WO2014096673A1

WO2014096673A1 - Connection accessory of an electrical device to electric wires coming from a routing sheath

Info

Publication number: WO2014096673A1
Application number: PCT/FR2013/053121
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jérome Longeville
Original assignee: Legrand France; Legrand Snc
Priority date: 2012-12-20
Filing date: 2013-12-17
Publication date: 2014-06-26
Also published as: FR3000314A1

Abstract

The invention pertains to a connection accessory (10) of an electrical device to at least two electric wires (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8) travelling freely within a routing sheath (1, 5), comprising: - at least two connection elements that each comprise an input terminal for connecting them to one of said electric wires and an output terminal, - an electric cable (110) that comprises a plurality of electric wires (117, 118, 119) connected to said output terminals, - an insulating base (20) that comprises a substrate (30, 40, 50) and a case (60) mounted movably relative to one another, and which defines at least one input opening for allowing through the electric wires and one output opening for allowing through said electric cable, that insulating base comprising means of clamping one end of said routing sheath in the axis of said input opening, wherein said case is slidably mounted on the substrate in such a way that when in the distant position, it releases access to said means of clamping in order to mount the end of said routing sheath in the axis of said input opening, and that in the engaged position, it immobilises the end of said routing sheath onto said means of clamping.

Description

ACCESSORY FOR CONNECTING AN ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT TO ELECTRIC WIRES

FROM A FLOW SHEATH

TECHNICAL FIELD TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES The present invention generally relates to the fitting, inside walls, of electrical equipment such as sockets, switches, back and forth, electric dimmers , network jacks (RJ45), phone jacks (RJ1 1), lights, or detectors (smoke, flood, temperature, movement or light).

It relates more particularly to an accessory facilitating the connection of such electrical equipment to at least two electrical son circulating in a cable routing sheath.

BACKGROUND

Currently, for its installation in a hollow partition, electrical equipment includes a flush-mounting box which is equipped with fastening means to the hollow partition and which is open at the front to accommodate a fitting mechanism.

Such a flush-mounting box generally comprises, at the rear, knock-out covers for the passage of cable ducts.

The installation of such electrical equipment in an opening made in a hollow partition then requires pulling one or two cable ducts through the opening made in the hollow partition, to break one or two knockouts in order to engaging the end of each sheath in the flush-mounting box, fixing the flush-mounting box in the opening made in the hollow partition, connecting the electrical wires coming from each cable routing sheath to the terminals of the mounting mechanism. switchgear, and lock the mechanism in the flush-mounting box.

The operation of fixing the recess box in the opening made in the hollow wall then requires pushing the cable ducts in the hollow wall.

The rigidity of cable ducts and electrical wires housed in these ducts generates high stresses, so that the installer must exert a major effort on the ducts and the flush-mounting box to carry out this operation, at the risk of break one of the components of the equipment electrical or degrade insulator found in the hollow partition.

The backflow of these ducts proves in practice often impossible, so that the installer is then forced to simultaneously push the flush box into the opening made in the hollow wall and pull the ends of these ducts. routing inside the flush-mounting box. It is then forced to cut the ends of these ducts by the inside of the flush-mounting box, at the bottom of the bottom wall of the flush-mounting box, which proves to be particularly tedious.

Also known from US2003 / 0181093 a connector for connecting an additional device on a pre-existing power cable without having to cut it.

This connector includes a rear jaw for connecting the two electrical wires from the additional device, a front jaw adapted to connect to the two electrical son of the existing electrical cable, and a lever for controlling the closure of the front jaw .

The rear jaw has a fixed portion which defines two engagement grooves of the two electrical son and a movable portion adapted to come close on the fixed part to force these electrical son to connect in automatic terminals provided in the two grooves.

The front jaw comprises a fixed part which delimits a transverse passage for the two electrical wires, and a movable part mounted by its oblong opening on pins of the fixed part. This mobile part carries automatic terminals whose ends are intended to connect to the automatic terminals of the rear jaw.

The lever is movably mounted on pins of the movable portion of the front jaw, to force the latter to close on the fixed part of the front jaw.

The major disadvantage of this connector is that it does not allow to be used in combination with ducts in which freely move electrical conductors, since its jaws must be able to close directly on the electrical conductors. Indeed, if it were used to connect electrical conductors circulating in a duct, it would be necessary to cut beforehand the duct. We understand then that this pathway would be free to move by compared to the connector, which would not meet the standards in force (according to which, if a conductor disconnects from the connector, it must not be accessible but must remain confined inside a duct).

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

In order to remedy the aforementioned drawback of the state of the art, the present invention proposes an accessory making it possible to facilitate the installation of the flush-mounting box in the wall, and to reduce the forces necessary to embed the apparatus. electric in the wall.

More particularly, according to the invention, there is provided an accessory for connecting an electrical apparatus to at least two electrical wires running freely in a routing sheath, comprising:

at least two connection elements which each comprise an input terminal for its connection to one of said electrical wires coming from the routing sheath and an output terminal,

an electrical cable which comprises a plurality of electrical wires which are embedded in an insulating sheath and which are respectively connected to said output terminals,

an insulating base delimiting an inner housing for said connection elements, which comprises a support and a holster which are mounted movable with respect to each other between a position remote from each other and an engaged position; one on the other, which comprise locking means in the engaged position adapted to cooperate together, and which define at least one inlet opening for the passage of the electrical son coming from the duct in the inner housing and an opening output for the passage of said electric cable out of said inner housing,

wherein said insulating base comprises wedging means adapted to wedge an end of said duct sheath in the axis of said inlet opening, without wedging said electrical wires so that they remain free to flow in said duct , and

wherein said case is slidably mounted on the carrier, along said electrical cable, such that, in a remote position, it releases access to said wedging means for mounting an end of said conduit sleeve in the axis of said inlet opening, and that in the engaged position, it blocks said tracking sheath on said wedging means. Thus, thanks to the invention, it is no longer necessary to extract a large length of duct out of the wall to engage it in the recess box, but only a reduced length necessary for the fixing of each sheath to the insulating base of the connection accessory.

This reduced length of sheath extracted from the wall is easily discharged by the installer into the wall when the wiring operations of the electrical equipment are completed.

The electrical cable of the connection accessory, which is then intended to be engaged in the flush-mounting box in place of the duct or ducts, then allows the installer to have a sufficient cable length to easily connect the fitting mechanism.

Therefore, when installing the electrical equipment in the wall, only the connection accessory must be pushed inside the wall. However, the electric cable of this accessory has a reduced rigidity, so that the effort required by this operation is minimal.

It is then easy to bend this electrical cable if necessary so that it is not necessary to bend the routing ducts exactly in the axis of the flush-mounting box.

Other advantageous and non-limiting characteristics of the connection accessory according to the invention are the following:

the insulating base defines two inlet openings for the passage in the inner housing of at least two pairs of electrical wires respectively coming from two ducts, the insulating base comprises means for jamming the ends of the two ducts respectively in the axis of the two inlet openings, and each connection element comprises two input terminals respectively turned towards said two inlet openings for their connection to the two electrical son from the corresponding routing duct;

each inlet opening is located on a face of said insulating base which is situated opposite the face of said insulating base on which said outlet opening is provided;

- said outlet opening is bordered by a tube of inner diameter equal to the mounting clearance, the outer diameter of said electric cable;

each inlet opening being bordered by a tube, said means of jamming comprise at least one rib which protrudes from the inner face of said tube and which is adapted to snap into a groove of said duct;

- There is provided locking means of each electrical wire from the tracking sheath bearing against each associated input terminal;

- In the remote position of the support, the case releases access to said locking means and in the engaged position on the support, the case covers said locking means;

each opening of entry is delimited in part by the support and partly by the holster;

each input terminal is provided with means for piercing an insulating sheath of one of the electrical wires coming from the routing sheath, and at least one operating lever mounted to move relative to the insulating base is provided for pressing said electrical wire on the piercing means of said input terminal to pierce the insulating sheath of said electric wire;

- The said output terminals are permanently connected to the electrical son of said electric cable.

The invention also relates to an electrical equipment box comprising:

a body which comprises a side wall closed at the rear by a bottom wall, and at least two connecting elements, and

- A connection accessory as mentioned above, the electrical son of the electric cable are respectively connected to said connecting elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented.

In the accompanying drawings:

- Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a connection accessory according to a first embodiment of the invention, attached to two ducts drawn through an opening in a wall;

- Figure 2 is a schematic perspective exploded view of the connection accessory of Figure 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective exploded view of a part the connection accessory of Figure 1, shown at a different angle;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the connection elements and an end of the electrical cable of the connection accessory of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are views illustrating the assembly of the connection accessory of FIG. 1 with electrical wires coming from the routing ducts;

- Figures 7 to 9 are views illustrating the assembly of a second embodiment of the connection accessory according to the invention, with electrical son from two ducts duct;

- Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of an end of the electrical cable of one or the other connection accessories shown in Figures 1 and 7, engaged in the body of an electrical box.

FIGS. 1 to 6 and 7 to 9 show two embodiments of a connection accessory 10 respectively; 100 according to the invention.

This connection accessory 10; 100 is intended to connect, on one side, to electrical son from the local electrical network, and, on the other, to a mechanism of an electrical equipment housed in an electrical box.

It thus makes it possible to make the connection between the local electrical network and the mechanism of the electrical equipment.

This connection accessory 10; 100 is designed to facilitate the fitting of electrical equipment into a wall.

The electrical equipment may include any mechanism such as a socket, switch, reciprocating, electric dimmer, network jack (RJ45), telephone jack (RJ1 1), light, or detector (smoke, flood, temperature, movement or light).

The wall in which will be embedded this electrical equipment will preferably be a hollow partition. To this end, it is recalled that, in known manner, a hollow partition is generally composed of a metal frame (formed of vertical uprights and horizontal rails not shown) and plasterboards 200 attached to at least one of the two faces of the metal frame.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, the cavity practiced in this The hollow partition for receiving the electrical equipment is here simply formed by a circular opening 201 made with a hole saw in one of the gypsum panels 200.

In the description, the terms "front" and "rear" will then be used relative to the direction of the gaze of the installer of the connection accessory 10; 100 in this circular opening 201. Thus, the terms front and rear respectively designate the outwardly facing place of the hollow partition and the place facing the inside of the hollow partition.

The electrical wires 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 to be connected to the electrical equipment flow freely in at least one routing duct 1, 5 which extends behind the gypsum board 200. Therefore, a force exerted on the electrical wires 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 makes it possible to pull their ends out of the routing sheath 1, 5.

The free ends of these electrical wires and duct can be pulled through the circular opening 201.

As shown in Figures 1, 5 and 7, each duct 1, 5 is flexible and annular type. It therefore comprises a tubular wall formed of a succession of rings which delimit between them grooves.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the connection accessory 10; 100 according to the invention comprises an electric cable 1 10, an insulating base 20; 120 which delimits an inner housing, at least two connecting elements 70, 80, 90 which are located in the inner housing, and locking means 102, 103, 104, 106, 107, 108 for connecting the electrical wires 2, 3 , 4, 6, 7, 8 to the connecting members 70, 80, 90.

As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 7, the insulating base 20; 120 of the connection accessory 10; 100 according to the invention has at least one inlet opening 21, 25; 121, 125 for the passage of the electrical wires 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 in the inner housing and an outlet opening 61; 161 for the passage of the electric cable 1 10. It also comprises jamming means 22, 26; 122, 126 of an end of a duct sheath 1, 5 in the axis of each inlet opening 21, 25; 121, 125.

Each inlet opening has a section allowing the passage of three sheathed electrical son.

Here, the connection elements 70, 80, 90 make it possible to connect the wires 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 independently of the jamming means. In this way, the connection of the electric wires can be made before the trailing duct 1, 5 is jammed.

As shown in FIG. 4, each connection element 70, 80, 90 of the connection accessory 10 according to the invention comprises at least one input terminal 72, 76, 83, 87, 94, 98 facing towards the inlet opening of the insulating base 20; 120 for its connection to one of the electrical wires 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 from the routing sheath 1, 5. Each connection element 70, 80, 90 also has an output terminal 77, 88 99 facing the outlet opening of the insulating base 20; 120, which is connected to the electric cable 1 10.

The locking means 102, 103, 104, 106, 107, 108 of the connection accessory 10; 100 according to the invention are here maneuvering means which are intended to be accessible to the installer so that the latter can easily block the electrical wires 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 against the input terminals 72, 76, 83, 87, 94, 98 of the connection elements. As will be explained later in this presentation, it may of course be otherwise.

The connection accessory 10; 100 according to the invention is therefore designed to connect, via the input terminals 72, 76, 83, 87, 94, 98 of its connection elements 70, 80, 90, to the electrical wires 2, 3, 4, 6 , 7, 8 from the duct 1, 5, and, by its electric cable 1 10, to the mechanism of the electrical equipment (socket, switch, ...).

In both embodiments of the connection accessory 10; 100 shown in the figures, there are provided three connecting elements 70, 80, 90 respectively adapted to connect to the electrical son 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 of phase, neutral and earth of the local electrical network.

It is furthermore provided that each connection element 70, 80, 90 comprises two input terminals, including a power supply terminal 72, 83, 94 and a transposition terminal 76, 87, 98 (see FIG. 4).

The power supply terminal 72, 83, 94 of each connection element 70, 80, 90 is designed to be connected to one of the electrical wires 2, 3, 4 coming from the local electrical network in order to power the electrical equipment. in current, these wires 2, 3, 4 being housed in a first of the ducts 1.

The transiting terminal 76, 87, 98 of each connection element 70, 80, 90 is itself designed to be connected to one of the electrical wires 6, 7, 8 housed in the second duct 5, in order to connect other electrical equipment in branch of the electrical equipment considered.

Insulating base 20; 120 defines more precisely then two inlet openings 21, 25; 121, 125 for the passage in the inner housing of the electrical son 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 from these two ducts 1, 5. It also comprises wedging means 22, 26; 122, 125 of the free end of each duct 1, 5 in the axis of the inlet opening 21, 25; 121, 125 corresponding.

In the two embodiments shown, the electric cable 1 10, the connecting elements 70, 80, 90 and the operating means 102, 103, 104, 106, 107, 108 are identical and are referenced by the same reference signs. .

Only the insulating base 20; 120 shows a different architecture in these two embodiments shown.

Thus, as shown in Figure 2, in the two embodiments shown, the electric cable 1 10 is a conventional cable.

It thus comprises three electrical wires 1 17, 1 18, 1 19 each formed of a conductive core (made of copper) and an insulating sheath covering this conductive core. These three electrical wires 1 17, 1 18, 1 19 are embedded and thus wedged in an insulator surrounded by an outer sheath 11 January.

The electric cable 1 10 has a length greater than 5 centimeters, here of the order of about thirty centimeters.

It has a free end 1 12 through which it is adapted to be engaged in a box flush to connect to the mechanism of the electrical equipment. This connection will be described in detail at the end of this talk.

It has an opposite end 13 through which it engages inside the insulating base 20; 120.

As shown in FIG. 4, the connecting elements 70, 80, 90 all have identical shapes.

Each of these connecting elements 70, 80, 90 is formed in one piece, by cutting a metal strip so that it has a T shape, then by folding at right angles to this metal strip at the level of the junction between the base 77, 88, 99 and the head 71, 81, 91 of T. The leg of this T, which consists of a simple rectangular flat strip, forms the output terminal 77, 88, 99 of the connection element 70, 80, 90.

This output terminal 77, 88, 99 is permanently connected to one of the electric wires 1 17, 1 18, 1 19 of the electric cable 1 10, here by welding. The technique used for this connection could of course be different (crimping, soldering, ...).

The head 71, 81, 91 of the T, which is also formed by a single rectangular planar lamella, has two ends which respectively form the feed terminals 72, 83, 94 and subconnect 76, 87, 98 of the connection 70, 80, 90.

These two ends are cut so that the supply terminals 72, 83, 94 and subcircuit 76, 87, 98 are self-stripping.

Each of these ends thus has an open slit towards the outside, with a V-shaped mouthpiece whose two lateral edges are sharpened so as to cut the insulating sheath of the corresponding electric wire 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8. The bottom of this slot is flat (or, alternatively, rounded) to come into contact with the conductive core of the wire 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 corresponding to establish a connection between this electric wire 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and the connecting element 70, 80, 90.

As shown in Figure 3, the operating means comprise, for each power supply terminal 72, 83, 94 and subconnect 76, 87, 98, an operating lever 102, 103, 104, 106, 107, 108.

Each operating lever 102, 103, 104, 106, 107, 108 is made in one piece of insulating material and has an elongated shape, with a first end accessible to the installer and an opposite second end rotatably mounted on the insulating base 20; 120.

The second end of each operating lever carries for this purpose two lateral pins 109 engaged in two bearings provided in correspondence in the insulating base 20; 120 (which will be more precisely described later in this presentation). In this way, each operating lever 102, 103, 104, 106, 107, 108 is movable between an extended position (see FIGS. 5 and 6) and a folded position (see FIG. 8).

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, when the levers for maneuver are in the deployed position, the electrical wires 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 can be engaged between the sharpened V-shaped side edges of the feed terminals 72, 83, 94 and subculture 76, 87, 98.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8, when the operating levers are brought back to the folded position, the electrical wires 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 are pushed between these sharpened V-shaped lateral edges, so that their insulating sheaths are sliced and that their conductive cores come into contact with the power supply terminals 72, 83, 94 and subconnect 76, 87, 98.

In both embodiments of the connection accessory 10 shown in Figures 2 and 7, the insulating base 20; 120 comprises a support in which are fixed the connection elements 70, 80, 90, and a case 60; 160 which is slidably mounted on the support, along the electric cable 1 10, to cover the support at least in part.

In the first embodiment of the connection accessory 10 shown in Figures 1 to 6, the support of the insulating base 20 is made in three parts, including a body 30, a frame 40, and a cover 50.

As shown in FIG. 3, the armature 40 is designed to house the connection elements 70, 80, 90.

It comprises for this purpose four parallel partitions 41 which are connected to each other by a cross member 42 and which delimit three isolated receiving housing for the three connecting elements 70, 80, 90.

The cap 50 is meanwhile designed to fit at the front of the frame

40.

It has for this purpose a front wall 52 bordered at the rear by a flange 53.

Its front wall 52 has a central opening 51 for passage of the electric cable 1 10, adjusted to the diameter thereof.

Its rim 53 carries eight teeth 54 which extend from the rear edge of this flange 53, towards the rear. These teeth 54 are designed to cover the lateral edges of the parallel partitions 41 of the frame 40.

Notches 45, 55 in arcs-of-circles provided in correspondence in these teeth 54 and in the lateral edges of the parallel partitions 41 of the armature 40 make it possible to delimit together the aforementioned bearings, in which are engaged the lateral pins 109 of the levers operating mechanism 102, 103, 104, 106, 107, 108.

The shape of the cover 50 and that of the armature 40 are designed to limit the travel of the operating levers 102, 103, 104, 106, 107, 108 between their deployed and folded positions.

Thus, the rear edge of the rim 53 of the cover 50 forms a stop for these operating levers 102, 103, 104, 106, 107, 108 in the deployed position. The cross member 42 of the frame 40 forms a stop for the operating levers 102, 103, 104, 106, 107, 108 in the folded position.

Ratchet teeth (not shown) are arranged on the sides of the operating levers to engage cavities (not shown) provided in correspondence in the parallel partitions 41 of the frame 40 to retain the operating levers 102 , 103, 104, 106, 107, 108 in the folded position.

The cover 50 and the armature 40 are fixed together, for example by gluing or snapping, so as to retain between them the lateral pins 109 of the operating levers 102, 103, 104, 106, 107, 108. They are then reported and fixed on a front end of the body 30, for example by gluing or snap-fastening.

As shown in FIG. 3, the body 30 has an overall U shape, with a rear wall 31 and two side walls 32 which extend from two opposite sides of the rear wall 31, orthogonally to it, towards forward. This body 30 delimits an inner housing in which is placed the armature 40.

The body 30 also comprises a median partition 33 which extends between the two lateral walls 32, orthogonally thereto, from the rear wall 31 to near the front end of the body 30. This central partition 33 separates the inner housing into two identical parts.

Slots 46 provided in the rear edges of the parallel partitions 41 of the armature 40 are provided to engage the front edge of this median partition 33, to ensure a good positioning of the armature 40 relative to the body 30 .

As also shown in Figure 3, the rear wall 31 of the body 30 has recessed in its two large opposite sides, two semicircular notches 35 which are located on either side of the middle wall 33 and which open outward in opposite directions.

This rear wall 31 also carries two half-bushings 36 of semi-cylindrical shape, which extend in length towards the rear, and which are located back-to-back to open outwards. These two half-sleeves 36 are thus provided to border the two semicircular notches 35. Their function will be specified in the following description.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the case 60 is here provided to completely cover the support (that is to say the body 30, the frame 40 and the cover 50).

It has a form of parallelepipedal housing open at the back. It thus comprises a side wall 63 closed at the front by a front wall 64.

The outlet opening 61, which allows the passage of the electric cable 1 10, is then located in the center of this front wall 64.

This outlet opening 61 is lined at the front by a tube 62 of equal inside diameter, the mounting clearance, to the outer diameter of this electric cable 1 10. The tube 62 thus allows the case to slide easily along of this electric cable 1 10, while ensuring a certain seal between the outlet opening 61 and the electrical cable 1 10 (IP 4X standard to prevent a solid body with a diameter greater than 1 mm can not enter in the case).

The case 60 is thus movable between a position remote from the support (FIG. 6) in which it releases access to the operating levers 102, 103, 104, 106, 107, 108, and a position engaged on the support (FIG. ) in which it covers the operating levers 102, 103, 104, 106, 107, 108 so as to prohibit access.

Locking means are then provided in correspondence on the case 60 and on the support for locking the case in the engaged position.

In practice, as shown in Figure 3, these locking means comprise two detent teeth 34 which protrude from the outer faces of the two side walls 32 of the body 30 and which are adapted to engage in housing ( not visible in the figures) provided in correspondence in the internal faces of the side wall 63 of the case 60.

The case 60 also comprises two semicylindrical half-sleeves 65, which extend on either side of its lateral wall 63 and at the rear of the latter. These two half-sleeves 65 are located vis-à-vis to open towards one another. When the case 60 is locked in position engaged on the support, the two inlet openings 21, 25 above, which allow the passage of the electrical son 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 inside the insulating base 20, are then delimited by the semicircular notches 35 of the body 30 and by these two half-sleeves 65.

As shown in Figure 1, these two half-sleeves 65 are also provided to form, with the two half-sleeves 36 of the body 30, two tubes 27 in which the ducts 1, 5 can engage.

These two tubes 27 have internal diameters equal to the operating clearance, to the diameters of the ducts 1, 5. They thus have diameters of between 10 and 40 millimeters (typically equal to 16 or 20 or 25 or 32 millimeters) .

The wedging means provided for wedging the two ducts 1, 5 in these tubes 27 here comprise two ribs 22, 26 respectively provided projecting from the inner faces of the half-sleeves 36 of the body 30.

These two ribs 22, 26 extend in length perpendicularly to the axis of engagement of the ducts 1, 5 in the tubes 27. These two ribs 22, 26 are thus adapted to snap into the grooves of the ducts of tracking 1, 5.

As shown in FIG. 3, to guide the electrical wires 2, 3, 4, 6, 7,

8 from these ducts 1, 5 to the supply terminals 72, 83, 94 and subconnecting 76, 87, 98 of the connection elements 70, 80, 90, there is provided a crenellated wall 37 on each face of the median partition 33 of the body 30.

Each crenellated wall 37 extends perpendicularly to the axis of engagement of the ducts 1, 5 in the tubes 27, over the entire width of the body 30. The outer edge of each crenellated wall 37 then has three semi-circular notches located in the axis of the three feed terminals 72, 83, 94 or subculture 76, 87, 98. These semi-circular notches are provided to guide the electrical wires 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 to those - this.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show how to connect the connection accessory 10 to the electrical wires 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 coming from the two ducts 1, 5.

Initially, a circular opening 201 is practiced with a hole saw in the gypsum board 200 of the hollow partition, so that the free ends of the two ducts 1, 5 can be pulled out of the hollow partition, through this circular opening 201.

The ends of the electrical wires 2, 3, 4 emerging from the first duct 1 are engaged through one of the semicircular notches 35 of the body 30 of the support, then through the three notches provided in one of the crenellated walls 37 of the body 30, to between the sharpened V-shaped side edges of the supply terminals 72, 83, 94 of the connecting elements 70, 80, 90 of the connection accessory 10.

The corresponding operating levers 102, 103, 104 are then brought back to the folded position, which connects the electrical wires 2, 3, 4 to the supply terminals 72, 83, 94.

The ends of the electrical wires 6, 7, 8 coming out of the second routing sheath 5 are in turn engaged through the other semi-circular notches 35 of the body 30 of the support, and then through the three notches provided in FIG. other of the crenellated walls 37 of the body 30, to between the sharpened V side edges of the connecting terminals 76, 87, 98 of the connection elements 70, 80, 90 of the connection accessory 10.

The corresponding operating levers 106, 107, 108 are then brought back to the folded position, which connects the electrical wires 6, 7, 8 to the clamping terminals 76, 87, 98.

The ducts 1, 5 are then brought against the inner faces of the half-sleeves 36 of the body 30 of the support, so that one of their grooves engage on the ribs 26 provided in these half-sleeves 36.

Then, the case 60 is returned to the body 30 in the engaged position, so that it is clipped on it. In this position the ducts 1, 5 are locked in the insulating base 20 of the connection accessory 10 by the ribs 26. The junction between the ducts 1, 5 and the insulating base 20 is then sealed and ensures the electrical protection of the accessory (to IP2 protection against solid foreign objects with diameters greater than 12 mm).

The free end 1 12 of the electric cable 1 10 is then engaged through an opening provided in the flush mounting box of the apparatus electric, so that it can be connected to the mechanism of this electrical equipment.

The insulating base 20 of the connection accessory 10 is then pushed inside the hollow partition with the ends of the ducts 1, 5, so as to allow the recess box to be reported in the circular opening 201 made in the plasterboard 200.

This discharge operation proves to be easy to implement insofar as the length of the duct liner 1, 5 initially extracted from the hollow partition is reduced and insofar as no orientation is imposed on the liner ducts 1, 5.

Finally, one could consider the case where no electrical equipment is provided to be connected bypass of the electrical equipment considered. In this case, only one routing duct 1 opens out of the hollow partition. Therefore, only one of the tubes 27 of the insulating base 20 is used. It will then be possible to provide a plug for sealing the other of the tubes 27.

In the second embodiment of the connection accessory shown in Figures 7 to 9, the support of the insulating base 120 is in this case made in two parts, including a body 130 and a cover 150.

As shown in FIG. 7, the body 130 is provided to house the connection elements 70, 80, 90.

It comprises for this purpose a main wall 131 substantially flat and rectangular flanked on its two long sides, two side walls 132. It thus has a substantially H-shaped cross section.

Considering that the two side walls 132 together delimit an interior space, the main wall 131 then divides this interior space into two identical parts.

The front end edge of the main wall 131 has three slots lined with internal partitions which delimit three isolated receiving housing for the three connecting elements 70, 80, 90.

The aforementioned bearings, in which are engaged the lateral pins 109 of the operating levers 102, 103, 104, 106, 107, 108 are here formed by recesses provided recessed in these internal partitions.

The cover 150 is then provided to fit at the front of the body 130. It has for this purpose a front wall lined at the rear by a side wall. Its front wall has a central opening 151 for passage of the electric cable 1 10, adjusted to the diameter thereof. This central opening constitutes the outlet opening of the base 120.

Its side wall is provided to be applied by its rear edge against the front edge of the body 130. The cover 150 and the body 130 are fixed together, for example by gluing or snapping.

As shown in Fig. 7, the main wall 131 of the body 130 is deformed on the side of its trailing end edge, so that this trailing end edge has an S-wave shape.

This rear end edge is further extended by a profiled S-shaped wall which delimits the two entries of ducts 1, 5.

Each half 136 of this S-shaped wall extends over more than one semicircle, so that to be engaged, the ducts 1, 5 must be snapped transversely. The ends of this profiled S-shaped wall are bent outwardly to this end, to form ramps 136A facilitating the transverse engagement of the ducts 1, 5.

Thus positioned, each duct 1, 5 communicates with one or the other of the two parts of the interior space delimited by the two side walls 132 of the body 130.

As shown in Figures 7 to 9, the case 160 is here provided to cover almost completely the body 130.

It has a parallelepipedal box shape open at both its front and rear ends.

It is open at the front by a large rectangular opening 161 through which the hood 150 can emerge. It is also fully open at the back.

The case 60 is movable between a position remote from the body 130 (FIG. 8) in which it releases access to the operating levers 102, 103, 104, 106, 107, 108, and a position engaged on the body 130 (FIG. 9) in which it covers the operating levers 102, 103, 104, 106, 107, 108 so as to prohibit access.

Ratchet teeth 134 which protrude from the outer faces of the side walls 132 of the body 130 are adapted to engage in slots 164 provided in correspondence in the case 160 to hold the latter in position engaged on the body 130. The case 160 has, hollow in its rear edge, two wide notches 165 located at two opposite corners.

These two notches 165 prevent the case 160 from abutting against the profiled wall S of the body 130 when it is returned to the engaged position thereon.

When the case 160 is locked in the engaged position on the body 130, the two halves 136 of the profiled S-shaped wall define with the case 160 the two inlet openings 121, 125 above allowing the passage of the electrical wires 2, 3 , 4, 6, 7, 8 inside the insulating base 120. They also delimit two tubes 127 (Figure 9) for receiving the ends of the two ducts 1, 5.

The wedging means provided for wedging the two ducts 1, 5 in these tubes 127 here comprise two pairs of parallel ribs 122, 126 (FIG. 7), respectively, projecting from the internal faces of the two halves 136 of the S-shaped profile wall. of the body 130.

They also comprise two grooves 166 provided recessed in the inner face of the case 160 (see Figure 7), in which are slid the ramps 136A provided on the body 130 when the case 160 is returned to the engaged position on the body 130 These two grooves 166 then prevent the halves 136 of the S-shaped wall from expanding and allowing the ducts 1, 5 to escape when the casing 160 is locked in the engaged position on the body 130.

In FIG. 10, there is shown the free end 1 12 of the electric cable 1 10 of one or other of the connection accessories shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 and 7 to 9.

As shown in FIG. 10, the electric cable 1 10 is designed to be connected to the mechanism of the electrical equipment via this free end 1 12.

One could classically provide to engage this free end 1 12 through an opening made in correspondence in the electrical box to connect directly to the mechanism of the electrical equipment.

However, here, the electrical box 300 is of a particular type in that it comprises in its bottom connection members 317, 318, 319 for the connection of the electrical wires 1 17, 1 18, 1 19 of the electric cable. 1 10, and a cover 320 to protect the connection of these electrical son 1 17, 1 18, 1 19. Although it is not the object of the present invention, this electric box 300 can be briefly described.

This electrical box 300 comprises a body 310 which here has a generally cylindrical shape but which could of course have a different shape, including parallelepiped.

This body 310 has a tubular side wall 31 1 of revolution about an axis A1, which is closed at the rear by a bottom wall 312.

For fixing it in the circular opening made in the hollow partition, the body 310 has a peripheral rim 313 which runs along the outside edge of its side wall 31 1 and which is adapted to bear against the front face of the plasterboard, all around the circular opening. Thus, this peripheral rim 313 retains the body 310 of the electrical box 300 towards the rear.

For its retention forward, the body 310 comprises two claw screws (not shown) which are housed in grooves 314 provided recessed in the side wall 31 1 of the body 310 of the electrical box 300. The two claws, under control of the screws, are able to hang on the back of the plasterboard.

The connecting members 317, 318, 319 provided for the connection of the electrical wires 1 17, 1 18, 1 19 of the electric cable 1 10 are formed by three metal strips which pass through the bottom wall 312 of the body 310 of the electrical box 300 and which are bent at right angles inside the body 310 of the electrical box.

The folded front ends of these connecting members 317, 318, 319 form internal terminals intended to be connected to the mechanism of the electrical equipment via simple electrical contacts provided at the rear of this mechanism.

The rear ends of these connecting members 317, 318, 319 form external terminals intended to be connected to one of the electric wires 1 17, 1 18, 1 19 of the electric cable 1 10.

These external terminals could be of any type (including screw, automatic or lever). They could also be formed by simple plates on which one would weld the electrical son 1 17, 1 18, 1 19 of the electric cable 1 10. However, here they are of the self-stripping type.

Thus, the rear side of each outer terminal comprises a slot having a V-mouth whose two side edges are sharpened in order to cut the insulating sheath of the corresponding electric wire. The bottom of this slot is rounded to come into contact with the conductive core of the electrical conductor to establish a connection between the outer terminal and the electrical wire.

The cover 320 is rotatably mounted at the rear of the bottom wall 312 of the body 310 of the electrical box 310, between an open position in which it releases access to the external terminals of the connecting members 317, 318, 319 , and a closed position in which it is housed in a groove 315 provided in the bottom wall 312 of the body 310 of the electrical box 310.

This cover 320 comprises a main wall 321 whose generally rectangular contour has a shape complementary to that of the groove 315, and a peripheral rim 322 which carries two coaxial journals (not visible in the figures) engaged in corresponding openings in the edges of the groove 315 to allow the hood 320 to pivot.

The peripheral flange 322 also has snap teeth 323 adapted to snap into openings 316 provided in correspondence in the edges of the groove 315, to allow the cover 320 to be locked in the closed position.

The cover 320 also has, projecting from the inner face of its main wall 321, three support ribs 324 which are situated in such a way that, when the cover 320 is folded in the closed position, they engage between the cutting edges. V mouths of the three external terminals, without coming into contact with them.

Thus, these support ribs 324 make it possible to push the electric wires 1 17, 1 18, 1 19 between these cutting edges by closing the cover 320, which has the effect of cutting off their insulating sheaths and connecting their wires. conductive cores on the outer terminals of the connecting members 317, 318, 319.

To avoid that in the closed position, the cover 320 does crush the electrical son 1 17, 1 18, 1 19, the peripheral rim 322 of the cover 320 has a notch 326 passage of these son.

The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and represented, but the skilled person will be able to make any variant within his mind.

In particular, it could be provided that the support of the insulating base is in one piece.

It could also be provided that the blocking means (designed to block the electrical wires 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 coming from the ducts 1, 5 resting against the input terminals of the connection elements 70, 80, 90) comprise, not operating levers, but maneuvering means of another type. They could for example include screws whose heads would be accessible to the installer to be maneuvered and whose opposite ends would be adapted to come to support the electrical son from the ducts ducts against the input terminals of the connection elements.

One could also provide that these locking means are not maneuverable by the installer but rather the automatic type. They could for example comprise leaf springs bearing against the input terminals of the connection elements. Then, the elasticity of these spring blades would engage the stripped end of a wire between these spring blades and the input terminals of the connection elements to connect them.

Claims

1. Connecting accessory (10) for an electrical apparatus with at least two electrical wires (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8) running freely in a duct (1, 5), comprising:

at least two connection elements (70, 80, 90) each having an input terminal (72, 76, 83, 87, 94, 98) for connection to one of said electrical wires (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8) issuing from the routing sheath (1, 5) and an output terminal (77, 88, 99),

an electrical cable (1 10) comprising a plurality of electrical wires

(1 17, 1 18, 1 19) which are embedded in an insulating sheath (1 1 1) and which are respectively connected to said output terminals (77, 88, 99),

an insulating base (20; 120) having a support (30, 40, 50; 130, 150) and a case (60; 160) which together define an inner housing for said connection elements (70, 80, 90), which are mounted movable relative to each other between a position remote from one another and a position engaged one on the other, and which comprise locking means in the engaged position adapted to cooperate together , this insulating base (20; 120) defining at least one inlet opening (21, 25; 121, 125) for the passage of the electrical wires (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8) issuing from the sheath a path (1, 5) in the inner housing and an outlet opening (61; 151) for passing said electrical cable (1 10) out of said inner housing,

wherein said insulating base (20; 120) has wedging means (22,26; 122,126) adapted to wedge an end of said track sleeve (1,5) in the axis of said inlet opening ( 21, 25; 121, 125) without jamming said electrical wires (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8) so that they remain free to circulate in said tracking sheath (1, 5), and

wherein said case (60; 160) is slidably mounted on the carrier (30, 40, 50; 130, 150) such that in the remote position it releases access to said jamming means (22, 26; 126) for mounting the end of said duct sleeve (1, 5) in the axis of said inlet opening (21, 25; 121, 125), and that in the engaged position it blocks the end of said duct sheath (1, 5) on said wedging means (22, 26; 122, 126).

2. Connection accessory (10) according to the preceding claim, in which :

the insulating base (20; 120) defines two inlet openings (21, 25; 121, 125) for the passage in the inner housing of at least two pairs of electrical wires (2, 3, 4, 6, 7). 8) respectively from two ducts (1, 5),

the insulating base (20; 120) comprises means (22, 26; 122, 126) for wedging the ends of the two ducts (1, 5) respectively in the axis of the two inlet openings (21, 25); 121, 125), and

each connection element (70, 80, 90) has two input terminals (72, 76, 83, 87, 94, 98) respectively facing said two inlet openings (21, 25, 121, 125) for their connection to the two electrical wires (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8) coming from the corresponding routing sheath (1, 5).

Connection accessory (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each inlet opening (21, 25; 121, 125) is located on a face of said insulating base (20; 120) which is located at opposed to the face of said insulating base (20; 120) on which said outlet opening (61; 151) is provided.

4. Connection accessory (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said outlet opening (61) is bordered by a tube (62) of inner diameter equal to the mounting clearance, the outer diameter of said electric cable (1 10).

Connection accessory (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, each inlet opening (21, 25; 121, 125) being bordered by a tube (27; 127), said wedging means comprise at least one rib (22,26; 122,126) projecting from the inner face of said tube (27; 127) and which is adapted to snap into a groove of said duct (1,5).

6. Connection accessory (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein there is provided means for blocking each electrical wire (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8) from the duct (1 , 5) resting against each associated input terminal (72, 76, 83, 87, 94, 98).

7. Accessory connection (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein in the position remote from the support (30, 40, 50; 130, 150), the case (60; 160) releases access to said blocking means and position engaged on the support (30, 40, 50; 130, 150), the case (60; 160) covers said blocking means.

8. Accessory connection (10) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein each inlet opening (21, 25; 121, 125) is delimited in part by the support (30, 40, 50, 130, 150 ) and partly by the case (60; 160).

9. Connection accessory (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein:

each input terminal (72, 76, 83, 87, 94, 98) is provided with means for piercing an insulating sheath of one of the electrical wires (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8) from the tracking sheath (1, 5), and

at least one operating lever (102, 103, 104, 106, 107, 108) mounted movably relative to the insulating base (20; 120) for supporting said electrical wire (2, 3, 4, 6, 7) is provided , 8) on the piercing means of said input terminal (72, 76, 83, 87, 94, 98) for piercing the insulating sheath of said electric wire (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8).

10. Connection accessory (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said output terminals (77, 88, 99) are permanently connected to the electrical son (1 17, 1 18, 1 19) of said electric cable (1 10).

1 1. Electrical equipment box comprising a body (310) which comprises a side wall (31 1) closed at the rear by a bottom wall (312), and at least two connecting elements (317, 318, 319), characterized in that it also comprises a connection accessory according to one of the preceding claims, whose electrical wires (1 17, 1 18, 1 19) of the electric cable (1 10) are respectively connected to said connection elements (317, 318, 319).