FR2776134A1 - Electrical apparatus support mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

The mechanism has a frame having four sides (25L,25T,25'T) which define a central opening (27) for placing a device (19). The opposed sides (25L) have grooves (28) for the engagement of the assembly on the base of the neck of the apparatus to be supported. The outer frame swings on a hinge section allowing easy assembly.

Description

"Apparatus support to be brought on the base of a return trough

  directed towards each other "The present invention relates generally to the supports used for mounting any device, and, for example, any electrical device, on the base of a chute with two

  returns directed towards each other along the free edge of its lateral wings.

  These returns, which are most often shaped in gutter, are

  normally provided to secure the locking of a cover.

  But, according to provisions of the type described in the French patent which, filed on December 1, 1992 under No 92 14441, was published under No 2 698 738, they are frequently used for the establishment 1 0 one or more switchgear supports, which come locally in

replacing the cover.

  In practice, and as described in this French patent No 92 14441, these apparatus supports comprise, in the general form of a frame, four sides, which internally define a central opening suitable for placing

  1 5 place of at least one device, and among which two opposite sides, said above

  after for simple convenience longitudinal sides, each have, externally, on their edges, groove means suitable for

  the engagement of the assembly on the returns from the base of the chute to be fitted.

  Most often, device supports of this type are in one piece, and they give overall satisfaction, in particular with regard to their uniqueness, their ease of installation, and their good mechanical resistance to shocks.

  But they are not suitable for all devices.

  As is known, an apparatus, which can intervene individually, or in a group, while participating in the constitution of a more complex apparatus, comprises, on the one hand, a mechanism support, by which it is adapted to be attached to the corresponding device support, and, on the other hand, a

  mechanism, which is integral with the preceding mechanism support.

  Most often, the mechanism is inseparable from the support of

mechanism that carries it.

  But, most often, also, this mechanism extends, in plan, all

  whole, in the overall outline of the mechanism support.

  As a result, a device thus constituted can be engaged frontally in

  the central opening of the device support on which it must be attached.

  But, for some devices, the mechanism is larger.

  This is the case, for example, for multi-socket blocks of the type of those which are the subject of the French patent which, filed on December 23, 1993 under the

  No 93 15545, was published under No 2 714 540.

  Indeed, the mechanism of these multiple socket blocks is equipped, at each of its ends, with a terminal block which locally increases the length of

quite sensitive way.

  It is therefore impossible to engage the assembly head-on through

  The central opening of the device support to be fitted.

  If, moreover, as already mentioned above, the mechanism is inseparable from the mechanism support on which it is attached, it is then necessary to implement, no longer a one-piece apparatus support, but a apparatus support whose sides are divided into at least two parts capable of being at least locally separated from one another. Thanks to this separation, the device or devices to be put in place can be engaged laterally in the central opening of the apparatus support, instead of being engaged therefrom, without therefore resulting in any gene terminal blocks or other growths

  possibly present at the ends of the mechanism.

  In two-part apparatus supports known to date, the two parts form completely separate parts from one another, and, in practice, they each consist, symmetrically, of two

  adjacent sides at right angles to each other.

  Such an apparatus support imposes on the installer an additional assembly operation, which proves to be quite delicate, both because of the very geometry of the two parts which constitute it and because of the necessity that there is to adjust these two parts simultaneously at their two free ends even though they are relatively far apart and that they are not normally visible at the same time when,

  as in this case, one or more devices are already in place.

  The present invention generally relates to a provision which makes it possible to avoid this drawback and which also leads to

1 0 other advantages.

  More specifically, it relates to an apparatus support to be attached to the base of a return chute directed towards one another, of the type comprising, in the general form of a frame, four sides, which internally define a central opening suitable for the installation i5 of at least one device, and among which two opposite sides, here called for simple convenience longitudinal sides, each have, externally, on their edges, their own groove means when the assembly engages on the returns from the base of the trough to be fitted, said sides being distributed in at least two parts, which, to give lateral access to the central opening, are capable of being at least locally separated one from the other, this apparatus support being generally characterized in that, in one piece with one another, by jointly forming a single piece, the parts which consti kill are articulated one to

the other by a hinge.

  Thanks to this hinge, the apparatus support according to the invention advantageously has a uniqueness, which results in a simplicity of implementation, and, in particular, a simplicity of installation, quite comparable to

  that of a device support in one piece.

  Jointly, thanks to the opening capacity offered by this hinge, the positioning of one or more devices in the apparatus support according to the invention can advantageously be done laterally, which is equally suitable for devices whose mechanism extends, in plan, entirely in the overall outline of the mechanism support than to devices whose mechanism is larger and / or is inseparable from the

mechanism support.

  It is also advantageously possible, if desired, to set up

  such a device even when it is already wired.

  The wiring of this device can therefore advantageously be carried out under optimal conditions of access to its terminal blocks and to any cable clamps.

associated with these.

  The characteristics and advantages of the invention will moreover emerge from

  the following description, by way of example, with reference to the drawings

  attached diagrams in which: FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a chute, the base of which is equipped with an apparatus support according to the invention, with a device in place therein; Figure 2 is, on a larger scale, a partial cross-sectional view of this apparatus support and this apparatus, along line 11-11 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is, on a different scale, a perspective view of the apparatus support according to the invention, shown open, with the corresponding apparatus being put in place; Figure 4 is another perspective view of the apparatus support according to the invention, shown in isolation, and in an orientation opposite to that which is hers in Figure 3; Figure 5 is another perspective view of this device support, seen from below Figure 6 is, on a larger scale, a partial plan view, along arrow VI of Figure 4; Figure 7 shows, on a still larger scale, the detail of Figure 6 identified by an insert VII in this Figure 6; Figure 8 is, on the scale of Figure 6, and according to arrow VIII of Figure 4, another partial plan view of the apparatus support according to the invention; Figure 9 shows, on the scale of Figure 7, the detail of Figure 8 identified by an insert IX in this Figure 8; FIG. 10 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 4,

  for another device support according to the invention.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, and in a manner known per se, the apparatus support 10 according to the invention is intended to make it possible to bring, in

  1 0 front, on the base 1 1 of a chute 1 2, any device 13.

  The chute 12 being well known by itself, and not falling under the

  present invention, it will not be described in all its details here.

  It will suffice, essentially, to indicate, on the one hand, that its base 1 1 has two returns 14, each disposed respectively along the free edge of its lateral wings 15, and directed towards one another , and, on the other hand, that

  it is thanks to these returns 14 that the apparatus support 10 is itself

even reported on this base 11.

  In the embodiment shown, the base 11 has, in cross section, a U-shaped profile, with a bottom 16 perpendicular to its wings

  lateral 15, and its returns 14 are parallel to this bottom 16.

  But it is not necessarily so.

  The chute 12 is completed by a cover 18, for closing the

its base 11.

  For example, and as shown, this cover 18 extends from one to the other of the returns 14, substantially level with them, and, for its snap-fastening, these returns 14 are each shaped as a gutter along of

their free edge.

  In a manner known per se, the following apparatus support 10

  the invention comes locally, in substitution, to this cover 18.

  Apparatus 13 is not, either, of the present invention, and it

  therefore will not be described in detail here either.

  It will suffice, essentially, to indicate that it is formed by one or more devices 19, which, arranged side by side, are aligned longitudinally along

base 11.

  For example, and as shown, only one device 19 is provided.

  In the form of implementation more particularly shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, this device 19 is a multiple socket block of the type described

  in French patent No 93 15545.

  For example, and as shown, it forms, side by side, two socket outlets S. In any case, the apparatus 19 comprises, on the whole, on the one hand, a mechanism 20, which contains the necessary copperware, and which, in this case, extends continuously for one and the other of the two socket outlets S, and, on the other hand, a mechanism support 22, of which the mechanism, and which, in this case, is divided into two unitary mechanism supports 23, at the rate of one per socket outlet socket S. In the embodiment shown, the mechanism 20 is equipped, at each of its ends, of a terminal block 24, which locally increases the length thereof. In a manner known per se, the apparatus support 10 according to the invention comprises, in the general form of a frame, four sides 25L, T, 25'T, which internally define a central opening 27 suitable for positioning at least one device 19, and, in this case, a single device 19, and among which two opposite sides 25L, said here for convenience, longitudinal sides, each have, externally, on their edges, as well as 'It is better visible for one of them in Figure 2, groove means 28 specific to the engagement of the assembly on the returns 14 of the base 11 of the chute 12 to be fitted, and, more precisely, on the shaped part in

gutter of these returns 14.

  In a manner known per se, also, the sides 25L, 25T, 25'T of the apparatus support 10 according to the invention are divided into at least two parts A, A ', which, to give lateral access to the central opening 27,

  are likely to be at least locally separated from one another.

  According to the invention, in one piece with one another, by forming a single piece together, the parts A, A 'which constitute the apparatus support 10 are permanently articulated one to the other. other by a

hinge 30.

  Thanks to this hinge 30, the apparatus support 10 according to the invention is advantageously capable of passing from an opening configuration, FIG. 3, to a closing configuration, FIG. 1, and, for its opening configuration, it is advantageously given access laterally to

its central opening 27.

  In the embodiment shown, one of parts A, A ', in this case part A, has three sides 25L, 25T, 25'T, and the other, in

  the species part A ', only one of these sides 25L, 25T, 25'T.

  1 5 In practice, the 25'T side alone forming a part A, A ', in this case the A' part, is one of the two sides 25T, 25'T, hereinafter simply called

  convenience transverse sides, which alternate with the longitudinal sides 25L.

  Thus, in the embodiment shown, the apparatus support

  opens along the length of the base 11 of the chute 12.

  Its part A, which is formed on the two longitudinal sides 25L having groove means 28 and on a fixed transverse side 25T, has, in plan, a U-shaped contour. Its part A ', which is formed on the single transverse side 25 'T mobile, is therefore reduced to a cross member suitable for closing part A. In the embodiment shown, the longitudinal sides 25L each have, projecting over their entire length, a strip 31, by

  which they are level with the returns 14 of the base 11 of the chute 1 2.

  The transverse sides 25T, 25'T each form, over their entire length, a tongue 32, which is set back relative to the strip 31 of the longitudinal sides 25L, and by which they are able to be inserted under the

  corresponding sections of the cover 18.

  Like the tongue 32 of the transverse sides 25T, 25'T, the strip 31 of the longitudinal sides 25L extends transversely in cantilever, and, for each of the longitudinal sides 25L, the groove means 28 are formed between this strip 31 and consoles 33, which, parallel to this strip 31, and like this, protrude, laterally, from place to place, on

  the edge of these longitudinal sides 25L.

  In the embodiment shown, the apparatus support 10 according to the invention is completed by a plate 35, which, like its sides 25L, 25T, 25'T, is distributed between its two parts A, A ' , and against which is intended to come into application the mechanism support 22 of

  the apparatus 19 constituting the apparatus 13.

  Along each of the longitudinal edges of this plate 35 are provided, from place to place, at the rate of one per unitary mechanism support 23, latching tabs 36, on which the mechanism supports

  23 units are suitable for hooking.

  The corresponding provisions being well known in themselves and not falling within the scope of the present invention, they will not be described further.

detail here.

  Similarly, in the embodiment shown, there is provided, in a manner known per se, projecting, from place to place, on the lower surface of the plate 35, along each of the longitudinal edges thereof, hooks 37 suitable for allowing it to be harnessed if desired any box

insulation not shown.

  In the embodiment shown, the hinge 30, the axis of which is perpendicular to the plane along which the apparatus support 10 according to the invention generally extends, and therefore to the plate 35 which has this switchgear support 10 intervenes between, on the one hand, a first tongue 39 ', which projects, transversely, at right angles, on the external surface of the transverse side 25'T concerned, that is to say of the transverse side 25'T mobile, and, on the other hand, a second tongue 39, which locally extends the longitudinal side 25L to which this transverse side 25'T

  is articulated, at the end of this longitudinal side 25L.

  Preferably, one and the other of these tabs 39, 39 'are

rigid, or semi-rigid.

  Preferably, also, centering means 40, 40 ′ are

  provided between the two parts A, A 'in the vicinity of the hinge 30.

  For example, and as shown, these centering means 40, 40 'include a boss 40, which is projecting from one of the parts A, A', and a housing 40 ', which, hollowed out on the other of these is at

  less locally complementary to this boss 40.

  In the embodiment shown, the boss 40 belongs to part A and protrudes from the internal surface of the tongue 39 extending the

  longitudinal side 25L concerned by the hinge 30.

  Jointly, the housing 40 'belongs to part A' and is formed at the end of the corresponding transverse side 25'T, that is to say at the end of the side

  transverse 25'T mobile, Figures 4 and 5.

  As is better visible in FIGS. 6 and 7, the boss 40 comprises, back to back, parallel to the axis of the hinge 30, and perpendicular to the tongue 39 which carries it, two centering facets 42, and , as can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the housing 40 ′ comprises,

  itself, at the same spacing, two centering facets 42 '.

  Preferably, and this is the case in the embodiment shown, the boss 40 also has, upstream of its centering facets 42, to facilitate its engagement in the housing 40 ', two engagement facets 43, which, oblique one in relation to the other, form a

acute dihedral between them.

  If desired, and as shown, the boss 40 can, also, on the side of this dihedral, be cut down by a chamfer 44, on one and / or the other of its faces parallel to the plane along which extends d '' generally the

switchgear support 10.

  Preferably, and this is the case in the embodiment shown, the tongue 39 carrying the boss 40 is thickened in line with

this one, for its stiffening.

  In other words, it has, at the right of this boss 40, a thickness greater than that which it has in its remaining part. In practice, the latter is substantially equal to the thickness of the

associated tongue 39 '.

  The hinge 30 forms, locally, a tongue of lesser thickness. In the embodiment shown, this hinge 30 extends

  substantially in a quarter of a circle.

  Preferably, and this is also the case in the embodiment shown, latching means 45, 45 'are provided between

  the two parts A, A 'at a distance from the hinge 30.

  i 5 In the embodiment shown, these latching means 45, 'intervene between, on the one hand, the end of the transverse side 25'T concerned opposite to the hinge 30, and, on the other hand, I' side end

corresponding longitudinal 25L.

  More specifically, in this embodiment, these latching means 45, 45 ′ comprise, on part A, a notch 45, which protrudes from the internal surface of a cheek 46 locally extending the longitudinal side L concerned, and , on part A ', a notch 45', which is formed by the edge of a flange 47 provided for this purpose at the end of the corresponding transverse side 25'T. For example, and as shown, this flange 47 extends between two lips 48 by which this transverse side 25'T is adapted to frame the cheek

  46 on the longitudinal side 25L concerned.

  As a corollary, in the embodiment shown, this longitudinal side 25L comprises, parallel to one another, two cheeks 46, which are both framed by the lips 48 on the transverse side 25'T

  mobile when it is in the closed position.

  Preferably, the apparatus support 10 according to the invention is molded open, with its transverse side 25′T movable substantially in the extension of the longitudinal side 25L to which it is articulated, and it is delivered as is. For its implementation, that is to say for the installation of an apparatus 19 in its central opening 27, it suffices to laterally engage this apparatus 19 in this central opening 27, by the open side of that -this, depending on the

arrow F1 in Figure 3.

  As is easy to understand, the installation of the apparatus 19 in the apparatus support 10 according to the invention can be done before or after the proper installation of this apparatus support 10 on the base 11 of the chute 12, this fitting of the apparatus support 10 on this base 11 simply implying a temporary elastic deformation of the wings

side 15 thereof.

  Anyway, once the device 19 in place in the apparatus support 10 according to the invention, it suffices to close this apparatus support 10, by a drawdown of 90 on its transverse side 25'T movable against the end of the opposite longitudinal side 25L, as shown

  by an arrow F2 in FIGS. 1 and 3.

  During this folding, the transverse side 25'T mobile is suitably guided by the centering means 40, 40 'provided for this purpose, and, at the end of this engagement, it is caught by snap-fastening on the side opposite longitudinal 25L, thus releasably locking

  all in the closed configuration.

  Preferably, and this is the case in the embodiment shown, the upper lip 48 of the movable transverse side 25′T has, on the side of the internal surface of this transverse side 25′T, a notch 50, by which, for the configuration for closing the assembly, it fits on a cross member 51 connecting the two cheeks 46 to the other on the longitudinal side

25L corresponding.

  It further has, along its free edge, a chamfer 52 from which it follows that, for the closing configuration of the assembly, there remains, between the transverse side 25′T movable and the corresponding longitudinal side 25L, a passage 53 allowing the introduction of any tool, for example the blade of a screwdriver, so as to facilitate, by levering, a possible separation of this transverse side 25'T movable with respect to this side

longitudinal 25L.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the apparatus support 10 according to the invention is intended to receive only a single socket outlet S, by corresponding, more generally, only to one single station for the apparatus 13 concerned, and its dimensions are therefore

reduced accordingly.

  But, for the rest, the provisions are of the same type as those

described above.

  i15 Of course, the present invention is also not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but encompasses any variant.

Claims (11)

  1. Apparatus support to be attached to the base of a return-directed chute, of the type comprising, in the general form of a frame, four sides (25L, 25T, 25'T) , which internally define a central opening (27) suitable for the installation of at least one device (19), and among which two opposite sides (25L), hereinafter called for convenience longitudinal sides, each have, externally, on their edge, groove means (28) suitable for engaging the assembly on the returns (14) of the base (11) of the chute (12) to be fitted, said sides (25L, 25T, 25 'T) being divided into at least two parts (A, A'), which, to give lateral access to the central opening (27), are capable of being at least locally separated from one another, characterized in that, in one piece with one another, by forming a single piece together, the parts (A, A ') which constitute it are articulated to each other by a hinge (30).   2. Apparatus support according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the parts (A, A ') has three sides (25L, 25T, 25'T) and   the other only one of these sides (25L, 25T, 25'T).   3. Device support according to claim 2, characterized in that the side (25'T) alone forming a part (A ') is one of the two sides (25T, 25'T), called ci- after by simple convenience transverse sides, which   alternate with the longitudinal sides (25L).   4. Apparatus support according to claim 3, characterized in that the hinge (30) intervenes between, on the one hand, a first tongue (39 '), which projects on the external surface of the transverse side (25'T ) concerned, and, on the other hand, a second tab (39), which locally extends the side   longitudinal (25L) to which this transverse side (25'T) is articulated.   5. Apparatus support according to any one of claims 1   to 4, characterized in that centering means (40, 40 ') are provided between   the two parts (A, A ') in the vicinity of the hinge (30).   6. Apparatus support according to claim 5, characterized in that the centering means (40, 40 ') comprise a boss (40), which is projecting from one of the parts (A, A'), and a housing (40 ′), which, hollowed out on the other of these, is at least locally complementary to this boss (40).   7. Apparatus support according to claims 4 and 6, taken   jointly, characterized in that the boss (40) projects on the internal surface of the tongue (39) extending the longitudinal side (25L) concerned by the hinge (30), and the housing (40 ') is formed at the end of the transverse side (25'T) corresponding.   8. Apparatus support according to any one of claims 6,   7, characterized in that the boss (40) comprises, parallel to the axis of the hinge (30), two centering facets (42) and the housing (40 ') comprises,   itself, at the same spacing, two centering facets (42 ').   i 5 9. Apparatus support according to any one of claims 1   8, characterized in that latching means (45, 45 ') are provided   between the two parts (A, A ') at a distance from the hinge (30).   10. Apparatus support according to claims 3 and 9, taken   jointly, characterized in that the latching means (45, 45 ') intervene between, on the one hand, the end of the transverse side (25'T) concerned opposite to the hinge (30), and, on the other hand, the end of the longitudinal side (25L) corresponding.   11. Device support according to claim 10, characterized in that the latching means (45, 45 ') comprise a notch (45), which protrudes from the internal surface of a cheek (46) extending the side longitudinal (25L) concerned and a notch (45 ') which is formed by the edge of a flange (47)   provided for this purpose at the end of the corresponding transverse side (25'T).