WO2015167656A1

WO2015167656A1 - Flush-fitting one-piece air sealing stopper

Info

Publication number: WO2015167656A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/017460
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthieu Perrier; David LEJAULT
Original assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Priority date: 2014-04-29
Filing date: 2015-02-25
Publication date: 2015-11-05
Also published as: FR3020519B1; FR3020519A1

Abstract

A flush-fitting one-piece sealing stopper (10), in particular an air-tight stopper, for an electrical box, the stopper comprising an external tubular wall (14) which is connected to the external periphery of a first transverse membrane (16) and is configured so as to fit together with the electrical box, characterized in that it further comprises an internal tubular wall (12) which is connected to the external tubular wall by means of the first membrane and which is also connected to the external periphery of a second transverse membrane (18), the internal tubular wall defining an internal cavity (30) which is configured such that an electrical sheath or cable can pass through.

Description

FLUSH-FITTING ONE-PIECE AIR SEALING STOPPER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field of the invention is connected to the problem of the infiltration of air in buildings, in particular via electrical boxes for the passage of electrical sheaths and cables, in particular those which are mounted in walls made of concrete such as walls obtained by means of form panels.

PRIOR ART

The interest currently paid to the energy efficiency of constructions and, more generally, to so-called green constructions, needs no further emphasis. The role played by electrical equipment in allowing air to infiltrate into buildings is very important. The cause thereof is the incomplete or faulty application of materials and other devices designed to seal around electrical sheaths and cables, not to mention their relatively short service life.

In the prior art, an electrical box for the passage of an electrical cable is sealed with foam, silicone mastic or adhesive strips. Foam, due to its lack of adhesion, does not seal well, especially on composite materials. Silicone mastic is increasingly rejected by governing bodies. Adhesive strips take a long time to install. Moreover, none of these solutions is satisfactory because their effectiveness depends greatly on how they are installed by the installers.

The present invention makes it possible to remedy the problem of the prior art simply, effectively and economically.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a flush-fitting one-piece sealing stopper, in particular an air-tight stopper, for an electrical box, the stopper comprising an external tubular wall which is connected to the external periphery of a first transverse membrane and is configured so as to fit together with the electrical box, characterized in that it further comprises an internal tubular wall which is connected to the external tubular wall by means of the first membrane and which is also connected to the external periphery of a second transverse membrane, the internal tubular wall defining an internal cavity which is configured such that an electrical sheath or cable can pass through.

The stopper thus comprises several parts performing various functions. The internal tubular wall comprises an internal cavity through which the electrical sheath or cable can pass and can thus make it possible to correctly position this cable or this sheath. The external tubular wall fits together with the electrical box such that the stopper can be flush-fitted in the box. Advantageously, this flush-fitting is sufficient to hold the stopper in place in the box. The first transverse membrane connects the tubular walls and can thus provide a seal between these and therefore a seal between the box and the cable or the sheath. The second membrane improves the seal of the stopper. It can for example seal between the sheath and the cable mounted in this sheath.

The stopper can provide a seal for the purpose of thermal insulation in the case of an external envelope of a building, and for acoustic insulation and for maintaining air quality in the case of a partition. Indeed, the stopper makes it possible to prevent fouled air from passing from inside a hollow wall, through which the stopper passes, to inside a room of the building.

The internal and external tubular walls are preferably substantially cylindrical axisymmetric walls, which may be coaxial.

The first membrane may comprise an orifice which opens into said internal cavity of the internal tubular wall.

The first membrane may be in the shape of a disk whose external periphery is connected to the internal tubular wall. As mentioned above, the external periphery of the disk is connected to the external tubular wall.

The length or axial dimension of the second tubular wall may be greater than that of the internal tubular wall.

A first longitudinal end of the external tubular wall and a first longitudinal end of the internal tubular wall may be located substantially in one and the same transverse plane. The first membrane may extend substantially in said transverse plane.

The internal tubular wall is preferably at least partially surrounded by the external tubular wall, so as in particular to limit the axial space requirement of the stopper.

The second membrane may be located at one longitudinal end of the internal tubular wall.

The second transverse membrane may be pre-perforated and/or can be pierced. An electric wire or cable can thus more easily be made to pass through the second membrane. This also makes it possible to reduce the force required to push the wire or the cable through the membrane. The pre-perforated orifice can create a rupture initiation point which guides the cable or wire as it passes through the membrane. The diameter of this orifice is preferably less than the diameter of the electric cable or wire designed to pass through the membrane of the stopper. This diameter may be greater than 0.1 mm and is for example between 0.1 and 1 cm.

Advantageously, the diameter of the orifice of the second membrane can match that of the cable or wire so as to ensure a seal with respect to air. It is moreover conceivable to make the cable or the wire slide or to remove it from the stopper if necessary.

Advantageously, the stopper comprises ribs for connecting the internal and external tubular walls. These ribs may extend substantially radially with respect to an axis of elongation of the internal tubular wall. The ribs may be connected to the first transverse membrane.

The stopper according to the invention may moreover comprise one or several of the features below, considered independently of one another or in combination:

- the stopper is made of a flexible material, it may be made from a single material, for example an elastically deformable material (such as an elastomer, a thermoplastic, a silicone, a rubber, an EPDM, etc.),

- the stopper is made in one piece,

- the stopper has an external diameter between 30 and 100 mm, preferably between 50 and 70 mm, the external tubular wall of the stopper may thus have a diameter between 30 and 100 mm and preferably between 50 and 70 mm,

- the diameter of the internal tubular wall of the stopper may thus be between 10 and 40 mm and preferably between 10 and 30 mm,

- the length of the stopper may be between 10 and 100 mm, and preferably between 20 and 50 mm,

- the length of the internal tubular wall of the stopper may be between 10 and 60 mm and preferably between 30 and 40 mm,

- the length of the external tubular wall of the stopper may be between 10 and 40 mm and preferably between 20 and 30 mm,

- the stopper has a Shore A hardness of between 40 and 70 and for example of approximately 60,

- the internal surface of the internal tubular wall of the stopper is irregular and comprises for example internal annular ribs (having axial thicknesses for example between approximately 0.5 and 2 mm), which can engage with an electric sheath for example so as to hold it axially in the internal cavity of the stopper,

- the external surface of the external tubular wall of the stopper is irregular and comprises for example external annular ribs (having axial thicknesses for example between approximately 0.5 and 2 mm), which can engage with an internal surface of the electrical box so as to immobilize the stopper in the box,

- the diameter of the electric sheath may be between 10 and 50 mm and is typically of the order of approximately 16, 20, 25, 32, 40 or 50 mm.

- the stopper may be made in one piece with a tubular sealing member, the stopper and the member being connected to one another by at least one bridge made of a cleavable material,

- the tubular member may be open at both of its axial ends or comprise one closed axial end (forming for example another membrane that can be pierced),

- the internal diameter of the member may be substantially equal to that of the internal tubular wall of the stopper, it is thus understood that the member and the internal wall of the stopper can engage with electric sheaths of the same diameter, and in particular with one and the same sheath, - the thickness of the second membrane is less than that of the first membrane.

The present invention also relates to using a stopper as described above for sealing, in particular with respect to air, an electrical box through which an electrical sheath or cable is to pass, this electrical box being embedded in a concrete wall, in particular in a concrete wall created using form panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description of several embodiments of the sealing stopper, with reference to the appended drawing, in which:

- figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a flush-fitting sealing stopper according to the invention, seen from the front;

- figure 2 is another schematic perspective view of the sealing stopper of figure 1 , seen from behind;

- figure 3 is another schematic perspective view, in axial section, of the sealing stopper of figure 1 , seen from behind;

- figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a variant embodiment of the flush-fitting sealing stopper according to the invention, seen from behind;

- figure 5 is another schematic perspective view of the sealing stopper of figure 4, seen from the front;

- figure 6 is another schematic view of the sealing stopper of figure 4, seen from the side, and

- figure 7 is a very schematic view in section of a building wall bearing an electrical box in which is flush-fitted a stopper according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is first made to figures 1 to 3, which show a first embodiment of the flush-fitting sealing stopper 10 according to the invention, this stopper being designed to be flush-fitted within an electrical box of a building wall, as will be described in more detail below with reference to figure 7. The stopper 10 essentially comprises four parts: two tubular walls - respectively internal 12 and external 14, a transverse membrane 16 connecting the walls 12, 14, and an additional transverse membrane 18. In the example shown, the stopper 10 also comprises reinforcing ribs 20.

The external tubular wall 14 is in this case substantially cylindrical.

Its external diameter is equal to or slightly less than the internal diameter of the box within which the stopper 10 is designed to be flush-fitted.

The external surface 22 of the external wall 14 is in this case irregular and comprises annular ribs 24, numbering four in the example shown. The ribs 24 are spaced apart axially from one another and are designed to engage by latching or friction with an internal surface of the electrical box designed to surround the stopper 10 in the mounted position.

As shown in figure 3, the rear end of the wall 14 may be chamfered on its external periphery so as to facilitate the insertion of the stopper 10 into the electrical box. The internal surface of the external wall 14 is in this case substantially smooth.

The internal tubular wall 12 is in this case substantially cylindrical. It extends coaxially with the axis of elongation A of the external wall 14. The internal diameter of the wall 12 is equal to or greater than the external diameter of an electric sheath or cable designed to pass axially through the stopper 10.

The internal surface 26 of the internal wall 12 is in this case irregular and comprises annular ribs 28, numbering five in the example shown. The ribs 28 are spaced apart axially from one another and are designed to engage by latching or friction with an external surface of the sheath or of the cable in the mounted position. The wall 12 defines an internal cavity 30 which may be dimensioned so as to receive more than one cable or more than one sheath. The external surface of the internal wall 12 is in this case substantially smooth.

The length L of the internal wall 12 is in this case greater than that

L' of the external wall 14 (figure 3). The front ends of the walls 12, 14 extend in this case substantially in one and the same transverse plane P (perpendicular to the axis A). It is thus understood that the rear ends of the walls 12, 14 are on the contrary offset axially with respect to one another. The front ends of the walls 12, 14 are connected to one another by the transverse membrane 16, which extends substantially in the plane P. This membrane 16 is in this case in the shape of a disk whose internal periphery is connected to the wall 12 and whose external periphery is connected to the wall 14.

The membrane 16 comprises a central orifice 32 which opens into the internal cavity 30 of the wall 12 and whose diameter is substantially equal to that of the cavity 30. The front surface of the membrane 16 may comprise 3-D markings (in this case recessed markings), such as the brand of the product and the diameters of the walls 12, 14 (for example, external diameter of 64 mm for the external wall 12 which corresponds to the internal diameter of the electrical box, and internal diameter of 20 mm for the internal wall 14 which corresponds to the diameter of an electric sheath such as an insulating flexible corrugated conduit).

As shown in figure 3, the front end of the wall 12 may be chamfered on its internal periphery so as to facilitate the insertion of the cable or of the sheath into the cavity 30.

The rear end of the wall 12 is connected to the external periphery of the additional transverse membrane 18. This membrane 18 comprises a central orifice 34 which opens into the internal cavity 30 and whose diameter is relatively small, and for example approximately 2 mm. The membrane 18 is thin such that it can be pierced by an electric wire or cable. The orifice 34 allows this wire or cable to pass through.

The ribs 20 extend substantially radially (with respect to the axis A), between the external surface of the wall 12 and the internal surface of the wall 14. The ribs 20 are moreover connected at their front ends to the rear surface of the membrane 16. The ribs 20 in this case number six and are regularly distributed about the axis A. Their length D (along the axis A) is less than that of the external wall 14.

The stopper 10 is in this case formed in one piece from one material, which is in this case an elastically deformable material such as an EPDM.

The stopper 10 may be made by injection molding.

Reference is now made to figures 4 to 6 which show a variant embodiment of the invention. In this variant, the stopper 10, which is identical to the stopper described above with reference to figures 1 to 3, is formed in one piece with an additional sealing member 40.

The assembly comprising the stopper 10 and the member 40 may be made by injection molding from a single material (for example an EPDM). The member 40 may be connected to the stopper 10 by cleavable material bridges 42. The member 40 is designed to be separated from the stopper 30, by tearing or cutting the material bridges 42, before installing the stopper 10.

The member 40 has a substantially cylindrical tubular shape. Its internal and external surfaces are irregular and each comprise annular ribs 44 similar to those 24, 28 of the stopper 10.

The member 40 defines an internal cavity 46. The member 40 comprises at one of its axial ends a transverse membrane 48, whose external periphery is connected to the tubular wall of the member 40. This membrane 48 comprises a central orifice 50 which opens into the internal cavity 46 and whose diameter is relatively small, and for example approximately 2 mm. The membrane 48 is thin such that it can be pierced by an electric wire or cable. The orifice 50 allows this wire or cable to pass through.

The visible surface (in this case the rear surface) of the membrane 48 may comprise 3-D markings (in this case recessed markings), such as the brand of the product and diameters, such as the external diameter of the member 40 which corresponds to the perforation diameter (in this case 25 mm) for fitting the member 40, and the internal diameter of the member (in this case 20 mm) which corresponds to the diameter of an electric sheath such as an insulating flexible corrugated conduit.

After separating the member 40 from the stopper 10, the member 40 may be mounted on an electric sheath.

Figure 7 shows a mode of use of the stopper 10 and of the member 40, it being of course possible for the stopper 10 to be used without the member 40.

Reference 60 designates a wall, such as a partition, made of cast concrete, that is to say by pouring concrete into formwork made of form panels. The form panels are in general made of a ferromagnetic material and it is known to fix an electrical box 62 to a form panel by means of a magnet before pouring the concrete, and to position the box in a desired position, such that the box 62 is embedded and anchored in the concrete after curing. It is thus not necessary to drill a hole in the partition 60, in which to mount the box 62. The box 62 comprises at least one orifice through which a sheath 64 is to pass, for example an insulating flexible corrugated conduit, which is also embedded in the concrete and through which there passes an electrical cable 66.

The stopper 10 according to the invention is fitted into one end of the box 62 such that its first membrane 16 is substantially aligned with a face 68 of the partition 60. The cable 66 passes through the second membrane 18 of the stopper 10 and extends inside another sheath 70, for example an insulating flexible corrugated conduit, one end part of which is engaged in the cavity 30 of the stopper 10.

The face 68 of the partition 60 is in this case covered with an insulating layer 72 of a certain thickness. The sheath 70 passes through this layer 72 and its end part opposite the stopper 10 is engaged in the cavity 46 of the member 40 which is mounted in an orifice of the insulating layer 72, such that its membrane 48 is substantially aligned with an external face 74 of the layer 72. The cable 66 passes through the membrane 48 of the member 40 and may be connected to a piece of electric equipment.

Claims

1. A flush-fitting one-piece sealing stopper (10), in particular an air-tight stopper, for an electrical box, the stopper comprising an external tubular wall (14) which is connected to the external periphery of a first transverse membrane (16) and is configured so as to fit together with the electrical box, characterized in that it further comprises an internal tubular wall (12) which is connected to the external tubular wall by means of the first membrane and which is also connected to the external periphery of a second transverse membrane (18), the internal tubular wall defining an internal cavity (30) which is configured such that an electrical sheath or cable can pass through.

2. The stopper (10) as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the internal and external tubular walls (12, 14) are substantially cylindrical axisymmetric walls.

3. The stopper (10) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first membrane (16) comprises an orifice (32) which opens into said internal cavity (30) of the internal tubular wall (12).

4. The stopper (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first membrane (16) is in the shape of a disk whose internal periphery is connected to the internal tubular wall (12).

5. The stopper (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length (L) or axial dimension of the internal tubular wall (12) is greater than that (Ι_') of the external tubular wall (14).

6. The stopper (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first longitudinal end of the external tubular wall (14) and a first longitudinal end of the internal tubular wall (12) are located substantially in one and the same transverse plane (P).

7. The stopper (10) as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the first membrane (16) extends substantially in said transverse plane (P).

8. The stopper (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal tubular wall (12) is at least partially surrounded by the external tubular wall (14).

9. The stopper (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second membrane (18) is pre-perforated and/or can be pierced.

10. The stopper (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second membrane (18) is located at one longitudinal end of the internal tubular wall (12).

1 1. The stopper (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal tubular wall (12) is connected to the external periphery of the second membrane (18).

12. The stopper (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises ribs (20) for connecting the internal and external tubular walls (12, 14).

13. The stopper (10) as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the ribs (20) extend substantially radially with respect to an axis of elongation (A) of the internal tubular wall (12).

14. The stopper (10) as claimed in claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the ribs (20) are connected to the first transverse membrane (16).

15. The use of a stopper (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, for sealing, in particular with respect to air, an electrical box through which an electrical sheath or cable is to pass, this electrical box being mounted in a wall, in particular in a concrete wall created using form panels.