is done by screwing, it is easy to tighten the accessory relative to the panel.

Claims (8)

 10) Electrical installation accessory such as light point, socket or switch, intended to be fixed in an orifice (2) of a panel (1), characterized in that it comprises - A) a rear part ( 3, 3A, 3D)  having a flanged bottom (31) carrying a tu element  bular (32) of section smaller than that  the receiving orifice (2) and provided with a connecting means  sound while the collar (31) has a higher section  greater than this orifice (2) to come into abutment against the  rear face of the panel (1) around the orifice (2), - B) an intermediate piece (4, 4A-4D)  tubular to pass through the receiving orifice  tion (2) and house the electrical component (socket,  socket, switch)  - terminated at its rear end (41) and at its ex  front end (44) by means of connection and  clamping to receive the rear part (3, 3A, 3D)  and the front piece (6, 6A) and block the accessory  on the panel (1), - C) a front piece (6, 6A) of annular shape having  - a collar (61) intended to be applied  against the front face of the panel (1), and one by  tubular tie (62) provided with a connecting means for  the front end (44) of the intermediate piece (4,  4A-4D).  20) Accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate piece (4, 4A-4D) comprises means (451, 452, 453, 47, 48) for fixing the electrical component.  30) Accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that the rear part (3D) comprises fixing means for the electrical component housed in the intermediate part (4D).  40) Accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that the rear part and the corresponding end of the intermediate part are provided with connecting means by clipping to rib (33) and groove (42) peripherals.  50) Accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate piece (4, 4A-4D) and the corresponding end of the front piece (6, 6A) are provided with screw connection means.  60) Accessory according to claim 2, characterized in that the fixing means intended for a spot of the intermediate piece (4A) consist of a bottom (451) with raised edges (452) receiving a cup-shaped reflector, the bottom and edges (451, 452) being interrupted by an opening (453) to receive a side socket for the halogen bulb.  70) Accessory according to claim 2, characterized in that the fixing means of a switch component consist of tabs (47) curved, carried by the inner wall of the intermediate piece (4B).  80) Accessory according to claim 3, characterized in that the rear part (3D) of the accessory forming a light point with bulb with screwed socket or bayonet comprises fixing means in the form of clipping tongues (37) for fixing the socket receiving the bulb.  9) Electrical equipment characterized in that it is formed of several accessories according to any one of claims 1 to 8, joined by electrical cables forming a pre-wired assembly.