GB2458750A

GB2458750A - Quick connect joint cable tray using flexible flaps

Info

Publication number: GB2458750A
Application number: GB0902361A
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: NL2002610C2; ES1067626U; NL2002610A1; FR2929769A1; GB0902361D0; GB2458750B; ES1067626Y; FR2929769B1

Abstract

Quick connect joint for cable trays (3, 3a) constituted by longitudinal rods (12, 12a) and transversal rods (13, 13a), the quick connect joint comprises a rear wall (2, Fig 1) with upper and lower wings (4, 4a) extending perpendicularly to the rear wall. The upper and lower wings each comprise two end tabs (6, 6a, 7, 7a), one central tab (5, 5a) and four upper cavities (, 8a, 9, 9a, 10, 10a, 11, 11a), so that the cavities (8, 8a, 9, 9a, 10, 10a, 11, 11a) are configured to couple between the transversal rods (13, 13a), at least one end tab (6, 6a, 7, 7a) has a flexible flap (14, 14a), situated in correspondence with a window, configured to fasten the joint to longitudinal rods (12, 12a). The lateral ends of the rear wall may have arcuations extending perpendicularly to the rear wall in the same direction as the upper and lower wings so as to retain a second set of transversal rods. The flexible flaps may be arched from their distal parts.

Description

I

QUICK CONNECT JOINT FOR CABLE TRAYS

The invention, as stated in the title, relates to a quick connect joint for cable trays, providing benefits and innovative characteristics, which will be described in detail below, which are an improved alternative to the already known systems for the same purpose..

In particular, the object of the invention consists of a quick connect joint for electricity ducts constituted by cable trays, and more specifically of the so-called mesh trays, which are constituted by longitudinal wires or rods, called chain wires, and U-shaped wires or rods which are transversal to the longitudinal ones, and called weft wires, forming a support channel for the cables present in the system.

The field of application of the present invention is within the industry sector dedicated to the manufacture of elements and accessories applicable in electrical systems and such like.

Currently and as a reference in the state of the art, it should be mentioned that multiple systems of tray joints of the type described here are known, and in this sense the following documents could be mentioned as the most relevant: -ES2066167, relating to a joint which features foldable tabs over a hollow.

-ES2I22829, relating to a joint clamp which features at least one longitudinal fold to adapt to longitudinal rods, one as an extension of the other, and pertaining to different spans, said folds featuring two different spans with aperture lines facing opposite directions.

-ES2159099, relating to a connecting joint wherein the assembly means of the second branch on the second cable support section is performed by means of an elastic hook, after the assembly of the two sections.

-ES2244750, relating to a coupling joint which features first and second attachment means to attach respectively a first and second weft wires, so that the second means permit the assembly of two ducts, and the first the mounting on a cable duct respectively, as well as fastening means adapted to cooperate with a chain wire of the second duct and fasten the joint in coupling position.

-ES2250743, relating to a joint clip which features notches and a blocking leg or skirt, suitable to be folded towards the interior of the U-shaped body on each one of the weft rods provided on the ends of the tray.

-W02006097600, relating to a connecting joint which comprises a bottom and perpendicular wings with notches, and having hooking means, constituted by a folded flap, intended to cooperate with a chain wire of a network duct section.

-W02007006961, relating to a connecting joint which features three parts, one elongated central part with two transversal support areas, intended to the weft wires, two counter support legs, attached to the central part, as continuation of the transversal support areas, and two blocking legs, attached to the central part on the side opposite the previous, also arranged after the transversal support areas.

-ES2239882, relating to a coupling assembly which comprises a pair of lateral plates with at least one T-shaped tab.

-EPI 727252, relating to an assembly device which protects, in very general terms, a longitudinally elongated plate, with first retaining means, which affect the longitudinal wires of the adjacent trays, and second retaining means, in order to maintain the sheet and the vertical branches of the transversal wires of two adjacent trays.

It must be pointed out that none of them, however, feature specific technical, structural and configurative characteristics similar to those featured by the quick connect joint for cable trays proposed herein, nor do they materialize their fastening to said trays in the same manner, as shall be affirmed from the present specification, the characterizing details which distinguish it being suitably included in the final claims.

Specifically, the quick connect joint for cable trays proposed by the invention is applicable in trays of the so-called mesh trays, constituted by longitudinal rods and transversal rods, forming a support channel for the cables of the system, adaptable on the side walls as well as the bases of said trays, being especially designed for their adaptation on trays which feature on at least one of their ends, a pair of transversal rods with distance therebetween.

The joint is essentially constituted from a body whose rear wall, s depending on the assembly arrangement adopted, remains parallel to the side walls and/or tray bases to be joined which will have been disposed adjacently.

From said rear wall of the aforementioned body emerge perpendicularly an upper wing and a lower wing, whose configuration and dimensions are materialized to be disposed tightly with respect to first and second longitudinal rods of the trays.

Additionally, said upper and inferior wings have respective cavities or cuts along their span, which determine two end tabs and at least one central tab, wherebetween are defined cavities configured to house or permit the insertion of the transversal rods of the trays.

Therefore the central tabs are housed and inserted in the hollow between the first central transversal rods of each tray, while the cavities on the side of said central tabs will be the ones responsible for housing said transversal rods in their interior.

For their part, the cavities on the side of said central tabs will be able to materialize in slopes, according to the type of tray wherefore the joint is destined, with the possibility of being shorter and rounded at their ends when coupled to trays with electrolytic zinc rods, or more pronounced and straight when applied on hot galvanized rods.

Continuing with the invention, the end cavities will be responsible for housing in their interior the second transversal end rods of each tray.

Likewise, it must be pointed out that the aforementioned wings have, in addition to the central tabs, end tabs which are larger than the central tabs, where said end tabs feature at least one flexible flap situated in correspondence with a window, which permits the clipping or fastening of the joint to the first and second longitudinal rods of the trays, irrespectively of where the assembly of the joint is carried out, on the side walls and/or the tray bases.

The quick connect joint proposed herein features the characteristic of not requiring the use of tools for its assembly on the trays, the aforementioned flexible flaps being advantageously designed to prevent the disassembly of the joint, keeping its position secure, except if said flexible flaps are pressed with a tool to release them.

Lastly, the possibility is considered that from each of the lateral ends of the body forming the joint could emerge arcuations disposed perpendicularly to their rear wall, facing the same direction as the previously described upper and lower wings, covering the span therebetween, and destined to retain the second transversal end rods of the trays to be joined.

The quick connect joint for cable trays disclosed therefore represents an innovative structure of structural and constitutive characteristics unknown to date for such a purpose, reasons which, together with its practical utility, provide it with sufficient foundation to obtain the privilege of exclusivity it seeks.

In order to complement the description being carried out and with the aim of helping towards a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, the present specification is accompanied by a set of plans, as an integral part thereof, wherein the following has been represented in an illustrative and non-limitative character: fig. I shows a perspective view of the rear part of the joint object of the invention; fig. 2 shows an upper and rear perspective view of the joint; fig. 3 shows an upper and front perspective view of the joint, observing in this figure along with the previous ones the parts and elements whereof it consists, as well as the configuration and arrangement thereof; fig. 4 shows a side view of the joint object of the invention; fig. 5 shows a view of the joint coupled to the trays, from the rear part thereof; fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the joint of the invention, after being coupled to the trays to be connected, from its front part, observing the manner wherein said connection is made.

In view of the abovementioned figures, and in accordance with the adopted numeration, an example of preferred embodiment of the invention can be observed therein, which comprises the parts and elements which are a indicated and described in detail below.

Therefore, as can be observed in said figure, the joint in question comprises a body (1) which features a real wall (2), which is parallel to the side walls and/or adjacent tray bases (3, 3a) to be connected, depending on their assembly arrangement, wherefrom perpendicularly emerge an upper wing (4) and a lower wing (4a) with respective cuts along its span, giving rise to at least three upper tabs (5, 6, 7) and at least three lower tabs, (5a, 6a, 7a), as well as four upper cavities (8a, 9a, lOa, ha), one between every one of the tabs (5, 6, 7, 5a, 6a, 7a).

The configuration and dimensions of the aforementioned perpendicular wings (4, 4a) are configured so that, upon playing the joint, the upper tabs (5, 6, 7) are disposed tightly with respect to the first and second longitudinal rods (12, 1 2a) of the trays (3, 3a) to be joined.

Preferably both the upper tabs (5, 6, 7) and the lower tabs (5a, 6a, 7a) feature an internal arrangement with respect to said first and second longitudinal rods (12, 12a).

Furthermore, the central tabs (5, 5a) are housed and inserted into the hollow between the first central transversal rods (13) of the adjacent trays (3, 3a), while the upper and lower central cavities (8, 8a, 9, 9a) are those responsible for housing said first central transversal rods (13) in its interior.

For their part, the upper and lower central cavities (8, 8a, 9, 9a) can materialize in two slopes, according to the type of tray wherefore the joint is destined, with the possibility of being shorter and rounded at their end, when they couple to trays with electrolytic zinc rods, or more pronounced and straight when applied on hot galvanized rods.

Continuing with the invention, the upper and lower end cavities (10, lOa, 11, ha) are those responsible for housing in their interior the second transversal end rods (13a) of the trays (3, 3a).

Likewise, it should be pointed out that the tabs, (6, 6a, 7, 7a) which feature a greater width than the central tabs (5, 5a), have a window which incorporates at least one flexible flap (14, 14a) on the central part thereof, which permits the clipping or fastening with the first and second longitudinal rods (12, 12a) respective of both trays (3, 3a).

When the joint is disposed in parallel assembly with the side walls of the trays (3, 3a), said flexible flaps (14, 14a) emerge arched from their distal part, the first in ascending direction, corresponding to the tabs (6, 7) of the upper wing (4), and the tabs (6a, 7a) of the lower wing (4a) descending, permitting the clipping of the first and second longitudinal rods (12, 12a).

On the contrary, if the joint is disposed in parallel assembly with the tray bases (3, 3a), said flexible flaps (14, 14a) of the tabs (6, 6a, 7, 7a) emerge arched from their distal part, in descending direction, actuating on the first and second longitudinal rods (12, 12a) present on their bases.

These flexible flaps (14, 14a) advantageously prevent the disassembly of the body (1) forming the joint, remaining secure in their position, except if they are pressed with the aid of a tool to release them.

Lastly, it must be pointed out that from each of the lateral ends of the body (1) emerge arcuations (15) disposed perpendicularly to their rear wall (2), facing the same direction as the previously described upper wing (4) and lower wing (4a), covering the span therebetween, and destined to retain the second transversal end rods (13a) of the adjacent trays (3, 3a) to be joined, preferably on their exterior face, without requiring additional hooking means.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Quick connect joint for cable trays, wherein said trays are constituted by longitudinal rods and transversal rods, said joint being constituted from a body which comprises a rear wall wherefrom perpendicularly emerge an upper wing, which comprises two upper end tabs, at least one upper central tab and at least four upper cavities, and a lower wing, which comprises two lower end tabs, at least one lower central tab and at least four lower cavities, where said cavities are configured to couple between the transversal rods, characterized in that at least one end tab has at least one flexible flap, situated in correspondence with a window, configured to fasten the joint to longitudinal rods of the trays.
2. Quick connect joint for cable trays, according to claim 1, characterized in that from the lateral ends of the body emerge arcuations disposed perpendicularly to the rear wall, said arcuations facing the same direction as the wings, covering the span between said wings, said arcuations being configured to retain the second transversal rods and the end of the trays.
3. Quick connect joint for cable trays, according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper tabs and the lower tabs feature an internal arrangement with respect to said first and second longitudinal rods.
4. Quick connect joint for cable trays, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central tabs are configured to be housed and inserted into the hollow between the first central transversal rods of the adjacent trays, where the central cavities house said first central transversal rods in their interior and in that the end cavities are configured to house in their interior the second transversal end rods of the trays.
5. Quick connect joint for cable trays, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible flaps situated on the windows of the end tabs emerge arched from their distal part.
6. Quick connect joint for cable trays, according claim 5, characterized in that the flexible upper flaps emerge in ascending direction, corresponding to the tabs of the upper wing, and the lower flexible flaps emerge in descending direction, corresponding to the tabs of the lower wing, permitting the clipping of the first and second longitudinal rods situated on the sides of the trays.
7. Quick connect joint for cable trays, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central cavities are short and rounded at their ends.
8. Quick connect joint for cable trays, according to claims I to 6, characterized in that the cavities are pronounced and straight.
9. Quick connect joint for cable trays, according to claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the arcuations are configured to exteriorly retain the second transversal end rods.