FR2830378A1 - DEVICE FOR FIXING AN ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT ON A WALL AND EQUIPMENT SUPPORT FOR SUCH A DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

Support for electrical equipment (3) to be attached by recessing in a hole (4) made in a wall and delimited by an edge (5), this support (8) comprising a frame (9) adapted to carry the equipment (3) ) and to be inserted at least partly into the hole (4). According to the invention, the support (8) comprises, on the one hand, at least one mark (20) corresponding to the desired depression for the frame ( 9) in the hole (4), and, on the other hand, at least one elastically deformable part (21) which, projecting from the hole (4) transversely to come to bear against the edge (5) thereof, is adapted to cooperate with said mark (20) to form a witness (19) of the depression of the frame (9) in the hole (4).

Description

programmable.

  The invention relates to electrical equipment.

  It relates to a support for electrical equipment to be fitted by embedding in a hole made in a wall and delimited by an edge, this support comprising a frame adapted to carry the equipment and to be pressed at least partially into this hole, the support having overall transverse dimensions such that it is adapted to bear against the edge of the hole. In known supports of this type, it is difficult, long and tedious for the user, not only to achieve correct positioning of the support relative to the hole, but also to assess whether the positioning achieved is

  actually correct, that is, it corresponds to the recommended position.

  Generally, the user proceeds by trial and error to achieve correct positioning and, more often than not, he leaves the support

in a bad position.

  However, for both aesthetic and safety reasons, a good

  positioning the support relative to the hole is most often essential.

  The invention aims to solve in particular the aforementioned drawbacks by means of a support which allows simple, precise, reliable, direct (without trial and error) positioning of an electrical apparatus on a wall in which is

  drilled a hole for the reception of the apparatus.

  To this end, the invention provides a support for electrical equipment to be fitted by embedding in a hole made in a wall and delimited by an edge, this support comprising a frame adapted to carry the equipment and to be pressed in at least in part. in this hole, the support having overall transverse dimensions such that it is adapted to be pressed against the edge of the hole, the support comprising, on the one hand, at least one mark corresponding to the desired depression for the frame in the hole, and, on the other hand, at least one elastically deformable part which, projecting from the hole transversely to bear against the edges thereof, is adapted to cooperate with said

  mark to form a witness of the sinking of the frame in the hole.

  The indicator indicates to the user that the desired penetration has been reached, that is to say that the position of the support relative to the hole corresponds to ...

poston desree.

  The support according to the invention therefore makes it possible to avoid trial and error for

  ensure precise positioning of the equipment.

  According to a first embodiment, the deformable part is an elastically flexible tab projecting transversely from the frame of the support and having, at a distance from the frame, a free end capable of coming to bear against

the edge of the hole.

  The frame of the support being, for example generally planar, the tab is in particular capable of occupying a so-called rest position in which, in the absence of stress, it is inclined relative to the frame, and a so-called control position in which, under the action of a force exerted longitudinally,

  it is sensibly parallel to the frame.

  Preferably, this tab has a cantilever extension extending opposite the free end of the tab, in line with the frame, a through opening being for example made in said cantilever extension, while the frame of the support has a projecting pin adapted to be housed in said opening, in the witness position of the tab, to form said

depression indicator.

  This pin may have at the end an end surface forming said mark, a surface which, in the leg rest position, is visually hidden by said cantilever extension, and which, in the leg position, is accessible visually through the opening in said

cantilever extension.

  According to a second embodiment, the support comprises, on the one hand, a deformable tab projecting transversely from the frame, which comprises two spaced, coplanar branches, which jointly form said mark and, on the other hand, a tongue forming said deformable part , tongue which, being between the Uites branches, is able to occupy a so-called rest position in which, in the absence of stress, it is inclined relative to them, and a so-called witness position in which, under the action with a force exerted longitudinally, it is coplanar with them to form said depression indicator. Means for fixing the support to the wall include for example at least one screw adapted to be screwed into a bore formed in said hole and

  provided with a head adapted to bear on the support.

  Furthermore, each of the tabs referred to above is for example formed by an attached metal part fixed to the frame. Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on

  light of the following description of an embodiment given as

  non-limiting example, description made with reference to the accompanying drawings in

  which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a support according to the invention, according to a first embodiment, shown in a configuration where it does not occupy its final position relative to the hole; - Figure 2 is a perspective view of a detail of the support of Figure 1, detail materialized in this figure by the insert 11; - Figure 3 is a front plan view of the support of Figure 1, in the direction shown in this figure by the arrow lil; - Figure 4 is a sectional view of the support of Figure 3, along a sectional plane materialized in this figure by the line IV-IV; - Figure 5 is a sectional view of the support of Figure 4, in a detail shown in this figure by the insert V; - Figures 6 to 10 are views similar respectively to the views of Figures 1 to 5, o the support is shown in its final position relative to the hole; - Figure 11 is a perspective view of a deformable tab, shown isolated, for a support as illustrated in Figures 1 to; - Figure 12 is a top plan view of the tab of Figure 11; - Figure 13 is a side view of the tab of Figure 12, in a material direction in this figure by the arrow Xl11; Figure 14 is a rear view of the tab of Figure 13, in the material direction in this figure by arrow XIV; - Figures 15 to 24 are views similar to views respectively

  Figures 1 to 10, according to a second embodiment of the support.

  In FIG. 1 is represented a wall 1 having a front face 2 and in which is practiced, for the reception by embedding of an electrical apparatus 3 such as a socket or a switch, a hole 4 delimited,

on the front 2, by an edge 5.

  In the hole 4 is introduced in a longitudinal direction L a hollow box 6, intended to line the hole 4, box whose external dimensions correspond to the internal dimensions of the hole 4 and in which is intended to be embedded longitudinally the apparatus 3, in order to facilitate and stiffen

  fixing it on the wall 1.

  The box 6 has, on the side where the apparatus 3 is intended to be inserted, a transverse end face 7 adjoining the edge 5 of the hole 4. In theory, the box 6 is inserted into the hole 4 so that this end face 7

is flush with edge 5 on the front.

  In section, the profile of the hole 4 - and, consequently, of the box 6 - follows that of the apparatus 3. In the embodiments shown, this profile is square because the apparatus 3 is parallelepiped, but it could also well be round or

of any other form.

  Furthermore, the apparatus 3 shown is a switch, but it could just as easily be a socket, a telephone socket,

television, or the like.

  The apparatus 3 is subject to the box 6, and therefore to the wall 1, by means of a base 8 forming a support for the apparatus 3 and which is itself fixed to the box 6 To this end, the base 8 includes a generally planar frame 9, intended to be introduced at least partially into the box 6, that is to say in

hole 4.

  The frame 9 has a first so-called inner face 10 which, when the frame 9 is inserted into the box 6, is turned towards the inside thereof, and a

  second face 11, said to be external, opposite to the first.

  In the frame 9 is provided a central opening 12 for the passage of the mechanism of the apparatus 3, the latter having, on the side where it is accessible by the user, that is to say on the front 2, a dimension transverse overall greater than that of the opening 12, so that when the apparatus 3 is introduced into the box 6 through the opening 12, it bears against the outer face 11 of the frame 9 which thus forms a push-in stopper

switchgear 3.

  For purposes of rigidity, the frame 9 is delimited, on its circumference, by a rib 13 formed by a square return terminated at the end by an end face 14 which, when the frame 9 is introduced into the box 6, is turned to

opposite of hole 4.

  The base 8 is secured to the box ^ 'te 6 with the aid of fixing means 15, in this case screws which, passing longitudinally through openings 16 made in the frame 9, are each engaged with a bore 17

practiced in box 6.

  In the embodiment shown, each of these bores 17 is made in a rib 18 projecting transversely from the internal face of the box 6. However, according to a variant not shown, these bores 17 can be made in sleeves projecting transversely from the face

  internal of the box 6 and extending longitudinally relative to it.

  From the insertion of the base 8 into the box 6 depends the longitudinal positioning of the apparatus 3 relative to the hole 4, that is to say relative to the wall wall 1. So that this positioning effectively corresponds to the desired positioning, there is provided, according to the invention, a witness 19 for

  check the insertion of the base 8 into the box 6.

  To this end, the base 8 comprises, on the one hand, at least one mark 20 corresponding to the desired insertion for the frame 9 in the box 6 and, on the other hand, at least one elastically deformable part 21 which , protruding from the hole 4 transversely to come into abutment against the edge 5 thereof, is adapted to cooperate with the reference 20 to form a witness 19 of

  the insertion of the frame 9 into the box 6.

  According to a first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 14, this deformable part 21 is formed by an elastically flexible, protruding tab 22

transversely of the frame 9.

  Preferably, this tab 22 is attached to the frame 9. It is for example formed by cutting and bending or stamping a sheet of spring steel which, after having been shaped, is permanently fixed to the frame 9 by

bonding, crimping, or the like.

  The tab 22 comprises a generally flat body 23 having a free end 24 and extended, on the side opposite to its free end 24, by two legs 25 spaced apart and separated by an opening 26, substantially perpendicular to the body 23, themselves extended, and simultaneously connected, by a generally flat foot 27 which, in the absence of stress,

  forms with the body 23 an acute oc angle.

  On the side opposite its free end 24, the body 23 is extended, in its plane, in line with the opening 26 separating the legs 25, by an extension 28, called tail, cantilevered. In practice, this tail 28 is formed by the

  cutting, in the tab 22, of the opening 26 separating the legs 25.

  A through hole 29 is made in the tail 28. According to the embodiment shown, this hole 29 is of rectangular section, but it could all

  as well be of circular section, or of any other form.

  In the case where, as in this case, the frame 9 is square, the base 8 comprises for example four legs 22 of the aforementioned type, each fixed to

near a corner of the frame 9.

  Each tab 22 is fixed to the frame 9 by its foot 27 so that the latter is applied against the inner face 10 of the frame 9, in an orientation such that the body 23 of the tab 22 extends overall

  perpendicular to the edge of the frame 9.

  The positioning of the tab 22 on the frame 9 is chosen so that, in the absence of stress, its legs 25 are located near the rib 13, while forming with it an acute angle which, taking into account the conformation of the tab 22 and of the frame 9, is equal to the angle x between the foot 27 and the body 23 of the tab 22, and so that the tail 28 of the tab 22 is on the other side of the rib 13 with respect to foot 27, opposite the face

end 14 thereof.

  Thus, in the absence of stress, the tab 22 occupies a so-called rest position in which the body 23 is inclined relative to the frame 9, that is to say

  that it forms an acute angle with the plane generally defined by the frame 9.

  This plane is parallel to the plane defined by the facade 2 of the wall 1

  when the frame 9 is being introduced into the box 6.

  Given the conformation of the tab 22 and of the frame 9, the angle which has just been mentioned, between the body of the tab 23 and the frame 9, is. also, equal to the angle between the foot 27 and the leg body 23. According to an embodiment illustrated in the figures, for fixing the tab 22 to the frame 9, the latter comprises, projecting from its inner face 10 , two pins 30 introduced into through holes 31 of complementary shape made in the foot 27 of the tab 22. A crimping operation then allows, by deformation of the part of the pins 30 protruding from the foot 27 through holes 31, ensuring the permanent retention of the tab 22 on the frame 9. The foot 27 of the tab 22 is therefore immobilized with respect to the frame 9. On the other hand, taking into account the flexibility of the tab 22, the assembly formed by the body 23 and the legs 25 is movable relative to the frame 9 being adapted to pivot about an axis A which corccides substantially with the junction 32 between the

legs 25 and foot 27.

  Thus, under the action of a stress directed longitudinally and exerted on the leg body 23, the latter pivots, together with the legges 25, around this axis A, the angle between the leg body 23 and the frame 9 decreasing then,

  until the legs 25 abut against the rib 13 of the frame 9.

  In this position of the lug 22, called the witness position, the lug body

  23 is substantially parallel to the frame 9.

  The value of the angle cc is chosen for example between 15 and 20, from

preference equal to 17.5.

  Furthermore, for each lug 22, the frame 9 has a pin 33 projecting longitudinally from the end face 14 of the rib 13. This pin 33 is located on the path of the hole 29 made in the tail 28 of the lug body 23 , and

  it is adapted to come and be housed in this hole 29 in the witness position of tab 22.

  In cross section, the pin 33 has a profile complementary to the hole 29,

  so that it plugs it in the witness position of tab 22.

  Furthermore, the pin 33 has at the end an end surface 34 which, in the rest position of the tab 22, is visually hidden by the part of the tail 28 which extends beyond its hole 29 on the side opposite the end

free 24 of the leg body 23.

  On the other hand, in the witness position of the tab 22, this end surface 34

  is visually accessible through the hole 29 made in the tail 28.

  The longitudinal dimension of the pin 33 is substantially equal to the thickness of the leg body 23, so that, in the witness position of the leg 22, the end surface 34 of the pin 33 is flush with the face 35 of the leg body 23

facing away from the frame 9.

  The visual accessibility of this end surface 34 is thereby facilitated, and the tail 28 of the leg body 23 is thus snapped onto the frame 9, in

  witness position, via pin 33.

  In order to further increase this visual accessibility, it is possible to envisage coloring this end surface 34 by means of a vivid color which contrasts with the color of the rest of the frame 9 or with the color of the tab 22. For example, the frame 9 being white or gray, and the tab 22 black, we can color this surface

  end 34 using red or young paint.

  To fix the apparatus 3 on the wall l, it suffices to proceed as follows.

  The legs 22 of the base 8 being in the rest position, the frame 9 is introduced into the box longitudinally and screwed into it. The screws 15 drive the frame 9 through their heads which bear on its

outer face 11.

  During the screwing, the free ends 24 of the body of legs 23 come to bear on the edge 5 of the hole 4. The screwing continuing, the legs 22 are deformed, the assembly formed by the body of leg 23 and the legs 25 pivoting to the witness position. When this is reached, there is a click corresponding to the introduction of the pins 33 into the holes 31, and the end surfaces 34 of the pins 33 then appear through these holes 31. The user is therefore warned visually and audibly that the control position has been reached. In this position, the leg bodies 23 are applied against the edge 5 while being coplanar with it, and the longitudinal depression of the frame 9 in the hole 4 corresponds to the desired depression. For example, according to a desired depression, the end face 14 of the rib 13 of the frame 9 is coplanar with the edge 5 of the hole 4, that is to say with the front 2 of the wall 1, so that the apparatus 3 forms on the

  wall 1 has a thin projection.

  Thus, each pin 33 forms a mark 20 of the desired depression for the base 8, and the tab 22 and the pin 33 jointly form a witness 19 of this depression. It then suffices to introduce the apparatus 3 into the hole 4 through the opening 12 formed in the frame 9, until the apparatus 3 comes to bear on the outer face 11 of the frame 9. The switchgear 3 can be attached to the

  frame 9 by any means, for example by snap-fastening or by screwing.

  In order to complete the mounting of the apparatus 3, a cover plate (not shown) can be attached to the base 8, for example by being snapped

  on the frame 9 so as to ensure a smooth visual finish of the assembly.

  The invention is now described according to a second embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 15 to 24. A large number of elements are common to the first embodiment described above. Of course, these elements, which bear the same references as above, will not be described in

  new. In fact, only the realization of the legs is different.

  Each tab 22 'is provided with a body 23' having a free end 24 'and comprising two branches 36 spaced generally flat and

  coplanar, jointly forming a fork.

  The body 23 'is extended, on the side opposite its free end 24', by a leg 25 'substantially perpendicular to the branches 36, itself extended by a foot 27' generally flat which, in the absence of stress, forms with the

branches 36 an acute angle cc '.

  The renlisation of the foot 27 'and the fixing of the tab 22' to the frame 9 through it are the same as for the first embodiment described above. It is clear that, overall, this tab 22 'has a profile close to

  the tab 22 according to the first embodiment.

  On the other hand, the leg body 23 ′ has an elastically flexible tongue 37 located between the branches 36 and which, in the absence of stress, is inclined relative to them at an acute angle so that it extends, through

  relative to the branches 36, on the same side as the leg 25 'and the foot 27'.

  This tongue 37, which has a free end 38 facing the opposite of the leg 25 ', forms the deformable part 21 which is discussed above. This tongue 37 is for example produced by means of two linear, parallel cutouts 39, formed in the leg body 23 ′, so that the latter has substantially the same shape as the head of a three-tooth dessert fork. In the absence of stress, the tab 22 'fixed to the frame 9 occupies a rest position in which the body 23' is inclined relative to the frame 9, the branches 36 forming a first acute angle with the latter, of equal value to that of the angle 'defined above, while the tongue forms with it a second acute angle, of opening greater than that of the first angle, the value of which is

  equal to the sum '+ of the angles defined above.

  Under the action of a stress directed longitudinally and exerted on the tongue 37, the latter pivots, bringing with it the assembly formed by the branches 36 and the leg 25 ', around an axis A' substantially coinciding with

  the junction 32 'between the leg 25' and the foot 27 '.

  During this pivoting, the angular difference between the tongue 37 and the branches 36 decreases until the tongue 37 and branches 36 are coplanar. The flexibility of the tab 22 'and the angle at rest between the tongue 37 and the branches 36 are chosen so that this situation is achieved when the leg 25' abuts against the rib 13 of the frame 9. In this position of the tab 22 ', called the witness position, the leg body 23' is then substantially

parallel to frame 9.

  The value of the angle oc 'is chosen for example between 15 and 20, while that of the angle is for example chosen between 5 and 10. Preferably, the value of the angle oc 'is chosen equal to 17.5, while the value of the angle is

chosen equal to 7.5.

  The attachment of the apparatus 3 to the wall 1 is carried out in the same way

  as previously described for the first embodiment.

  1 1 During the screwing of the base 8, the free end 38 of the flexible tongue 37 comes to bear on the edge 5 of the hole 4. The screwing continues, the tab 22 'is deformed, the tongue 37 pivoting while engaging with she branches 36 and the

  leg 25 'to the control position.

  When this position is reached, the lug body 23 ′ is applied as a whole against the edge 5 of the hole 4 while being coplanar with this edge, and the longitudinal sinking of the frame 9 in the hole 4 corresponds to the desired sinking , in the same way as previously described for the

first embodiment.

  The user is visually warned that the control position is reached when he realizes that the tongue 37 and the branches 36 of the body

leg 23 'are coplanar.

  The branches 36 of the leg body 23 therefore form a mark 20 for the desired insertion of the frame 9 into the hole 4, while the tongue 37

  forms, together with the branches 36, a witness 19 for this depression.

Claims (10)

  1. Support for electrical equipment (3) to be fitted by embedding in a hole (4) made in a wall (1) and delimited by an edge (5), this support (8) comprising a frame (9) suitable for carrying the apparatus (3) and to be pressed at least partially into the hole (4), this support (8) having overall transverse dimensions such that it is adapted to bear against the edge (5) of the hole ( 4), characterized in that it comprises, on the one hand, at least one mark (20) corresponding to the desired insertion for the frame (9) in the hole (4), and, on the other hand, at at least one elastically deformable part (21) which, protruding from the hole (4) transversely to come into abutment against the edge (5) thereof, is adapted to cooperate with said mark (20) to form a witness (19)   of the depression of the frame (9) in the hole (4).   2. Support according to claim 1, characterized in that the deformable part (21) is an elastically flexible tab (22) projecting transversely from the frame (9) and having, at a distance from the frame (9), a   free end (24) capable of coming to bear against the edge (5) of the hole (4).   3. Support according to claim 2, characterized in that, the frame (9) being generally flat, the tab (22) is able to occupy a so-called rest position in which, in the absence of stress, it is inclined by relative to the frame (9), and a so-called witness position in which, under the action of a force   exercised long itud inally, it is substantially parallel to the frame (9).   4. Support according to claim 3, characterized in that the tab (22) has an extension (28) in cantilever extending opposite the end   free (24) of the tab (22), to the right of the frame (9).   5. Support according to claim 4, characterized in that a through opening (29) is pratiquce in said extension (28) cantilever, and in that the frame (9) of the support (8) has a pin ( 33) projecting adapted to be housed in said opening (29), in the witness position of the tab (22), for   form the said penetration witness (19).   6. Support according to claim 5, characterized in that the led it pin (33) has at the end an end surface (34) forming said mark (20), surface which, in the rest position of the tab (22), is visually masked by said extension (28) in cantilever, and which, in the witness position of the tab (22), is visually accessible through the opening (29) formed in said extension (28) cantilever.   7. Support according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises, on the one hand, a deformable lug (22 ') projecting transversely from the frame (9), which comprises two spaced apart branches (36), coplanar, which jointly form said mark (20), and, on the other hand, a tongue (37) forming said deformable part (21), a tongue which, being located between the branches (36), is capable of occupying a so-called rest position in which, in the absence of stress, it is inclined with respect to them, and a so-called control position in which, under the action of a force exerted longitudinally, it is coplanar with   them to form said depression indicator (19).   8. Support according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the   tab (22, 22 ') is formed by an attached metal part fixed to the frame (9).   9. Support according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that   that it comprises means (15) for fixing it to the wall (1).   10. Support according to claim 9, characterized in that the fixing means (15) comprise at least one screw adapted to be screwed into a bore (17) formed in said hole (4) and provided with a head adapted to