FR2727186A1 - Base and side cladding for welded wire cableway - Google Patents

Abstract

The cableway has bottom and side horizontal wires (11) welded to U-shaped vertical wire frames (12) at regular intervals (P). The cladding sheet (18), of e.g. metal or polymer, extends over, e.g. two adjoining bays. At one end a cylindrically curved lip (19) hooks opt., if further extended, clips over the frame base. A similar intermediate groove accepts the next base wire. The other end, left plain, abuts a third base.If the sides (14) are also to be clad, a sheet bent into trough form is inserted, with similar fixings. Externally applied variants, and cladding with repeated side and/or base cuts, allowing deformation for vertical or lateral cableway deviations, are also described. Cladding may include ventilation holes or dished panels.

Description

"Covering for cable tray,
cables with such a covering "
The present invention relates generally to cable trays, that is to say conduits in the form of a trough with transverse U-shaped profile used in certain premises to provide accommodation and protection of the electric cables necessary for serving of these.

 It relates more precisely to those cable trays which, formed of a trellis of wires, in practice of metal, suitably welded to each other, comprise, on the one hand, warp wires running longitudinally along their entire length, and , on the other hand, established transversely from place to place along these warp threads, according to their U-shaped profile, and, in practice, inside of it, weft threads, the assembly generally forming a bottom and two side wings.

 Compared to cable trays made of folded or profiled sheet, cable trays thus made up of wires advantageously offer greater ease of shaping when cornering and changing planes.

 The present invention generally relates to a provision capable of giving them additional appeal.

 More specifically, it firstly relates to a covering for a cable tray made of wires, characterized in that, on the one hand, it comprises at least one backsheet, which is intended to be superimposed on the bottom of this cable tray, and in that, on the other hand, to ensure its maintenance at least longitudinal on the cable tray, it is the seat of form means, by which it is able to come at least locally into engagement with that -this ; it also relates to any wire cable tray with which there is associated such a covering.

 For example, the form means of which the covering is the seat according to the invention for ensuring its maintenance on the cable tray result at least in part from the fact that its backsheet, at least, locally forms at least one clean groove to its engagement, even to its snap-fastening, on a wire of this cable tray, and this is the case, in particular, when it is reduced to such a backsheet.

 As a variant, and this may in particular be the case when, in addition to this backsheet, it also has two wings laterally, in the manner of a chute, these form means may at least partly result from the fact that , in the free state, these wings make with the backsheet an angle different from the angle made with its bottom the wings of the cable tray.

 Anyway, covering all or part of the cable tray with which it is associated, inside or outside thereof, the covering according to the invention constitutes for this cable tray an accessory, which, without calling into question its concept of realization nor harming its own performances, advantageously allows, in the case where it is arranged inside the cable tray, to facilitate, when laying, the sliding of the cables, and, in service, to support them flat or substantially flat over almost their entire length, if not over all of this, and which, in any case, advantageously makes it possible to hide these cables.

 The covering according to the invention is also advantageously likely to include means of reference specific to a given application, because it advantageously provides good support for any impression capable of constituting such means of reference, or even because 'It can form by itself these reference means, for example being colored in the mass, especially if it is made of synthetic material.

 The covering according to the invention can thus make it possible to visually signal the function, for example IT or other, of the cables housed in the cable tray with which it is associated, without interfering in any way with the proper functions of housing , and protection, of the latter.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, by way of example, with reference to the annexed schematic drawings in which
Figure 1 is a partial perspective view, partly broken away, of a cable tray equipped with a covering according to the invention;
Figure 2 is, on a larger scale, a partial view in cross section along the line II-II of Figure 1
Figures 3, 4 and 5, 6 are views which, similar to those of Figures 1, 2, relate, respectively, to two alternative embodiments
Figure 7 is a partial perspective view illustrating a possible shaping of a covering according to the invention, in a bend
Figure 8 is a perspective view similar to that of Figure 7, for a change of plan
Figures 9, 10 are views which, also similar to those of Figures 1, 2, relate to another alternative embodiment.

 As illustrated in these figures, the cable tray 10 to which the invention applies is a wire cable tray, that is to say a cable tray formed, in trellis, on the one hand, d 'a plurality of warp threads 11, which, generally parallel to each other, and at a distance from each other, all extend longitudinally over its entire length, and, on the other hand, weft threads 12, which , from place to place, extend transversely with respect to the warp threads 11, following a transverse U-shaped profile with a flat bottom, being duly secured, in practice by welding, to the warp threads 11.

 Taken as a whole, this cable tray 10 has itself a transverse U-shaped profile with a flat bottom, comprising, overall, on the one hand, a bottom 13, and, on the other hand, two wings 14.

In practice, the weft threads 12 are established at a step
P regular.

 In the embodiment shown, the bottom 13 comprises, for example, three warp threads 11, and each of the wings 14 comprises two, the last of the warp threads 11 of such a wing 14 forming a shore for this one.

 In practice, the warp threads 11 extend outside the weft threads 12, on the back of the latter.

 Those of these warp threads 11 which form edge threads for the wings 14 are however butted at the end of the weft threads 12 in the embodiment shown, thanks to deformations 15, in half-wave or in trapezoid , assigning each of them to the right of the weft threads 12 to bring them up to level with these.

 In practice, finally, both the warp threads 11 and the weft threads 12 are round threads.

 The foregoing provisions are well known in themselves, and, not being the subject of the present invention, they will not be described in more detail here.

 According to the invention, there is associated, with the cable tray 10, a covering 16, which, on the one hand, comprises at least one bottom sheet 18 intended to be superimposed on the bottom 13 of this cable tray 10, and which , on the other hand, and according to arrangements described in more detail later, is the seat of form means, by which it is adapted to come at least locally into engagement with this cable tray 10 for its maintenance thereon.

 In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the covering 16 is limited to a backsheet 18, which, longitudinally, extends along at least one pitch P of the cable tray 10, and which, transversely, covers all or part of the width of the bottom 13 thereof.

 For example, and as shown, the backsheet 18 extends in two successive steps P of the cable tray 10, and it is adapted to be placed end to end with the backsheet 18 of a covering 16 consecutive to the previous.

 It also extends transversely, as shown, only over a fraction, close to unity, of the width of the bottom 13 of the cable tray 10, in the median zone of this bottom 13.

 At the same time, the form means of which the covering 16 according to the invention is seat for its maintenance, at least longitudinal, on the cable tray 10 result, at least in part, from what it forms, locally, at least a groove specific to its engagement on a wire of this cable tray 10.

 In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the backsheet 18 constituting the covering 16 thus has at least one groove 19.

 As regards, in practice, a covering 16 intended to be placed from the inside on the cable tray 10, this groove 19 is recessed on its external face 20, and, of course, it extends transversely, for its nesting, on a weft thread 12 of the cable tray 10.

 For example, and as shown in solid lines in FIG. 2, the groove 19 has a circular transverse profile which, complementary to that of the weft threads 12 of the cable tray 10, extends angularly at most over 180-, for a simple interlocking, preferably without play, on one of these weft threads 12.

 Nais, as shown diagrammatically in broken lines in FIG. 2, its transverse profile may as well extend over more than 180, for a real snap-fastening on such a weft thread 12.

 I1 goes without saying, moreover, that, in reality, only one is concerned by such an interlocking or such a snap-fastening the bottom of the groove 19, this groove 19 being able for example to be extended in U at its outlet, from one side to the less of it.

 In the case of a click-in, the maintenance of the covering 16 on the cable tray 10 is then both longitudinal and transverse.

 In general, the covering 16 according to the invention, and, more precisely, the backsheet 18 thereof, comprises, from place to place, at least two grooves 19, at pitch P of the weft threads 12 of the cable tray 10.

 In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, only two grooves 19 are provided, parallel to each other, at a distance from each other.

 One of these grooves 19 extends at one of the transverse ends of the backsheet 18, at the edge thereof.

 The other is in the middle position in this backsheet 18, substantially mid-length thereof.

 Together, the other transverse end of the backsheet 18 is free.

 Thus, the covering 16 according to the invention is able to engage with the first of the weft threads 12 of the cable tray 10, while, for example, it stops below the third of these weft threads 12 , by allowing, by its free transverse end, a splicing, at this level, with the backsheet 18 of the following covering 16, as shown diagrammatically by the arrow F in FIG. 1.

 As a variant, the covering 16 according to the invention may extend over a longer length.

 Anyway, it is thus possible to cover, step by step, the entire bottom 13 of the cable tray 10, with successive covers 16.

 In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the grooves 19 delimit on the backsheet 18 of the covering 16 according to the invention two rectangular panels 21.

 For example, and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, these panels 21 are uniformly flat, and they are devoid of any opening.

 If, as indicated above, the transverse profile of the grooves 19 extends angularly at most over 180-, the panels 21 extend at a distance from the warp threads 11, as shown in FIG. 2.

 As a variant, it can be arranged that these panels 21, on the contrary, extend in contact with these warp threads 11.

 To do this, it suffices that, as also indicated above, the grooves 19 extend sufficiently in a U for this purpose.

 Anyway, the covering 16 according to the invention can be made of metal, stamped or profiled, of polymer, thermoformed or extruded, or any other material that can be formed into a sheet, chosen to be easy to conform and not susceptible damage the surface of the cables.

 The covering 16 according to the invention may also include reference means.

 For example, these reference means can result from the fact that it is colored in its mass, in particular when it is made of polymer.

 As a variant, the reference means can result from any printing, applied for example to its external face 20.

 In the variant embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the covering 16 according to the invention comprises, in addition to a backsheet 18, at least one wing 23, which, extending laterally, along the backsheet 18, in one piece with it, and over all or part of its length, is intended to be superimposed on the corresponding wing 14 of the cable tray 10, over at least part of the height of the latter.

 In practice, in this embodiment, the covering 16 according to the invention comprises, like the cable tray 10, and in the manner, like it, of a trough with transverse U-shaped profile with flat bottom, two wings 23 .

 In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, these wings 23 extend only over a fraction of the height of the wings 14 of the cable tray 10.

 In practice, they each have a sufficient height to be able to be caught under the first warp thread 11 of the corresponding wing 14 of the cable tray 10 from the bottom 13 thereof.

 At the same time, the form means of which the cover 16 is seat according to the invention result, at least in part, from the fact that, as before, the backsheet 18 locally forms, from place to place, grooves 19 of its own when it engages on weft threads 12 of the cable tray 10, and, in practice, these grooves 19 extend continuously on the wings 23, up to the free edge of the latter.

But, in addition to these grooves 19, or in substitution for these, these form means can also at least partly result from the fact that, in the free state, and as shown diagrammatically in broken lines 23L for one of them in FIG. 4, its wings 23 form an angle with its backsheet 18
Al different from the angle A2 which the wings 14 of the cable tray 10 make with its bottom 13.

 When, as in this case, the covering 16 according to the invention intervenes from the inside, the angle Al is greater than the angle A2.

 For the installation of the covering 16, its wings 23 must therefore be brought closer to one another.

 I1 follows that, once this covering 16 in place, these wings 23 are under stress and that they are therefore subjected to an elastic stress which tends to press them, and to keep them pressed, against the wings 14 of the cable tray 10, with, as shown in Figure 4 for one of them, engagement of their edge under the first warp wire 11 of these wings 14, which contributes, as desired, to the maintenance of the assembly of the covering 16 in the cable tray 10.

 In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the backsheet 18, at least, of the covering 16 according to the invention comprises, locally, from place to place, openings 25.

 For example, and as shown, these openings 25 extend in a buttonhole on either side of each groove 19, locally intersecting the latter, in line with the crossings between the weft threads 12 and the warp threads 11 of bottom 13 of the cable tray 10 closest to the lateral edges thereof.

 As is easy to understand, these openings 25 favor the ventilation of the cables present in the cable tray 10.

 They also allow the passage of fasteners, and for example clamps, suitable for fixing these cables.

 Of course, openings of the same type or of different configurations can be provided in the wings 23.

 In addition, instead of being provided in advance, openings 25 ′ can for example be cut on demand, according to any configuration, in the backsheet 18, as shown diagrammatically in broken lines in FIG. 3, and / or in the wings 23, for example for the possible implantation of a splint or the intervention of a support console, of a screw, of a bolt, of a threaded rod, or of any other external member of this type.

 If desired, these openings 25 ′ can be precut, in the manner of lids to be detached if necessary.

 In the embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6, the backsheet 18, at least, of the covering 16 according to the invention locally forms, from place to place, bosses 26, which, like the grooves 19 , protrude on its internal face 27.

 For example, and as shown, only the backsheet 18 thus has bosses 26, at the rate of one boss 26 per panel 21, and these bosses 26, which each extend respectively over almost the entire surface of the panels 21, following a substantially homothetic outline of that of these, are bosses whose top surfaces 28, flat, are, from one of the panels 21 to the other, coplanar.

 The cables present in the cable tray 10 are thus supported over almost their entire length.

 Of course, other types of bosses can, if desired, be provided, on the backsheet 18 and / or on the wings 23, in particular for their stiffening.

 For a bend in the cable tray 10 in a wall angle, and as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 7, it suffices to bend the covering 16, according to the invention, to adapt it to the configuration which is then that of the path cables 10 with which it is associated.

 For example, and as shown, its wing 23 then remains intact, while, to facilitate the bending to be carried out, its inner wing 23 and its bottom 18 are split locally from place to place, for example halfway between the grooves 19, so as to allow local superposition of the portions thus separated from this inner wing 23 and from this bottom 18.

 As a variant, it is practiced from place to place, between the grooves 19, triangle cutouts whose edges are brought to be contiguous.

 Similarly, for a change of plane, and as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 8, it suffices to locally split from place to place the wings 23 of the covering 16 according to the invention, and to fold it, in one direction or in the other, using the corresponding slots 30.

 In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the covering 16 according to the invention is intended to be placed from the outside on the cable tray 10, and, for example, it comprises, as before, a backsheet 18 and two wings 23.

 The form means of which it is the seat for its maintenance, at least longitudinal, on the cable tray 10 result at least in part from the fact that the backsheet 18, at least, locally forms at least one groove 31 proper to its engagement, with or without snap-fastening, on a warp thread 11 of this cable tray 10.

 In practice, there is a groove 31 for each of the warp threads 11 at the bottom 13 of the cable tray 10, and a groove 31 for the first warp thread 11 in each of the wings 23.

 I1 are grooves 31 which, recessed on the inner face 27 of the covering 16, and projecting on its outer face 20, extend longitudinally over the entire length thereof.

 The covering 16 according to the invention therefore comprises, parallel to one another, several grooves 31, in correspondence with warp threads 11 of the cable tray 10.

 In the embodiment shown, each of its wings 23 has a sufficient height to be able to be caught under the last warp wire 11 of the corresponding wing 14 of the cable tray 10 from the bottom 13 thereof.

 In other words, in this embodiment, the covering 16 according to the invention completely covers the cable tray 10.

 As before, the form means of which it is the seat for its maintenance, at least longitudinal, on this cable tray 10 also result at least in part from what, in the free state, its wings 23 do with its sheet of bottom 18 an angle Al different from the angle A2 which the wings 14 of the cable tray 10 make with its bottom 13.

 However, in this case, and as shown diagrammatically in broken lines in FIG. 10, the angle Al is less than the angle A2.

 In the absence of a possible snap-fastening on the warp threads 11, these form means are therefore sufficient both for the longitudinal retention of the covering 16 on the cable tray 10, by simple friction on the latter, and for its transverse retention , ensuring the durability of the engagement of its grooves 31 on these warp threads 11.

 Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but encompasses any variant and / or combination of their various elements.

Claims (19)

 1. Cover for cable tray made of wires, characterized, on the one hand, in that it comprises at least one bottom sheet (18), which is intended to be superimposed on the bottom (13) of the cable tray (10 ), and, on the other hand, in that, for its maintenance, at least longitudinal, on the cable tray (10), it is the seat of form means, by which it is able to come at least locally in taken with this one.  2. Dressing according to claim 1, characterized in that it is limited to a backsheet (18).  3. Cladding according to claim 1, characterized in that, in addition to a backsheet (18), it comprises, laterally, along the latter, at least one wing (23) intended to be superimposed on the wing ( 14) corresponding to the cable tray (10), over at least part of the height of the latter.  4. Dressing according to claim 3, characterized in that its wing (23) has a sufficient height to be able to come to be caught under the first warp wire (11) of the wing (14) corresponding to the cable tray (10) from the bottom (13) thereof.  5. Dressing according to claim 3, characterized in that its wing (23) has a sufficient height to be able to come to be caught under the last warp wire (11) of the wing (14) corresponding to the cable tray (10) from the bottom (13) thereof.  6. Cladding according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that, in the manner of a trough with transverse U-shaped profile, it has two wings (23).  7. Dressing according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that its backsheet (18), at least, has locally, from place to place, openings (25).  8. Dressing according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that its backsheet (18), at least, locally forms, from place to place, bosses (26), which protrude on its face internal (27).  9. Dressing according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the form means of which it is the seat result at least in part from the fact that it locally forms at least one groove (19, 31) suitable for its engagement on a wire (12, 11) of the cable tray (10).  10. Covering according to claim 9, characterized in that, for placement of the interior on the cable tray (10), the groove (19) is hollow on its outer face (20) and extends transversely.  11. Dressing according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises, from place to place, at least grooves (19), to the pitch (P) of the weft son (12) of the cable tray (it).  12. Covering according to claim 9, characterized in that, for placement from the outside on the cable tray (10), the groove (31) is hollow on its internal face (27) and extends longitudinally.  13. Dressing according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises, parallel to each other, several grooves (31) in correspondence with warp threads (11) of the cable tray (10).  14. Covering according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that at least one of the grooves (19, 31) has a transverse profile which extends over 180-, for snap-fastening on the wire ( 12, 11) corresponding to the cable tray (10).  15. Dressing according to claim 6, characterized in that the form means of which it is the seat result at least in part from what, in the free state, its wings (23) do with its backsheet (18) an angle (A1) different from the angle (A2) which the wings (14) of the cable tray (10) make with its bottom (13).  16. Dressing according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that it includes specific reference means of a specific application.  17. Dressing according to claim 16, characterized in that the reference means result from the fact that it is colored in its mass.  18. Dressing according to claim 16, characterized in that the reference means result from an impression.  19. Cable tray in son, characterized in that it is associated with a covering (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 18.