Protective and guiding device for a cable or the like

Abstract

Protective and guiding device (100) for cables or the like, comprising a number of frame bodies (101), each consisting of a pair of right and left spaced-apart side plates (110, 120), a cross-connecting plate (130) arranged on the inner side of the side plates (110, 120) when bent, and a cross-connecting arm (140) arranged on the outer side of the side plates (110, 120) when bent, forming a rectangular cable receiving space, and pivotably connected to one another by means of connecting pins and connecting pin openings provided on the side plates (110, 120), wherein the cross-connecting arm (140) has an arm section (142), a hook section (141) which is provided at one end of the arm section (142) and engages with one of the side plates (110, 120) of the pair of right and left side plates (110, 120), and a hinge section (143) which is provided at the other end of the arm section (142) and engages with the other side plate (110, 120) of the pair of right and left side plates (110, 120), and the hook area (141) has a circular arc-shaped arc area (147) which is formed in the shape of a circular arc with a cutout in the lower area, and which engages with a contact axis (113, 123) which is formed on one of the side plates (110, 120) and extends in the longitudinal direction, and a projecting area (148) is provided which extends in both directions from the edge of the circular arc-shaped arc area (147) and engages with step areas (116, 116A, 126) which are formed on both sides of the contact axis (113, 123).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a protective and guiding device for a cable or the like. For the sake of simplicity, cables or the like will be referred to as "cables" in the following, although other flexible elements, such as hoses, may also be incorporated into the protective and guiding device. In particular, one or more cables, such as power or fiber optic cables, and / or one or more tubes or hoses, such as pneumatic or hydraulic hoses, are incorporated into such a protective and guiding device, which supplies a moving part of a machine tool or other machine with electrical energy, provides energy in the form of compressed air, or serves for signal transmission, starting from a stationary part. The protective and guiding device guides and protects the cable safely and reliably during movement of the moving part.Due to its design and function, the protective and guiding device is sometimes also referred to as a guide chain. This type of device can be used, for example, in machine tools, conveyors, construction machinery, semiconductor devices, pharmaceutical sample storage systems, vehicle door opening / closing mechanisms, or similar applications. In particular, the protective and guiding device for cables assumes a linear, extended position or a curved position corresponding to the relative movement between the moving and stationary parts.

[0002] Such protective and guiding devices consist of a large number of frame bodies, each of which comprises a pair of right and left spaced-apart side plates, a cross-connecting plate arranged on the inside side of the side plates when bent, and a cross-connecting arm arranged on the outside side of the side plates when bent, forming a rectangular cable receiving space, and the frame bodies are pivotably connected to each other by means of connecting pins and connecting pin openings formed on the side plates.

[0003] From the Japanese utility model Hei. 01-206079 (p. 1, Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) is a generic one, in the Fig. 14 and Fig. A protective and guiding device for one or more cables, as illustrated in Figure 15, is known. This protective and guiding device is formed by pairs of right and left side plates 510 and 520, which are integrally connected to one another by a cross-connecting plate 530 on the side that is located on the inside during bending, and by a cross-connecting arm 540 that is detachably attached to the side of the side plates that is located on the outside during bending, forming a frame body 501 with a rectangular cable receiving space. The protective and guiding device is formed by connecting a plurality of frame bodies 501 by means of connecting pins 511 and 521 and connecting pin openings 512 and 522, which are provided on the side plates 510 and 520.

[0004] The cross-connecting arm 540 of this protective and guiding device is equipped with hook areas 541 at both ends. The hook areas 541 are designed such that they can engage from above with contact axes 513 and 523, which are formed on the side of the pair of right and left side plates 510 and 520 that is located on the side facing outwards during bending. That is to say, as in Fig. Figure 14 shows that first a hook area 541 engages with the contact axis 513 to serve as a hinge, before the other hook area 541 engages with the other contact axis 523, whereby the cross-connecting arm 540 is arranged bridgingly on the side of a pair of right and left side plates 510 and 520 that is arranged on the outside side when bending.

[0005] Furthermore, the pair of right and left side plates 510 and 520 is arranged to be anchored to the cross-connecting arm 540 by means of the hook areas 541 via the contact axes 513 and 523, in that the outermost end surfaces of the cross-connecting arm in the area of ​​the hook areas 541 bear against corresponding edge contact surfaces 514 and 524, which are provided on the outside of the contact axes 513 and 523 of the pair of right and left side plates 510 and 520, and in that the two side surfaces of the hook areas 541 bear against side contact surfaces 515 and 525, which are provided on both sides of the contact axes 513 and 523 of the pair of right and left side plates 510 and 520.

[0006] However, such a known protective and guiding device has a problem in that the cross-connecting arm 540 can become disengaged upwards, since the force required to anchor the cross-connecting arm 540 is low when the cable moves in the cable receiving space and pushes the cross-connecting arm 540 upwards, because the pairs of right and left side plates 510 and 520 are only anchored by the engagement of the hook areas 541 with the contact axes 513 and 523, the bearing of the end surfaces of the cross-connecting arm in the area of ​​the hook areas 541 against corresponding edge bearing surfaces 514 and 524 and the bearing of the two side surfaces of the hook areas 541 against side bearing surfaces 515 and 525, so that the function of the device may be impaired.

[0007] Furthermore, if a twisting force acts on the frame body 501, i.e., in a direction not parallel to the pair of right and left side plates 510 and 520, it is difficult for the cross-connecting arm 540 to exert a large counterforce to oppose the force in this direction, since the pair of right and left side plates 510 and 520 are only anchored to the cross-connecting arm 540 by the hook areas 541, which has a small width (in the longitudinal direction of the guard and guide device), and the frame body 501 is prone to twisting and deformation, causing a problem in that reliable bendability is impaired.

[0008] From US Patent 7,290,384 B2, a protective and guiding device for cables or the like is disclosed, comprising a number of frame bodies, each consisting of a pair of right and left spaced-apart side plates, a cross-connecting plate arranged on the inside side of the side plates when bent, and a cross-connecting arm arranged on the outside side of the side plates when bent, forming a rectangular cable receiving space, and pivotably connected to one another by means of connecting pins and connecting pin openings provided on the side plates.The cross-connecting arm comprises an arm section, a hook section located at one end of the arm section and engaging with one of the side plates of the pair of right and left side plates, and a hinge section located at the other end of the arm section and engaging with the other side plate of the pair of right and left side plates. The hook section has a hook nose and a pin receptacle. The side plate has a pin that fits into the pin receptacle and a projection located below the pin that engages with the hook nose.

[0009] DE 10 2008 015 954 A1 discloses a cross-connecting arm that is arranged bridging two side plates. The cross-connecting arm comprises an arm section, a hinge end, and an openable / closeable end. The openable / closeable end is formed at the end of the cross-connecting arm opposite the hinge end. The hinge end has hinge axes that project forward and backward in the longitudinal direction of the connection and a hinge-side locking element that projects from the central section of the arm section. Similarly, the openable / closeable end has locking axes that project forward and backward in the longitudinal direction of the connection and a locking element on the side of the openable / closeable end that projects from the central section of the openable / closeable end.DE 10 2008 015 954 A1 provides for the elastically designed, U-shaped cross-connection arm to be bent outwards so that the cable compartment is securely closed, with locking shafts engaging in fitting areas of the side plate. The locking element on the locking side is provided to prevent the cross-connection arm from loosening laterally.

[0010] The invention is based on the objective of improving such a protective and guiding device for cables, particularly with regard to reliable cable protection, whereby the cross-connection arm is prevented from detaching upwards. Furthermore, the protective and guiding device should be reliably bendable even under torsional forces, for which deformation due to torsional forces is to be reduced by generating a large counterforce.

[0011] This problem is solved by a protective and guiding device for cables with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0012] According to the invention, a protective and guiding device for cables or the like is provided, comprising a number of frame bodies, each consisting of a pair of right and left spaced-apart side plates, a cross-connecting plate arranged on the inner side of the side plates when bent, and a cross-connecting arm arranged on the outer side of the side plates when bent, forming a rectangular cable receiving space, and pivotably connected to one another by means of connecting pins and connecting pin openings provided on the side plates.The cross-connecting arm comprises an arm section, a hook section located at one end of the arm section and engaging with one of the side plates of the pair of right and left side plates, and a hinge section located at the other end of the arm section and engaging with the other side plate of the pair of right and left side plates. The hook section has a circular arc-shaped arc, formed with a cutout in its lower portion, which engages with a contact axis formed on one of the side plates and extending longitudinally along the protective and guiding device. Furthermore, a projecting portion is provided on the hook section, extending in both directions from the edge of the circular arc-shaped arc and engaging with stepped portions formed on both sides of the contact axis.Since the stepped sections of the side plate engage with the projecting section of the hook area, the cross-connection arm is reliably able to resist an upward force acting upon it. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the cross-connection arm from being released upwards, thus ensuring that a cable is reliably protected and guided within the protective and guiding device according to the invention. Furthermore, because the projecting section extends in both directions from the edge of the arc-shaped section and engages with stepped sections formed on both sides of the contact axis, the cross-connection arm is anchored to the side plate over a width that is wider than the width of the arc-shaped section of the hook area.Consequently, it is possible to apply a large counterforce against a torsional force that twists the frame body, and reliable bending of the protective and guiding device can be ensured.

[0013] Preferably, the side plate has side walls adjacent to the step areas, which are provided on both sides of the contact axis and against which the edges of the projecting part of the hook area bear on both sides. This contact of the edges of the projecting part of the hook area against the side walls also generates a large counterforce against torsional forces, thus reducing twisting of the frame bodies and ensuring reliable bending of the protective and guiding device.

[0014] Particularly preferably, the hinge area is designed in the form of a circular arc with a cutout in its upper region to engage with a contact axis formed on the other side plate. Because the hinge area is designed in the form of a circular arc with a cutout in its upper region to engage with a contact axis formed on the other side plate, the hinge area will never disengage due to an upward force acting on the cross-connection arm when the cross-connection arm is anchored to the side plate. Thus, the protective and guiding device can reliably protect and guide a cable, preventing the cross-connection arm from coming loose upwards.

[0015] Preferably, the arm section is designed with a width greater than the width of the hook section and the width of the hinge section. The arm section is connected to the hook section and the hinge section via neck sections whose width corresponds to the width of the hook section and hinge section and whose thickness is thinner than that of the arm section. The pair of right and left side plates has end contact walls with which the surface ends of the arm section abut the sides of the hook section and the hinge section. The end contact walls have grooves whose width is essentially equal to the width of the hook section, the hinge section, and the neck section, into which the hook section, the hinge section, and the neck section can be inserted. This design allows a large counterforce to be applied against a torsional force and ensures reliable bending of the protective and guiding device.

[0016] Preferably, the arm section has a convex area that projects towards the hinge area at the hinge-side surface end and rests against the end-mounted wall. The hinge area is slightly deformed by the convex area in the direction of the hinge due to the application of a force in the tensile direction of the contact axis, thereby securely anchoring it to the contact axis. Furthermore, because the hinge-side surface end of the arm section rests firmly against the end-mounted wall, it is possible to generate a large counterforce against torsional forces, thus further reducing deformation due to torsion of the frame body and ensuring the reliable bending of the protective and guiding device.

[0017] Preferably, the cross-connecting plate is formed integrally with the pair of right and left side plates. In this configuration, the cross-connecting plate can also generate a significant counterforce against a torsional force acting on the frame body on the side facing inwards during bending. This further reduces deformation caused by torsion of the frame body, ensuring that the protective and guiding device remains reliably bendable even under torsional forces.

[0018] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a simplified side view of a protective and guiding device for cables according to the invention, Fig. 2 a perspective view of a frame body according to the embodiment of the invention, Fig. 3 a perspective view of the cross-connection arm of Fig. 2, Fig. 4 a top view of the cross-connecting arm of Fig. 3, Fig. 5 a side view of the cross-connection arm of Fig. 3, Fig. 6 An enlarged perspective view of a hook area of ​​the cross-connection arm of Fig. 3, Fig. 7 an enlarged perspective view of a hinge area of ​​the cross-connecting arm of Fig. 3, Fig. 8 a partially cut-out, perspective view of a side panel of Fig. 2, Fig. 9 A perspective view to illustrate how the cross-connecting arm is attached to the other part of the frame body of Fig. 2 is attached, Fig. 10 a perspective view of the cross-connecting arm of the frame body from another direction, Fig. 11 A partially cut-down, enlarged perspective view showing the connected state of the hook area of ​​the frame body of Fig. 2 shows, Fig. 12 a partially cutaway, enlarged perspective view showing the connected state of the hinge area of ​​the frame body of Fig. 2 shows, Fig. 13 a partially cut side view of the hinge area in the connected state, Fig. 14 a perspective view of a frame body with a cross-connecting arm according to a conventional cable protection and guidance device, and Fig. 15 a cutaway view of the frame body with cross-connecting arm of Fig. 14 according to the state of the art.

[0019] The following section explains in more detail a protective and guiding device for cables according to the invention, with reference to the drawing. The protective and guiding device 100 is used here for protecting and guiding a cable; however, in accordance with the prior art, it can also be used, for example, for hoses.

[0020] The protective and guiding device 100 comprises a large number of frame bodies 101, each consisting of a pair of right and left side plates 110 and 120 spaced apart from each other, a cross-connecting plate 130, which is arranged bridgingly between the pair of right and left side plates 110 and 120 on the side arranged inside during bending, and a cross-connecting arm 140, which is arranged bridgingly between the pair of right and left side plates 110 and 120 on the side arranged outside during bending, forming a rectangular cable receiving space and being pivotably connected to each other by means of connecting pins and connecting pin openings on the side plates.The protective and guiding device 100 can assume a stretched or a bent state, depending on the arrangement of a moving part M relative to a stationary part F, wherein one or more cables or the like are inserted into the cable receiving space.

[0021] The pair of right and left side plates 110 and 120 is equipped with connecting pins 111 and 121 and connecting pin openings 112 and 122, arranged longitudinally spaced apart from each other, and a plurality of frame bodies 101 is pivotably connected to each other by fitting connecting pins 111 and 121 into connecting pin openings 112 and 122.

[0022] As in the Fig. 3, Fig. 4 to Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the cross-connecting arm 140 has an arm section 142, a hook section 141, which is provided at one end of the arm section 142 by a neck section 144, 144A and is connected to a side plate 110 of the pair of right and left side plates, and a hinge section 143, which is provided at the other end of the arm section 142 by a neck section 144, 144A and is connected to the other side plate 120 of the pair of right and left side plates.

[0023] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the hook area 141 is designed such that it projects from a surface end 145, 145A of the arm area 142 from the neck area 144, 144A and has a circular arc-shaped arc area 147, which is designed in the form of a circular arc with a cutout in the lower area and has projecting areas 148 for contact, which are designed such that they extend outwards from the edges of the circular arc-shaped arc area 147 from both sides (in the longitudinal direction of the protective and guiding device 100).

[0024] The hook area 141 is designed such that the width (in the longitudinal direction of the protective and guiding device 100) of the circular arc-shaped arc area 147 is equal to that of the neck area 144, 144A and smaller than that of the arm area 142, and that the thickness (in the vertical direction of the protective and guiding device 100) of the neck area 144, 144A is smaller than that of the arm area 142.

[0025] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the hinge area 143 is designed such that it projects from the surface end 145, 145A of the arm area 142 towards the neck area 144, 144A and has a circular arc-shaped arc with a cutout in its upper region. The arm area 142 is further formed with convex areas 146, 146A that project towards the hinge area 143 from both sides of the neck area 144, 144A from the hinge-side surface end 145, 145A.

[0026] The hinge area 143 is designed such that the width (in the longitudinal direction of the protective and guiding device 100) of the hinge area 143 is equal to that of the neck area 144, 144A and smaller than that of the arm area 142, and that the thickness (in the vertical direction of the protective and guiding device 100) of the neck area 144, 144A is smaller than that of the arm area 142.

[0027] As in the Fig. 8 and Fig. As shown in Figure 9, a side plate 110, to which the hook section 141 of the cross-connecting arm 140 is anchored, is formed on the side that is arranged on the outside during bending. The side plate 110 has a contact axis 113 that can be brought into contact with the circular arc section 147 of the hook section 141 of the cross-connecting arm 140. The side plate 110 is further formed with a stepped section 116, 116A, which can be brought into contact with the projecting sections 148 of the hook section 141 on the cross-connecting arm 140 on both sides of the contact axis 113.

[0028] The side plate 110 is also formed with side contact walls 115, 115A, against which edges of the projecting areas 148 of the hook area 141 of the cross-connecting arm 140 abut on both sides of the step areas 116, 116A, and with an end contact wall 114, 114A, against which the surface end 145, 145A of the arm area 142 abuts on the inside of the contact axis 113 (on the side of the opposite side plate). The end contact wall 114, 114A has a groove 117 (see Fig. 10) which has essentially the same width as the hook area 141 and the neck area 144, 144A, and into which the hook area 141 and the neck area 144, 144A can be inserted.

[0029] The other side plate 120, on which the hinge area 143 of the cross-connecting arm 140 is anchored, also has a shape that is a mirror image of the side plate 110 in the horizontal direction, at least on the side arranged on the outside during bending, and is formed with a contact axis 123, a step area 126, a side contact wall 125, an end contact wall 124, 124A and a groove 127.

[0030] The assembly and function of the frame body 101 of a protective and guiding device 100, designed as described above, will be described in more detail below. As in Fig. 9 and Fig. As shown in Figure 10, the hinge area 143 of the cross-connecting arm 140 is first brought into contact with the contact axis 123, which is located on the side of the side plate 120 that is arranged on the outside during bending, and the cross-connecting arm 140 is pivoted about the contact axis 123 until the circular arc-shaped arc area 147 of the hook area 141 of the cross-connecting arm 140 engages with the contact axis 113, which is provided on the side of the side plate 110 that is arranged on the outside during bending.

[0031] The outer side of the end wall 124, 124A of the side plate 120, which is arranged during bending and with which the hinge area 143 of the cross-connecting arm 140 engages, is curved concentrically around the contact axis 123, so that the hinge-side surface end 145, 145A of the arm area 142 does not collide with it when the cross-connecting arm 140 is pivoted during the assembly of the frame body 101.

[0032] The cross-connecting arm 140 is then anchored to the outer edge region of the pair of right and left side plates 110 and 120, which is arranged on the outside during bending, by engaging the projecting region 148 with the hook region 141 of the cross-connecting arm 140 with the step regions 116, 116A, which are provided on both sides of the contact axis 113 on the outer side of the side plate 110, as shown in Fig. 11 shown.

[0033] The cutout area of ​​the hinge area 143 of the cross-connecting arm 140 is arranged in the upper part of this anchored state, as shown in Fig. 12, and the hinge area 143 will never disengage, even when the cross-connecting arm 140 is pushed upwards. The hook area 141 of the cross-connecting arm 140 can also resist rigidly, even when the cross-connecting arm 140 is pushed upwards, since the projecting area 148 of the hook area 141 engages with the step area 116, 116A, which is provided on both sides of the contact axis 113, which is provided on the side of the side plate 110 that is located on the outside during bending, as shown in Fig. Figure 11 shows. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the cross-connection arm 140 from moving upwards out of engagement with a pair of right and left side plates 110 and 120, so that the cable received in the cable intake space can be reliably protected and guided.

[0034] Since the projecting area 148 engages with the step areas 116, 116A, extending from the edge of the circular arc-shaped arc area 147 of the hook area 141 to both sides, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 11, the cross-connecting arm 140 is anchored over a width wider than that of the circular arc-shaped arc section 147 of the hook section 141, and the edges of the projecting section 148 abut the side mounting walls 115, 115A, which are provided on both sides of the step sections 116, 116A of the side plate 110. Consequently, even if a force twists the frame body 101, the projecting section 148 can generate a large counterforce opposing such a force, thus reducing any twisting of the frame body 101 due to torsional forces and enabling reliable bending of the protective and guiding device 100.

[0035] Furthermore, since the arm area 142 is designed with a greater width than the hook area 141, and the arm area 142 is connected to the hook area 141 via the neck area 144, 144A, which has the same width as the hook area 141 and is thinner than the arm area 142, the hook-side surface end 145, 145A of the arm area 142 abuts the end mounting wall 114, 114A, which is provided on the inside of the side plate 110, and the hook area 141 and the neck area 144, 144A are inserted into the grooves 117 provided on the end mounting walls 114, 114A while abutting their sides, a large counterforce can be generated in the adjacent areas, even if a torsional force acts on the frame body 101, so that it is possible to prevent a twisting of the to reduce the frame body 101 due to torsional forces, thereby enabling reliable bending of the protective and guiding device 100.

[0036] Since the arm section 142 is also formed on the side of the hinge section 143 of the cross-connecting arm 140 with a width that is greater than the width of the hinge section 143, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 12, the arm section 142 is connected to the hinge section 143 via the neck section 144, 144A, which has the same width as the hinge section 143 and is thinner than the arm section 142. The hinge section 143 and the neck section 144, 144A are inserted into the matching groove 127, which is provided on the end walls 114, 114A, while bearing against their sides. This allows a counterforce to be generated in the adjacent areas, even when a torsional force acts on the frame body 101. This makes it possible to reduce twisting of the frame body 101 due to torsional forces, thus enabling reliable bending of the protective and guiding device 100.

[0037] Furthermore, since the arm area 142 is equipped with the projecting convex area 146, 146A at the hinge-side surface end 145, 145A, the hinge area 143 is slightly deformed by the convex area 146, 146A exerting a force on it in the direction of pulling the contact axis 123 towards the hinge side of the surface end, as shown in Fig. Figure 13 shows the hinge area 143 being firmly anchored to the contact axis 113. The hinge-side surface end 145, 145A of the arm area 142 also rests firmly against the end wall 124, 124A, so that even if a torsional force acts on the frame body 101, the counterforce generated at the contact area can even be increased. Thus, it is possible to reduce rotation of the frame body 101 due to torsional forces, thereby enabling reliable bending of the protective and guiding device 100.

[0038] As previously described, a protective and guiding device for cables according to the invention offers significant advantages with regard to the secure anchoring of the cross-connection arm and the prevention of its upward detachment, thus enabling reliable protection and guidance of the cable or the like. Furthermore, it has the advantage of generating a large counterforce against torsional forces, thereby reducing deformation of the frame bodies due to the action of torsional forces and thus enabling reliable bending of the protective and guiding device.

[0039] It should be noted that, according to the embodiment described above, although the side of the hook area 141 of the cross-connecting arm 140 is anchored to the side plate 110, and the side of the hinge area 143 of the cross-connecting arm 140 is anchored to the side plate 120, it is also possible to anchor the hinge area 143 and the hook area 141 of the cross-connecting arm 140 to either of the side plates 110 and 120, depending on the device to which the protective and guiding device 100 is attached, or other circumstances, since the pair of right and left side plates 110 and 120 are mirror images of each other with respect to the horizontal. This expands the range of applications and improves handling.

[0040] Furthermore, since the upper surface of the arm area 142 of the cross-connecting arm 140 is in a plane with the upper surface of the hook area 141 and the neck area 144, 144A and the end surface of the side of the pair of right and left side plates 110 and 120 that is arranged on the outside when bending, when the cross-connecting arm 140 is anchored to the pair of right and left side plates 110 and 120, the protective and guiding device 100 works reliably even when the side of the protective and guiding device 100 that is arranged on the outside when bending is in sliding contact with a guide element or the like.

[0041] Furthermore, since the arc-shaped section 147 is larger than a semicircle, the contacting arc-shaped section 147 makes contact with the contact axis 113 due to its elasticity and firmly anchors the cross-connecting arm 140 to the side plate 110. The arc-shaped section of the hinge area 143 is also larger than a semicircle, so that the hinge area 143 makes contact with the contact axis 123 due to its elasticity and hardly disengages when the cross-connecting arm 140 is pivoted, thus improving the ease of handling during assembly and maintenance of the protective and guide device 100.

[0042] Furthermore, although the cross-connecting plate 130 is formed in one piece as a body with the pair of right and left side plates 110 and 120, and the frame body 101 is formed as a two-part structure according to the embodiment described above, the cross-connecting plate can also be formed with a suitable structure (preferably similar to the structure of the cross-connecting arm 140) so that it can be detachably attached, and the frame body can be formed from four parts.

[0043] Any suitable materials, such as steel, aluminium, stainless steel, plastics or the like, can be used as materials for the side plates of a protective and guiding device for cables according to the invention and / or their surface can be completely or partially coated, in particular plated, painted or treated in any other way.

[0044] Any suitable materials, such as steel, aluminum, stainless steel, plastics or the like, can also be used as materials for the cross-connection arm of a protective and guiding device for cables according to the invention, and / or their surface can be wholly or partially coated, in particular plated, painted or otherwise treated, provided that the hook area and the hinge area are elastically deformable. Reference symbol list 100 Protective and guiding device 101 frame bodies 110 side panel 111 Connecting pin 112 Connecting pin opening 113 Contact axis 114, 114A End-of-line wall 115, 115A Side wall 116, 116A step range 117 Nut 120 side panel 121 Connecting pin 122 Connecting pin opening 123 Contact axis 124, 124A End-of-line wall 125 side wall 126 step range 127 Nut 130 cross-connecting plate 140 cross-connection arm 141 Hook area 142 Arm area 143 Hinge area 144, 144A Neck area 145, 145A Surface end 146, 146A convex area 147 circular arc-shaped arc area 148 preceding area M moving part F stationary part

Claims

[1] Protective and guiding device (100) for cables or the like, comprising a number of frame bodies (101), each consisting of a pair of right and left spaced-apart side plates (110, 120), a cross-connecting plate (130) arranged on the inner side of the side plates (110, 120) when bent, and a cross-connecting arm (140) arranged on the outer side of the side plates (110, 120) when bent, forming a rectangular cable receiving space, and pivotably connected to one another by means of connecting pins and connecting pin openings provided on the side plates (110, 120), wherein the cross-connecting arm (140) has an arm section (142), a hook section (141) which is provided at one end of the arm section (142) and engages with one of the side plates (110, 120) of the pair of right and left side plates (110, 120), and a hinge section (143) which is provided at the other end of the arm section (142) and engages with the other side plate (110, 120) of the pair of right and left side plates (110, 120), and the hook area (141) has a circular arc-shaped arc area (147) which is formed in the shape of a circular arc with a cutout in the lower area, and which engages with a contact axis (113, 123) which is formed on one of the side plates (110, 120) and extends in the longitudinal direction, and a projecting area (148) is provided which extends in both directions from the edge of the circular arc-shaped arc area (147) and engages with step areas (116, 116A, 126) which are formed on both sides of the contact axis (113, 123). [2] Protective and guiding device according to claim 1, wherein the side plate (110, 120) has side contact walls (115, 115A, 125) adjacent to the step areas (116, 116A, 126) which are provided on both sides of the contact axis (113, 123) against which the edges of the projecting area (148) of the hook area (141) abut on both sides. [3] Protective and guiding device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hinge area (143) is formed in the shape of a circular arc with a cutout in the upper area to engage with a contact axis (113, 123) formed on the other side plate (110, 120). [4] Protective and guiding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the arm area (142) is designed with a width that is greater than the width of the hook area (141) and the width of the hinge area (143), the arm area (142) is connected to the hook area (141) and the hinge area (143) via neck areas (144, 144A) whose width corresponds to the width of the hook areas (141) and hinge areas (143), and whose thickness is thinner than that of the arm area (142), the pair of right and left side plates (110, 120) has end walls (114, 114A, 124, 124A) with which surface ends (145, 145A) of the arm area (142) abut the side of the hook area (141) and the hinge area (143), and the end walls (114, 114A, 124, 124A) have grooves (117, 127) whose width is essentially equal to the width of the hook area (141), the hinge area (143) and the neck area (144, 144A), and into which the hook area (141), the hinge area (143) and the neck area (144, 144A) can be inserted. [5] Protective and guiding device according to claim 4, wherein the arm area (142) has a convex area (146, 146A) which projects towards the hinge area (143) at the hinge-side surface end (145, 145A) and rests against the end mounting wall (114, 114A, 124, 124A). [6] Protective and guiding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cross-connecting plate (130) is formed integrally with the pair of right and left side plates (110, 120).

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