GB2458749A

GB2458749A - A quick connecting joint for adjoining cable trays

Info

Publication number: GB2458749A
Application number: GB0902359A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ernesto Chenoll Mora
Original assignee: Schneider Electric Espana SA
Current assignee: Schneider Electric Espana SA
Priority date: 2008-04-04
Filing date: 2009-02-13
Publication date: 2009-10-07
Anticipated expiration: 2029-02-13
Also published as: ES2307446B2; GB0902359D0; GB2458749B; FR2929768A1; ES2307446A1; FR2929768B1

Abstract

A quick connecting joint for electric wiring for the joining of cable trays 5 disposed longitudinally one after the other of the present invention comprises a first tray 1 and a second tray 2. The two cable trays have triangular sections 3 protruding from each of the trays ends which slide into channels 4 within the opposing tray. Due to the triangular nature of these sections 3 once the trays 5 are slid towards each other the gap between the two decreases and the sections 3 come together when the trays are adjacent to one another. A saw-tooth 7 is positioned on one of said sections and a flexible harpoon shaped clip 9 on the other. Once the cable trays are slid into position the clip 9 fastens into one of the grooves in the saw-tooth locking the trays 5 into position.

Description

I

QUICK CONNECTING JOINT FOR ELECTRIC WIRING

The invention, as expressed in the heading of the present specification, relates to a quick connecting joint for electric wiring, which contributes to the function to which several advantages and innovative characteristics is intended, which will be described in detail later on.

In particular, the object of the invention consists of a quick connecting joint for electric wiring, specifically, cable trays, focussing on the joining of those trays disposed longitudinally one after the other, without needing to be perforated, and without nuts and bolts, with a minimum number of parts and its integral parts remaining totally concealed.

The field of application of the present invention is found within the sector of the industry devoted to the manufacturing of elements and accessories applicable in electrical installations.

At present and as reference to the state of the art, it should be mentioned that different systems are known for joining trays of the type concerned here, such as, for example, those described in documents ES2006892, ES2029180 or ES1018805, however, all related to fastenings for trays disposed orthogonally or in bent arrangement.

In this respect, document ES2008444 is also related to the object of the invention, relating, however, to another system for joining trays or at different levels, and document ES2093499 relating to the assembly of cable tracks constituted by profiles, but only applicable to those with lines of perforations distributed regularly both in the wall of the base, and in the sides.

Therefore, it can be said that no other invention is known which has similar technical, structural and configuration characteristics to those claimed herein, for which reason it is configured as a novelty within its field of application, the characterizing details which make it possible being suitably set down in the final claims which are attached to the present specification.

Specifically, the quick connecting joint for electric wiring proposed by the invention, as mentioned above, is centred on those cable trays disposed longitudinally one after the other, without them needing to have perforations in their walls of the base or sides, providing their joining by quick fastening, without nuts and bolts, with a minimum number of pieces and its integrating parts being totally concealed inside the trays to be joined, maintaining the outer aesthetics of the wiring intact.

To do this, the joint which makes said joint is configured from a first body and a second body with the possibility of relative displacement, both bodies having for this displacement means, displacing one with respect to another, incorporating blocking means between both bodies, so that one of the bodies has blocking means which will be introduced in second blocking means of the other body defining the end position on sliding or displacing in opposite direction one body on the other. In other words, in the assembly operation, there is a relative movement between the two bodies via their displacement means, until the pressure exerted by the cable tray makes the movement no longer possible. At this time, the blocking means will prevent a backward movement or dismantling of the joint.

The blocking means can be performed with at least one harpoon configured to fit into a plurality of sawteeth which can materialize a zip-type lock, immobilizing the first body with respect to the second body. The harpoon can be positioned in correspondence with a flexible pin in the central part of one of the bodies. Said flexible pin permits, due to its flexibility, that the harpoon is retained in the sawteeth as the body advances, as well as deactivating the blocking means releasing said harpoon as it can be withdrawn from the sawteeth. The sawteeth can be positioned in the central lower part of a graduation.

The displacement means of the first body and the second body, necessary to be able to make the correct displacement of both bodies, one on the other, to perform the assembly, may be such that both bodies comprise an identical inclination but in the opposite direction so that they complement one another.

Said displacement means may consist of a graduation, positioned on the first body, configured to slide on a slide surface positioned on the second body, where said graduation and said slide surface are inclined with respect to perimeter support ends of the bodies in the trays. The slide surface can be materialized in the upper ends of an inner groove by a partition parallel to the external surface of the other body and the other external face.

These displacement means cause that, on performing a relative movement between both, the area covered by the joint or the height thereof is increased, given the inclination present in said displacement means and, therefore, in both bodies.

The possibility is contemplated that at least one body, preferably the second body, has interlocking means configured to interlock said bodies in an internal surface of two cable trays disposed longitudinally. The interlocking means may be formed by at least one strip, preferably two strips so that a strip remains positioned in correspondence with each tray to be joined, being, for example, metal and being finished at one of their ends by at least one tooth and said interlocking means or strips being housed in the interior of at least one slot.

In the preferred case of having two slots, each slot is positioned in correspondence with each one of the cable trays, so that the teeth of the strips may protrude from their slots so that they are interlocked in the internal surface of the cable trays to be joined. In order to release the interlocking means it is contemplated that the joint comprises cavities opposite the slots, positioned in at least one perimeter support end of a body, so that it is possible to insert a tool in the cavity and levering the teeth of the strip they come out of their interlocking position, unlocking said body from the trays.

Likewise, the possibility is provided that both bodies have housing means, as well as coupling means between both during their assembly, configured to couple the first body in the second body enabling a relative displacement and preventing their separation.

The housing means corresponds to a partition in one of the bodies and a groove or channel in the other body. Both the partition and the groove are limited in their upper or lower part by said displacement means. These housing means permits that the two bodies can fit in and, once fitted in, produce the necessary displacement for its operation.

The coupling means permits a first coupling of the two bodies. This coupling is performed in a first instant of the assembly, so that although the joint is not mounted in the cable tray, both bodies do not separate. The coupling can be performed by a rib in one of the bodies that emerges in the interior of the groove that can circulate through a longitudinal incut disposed in the central area of a partition of the other body.

The possibility is provided that the joint has, in one of its bodies, guide means with respect to the trays in their assembly position. Said guide means, for example a partition emerging from the upper part of one of the bodies, can be positioned inside a wing of the cable tray so that said wing forms a guide where the guide means can be guided throughout the cable tray.

The new quick connecting joint for electric wiring represents, therefore, an innovative structure of structural and constitutjve characteristics unknown until know for said purpose, reasons which, together with their practical use, give it the sufficient grounds for obtaining the privilege of exclusiveness requested.

To complement the description being made and in order to help towards a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of plans is attached to the present specification, as an integral part thereof, wherein, with illustrative and non-limitative character, the following has been represented: Figure 1.-Shows a perspective view of an example of embodiment of the new quick connecting joint for electric wiring, object of the invention, wherein the two bodies that form it are represented already joined and coupled to one of the trays to be joined, clearly observing the main parts and elements that comprises it as well as the configuration and arrangement thereof.

Figure 2.-Shows a perspective view of the joint in its upper part, showing an exploded view of the two pieces it comprises, and incorporating an enlarged detail of the flexible pin present in the blocking means.

Figure 3.-Shows a perspective view of the second body of the joint, seen from the opposite side, with an enlarged detail wherein the configuration and arrangement of the coupling means can be observed.

Figure 4.-Shows a perspective view, vertically sectioned, of both bodies of the joint joined, with an enlarged detail wherein its coupling means is observed.

Figure 5.-Shows a perspective and exploded view of the joint by its lower part with the toothed strip separate, observing, in the enlarged detail attached, the form in which the interlocking means protrudes from the lower part of the second body.

In light of said figures, and in accordance with the numbering adopted, it is possible to observe in them an example of preferred embodiment of the invention, which comprises the parts and elements that are indicated and described below.

Thus, as observed in said figures, the quick connecting joint in question is configured from a first body (1) and a second body (2) of different configuration, so that in profile view, wherein the first body (1) has first guide means with respect to the tray consisting of an emerging upper partition (3), suitable for its insertion in an internal wing (4) disposed in the profile of the trays (5), being in correspondence with second guide means consisting of a perpendicular partition (3a) which provides a graduation, for the guiding of said body in the tray in assembly position. In the event that the profile does not incorporate internal wings (4), the first body (1) does not need to have the guide means (3a) which will be cited later on.

One of the bodies has first displacement means with respect to the other, consisting of a second graduation (3b) divergent to the preceding (3a) in the case of the latter being present, in other words, whether said graduation (3a), the second graduation (3b) suffers throughout its trajectory an inclination or gradient with respect to perimeter support ends of the bodies of the trays (5), meaning that first housing means of said body, materialized in a partition (3c) lower to upper (3), has a triangular surface in inverted correspondence with the form of the other body forming the joint.

For its part, the other body has second housing means determined by a partition (3d) parallel to its external face, materialized in a groove (6) designed to house said lower partition (3c) and, in correspondence, it will comprise second displacement means, consisting of a slide surface (6a), which is materialized as the upper ends of the groove (6), which permits the displacement of the first body with respect to the second body.

For mutual coupling between both bodies during its assembly, in one of them are provided first means which comprises at least one rib (14) in the interior of said groove (6), which interlock in second means which comprises at least one incut (13) provided in the lower partition (3c), under the second graduation (3b) of the other body defining the initial position of both.

The joint essentially has first and second blocking means between both bodies, which comprise in one of the bodies, a harpoon (9), which will be inserted in sawtooth (7) provided in the other of the bodies defining via a zip-type lock, the end position on sliding or displacing in counter-position one body over the other. Said harpoon can be disposed in a flexible pin (8) housed in the central zone of one of the bodies and in correspondence the sawteeth (7) in the other of the bodies preferably in the second graduation (3b).

Furthermore, the joint has interlocking means of the second body (2) with respect to two adjacent trays (5) which comprise at least two metal strips (10) housed in respective slots (15), finished in the lower part in teeth (11), which slightly protrude from said body.

When the sawteeth (7) provided in one of the bodies, in correspondence with the harpoon (9) present in the other body, mark the suitable blocking position throughout its trajectory, on exercising the corresponding pressure of one body on the other and together with the internal faces of the tray (5), the teeth (11) present in the metal strips (10) are interlocked in the bases of the trays (5) to be joined.

For the dismantling of the joint if necessary, it is sufficient to bend the pin (8) of one of the bodies, so that the harpoon (9) exits the sawteeth (7), the other body no longer exerting pressure on the profile.

For its part, the second body (2) has in its base cavities (16) in correspondence with the slots (15) that house the metal strips (10), which permit the insertion of a tool, to be able lightly lever, so that the teeth (11) of said metal strips (10) that are interlocked in the trays (5), come out of their position and extract the assembly.

It should be highlighted that both bodies are provided at least at one of their ends with perpendicular partitions by way of handles (12) that enable their handling, pushing or extraction with ease for the installer both in its assembly and dismantling.

Therefore, the suitable point of insertion of the joint is that marked by the internal side face of the tray, since this may undergo variations of construction and even structural differences between one tray and the adjacent one to be aligned, for which reason the joint is advantageously useful for its coupling in trays that may even have irregularities or differences, as well as applicable to trays of different height.

Although the bodies may be materialized in identical configuration, that preferable will be different between both, being in profile view, one rectangular and the other tending towards a rectangular triangle, of preferable application in cable trays of plastic materials, such as polypropylene, PVC, polycarbonate, ABS or such like.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Quick connecting joint for electric wiring, configured for longitudinally joining two cable trays, characterized in that it comprises a first body and a second body, said bodies comprising displacement means configured to enable the displacement of the first body with respect to the second body, and said bodies comprising blocking means configured to immobilize the first body with respect to the second body in an end position of assembly of the joint in the trays.
2. Quick connecting joint for electric wiring, according to claim 1, characterized in that the blocking means between said bodies consists of at least one harpoon configured to fit into a plurality of sawteeth immobilizing the first body with respect to the second body.
3. Quick connecting joint for electric wiring, according to claim 2, characterized in that said, at least one, harpoon is positioned in correspondence with a flexible pin configured to deactivate the blocking means and remove said, at least one, harpoon from a sawtooth enabling the relative displacement between the first body and the second body.
4. Quick connecting joint for electric wiring, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the displacement means consists of a graduation, positioned on the first body, configured to slide on a slide surface positioned on the second body, where said graduation and said slide surface are inclined with respect to perimeter support ends of the bodies in the trays.
5. Quick connecting joint for electric wiring, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one body comprises interlocking means configured to lock said, at least one, body in an internal surface of two cable trays.
6. Quick connecting joint for electric wiring, according to claim 5, characterized in that the interlocking means of the second body comprise at least one tooth.
7. Quick connecting joint for electric wiring, according to either of claims and 6, characterized in that the interlocking means are metal.
8. Quick connecting joint for electric wiring, according to any of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the interlocking means comprise at least one strip.
9. Quick connecting joint for electric wiring, according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one body comprises at least one slot configured to house a strip, where said strip has at least one tooth which protrudes from the slot, said, at least one, tooth being configured to interlock in the internal surface of the cable trays to join.
10. Quick connecting joint for electric wiring, according to any of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that at least one perimeter support end of a body comprises at least one cavity configured to enable the insertion of a tool and act as a lever unlocking said body from the trays.
11. Quick connecting joint for electric wiring, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises housing means configured to fit the first body into the second body.
12. Quick connecting joint for electric wiring, according to claim 11, characterized in that the housing means comprise a partition configured to fit into a groove.
13. Quick connecting joint for electric wiring, according to claim 12, characterized in that the partition is disposed perpendicular to the graduation and the groove is positioned on the slide surface.
14. Quick connecting joint for electric wiring, according to either of claims 12 and 13, characterized in that the first body and the second body comprise coupling means configured to couple the first body in the second body enabling a relative displacement and preventing its separation.
15. Quick connecting joint for electric wiring, according to claim 14, characterized in that the coupling means comprise a longitudinal incut, disposed in the partition, configured to receive a rib which emerges internally in the groove.
16. Quick connecting joint for electric wiring, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one body comprises guide means which consists of a partition configured for its insertion in an internal wing disposed internally in the cable trays.
17. Quick connecting joint for electric wiring, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one body comprises a handle, positioned on one end, configured to handle, push and extract said body easily by an installer both in its assembly and dismantling.