FR2848350A1 - Splicing and locking of telescopic sections of cable trays, uses projecting lug on male part of tray end to engage in slot in wall of complementary female part of adjacent tray - Google Patents

Abstract

The device holding in place two sections of cable tray has a male part (5) carrying a lug (12,13) projecting beyond the principal plane of the base or side of the tray. A female section (4) has a slot (6) on the base or side, with the edge (7) of the slot inclined relative to the direction of longitudinal extension. The two sections are held together by the lug locking in the slot.

Description

SLIDING AND LOCKING OF TELESCOPIC SECTION

  The invention relates to the technical field of cable trays.

  Cable trays are gutter-shaped structures making it possible to support, guide and protect cables such as in particular electric cables, telephone cables, fiber optic cables, computer network cables, pipelines.

  Cable trays can be wire or perforated or not, the expressions "cable tray", "wire cable tray", "perforated cable tray", "solid base cable tray" being used here with reference to the international standard published in September 2001 under number CEL 61537.

  By "wire cable trays" is meant here cable trays produced by assembling two series of wires, namely, a first series of wires, commonly called warp wires, running longitudinally, typically straight or almost straight over their entire length; and a second series of threads, commonly called weft threads, established transversely, from place to place, along these warp threads.

  The warp and weft threads are most often made of metal alloy and their assembly is conventionally carried out by welding. The weft threads 20 are typically U-shaped, so that the trellis cable tray comprises a bottom panel and two side panels, commonly called wings. By "son" is meant here both solid sections of substantially oval or circular cross section, as well as sections of square or rectangular cross section. The weft threads may in particular be in the form of narrow strips, of rectangular cross section.

  The wires are of identical or different sections, the longitudinal wires of the bottom panel other than those closer to the lateral wings being for example of smaller section.

  In order to resist corrosion, the wire mesh can be coated or alternatively galvanized or hot-dip galvanized. The welding of the wires is conventionally carried out flat, the trellis being deformed by folding or bending, after welding, so as to take the form of a gutter.

  Examples of wire cable trays of the type presented above can be found in the following documents: French patent applications published under the numbers 2017070, 2376539, 2576158, 2599906, 2613146, 2617341, 2628904, 2634600, 2645359, 2652206, 2652142, 2669708, 2686393, 2687207, 5 2691590, 2697313, 2697690, 2698416, 2706973, 2716242, 2716768, 2723270, 2725772, 2725846, 2727186, 2728649, 2734503, 2737355, 2750754, 27675 European patent applications published under the numbers 0191667, 0229544, 0275185, 0352191, 0355081, 0390668, 0418167, 0553039, 0556137, 0718944, 0818862, 0905843; international patent applications published under the numbers 10 96/08063, 99/06746; German patent applications published under the numbers 2036325, 4037412, 4336168.

  By "sheet cable trays" is meant here cable trays formed by the assembly of profiles, usually metallic, comprising at least one wall forming the bottom and two wings, these profiles having in particular U-shaped cross sections or in C. The walls of the sheet cable trays can be solid or perforated, and are sometimes configured on their free edge to receive a cover, for example by snap-fastening.

  In order to resist corrosion, the sheets conventionally undergo a surface treatment such as painting, galvanizing or hot galvanizing.

  If necessary, in the event of a very aggressive atmosphere, stainless steel is used for the sheets. These cable trays can also be made of composite material, such as for example reinforced polyester, in particular obtained by pultrusion.

  Examples of sheet cable trays of the type presented above can be found in the following documents: patent applications in France 25 published under the numbers 1471497, 2290063, 2306552, 2313786, 2365902, 2383539, 2395449, 2406327, 2435844, 2478389, 2481015, 2536219, 2610145, 2610769, 2615587, 2683403, 2686142, 2689605, 2691227, 2691228, 2712831, 2734956, 2749912, 2749913, 2749914, 2769761, 2481015 European patent applications published under the numbers 054456, 113981, 208924, 278923, 292389, 30 315531, 348285, 403440, 518404, 570272, 657672, 695009, 813012; international patent application published under number 93/23694. -3

  Among the many technical problems which arise for cable trays, the invention aims to provide a unique solution to two particular technical problems: splinting on the one hand and locking in the mounted position of telescopic sections on the other hand.

  To fully understand the importance of these two technical problems, it should be recalled here the state of the art in relation to fishplates, as well as the solutions previously provided by the applicant in terms of sections of telescopic cable trays.

  For many years, and without there being international 10 or European rules in the matter, the longitudinal dimension of the sections of cable or sheet cable trays has been three meters, in general, as mentioned on page 2 lines 12 and 13 of document FR-A-2737355.

  From these sections, we build the cable tray networks that we want.

  To this end, the sections of cable trays are positioned end to end and these sections are immobilized using splints or flat plates, optionally articulated, or by angles.

  The sections are also fixed, from place to place on consoles or hangers, or else suspended, the distance between the supports being typically of the order of one meter and fifty.

  Cable tray manufacturers have developed, for many years, many technical solutions aimed at facilitating the jointing of sections of cable trays, both in terms of the number of tools and parts and the assembly time. fishplates on the sections.

  The diversity of technical solutions illustrates the importance given by manufacturers to these fishplates; for which there are four main types of installation: - bolting, as presented in documents EP-A-0298825, EP-A-0399790, EP-A-0617493; - welding, as presented in document EP-A-0571307; -4 the folding of tabs previously introduced into perforations in the sheet cable trays, as presented in documents FR-A-1584328, EPA-0461974; - press fit or snap-on, as presented in documents DE-U-8901613, FR-A-2686141, FR-A-2606843, FR-A- 2303843; FR-A-2208219, US-A-5384937, EP-A-0083809, EP-A-0933850, US-B- 6193434.

  There are also known sliding joint assemblies documents GB-A-2237454, FR-A-2588426, EP-A-822364, EP-A-1193821.

  The bolting of the ribs requires spare parts and a certain skill of the installer.

  The welding of the fishplates requires specific equipment and suitable training for the installer. Furthermore, welding can alter or destroy the protective coatings of cable trays against corrosion.

  Force mounting most often leads to installation fatigue and plastic deformation of the sheet metal constituting the cable tray.

  Installation using sliding bars has rarely been proposed - for trunking, as presented in document GB-A-2237454; - for cable ladders as presented in document 20 FR-A-2588426; - for wire mesh cable trays, as shown in document EP-A-0822364.

  Sliding ribs are rarely used, in particular by the fact that the ribs are points of weakness with respect to electrical continuity, as indicated in the document FR-A-2737355. Therefore, a person skilled in the art is encouraged to prefer bolting, welding, or plastic deformation of the sheets of the sections of cable trays.

  It is clear that to date, despite the efforts of the manufacturers, a definitely satisfactory technical solution has not been found for the installation of the cable tray ribs.

  The applicant has also presented, in its European patent application EP-A-1257030, sections of cable trays suitable and designed to -5 ensure their relative movement, from a first compact position of transport or storage, up to a second deployed position of use, in which the end portions of the sections are substantially in longitudinal alignment, means ensuring a locking of the sections in this second position.

  The sections of cable trays described in document EP-A-1257030 of the applicant are in particular telescopic (see FIGS. 37 to 40 of this prior document).

  This arrangement makes it possible to reduce the dead volumes and / or the lengths during the storage or the transport of sections of cable trays, the sections retaining a transverse profile compatible with those of conventional cable trays, in particular with respect to the jointing. . t The applicant's telescopic cable trays, described in document EP-A-1.257030, have met with great success.

  However, the Applicant has found that the jointing means described in document EP-A-1257030 did not provide any satisfaction during installation, even if they prove to be more satisfactory than bolting, welding, or the plastic deformation mentioned previously with reference to conventional cable trays. The Applicant has therefore sought a new means of splinting section 20 of cable trays which does not have the drawbacks of those known previously, these splinting means being, moreover, suitable for the telescopic sections described in document EP-A- 1257030 of the plaintiff.

  The Applicant has in particular sought new means of splicing designed to facilitate locking in the transport and storage position of telescopic sections of cable trays.

  The Applicant has also sought new splicing means designed to facilitate locking in the deployed position for mounting telescopic sections of cable trays.

  The invention relates inter alia to the results of this research and relates, according to a first aspect to a device for holding in position a set of at least two sections of cable trays, namely a first male section and a second female section, comprising, in combination: -6 - on the male section, at least one lug projecting beyond the main plane of extension of the bottom wall or of a wing of this male section; - On the female section, at least one light extending on the bottom wall or a wing of this female section, this light comprising an edge 5 inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of pitch of this bottom wall or this wing ; holding the two male and female sections in relative position being ensured by the stop of the protruding lug of a wall of the male section against the inclined edge of a wall of the female section, this wall of the female section being disposed substantially parallel to the wall of the male section carrying the lug.

  According to various embodiments, the device has the following characteristics, possibly combined: - the lug comprises two free edges, one of which is arranged substantially transversely in the bottom wall or a wing of the male section; - The lug comprises two free edges both disposed inclined relative to a transverse direction, in the bottom wall or a wing of the male section; the male section comprises a so-called splitting lug and a so-called locking lug, the locking lug comprising two free edges inclined with respect to a transverse direction, in the bottom wall or a wing of the male section, the splinting lug comprising two free edges, one of which is disposed substantially transversely in the bottom wall or a wing of the male section, the female section being provided with two slots with an inclined edge; the inclined edge of the slots of the female section is provided with teeth; - The male and female sections are suitable and configured to slide into one another from a first predetermined extreme folded position to a second extreme deployed position; - In the first extreme folded position, the male section projects beyond the transverse free end edge of the female section, of a predetermined length L; The length L is defined by pressing against the transverse end free edge of the female section with a free edge of a lug of the male section; - The free edge of the lug abutting against the female section extends substantially transversely in the wall of the male section which carries it; 5 - the male section comprises at least two free end parts for assembly, each of its free end parts being provided with a pair of lugs, namely a pair of splicing lugs and a pair of locking lugs , the lugs of each pair extending substantially symmetrically with respect to a plane perpendicular to the wall carrying these lugs; the female section comprises at least two free end parts for assembly, each of these free end parts being provided with a pair of openings, the openings of each pair extending substantially symmetrically with respect to a plane perpendicular to the bearing wall 15 these lights; - The male and female sections have a bottom wall and wings provided with oblong longitudinal perforations, the pins being formed by pushing in line with a slot made in the male section, said slot extending between the longitudinal oblong perforations; - The slots in which the pins are arranged comprise a part extending substantially longitudinally and a part inclined relative to the longitudinal direction.

  Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the following description of embodiments, which description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a top view of two end parts opposite of a first section of cable trays; - Figure 2 is a top view of two opposite end portions of a second section of cable trays; - Figure 3 is a bottom view, in the transport or storage position, of the assembly formed by the sections of Figure 1 and Figure 2; FIG. 4 is a bottom view, in the split position, of the assembly formed by the sections of FIG. 1 and of FIG. 2; - Figure 5 is a bottom view, in the locked position, of the assembly formed by the sections of Figure 1 and Figure 2; FIG. 6 is a detailed side view of a locking lug or a locking lug arranged on the sections of FIG. 2.

  We first refer to Figures 1 and 2.

  The sections of cable trays shown in the appended figures include a bottom wall 1, 1 'and two lateral wings 2, 3, 2', 3 '.

  In the rest of this description, the terms "length" and "longitudinal" will be used with reference to a first direction 'Dl of slenderness of the sections of cable trays.

  The terms "width" "transverse" will be used with reference to a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction Dl, the directions Di 15 and D2 defining a plane substantially parallel to the bottom wall of the sections of cable trays in the mounted position.

  The terms "height" "vertical" will be used with reference to a third direction D3, the directions Dl, D2 and D3 forming a direct trihedron.

  The use of the terms "height" "vertical" in the following description should not be seen as imposing a particular mounting position for the cable trays and it is understood that the cable trays shown in the appended figures can be placed with their bottom walls horizontal, inclined or vertical.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the wings 2, 3 are substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 1.

  In other embodiments, not shown, the wings are inclined relative to the vertical.

  The section 4 is only shown in FIG. 1 for its opposite end portions. As will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, this section 4 can be straight or curved, between its end portions shown, or alternatively in the form of a cross, T or Y, only two end portions of this section being then seen in Figure 1, for simplification. -9

  In the remainder of this description, the section 4 will be said to be female, because provided on its wings 2, 3 with an upper edge hemmed 2b, 3b inward.

  These rounded upper edges, for example by folding a sheet metal blank, have several advantages - they improve the mechanical resistance in bending of the cable tray; - They protect the cable sheaths from possible injuries on the extreme free longitudinal edge of the wings, this free edge being turned towards the bottom wall of the section, or even turned more than 900, towards the internal face of the wing of as described in document FR-A-2739168 of the applicant; - They define an opening groove facing the bottom wall of the sections, groove in which a splint can be accommodated, for example in wire. As will appear later, such a reported splint, although possible, is however not necessary thanks to the provisions of the invention.

  The section 5 shown in Figure 2 will be said later male section. This male section 5 is designed to slide in the female section 4, this male section 5, internal to the assembly of the two sections 4.5, being substantially homothetic to the female external section 4.

  Where appropriate, the wings 2, 3, 2 ′, 3 ′ of the sections 4, 5 are provided with a recess at the free top edge that is not hemmed, the recess inhibiting the vertical movement of one section relative to the other.

  Different embodiments of these upper edges of sliding sections have been described with respect to FIGS. 37 to 40 of document EP-A25 1257030, this description being recalled here by reference.

  The bottom wall 1 of the female section 4 is provided with at least one opening 6 with an inclined edge 7 provided with teeth 8.

  This inclined edge 7 forms an angle of the order of a few degrees to about 45 degrees relative to the longitudinal direction Dl.

  The two openings 6 arranged on each of the two opposite end parts of the female section 4 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane T arranged at mid-width of the section 4. -

  The bottom wall 1 ′ of the male section 5 likewise comprises at least one opening 9 of small transverse opening.

  This lumen 9 comprises a first substantially longitudinal section 10 and a second section 11 inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction Dl.

  The angle of inclination of this section 11 relative to the direction Dl is substantially equal to that formed with this direction Dl by the inclined edge 7 of the openings 6 of the male section 4.

  Between these longitudinal 10 and inclined 11 sections, the openings 9 comprise a lug 12, 13.

  More precisely, as it appears in FIG. 2, these lugs 12, 13 projecting vertically below the bottom wall 1 'of the male section 5 are of two types: - a first type, referenced 12, comprising two free edges 14, 15 inclined with respect to the transverse direction D2; - A second type, referenced 13, comprising two free edges 16, 17 one of which 16 is substantially transverse and the other 17 is inclined relative to the transverse direction D2.

  The male section 5 thus comprises, in the embodiment of FIG. 2 - two slots 9, 9a, arranged at a first extreme part of the section 5 20 and provided with lugs with free edges 14, 15 inclined, these slots 9 being placed symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane Si located mid-width of the section 5; - two openings 9, 9b, arranged at the other extreme part of the section 5 and provided with lugs with free edges 16, 17, these openings 9b being placed symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane S2 located at mid width of the section 5 .

  As described above, the male and female sections 4, 5 are not necessarily straight. If these sections are straight, the planes S1 and S2 are of course substantially the same.

  We now refer to Figure 3.

  In FIG. 3 are shown the male and female sections, in their retracted, stowed position for storage or transport, seen from below.

  As can be seen in this FIG. 3, a certain length L of the male section projects beyond an extreme transverse edge 20 of the female section 4.

  This length L is predetermined by the distance d separating the transverse free edge 16 of the lug (s) 13 and the transverse extreme free edge 21 of the male section 5. In fact, during the sliding along the arrow Fl of the male section 5 in the section female 4, the transverse free edge 16 projecting vertically downwards from the bottom wall 1 'of the male section 5 abuts against the transverse free edge of the bottom wall 1 of the female section 4.

  This distance d and the associated length L are such that an operator can easily grip the male section 5 to slide it out of the female section 4, by pulling along arrow F2.

  In the retracted, stowed, or transported position of the male section / female section assembly, the lugs 12 of the male section, with free edges 14, 15 inclined with respect to the direction D2, cannot interfere with the sliding 15 of the two sections.

  Indeed, as will be understood by a person skilled in the art, the free edges 14, 15 of the pins referenced 12 do not form a stop against the free edge 20 of the female section 4 when the male section is introduced into the female section, this result being linked at the angles of inclination of the free edges 14, 15 relative to the transverse direction 20 as well as to the elasticity of the pins 12.

  In order, however, to avoid excessive friction of the lugs 12 on the toothed edges of the slots 6, in the retracted position of FIG. 3, these lugs 12 are advantageously arranged so as not to go beyond the inclined edges 7, for example by being substantially in look and slightly set back from these 25 edges 7, as shown in FIG. 3.

  Thus, the distance A separating a toothed edge 7 from the extreme transverse edge 22 of the female section 4 will be less than the sum B + C of the distances: B separating the two extreme transverse edges 22, 23 of the male and female sections; - C separating the pin 12 from the free transverse edge 23 of the male section 5, the distance A being measured on the longitudinal path of sliding of the pin 12. - 12

  When the male and female sections 4, 5 are substantially straight and of equal length, the distance B is substantially L. As understood by a person skilled in the art, during the sliding of the male section in the female section, the pins 12 rub against the bottom wall 1 of the female section 4. The importance of this friction will be regulated by the respective dimensioning of the pins 12 and of the wings 2, 3, 2 ', 3' of the sections 4, 5.

  To facilitate the exit of the male section, along arrow F2, the bottom walls 1, 1 ′ of the sections may be provided with a transverse annular perforation with folded edges that are not sharp. As a variant or in combination, at least one of the wings 10 2, 3, 2 ', 3' of the sections may be provided with a perforation with a non-sharp edge for the passage of the poser's fingers.

  We now refer to Figures 4 and 5.

  In FIG. 4, an spliced position is obtained between two successive male and female sections is obtained by projection of the pins 13 beyond the toothed edges 7 15 of the male section.

  In Figure 5, a locked position is obtained by projecting the pins 12 beyond the toothed edges 7 of the male section.

  The splitting is obtained by the significant friction of the transverse free edge of the lug 13 against the inclined ramp 7 of the light 6 arranged opposite.

  The locked position illustrated in FIG. 5 corresponds to the extreme exit arrangement of the male section 5 relative to the female section 4, by pulling along arrow F2.

  Thus starting from a compact state of FIG. 3 (length of the order of 2 m for example), a rigid slender product is obtained (length of the order of 4 m for example) consisting of a pair of male and female sections locked in the outermost position.

  The assembly of the pairs of sections between them is obtained using the jointing shown in FIG. 4.

  The lugs 12 of the male sections thus have a locking function in the sliding position out of the pairs of sections 4, 5, while the lugs 13 of the male sections have a locking function in the extreme retracted position (FIG. 3) and a function of splicing when assembling between them pairs of sections. - 13

  Due to the slopes of the inclined edges 7 with respect to the direction D1, any effort to try to decouple the male and female sections (according to the arrow F3 in FIG. 5) will only lead to an additional blocking of the pins 12 in the slots. 6.

  Similarly, any tensile force along arrow F4, after splicing, only leads to additional tightening of the pins 13 against the inclined toothed edges of the slots 6, opposing disassembly.

  As it appears on the views from below, given in FIGS. 4 and 5, the respective locations and dimensions of the slots 6, 9 are such that, 10 after splicing or locking of the successive sections, the slots 9 are substantially completely hidden from view by the solid bottom wall 1 of the female section 4.

  At the same time, the bottom wall 1a of the male section 5 appears through the openings 6.

  In the embodiment shown, the sections 4, 5 are provided with oblong longitudinal perforations and the lengths and widths of the openings 6 are such that they allow the oblong perforations of the bottom wall 1 ′ of the male section to be seen, without breaking the rectangular mesh pattern of these perforations 30.

  Thus, the splinting and locking means in the mounted position are substantially hidden from view.

  The areas hidden from view are dashed in Figures 4 and 5, in the jointing or locking area of successive sections.

  The description which has just been given relates, for the sake of clarity and simplification, to male and female sections of sheet cable trays, sliding one inside the other.

  The arrangements of the invention can however be implemented for the assembly of other types of cable trays. Thus, the male and female sections shown in the figures can

  be attached, for example by snap-fastening, to the ends of cable trays 30 to allow their assembly. - 14

  The male and female sections shown in the figures can also be of short lengths and serve as added fishplates between two conventional cable trays.

  The arrangement of the inclined lugs and toothed ramps ensures great simplicity of assembly for sheet cable trays, sliding one inside the other. As it appeared during this description, the locking in the maximum retracted position, the locking in the maximum deployed position of the pairs of sliding sections and the assembly between them of the pairs of sections is obtained in a safe and economical manner.

Claims (11)

  1. Device for holding in position a set of at least two sections of cable trays, namely a first male section and a second female section, characterized in that it comprises, in combination: - on the male section (5), at least one lug (12, 13) projecting beyond the main plane of extension of the bottom wall (1) or of a wing (2 ', 3' of this male section (5); - on the female section (4), at least one lumen (6) extending over the bottom wall (1) or a wing (2, 3) of this female segment (5), this lumen (6) comprising a edge (7) inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of pitch of this bottom wall (1) or this wing (2, 3); the maintenance in relative position of the two male (5) and female (4) sections being ensured by the stop of the lug (12, 13) projecting from a wall of the male section (5) against the inclined edge (7) of a wall of the female section (4), this wall of the female section (4) being disposed sensiblemen t parallel to the wall of the male section (5) carrying the lug (12, 13).   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the lug (12, 13) comprises two free edges (14, 15, 16, 17) one of which is disposed substantially transversely in the bottom wall or a wing of the section male (5).   3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the lug (12, 13) comprises two free edges (14, 15, 16, 17) both disposed inclined with respect to a transverse direction, in the bottom wall or a wing of the male section (5).   4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the male section (5) comprises a so-called splitting lug and a so-called locking lug, the locking lug comprising two free edges inclined relative to in a transverse direction, in the bottom wall or a wing of the male section (5), the splicing lug comprising two free edges, one of which is arranged substantially transversely in the bottom wall or a wing of the male section (5), the female section (4) being provided with two slots (6) with inclined edge (7).   5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the inclined edge (7) of the slots (6) of the female section (4) is provided with teeth (8).   6. Device according to any one of claims i to 5, characterized in that the male (5) and female (4) sections are suitable and configured to slide into one another from a first extreme folded position predetermined up to 'to a second extended extreme position.   7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that in the first extreme folded position, the male section projects beyond the transverse free end edge of the female section, of a predetermined length L. 15 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the length L is defined by pressing against the transverse end free edge of the female section (4) of a free edge of a lug of the male section (5).   9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the free edge of the lug abutting against the female section extends substantially transversely in the wall of the male section which carries it.   10. Device according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the male section (5) comprises at least two free end parts for assembly, each of its free end parts being provided with a pair of lugs, namely a pair of splicing lugs and a pair of locking lugs, the lugs of each pair extending substantially symmetrically with respect to a plane perpendicular to the wall carrying these lugs. 30 1l. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the female section (4) comprises at least two free end parts for assembly, each of these - 17 free end parts being provided with a pair of lights, the lights of each pair s 'extending substantially symmetrically with respect to a plane perpendicular to the wall carrying these lights.   12. Device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the male and female sections are at the bottom wall and wings provided with perforations (30), the pins (12, 13) being formed by sinking in line with a slot formed in the male section, said slot extending between the perforations (30).   13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the slots in which the pins (12, 13) are arranged comprise a part extending substantially longitudinally (10) and a part inclined (11) relative to the longitudinal direction.