FR2768268A1 - RETAINING CLIP, ESPECIALLY FOR A CHUTE FOR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT - Google Patents

Abstract

This is a retaining clip of the kind comprising a body (22), by which it is able to extend from one to the other of the two lateral wings (13) of the base (11) of a chute (10), and, at at least one of the ends of this body (22), securing means (23), by which it is adapted to be removably attached to the side wing (13 ) corresponding to this base (11). According to the invention, the body (22) of this retaining clip (21) is equipped with hooking means (25), in this case appendages (26), specific to allow at least one electric cable (20) to be detachably coupled thereto when, in the absence of the cover of the chute (10), it is in the "open" position. Application, in particular, to trunking for electrical equipment.

Description

I The present invention relates generally to the equipment of

  chutes of the type used for housing and protecting electrical equipment as well as for housing and protecting

  cables or other electrical conductors required to service them.

  By chutes is meant here, in the usual way, the profiles formed, on the one hand, of a base, the cross section of which is open, and, on the other hand, of a cover, which, for the closing of this base, is able to be attached to it,

for example by snap-fastening.

  The base can have any cross section, for example in U or V, but, by the very fact that this cross section is open, it is possible to consider that, in all cases, it comprises, at the edge of its

outlet, two side wings.

  The cover is adapted to extend from one to the other of these lateral wings.

  For example, these lateral wings each have, respectively, along their free edge, returns, which are directed inwards, and which each form a gutter, and, thanks to this, the cover is adapted to come in

taken with these returns.

  The present invention relates more particularly to retaining clips which, during the installation of electric cables in the base of such a chute, are usually brought from place to place on this base as and when this installation, to ensure the maintenance of electric cables in this front base

  its final closure by a cover.

  These retaining clips have been known for a long time, in particular by

French Patent No 1,404,973.

  They comprise, overall, a body, by which they are able to extend from one to the other of the two lateral wings of the base, and, at at least one of the ends of this body, means of subjugation, by which they

  are adapted to be removably attached to the corresponding wing of this base.

  In French patent No 1 404 973, these securing means cooperate by snap-fastening with gutters directly provided for this purpose along the free edge of the lateral wings of the base or along the free edge of walls

internal to it.

  But, as a variant, when, as previously indicated, the lateral wings of the base have returns, they can also cooperate, in one way or another, with these returns, for example by engaging in

  less partially behind these.

  In French patent No I 404 973, it is provided that the retaining clips can not only occupy a "closed" position on the base of the trough to be fitted, that is to say a position for which, as previously indicated , they extend from one to the other of the lateral wings of this base, but, also, prior to this "closed" position, an "open" position, for which, in engagement with only one of the lateral wings of the pedestal, in practice that placed at the lower part thereof, they extend generally obliquely with respect to this pedestal, thus leaving, between it and the other lateral wing of this pedestal, in practice that disposed at the upper part of the latter, an opening which can advantageously be laid with new electric cables while the maintenance of electric cables already laid is found

duly insured.

  In order for such retaining clips to then be able to pass from their "open" position to their "closed" position, their body must have a certain flexibility, the bending of this body being in fact necessary for these retaining clips can then come into engagement with the lateral wing of the base,

they are initially discarded.

  But this flexibility is hardly compatible with good restraint

  electrical cables in the "open" position.

  Indeed, under the sole solicitation of the weight of the electric cables, the body of the retaining clips can then be inadvertently of itself the object of a

  bending leading these electrical cables to escape from them.

  The present invention generally relates to an arrangement

  allowing to overcome this drawback.

  More specifically, it relates to a retaining clip for chute, of the kind comprising a body, by which it is able to extend from one to the other of the two lateral wings of the base of a chute, and, at at least one of the ends of this body, securing means, by which it is capable of being detachably fixed to the corresponding lateral wing of this base, this retaining clip being in a way general characterized in that its body is equipped with means of attachment suitable for making it possible to harness

  removably at least one cable in the absence of the chute cover.

  Thus, when the retaining clip according to the invention is in the "open" position, any electrical cable which, during its installation, is brought into engagement with the hooking means that this retaining clip has for this purpose. ,

  is advantageously prevented from inadvertently escaping this last.

  For example, according to a particularly simple embodiment of the invention, these attachment means may comprise at least one appendage, which, integral with the body of the retaining clip, defines with this body a passage

  open suitable for a simple engagement of the electrical cable to retain.

  The simple hooking of the electric cable on this appendix, as well as the direction change (s) imposed on it on this occasion, suffices

  indeed an effective retention of this electric cable.

  The characteristics and advantages of the invention will also emerge from the

  description which will follow, by way of example, with reference to the drawings

  attached diagrams in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a retaining clip according to the invention; Figure 2 is a larger scale, a partial elevational view along the arrow II of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a different scale view in longitudinal section along the line 111-111 of Figure 1; Figures 4 and 5 show, each respectively, on a larger scale, the details of Figure 3 identified by inserts IV and V in this Figure 3; Figure 6 is an end view of the base of a chute to the equipment of which is intended in particular the retaining clip according to the invention; Figure 7 shows, on a larger scale, the detail of Figure 6 identified by an insert VII in this Figure 6; Figure 8 is an end view, which, derived from that of Figure 6, illustrates the implementation of the retaining clip according to the invention on the base concerned, for the "open" position of this retaining clip ; Figure 9 is a perspective view also illustrating this implementation, with an electric cable coupled to the retaining clip according to the invention; Figure 10 is an end view, which, like Figure 8, is derived from that of Figure 6, for the "closed" position of the retaining clip according to the invention, and with a cover attached to the base concerned; Figure 11 is, on a smaller scale, an end view similar to that of Figure 6, with a cluster of retaining clips according to the invention suspended from the base concerned; FIG. 12 is, on a larger scale, a partial view in longitudinal section of this cluster of retaining clips, along line XII-XII of the

figure 11.

  As illustrated in these figures, and, more specifically, in Figure 10, it is, overall, the equipment of a trough 10, that is to say a shaped section, on the one hand, a base 11, the cross section of which is open, and which therefore has, at the edge of its outlet, two lateral wings 13, and, on the other hand, a cover 14, which, for the closure of the base 11, is adapted to be attached,

  removably thereon, for example by snap-fastening.

  In the embodiment shown, the trough 10 is intended to be implanted in a corner, for example being arranged horizontally at the top of a wall, at the connection of the latter with the ceiling, and the cross section of its base. 11 therefore has a V profile. In other words, the two lateral wings 13 of this base 11 form between them a dihedral whose angle is substantially equal to 90, while being able to have at rest

  a slightly different value.

  Such a chute 10 being well known in itself, and not being in itself the object of the present invention, it will not be described in more detail here. It will only be emphasized that, in a manner known per se, the lateral wings 13 of its base 11 have, each respectively, along their free edge, returns 15, which are directed inwards, substantially perpendicular to the bisector plane of these lateral wings 13, and which each form a gutter 16 for the snap-fastening of the cover 14, the latter having, in correspondence, projecting on its internal surface, ribs 18 specific to a

such snap.

  In a manner known per se, the chute 10 is intended for housing and protecting any electrical equipment, not shown, and for housing and protecting electrical cables 20 necessary for serving

  these, only one of which has been shown by way of example in FIG. 9.

  When laying this electric cable 20, and as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, provision is made to attach locally to the base 11 of the chute, at least one retaining clip 21, for the proper maintenance of this cable

  electric 20 before fitting the cover 14.

  In a manner known per se, this retaining clip 21 comprises a body 22, by which it is able to extend from one to the other of the two lateral wings 13 of the base 11 of the chute 10, and, at the 'at least one of the ends of this body 22, and according to arrangements described in more detail later, securing means 23, by which, as shown in Figure 8, it is adapted to be removably attached to the 'corresponding lateral wing 13 of this base 11. Thus, before occupying the "closed" position for which, as shown in FIG. 10, it effectively extends from one to the other of the two lateral wings 13 of the base 11 of the chute 10, this retaining clip 21 is able to occupy an "open" position, for which, in the absence of the cover 14, and as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, it extends overall oblique to the base 11, in practice from the lower edge thereof, and for which it thus leaves free access to the interior volume of this base 11, which facilitates the engagement of an electric cable therein while ensuring proper maintenance of the electric cables which are already possibly present there. According to the invention, the body 22 of the retaining clip 21 is equipped with hooking means 25 adapted to allow it to be hitched in a removable manner, for this "open" position, and, therefore, in the absence of the cover 14 of the chute

  , at least one electrical cable 20, as shown in FIG. 9.

  In the embodiment shown, the body 22 of the retaining clip 21 is in the general form of a thin plate, and the attachment means 25 with which this body 22 is fitted extend in the same plane of this one. Preferably, and this is the case in the embodiment shown, these hooking means 25 comprise at least one appendage 26, which, integral with the body 22, defines therewith an open passage 27 suitable for a

  simple engagement of the electric cable 20 to be retained.

  This appendage 26, which is generally triangular, extends laterally, along the corresponding longitudinal edge of the body 22, in the vicinity of the end

  of the latter opposite to that comprising securing means 23.

  In the embodiment shown, appendix 26 extends generally at an angle to the body 22, in the manner of a barb of a

Arrowhead.

  Preferably, and this is the case in the embodiment shown, the hooking means 25 with which the body 22 of the retaining clip 21 according to the invention is equipped, comprise two appendages 26 each arranged respectively along the two longitudinal edges of this body 22 and

symmetrical to each other.

  More specifically, in this embodiment, the retaining clip 21 according to the invention has a plane of symmetry passing through the midline of its

  body 22, in the direction of elongation thereof.

  By way of example, the body 22 of the retaining clip 21 according to the invention has, overall, in the embodiment shown, a T-shape, with a leg 28 and a cross member 29, and the appendages 26 that comprise the hooking means 25 with which it is fitted each extend respectively to one and to the other of the ends of this cross-member 29. More specifically, in the embodiment shown, the leg 28 has a trapezoidal shape, its width progressively decreasing towards the cross member 29, and this cross member 29 itself has a trapezoidal shape, which goes in the same direction as that of the jamb 22, but which is

  more accentuated than the latter.

  The body 22 of the retaining clip 21 according to the invention thus has

  overall an anchor-like appearance.

  Preferably, and this is the case in the embodiment shown, the hooking means 25 with which the body 22 of the retaining clip 21 according to the invention is fitted are in one piece with this body 22, in

  forming a single molding with the same.

  In the embodiment shown, the outer edge 31 of the appendages 26 extends substantially parallel to the midline of the body 22, while their inner edge 32 is oblique on this midline, for example being parallel to the corresponding lateral edge of the cross 29 that

forms this body 22.

  In addition, in this embodiment, the bottom 33 of the open passage 27 that each of the appendages 26 forms with the body 22 is substantially flat, in

  extending substantially perpendicular to the center line of this body 22.

  In the embodiment shown, the securing means 23 that the retaining clip 21 according to the invention comprises at one of the ends of its body 22 are in the general form of a comrnière, with wings 35, 36, which, by one of these wings 35, 36, in this case the wing 35, is adjacent to this body 22, along the corresponding transverse edge thereof, being in practice of a single holding with this body 22, and the other wing 35, 36, in this case the wing 36, is free and comprises, projecting, on at least one of its faces, in this case that facing wing 35, a catch notch 37 preceded by an oblique chamfer

38, Figures 3 and 5.

  As a corollary, the base 11 of the chute 10, comprises, internally, projecting from each of its lateral wings 13, set back with respect to the return 15 thereof, and substantially parallel to this return 15, a rib 39, which defines with the return 15 a groove 40 specific to the engagement of the wing 36 of the securing means 23 of the retaining clip 21, and which, for cooperation with the catch notch 37 thereof, presents, it - itself, along its free edge,

a catch bead 41.

  In the embodiment shown, the retaining clip 21 according to the invention comprises, at the other end of its body 22, that is to say at the end of this body 22 opposite to that o are present the previous securing means 23, stop means 42 by which it is able to engage

  with the corresponding lateral wing 13 of the base 11 of the chute 10.

  For example, and as shown, these abutment means 42 are in the general form of a comrnière, with wings 43, 44, which, by one of these wings 43, 44, in this case the wing 43, is attached to the body 22, along the corresponding transverse edge thereof, coming in practice in one piece with this body

  22, and of which the other wing 43, 44, in this case the wing 44, is free.

  The angles thus forming the securing means 23 and the abutment means 42 that the retaining clip 21 according to the invention comprises, in practice, one and the other protrudes on the same face of the body 22 of this clip.

  retaining 21, in practice the internal face of this body 22.

  Finally, in the embodiment shown, and as it can be seen in FIG. 11, the retaining clip 21 according to the invention is preferably connected, in a cluster, and in a removable manner, to at least one other clip of identical retainer 21. For example, and as shown, the retaining clip 21 according to the invention is detachably connected to a tongue 46, which acts on one of its transverse edges, and which is also detachably connected to

the other retaining clip 21.

  Several retaining clips 21 can thus be provided one at a time.

following the others.

  Preferably, and this is the case in the embodiment shown, the tongue 46 intervenes by means of notches 47, 48 provided for this purpose in the median zone of the transverse edges concerned of the retaining clips 21, so that, after its elimination, the traces of breakage which it possibly leaves are not liable to inadvertently interfere with these

transverse edges.

  While waiting, and as shown in FIG. 11, the retaining clip 21 according to the invention can advantageously be suspended, if desired, by one of its appendages 26 from the lower edge of the base 11 of the chute 10 to be fitted, by being engaged by this appendage 26 on the return 15 of the corresponding lateral wing 13 of this base 11, and by acting either in a cluster, as

represented, either in isolation.

  As the need arises, a retaining clip 21 is installed,

from place to place, on the base 11.

  If desired, it can first occupy on this base 11 the "open" position

  shown in Figures 8 and 9.

  To do this, it is simply engaged by the wing 36 of the angle iron forming its securing means 23 in the groove 40 of the side wing 13

base 11.

  By simple gravity, the other wing 35 of this angle iron bears on the return of this lateral wing 13, while, jointly, the catch notch 37 of the wing 36 comes into engagement with the catch bead 41 of the rib 39

  of this lateral wing 13, FIG. 8.

  For the "open" position thus defined, the retaining clip 21 according to the invention makes for example an angle close to 15 with the closing plane of the base 11, that is to say with the plane along which extend the returns 15 of the wings

side 13 thereof.

  According to the invention, when the retaining clip 21 is thus in the "open" position, an electric cable 20 during installation can advantageously be engaged in that of the open passages 27 of this retaining clip 21 which is

  on the side of its section still located outside the base 11.

  The appendix 26 corresponding to the hooking means 25 provided according to the invention is then advantageously sufficient for retaining this electric cable 20, the latter then being somehow coupled to the retaining clip 21 by

hooking on this appendix 26.

  For the passage of the retaining clip 21 according to the invention in the "closed" position, it then suffices to pivot this retaining clip 21 around its securing means 23, and, while slightly bending its body 22, by simple elastic bending of the latter, to engage its abutment means 42 under the

  return 15 of the opposite lateral wing 13 of the base 11 of the chute 10.

  Once released, the body 22 of the retaining clip 21 according to the invention resumes its initial configuration elastically, and its stop means 42 remain

  thus engaged with the return 15 under which they were engaged.

  To separate, beforehand, the electric cable 20 from the retaining clip 21, it suffices to release this electric cable 20 from the open passage 27 of this clip.

  retainer 21 in which he was previously engaged ...

  Similarly, the retaining clip 21 can, if desired, be released from the base 11

from the chute 10.

  Of course, the present invention is not limited to the form of

  embodiment described and shown, but includes any variant.

  In addition, the field of application of the invention is not limited to that of the troughs whose cross section of the base has a V-shaped profile, but on the contrary extends to that of the troughs whose cross section of the base has any other type of profile, and, for example, a U-profile, or, more

  precisely, a flat bottom U-shaped profile.

Claims (15)

  1. Retaining clip for chute, of the type comprising a body (22), by which it is able to extend from one to the other of the two lateral wings (13) of the base (11) of a chute (10), and, at at least one of the ends of this body (22), securing means (23), by which it is able to be removably attached to the corresponding side wing (13) of this base (11), characterized in that its body (22) is equipped with hooking means (25) suitable for allowing it to be detachably coupled to at least one electric cable   (20) in the absence of the cover (14) of the chute (10).   2. retaining clip according to claim 1, characterized in that the attachment means (25) with which its body is equipped (22) comprise at least one appendage (26), which, integral with this body (22), defines with this one a passage   open (27) suitable for a simple engagement of the electrical cable (20) to be retained.   3. retaining clip according to claim 2, characterized in that the appendage (26) that comprise the hooking means (25) extends   laterally along one of the longitudinal edges of the body (22).   4. retaining clip according to claim 3, characterized in that the appendix (26) that comprise the hooking means (25) extends generally obliquely relative to the body (22), in the manner of a barb an arrowhead.   5. retaining clip according to any one of claims 2 to 4,   characterized in that the appendage (26) which the attachment means (25) comprise extends in the vicinity of the end of the body (22) opposite to that comprising securing means (23).   6. retaining clip according to any one of claims 2 to 5,   characterized in that its body (22) generally has a T-shaped appearance with a leg (28) and a crosspiece (29), and the appendage (26) which comprise the hooking means (25) with which it is equipped 'extends to one end of this crosspiece (29).   7. retaining clip according to any one of claims 2 to 6,   characterized in that the hooking means (25) with which its body (22) is fitted comprise two appendages (26) each arranged respectively along   of the two longitudinal edges of this body (22).   8. retaining clip according to any one of claims 1 to 7,   characterized in that the attachment means (25) with which its body (22) is fitted are integral with this body (22), forming a single piece with this one.   9. retaining clip according to any one of claims 1 to 8,   characterized in that, its body (22) being in the general form of a thin plate, the attachment means (25) with which this body (22) is fitted   extend in the very plane of it.   10. retaining clip according to claim 9, characterized in that the securing means (23) which it comprises at one of the ends of its body (22) are in the general form of a comrnière, which , by one of its wings (35, 36), is attached to this body (22), along the corresponding transverse edge thereof, and the other wing (35, 36) of which projects, Moon   at least of its faces, a catch notch (37).   11. retaining clip according to any one of claims 1 to 10,   characterized in that, at the other end of its body (22), it comprises abutment means (42) by which it is able to come into engagement with the lateral wing   (13) corresponding to the base (11) of the chute (10).   12. retaining clip according to claim 11, characterized in that the stop means (42) which it comprises at the other end of its body (22) are in the general form of a comrnière, which, by one of its wings (43, 44) is attached to this body (22), along the corresponding transverse edge of this one.   13. retaining clip according to any one of claims 1 to 12,   characterized in that it is connected in a cluster, and in a removable manner, to the   at least one other identical retaining clip (21).   14. retaining clip according to claim 13, characterized in that it is connected in a breakable manner to a tongue (46) which is also connected   breakable at the other retaining clip (21).   15. retaining clip according to any one of claims 13, 14,   characterized in that the tongue (46) connecting it to the other retaining clip (21)   intervenes on one of its transverse edges.