GB2237454A

GB2237454A - Trunking connector

Info

Publication number: GB2237454A
Application number: GB9010433A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roberto Boffelli
Original assignee: BTicino SpA
Current assignee: BTicino SpA
Priority date: 1989-10-24
Filing date: 1990-05-09
Publication date: 1991-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 2010-05-09
Also published as: GB2237454B; IT218910Z2; IT8921984V0; GB9010433D0; FR2653608A1; IT8921984U1; FR2653608B1

Abstract

A connection element 1 for joining a raceway or trunking 2 with a cut end 15 to an interconnection joint (3, Fig 4) or trunking having end fittings 7, 8, comprises a termination 18 having end fittings 7 and means of coupling 19, 25, 26, in a slidable and adjustable manner (Figs 2 and 3), to the cut end of the trunking. The trunking has grooves 11, 12 to receive hooks to mount it on a surface. The plates 23, 24 have lugs 20, 30 to seal off the grooves to prevent dust entering the trunking. The interconnection joint (3, Fig 4) is constructed to mate with fittings 7, 8. <IMAGE>

Description

AN INTERCONNECTION ELEMENT FOR ASSEMBLY RACEWAY ADAPTED FOR LAYING AND ENCASING ELECTRIC CABLES DESCRIPTION This invention relates to an interconnection element for assembly raceways adapted for laying and encasing electric cables, said raceways being to standard lengths and types provided with conventional opposite end fittings and at least one longitudinal groove for receiving wall-mount hooks, and including at least one section cut or sheared according to necessity.

As is known raceways of the kind outlined above are wideLy employed in civil and industrial environments to erect sealed ductings adapted to enclose and protect electric cables.

Such ductings are composed by assembling and connecting together raceway sections which have customarily a pre-determined length.

The raceway sections have opposite ends which are configured in standard fittings whereby they can be interconnected by means of tight joints. These joints have varying configurations and designs, and can also impart a high degree of protection capacity to the raceway ducting, e.g. an IP (International Protection) rating of 40 or 44, against penetration by dust and/or sprinkled water.

It is a complaint in the relevant field that the raceway sections of predetermined length not always allow for the raceway to match the morphology of the interior spaces for which they are intended. It is often found, in particular, that a raceway must be cut to negotiate a corner or an obstruction, so that a joint has to be provided at an unplanned location or at a non-standard distance from the last joint.

This requirement obviously poses problems to the installer in making the connection, since the cut off raceway section will have lost its end with the standard fitting for accommodating a joint.

This is true especially where the raceway is of the type which includes a longitudinal groove defining the inward face of a female seat or socket for receiving a hook to be mounted to a wall.

These particular raceways, as described for instance in Italian Patent Application No. 23175-A/88, create a further problem for the installer inasmuch as the presence of the groove is a potential source for seepage in the interconnection area.

In addition, the installer would usually cut the raceway in the field, which unavoidably results in inaccuracies and a cut which is less than true to the raceway axis. It is therefore desirable that the interconnection element can adjust for such cutting inaccuracies and ensure an adequately tight joint.

It is the object of this invention to provide an interconnection element for assembly raceways adapted for laying and encasing electric cables, which has such structural and functional characteristics as to readily afford a proper fit between ends of raceway sections which have been cut off at unplanned locations, and provide at the same time adequate protection atileast-agåinst penetration by solid particulate and /or dust.

This object is achieved by an interconnection element as indicated being characterized in that it comprises a termination having, on the one side, end fittings, and on the other side, a means of coupling, in a slidable and adjustable fashion, to a cut end of said raceway section.

The features and advantages of an interconnection element according to the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of non-limitative example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a raceway section and the interconnection element according to the invention; Figure 2 shows the interconnection element of Figure 1 under working conditions; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the element shown in Figure 2, taken along the line III-III; and Figure 4 is a further exploded view in perspective of the raceway section shown in Figure 1.

With reference to the drawing views, generally indicated at 1 is an interconnection element for assembly raceways 2 adapted for laying and encasing electric cables indicated at 9 in Figure 4.

The raceways 2, of highly stiff construction, are installed across walls and/or ceilings of civil and industrial buildings.

Such raceways 2 are formed preferably from sectional profile stock of sheet metal in varying standard lengths, and are detachably fit together by means of interconnection joints 3. They are substantially U-shaped in cross-section, with side walls 4 and 5 and a bottom wall 6.

Each raceway 2 has, at its opposite ends, respective fittings 7, known per se and to a standard design, which comprise dished seats 8 defining on the raceway interior guide blocks matching the peripheral contour of the joint 3.

The raceways 2 have exteriorly opposed longitudinal grooves 11 and 12 which are roll formed respectively across the walls 4 and 5 near the corner joint between said walls and the bottom 6. Such grooves are centered to the end fitting 7 and define each a female seat or socket 13 for receiving a hook, not shown because conventional, to permit of the wall or ceiling raceway mounting.

With reference to Figure 1, there is shown a section 15 of a raceway 2 which has been sheared or cut transversely to the grooves 11 and 12.

The interconnection element 1 is particularly intended for jointing the cut end of said raceway section 15.

For this purpose, the element 1 includes a termination 18 having, on the one side, end fittings 7, and on the other side, a means for coupling, in a slidable and adjustable fashion, to the end of said raceway section 15.

Said means comprises an essentially U-shaped profile portion 19 which has juxtaposed side walls 25 and 26, and juxtaposed plate clamps 23 and 24 defining, with the walls 25 and 26 of that portion 19, a seat for receiving the end of the cut raceway section in interfit relationship therein.

The portion 19 has an outside profile contour that matches the inside profile contour of the section 15. More specifically, since the outward faces of the grooves 11 and 12 define inside each raceway 2 respective bands 21 and 22 which extend longitudinally on the opposed walls 4 and 5 near the bottom 6, the profile contour of the portion 19 having respective depressions 31 and 32 at the locations of such bands.

Advantageously, the plates 23 and 24 are supported in mutually spaced-apart relationship with the opposed side walls 25 and 26 of the portion 19.

Each of said side walls 25 and 26, as well as each of the plates 23 and 24, has a corresponding hole 17, 27 formed at such a location as to provide a passageway for the shank of a screw 28 having a respective nut 29.

The screw 28 and nut 29 constitute a clamping means for clamping together, with the plates 23 and 24 and the portion 19, and secure to the termination 18 the cut end of the raceway section 15.

Advantageously, provided on each of the plates 23 and 24 are respective, essentially sheet-like lugs 20 and 30 jutting to the interior 13 of the corresponding grooves 11 and 12, obstructing them.

This allows the protection (IP) and tightness rating of the inventive element to be improved versus penetration by solid matter.

The interconnection element of this invention has a major advantage in that it can be readily fitted to the cut end of a raceway section of non-standard length, to provide that cut end anew with standard fittings for connection by means of conventional type joints.

In addition, the element according to the invention enables adjustment for such cutting inaccuracies as may occur at the installation stage, while affording adequate protection against penetration by solid matter.

Claims

1. An interconnection element (1) for assembly raceways (2) adapted for laying and encasing electric cables (9), said raceways (2) being to standard lengths and types provided with conventional opposite end fittings (7) and at least one longitudinal groove (11,12) for receiving wall-mount hooks, and including at least one section (15) cut or sheared according to necessity, characterized in that it comprises a termination (18) having, on the one side, end fittings (7), and on the other side, a means (19,25,26) of coupling, in a slidable and adjustable fashion, to a cut end of said raceway section (15).

2. An interconnection element according to Claim 1, characterized in that said means comprises an essentially U-shaped profile portion (19) and juxtaposed plates (23,24) defining with said portion a seat for receiving the end of the cut raceway section {15)nínr X interfit relationship.

3. An interconnection element according to Claim 2, characterized in that said plates (23,24) areheld in mutually spaced-apart relationship with opposed parallel side walls (25,26) of said portion (19), clamping means (28,29) being provided for clamping together the plates with said portion (19), to secure the cut end of the raceway section (15).

4. An interconnection element according to Claim 2, characterized in that provided on each plate (23,24) are respective essentially sheet-like lugs (20,30), each jutting to the inward face (11,12) of the corresponding said groove (13).