GB2484222A

GB2484222A - Electric floor box having means for rapid mounting of a connection module

Info

Publication number: GB2484222A
Application number: GB1122488.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thierry Pairigouas; Remco Van Der Werf
Original assignee: Legrand SNC; Legrand France SA
Current assignee: Legrand SNC; Legrand France SA
Priority date: 2009-07-31
Filing date: 2010-07-07
Publication date: 2012-04-04
Anticipated expiration: 2030-07-07
Also published as: GB201122488D0; FR2948825A1; FR2948825B1; GB2484222B; WO2011012778A2; WO2011012778A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electric floor box having a frame (100) with two opposing side walls (110) provided with openings (113) arranged facing one another, a connection module (200) to be attached to the frame, mounting elements (240) which extend approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the module in opposite directions and which are suitable for being inserted into the openings in the frame for mounting said module on the frame, and a locking element (250) suitable for assuming two configurations, namely a configuration in which the module is locked on the frame and a configuration in which the module is released from the frame. According to the invention, said mounting elements are in the form of rigid tongues that extend in a fixed manner protruding from two opposing transverse edges of said module, and the length of the assembly formed by said module and each tongue located on one of said transverse edges is less than the distance between the two opposing side walls of the frame, while the length of the assembly formed by said module and said tongues provided on the two opposing transverse edges of the module is greater than the distance between the two opposing side walls of the frame.

Description

ELECTRIC FLOOR BOX HAVING MEANS FOR RAPID MOUNTING OF A

CONNECTION MODULE

TECHNICAL FIELD TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES

The present invention relates to an electrical floor box comprising: a frame with two opposite side walls that are provided with openings that are arranged facing each other; a connection module for fitting on the frame; mount elements that extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the module in opposite directions, and that are adapted to be engaged in the openings of the frame so as to mount said module on the frame; and a locking element that is adapted to take on two configurations, namely a blocking configuration for blocking the module on the frame, and a releasing configuration for releasing the module from the frame.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

Documents EP 1 538 720 and EP 0 343 754 disclose electrical floor boxes in which the frame includes uprights that are provided with slots, and the back-box of the connection module includes, at least on one lateral side, at least one snap-fastener tooth that is secured to a resilient portion that is formed integrally with the back-box. The snap-fastener tooth, extending along the longitudinal direction of the connection module that presents, in conventional manner, an elongate rectangular shape, is adapted to take up two positions, namely a position projecting from said back-box, in which position it is engaged in one of the slots of the frame so as to prevent the module from being removed from the frame, and a set back position in which it allows the module to be removed.

Document DE 92 14 457 Ui discloses an electrical module that is mounted in conventional manner by snap-fastening in openings of a support of an electrical box.

The main drawback of the above-mentioned dispositions is that the complementary assembly means of the frame and the connection module do not enable the module to be removed easily. In order to make removal easier, it is appropriate to soften the resilient portion carrying the snap-fastener tooth of the module, thereby weakening the retention of the module on the frame when said module is mounted thereon.

Document Wa 2009/004305 discloses an electrical floor box of the type mentioned in the introduction, and in which the mount elements of the connection module are generally flat and rigid eiements for engaging in slots that are provided in the opposite walls of the frame, one of the mount elements, referred to as a fastener element, being fitted on the back-box of the connection module in such a manner as to be capable of being moved in translation relative to the module, along the longitudinal axis thereof, between a retracted position in which it allows the module to be removed from the frame, and an extended position in which it is engaged in the slot of the frame and prevents the module from being removed from tho frame.

The major drawback of that floor box is that the connection module includes complex mount elements that increase its cost of manufacture.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

In order to remedy the drawbacks of the above-mentioned prior art, the invention proposes an electrical

floor box as defined in the introduction, in which

firstly said mount elements are in the form of rigid tabs that project in stationary manner from two opposite transverse edges of said module, and secondly the length of the unit constituted by said module and by each tab situated on one of said transverse edges, is shorter than the distance between the two opposite side walls of the frame, while the length of the unit constituted by said module and by said tabs provided on the two opposite transverse edges of the module, is longer than the distance between the two opposite side walls of the frame.

This advantageous disposition of the elements of the module and of the frame of the floor box of the invention is simple to manufacture, firstly making it easy to mount the module on the frame, while guaranteeing that such mounting withstands the traction forces exerted on the module, and secondly making it easy to remove the module from the frame, when necessary, by means of the tip of a tool.

Other characteristics of the electrical floor box of the invention are as follows: the locking element is adapted to move along a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said module between its two configurations; the locking element forms part of the connection module; said locking element is fitted on a bottom portion of the connection module; the locking element includes an abutment, and a tooth is provided on the edge of an opening for receiving the locking element, which tooth extends inside said opening, said locking element and said tooth being arranged so that the engagement of said locking element in said opening causes at least one of the two elements constituted by the locking element and the tooth to deform elastically, so as to enable the abutment to pass behind said tooth; said opening, that includes on its edge said tooth, is one of the openings of the frame; said abutment is formed by the edge of a window that is formed in said locking element; the locking element is an elastically-deformable element; the locking element is a tab forming a dihedron; said tooth is a rigid element; on one side of the connection module, each mount element presents a free end that is curved, forming a hook, and on another side of the module, each mount element presents a free end that is straight; the mount elements present lengths that are different on either side of the connection module; said locking element provided on one side of the connection module is framed by two straight rigid tabs that extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connection module, and that form guide elements for guiding said locking element towards the tooth provided in the corresponding opening of the frame; * said rigid tabs extend from a side wall of the bottom portion of the connection module; * the mount elements extend from a side wall of the bottom portion of the connection module; and * the connection module includes a handle extending from a side wall of a bottom portion of the connection module, the handle extends upwards from said side wall towards the top portion of the connection module, and includes a grip portion that extends over the top portion of the connection module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

The following description, given by way of non-

limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, makes it possible to understand what the invention consists of and how it can be reduced to practice.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a connection module of a preferred embodiment of an electrical floor box of the invention; Figure 2 is diagrammatic view of a detail of one end of the Figure 1 connection module; Figure 3 is diagrammatic view of a detail of another end of the Figure 1 connection module; * Figures 4 to 6, and 9 are diagrammatic perspective views showing the various mounting steps for mounting the electrical floor box of the invention; * Figure 5 is a diagrammatic larger-scale view of a detail A of Figure 4; * Figure 7 is a diagrammatic larger-scale view from the outside of a detail B of Figure 6; * Figure 8 is a diagrammatic larger-scale view of a detail B' of Figure 6; -Figure 10 is a diagrammatic larger-scale view from the outside of a detail D of Figure 9; * Figure 11 is a diagrammatic larger-scale view of a detail F of Figure 9; * Figure 12 is a view from the outside of Figure 11; and * Figures 13 and 14 are diagrammatic perspective views showing two mounting steps for mounting the Figure 1 floor box.

Figures 4, 6, and 9 show a preferred embodiment of an electrical floor box that comprises a frame 100 that is adapted to be inserted in a space formed in the reception floor, and at least one connection module 200 for fitting on the frame 100.

The frame 100, preferably made of metal, comprises four side walls 110, 120, 130, 140 that are assembled together so as to define a rectangular back-box that is adapted to receive each connection module 200.

Two opposite side walls 110, 120 of the frame 100 include facing openings 113, 123 for mounting each connection module 200 on the frame 100.

In this embodiment, each of the opposite side walls 110, 120 advantageously includes a plurality of rows of openings 113, 123 that are arranged at various heights in said side wall so as to enable each connection module 200 to be mounted at various heights on the frame 100.

The bottom free edge 111, 121 of each of the opposite side walls 110, 120 includes notches 112, 122, in this embodiment rounded notches, that are regularly distributed along the bottom free edge 111, 121. Each of the notches 112, 122 makes it possible for the electric power supply cable C of each electrical connection module fitted on the frame 100 to pass out of the frame 100.

The top free edge of each of the opposite side walls 110, 120 includes a rim 115, 125 that is directed towards the outside of the frame 100, while each of the other two opposite side walls 130, 140 of the frame 100 includes a top free edge 135, 145 that is straight. The rims 115, of the frame 100 are for bearing against the outer face of the reception floor when the frame 100 is inserted into the space, so as to limit the extent to which said frame 100 is driven into said space and so as to adjust the position of the frame 100 in said space.

Moreover, in the top portion, the two opposite side walls 110, 120 include tabs 116, 126 that are cut out and slope towards the outside of the frame relative to the plane of said walls. The tabs 116, 126 are connected to said walls 110, 120 via pivot hinges that are formed by bending said walls so that they are adapted to bear elastically against the walls of the space when the frame is inserted therein, in order to adjust its position in said space.

Figure 1 shows, more particularly, a connection module 200 of the electrical floor box shown in Figures 4, 6, and 9.

The connection module 200 includes a bottom portion 210, commonly referred to as a "pattress", in the form of a back-box that is elongate along a longitudinal axis X, in this embodiment of substantially rectangular shape, and that is open towards the front.

The back-box 210 houses various pieces of electrical eguipment having functional portions F that are accessible to the user at the front face of the electrical module 200. In this embodiment, the (longitudinal and transverse) side walls of the back-box 210 of the connection module 200 are preferably made of sheet metal, so as to impart good mechanical strength to the back-box 210. One of the transverse walls 211 of the back-box 210 of the connection module 200 opens outwards via a cylindrical duct 213 that constitutes an outlet for the cable C that powers the various pieces of electrical equipment of the connection module 200 with current.

The front opening of the back-box 210 of the connection module 200 is closed by a rectangular front plate 220 that includes various openings 223 that allow the functional portions F of the electrical equipment housed in the back-box 210 to appear on the front face 220A of said plate.

In addition, in this embodiment, in the proximity of each of its transverse edges 221, 222, the front plate 220 includes an oblong opening 224 that is positioned facing the inlet of a tapped hole 214 that is provided in the back-box 210. Each oblong opening 224 allows a threaded shank of a screw to pass through the front plate 220, which screw screws into the corresponding tapped hole 214 so as to fasten said front plate 220 to the back-box 210 of the connection module 200.

The electrical floor box shown in the various figures also includes mount elements 230, 240 that extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the connection module 200 in opposite directions, and that are adapted to be engaged In openings 123, 113 of the frame 100 so as to mount said module on the frame.

In this embodiment, and as shown more particularly in Figures 2 and 3, said mount elements 230, 240 preferably form part of the connection module 200, and are in the form of rigid tabs that are generally rectangular and that project in stationary manner from two transverse edges 221, 222 of the front plate 220 of said module 200.

On one side of the connection module 200 there are provided two identical tabs 230 that are positioned at the two ends of the transverse side of the module, and, on the other side of the connection module 200 there are provided, at one end of the transverse side of the module, a tab 240 of width that is identical to the width of the opposite tabs 230, and at the other end of said side, two small tabs that are parallel and that are narrower.

Advantageously, for reasons of rigidity, said mount elements 230, 240 extend from a transverse side wall 211, 212 of the back-box 210 that constitutes the bottom portion of the connection module 200.

Each tab 230, 240 is cut and shaped out of the sheet metal that constitutes the transverse side wall 211, 212 of the back-box 210 of the connection module.

Correspondingly, as shown more particularly in Figures 10 and 11, the various openings 113, 123 of the frame 100 are in the form of rectangular slots having through sections that, ignoring clearance, match the cross-sections of said rigid tabs 230, 240.

Preferably, on one side of the connection module 200, each mount element 230 presents a free end 231 that is curved, forming a hook, and on another side of the module, each mount element 240 presents a free end that is straight.

Preferably, the mount elements 230, 240 present different lengths on either side of the connection module 200.

Thus, advantageously, the length of the unit constituted by said module 200 and by each tab 240 situated on one 222 of said transverse edges, is shorter than the distance between the two opposite side walls 110, 120 of the frame, while the length of the unit constituted by said module 200 and by said tabs 230, 240 provided on the two opposite transverse edges 221, 222 of the module, is longer than the distance between the two opposite side walls 110, 120 of the frame.

Advantageously, this enables the connection module 200 to be mounted on, and removed from, the frame 100, as described in greater detaii below.

In the embodiment shown, the tabs 230 have free ends 231 that form hooks that are longer than the straight tabs 240 (see Figures 2 and 3) . Thus, the length of the unit constituted by the connection module 200 and by the tabs 230 situated on the transverse edge 221, is longer than the distance between the two opposite side walls 110, 120 of the frame 100.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the electrical floor box shown in the various figures, a locking element 250 is provided that is adapted to take on two configurations, namely a blocking configuration for blocking the module on the frame (see Figure 12), and a releasing configuration for releasing the module from the frame.

Preferably, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the locking element 250 forms part of the connection module 200.

However, in another embodiment that is not shown, provision may be made for the locking element to form part of tho frame.

Preferably, but not essentially, the locking element 250 is adapted to move along a direction Y that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of said module between its two configurations.

In this embodiment, said locking element 250 is fitted on the back-box 210 that constitutes the bottom portion of the connection module 200. The locking element is a tab 250 that is cut and shaped out of sheet metal. The tab 250 is spot-welded on the back-box 210.

It generally extends along the longitudinal direction X of the connection module 200, projecting from a transverse edge 222 of the front plate 220 of the module, away from the mount elements 230 having free ends 231 that are curved.

Advantageously, the locking element 250 includes an abutment 254A, and a tooth 114 is provided on the edge 113A of an opening 113 for receiving the locking element 250, which tooth extends inside said opening 113, said locking element 250 and said tooth 114 being arranged so that the engagement of said locking element 250 in said opening 113 causes at least one of the two elements constituted by the locking element 250 and the tooth 114 to deform elastically, so as to enable the abutment 254A to pass behind said tooth 114.

In the embodiment shown, said opening 113, that includes on its edge 113A said tooth 114, is one of the openings of the frame 100.

In this embodiment, as shown more particularly in Figures 5 and 8, each opening 113, 123 provided in the corresponding side wall 110, 120 of the frame 100, presents the shape of a rectangular slot with a longitudinal edge that includes a notch that widens the through section of said slot. The corresponding tooth 114, 124 extends from the end wall 113A, 123A of the notch towards the other longitudinal edge of said slot 113, 123. The other longitudinal edge of each slot 113, 123 is also provided with a notch that faces the first notch. Thus, each opening 113, 123 of the frame 100 presents the shape of a slot having a through section that is wider in its central portion. It is in the central portion of the through section of each slot 113, 123 that the tooth 114, 124 in guestion extends, which tooth obstructs only a fraction of the wide through section of the slot 113, 123.

Naturally, in a variant that is not shown, the locking element may form part of the frame, and the corresponding opening in the shape of a slot and including the fastener tooth may be provided on a portion of the connection module.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, said abutment 254A of the locking element 250 is formed by the edge of a window 254 that is formed in said locking element 250.

In other variants that are not shown, provision may be made for the abutment of the locking element to be formed by the edge of a mere indentation of the locking element or by the flank of a projeotion oarried by the element.

Preferably, in this embodiment, and as shown in the figures, the looking element 250 is an elastioally-deformable element and said tooth 114 is a rigid element.

The looking element 250 is a tab forming a dihedron. The thiokness and the shape of the tab imparts its resilienoe thereto. The window 254 of the looking element 250 is provided in the panel 253 of the dihedron, attaohed to the baok-box 210 of the oonneotion module 200, while the other panel 252 of the dihedron, forming its free end, oonstitutes a guide panel (see Figure 3) Moreover, said looking element 250, provided on a transverse side of the oonneotion module 200, is framed by the two narrower, straight, stationary, and rigid tabs 240 that extend parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the oonneotion module, projeoting from its transverse edge 222. The tabs 240 form guide elements for guiding said looking oloment 250 towards tho tooth 114 providod in the oorresponding opening 113 of the frame 100.

Finally, on a transverse side, the oonneotion module preferably inoludes a handle 260 that extends from a side wall 212 of the baok-box 210 of the oonneotion module 200. The handle 260 is positioned mid-way between said mount and guide tabs 240. It extends upwards from said side wall towards the top portion of the oonneotion module 200. It is a rigid tab that is out out of the sheet metal that oonstitutes said wall of the baok-box, and it presents an upsidedown L shape with a grip portion 261 that extends over the top of the front faoe 220A of the front plate 220 of the oonneotion module 200.

The handle 260 is partioularly useful to the installer for oarrying the oonneotion module 200 during mounting and removal operations of said module on the frame 100.

With reference to Figures 4 to 8, the mounting of the connection module 200 on the frame 100 and its removal from the frame 100 is described below.

In order to mount the connection module 200 on the frame 100, the installer presents the module in sloping manner relative to the plane of the opening of the frame 100, defined by the free edges 115, 125, 135, 145 of its side walls 110, 120, 130, 140, so as to engage the curved free ends 231 of the two rigid mount tabs 230 for mounting the connection module 200, in two slot-shaped openings 123 in the corresponding side wall 120 of the frame 100 (see Figures 4 and 5) Then, the connection module 200 is pivoted towards the frame 100 50 as to position the front face 220A of the connection module 200 parallel to the plane of the opening of the frame 100, defined by the free edges 115, 125, 135, 145 of its side walls 110, 120, 130, 140 (see Figure 6) Such pivoting is made easier since said mount tabs 230 for mounting the connection module 200, engaged in the openings 123 of the frame, present curved free ends 231, and sufficient length to pass through the corresponding openings 123 and extend out from the frame.

In addition, when the connection module 200 is in place in the rectangular reception back-box of the frame 100, the mount tabs 230 project substantially from the frame (see Figure 7) In this position of the connection module 200, on the other side of the module, the mount and guide tabs 240 of said module are positioned facing corresponding openings 113 of an opposite other side wall 110 of the frame 100. The locking element 250 is also positioned facing an opening 113 of the wall 110 of the frame 100, with the vertex of its dihedron oriented on the same side as said tooth 114 provided in the opening 113 (see Figure 8) It thus suffices fcr the user to push the connection module 200, along its longitudinal axis X, towards said side wall 110 of the frame 100, so as to insert the mount and guide tabs 240 and the locking element 250 through said openings 113 of the frame 100 (see Figures 9 to 12) During this translation movement of the connection module 200 along the longitudinal axis X, the corresponding tooth 114 of the opening 113 presses progressively against the dihedron that forms the locking element 250 and elastically flattens it in a downward movement along an axis Y that is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis X, so as to enable the locking element 250 to be inserted through said opening 113 until the abutment 254A carried by the locking element 250 passes through said opening 113 and is positioned outside the frame 100. The progressive bearing of the tooth 114 against the locking element 250 is made easier by the dihedron shape at the rounded vertex of the locking element 250.

When the abutment 254A of the locking element 250 is positioned outside the frame 100, the tooth 114 is engaged in the window 254 of the locking element 250 and it thus no longer exerts pressure on the locking element 250 that elastically returns into its initial dihedron-shaped state in an upward movement along said axis Y that is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis K, so as to position the abutment 254A behind said tooth 114 and so as to avoid the locking element 250 moving back and thus avoid said connection module 200 being removed from the frame 100 (see Figure 12) . In this blocking position, on the other side of the connection module 200, the curved free ends 231 of the mount tabs 230 bear against the side wall 120 of the frame 100 so as to assist in blocking said module on the frame 100 (see Figure 10) . The length of the mount tabs 230 is thus advantageously adjusted so as to allow the translation of the connection module 200 over the distance necessary to actuate the locking element 250 and to jam the curved free ends 231 against the frame 100.

In order to remove the connection module 200 from the frame 100, it suffices for the installer to insert the tip of a tool I, such as a screwdriver, into the window 254 of the locking element 250 (see Figure 13), then to pivot the tool I through one fourth of a turn about its axis (see Figure 14) or to tilt the tool (in a movement that is not shown in the figures), so as to exert pressure on the locking element 250 so that said locking element elastically flattens in a downward movement along said axis Y that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the module. When the locking element 250 is flat, the installer may push the connection module 200 along its longitudinal axis X (in the direction opposite to the installation direction) towards an opposite other side wall 120 of the frame 100, so as to enable the locking element 250 to pass through said opening 113 until the abutment 254A carried by the locking element 250 passes through said opening 113 and is positioned inside the frame 100. The installer may then relax the pressure exerted on said locking element 250 so that said locking element returns elastically into its initial dihedron-shaped state, then the installer may pivot the connection module 200 towards the outside of the frame 100 so that it takes up a sloping position that enables the installer to remove the curved free ends 231 of said mount elements 230 of the connection module 200 out of the corresponding openings 123 of the frame 100.

Alternatively, the installer may use only the handle 260 to exert pressure on the locking element 250 50 as to flatten it and move the connection module 200 in translation, then finally tilt the connection module so as to remove it from the frame 100.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An electrical floor box comprising: a frame (100) with two opposite side walls (110, 120) that are provided with openings (113, 123) that are arranged facing each other; a connection module (200) for fitting on the frame (100); mount elements (230, 240) that extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the module in opposite directions, and that are adapted to be engaged in the openings (113, 123) of the frame (100) so as to mount said module on the frame; and a locking element (250) that is adapted to take on two configurations, namely a blocking configuration for blocking the module on the frame, and a releasing configuration for releasing the module from the frame; the electrical floor box being characterized in that said mount elements are in the form of rigid tabs (230, 240) that project in stationary manner from two opposite transverse edges (221, 222) of said module (200), and in that the length of the unit constituted by said module (200) and by each tab (240) situated on one (222) of said transverse edges, is shorter than the distance between the two opposite side walls (110, 120) of the frame, while the length of the unit constituted by said module (200) and by said tabs (230, 240) provided on the two opposite transverse edges (221, 222) of the module, is longer than the distance between the two opposite side walls (110, 120) of the frame.
2. An electrical box according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking element (250) is adapted to move along a direction (Y) that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X) of said module (200) between its two configurations.
3. An electrical box according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the iocking element (250) forms part of the connection module (200);
4. An electrical box according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said locking element (250) is fitted on a bottom portion (210) of the connection module (200)
5. An electrical box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the locking element (250) includes an abutment (254A), and a tooth (114) is provided on the edge of an opening (113) for receiving the locking element (250), which tooth extends inside said opening (113), said locking element (250) and said tooth (114) being arranged so that the engagement of said locking element (250) in said opening (113) causes at least one of the two elements constituted by the locking element and the tooth to deform elastically, so as to enable the abutment (254A) to pass behind said tooth (114).
6. An electrical box according to claim 3 and claim 5, characterized in that said opening (113), that includes on its edge (113A) said tooth (114), is one of the openings of the frame (100)
7. An electrical box according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that said abutment (254A) is formed by the edge of a window (254) that is formed in said locking element (250)
8. An electrical box according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the locking element (250) is an elastically-deformable element.
9. An electrical box according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the locking element (250) is a tab forming a dihedron.
10. An electrical box according to claim 8 or claim 9, characterized in that said tooth (114) is a rigid element.
11. An electrical box according to any preceding claim, characterized in that, on one side of the connection module, each mount element (230) presents a free end (231) that is curved, forming a hook, and on another side of the module, each mount element (240) presents a free end that is straight.
12. An electrical box according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the mount elements (230, 240) present lengths that are different on either side of the connection module.
13. An electrical box according to any one of claims 5 to 12, characterized in that said locking element (250) provided on one side of the connection module is framed by two straight rigid tabs (240) that extend parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the connection module (200), and that form guide elements for guiding said locking element (250) towards the tooth (114) provided in the corresponding opening (113) of the frame (100)
14. An electrical box according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said rigid tabs (230, 240) extend from a side wall (212) of the bottom portion (210) of the connection module (200)
15. An electrical box according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the mount elements (240) extend from a side wall (211, 212) of the bottom portion (210) of the connection module (200)
16. An electrical box according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the connection module (200) includes a handle (260) extending from a side wall (212) of a bottom portion (210) of the connection module (200), the handle (260) extends upwards from said side wall (212) towards the top portion of the connection module (200), and includes a grip portion (261) that extends over the top portion (220) of the connection module (200).