WO2020193722A1

WO2020193722A1 - Self-closing clamp for wiring

Info

Publication number: WO2020193722A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/058608
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jamal FRIFRA
Original assignee: Conception Et Projet 3D
Priority date: 2019-03-27
Filing date: 2020-03-26
Publication date: 2020-10-01
Also published as: EP3949049A1; FR3094582B1; MA55483A; FR3094582A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a self-closing clamp (11) for wiring intended for being attached to a mounting or to another clamp (10, 12), characterised in that said clamp (11) comprises at least: - two normally parallel arms (21, 21') connected at the median zone (21b, 21'b) thereof by at least one flexible member (31), each of said arms (21, 21') comprising: - at the proximal end thereof, at least one extension (21a, 21'a) extending above the flexible member (31), said extension (21a, 21'a) being configured to guide the fixed connection of one clamp (11) to another clamp (10); - at the distal end thereof, at least one hooking element (21c, 21'c); and, - at the proximal end and/or at the median zone (21b, 21'b) thereof, at least one opening (41, 41') matching at least one of the hooking elements (20c, 20'c) of said other clamp (10); - a clamping member (71) located in the space between the two arms and attached to the median zone (21b, 21'b), said member (71) having a geometric structure and dimensions that allow it to close by itself when a compression force allowing the clamp (11) to be fixed to another clamp (12) or to a mounting is applied to said clamp (11).

Description

DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Self-tightening pliers for wiring

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates generally to the field of telecommunications cable accessories and more particularly to the field of fixing devices for optical fibers or electrical power cables on overhead installations of the pylon type.

PRIOR TECHNIQUE

In the field of cabling fixing devices for an overhead installation of the pylon type, for example, it is known to use fixing elements of the clamp type or screw fasteners.

The downside of these elements is that their placement can be difficult due to the number of parts and tools to be transported at height. To overcome this drawback, collars of the removable and stackable “clip” type are used in a conventional manner. Usually, these clamps are attached by embedding hooking elements in an opening in the top of another clamp or mounting bracket. In this type of structure, the wiring is often held between the jaws of the clamp.

The disadvantage of this type of structure is that it is difficult to control the jaw spacing and therefore the tightening of the wiring. Indeed, the effectiveness of the fitting connection between two collars or between a collar and a fixing support, depends on the dimension of the fastening elements and particularly of the dimension of the contact surface between the elements of fixing. hangs and the clamp or the mounting bracket. The larger this surface, in other words the larger the gripping elements, the stronger the bond. However, the dimension of the attachment elements also conditions the dimension of the opening in which these elements will fit, which means that the larger these attachment elements, the larger the opening and the greater the spacing of the jaws. is important. Tight tightening of the cable can therefore only be done to the detriment of the strength of the embedding connection.

In addition, this type of configuration allows lateral movements of the collar and makes the structure less stable. For more lateral stability, feet can be be added to the collar, but this complicates the structure, increases the manufacturing cost and facilitates the penetration of impurities.

Collar-type devices are also well known comprising slightly curved internal wings fixed to the upper part of the collar. This type of device described in patent application EP2940360 has several drawbacks. Indeed, the internal wings of this type of device being distant and fixed, they do not adapt to the different diameters of existing cables, and do not allow a firm and narrow clamping of the cable since they only allow lateral support. .

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a self-tightening clamp and a chain of self-tightening clamps allowing a connection by solid fitting on a fixing support or another clamp, a narrow self-clamping of the cable to be fixed and lateral stabilization of the clamp.

In accordance with the invention, there is therefore proposed a self-tightening clamp for wiring intended to be fixed to a support or to another remarkable clamp in that said clamp comprises at least:

-two normally parallel arms connected at a middle zone by at least one flexible member, each of said arms comprising:

-on a proximal end, at least one extension extending above the flexible member, said extension being configured to guide a fitting connection between said clamp and another clamp;

-on a distal end, at least one attachment element; and,

- on a proximal end and / or on its middle zone, at least one opening congruent with at least one of the attachment elements of said other clamp;

-a clamping member located in the space between the two arms and comprising two wings arranged symmetrically, at least one of which is movable, allowing it to self-tighten when a compressive force allowing the clamp to be fitted on another clamp or on a support is applied to said clamp, said wings comprising at least a half-shaped part circle sectioned vertically and an L-shaped part turned 90 ° counterclockwise, the largest branch of which is embedded in the middle area of the clamp and the small branch of which is connected to the semicircle .

We call "arm" an elongated element, that is to say an element whose length is the most important dimension compared to the other dimensions, and which has two ends.

The term “normally parallel arms” is understood to mean that the arms have longitudinal axes which form an angle of 0 ° plus or minus 5 ° between them.

The term “proximal” end means the end closest to the center of the clamp, that is to say the flexible member, in the same way, the “distal” end is called the end furthest from the clamp. the flexible organ.

The forceps is described throughout this text, from the front, the length of each arm extending along a vertical axis, with from top to bottom, the proximal end, the middle zone and the distal end. According to this particular position, the proximal ends are found above the flexible member. This vertical axis serves as a reference for the entire description.

Thus, the wings are described in relation to this axis: they are arranged, symmetrically, facing each other and have a mobile part in the form of a "semi-circle sectioned vertically" and a fixed part in the shape of an "L turned 90 ° counterclockwise". We call "extension", a small part which extends the arm at one of its ends and which may have a different configuration from the rest of the arm. arm (morphology, orientation, etc.). The purpose of these extensions is to guide the connection of a clamp to another clamp, that is to say that they have a configuration which will allow them to accompany and facilitate the connection of the hooking elements of a clamp with congruent openings of another clamp.

The term “self-tightening” of the clamping member on a cable refers to the fact that the clamping member tightens around the cable without a compressive force being applied specifically to this member to produce this effect. .

The ability of a wing to move independently from the rest of the gripper is called “mobile”. In this case, the wings and particularly the part in the form of a semi-circle sectioned vertically is confronted with the compressive force. applied to the arms of the clamp but also to the resistance opposed by the wiring element when this wiring element is placed between the wings of the clamp. Preferably, the two wings are mobile.

Advantageously, each of the arms comprises, on at least one extension, at least one guide fin arranged in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the arm, said fin being congruent with at least one opening located on the middle zone of another clamp. so as to guide the embedding connection between said clamp and said other clamp.

We call "the plane of the arm", a sagittal plane, that is to say a plane oriented vertically in accordance with the reference axis, which crosses the arm from its front face to its rear face.

Thus, it is clearly seen, in front view, that said fin extends in a plane perpendicular to the "plane of the arm".

Advantageously, each of the arms of said clamp comprises a single extension, a single gripping element and a single opening.

Preferably, the flexible member has an H-shape with a longitudinal section in the form of an arc of a circle, the ends of which are directed towards the distal ends of the clamp.

Preferably, the attachment element is in the form of a truncated pyramid with a rectangular base, the length of the base of which is contained in a plane parallel to the arm, and the opening is located in a zone between half of the middle zone and the proximal end.

The term “plane parallel to the plane of the arm” is understood to mean a plane parallel to the sagittal plane of the arm.

Preferably, for each of the arms, the extension is inclined towards the outside of the clamp at an angle of between 20 and 45 ° with respect to the vertical, in that there is a border between the middle zone and the hooking element of said clamp, and in that said border has an inward inclination at an identical angle.

By "vertical" is meant the direction in which the arms extend in front view.

The invention also relates to a chain of self-tightening clamps for wiring, intended to be fixed to a support remarkable in that it comprises at least two clamps as described above, said clamps being linked such that at least one attachment element of a clamp in position x in the chain fits into at least one opening made in one of the arms of a clamp in position x + 1 and so that the extensions and the fins of said clamp in position x + 1 maintain and guide the fitting connection of the clamping element (s) in position x in the opening (s) of the clamp in position x + 1.

All chain clamps are preferably identical.

Advantageously, for each of the arms of a gripper in position x, the geometric structure of the attachment element (s) of said arm is adapted to that of at least one opening made in one of the arms of a gripper. in position x + 1, so that, when fitting the gripper attachment element (s) in position x in at least one opening of the gripper in position x + 1, the element (s) ( s) gripping the gripper in position x is (are) completely locked into the arm of the gripper in position x + 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other advantages and characteristics will emerge better from the description which follows, of a particular embodiment, given by way of non-limiting illustration, of a self-tightening clamp and a chain of self-tightening clamps, in accordance with the invention, with reference to the appended figures in which: [Fig 1] represents a front view of a self-tightening clamp according to the invention, now by way of example a cylindrical cable in transverse section.

[Fig 2] shows a side view of a self-tightening clamp according to the invention. [Fig 3] shows a top view of a self-tightening clamp according to the invention. [Fig 4] shows an isometric view of a self-tightening clamp according to the invention. [Fig 5] shows a front view of a chain of self-tightening pliers according to the invention.

[Fig 6] is a side view of a chain of self-tightening pliers according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to Figures 1 to 7, there is shown a self-tightening clamp 11 for wiring intended to be fixed to a support (not shown) or to another clamp 12 characterized in that said clamp 1 1 comprises at least: -two arms 21, 21 'normally parallel connected at a middle zone 21b, 21'b by at least one flexible member 31, each of said arms 21, 21 'comprising:

-on a proximal end, at least one extension 21a, 21'a extending above the flexible member 31, said extension 21a, 21'a being configured to guide the fitting connection between said clamp 1 1 and another clamp 10;

-on a distal end, at least one 21 c attachment element,

21’c;

and,

- on a proximal end and / or on its middle zone 21 b, 21’b, at least one opening 41, 41 ’congruent with at least one of the hooking elements 20c, 20’c of said other clamp 10;

- a clamping member 71 located in a space between the two arms and comprising two wings arranged symmetrically, at least one of which is movable, allowing it to self-tighten when a compressive force allowing the clamping to be fitted 1 1 on another clamp 12 or on a support (not shown) is applied to said clamp 1 1, said wings comprising at least a part in the form of a semi-circle sectioned vertically and an L-shaped part turned over at 90 ° in the anti-clockwise, the largest branch of which is embedded in the middle zone 21b, 21b 'of the clamp and the small branch of which is connected to the semi-circle.

Advantageously, each of the arms 21, 21 'comprises on at least one extension 21 a, 21' a, at least one guide fin 61, 61 'arranged in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the arm 21, 21', said fin 61, 61 'being congruent with at least one opening 50, 50' located on the middle zone 20b, 20'b of another clamp 10 so as to guide the fitting connection between said clamp 1 1 and said other clamp 10. The fins 61, 61 'of a clamp 1 1 after having served for guiding the fitting of the clamp 10 on the clamp 1 1, will in turn fit into the structure of said other clamp 10. This mutual embedding will consolidate the connection between the clamps 10, 1 1 and stabilize the structure. Advantageously, each of the arms 21, 21 'of said clamp 1 1 comprises a single extension 21a, 21'a, a single hooking element 21c, 21'c, and a single opening 41, 41 However, for more stability , the clamp 1 1 may include several hooking elements 21 c, 21'c distributed over the lower zone of each arm 21, 21 'and intended to fit into several complementary openings 42, 42'. The extension 21a, 21'a will have the same thickness as that of the arms 21, 21 'and may be in one or more parts. These hooking elements 21 c, 21 ′ c may also have a geometric configuration allowing them to fit into a single opening.

Preferably, the flexible member 31 has an H-shape with a longitudinal section in the form of an arc of a circle, the ends of which are directed towards the distal ends of the clamp 1 1. This clamp 1 1 will be made of any material resistant to corrosion and to external temperature conditions such as wind, salt spray, or rain etc ... One will choose for example stainless steel, treated steel or even plastic. The flexible member 31, meanwhile, may have any structure allowing the separation of the two arms 21, 21 'by application of a compressive force on the extensions 21a, 21'a and allowing the fitting. hooking elements 20c, 20'c of another clamp 0 in the complementary openings 41, 41 'of the clamp 1 1. For example, in the case where the openings 41, 41' are located below this element flexible 31 (in the middle zone 21b, 21'b), the flexible element 31 in question must have recesses allowing the passage of the hooking elements 20c, 20'c of a clamp 10 and thus their recesses in the additional openings 41, 41 'of the clamp 1 1.

Preferably, the attachment element 21 c, 21 ′ c is in the form of a truncated pyramid with a rectangular base, the length of the base of which is contained in a plane parallel to the arm 21, 21 ′, and the opening 41, 41 'is located in an area between half of the middle area 21b, 21'b and the proximal end. This hooking element 21c, 21'c may be of any type, such as a hook, for example, but will preferably be a three-dimensional element, the length and width of which will be greater than the bulk in terms of thickness. This thickness will be close to that of the arms 21, 21 ′ in which these elements 21 c, 21 ′ c will fit together so as to make it difficult to detach the clamp 1 1. Preferably, the attachment element 21 c , 21'c will have a vertical notch large enough to allow the insertion of a tool and facilitate the detachment or replacement of a clamp 1 1 in the event of improper handling, wear or maintenance operations.

Preferably, the two wings are mobile. The clamping member 71 comprises two wings arranged symmetrically, said wings comprising on the one hand, a free part in the form of a semi-circle sectioned vertically and on the other hand, an L-shaped part turned 90 ° in the anti-clockwise, the largest branch of which is embedded in the middle zone 21b, 21'b of the clamp 1 1 and the small branch of which is connected to the semi-circle. However, these wings can have any configuration that best adapts to the morphology of one or more cables. One can imagine, for example, a gripping member 71 in one piece. One can also imagine that this gripping member 71 in the form of wings is provided with a locking element, for example a V-shaped bridge connecting the two wings at their upper ends making it possible, on the one hand, to limit the 'spacing these wings between them and on the other hand, to lock their tightening around the cable. Here, this particular configuration in the form of wings makes it possible to maintain a cylindrical cable. To link by embedding a clamp 1 1 containing a cable to a support (not shown) for fixing, a compressive force must be applied to the clamp 1 1, the internal wings being fixed to this body, they will also undergo this compressive force which will allow them to self-tighten tightly around the cable or cables to be maintained. The dimensions of these wings will also be chosen to best correspond to the diameter of the cable or cables to be maintained so as to ensure a tight retention. For wings having a “nominal diameter” of 10 mm, it is possible, for example, to maintain cables with diameters of 9.5 to 10.4 mm. These wings will preferably be of the same material as the rest of the clamp 1 1.

According to a particular embodiment, the clamping member comprises a movable wing and a fixed wing. The vertically sectioned semicircle-shaped part of the movable wing is free, that is to say it is connected to the body of the clamp 1 1 only by the L-shaped part returned to 90 ° counterclockwise. Thus, this part in the shape of a semicircle can move according to the compressive force applied to the clamp and the mechanical resistance opposed by a wiring element when this element of wiring is between the two wings. At the level of the fixed wing, the part in the form of a semi-circle sectioned vertically is held fixed by a connection to the rest of the clamp 1 1. Thus, the fixed wing has a movement identical to that of the arm 21, 21 'of gripper 1 1 to which it is attached. This configuration is particularly suited to the field of telecommunications. Indeed, optical fibers are very sensitive to compressive forces. When an optical fiber is too tightened by a clamp 1 1, it undergoes a deformation which deteriorates the signal transmission. Thus, with this configuration, a single wing exerts pressure on the fiber, which results in less local compression of the fiber and therefore limits the loss of signal.

Preferably, for each of the arms 21, 21 ', the extension 21a, 21'a is inclined towards the outside of the clamp 1 1 at an angle of between 20 and 45 ° relative to the vertical and the border between the middle zone 21b, 21'b and the hooking element 21c, 21'c of said clamp 11 has an inward inclination at an identical angle. This particular arrangement makes it possible to stabilize the fitting connection between a clamp 1 1 and a fixing support (not shown) or a clamp 10. Following the application of the compressive force, these extensions 21 a, 21'a allow to maintain laterally the arms 20, 20 'of the clamp 10 in the “compressed” state, and consequently, to maintain the tight self-tightening of the wings around the cable or cables.

The invention also relates to a chain 100 of self-tightening clamps 10,1 1, 12, 13 for wiring, intended to be fixed to a support (not shown) and remarkable in that it comprises at least two clamps 1 1, 12 as described above, said clamps 1 1, 12 being linked such that at least one hooking element 21 c, 21'c of a clamp 1 1 in position x in the chain 100 fits into the at least one opening 42, 42 'in one of the arms 22, 22' of a clamp 12 in position x + 1 and so that the extensions 22c, 22'c and the fins 62, 62 'of said clamp 12 in position x + 1 maintain and guide the fitting connection of the attachment element (s) 21 c, 21'c of the clamp 1 1 in position x in the opening (s) 42, 42 'of the clamp 12 in position x + 1. All the clamps 10, 1 1, 12, 13 of the chain 100 are preferably identical. These clamps 10, 1 1, 12, 13 may however be different from each other, the only condition essential for the formation of the chain 100 being that at least one of the hooking elements 21 c, 21 ′ c of a clamp 1 1 in position x can fit into at least one of the openings 42, 42 'of a clamp 12 in position x + 1. These clamps 10, 1 1, 12, 13 may also be made of different materials or have a number of different arms 20, 20 ', 21, 21', 22, 22 ', 23, 23', for example.

Advantageously, for each of the arms 21, 21 'of a clamp 1 1 in position x, the geometric structure of the element (s) 21 c, 21'c of said arm 21, 21' is adapted to that of 'at least one opening 42, 42' arranged in one of the arms 22, 22 'of a clamp 12 in position x + 1, so that, during the fitting of the attachment element (s) 21 c, 21'c of the clamp 1 1 in position x in at least one opening 42, 42 'of the clamp 12 in position x + 1, the attachment element (s) 21 c, 21'c of the clamp 1 1 in position x is found (s) completely enclosed in the arm 22, 22 'of the clamp 12 in position x + 1. This particular configuration makes it possible to increase the contact surfaces between the attachment element or elements 21 c, 21’c and the clamp 12 in position x + 1 and thus to strengthen the embedding connection.

Possibility of industrial application

The self-tightening clamp and the chain 100 of self-tightening clamps 10, 1 1, 12, 13 according to the invention find their particular applications in the field of cable fixing devices for overhead installation, but they can also be used for ground installations.

Finally, it goes without saying that the examples of self-tightening clamps 10, 1 1, 12, 13 and of chain 100 of self-tightening clamps 10, 1 1, 12, 13 in accordance with the invention which have just been described are only specific illustrations, in no way limiting the invention.

Claims

1. Self-tightening clamp (11) for wiring intended to be fixed to a support or to another clamp (12) characterized in that said clamp (11) comprises at least:

-two arms (21, 2T) normally parallel connected at the level of a middle zone (21 b, 21’b) by at least one flexible member (31), each of said arms (21, 2T) comprising:

-on a proximal end, at least one extension (21 a, 21'a) extending above the flexible member (31), said extension (21 a, 21'a) being configured to guide a connection d 'embedding between said clamp (11) and another clamp (10);

-on a distal end, at least one attachment element (21 c,

21’c);

and,

- on a proximal end and / or on its median zone (21 b, 21'b), at least one opening (41, 4T) congruent with at least one of the attachment elements (20c, 20 'c) of said other clamp (10);

- a clamping member (71) located in a space between the two arms and comprising two wings arranged symmetrically, at least one of which is mobile, allowing it to self-tighten when a compressive force allowing the fitting of the clamp (11) on another clamp (12) or on a support is applied to said clamp (11), said wings comprising at least a half-circle-shaped part sectioned vertically and an L-shaped part turned 90 ° anti-clockwise, the largest branch of which is embedded in the middle zone (21 b, 21'b) of the clamp (11) and the small branch of which is connected to the semi-circle.

2. Self-tightening clamp (11) according to the preceding claim characterized in that the two wings are movable.

3. Self-tightening clamp (11) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that each of the arms (21, 2T) comprises on at least one extension (21 a, 21 a '), at least one fin ( 61, 6T) of guide arranged in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the arm (21, 2T) and in that said fin (61, 6T) is congruent with at least one opening (50, 50 ') located on the middle zone (20b, 20'b) of another clamp (10) so as to guide the fitting connection between said clamp (11) and said other clamp (10).

4. Self-tightening clamp (11) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that each of the arms (21, 21 ') of said clamp (11) comprises a single extension (21a, 21'a), a single hanging element (21 c, 21'c) and a single opening (41, 41 ').

5. Self-tightening clamp (11) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the flexible member (31) has an H-shape of longitudinal section in the form of an arc of a circle, the ends of which are directed towards them. distal ends of the clamp (11).

6. Self-tightening clamp (11) according to the preceding claim characterized in that the gripping element (21 c, 21'c) is in the form of a truncated pyramid with a rectangular base, the length of the base of which is contained in a plane parallel to the arm (21, 21 '), and in that the opening (41, 41') is located in a zone between half of the middle zone (21 b, 21'b) and the end proximal.

7. Self-tightening clamp (11) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that for each of the arms (21, 21 '), the extension is inclined towards the outside of the clamp (11) at an angle included between 20 and 45 ° relative to the vertical, in that there is a border between the median zone (21 b, 21'b) and the attachment element (21 c, 21'c) of said clamp ( 11), and in that said border has an inward inclination at an identical angle.

8. Chain (100) of self-tightening clamps (10, 11, 12, 13) for wiring, intended to be fixed to a support and characterized in that it comprises at least two clamps (11, 12) as described. in claims 1 to 7, said clamps (11, 12) being linked such that at least one hooking element (21 c, 21'c) of a clamp in position x in the chain (100) s 'fit into at least one opening (42, 42') in one of the arms (22, 22 ') of a clamp (12) in position x + 1, and so that the extensions (22c, 22' c) and the guide fins of said clamp in position x + 1 maintain and guide the fitting connection of the attachment element (s) (21 c, 21'c) of the clamp (11) in position x in the or the opening (s) (42, 42 ') of the clamp (12) in position x + 1.

9. Chain (100) of self-tightening clamps (10, 11, 12, 13) according to the preceding claim characterized in that all the clamps (10, 11, 12, 13) of the chain (100) are identical.

10. Chain (100) of self-tightening clamps (10, 11, 12, 13) according to the preceding claim characterized in that for each of the arms (21, 21 ') of a clamp (11) in position x, the geometric structure of the attachment element (s) (21 c, 21'c) of said arm (21, 21 ') is adapted to that of at least one opening (42, 42') in one of the arm (22, 22 ') of a clamp (12) in position x + 1, so that, when fitting the attachment element (s) (21 c, 21'c) of the clamp (11) in position x in at least one opening (42, 42 ') of the clamp (12) in position x + 1, the attachment element (s) (21 c, 21'c) of the clamp (11) in position x is found (s) completely enclosed in the arm (22, 22 ') of the clamp (12) in position x + 1.