RU187594U1 - Cable tray with integrated section connector system - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to means of serial connection of U-shaped sections of metal trays of open type used for laying wires and cables of power and signal wiring and information cable both inside buildings and in the open air. EFFECT: expanding the assortment of cable trays, simplifying the design of the integrated connector of cable tray sections by reducing the number of elements for lateral fixing while ensuring reliability of fixation and ease of installation and dismantling, eliminating longitudinal and transverse backlash of sections by fixing the bases of the connected sections. When fixing the side walls of the connected sections, the edges of the petal 5 are captured by the grooves 2, and the hole 6 is latched onto the tooth 3. The petal 5 easily slides along the edges of the tooth 3 when the hole 6 is connected until it clicks, while the hole 6 after assembly forms a platform that abuts the tooth 3 , which provides reliable fixation of the side walls of the cable tray sections. The crown 8 on the petal 5 performs the centering function, which is necessary to facilitate the penetration of the petal 5 into the groove 2. When fixing the bases of the sections to be connected, the antennae 13 of one section pass through the rectangular hole 14 at the base of the other section of the tray and are bent with a screwdriver, rectangular tabs 12 of the section are pressed against the base of the connected section of the tray, which eliminates the longitudinal and transverse play of the contacting surfaces. 2 s.p. f-ly, 5 ill.

Description

The utility model relates to means of sequentially connecting U-shaped sections of open metal trays used for laying wires and cables of power and signal wiring and information cable both inside buildings and in the open air, for constructing cable routes mainly in retail and warehouse premises, as well as in industry for the protection of power and low-current wiring.

An open way to lay cable routes using metal trays makes it easy to maintain and develop an electrical and low-current system in the future.

Cable trays are made of galvanized sheet metal by bending into a U-shaped (trough) profile. According to GOST R52868-2007, GOST 20783-81, the main elements of the cable tray (which is also called the cable tray system) are sections (straight sections and shaped sections), as well as auxiliary elements. The sections of metal rolling trays are connected end-to-end with fastening of the connecting plate at the bottom of the tray or with an overlap using bolts and nuts (cable trays OSTEC, MEGAVATT LLC St. Petersburg, Internet site http://mwtct.ru/perforirovannye-lotki) [1 ], or using a system of built-in connectors, when the perforated sections of the U-shaped tray are overlapped and fixed on the side walls of the tray without the use of bolts and nuts. The exclusion of the use of bolts and nuts in the assembly of the track significantly speeds up and reduces the cost of installation work.

In the patent (GB2476569 (A) - 2011-06-29 IPC H02G 3/06) [2] the connecting sections of the tray are connected by the side walls of the tray using a plurality of connecting devices (for example, spring clips), each connecting device passing through respective pairs of holes in overlapping sections of adjacent sections.

The prior art systems for embedded connectors of sections of perforated cable trays, for example, (WO2013176489 (A1) - 2013-11-28, KR101167028 (B1) - 2012-07-24, IPC H02G 3/04) [3], in which the connection overhead connecting elements is carried out using four clamping tabs installed in the holes of the overhead elements. The use of two additional overhead connecting elements leads to an increase in the cost of the structure during manufacture and time-consuming installation.

Further development of embedded connector systems involves applying a portion of one section of the cable tray to the extended lower portion of another section to form a connection zone for subsequent fixation of the side walls and bases of the connected sections of the sections. The use of a tubular (round in cross section) lock for installing the lids of the boxes, as well as the connection of the sections of the overlapping trays, significantly improves the strength characteristics of the cable tray.

A cable tray is known (ES2573147 (A1) from 2016-06-06, IPC F16L 3/26, H02G 3/04) [4], in which two vertical projections are made on the extended section of the section, and between them a hole and a groove interacting with assembly with two L-shaped slots with a groove and a hole on the side wall of the connected section of the arc section. The section section is fixed in the base of the tray using two bent reeds through one hole in the base of the other section. The specified design of the connector provides a fairly reliable connection of the sections of the cable tray, but since it contains eight elements for fixation on each side of the connected sections, this complicates the design and leads to increased costs in the manufacture of cable trays. In addition, the upper part of the gaps in the open zones of the connection causes a decrease in the strength of the product, and these parts are subject to bending and deformation in the case of small impacts during installation or transportation. In such a cable tray, fixing cable trays to each other are possible only when one connecting region is connected to the other from the upper part.

 Another well-known cable tray section connector (WO2011062567 (A1) - 2011-05-26, EA201270628 (A1) - 2012-12-28, IPC F16L 3/26, H02G 3/04) [5] is made in the form of compatible L-shaped cutouts in the side walls in the connection zone of the sections and with additional fixation with a bolt and nut in the mating side walls. To eliminate lateral and longitudinal play in the base of the section in the connection zone, two flexible tabs are made, which are inserted when assembling the cable tray into the corresponding holes in the base of the other section.

 The disadvantage of this connection is the decrease in the reliability of the connection of the side walls, due to the dependence of the stiffness of the used metal sheet material on the thickness, as well as the presence of additional fixation with one screw and nut.

A cable tray is also known (WO2013015755 (A2) - 2013-01-31, H02G 3/04) [6], which has a hole in the first connection area of the sections, and a protrusion is formed in the second connection area, so that it can enter the specified hole on top and fixed to the surface by a blocking element. To increase rigidity, vertical supports are fixed on the outer expanded side wall of the tray.

Since the design and operation of the locking member for the protrusion is not disclosed in the patent specification, this makes it difficult to assess the reliability of such an integrated tray section connector.

 In the multi-channel channel U-shaped section (Fig. 4, 5, 6 of the patent description (WO 2015/053643 from 04.16.2015, RU2641704 from 22. 01. 2018, IPC H02G 3/04) / 7 /, taken as the prototype of the claimed utility model, utility model, sections are connected by overlapping the upper connecting section (2) in the extended lower connecting section (3), which contains the tab (7) provided with a latch (8), and cutouts (12) formed above the tab (7) as well as guide protrusions (5) formed below the tongue (7). The upper connecting portion (2) contains guide protrusions (4) under which there is a hole (11) for the retainer (8), and below the hole (11) there are holes (6) .When the sections are connected, the guiding protrusions (4) of the upper connecting section (2) are received in the cutouts (12) extended lower connecting portion (3), the guiding protrusions (5) of the lower connecting portion (3) are received in the holes (6) of the upper connecting portion (2), and the latch (8) is fixed in the hole (11) of the upper connecting portion (2).

This design of the integrated connector of the cable tray sections ensures their reliable connection, however, it is difficult due to the use of nine lateral fixing elements, namely, two guide protrusions 5, two guide protrusions 4, two holes 6, holes 11, latch 8 with tongue 7, which increases the cost of manufacturing cable tray. In addition, in the design of the prototype there is no fixation of the connection zones on the basis of the sections of the tray, which can lead to a longitudinal and transverse backlash of the connected sections.

The objective of the claimed utility model is to reduce the cost of manufacturing a cable tray with an integrated connector while maintaining the reliability of the connection, as well as eliminating the longitudinal and transverse backlash of the connected sections of the cable tray.

The technical result of the claimed utility model is to Improve operational characteristics by expanding the assortment of cable trays, simplifying the design of the built-in connector of cable tray sections by reducing the number of elements for lateral fixing while ensuring reliability of fixation and ease of installation and dismantling, eliminating longitudinal and transverse backlash of sections by fixing the bases of the connected sections. An additional technical result is the elimination of operator injuries during assembly and disassembly of the sections due to the holder of the fixing element and the upper edge of the section of the lower connecting section of the cable tray section with rounded edges.

The specified technical result is achieved in that the cable tray with the system of the built-in connector of the sections connected when overlapping the upper connecting section to the expanded lower connecting section using fixing elements made in the side walls of the connected sections of the sections and interacting with each other during assembly.

According to a utility model, the locking element in the upper connecting portion is made in the form of a trapezoidal petal 5 with winding chamfers 8, in the center of which there is a rectangular hole 6, while the lower part of the petal 5 is bent outward to form a horizontal holder 7 made in the form of a rectangle with rounded corners, and the fixing element of the lower expanded connecting section on the inner surface of the side wall in its upper part is equipped with two vertical grooves 2 with the possibility of engagement in them they have a petal 5, which have a C-shape and are oriented so that their open parts are located opposite each other, under the vertical grooves 2 there is a clove 3 in the shape of a truncated pyramid, which makes it possible to snap a rectangular hole 6 in the petal 5, and in the base 11 of the upper connecting portion 4 is made of at least four outer protrusions 12 located in pairs and symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis and between them in the center there are flexible antennae 13 for placement in a rectangular hole 14 bottom its expanded connecting portion 1.

In a preferred embodiment:

- the upper edge of the side surface of the extended connecting section of the tray section is made with rounded corners;

- all fixing elements are made using stamps in the manufacture of the tray on the profiling line.

The pyramidoid shape of the tooth 3 is due to the connection design, thanks to this shape, the petal 5 easily slides along the edges of the tooth 3 when the hole 6 is connected until it clicks, while the hole 6 after assembly forms a platform that abuts the pyramidoid tooth 3, which ensures reliable fixation of the side walls of the cable sections tray. The crown 8 on the edge of the petal 5 performs the centering function, which is necessary to facilitate the entry of the petal 5 into the groove 2.

The presence of the protrusions 12 and the flexible antenna 13, which is inserted during assembly into the opening 14 of the base of the lower expanded connecting section 1 of the tray section, followed by folding it with a screwdriver eliminates the longitudinal and transverse play of the connected sections.

This connection of the tray sections expands the assortment of U-shaped cable trays, ensures reliable connections, eliminates the longitudinal and transverse movement of metal trays relative to each other, simplifies the process of mounting and dismounting the route, and reduces the cost of the tray.

The essence of the utility model is illustrated by the figures of the drawings, where:

FIG. 1 - isometric section of the cable tray.

FIG. 2 - assembly of two sections of the cable tray in isometry.

FIG. 3 - section of the cable tray, bottom view.

FIG. 4 is a frontal section of the cable tray section cut off along the length of the front section.

FIG. 5 - cut along the length of the extended lower superimposed connecting section of the section of the cable tray with an inside view.

The list of positions in figures 1-5 of the drawings, where:

1 - lower extended connecting section of the cable tray section

2 - vertical grooves

3 - clove

4 upper overlay connecting section of cable tray section

5 - latch element in the shape of a petal

6 - hole

7 - holder

8 - crown

9 - side wall of the tray section

10 - upper edge of the lower expanded section of the cable tray section

11 - the base section of the cable tray

12 - ledges

13 - antennae

14 - a rectangular hole in the base 1

The U-shaped section of the metal tray (Fig. 1) has an expanded section 1 with a rounded edge 10. On the inner surface of the side walls of the expanded section 1, vertical grooves 2 are made in its upper part, which are C-shaped and oriented so that their the open parts are located opposite one another, and a clove 3 is made under them in the shape of a truncated pyramid. At the base 11 of the tray section in section 1, a rectangular hole 14 is made (Fig. 3). to accommodate the flexible antenna 13.

At the opposite end 4 of the section of the metal tray (Fig. 1) on the outside of the side wall 9 in the upper part, a locking element is made in the form of a trapezoidal petal 5 with a crown 8 at the ends, in the center of which there is a rectangular hole 6. The lower part of the petal 5 is curved outward with the formation of a horizontal holder 7 with rounded edges. At least four outer protrusions 12 are arranged at the base 11 of the upper overlapping connecting section 4 of the section, arranged in pairs and symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis, and between them in the center there are flexible antennae 13 for placement in the opening 14 of the lower expanded connecting section 1. (FIG. 13).

The assembly of the route from sections of the cable tray is carried out by successively overlapping the upper connecting section 4 of one section of the cable tray into the lower expanded connecting section 1 of the other section of the cable tray (Fig. 2). and simultaneously with the imposition of fixation of the side walls and bases of each section.

The cable tray assembly process is shown for two sections to be connected.

When fixing the side walls of the connected sections, the edges of the petal 5 are captured by the grooves 2, and the hole 6 is snapped onto the tooth 3. The petal 5 easily slides along the edges of the tooth 3 until the hole 6 is joined until it clicks, while the hole 6 after assembly forms a platform that abuts the tooth 3 , which provides reliable fixation of the side walls of the cable tray sections. The crown 8 on the blade 5 performs the centering function, which is necessary to facilitate the penetration of the blade 5 into the groove 2.

When fixing the bases of the sections to be connected, the antennae 13 (Fig. 2, 3) of one section pass through a rectangular hole 14 at the base of the other section of the tray and are bent with a screwdriver, rectangular projections 12 of the section are pressed to the base of the connected section of the tray, which eliminates the longitudinal and transverse play of the adjacent surfaces.

To implement the connector sections of the tray, the operator presses with one hand away from the side walls on the holder 7 of the petal 5, which thus bends and the hole 6 disengages from the tooth 3 and the petal 5 disengages from the vertical grooves 2.

Fixation elements are subject to high demands on precision. Therefore, all the fixing elements are performed using dies, in the manufacture of sections of the cable tray on the profiling line. There are several zones with presses on the line, on which dies are installed as accessories for each size and the operation of the press is controlled by sensors according to a given program. In this way, precise positioning of die cuts of the fixing elements at different ends of the trays is ensured, which ensures stability of engagement on each produced tray.

Information sources:

1. Cable trays OSTEC, LLC MEGAVATT St. Petersburg, Internet site http://mwtct.ru/perforirovannye-lotki.

2. GB 2476569 (A) - 2011-06-29 IPC H02G 3/06.

3. WO 2013176489 (A1) - 2013-11-28, KR 101167028 (B1) - 2012-07-24, IPC H02G 3/04.

4. ES 2573147 (A1) from 2016-06-06, IPC F16L 3/26, H02G 3/04.

5. WO 2011062567 (A1) - 2011-05-26, EA 201270628 (A1) - 2012-12-28 IPC F16L 3/26, H02G 3/04.

6. WO 2013015755 (A2) - 2013-01-31, H02G 3/04.

7. WO 2015/053643 dated 04.16.2015, RU 2641704 dated 22.01.2018, IPC H02G 3/04) - prototype.

Claims (3)

1. Cable tray with a system of integrated connector sections connected when overlapping the upper connecting section in the expanded lower connecting section using fixing elements made in the side walls of the connected sections of the sections and interacting during assembly with each other, characterized in that the fixing element in the upper overlapping the connecting section is made in the form of a trapezoidal petal with winding chamfers, in the center of which there is a rectangular hole, with the lower part the petal is bent outward with the formation of a horizontal holder made in the form of a rectangle with rounded corners, and the fixing element of the lower expanded connecting section on the inner surface of the side wall in its upper part is provided with two vertical grooves with the possibility of engagement in them of the petal, which have a C-shaped they are shaped and oriented in such a way that their open parts are located opposite each other, a clove in the shape of a truncated pyramid is made under the vertical grooves, which provides protection Clicking holes on it in the petal, and at least four external protrusions arranged in pairs and symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis are made at the base of the upper superimposed connecting section, and between them in the center there are flexible antennae for placement in the rectangular hole of the lower expanded connecting section. 2. Cable tray according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper edge of the lateral surface of the expanded connecting portion of the tray section is made with rounded corners. 3. Cable tray according to claim 1, characterized in that all the fixing elements are made using dies in the manufacture of the tray on the profiling line.

Images