GB2411054A

GB2411054A - Terminal floor box with cable outlet

Info

Publication number: GB2411054A
Application number: GB0503034A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Staffan Eriksson
Original assignee: Thorsman and Co AB
Current assignee: Thorsman and Co AB
Priority date: 2004-02-12
Filing date: 2005-02-14
Publication date: 2005-08-17
Anticipated expiration: 2025-02-14
Also published as: SE0400332D0; GB2411054B; DE102005006144A1; GB0503034D0; SE526646C2; SE0400332L

Abstract

A terminal floor box 1 for electrical installations comprises a box 2 provided with electrical terminal devices, a foldable lid 8 with a recess 14, and at least one cable outlet unit 15 through which cables may be directed through the recess and above the plane of the floor with the lid in its closed position. The cable outlet unit has first and second end portions, the first end portion 20 having a planar surface 21 with a given outer contour, which extends perpendicularly from a rear wall 16, and the second end portion 25 having two arms 26, 27 extending from the rear wall whose outer surfaces define a contour which corresponds to the contour of the first end portion. A gap 28 is provided between the two arms through which cables may enter the cable outlet unit. The unit may be fixed in a first orientation (Fig. 1) wherein cables can be directed through the unit and above the plane of the floor with the lid in its closed position, and a second orientation (Fig. 4) wherein the cable outlet unit lies in the same plane as the lid to cover the recess.

Description

2411 054 TERMINAL FLOOR BOX hIAVING CABLE OUTLET

Technical Field of the Inventio_

The invention relates to a flush apparatus and/or terminal floor box for electrical installations. The box is provided with a foldable lid and at least one cable outlet Such terminal boxes enable connection of cables to terminal devices arranged in the box for service lines of deferent types located under the floor. lo

Today, it is common in office premises, computing centres and the like that service cables of different types are located under the floors. Terminal floor boxes were used in these installations in order to arrange the distribution of, e.g., electric power and data from defined positions on the floor. Cables from the con s nected equipment are directly connected to the terminal devices in the box or to a terminal unit for power and data that is mounted standing on top of such a floor box. When the floor box is not utilized, it should in closed position have a flat upper surface flush with the rest of the floor. On the other hand, when cables have been connected to the terminal devices in the box, it have to be possible to bring up to these cables in the space above the plane of the floor with the lid in closed posi- tion. Hence, some type of cable outlet has to be arranged, usually as an integrated part of the lid of the floor box.

The floor box has to be mechanically stable and resist feasible loads irre- spective of it being used or not. This makes great demands on the lid and particu larly the cable outlet. It is a known problem that just the cable outlet unintentionally may be poached or kicked to pieces, which, in addition to this resulting in the entire lid then having to be exchanged, also may damage the cabtes running out through the outlet.

EP 1372234 shows a floor box of the type mentioned' which is provided so with a lid having an integrated cable outlet part.

Summarv of the Invention An object of the present invention is to provide a floor box for electrical installations, which has a lid and especially an outlet part that is more stable and less susceptible to unintentional damage than previously known solutions.

An advantage of the floor box according to the invention is that the cable outlet is mounted in the proper box (against a side wall in the box) , which decreases the risk of squeezing the cables since all cables may be put in place in the outlet before the lid is closed. As will be described below, the outlet is also supported by the lid, which, among other things, means that if the outlet is sub- o jected to kicks, the lid assists in keeping the outlet in place.

Since the outlet extends up above the plane of the floor, the outgoing cables are protected from all directions. In order to additionally protect, conceal or hold together the outgoing cables, it is possible to in a known way surround these with a casing or flexible tube.

i5 When the outlet is closed, there are no openings through which dirt may penetrate into the box.

The invention is characterized according to the accompanying claims.

Description of the Drawings

so Additional objects, applications and advantages of the invention may be seen from the following description given with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective an apparatus and/or terminal floor box for electrical installations provided with a cable outlet unit according to the invention.

us Figure 2 shows in perspective a first embodiment of the cable outlet unit according to the invention.

Figure 3 shows in perspective and partly in cross-section a terminal floor box with closed lid and the cable outlet unit in active position.

Figure 4 shows in perspective a terminal floor box with open lid and the so cable outlet unit in passive position.

Figure 5 shows in perspective a second embodiment of the cable outlet unit according to the invention.

Figure 6 shows in perspective a variant of the attachment of the cable outlet unit in the floor box.

Figure 7 shows an embodiment of the lid of the floor box having three out puts for cable outlet units in three different directions.

Preferred Embodiment s Figure 1 shows in perspective an apparatus and/or terminal floor box for electrical installations provided with a cable outlet unit according to the invention.

Floor boxes 1, 1' of the kind in question are usually manufactured from metal, e.g galvanized steel sheet or stainless steel and consist of a lower box shaped part 2 having a bottom part 3 and vertical side walls 4, 5, 6, 7 and a lid 8.

lo They may be adapted for direct embedment in a concrete floor or mounting in an elevated floor that, e.g., is installed on top of a concrete floor. In both cases, the box is arranged so that the upper surface thereof defined by the plane of the lid will lie flush with the completed floor, where appropriate provided with suitable covering of, e. g., parquet or fitted carpet.

In the interior of the box, preferably against the bottom part 3, electrical apparatuses and terminals of different types are mounted for, e.g., power, data, telephone, etc. (not shown here). In closed position, the lid 8 rests with the side edges 9, 10 thereof against a fold 11, 12 on the inside of the vertical side walls 5, 7. The front edge 13 of the lid 8 has a recess 14, which in closed position is ho adapted to connect to the upper part of the cable outlet unit 15, which will be described more in detail below Figure 2 shows in perspective a first embodiment of the cable outlet unit according to the invention.

The unit 15 may be manufactured as a punched and bent metal sheet detail but also other materials and manufacturing methods are of course feasible.

The unit is intended to be fastened with the rear wall 16 thereof against a vertical side wall 4, 5, 7 in the floor box 1, 1. In this embodiment, the fastening against the side wall is effected through a mounting hole 17 by means of a screw or threaded tap 18 and a nut 19 (cf. fig. 1), but also riveting or other arrangements are con ao ceivable. The fastening is effected so that the unit can be rotated in the plane of the side wall. The unit has a first end portion 20, which has a planar surface 21 perpendicular to the rear wall 16 of the unit and the shape of which corresponds to the recess 14 in the lid 8. The mounting hole is arranged in such a way in relation to the planar surface 21 and together with the position of the co-operating screw or tap that the cable outlet unit can be turned into a position in which this surface 21 (cf. fig. 4) will end up in the plane of the closed lid. Thus, with the lid closed, the box has an upper closed planar surface on a level with the floor. This is the pas sive position of the box without connected external cables.

s The planar rear wall 16 extends laterally on both sides outside the planar surface 21 and forms two wings 22, 22', each of which has a first and a second supporting edge 237 23', 24, 24' parallel to the planar surface 21. The first sup porting edges 23, 23' are arranged in such a way that the bottom side of the lid 8 in closed position abuts against the same.

lo At the second end portion of the unit' two arms 26, 27 extend from the rear wall 16 in the same direction as the planar surface 21. By the outer surfaces thereof, said arms define a contour that coincides with the contour of the planar surface 21 and accordingly with the contour of the recess 14 in the lid 8. Between themselves, the arms define a gap 28 that in the example shown is symmetrically Is arranged and perpendicular to the planar surface 21. The symmetry may be of interest for reasons of stability but is not required. Neither needs the gap 28 to be perpendicular to the surface 21.

The arms are arranged in such a my in relation to the mounting hole and together with the position of the co-operating screw or tap that the cable outlet unit JO can be turned into a position in which the arms will extend through and above the plane of the closed lid, as is shown in figures 1 and 3. By this arrangement, at the outlet the cables are efficiently protected from force from the side.

This is the active position (fig. 1) of the box. Cables provided with end plugs can now be connected to the connectors in the box, and from the side as through the gap be brought into the outlet unit.

In the cable space in the outlet unit, which space is surrounded by the arms 26, 27, a foam cushion may be arranged in order to prevent dirt from pene- trating into the box in this position.

Figure 3 shows in perspective and partly in cross-section a terminal floor so box with closed lid and the cable outlet unit in active position.

When the lid 8 is closed, the bottom side thereof will just as before abut against the folds 11, 12 on the inside of the vertical side volts 5, 7 and furthermore against the second supporting edges 24, 24' of the cable outlet unit.

The connected cables now run freely upward from the outlet or via the gap directly along the floor.

When the cable outlet is closed, ye, in the passive position of the box, the lid is most easily opened by pressing on one of the short sides on the surface 21.

s In doing so, the outlet unit 15 turns around the attachment thereof, and one of the two supporting edges 23, 23' lifts the front edge 13 of the lid sufficiently to make it possible to grip under the edge.

With an open cable outlet, i.e., in the active position of the box, the front edge of the lid can be reached via the gap by a finger or tool.

lo Figure 4 shows in perspective a terminal floor box with open lid and the cable outlet unit in passive position.

In this embodiment, the part of the cable outlet unit 15' that will lie above ts the floor surface in the active position has been given a somewhat different shape.

The contour of the rear wall 16 at the second end portion 25 is defined by the arched edge 29. The free outer ends of the arms 26, 27 have been given a corre- sponding arc-shaped section. Also here, the gap has been arranged symmetrically and vertically but may of course, such as for the previously shown embodiment, be so arranged differently.

From a safety point of view, this embodiment is better since the risk of tripping is lower' but the protection against force coming from the side against the cables at the outlet is worse for certain directions.

Furthermore, this embodiment opens up the possibility of placing the outlet us unit inside the side walls 5 and 7 since the closing of the lid 8 is not obstructed.

By this embodiment, it is possible to arrange a plurality of alternative cable outlets from the box, one or more of which simultaneously may Active. The lid may then be constructed as is shown in figure 7.

The arrangement of an outlet unit 15, 15' on the inside of a side wall 4, 5, 7 may alternatively be effected according to figure 6. Guide rails 30 may be fas- tened against the inside of the wall, alternatively be punched out from the proper side wall. Here the outlet unit 15, 15t, which may have the same embodiment as previously has been described, consists of a loose part that can be pushed in between the guide rails in two ways (active and passive position) against a stop (not shown) A simple punched snap-in device (not shown) may also be arranged to keep the outlet part in place. Moreover, such a snap-in device may also be s arranged on the turnable variant in order to mark the two positions distinctly.

An advantage of this embodiment is that the outlet unit is easier to exchange if it would be damaged. Furthermore, it is more stable since it cannot rotate in the plane of the side wall even if a vertical force would be applied only to the planar surface 21 and not simultaneously to the lid 8.

0 In this embodiment, support to the closed lid 8 at the front edge 13 thereof may furthermore be arranged by means of folds similar to the folds 11, 12 arranged on the inside of the side wall 4.

Since this variant of the outlet unit cannot be turned in the plane of the side wall, here it is not possible to use the above-described method for the open i5 ing of a passive box. Instead, it is possible to, e.g., arrange a smaller recess (not shown) in the front edge 13 of the lid 8 or the recess 14 or the edge of the planar surface 21 so that a slot is formed between the lid and surrounding edges when the lid is closed. By means of a screwdriver or another suitable tool in the slot, then the lid may easily be opened in this case.

JO Figure 7 shows an embodiment of the lid of the floor box having three out puts for cable outlet units in three different directions.

Thus, in this embodiment, the floor box is prepared for three outlets of the rotary or inserted variant and the outlet unit is turned for the direction or directions desired. As

Claims

1. Terminal floor box for electrical installations consisting of a lower box- shaped part having a bottom part provided with electrical terminal devices and s side walls and a foldable lid and at least one cable outlet unit through which cables connected to the terminal devices in the box can be brought up in the space above the plane of the floor with the lid in closed position, characterized in that said cable outlet unit (15, 15') has a rear substantially planar wall (16) between a first and a second end portion (20, 25) of the unit said first end portion (20) having a to planar surface (21) having a given outer contour, which extends perpendicularly from the rear wall (16) of the unit, and said second end portion comprising two arms (26, 27), which extend from the rear vvall (16) in the same direction as the planar surface (21), and which arms by the outer surfaces thereof defining a con- tour that coincides with said outer contour of the planar surface (21), and in that said arms (26, 27), between themselves, define a gap (28) through which cables can be brought into the outlet unit and in that the outlet unit is provided with first fasteners (17; 22, 22') co-operating with second fasteners (1S, 19; 30) on a side wall in the box in order to be capable of being fastened against the same and arranged in two defined alternative positions.

2. Terminal floor box according to claim 1, characterized in that said first fasteners consist of a mounting hole (17) arranged in the rear wall (16) of the unit, and said second fasteners consist of a screw or threaded tap (18) and an appurte nant nut (19)' the mounting hole (17) being arranged in such a way in relation to the planar surface (21) and together with the position of the co-operating screw or tap (18) that the cable outlet unit (15, 15) can be turned in the plane of the side wall into a first of said two defined alternative positions in which thQsurface (21) will be in the plane of the closed lid (8), and in that the lid (8) has an edge (13) that has a recess (14) having an outer contour corresponding to the outer contour of to the planar surface (21), arranged in such a way on the lid that upon closing of the same, the planar surface (21) falls within the recess (14).

3. Terminal floor box according to claim 2, characterized in that said arms (26, 27) are arranged in such a way in relation to the mounting hole (17) and together with the position of the co-operating screw or tap (18) that the cable outlet unit (15, 15') can be turned in the plane of the side wall into a second of said two defined alternative positions in which the arms (26, 27) vvill extend through said recess (14) and above the plane of the closed lid (8).

4. Terminal floor box according to claim 1, characterized in that said first fasteners consist of two wings (22, 22') constituting co-lateral parts of the rear wall (16), and said second fasteners consist of two guide rails (30) arranged on the inside of the side wall so that the outlet unit (15, 158) can be pushed in between the to guide rails (30) against a stop into a first of said two defined alternative positions in which the surface (21) will be in the plane of the closed lid (8), and in that the lid (8) has an edge (13) that has a recess (14) having an outer contour corresponding to the outer contour of the planar surface (21), arranged in such a way on the lid that upon closing of the same, the planar surface (21) falls within the recess (14).

5. Terminal floor box according to claim 4, characterized in that the cable outlet unit (15, 16') can be pushed in between the guide rails (30) against a stop into a second of said two defined alternative positions in which the arms (26, 27) will extend through said recess (14) and above the plane of the closed lid (8).

JO

6 Terminal floor box according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lid (8) in closed position with the bottom side thereof abuts against sup porting edges (23, 23'; 24, 24') on the cable outlet unit (15) .

Z5

7. Terminal floor box according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the edge (29) on the rear wall (16) at the second end portion (25) is arched and that the free outer ends of the arms (26, 27) have been given a corresponding arc-shaped section.

JO

8. Terminal floor box according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a cushion of foam-shaped plastic material is arranged in the cable space in the outlet unit, which is surrounded by the arms (26, 27), in order to prevent dirt from penetrating into the box in active position.

9. Terminal floor box according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that outlet units (15, 15') are arranged on the inside of more than one side wall and that the lid (8) at the corresponding edges has co-operating recesses.

10. Terminal floor box according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a snap-in device is arranged to keep the cable outlet unit in place in the two defined alternative positions.

11. Terminal floor box according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized lo in that a smaller recess is arranged in the front edge (13) of the lid (8) or the recess (14) or the edge of the planar surface (21) so that a slot is fonned between the lid (8) and surrounding edges when the lid is closed in order to enable opening of the lid by means of a screwdriver or another suitable tool inserted in the slot. Is