GB2243251A

GB2243251A - Junction box with locking hooks

Info

Publication number: GB2243251A
Application number: GB9101319A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hans Simon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-01-24
Filing date: 1991-01-21
Publication date: 1991-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 2011-01-21
Also published as: ITMI910165A0; FR2658379A1; ITMI910165A1; DE4001955C1; FR2658379B1; IT1247895B; GB2243251B; GB9101319D0

Abstract

A junction box for electrical appliances, of which the lower section (2) or baseplate (1) can be inserted into a recess of an appliance wall, has at least one flexible locking hook (13) provided on the lower section, engaging under the inner edge of the recess, this engagement being releasable by means of a pivoting movement of the locking hook. A lid (5) can be locked in the closed position with respect to the lower section (2), the lid having at least one blocking tooth (15) which, when the lid (5) is closed, engages behind the locking hook to prevent it from being released. <IMAGE>

Description

j JUNCTION BOX WITH LOCKING HOOKS

The invention relates to a junction box with locking hooks. In particular the invention relates to a junction box according to the preamble of claim 1. Junction boxes of this type, in the case of which the lower part of the box can be detachably secured in a recess of the appliance wall by means of flexible locking hooks and, on the other hand, the lid can be located in the lower section of the box or the box baseplate, are known as cable junction boxes, for example from German Specification 34 30 756 Al.

In order that the box can be removed from the appliance as required, the locking hooks are pivoted out of the engaged position by pressure in the direction of the lower section of the box.

In this connection it has hitherto been possible for the flexible locking hooks to be moved unintentionally, or even in an unauthorised manner, out of the engagement position. This risk can be brought about in particular when there are differences in the appliance wall thickness or when the wall thickness is altered. The appliance wall is often galvanised, lacquered or enamelled after the recess has been punched out. As a result thereof there can form on the edges of the recess in the appliance wall thickened or rounded 2 sections, so-called flow projections, which cannot engage completely behind the locking hook and have a negative effect on the angle of incidence of the locking hook. If great traction, i.e. pulling-out forces, act on the box, in particular at an angle of 900 away from the appliance wall, these smooth rounded sections of the flow projections can facilitate disengagement or pulling out.

The invention is therefore based on the object of preventing the locking hooks of the lower section of the box unintentionally pivoting out of their engagement position in that way.

The solution to this object is provided in the characterising part of claim 1. When the lid is closed, the blocking teeth formed in a corresponding position on the lid engage in each case behind the associated locking hook of the lower section and thus block the locking hook against unintentional pivoting. The flexible locking hooks are anchored more securely in the engaged position but they can nevertheless be easily detached when the lid has been opened.

In order to describe the invention in greater detail, one embodiment will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

3 Figure 1 shows the embodiment in perspective; Figure 2 is a section along line II-II in Fig.1, inserted in an appliance wall and open; Figure 3 shows the section according to Figure 2 with the lid closed.

On a baseplate 1 of the box lower section 2 there are provided three screw terminals 3, known per se, for the three leads of a connection cable which can be rigidly clamped on the box lower section 2 by means of a cable clamp/pull-release device 4.

A lid 5 is integrally connected to the box lower section 2 by means of a film hinge 6. On a wall 5a of the lid 5 opposite the hinge 6 there is provided a flexible locking hook 7 which engages in a hole 8 on the baseplate 1 in a locking manner when the lid is closed. The locking hook 7 can be moved out of the closed position through an aperture 9 in the lid end wall 5a to open the lid.

Two lateral sealing strips 10 are provided on the box lower section 2 and below the lid hinge 6 there is provided a rigid locking strip 11 in such a way that when a lower section is inserted in a 4 recess in an appliance wall 12, the rigid locking strip 11 engages below the appliance wall 12, whilst the lateral sealing strips 10 lie on the upper side or outer side on the edge of the recess in the appliance wall.

On the side of the lower section 2 opposite the hinge 6 or the rigid locking strip 11, two flexible locking hooks 13 are provided. These locking hooks are mounted at the lower end of a recess or a pocket 14 which in each case is formed on the lower section or on the baseplate.

In accordance with the invention, one blocking tooth 15 is formed on the lid end wall 5a, opposite the hinge 6, for each of the two locking hooks 13 in each case., each of which teeth engages behind the locking hook 13 engaging below the appliance recess when the lid 5 is closed. In this connection the blocking tooth 15 passes in each case into the recess or the pocket 14 which is required in any case to accommodate the pivoting movement of the locking hooks 13 (cf. Figures 2 and 3).

Each blocking tooth 15 has an approach incline 15a. Each locking hook 13 includes an upper inclined surface 13a at the end of which a bar 13b is provided having an inclined surface 13c facing 1 1 z the blocking tooth 15. This bar 13b engages in a pocket 16 on the wall 5a of the lid 5. The location of blocking tooth 15 in pocket 14 as shown in Fig.3 is effective to prevent unintentional inward pivoting of the locking hook 13 from the Fig.3 position. The blocking tooth 15 is particularly effective when the pocket 14 is practically or completely filled by the blocking tooth 15 i.e. when the crosssection of the blocking tooth corresponds to that of the pocket 14.

Naturally, the junction box may also be built in some other manner. Instead of being provided with a film hinge or some other hinge one locking hook or two locking hooks may also be provided. The junction box may be formed in another manner as a cable junction box, instead of a mains supply junction box, as is usual. Finally, a box of this type may also be built to accommodate printed circuit boards, i.e. it may be practically a housing.

6

Claims

1. A junction box for electrical appliances comprising a lower section or baseplate which can be inserted in a recess of an appliance wall, at leatt one flexible locking hook, provided on the lower section, for engaging under the inner edge of the recess and this engagement being detachable by means of the locking hook performing a pivoting movement, and a lid which can be locked with respect to the lower section in the closed position, characterised in that there is provided on the lid at least one blocking tooth which engages behind the locking hook of the lower section in a manner such that it is secured against opening when the lid is closed.

2. A junction box as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that a chamfer is formed on the or on each blocking tooth.

3. A junction box as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a bar, which is equipped with an incline and engages in a pocket on the lid edge, is provided on the or on each locking hook of the lower section.

4. A junction box constructed and arranged substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Published 1 991 at The Patent Office. Concept House. Cardiff Road. Newport. Gwent NP9 I RH. Further conies may be obtained from Sales Branch. Unit 6. Nine Mile Point. Ciimfelinfach. Cross KeyS, New-port. NPI 7HZ. Printed by Multiplex techniques lid. St Mary Cray. Kent