FR2786851A1 - CONNECTION AND PROTECTION BOX FOR CANDELABRE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a connection box consisting of an insulating enclosure comprising a rear element (1) and a front element (2). The rear element (1) is provided with means (19) for fixing the electrical connection terminals for neutral or phases and means (23) for fixing the electrical disconnects or breaker(s) associated with the electrical appliance(s) borne by the lamp post. The front element (2) is provided with a pivoting window (36) for providing direct access to the disconnect(s) or breaker. A locking member (40) is provided with a first locking system (43) for removably locking the pivoting window (36) on the front element (2), and a second locking system (47) for removably locking the front element (2) on the rear element (1). Said locking member (40) can be operated by rotation from outside to take up at least: a position wherein the two locking systems (43, 47) are activated; a position wherein the second locking system (47) is activated; and a position wherein at least said second locking system (47) is deactivated.

Description

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  CONNECTION AND PROTECTION BOX FOR

CANDELABRA

  The present invention relates to a connection and

  protection for outdoor lighting candelabras.

  These boxes provide the connection of the various cables necessary to power the candelabra's electrical appliance or appliances. They generally consist of an insulating envelope comprising an element of

  bottom associated with a removable facade element.

  The bottom element comprises means which allow its fixing in a hatch arranged in the base of the candelabrum; it receives in its lower part the various electrical connection terminals for the neutral and the phase or phases, and in its upper part the protective element in the form of

  circuit breaker or circuit breaker, associated with each electrical appliance.

  The facade element has a pivoting window providing access

  directly to this or these circuit breakers or circuit breakers.

  Means are also provided which allow the removable locking of this pivoting window on the front element, as well as means which allow the removable locking of the front element on the bottom element. However, given their structure, existing boxes sometimes pose problems of ease of locking and unlocking of the pivoting window and the facade element; very often also the space available at the bottom of the cabinet for cable connection is quite limited and the watertightness of rainwater in particular is not always

optimal.

  The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks.

  The connection and protection box according to the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a locking member provided with a first locking system for the removable locking of the pivoting window on the facade element, and d a second blocking system for the removable locking of the facade element on the bottom element, said locking member being manoeuvrable in rotation from the outside to occupy at least:

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  - A position in which the two blocking systems are activated, a position in which only the second blocking system is activated, and - a position in which at least said second blocking system is deactivated. Still according to the invention, the locking member is integral with the facade element and it comprises a head, accessible from the outside, which is provided with an extension constituting the first blocking system, capable of coming to be positioned. in front of the window or in front of an integral part of the latter to ensure its locking in the closed position and capable of being released to ensure its release. The foot of this locking member, arranged in the internal volume of the cabinet, is provided with an extension constituting the second locking system, capable of coming to be positioned behind a hooking lug secured to the bottom element for locking. in the closed position of the facade element and able to disengage from said tab

  to release said facade element.

  According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the locking member is arranged in the upper part of the facade element, just above the upper edge of the pivoting window; the first blocking system of this locking member is arranged to be able to position itself in front of the upper edge of the pivoting window to ensure its locking in the closed position, and to be able to disengage from

  said upper border to ensure the release of the window.

  According to another characteristic, the locking member is in the form of a cylindrical key which is guided in rotation in a socket integral with the facade element; this cylindrical key is provided with locking extensions at its ends, which extensions extend

  perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said key.

  Preferably this locking member consists of two parts each comprising one of the locking extensions, these two parts being secured to one another after positioning on the sleeve.

  guide, to make said locking member captive.

  According to another characteristic, the upper part of the bottom element of the box has an internal extension which extends forward and of which

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  the end has a downward return constituting the hooking tab which

  cooperates with the second locking system of the locking member.

  Preferably, this internal extension extends over the entire width of the bottom element and it includes a return downwards at its front edge and on its sides. According to a particular embodiment, the bottom element and the facade element are each in the form of a half-shell consisting of a base bordered by two lateral sides, by a top face and by a face from below. The underside of the facade element has two lateral hooks in the form of brackets intended to be fitted into openings arranged in the underside of the bottom element to form a removable articulation; in addition, the ends of the lateral sides and of the top face of the facade element are positioned in a recessed rebate arranged at the ends of the lateral sides and of the top face of the bottom element for

ensure a tight seal.

  However, the invention will be further illustrated, without being in any way limited, by

  the following description of a particular embodiment, given only

  by way of example and represented in the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the various constituent parts of the electrical connection box according to the invention - FIG. 2 shows the closed box, seen in perspective /% before; - Figure 3 shows the same box, seen in perspective from the rear 3/4; - Figure 4 is a front view of the cabinet; - Figure 5 is a bottom view of the cabinet; - Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view along 6-6 of Figure 4; - Figure 7 is a perspective view of the member which allows the locking of the pivoting window and the facade element; - Figure 8 shows the locking member seen from the side; - Figure 9 is a sectional view along 9-9 of Figure 8; Figure 10 shows the locking member seen from the front; - Figure 11 shows the locking member seen from the back;

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  - Figure 12 is a front view of the upper part of the cabinet with the two locking systems of the locking member in the active position; - Figure 13 is a block diagram illustrating the box with the two locking systems in the active position; - Figure 14 is a front view of the upper part of the cabinet with the first locking system of the locking member in the deactivated position and with the second locking system in the active position; - Figure 15 is a sectional view of the upper part of the box illustrating the second activated blocking system and the first deactivated blocking system, allowing the opening of the pivoting window; - Figure 16 is a front view of the upper part of the cabinet with the two locking systems of the locking member in the deactivated position; - Figure 17 is a detail view, in section, illustrating the fitting of the top face of the facade element in the rebate of the top face of the bottom element; - Figure 18 is a detail view, in section, which illustrates the fitting of the

  upper part of the pivoting window in the facade element.

  The connection and protection box illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 consists of an insulating envelope of plastic material of the polycarbonate type for example, consisting of a bottom element 1 and an element

  of facade 2, both in the form of a half-shell.

  The bottom element 1 comprises a base 3 forming the rear face of the box, bordered by two lateral sides 4, by a top face 6 and by a bottom face 7. In the same way, the front element 2 comprises a base 9 forming the front face of the box, bordered by two lateral sides 10,

  by a top face 11 and by a bottom face 13.

  In its central part, the internal face of the base 3 of the bottom element 1 comprises one-piece lugs 14 and 15 on which a plate 16 of insulating material is detachably hooked provided with two pins 17. These pins 17 allow the positioning of a DIN rail 19 in

  insulating material for fixing the connection terminals 20 (Figure 6).

  The rail 19 is joined to the plate 16 by a

  ultrasonic welding operation on the nipples 17.

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  Above the plate 16, the base 3 comprises two monobloc studs 21 which allow the positioning and the joining by ultrasonic welding of a second rail 23 of DIN type, made of insulating material, intended to support the or

  circuit breakers or circuit breakers 24.

  All the cables which enter and leave the trunk 1 pass through the bottom faces 7 and 13 of the bottom elements 1 and of the front panel 2. For this purpose, these bottom faces 7 and 13 have notches 26 facing each other. opposite which together form an elongated opening from front to back in which

  a sealing sock 27 made of flexible material is positioned.

  The sealing sock 27 is in fact made up of two independent elements 27 'and 27 "each positioned in a removable manner on one of the notches 26; these two juxtaposed elements 27' and 27" include precut zones 28 (FIGS. 3 and 5) allowing the opening of the

  cable routing depending on the number and size of the cables.

  On its end edge, the bottom face 13 of the facade element 2 has two straight tabs 30 which extend at right angles to said bottom face 13 and which are intended to fit into corresponding openings 31 arranged on the end edge of the

  bottom face 7 of the bottom element 1.

  These tabs 30 and openings 31 allow the front element 2 to be properly positioned on the bottom element 1 and they constitute a sort

removable hinge.

  The ends of the lateral sides 10 and of the top face 11 of the facade element 2 are positioned in a recessed rebate 33 arranged at the ends of the lateral sides 4 and of the top face 6 of the bottom element 1 when closing the box, to realize

a tight joint.

  In its upper part, the front element 2 has an opening disposed opposite the circuit breaker (s) or circuit breaker 24, closed by a pivoting window 36 hinged at 37 at its lower edge. The window 36 is made of translucent insulating material; it allows direct access to the circuit breakers or circuit breakers 24, for their

  activation or deactivation, without the need to open the front element 2.

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  Still in its upper part, the front element 2 comprises means which make it possible to removably lock the window 36 in the closed position on said front element 2, as well as means which make it possible to removably lock this front element in the closed position on the bottom element 1. These locking means consist of a cylindrical key 40 which is guided in rotation on a bush 41 secured to the front element 2 and which is arranged just above the upper edge of the pivoting window 36. This cylindrical key 40, shown in isolation in FIGS. 7 to 11, can be operated in rotation from the outside, either by means of a key for hexagon socket screws, or by means of a screwdriver. Its head 42 has a first extension 43 which extends perpendicular to its axis of rotation 44 and which has the possibility of being positioned in front of the upper edge of the pivoting window 36 to prevent the opening of this window, or else which

  has the possibility of being retracted to release it.

  On the other hand, the foot 46 of the cylindrical key 40 has a second extension 47 which extends perpendicular to its axis of rotation 44 and which has the possibility of coming to be positioned behind a hooking tab 48 arranged at the end an element 49 for extending the end edge of the top face 6 of the bottom element 1 to prevent the opening of the facade element 2, or else which has the possibility of being

retracted to release it.

  The cylindrical key 40 is in fact made up of two elements 40 'and 40 "(FIGS. 1 and 9) produced by molding insulating plastic material, each carrying one of the extensions 43 and 47. These two elements 40' and 40" are secured by snap-fastening after positioning on the bush 41, the two extensions 43 and 47 then form stop members which make the key

cylindrical 40 captive.

  The extensions 43 and 47 are in the form of circular sectors positioned and configured according to the desired locking functions. In FIGS. 7 to 11, it can be seen that they extend in

  substantially diametrically opposite directions.

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  The locking key 40 is placed in the middle part of the front element 2; its axis 44 extends perpendicular to the base 9 of said

facade element.

  The extension 43 has the possibility of moving in a groove 50 which is arranged in the facade element 2 and in the upper edge of the window 36 and the ends of which form stops defining the travel in

rotation of the cylindrical key 40.

  The three functional positions of the locking key 40 are

  illustrated in Figures 12 to 16.

  Figures 12 and 13 illustrate the active positions of the extensions 43 and 47 to obtain the locking in the closed position of the window 36 on the element

  of facade 2, and of this facade element 2 on the bottom element 1.

  The front extension 43 is placed in front of the upper border of the window 36

  and the rear extension 47 is positioned behind the hooking lug 48.

  A slight rotation of the cylindrical key 40 anticlockwise makes it possible to release the extension 43 from the upper edge of the window 36, while the extension 47 always remains activated.

(Figures 14 and 15).

  The internal circuit breakers or circuit breakers 24 can then be accessed by pivoting the window 36 around its lower articulation axis 37, the element of

  front 2 remaining locked on the bottom element 1.

  The unlocking of the front element 2 is obtained by turning the key 40 a little more anticlockwise (Figure 16) until the rear extension 47 emerges from the tab d 'hooking 48. The facade elements 2 and bottom 1 can then be completely separated. The activations of activation of the extensions 43 and 47 are carried out by a rotation in the opposite direction of the key 40, after correct positioning of the

  window 36 and the facade element 2.

  This particular locking system has the advantage of being very simple to make and use. On the other hand, it occupies a reduced space in the box and it allows in particular a fairly high positioning of the circuit breakers or circuit breakers 24. Consequently, the connection terminals 20

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  can also be positioned higher than in conventional enclosures (for identical enclosure dimensions), which allows the operator to

  have more room in the lower part to work on the cables.

  In Figures 4, 10, 12, 14 and 16 in particular, we note the imprint made in the head 42 of the cylindrical key 40, allowing the operation of

  rotation using a screwdriver or Allen key.

  The extension element 49 which carries the hooking lug 48 extends over the entire width of the bottom element 1, from the end edge of its top face 6. It has a return downwards at its front edge forming the hook tab 48, as well as downward returns 52, on its lateral sides, the assembly constituting a sort of

  hooding improving the watertightness of rainwater runoff.

  The rebate 33 arranged at the end of the top face 6 of

  the bottom element 1 extends just above the base of the extension 49.

  In FIG. 17, it can be seen that this rebate 33 has a hollow groove 54 in which is intended to be inserted a projecting rib 55 arranged on the end edge of the top face 11 of the facade element 2, in order to form a sort of baffle to strengthen the tightness of

the upper part of the box.

  In the same way, the upper edge of the window 36 includes a projecting rib 56 (FIG. 18), intended to be inserted in a hollow groove 57 arranged in the facade element 2 to form a baffle.

  sealing in closed window position.

  In the lower rear part of the bottom element 1, we note the presence of a cutaway 58 (Figures 1, 3 and 6) to increase the volume of the base of the cabinet. This feature makes it easier to position cables and improve their arrival path on the

connection terminals 20.

  In the lower part of the bottom element 1 we also notice the hook

  monobloc 59 (Figures 3 and 6) on which is intended to be fixed a clamp

  conventional cables, not shown.

  We have seen previously that all the input and output cables are intended to pass through the base of the box according to the present invention,

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  way, in particular, to avoid the presence of openings on the sides or on the top, harmful to the sealing. Despite this, it is possible to provide precut areas in the top faces 6 eVtou 11, offering the user

  possibility of cables exit from above.

  The bottom element 1 also comprises means which make it possible to

  fix the box in an adjustable way in the hatch located at the foot of the candelabrum.

  These fixing means consist of a hooking member 60 provided with

  two high hooks 61 and a low hook 62 connected by a plate 63.

  This plate 63 is positioned on a guide rail consisting of two lateral slides 64 arranged in the upper part of the base 3 of

the bottom element 1.

  The hooking member 60 comprises a vertical light 65 arranged in the plate 63, which cooperates with a blocking pin 66 tightened by means of a screw 67 positioned inside the box, in the upper part of the element of

background 1.

  The two slides 64 ensure the guiding in vertical translation of the hooking member 60 to allow its height adjustment before the clamping of the pin 66. These slides 64 are shaped L or dovetail for

  avoid the under-mounting of the hooking member 60 before tightening.

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Claims (10)

- CLAIMS -   1.- Connection and protection box for candelabra consisting of: a bottom element (1) provided with - means (19) for fixing the electrical connection terminals (20) for the neutral and the phase or phases, and - means (23) for fixing the circuit breaker (s) or circuit breaker (24) associated with the electrical appliance or the electrical appliances carried by the candelabra, and - a facade element (2) removable provided with a window (36) in its upper part, which window (36), articulated on its lower edge, provides access to the circuit-breaker (s) or circuit breaker (24), said cabinet also comprising removable locking means of said window (36) on said front element (2), as well as removable locking means of said front element (2) on said bottom element (1), characterized in that '' it comprises a locking member (40) provided with a first locking system (43) for the removable locking of the pivoting window (36) on the front element (2), and a second locking system (47) for the removable locking of the front element (2) on the bottom element (1), said locking member (40) being operable in rotation from the outside to occupy at least: - a position in which the two locking systems (43, 47) are activated, - a position in which only the second locking system (47 ) is activated, and - a position in which at least said second blocking system (47) is deactivated. 2. Box according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a locking member (40) integral with the facade element (2), whose head (42), which is accessible from the outside, is provided an extension (43) constituting the first blocking system, capable of coming to be positioned in front of the window (36) or in front of a part integral with the latter, to ensure its locking in the closed position and able to disengage to ensure its release, and the foot (46) of said locking member (40), disposed in the internal volume of the box, being provided with an extension (47) constituting the second locking system, capable of coming to be positioned behind a hooking tab (48) 11 2786851   integral with the bottom element (1) to ensure the locking in the closed position of the facade element (2) and able to disengage from said tab (48)   to release said facade element (2).   3. Box according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a locking member (40) arranged in the upper part of the facade element (2), just above the upper edge of the pivoting window. (36), the first locking system (43) of said locking member (40) being arranged to come to be positioned in front of the upper edge of said window (36) to ensure its locking in the closed position and being capable of being   release from said upper border to ensure its release.   4.- Box according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized   in that it comprises a locking member in the form of a cylindrical key (40) guided in rotation in a socket (41) integral with the front element (2) and provided with locking extensions (43, 47) at the level of its ends, which extensions (43, 47) extend perpendicular to the axis of   rotation (44) of said cylindrical key (40).   5. Box according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a locking member (40) in two parts (40 ', 40 ") each comprising one of the locking extensions (43, 47), these two parts (40 ', 40 ") being secured after positioning on the guide sleeve (41) of the element   front (2) to make said locking member (40) captive.   6. Box according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized   in that the upper part of the bottom element (1) has an internal extension (49) which extends forwards and the end of which has a downward return (48) constituting the hooking tab which cooperate with   the second locking system (47) of the locking member (40).   7. Box according to claim 6, characterized in that the internal extension (49) extends over the entire width of the bottom element (1) and comprises a return downwards (48, 52) at its front border and on its ratings.   8.- Box according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized   in that the bottom element (1) and the facade element (2) are each in the form of a half-shell consisting of a base (3, 9) bordered by 12 2786851   two lateral sides (4, 10), by a top face (6, 11) and by a bottom face (7, 13), the bottom face (13) of the facade element (2) comprising two hooks lateral in the form of brackets (30) intended to be fitted into openings (31) arranged in the underside (7) of the bottom element (1) to form a removable joint, the ends lateral sides (10) and the top face (11) of the facade element (2) positioned in a recessed rebate (33) arranged at the ends of the lateral sides (4) and of the face of top (6) of the element   bottom (1) to ensure a tight closure.   9. Box according to claim 8, characterized in that the end of the top face (11) of the facade element (2) has a projecting rib (55) cooperating with a hollow groove (54) arranged in the end rabbet (33) of the top face (6) of the bottom element (1) for strengthen the seal.   10.- Box according to any one of claims 8 or 9,   characterized in that the bottom faces (7, 13) of the bottom element (1) and the front element (2) each have a notch (26) which together form an elongated opening from front to back in which is positioned a sealing sock (27) in two elements (27 'and 27 ")   allowing the passage of all input and output cables.