FR2858481A1 - Clamp for raceway, has intermediate curved section that passes through opening on wing of raceways and providing elastic deformation for clamp, where primary section supports raceways - Google Patents

Abstract

The clamp (15) has an intermediate curved section (34) that passes through an opening on a wing of raceways and provides an elastic deformation for the clamp. A primary section (16) supports the raceways. A section (18) supports assembling and disassembling operations of the clamp. The intermediate curved section is supported against upper and lower edges of the wing opening.

Description

HOLDING ATTACHMENT FOR CABLES.

  The invention relates to the technical field of cable trays.

  The cable trays may be of wire or perforated sheet or not, the terms "cable tray", wire tray, perforated cable tray, full base cable tray >> being employed herein by reference to the international standard published under IEC 61537 in September 2001.

  The invention relates in a first aspect to the fixing of covers on cable trays. These lids are set up for reasons of cleanliness and safety in particular.

  Already known in the prior art, different ways of fixing lids on cable trays.

  According to a first previous design, the covers are simply snapped onto the cable trays. Such a design is for example illustrated in DE-U-770100, DE-U-9010986, DEU8704502, US-A-4951716, EP-A-590616. The latching does not always ensure a good holding of the cover in position and requires to perform additional profiles on the cable tray and cover, which is expensive, especially since the cable trays sheet are not not conventionally made by extrusion or profiling, unlike skirting and cable trunking used in individual or collective housing.

  According to a second previous design, the cover is provided with at least one through hole for passing a screw for a rectangular nut assembly. Such an assembly, of known general type and described for example in document FR-A-1 181 378, has been proposed for sheet-like cable trays as described in documents EP-A-409 806 and GB-A- 1,416,308.

  Such a design can be put into practice only for cable trays of small transverse dimensions. The space available opposite the raceway does not always allow screwing as described in EP-A-409 806.

  According to a third previous design, the cover is provided with deformed tabs using an angled tool or a screwdriver. Reference can be made, for example, to EP-A-599 753 for such a cover design. The use of the product described in EP-A-599 753 5 proves tedious and tiring, especially when the operator is working with arms raised.

  In addition, at each removal of the cover, for example for maintenance operations, the operator must deform the locking tabs, so that these tabs can break, due to their repeated plastic deformation, or be so deformed that it is no longer possible to give them a geometry compatible with a good locking of the cover on the cable tray.

  According to a fourth previous design, the lid has a U-shaped profile and the wings of the lid are forced into two lateral grooves of the cable tray provided with deformable tabs, the deformation 15 of these tabs, during the forced entry of wings of the cover in the grooves of the cable tray, ensuring the holding of the cover in position. Reference can be made, for example, to EP-A518 404. Such a design proves to be expensive, the cover and the cable tray to be provided with complementary assembly means of complex shapes. Furthermore, the mount 20 described in EPA-518 404 is specifically designed for sheet wire trays and can not be practiced for conventional wire cable trays.

  According to a fifth previous design, fasteners such as clips are used to attempt to maintain the lid position on the cable trays. For example, documents FRA-2 794 297, FR-A-2 689 605 and EP-A-706 249 may be referred to.

  The wire fastener described in document FR-A-2 794 297 has many disadvantages: it comprises many folds, which makes it expensive; it can not be used with conventional wire cable trays; its rigidity is relatively low.

  The elastic metal band fastener described in FR-A-2 689 605 and EP-A-706 249 also has many disadvantages. In particular, it is specifically designed for sheet-like cable trays whose wings are provided with a retaining bracket or support bracket for the fasteners, and can not be used with conventional wire cable trays.

  The document FR-A-2 723 270 discloses a cover for wire cable trays, this cover comprising, on one of its lateral sides, at least one tab wound on a wire edge of the cable tray, so as to form a connection 10 pivot between this cover and the cable tray. The embodiment described in document FR-A-2 723 270 has three major drawbacks. First, the cover is specifically designed for wire mesh cable trays and can not be mounted on sheet wire trays. Secondly, the pivot connection of the cover on the raceway is of sliding pivot type, so that the cover is not held in position on the inclined or vertical raceway. Thirdly, the space available above the raceway does not always allow complete pivoting of the cover, the maintenance operations are not easy when the cover can only be ajar.

  Document DE-U-20 113 566 discloses a retaining clip for cable tray cover, this clip being in the form of a strip and comprising a groove forming a housing and bearing surface for a wire of the cable tray, this groove being delimited by hook-shaped elements whose tabs abut against the transverse son of the cable tray. The vertical portions of these transverse wires are disposed between the tongues of the hook-shaped members so as to secure the lid fasteners in the longitudinal direction of the wire mesh cable tray.

  The Applicant has found that the fastener described in this document DE30 U20 113 566, while being difficult to install, does not ensure proper maintenance of the lid in use, especially because of vibration.

  The Applicant has found that this was also the case for most of the fasteners marketed. Since the dimensional variations of the covers and cable trays are inherent in their manufacturing processes and the vibrations in use being frequent for cable trays, the Applicant has found that most of the fasteners marketed do not hold in place, resulting in in the long term, risks of falling from the lid itself. The cables are no longer protected and, moreover, the cover falling from a height sometimes large, there is a risk of injury to people.

  According to a first aspect, the invention aims to provide a means for holding lids on cable trays, this holding means does not have the disadvantages of those known previously and allowing at the same time: - the firm holding of lids, including when the cable trays are inclined or substantially vertical, including when the cable tray is subjected to vibration; - The maintenance of the lids both on wire cable trays perforated sheets or not; - fast and safe assembly, at low cost.

  At the same time, the Applicant has endeavored to provide a means for maintaining the cable tray covers that can also be effective for maintaining a cable tray on a console.

  Already known in the prior art, a large number of console cable tray fasteners.

  For wire mesh cable trays, resilient wire ties are already known in the prior art.

  Thus, the document FR-A-2 716 242 describes such a fastener comprising a central part and ends which are folded so as to constitute tensioning means of the fastener during its fixing, the central part being extended by on the one hand and on the other by horizontal parts, namely a first horizontal part connected to a vertical branch with a hooked free end, and a second horizontal part connected to a vertical branch with a free end in a helix or pigtail, assembly of the fastener extending substantially in the same plane.

  Reference may also be made to US-A-1 929 302, US-A-1 611 783, US-A-3 521 842.

  In the document FR-2,817,675, the Applicant has described an elastic wire fastener for fixing cable trays on a wall of a support, this fastener comprising, connected by a connecting section, a first section in the form of a hook extending in a first plane P1, a second section extending along a plane P2 substantially perpendicular to the plane Pi, this second section comprising at least a first segment of wire extending perpendicularly to the first hook-shaped section; and next to it.

  The console cable tray fasteners as described in the documents mentioned above are not designed and can not be used for the satisfactory maintenance of a cable tray cover.

  The invention aims to simultaneously solve the difficulties mentioned previously.

  To this end, the invention relates in a first aspect to a cable tray fastener, said fastener being in the form of an elastic band, comprising an intermediate section curved substantially 180, this curved section being adapted and shaped to pass through an opening on a flange of cable trays, such as an oblong longitudinal through hole.

  The fastener has, according to various embodiments, the following characters, if appropriate combined: it comprises a first support section against a cable tray cover, and a third gripping section of the fastener for its mounting and disassembly, the intermediate curved section extending between these first and third sections; it comprises a first mounting section on a console for cable trays and a third gripping section of the fastener for its assembly and disassembly, the intermediate curved section extending between these first and third sections; it comprises at least one protrusion bearing against the internal face of a cable tray flange, when the fastener is in the mounted position through the opening of this flange for holding a lid or for maintaining the cable path 10 on the console; - It is made of polymer material or steel, including spring steel.

  The invention also relates to the assembly formed by a fastener as presented above and a section of cable trays, this section 15 being provided with at least one opening on its wings such that the passage of the bent section the fastener through this opening involves an elastic deformation of the fastener, the curved section thus bearing against the upper and lower edges of this opening.

  Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments, which description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figures 1, 2 and 3 are perspective views along three different axes of a fastener according to one embodiment of the invention; - Figure 4 is a side view of the fastener shown in Figures 1 to 3; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of 3 pieces, namely a section of cable trays, a cable tray cover and a fastener, these three parts being shown before mounting the cover on the cable tray; - Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, the cover being in the mounted position on the section of cable trays and held in place by a fastener according to the invention; - Figure 7 is a perspective view of the assembly shown in section in Figure 6, the fasteners being shown only on one of the lateral sides of the cable tray, for simplification; FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, the cover being shown close to the cable tray, as is the clip, the assembly being seen before mounting the cover on the cable tray; - Figure 9 is a schematic sectional view of a fastener according to the invention for maintaining a section of cable trays on a console; - Figure 10 is a top view of the assembly shown in Figure 9; - Figure 11 is a perspective view of the assembly shown in Figures 9 and 10; FIG. 12 is a front view of the assembly shown in FIGS. 9 to 11.

  As is known per se and shown in Figure 8 including a cover 1 for cable trays comprises two longitudinal grooves 2, 3 between which extends a substantially flat main portion 4.

  By longitudinal means here the direction of slenderness of the cable path, referenced D1.

  Beyond the grooves 2, 3 and approaching these lateral edges, the cover 1 comprises a foldback substantially at 90 °, the grooves 2, 3 and folded into angles 4, thus defining two longitudinal recesses 6, 7 substantially parallel in which are housed the upper edges 30 hemmed 8.9 of the wings 10,11 of the section of cable tray 12.

  The bottom wall 13 of this section 12, and the wings 10,11 are provided with oblong through holes extending over several lines, longitudinally.

  These through holes are, in the embodiment shown, substantially equidistant from each other for a given line, the lines being equidistant from each other.

  Such cable trays and covers are conventionally used in the state of the art and are for example obtained by folding sheets.

  Fasteners 15 allow the lid 1 to be securely held on the section 12, including when vibrations are to be experienced by the cable tray, the risks of malicious disassembly of the cover 1 being reduced by the use of these fasteners 15 without the installation of these fasteners does not entail an excessive manual effort.

  Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 4.

  The fastener 15 shown in these figures can be made from a metal strip, by folding or else by molding a polymer material, possibly reinforced with fibers.

  The fastener 15 is in the form of a strip of material of substantially constant width, this width being smaller than the longitudinal dimension of the openings 14 conventionally encountered on the cable trays.

  The fastener 15 comprises three successive sections 16,17,18 whose functions and forms will now be described.

  A first section 16 is bent so as to fit the curvature of the grooves 2,3 of the cover 1, as it appears in FIG.

  The second section 17 is bent so as to come into abutment in at least two longitudinal zones 19, 20 of the folds 4,5 at angles of the cover 1.

  The third section 18 is folded so as to come through the longitudinal oblong openings 14 of the wings 10, 11 of the section 12.

  More precisely, starting from a first longitudinal free edge 21 of the fastener 15 to go towards the second longitudinal free edge 22 of this fastener, there are - a first and second substantially plane sections 23, 24 connected by a connecting fillet 25 these two flat sections 23,24 and the fillet 25 defining the first section 16 of the fastener 15; a third, fourth and fifth substantially planar sections 26, 27, 28 interconnected by connection leaves 29, 30, a connection fillet 31 connecting the second and third planar sections 24, 26, the third, fourth and fifth flat sections 26,27,28 defining the second section 17 of the fastener 15; - a sixth and a seventh substantially planar sections 32,33 15 interconnected by a curved section 34, the fifth and sixth planar sections being connected by a connecting fillet 35.

  The leaves 29,30,31,35 confer an increased elasticity on the second section 17 of the fastener 15.

  Moreover, these leaves 29,30,31,35 define angles of curvature such that the fastener 15 bears in the longitudinal bearing areas 19,20, on the folds in angles 4,5 of the cover 1.

  As it appears in FIG. 4, the curved section 34 of the fastener 15 is placed in the internal volume of the section of cable trays 12 covered with the cover 1, the third section 18 of the fastener 15 passing through longitudinal through holes 14 of the wings 10,11 of the section of cable trays 12.

  The holding of the fastener 15 in the mounted position is ensured in particular by the elasticity of the third section 18, because of the curved section 34 and, moreover, by the support of a projection 36 internal to the fastener 15. against the upper edge 37 of a longitudinal oblong hole 14.

  The establishment of the fastener 1 is carried out as follows.

  First, the section 16 is positioned in the groove or rib 2 of the cover 1.

  Then, the fastener 15 is rotated to bring its lower part facing an oblong longitudinal perforation 14 of the section 12.

  Finally, by exerting a pressure on the fastener 15, a deformation of this fastener is generated so that the curved section 34 penetrates through the hole 14, the projection 36 bearing against the upper edge 37 of the perforation 14.

  This protrusion 36 forms a non-return pin and prevents the fastener from coming out especially under the effect of vibrations.

  The lower part of the fastener, and in particular its free edge 22, is disposed at a distance from the flange 11 of the cable tray section when the fastener is in the mounted position, as it appears in FIG.

  Such an arrangement allows manual disassembly or using a tool such as a screwdriver for example.

  The locking of the fastener 15 in the mounted position is ensured by its multiple points of contact with the assembly formed by the cover 1 and the section of cable trays 12: contact in the grooves or ribs 2,3 of the cover, double contact referenced 19,20 on the folds in angles 4,5 of the cover 1, contact against the upper edge 37 of the hole 14 and, where appropriate, contact with the lower edge 38 of the hole 14, the curved section 34 of the fastener 15 is then held under stress when the fastener is in the mounted position.

  Referring now to Figures 9-12.

  Applicant has sought not only to obtain a fastener allowing a better mounting of cover on cable tray section but has sought simultaneously, that the same fastener can also be usefully used for the maintenance of a section of cable trays on a console. he

  The section shown in Figures 9 to 11 is similar to that described above.

  The console 40 is provided with perforated tabs 41 projecting, as is known per se.

  Like the fastener 15 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, the fastener 15a shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 comprises a curved section 34 passing through longitudinal oblong through-holes arranged at the bottom of the wings 10, 11 of the section. of cable trays 12.

  In contrast to these curved sections 34, the fasteners 15a comprise an end edge 42 provided with a perforation allowing the legs 41 of the console 40 to pass through.

  The through holes 14 of the section are advantageously substantially identical, the attachment 15,15a thus being easily introduced into any one of these through holes 14.

  Although the fastener 15a as shown is slightly different in shape from that of the fastener 15, it is understood that these fasteners 15, 15a can be of the same shape, the fastener thus serving both for mounting the section 12 on console or hanging, or maintaining a cover on the cable tray section.

Claims (6)

  1. Fastener for cable trays, this fastener (15) being in the form of elastic band, characterized in that it comprises a curved intermediate section (34) substantially 180, this curved section (34) being adapted and shaped for passing through an opening (14) on a flange (10,11) of cable trays (12), such as longitudinal oblong through hole.   2. A fastener according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a first section (16) of support against a cover (1) of cable trays, and a third section (18) for gripping the fastener (15). ) for its assembly and disassembly, the intermediate section (34) curve extending between these first and third sections (16,18).   3. A fastener according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a first section (16) for mounting on a console for cable trays and a third section (18) for gripping the fastener (15) for mounting and disassembly, the intermediate section (34) curve 20 extending between these first and third sections (16,18).   4. A fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises at least one projection (36) bearing against the inner face of a flange (10,11) of cable trays, when the fastener 25 is in the mounted position through the opening (14) of this wing (10,11), for the maintenance of a cover (1) or for the maintenance of the cable tray console.   5. Fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is made of polymeric material or steel, especially spring steel.   6. Assembly formed by a fastener as presented in any one of claims 1 to 5 and a section of cable trays, characterized in that this section is provided with at least one opening (14) on its wings ( 10,11) such that the passage of the curved section (34) of the fastener (15) through this opening involves an elastic deformation of the fastener (15), the curved section (34) thus bearing against the upper and lower edges of this opening (14).