FR3007591A1 - CABLE PATH SECTIONS INCLUDING JUNCTION BUCKLES, CABLES PATHS COMPRISING SUCH STRINGS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - Google Patents

Abstract

A wire mesh cable tray section comprising a bottom and two side wings, provided with warp and weft wires, said portion being provided with a male end portion and a female end portion, the male end portion comprising on its bottom and each of its lateral wings, at least one connecting means reported, these joining means forming at one end a baffle defined by a first curved section and a second curved section, the first curved section forming a cavity adapted to engage a end raster wire of the female end portion of a second adjacent section, the first curved section being adjacent to the end raster wire of the male end portion.

Description

The invention relates to the field of cable trays, and more particularly to the assembly of cable tray sections. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The cable trays allow the support of cables at high heights (in vertical configuration) or long lengths (in horizontal configuration), including electrical cables, telephone cables, fiber optic cables, or computer network cables. The cable trays are formed of sections generally made of metal, in particular steel, stainless steel, or optionally plastic or composite material. For many years, and without there being any international or European rules in this area, the longitudinal dimension of cable tray sections is three meters, in general, as recalled on page 2 lines 12 and 13 of the document FR2737355. From these sections, we build the cable tray networks that we want. To do this, the sections of cable trays are positioned end to end and these sections are conventionally immobilized by means of connecting pieces, typically splints, flat plates, possibly hinged, or else using angle irons. . The sections are also fixed, from place to place, on consoles or hangers, or even suspended, the distance between the supports being typically of the order of one meter fifty.

There are two types of cable tray sections, namely the sheet metal sections (perforated or not) and the wire mesh sections. The invention relates more particularly to cable trays comprising wire mesh sections or end portions of wire mesh.

The wire mesh sections comprise longitudinal son, called warp yarns, and transverse yarns, called weft yarns, crossed to the warp yarns, conventionally conferring a U-shaped section to the mesh.

The sections may undergo further processing, depending on the environment in which they are intended to be placed. Thus the metal sections can undergo galvanization, be plasticized or coated with a layer of epoxy resin.

Manufacturers of cable trays have, for many years, developed a great many technical solutions to facilitate the connection by splicing the cable tray sections, both in terms of the number of tools and parts as well as the time required for assembly of the splints on the sections.

The diversity of technical solutions illustrates the importance given by manufacturers to these splints. There are four main types of placement of the fishplates for wire mesh cable trays: - mounting of the splice or the connecting piece by bolting, as presented in the documents EP0298825, EP0399790, EP0617493; - Assembly of the splice by welding, as presented in the documents EP0571307, WO2013007855; - mounting of the splice force or snap, as presented in the documents FR2208219, US5384937, US6193434, FR2879036; - Installation of sliding splints, as presented in EP822364, EP1193821. C008 B061 EN - TQD The manufacture and then the assembly of the splices or connecting pieces on the wire mesh generate significant costs. The assembly of the splices on each section of cable trays, on site, requires tools and takes time.

In addition, on the site, the fitter may not have easy access to the two wings of each section of cable trays on which must be mounted ribs. In an attempt to overcome these drawbacks, it has been proposed to modify the configuration of the end portions of cable truss sections of wire mesh so as to allow their joining without using an insert, as shown in the documents FR2966987, DE19946388, EP973238. , EP1511142, FR2971110. The sections of cable trays described in these prior documents prove to be complex and expensive to manufacture.

It is known from document ES 2316256 (INTERFLEX) - and its European equivalent EP 2276129 - a section of wire mesh cable tray, one end of which comprises a plurality of hooks engaging a transverse wire of an adjacent section. The hooks are formed at the ends of the warp threads, which are folded to have a deflection close to the hook so that, when two sections are butted, the hooks are not aligned with the warp threads of the adjacent section. The cable tray described in ES 2316256 has several disadvantages. The manufacturing cost of such a section is high. Indeed, the folded shape of the warp son at one end of the section assumes a recovery operation during manufacture, which affects the rate of production. In case of breakage of a hook, no repair is possible, the only solution being to replace the entire section.

Spanish utility model ES 1076189 (BASOR) proposes a U-shaped wire mesh cable tray section comprising a male end portion and a female end portion, both having identical dimensions. The male end portion comprises a clamp extending a bottom plane of the section, and two side hooks each extending a side wall. The assembly of the cable tray is made by abutting longitudinally the male end portion of a first section with the female end portion of a second section. Fixing is done using the clamp and the two hooks, they snap into the female end portion of the second section. The section of cable tray described in the document ES 1076189 has several drawbacks: - under the application of bending stresses (resulting in particular from the weight of the cables) and shearing (resulting in particular from possible defects of alignment of the sections or of intervention on the cableway already laid), the fastening means tend to deform, at the risk of separating the sections; - Under bending stress oriented perpendicularly to the bottom of the cable tray, the fastening means positioned on the lateral flanges are particularly stressed, while those positioned on the bottom of the section simply tend to rotate around the weft yarn they crocheted ; - warp son are crenellated over their entire length, which can only affect production rates. The solution proposed below is intended to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

A first objective is to provide a section of cable tray whose fastening means provide increased mechanical strength. A second objective is to propose a section of cable tray whose assembly is facilitated.

A third objective is to propose a section of cable tray easily storable and transportable. C008 B061 EN - TQD A fourth objective is to propose a section of cable tray that does not pose any danger to the operator during installation. A fifth objective is to propose a section of easily manufacturable cable tray. To this end, it is proposed, first, a section of wire mesh cable tray comprising a bottom and two side wings, provided with warp and weft son son, this section being provided with an extreme portion male and a female end portion, the male end portion comprising on its bottom and each of its lateral wings, at least one reported joining means, these joining means forming at one end a baffle defined by a first curved section and a second section curve, the first curved section forming a cavity adapted to engage an end raster wire of the female end portion of a second adjacent section, the first curved section being adjacent to the end raster of the male end portion. Such an arrangement of the fastening means gives the cable tray a high resistance to bending and shear stresses. Various additional features may be provided, alone or in combination: the first curved section forms an outwardly facing cavity of the section and the second curved section forms a cavity facing towards the inside of the section; the first cavity is defined by an arc whose radius is substantially equal to the radius of the weft of the wire mesh; the second curved section of the baffles of the lateral wings extends partly in the extension of the warp threads of the lateral wings; - The connecting means are positioned on the bottom of the section between two warp son. It is proposed, secondly, a wire mesh web, comprising warp son and weft son, this web being provided with two portions, a male portion and a female portion, each of the male and female portions respectively comprising a male end edge C008 B061 FR - TQD and a female end edge whose proximal end is respectively terminated by a male end weft thread and a female end weft thread, the male portion comprising less a connection and welded junction means, at least one junction means partially projecting in a plane formed by the web. It is proposed, thirdly, a wire mesh web, comprising warp and weft son son, this web being provided with two portions, a male portion and a female portion, each of the male and female portions respectively comprising a male end edge and a female end edge whose proximal end is respectively terminated by a male end weft thread and a female end weft thread, the male portion comprising at least one means for said joining means forming at one end a baffle defined by a first curved section and a second curved section, the first curved section forming a cavity adapted to engage a female end weft thread located on the female portion; a second adjacent section, wherein the first curved section is adjacent to the male end weft wire.

Fourthly, there is proposed a method for manufacturing a wire mesh section, comprising a step of: - aligning the warp yarns in a so-called longitudinal direction, - aligning the weft yarns over the warp yarns in a direction transverse to that of the warp yarns; - welding of the weft yarns on the warp yarns, in which the warp yarn comprises a step of: folding at least one separate yarn so as to conferring a general U shape, - fixing said U-shaped wire on the wire mesh, - folding said U-shaped wire so as to give it a general form of baffle. Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly and concretely on reading the following description of embodiments, which is made with reference to the appended drawings, in which: C008 B061 EN - TQD - FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cable tray formed by the assembly of two sections, according to a first embodiment; - Figure 2 is a side view and detail of the junction area between the two sections shown in Figure 1; - Figure 3 is a perspective view of a step of assembling the two sections of the cable tray shown in Figure 1; - Figure 4 is a perspective view of the junction area of two sections, according to a second embodiment; - Figure 5 is a top view and detail of the junction area shown in Figure 4; - Figure 6 is a perspective view of a cable tray formed by the assembly of two sections, according to a third embodiment; - Figure 7 is a top detail view illustrating the junction zone of the wings of the cable trays of the first, second and third embodiment; - Figure 8 is a perspective view of an assembly means according to an alternative embodiment; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a wire mesh panel portion in a step of manufacturing a cable tray section; - Figure 10 is a perspective view of a wire mesh panel portion in another step of manufacturing a cable tray section. Reference is first made to Figures 1 to 3 which illustrate a first embodiment.

In Figure 1 is shown a cable duct 1 formed by the assembly of two sections la, 1b. Each section 1a, 1b comprises a lattice formed by assembling longitudinal warp threads 2 and U-shaped transverse weft threads 3, defining a bottom 4 and two lateral flanges 5. C008 B061 EN - TQD In the embodiments shown, the warp threads 2 and the weft threads 3 are of identical section. In a variant, the warp threads and / or the weft threads are of section adapted to the loads provided for each part of the section.

The wings 5 extend on either side of the bottom 4 substantially perpendicular to it. As an alternative embodiment, not shown, the flanges of the cable tray are not perpendicular to the bottom, the section having a flared section so as to allow the stacking of the sections in each other. The section may have a V flat-bottomed section, as known per se and described for example in the documents WO2013041741, EP818862, WO2006076746, US2002030143.

The warp threads 2 are mounted welded on the outside of the weft threads 3. Each wing 5 carries an upper warp thread, referred to as the edge thread 2a, the ends 3a of the weft threads 3 being blunted, smooth or bevelled so not to form a cutting portion beyond the edge wire 2a. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, six warp yarns 2 line the bottom 4 of each section 1a, 1b and each lateral wing comprises two warp yarns 2, including the edge yarn 2a. Each section 1a, 1b comprises a male end portion 6 provided with junction loops 9, and a female end portion 7. In order not to weigh down the drawings, only one of the sections 1a is shown provided with loops 9. In the illustrated embodiment a junction loop 9 is placed on each wing 5 and two loops 9 are arranged on the bottom 4 of each section 1a, 1b. The number of junction loops 9 is adapted to the dimensions of the section. These connecting loops 9 are formed of a folded thread on itself, forming a projecting portion beyond the end weft thread 14 of the male end portion 6. Each loop 9 comprises two parallel arms 8 longitudinal. The wire used for producing the loops 9 is advantageously the same as that used for the warp threads and / or the weft threads.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the arms 8 are fixed, for example by welding, on the outside of the weft threads 3. More specifically, the arms 8 are fixed on two adjacent weft threads, namely the thread 14 and the weft yarn 3 immediately adjacent to this end weft yarn 14. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the arms 8 are fixed on more than two weft son.

The pitch between the weft threads 3 is constant in the section 1a, 1b, for the embodiment shown. As an alternative embodiment, not shown, the male end portion 6 has a density of weft yarn different from the rest of the section la, lb.

On each wing 5, the arms 8 are spaced apart by a predetermined distance substantially equal to the distance separating two warp yarns 2 from each lateral wing, minus the diameter of each of the warp yarns 2. Thus, during a bending the cable tray, the projecting portion of the connecting loops 9 abuts against one of the warp son 2 of the female end portion 7 of the section 1b. The projecting portion of the junction loop 9 is presented, in plan view, in the form of a baffle comprising a first curved section 12 and a second curved section 13.

The first curved section 12 has an outwardly facing concavity of the section 1a, 1b, while the second curved section 13 has a concavity turned towards the inside of the section 1a, 1b.

In order to provide greater structural rigidity to the assembly means, the space between the baffle and the end weft yarn 14 is minimal, or even zero. Such an arrangement makes it possible to stiffen the flexural junction loop 9 around an axis parallel to the end weft yarn 14, which acts as a stiffener against which the first curved section 12 bears.

The shape of the baffle gives the assembly means a large bearing surface. Figure 7 illustrates this feature. The first curved section 12 forms a first bearing zone 15 for the warp yarn 2 of the female end portion 7 of the adjacent section 1b. The second curved section 13 provides a second support zone 16 for the warp thread 2 of the female end portion of the adjacent section 1b. These provisions reinforce the resistance of the junction of the sections to the bending forces. The two curved sections 12, 13 preferably have an arcuate profile. The first curved section 12 has a radius of curvature substantially equal to the radius of the end weft thread 3 of the female end portion of a section 1a, 1b. The end weft thread 3 thus closely follows the first curved section 12. This arrangement makes it possible in particular to limit the undesirable movements of the sections 1a, 1b between them. Similarly, the second curved section 13 has a radius of curvature substantially equal to, or slightly greater than, the radius of the end weft yarn 3. This results in a certain compactness of the junction loop 9, in favor of its rigidity in bending. In order to maximize the resistance of the junction loop 9 to the deformations induced by a bending force applied to the interface between the sections 1a, 1b, the second curved section 13 extends at least partly in the extension of the warp son 2 on each side wing 5. This results in a good support of the loop 9 against the warp son 2 of the adjacent section.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5 which illustrate a second embodiment. The same numerical references are used to designate similar parts. C008 B061 EN - TQD Figures 4 and 5 illustrate assembly means identical in shape to those described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. However, on the bottom 6 of the section la, 1b, the arms 8 are arranged on both sides of a warp yarn 2 and not between two warp yarns 2. In the event of excessive bending, for example due to a large mass of cables or to wear, the assembly means situated on the lateral wings 5 may flex. The assembly means located on the bottom 4 of the section and positioned on either side of the warp son 2 then provide a backup support and help maintain the integrity of the cable tray. In a particular embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the assembly means situated on the bottom 4 of the section are in the form of a separate wire 20 attached and welded at two points on the weft yarns 14, 3. The wire 20 protrudes beyond the transverse weft wire 14 forming a hook 21 whose cavity is turned towards the outside of the section. This cavity is intended to engage the weft thread 3 located at the female end portion 7 of the adjacent section. The cavity has a radius of curvature substantially equal to the radius of the weft threads 3.

Figure 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an assembly means consisting of two separate son 17, 18. Each of the two son 17, 18 protrudes beyond the weft yarn 14 end. In a manner analogous to that described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, each wire 17, 18 protrudes beyond the end weft yarn 14 forming a baffle comprising a first curved section 12 and a second curved section 13 The two wires 17, 18 are separated by a gap 19. This gap 19 makes it possible, in the manner of a spring to dissipate part of the work induced by the bending forces. Under the influence of a large weight, the gap 19 tends to be restricted. C008 B061 EN - TQD The assembly of the cable sections as described is now described.

In a first step, the male end portion 6 of a first section 1a is positioned above the female end portion 7 of a second section 1b. In a second step, the operator applies a force directed towards the inside of the section la on the lateral wings, so as to bring them closer to each other. Then, the operator lowers the male end portion 6 of the first section 1a and positions the junction loops 9 located on the lateral flanges 5 so that the first curved section 12 engages the end weft thread 3 of the end portion. female 7 second adjacent leg 1 b. The connecting means 8 located on the bottom of the section are then naturally positioned. In a final step, the operator releases the pressure on the lateral wings. Another advantageous method not shown in the drawings, the operator engages a means 9 joining a wing 5 of the first section la with the end weft thread 3 of the second section lb by inclining the bottom 4 of the first section la relative to the second section 1b. The operator then exerts pressure on the free wing 5 of the first section 1a so as to deform it elastically towards the bottom 4 of the first section 1a and then lowers the first section 1a so that the bottom 30 4 of the first section 1a and the bottom 4 of the second section lb are coplanar and the means 9 joining the bottom of the first section engages on the end weft wire 3 of the second section 1b. Finally, the operator releases the pressure exerted so that the joining means 9 carried by the wing described as previously free, comes into engagement with the end weft thread 3 of the second section. C008 B061 EN - TQD The manufacture of the sections la, lb is advantageously carried out as follows. In a first step, the warp yarns 2 and the weft yarns 3 are assembled, for example by welding, so as to form a yarn trellis panel, typically three meters in length in the direction of the warp and yarn yarns. two to three meters wide, in the direction of the weft threads.

Parallel or prior to this first step, the withdrawal of a wire on itself leads to the formation of U-shaped pieces, these U-shaped pieces comprising two parallel wires 17, 18. Then, the U-shaped pieces are attached to the panel wire mesh, so as to form a loop extending in a plane parallel to the most extension of the web. In a subsequent step, the U-shaped pieces are deformed so as to obtain the form of baffle comprising the two curved portions 12, 13 described above. FIG. 10 represents a part of the panel thus formed, in relation with the connection loops represented in FIG. 8, comprising the gap 19. According to a particular embodiment, the connecting means 9 can be produced independently of the production of the panel and welded thereto to form a panel provided with joining means 9. Parallel or later, the wire mesh panel is placed in volume, to form a section of cable tray 1a, 1b, typically length of three meters. During this build-up, the weft threads 3 are folded, the warp threads 2 being placed on either side of the folds of the weft threads 3. The section of the sections obtained is in U or V, and it has been indicated before.

However, in the configurations shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the wire mesh panels are stackable, stackable and more easily transportable than an already formed section 1a, 1b. C008 B061 EN - TQD The cable trays just described have many advantages.

A first advantage is that the sections are easily manufactured and easy to assemble. It is in particular possible to provide the establishment of the junction loops 9, by welding and deformation of U-shaped parts, after conventional realization of wire mesh panels. The junction loops 9 are advantageously made by using the same wire as that used for the production of the warp son and / or weft son. A second advantage is to obtain an extremely reliable cable tray, in particular with respect to the flexural strength.

Another advantage is to obtain a section whose transport is both free from any risk of deterioration and made optimal by a substantial gain in place.

In particular, it is possible to transport the wire mesh panels, provided with U-shaped parts, and to cut the strip panel and volume the strips to form the sections 1a, 1b that at the most ready construction areas.

30 C008 B061 EN - TQD

Claims (8)

REVENDICATIONS1. Section (1a, 1b) of wire mesh cable tray comprising a bottom (4) and two wings (5) side, provided with warp son (2) and weft son (3), this section (1a , lb) being provided with a male end portion (6) and a female end portion (7), the male end portion (6) comprising on its bottom (4) and each of its lateral wings (5), at least one means (9) for joining, said connecting means (9) forming at one end a baffle defined by a first curved section (12) and a second curved section (13), the first curved section (12) forming a suitable cavity engaging an end weft thread (3) of the female end portion (7) of a second adjacent section (1b), characterized in that the first curved section (12) is adjacent to the weft yarn end (14) of the male end portion (6). 2. Section (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first section (12) curve forms an outwardly facing cavity of the section (1a, 1b) and the second section (13) curved form a rotated cavity towards the inside of the section (1a, 1b). 3. Section (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first cavity is defined by an arc whose radius is substantially equal to the radius of the wire (3) of the weft of the wire mesh. 4. Section (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the second curved section (13) of the baffles wings (5) side extends partly in the extension of the warp son (2) wings (5) lateral. 5. Section (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the means (9) junction are positioned on the bottom (4) of the section (1a, 1b) between two son (2) chain. 35 6. Threaded yarn tablecloth, provided with warp yarns (2) and weft yarns (3), this sheet being provided with two portions, a male portion and a female portion, each of the male and female portions comprising C008 B061 A male end edge and a female end edge, the proximal end of which is respectively terminated by a male end weft thread (14) and a female end weft thread, the portion male comprising, at least one means (9) reported junction and welded, characterized in that at least one junction means is partially projecting in a plane formed by the web. 7. Wire mesh tablecloth, provided with warp yarns (2) and weft yarns (3), this sheet being provided with two portions, a male portion and a female portion, each of the male and female portions respectively comprising a male end edge and a female end edge whose proximal end is respectively terminated by a male end weft yarn (14) and a female end weft yarn, the male portion comprising, at least one joining means (9) attached and welded, said connecting means (9) forming at one end a baffle defined by a first curved section (12) and a second curved section (13), the first curved section forming a cavity adapted to engaging a female end weft thread on the female portion (7) of a second adjacent section (1b), characterized in that the first curved section (12) is adjacent to the end weft thread (14) ) male. 8. A method of manufacturing a wire mesh section (1a, 1b), comprising a step of: - aligning the warp yarns (2) in a so-called longitudinal direction, - aligning the yarns (3) of weft above the warp yarns (2) in a direction transverse to that of the warp yarns (2), of the weft yarns (3) being welded to the warp yarns (2), characterized in that comprises: - a folding step of at least one separate wire so as to give it a general U shape, - a step of fixing said U-shaped wire on the wire mesh, - a folding step of the wire U-shaped so as to give it a general form of chicane. C008 B061 EN - TQD