NL2012781B1

NL2012781B1 - Intallation box sprout construction.

Info

Publication number: NL2012781B1
Application number: NL2012781A
Authority: NL
Inventors: De Hoog Antonie
Original assignee: Attema B V
Priority date: 2014-05-08
Filing date: 2014-05-08
Publication date: 2016-02-23

Description

P31964N LOO/ΜΕ

Installation box sprout construction FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of electrical installation material, and more specifically to an installation box for mounting in a wall, in particular, but not exclusively, in a hole in a hollow wall. The wall may be a ceiling of a room. The invention further relates to an insert for an installation box.

Herein, an installation box is deemed equivalent to an electrical installation box, a junction box, and an electrical junction box. The installation box may be used for housing installation material in general, (junctions between) electrical conductors, electrical signal wires, optical cables or fibers, and may further accommodate switching material, one or more electrical or optical sockets, signaling material, telecommunication material, building automation material, controller or computer material, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In installations of the kind described above, electrical and/or optical wires are fitted in tubes of different sorts, where such tubes are inserted in sprouts of installation boxes to form a continuous space comprising the space defined by the tubes and the space defined by the installation boxes. The wires lie protected in the continuous space in accordance with safety standards and other regulations in the applicable field.

The tubes sizes are generally standardized. In particular, the outer sizes of the tubes are standardized to be able to provide installation boxes having sprouts in which such tubes fit. As an example, tubes having a circular cross-section are sized to have a particular outer diameter.

In installations, different kinds of tubes and different qualities of tubes from different manufacturers may be used. Tubes may be made from metal or from a plastic material. In plastic material, tubes may be rigid or flexible (ribbed). A problem exists in that the outer dimensions of a tube sometimes are too large for the tube to fit into a sprout of an installation box. This may be caused by the tube, or the particular part thereof, having been manufactured without complying to the specifications, or where tolerances were not kept, or for other reasons. This problem normally is only recognized in the installation work just before a tube end is to be inserted into a sprout. Then, replacement of the tube is necessary, or ad hoc adaptation work is carried out to make the tube fit into the sprout. This is an undesirable situation leading to additional work which costs additional time and money, and this may further lead to potential hazardous situations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be desirable to at least partially remove the above problems. It would also be desirable to provide measures to cope with tube outer dimensions that are larger than what would normally fit in a particular sprout of a particular installation box.

To better address one or more of these concerns, in a first aspect of the invention an installation box for an electrical installation is provided. The box has a box wall, and at least one elongate sprout extending outwardly from a hole in the box wall. The sprout has a sprout wall, a longitudinal axis, and an internal cross-sectional area for accommodating a member to be inserted in the sprout. The sprout comprises at least one yielding part configured to allow the internal cross-sectional area of the sprout, from an end of the sprout facing away from the box wall along at least part of the length of the sprout, to vary between a first cross-sectional area, and a second cross-sectional area larger than the first cross-sectional area.

An advantage of the yielding part is that the sprout can accommodate both a member, such as a tube having a cross-sectional area adapted to the internal cross-sectional area of the sprout, and having standard or expected dimensions, in the sprout, and a member having larger cross-sectional dimensions than those for which the sprout was designed, in the sprout. The yielding part is deformed under stress (generated by force exerted on the sprout wall) to provide the second internal cross-sectional area of the sprout. As a result, one and the same box having sprouts comprising a yielding part in accordance with the invention can be used more extensively, whereby installation problems are avoided, and stock can be reduced, with the result that costs can be reduced. When a member is inserted into the sprout, and this member has outer (cross-sectional) dimensions larger than the first internal cross-sectional area of the sprout, then the sprout may be widened by virtue of the yielding part to the have a second, larger internal cross-sectional area sufficient to accommodate the particular member.

In an embodiment of the installation box of the invention, the yielding part extends from an end of the sprout facing away from the box wall along at least part of the length of the sprout.

An advantage of the extension of the yielding part along a part of the length of the sprout is that the box construction, when compared to a known construction, needs only to be adapted locally, whereas the remainder of the sprout needs not to be adapted, which renders a production advantage, while said member having larger cross-sectional dimensions than those for which the sprout was designed, can be inserted into the sprout over a sufficient distance as required.

In an embodiment, the sprout comprises a stop member located inside the sprout, the stop member being configured to allow insertion of the member into the sprout over a predetermined distance, and wherein the yielding part extends along the length of the sprout at least over said predetermined distance. Thus, a proper insertion of the member, such as a tube member, into the sprout along a required depth can be ensured, where a person inserting the member has tactile feedback from reaching the stop member.

In an embodiment of the installation box of the invention, as seen in a plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the sprout, the yielding part extends over a section of the sprout wall circumference.

An advantage of having the yielding part extend over a section of the sprout wall circumference is that a large part of the sprout wall may, when compared to a known construction, remain the same, while only in said section the yielding part is provided. This renders production advantages. The section may be less than 20%, preferably less than 10%, and more preferably less than 5% of the sprout wall circumference.

In an embodiment, the yielding part is a part of the sprout wall. The sprout wall thus comprises the yielding part which forms part of the sprout wall.

An advantage of including the yielding part in the sprout wall is that the sprout wall is continuous so as to the sprout can perform its function to accommodate a member inserted in the sprout while providing an interior space substantially shielded from the environment to avoid inadvertent contact of objects in the environment with a conductor running through the member and the sprout.

In an embodiment of the installation box of the invention, the yielding part, as seen in the plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the sprout, may have different convex cross-sections, such as a substantially V-shaped cross-section, a substantially semi-circular cross-section, or a substantially U-shaped cross-section.

An advantage of a convex cross-section, as seen from the outside of the sprout, of the yielding part, such as a substantially V-shaped cross-section, a substantially semi-circular or C-shaped cross-section, or a substantially U-shaped cross-section, but not limited thereto, is that the sprout is not obstructed at its interior by the yielding part. A further advantage is that the shielding of the interior space of the sprout is effective to comply with the applicable standards and other regulations. A still further advantage is that, when the yielding part is stretched such that its original convex cross-section becomes more straight, this leads to a second internal cross-sectional area of the sprout being larger than the first internal cross-sectional area. The stretching of the yielding part may be brought about by the insertion of a member, such as a tube, into the sprout, where the member has such outer (cross-sectional) dimensions that the member cannot be accommodated in the sprout having a first internal cross-sectional area which is smaller than the second internal cross-sectional area, but can be accommodated in the sprout having the second internal cross-sectional area.

In an embodiment of the installation box of the invention, the yielding part is made from the same material as the remainder of the sprout.

An advantage of manufacturing the yielding part of the same material, which for practical purposes of electrical insulation usually is a plastic material, such as a polypropylene, PP, material, is that it provides the same material properties and advantages as the sprout material. The sprout material and the wall material of the box are usually the same. This further opens up the possibility to manufacture the box as a whole, including the yielding part, integrally in one production step from one material in an injection molding process.

In an embodiment of the installation box of the invention, the yielding part is thinner than the remainder of the sprout.

An advantage of providing the yielding part as a thinner, or weakened, part than the remainder of the sprout, in particular when the yielding part is integral with the remainder of the sprout, and more in particular when the sprout material and the yielding part material are the same, is that the thinner or weakened yielding part is more flexible than the remainder of the sprout so that it will yield when put under tensile stress or bending stress, e.g. by insertion of a member such as a tube member in the sprout, where the member has outer dimensions larger than the first internal cross-sectional area of the sprout.

An advantage of a yielding part which is integral with the remainder of the sprout, i.e. a yielding part which forms a unit with the remainder of the sprout, is that it can be formed in the same molding process or in a co-molding process, or by glueing or welding them together. An advantage of the yielding part and the remainder of the sprout being integral is that production costs may be lower, and production may be faster since no assembly takes place.

In an embodiment of the installation box of the invention, said section of the circumference of the sprout wall is configured to yield under stress, as seen in a plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the sprout, at least 4%, preferably at least 6%.

An advantage of such yield configuration is that with the usual sprout having a particular circular effective inner diameter for accommodating a tubular member, a tubular member having a larger outer diameter than the effective inner diameter of the sprout can still be mounted in the sprout.

In an embodiment of the installation box of the invention, the yielding part is flexible and/or elastic, in particular more flexible and/or elastic than the remainder of the sprout.

An advantage of a flexible and/or elastic yielding part is that it can provide the required yield in a simple configuration without compromising the sprout integrity.

In an embodiment of the installation box of the invention, the yielding part is resilient.

An advantage of a resilient yielding part is that it will perfectly adapt to outer dimensions of a member being larger than the first internal cross-sectional area of the sprout, and that it will retake an original internal cross-sectional area when said member is removed from the sprout.

In an embodiment of the installation box of the invention, the sprout wall, as seen in a plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the sprout, has overlapping end regions, wherein the yielding part is formed by the overlapping end regions.

An advantage of constructing the sprout wall having overlapping end regions is that the sprout wall is substantially closed on its outer surface, and that the end regions may be shifted relative to each other to vary an internal cross-sectional area of the sprout while the end regions continue to overlap, so that the sprout wall remains closed. A shifting of end regions of the sprout may be brought about by inserting a member having outer dimensions larger than the first internal cross-sectional area in the sprout.

In an embodiment of the installation box having sprouts with overlapping end regions, the sprout wall is flexible and/or elastic such that the section of the sprout wall circumference comprising the overlapping end regions is configured to yield, as seen in a plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the sprout, at least 4%, preferably at least 6%, with the effect as explained above. In some embodiments of the installation box of the invention, said section of the circumference is less than 20%, preferably less than 10%, and more preferably less than 5% of the sprout wall circumference.

In some embodiments of the installation box of the invention, the sprout wall comprises a plurality of yielding parts, which may be spaced in a predetermined manner at the circumference of the sprout wall.

An advantage of having more than one yielding part in the sprout wall is that the yielding to be provided by each of the plurality of yielding parts is lower to commonly build up to have the yielding required, whereby each yielding part of the plurality of yielding parts can be made smaller.

In some practical embodiments of the installation box of the invention, the sprout wall has a substantially ring-shaped cross-section.

In a further aspect of the invention, an insert for an installation box for an electrical installation is provided. The insert has a box wall part, and at least one elongate sprout extending outwardly from a hole in the box wall part. The sprout has a sprout wall, a longitudinal axis, and an internal cross-sectional area for accommodating a member to be inserted in the sprout. The sprout comprises at least one yielding part configured to allow the internal cross-sectional area of the sprout, from an end of the sprout facing away from the box wall along at least part of the length of the sprout, to vary between a first cross-sectional area, and a second cross-sectional area larger than the first cross-sectional area.

These and other aspects of the invention will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description and considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols designate like parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of an installation box of the invention, comprising sprouts each having a yielding part.

Figure 2 depicts a top view of the installation box of Figure 1.

Figure 3 depicts of front view of the installation box of Figure 1.

Figure 4 depicts a cross-sectional front view along the line A-A of the installation box of Figure 2.

Figure 5 depicts a cross-sectional top view along the line D-D of the installation box of Figure 3.

Figure 6 depicts a cross-sectional side view along the line C-C of the installation box of Figure 2.

Figure 7 depicts a top view of two sprouts of the installation box of Figure 1, with a member inserted into one of the sprouts.

Figure 8 depicts a cross-sectional front view along the line B-B of the sprouts of Figure 7 of the installation box of Figure 1.

Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12 depict alternative sprout configurations in a cross-sectional front view similar to the view of Figure 8.

Figure 13 illustrates another sprout configuration having overlapping end regions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Figures 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 depict an installation box 1 configured to be used in an electrical installation mounted in a wall of a building. The installation box 1 has a box wall 3, including a bottom wall and a side wall, wherein an edge 5 of the box wall 3 facing away from the bottom wall bounds a box opening which can be closed by a cover (not shown in the drawings for being inessential to the present disclosure).

The installation box 1 comprises an insert part 7 which comprises at least one box wall part, e.g. part of the bottom wall and part of the side wall of the box wall 3. The insert part 7 has two elongate sprouts 9 each having a longitudinal axis, and extending from holes 11 in the side wall part of the insert part 7. At least one of the holes 11 may be closed by a removable gate member 13. The insert part 7 may be manufactured separately from the remainder of the installation box 1, and next the insert part 7 may be mounted in a corresponding hole in the box wall 3 by a snap connection operable at the edges of the bottom wall and side wall parts of the insert part 7 interacting with an edge of the hole in the box wall 3.

In other embodiments, the box wall 3 is integrally formed, i.e. without an insert part 7, and the sprouts 9 are mounted on the integrally formed box wall 3. Furthermore, instead of two sprouts 9, the number of sprouts may be one or more, located on the bottom wall and/or the side wall of the installation box.

Each sprout 9 has a sprout wall 15 having a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. The sprout 9 shown is designed to accommodate a tubular member (as shown in Figures 7 and 8 to be discussed hereinbelow) with a first outer diameter or a tubular member with a second outer diameter, in different longitudinal sections of the sprout 9 as explained in detail below, wherein the first outer diameter is smaller than the second outer diameter. In addition, the sprout 9 is configured to accommodate a tubular member having a third outer diameter which is larger than the first outer diameter and/or the second outer diameter.

The sprout 9 has internal ribs 17a, 17b extending in the axial direction of the sprout 9, where a distance, as seen at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the sprout 9, between diametrically opposed ribs 17a is about equal to the first diameter, and ribs 17b radially extend further into the sprout interior, and are laterally flexible to be laterally bent by a tubular member having the first outer diameter to hold the tubular member by friction. The sprout 9 further has internal stop elements 19 limiting an axial insertion of a tubular member having a first diameter along the ribs 17a and 17b into the sprout 9.

The sprout 9 further has an internal section extending in an axial direction from the end of the sprout 9 facing away from the box wall 3 up to the ribs 17a, 17b. The internal section is configured to accommodate a tubular member having the second outer diameter. In the internal section, a resilient clamping finger 21 is arranged which can be pushed away in a radially outward direction by the tubular member having the second outer diameter to thereby frictionally hold the tubular member having the second outer diameter against axial displacement.

In accordance with the present invention, the sprout 9 comprises at least one yielding part 23 configured to allow the internal cross-sectional area of the sprout, from an end of the sprout 9 facing away from the box wall 3 along at least part of the length of the sprout 9, to vary between a first cross-sectional area, and a second cross-sectional area larger than the first cross-sectional area. The yielding part 23 extends from an end of the sprout 9 facing away from the box wall 3 along at least part of the length of the sprout 9. As seen in a plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the sprout 9, the yielding part 23 extends over a section of the circumference of the sprout wall 15. The yielding part 23 is part of the sprout wall 15. The yielding part 23, as seen in the plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the sprout 9, has a substantially V-shaped cross-section, and comprises two strip-like parts which are interconnected along their facing edges while being connected to the remainder of the sprout 9 along their other longitudinal edges. At the facing longitudinal edges, the strip-like parts are interconnected at an angle which is illustrated to be between 70° and 80°, but which in general may vary between 20° and 120° when the yielding part 23 is undeformed.

The yielding part 23 is made from the same material as the remainder of the sprout 9, and integral with the remainder of the sprout 9. The yielding part 23 is thinner than the remainder of the sprout 9.

The yielding part 23 forms a weakened part of the sprout 9 which is made of a flexible, possibly resilient material and can be deformed more easily than the remainder of the sprout 9. In particular, the radial dimensions of the sprout 9, or the effective sprout diameter, i.e. the sprout diameter available for accommodating a tubular member, can be increased by forcing the strip-like parts of the yielding part 23 to assume a larger angle relative to one another. In this way, a tubular member having a third outer diameter larger than the first or second outer diameter can be inserted into the sprout 9 which radially and tangentially yields by virtue of the yielding member 23 to accommodate the tubular member.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a tubular member 25 having a second outer diameter being inserted into a left sprout 9. As can be understood in particular from Figure 8, if the outer diameter of the tubular member 25 would be larger than shown in Figure 8, the yielding part 23 can yield by the strip-like parts thereof assuming a different mutual angular position, wherein the angle between the strip-like parts is increased, possibly to near 180°.

In some embodiments, instead of the sprout 9 shown in Figures 1-8, the sprout may be configured to accommodate just one type of tubular member having a predetermined outer diameter, instead of two types of tubular members having a first and second outer diameter, respectively.

As illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, a sprout 9 may comprises more than one yielding part, such as two yielding parts 23 having a substantially V-shaped cross-section according to Figure 9, or three yielding parts 23 according to Figure 10. The plurality of yielding parts 23 of one sprout 9 may be arranged at regularly spaced angular positions about 30° apart, or at other angular spacings. Although each one of the plurality of yielding parts 23 is shown in Figures 9 and 10 as having the same dimensions as the single yielding part 23 of previous Figures, they may be made smaller than the yielding parts 23 of the previous Figures while still providing the same accumulated yielding of the sprout wall.

Figure 11 depicts a yielding part 27 which, as seen in a plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the sprout 9, has a substantially semi-circular cross-section.

Figure 12 depicts a yielding part 29 which, as seen in the plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the sprout 9, has a substantially U-shaped cross-section.

Like yielding part 23, the yielding parts 27 and 29 may be stretched or become more flat or straight such that their cross-sectional shape becomes more flat or straight to effect an increase of the effective inner diameter of the sprout 9. In other embodiments, each sprout 9 may comprise more than one yielding part 27 or 29, or even combinations of any of yielding parts 23, 27 and 29.

Figure 13 depicts a sprout 31, wherein the sprout wall 33, as seen in a plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the sprout 31, has overlapping end regions 35 extending in the longitudinal direction of the sprout 31, and overlapping each other in a circumferential direction of the sprout 31, as seen in a cross-sectional view. Each end region 35 has an edge extending along the length, or part thereof, of the sprout 31. Here, the yielding part of the sprout 31 is formed by the overlapping end regions 35 which are separated from each other along at least part of the length of the sprout 31, to be slidable relative to each other in the circumferential direction. The extent of slidability of the end regions 35 relative to each other may differ along the length of the sprout 31.

When a member such as a tube member having an outer diameter larger than an effective inner diameter of the sprout 31 is inserted into the sprout 31, the sprout is deformed by being pressed radially outwardly by the member. Accordingly, the inner cross-sectional area of the sprout 31 is increased, whereas the end regions 35, or at least one thereof, moves in a circumferential direction such that the distance between the edges of the end regions 35 decreases. In some embodiments, the sprout wall 33 is flexible and/or elastic such that a section of the sprout 31, as seen in a plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the sprout 31, is configured to yield at least 4%, preferably at least 6%, wherein said section is less than 20%, preferably less than 10%, and more preferably less than 5% of the circumference of the sprout wall 33.

As explained above, an installation box for an electrical installation has a box wall, and at least one elongate sprout extending outwardly from a hole in the box wall. The sprout has an internal cross-sectional area for accommodating a member, such as a tubular member, to be inserted in the sprout. The sprout comprises at least one yielding part configured to allow the internal cross-sectional area of the sprout, from an end of the sprout facing away from the box wall along at least part of the length of the sprout, to vary between a first cross-sectional area, and a second cross-sectional area larger than the first cross-sectional area. The yielding part extends from an end of the sprout facing away from the box wall along at least part of the length of the sprout. The sprout may be part of an insert to be mounted in an installation box.

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention.

The terms "a" or "an", as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language, not excluding other elements or steps). Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims or the invention.

The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

An installation box for an electrical installation, wherein the box has a box wall, and at least one elongated spout extending outwardly from a hole in the box wall, the spout having a spout wall, a longitudinal axis, and an internal cross-sectional area for receiving a member to be inserted into the spout, characterized in that the spout has at least one resilient portion configured to allow the inner cross-sectional area of the spout to extend from an end of the spout remote from the box wall at least a portion of the length of the spout varies between a first cross-sectional area and a second cross-sectional area that is larger than the first cross-sectional area.

Installation box according to claim 1, wherein the yielding part extends from an end of the spout that is turned away from the box wall along at least a part of the length of the spout.

Installation box according to claim 2, wherein the spout comprises a stop member located in the spout, wherein the stop member is configured to allow insertion of the member into the spout over a predetermined distance, and wherein the yielding part extends along the length of the spout at least over said predetermined distance.

Installation box as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein, seen in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spout, the yielding part extends over a section of the spout wall circumference.

Installation box according to claim 4, wherein the yielding part is a part of the spout wall.

Installation box according to claim 5, wherein the yielding part, viewed in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spout, has a substantially V-shaped cross-section.

Installation box according to claim 5, wherein the yielding part, viewed in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spout, has a substantially semicircular cross-section.

Installation box according to claim 5, wherein the yielding part, viewed in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spout, has a substantially U-shaped cross-section.

Installation box according to one or more of claims 4 to 8, wherein the compliant part is made of the same material as the rest of the spout.

Installation box according to one or more of claims 4 to 9, wherein the compliant part is thinner than the rest of the spout.

Installation box according to one or more of claims 4 to 10, wherein the yielding part forms a whole with the rest of the spout.

Installation box according to one or more of claims 4 to 11, wherein said section is configured to yield at least 4%, preferably at least 6%, viewed in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spout.

Installation box according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the yielding part is flexible and / or elastic.

Installation box according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the yielding part is resilient.

An installation box according to claim 4, wherein the spout wall, viewed in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spout, has overlapping end regions, the yielding part being formed by the overlapping end regions.

An installation box according to claim 15, wherein the spout wall is flexible and / or elastic such that the section, viewed in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spout, is configured to yield at least 4%, preferably at least 6% .

Installation box according to one or more of claims 4 to 16, wherein said section is less than 20%, preferably less than 10%, and more preferably less than 5% of the nozzle wall circumference.

Installation box according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the spout wall comprises a plurality of compliant parts.

Installation box according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the spout wall has a substantially annular cross-section.

An electrical installation insert box for an electrical installation, wherein the insert has a box wall part and at least one elongated spout extending outwardly from a hole in the box wall part, the spout having a spout wall, a longitudinal axis, and an internal cross sectional area for the accommodating a member to be inserted into the spout, characterized in that the spout has at least one resilient portion configured to allow the internal cross-sectional area of the spout from an end of the spout remote from the spout box wall along at least a portion of the length of the spout varies between a first cross-sectional area and a second cross-sectional area that is larger than the first cross-sectional area.