GB2147152A

GB2147152A - Skirting board structure for the distribution of electric energy and other similar services in civil use premises

Info

Publication number: GB2147152A
Application number: GB08325812A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Guido Zucchini
Original assignee: Teknolit SRL
Current assignee: Teknolit SRL
Priority date: 1982-05-04
Filing date: 1983-09-27
Publication date: 1985-05-01
Also published as: AU1976483A; CA1199379A; AU566891B2; FR2526595A1; IT8221061A0; JPS5937824A; CH654146A5; DE3314621A1; GB8325812D0; NL8303438A; IT1153510B; BE896660A

Abstract

Skirting board structure for the distribution of electric energy and other similar services comprises a strip-shaped insulating base (1) and a strip-shaped insulating cover (2) which can be mounted on the base in a removable manner to form a box-shaped body in the form of a skirting board accommodating a plurality of electric wires (14) extending the whole length of the structure. Separate connecting means are provided to connect the electric wires to the mains and to the wires of other lengths of skirting board. Wire and cables for other purposes (e.g. telephone. television aerials, line radio, and switches) can be accommodated in a lower space (12). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Skirting board structure for the distribution of electric energy and other similar services in civil use premises The present invention relates to a skirting board structure for the distribution of electric energy and other similar services in civil use premises such as habitations, stores, agencies or the like.

With the construction systems actually in use, the distribution of electric energy and other similar services such as telephone, line radio, etc. in civil use premises is achieved by means of wires fitted in plastic tubes situated under plaster while sockets, switches and the like are disposed in suitable boxes enclosed in the walls.

The strictness of this solution requires an accurate previous planning of the positions of the different current tapping and shunting points based on a predetermined scheme concerning the fitting up of the rooms. Possible subsequent variants can be achieved only by means of unaesthetic flying wires or it is necessary to break the walls in order to dispose further wires, sockets, switches and the like, which is furthermore very expensive and difficult.

It is a main object of the present invention to eliminate the above mentioned drawbacks depending on the systems actually in use, and to perform a skirting board structure by which it is possible to arrange interior wirings and the like in civil use premises, without needing to dispose the same under plaster, furthermore assuring a high degree of flexibility, so that the previous planning for the distribution of the various electrical apparatus is not necessarily required, said interior wirings being adjustable to any requirement arising at the time of use.

A further object of the present invention is to allow the laying of the electrical system or the like at the end of the building works, being already carried out the facing of the walls.

These and still further objects which may appear evident from the description which follows are attained by the skirting board structure according to the present invention for the distribution of electric energy and other similar services in civil use premises, which structure is characterized in that it consists of a strip-shaped base made from electrically insulating material, suitable to be secured along bottom of room-walls, and of a strip-shaped cover made from electrically insulating material too, which can be applied to said base in a removable manner in order to form a box-shaped body in the form of a skirting board, said base being inwardly provided with a plurality of longitudinally developed housings disposed side by side and extending the whole length of said base, and suitable to accommodate respective electric wires, connection means being provided to electrically connect the electric wires of a skirting board structure length to the electric wires of other adjacent lengths of the same skirting board structure, connection means being also provided to connect said electric wires to the supply mains.

In this way it is possible to perform a skirting board which not only trims the bottom of room-walls thus fulfilling the function of the traditional skirting boards, also called "mopboards", but is also used to convey electric energy, offering the possibility of branching out at whatever point, according to the electric installation which one wishes to obtain each time.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will appear more evident from the detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a skirting board structure for the distribution of electric energy and other similar services in civil use premises, given hereinafter by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the skirting board structure according to the invention; Figure 2 is an elevation view of a connecting member to electrically connect the wires of two pieces of a skirting board structure; Figure 3 is a section taken along line Ill-Ill of Fig. 2; Figure 4 is a section taken along line IV-IV of Fig. 2; Figure 5 is an elevation view of a supply member suitable to connect the wires of the skirting board structure according to the invention, to the supply means; Figure 6 is a section taken along line VI-VI of Fig. 5; Figure 7 is a section taken along line VII VII of Fig. 5; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a seam covering element to apply on the line of junction between two pieces of the skirting board structure.

Referring to said drawings, the skirting board structure according to the present invention includes a strip-shaped base 1 made from electrically insulating material, which can be secured along the bottom of room-walls where one wishes to arrange an electrical distribution system and other similar services, and a strip-shaped (channel-shaped) cover 2, made from electrically insulating material too, which can be applied to said base in a removable manner. Said portions 1 and 2 which can be of plastic material having suitable dielectric features and colours and wood-imitating grains, form, when joined together, a box-shaped body the outer sizes of which are those of a common skirting board or "mop board".

The base 1 can be fixed to the walls by whatever means, for example screws or, as shown in Fig. 1, two double-sided adhesive strips 3.

The cover 2 is snap-fitted to the base 1, provision being made for suitable projections which engage with each other. In the embodiment of Fig. 1 cover 2 is provided at its upper portion with a channel-shaped grooved edge 4 suitable to receive the upper edge of a strip 5 being part of base 1: at its lower portion the same cover 2 is provided with a hooked edge 6 suitable to be engaged with a corresponding hooked portion 7 provided at the lower portion of base 1.

In this way, after coupling together said portions 4 and 5, by exerting a pressure on cover 2 the hooked portions 6 and 7 are hooked together so that there is the passage from the half-closed arrangement shown in Fig. 1 to the closed arrangement of Figs. 4 and 7.

Advantageously a similar restrained engagement is also provided at half height and is obtained by means of an inner rib 8 of cover 2, this rib having an enlargement which can be snap-fitted within two other ribs 9 and 10 provided on base 1, the ends of said ribs turned towards cover 2 being hook-shaped.

Therefore, when said skirting board structure is closed (Figs. 4 and 7) two spaces 11 and 1 2 are formed inside it, an upper space and a lower space respectively, separated from each other by said ribs 8, 9, 10.

The cables of different services such as telephone and television aerial cables and line radio cables or the like can be disposed in the lower space 1 2 as well as the wires for auxiliary controls (for the connection of switches two by two, for example).

The wires for the distribution of electric energy are disposed in the upper space 11.

More particularly, housings 1 3 are formed in the base 1, these housings being disposed side by side, extending longitudinally along the whole length of the skirting board structure and being suitable to accommodate corresponding bare wires 14 fitted by pressure therein (in this embodiment four housings accommodating an equal number of wires have been shown, but their number can be different). Said housings are shaped so that they avoid a direct contact with fingers; furthermore, in order to prevent an accidental contact also with the point of a screwdriver or the like, an insulating diaphragm 15 (Fig. 1) is provided which can be fitted by pressure between the hooked portions exhibited by said rib 9 and by a further rib 1 6 of base 1.

This insulating diaphragm can be removed by means of a common screwdriver used as a lever.

Both base 1 and cover 2 can be obtained by a drawing process and therefore they are formed in pieces having any desirable length or in standard lengths, the base 1 being already equipped with wires 1 4 along the whole length of each piece. The different pieces thus obtained can be cut by means of a common arm saw in order to adjust them exactly to the walls.

Of course, the skirting board structure according to the present invention can be disposed not only along bottom of room-walls but also vertically so that it is possible to obtain upright posts or along the outline of the ceiling as an ornamental molding.

In order to obtain an electrical continuity between the wires 14 of adjacent lengths of the skirting board structure, a connecting member 1 7 (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) is provided which can be applied astride of the ends of the same lengths disposed edge to edge.

Such connecting member 1 7 is formed from an electrically insulating plastic material boxshaped body inside which are mounted small bridges 1 8 parallelly disposed, the number of the same corresponding to that of wires 1 4 and being also spaced as much as the latter.

Each of said small bridges 1 8 is thrust against wires 14 by means of two helical springs 1 9 placed at the ends thereof, so that the same small bridge, suitably shaped, constitutes a connection between the wires placed in mutual alignment, coming out of the insulating box-shaped body with its rounded ends.

At its lower portion the body of the connecting member 1 7 has a projecting edge 1 7a (Fig. 4) suitable to be engaged with the hooked portion of rib 9 which retains the above mentioned diaphragm 1 5. At its upper portion the member 1 7 is provided with two latches having a slotted head so that they can be operated by means of a screwdriver; by rotating said latches through about 90 it is possible to engage them (while messing member 1 7 towards base 1) with a corresponding edge exhibited by the above mentioned rib 1 6 (Fig. 4) in order to obtain the locking of the connecting member 1 7 between ribs 9 and 10. After the assembling, the member 1 7 is contained within base 1 and cover 2.

In order to connect the wires to the supply mains, a supply member 21 (Figs. 5, 6 and 7) is provided which, in the same way as the connecting member 17, is formed from an electrically insulating plastic material boxshaped body inside which thin metal plates 22 are disposed; said thin plates are mounted parallel to each other, their number corresponds to that of wires 14 and they are spaced as much as the latter. Each thin plate 22 is provided at one end thereof with a cable-securing nut 23 having a corresponding locking screw and, at the other end thereof, with a projection 24 (Fig. 6) which projects through a suitable slot formed on the boxshaped body so that it can contact the corre sponding wire 14. Furthermore, each thin plate 22 is thrust towards the wires by means of a helical spring 25 (Fig. 6), so that a good electrical contact is assured.The thin plates 22 are held in place by suitable inner ribs formed on the box-shaped body.

In order to obtain a good distribution and an easier accessibility for clamping the supply cables, it is provided to dispose the thin plates 22 in alternately symmetrical positions, the cable-securing nut 23 being alternately turned to the right or to the left.

The clamping of the supply member 21 to ribs 9 and 1 6 takes place in the same manner as described above with reference to the connecting member 17, that is by means of a lower projecting edge 26 and of two upper latches 27 (Fig. 7). After the assembling, the member 21 is contained within base 1 and cover 2.

In order to hide the slit which should be visible between two lengths fitted edge to edge, a seam covering element 28 (Fig. 8) is provided in correspondence of cover 2, which has the same section as the cover itself. More particularly, the central portion thereof exactly reproduces the shape of cover 2, both outwardly and inwardly, as well as the hooking ribs provided on the same, so that the seam covering element 28 can be easily snap-fitted on base 1, in the same manner as already explained with reference to the cover.

Four side tabs 30 are provided on both sides of said central portions 29, which appear recessed with respect to the central portion itself, so that they can be fitted under two covers 2 disposed in alignment edge to edge, as viewed on the right-hand side looking Figs.

5 and 6; in this way the skirting board structure appears perfectly closed, all slits along the line of junction being thus eliminated.

From what described above, the operation and use of the skirting board structure according to the invention appears evident.

By applying said skirting board structure along the bottom of room-walls, after electrically connecting the different pieces together by means of the connecting members 1 7 and after assuring the current supply by means of the supply member 21 connected to the mains, there is the possibility of branching out at whatever point in order to cause the operation of various electrical apparatuses (such as lighting apparatuses, calculating machines, electrical typewriters, radio and television sets, electrified furniture, etc.). The same skirting board structure can be advantageously used in a vertical position in order to obtain electrified posts, for example in correspondence of door and window jambs.

As already explained, in the space 1 2 of said structure can be accommodated the cables for other services such as telephone and television aerial cables and line radio cables or other wires for auxiliary controls.

If one wishes to carry out modifications to the electrical or telephone system or to other equipments, he can easily intervene executing the new connections at the desired points after removing the cover 2 where required.

It should be understood that the skirting board structure according to the present invention allows an easy installation of the electrical and telephonic equipments or the like in civil use premises, which installation can be executed when the walls are perfectly faced as it is not necessary to break the walls again, being furthermore possible a branching out at whatever point of the same structure.

Obviously the invention is not limited to the above described embodiment but many modifications can be carried out without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention itself.

Claims

1. A skirting board structure or ornamental molding according to the present invention for the distribution of electric energy and other similar services in civil use premises, characterized in that it consists of a stripshaped base (1) made from electrically insulating material, suitable to be secured along bottom of room-walls, and of a strip-shaped cover (2) made from electrically insulating material too, which can be applied to said base (1) in a removable manner in order to form a box-shaped body in the form of a skirting board or ornamental molding, said base being inwardly provided with a plurality of longitudinally developed housings (13) disposed side by side and extending the whole length of said base, and suitable to accommodate respective electric wires (14), connection means being provided to electrically connect the electric wires (14) of a skirting board structure length to the electric wires (14) of adjacent lengths of the same skirting board structure, connection means being also provided to connect said electric wires (14) to the supply mains.

2. A structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said base (1) and cover (2), after their coupling, define two inner spaces (11 and 12) disposed one upon the other, in one (11) of which said housings (13) and electric wires (14) are arranged while in the other (12) can be fitted cables for other services or wires for auxiliary controls.

3. A structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said wires (14) are bare and fitted by pressure in corresponding housings (13) of base (1), said housings (13) exhibiting a longitudinal continuous opening suitable to allow the necessary contacts to be done at any point of said structure, for the different branching out, without requiring additional operations such as removal of insulating pieces, taking out of cables or the like.

4. A structure as claimed in claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said box-shaped body, formed by joining said base (1) and cover together, has outer dimensions and aesthetic features equal to those of a common skirting board or "mop-board" or of an ornamental molding to be disposed round wall of rooms.

5. A structure as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said base (1) and cover (2) are centrally equipped with mutually engaging projections, allowing the same to be snap-fastened to each other, said base and cover being also provided with further means suitable for their mutual restrained engagement and their mutual hooked engagement respectively.

6. A structure as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said cover (2) and base (1) are inwardly provided with ribs (8, 9-10) which are designed to engage with each other by pressure and which define said two inner superimposed spaces (11-12) in said box-shaped body.

7. A structure as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said base (1) can be fixed to the wall by means of double-sided adhesive strips (3).

8. A structure as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said boxshaped body is provided with a diaphragm (15) of electrically insulating material, which can be shap-fitted on the housings (13) of the electric wires (14) in order to avoid any accidental contact between the latter and the point of a screwdriver or the like, also when the cover (2) has been removed.

9. A structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said connecting means comprises at least a connecting member (17) consisting of a box-shaped body of electrically insulating material inside which are mounted small metal bridges (18) parallelly disposed, the number of the same corresponding to that of wires (14) and being also spaced as much as the latter, spring means (19) being furthermore provided to thrust said small bridges (18) against said electric wires so that, when applied, an electrical connection between the wires (14) disposed side by side in mutual alignment can be achieved; said connecting member (17) being housed, after the assembling, within said base (1) and cover (2).

10. A structure as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that said connecting member (1.7) is provided with restrained fixing means (17a) and latch means (20) to allow the same to be coupled to base (1), close to the housings of said electric wires (14).

11. A structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said connecting means to connect the wires to the supply mains comprises at least a supply member (21) consisting of a box-shaped body of electrically insulating material, inside which thin metal plates (22) are disposed, said thin plates (22) being parallel to each other and their number corresponding to that of wires (14) and being also spaced as much as the latter, each of said thin metal plates (22) being provided with a cable-securing nut (23) and a projection (24) suitable to contact the corresponding wire (14), spring means (25) being also provided to thrust said projection (24) against wires (14) in order to assure a good electrical contact; said supply member (21) being housed, after the assembling, within said base (1) and cover (2).

1 2. A structure as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that said supply member (21) is provided with restrained fixing means (26) and latch means (27) to allow the same to be coupled to said base (1), close to the housings of said electric wires (14).

1 3. A structure as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it comprises at least a seam covering element of a section similar to that of cover (2), designed to hide the slit formed at the line of junction between two lengths of the same structure.

14. A structure as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that said seam covering element comprises a central portion (29) exactly reproducing the shape of cover (2), both outwardly and inwardly, as well as the hooking ribs formed on the same, so that the seam covering element (28) can be easily snapfitted on base (1), said central portion (29) being also provided with side tabs (30) which appear recessed with respect to the central portion itself and which can be fitted under said cover (2) in correspondence of the lines of junction between two lengths of said skirting board structure.