cavity wall box with quick mounting system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cavity wall box (1) for electrical installations in a cavity wall, wherein the cavity wall box (1) has a box body (2) that forms an installation space (4) accessible via an installation opening (3), and wherein the cavity wall box (1) has an anchoring device (5) with at least one adjustable anchoring element (5b) for anchoring the cavity wall box (1) in the cavity wall when installed. In order to enable particularly simple and quick installation of the cavity wall box (1) in the cavity wall, the invention provides that the anchoring device (5) is adjustable between an insertion position in which the cavity wall box (1) has a minimized insertion contour for insertion into the cavity wall, and an anchoring position in which the at least one anchoring element (5b) protrudes beyond the insertion contour of the cavity wall box (1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cavity wall box with a quick-mounting system that enables rapid installation of the cavity wall box. A cavity wall box is defined as a box for electrical installations in a cavity wall. Patent document EP1303017 A1 shows a cavity wall box according to the prior art. Such a cavity wall box typically has a box body that surrounds an installation space accessible via an installation opening. Electrical installations such as sockets, light switches, or the like can be housed within this installation space inside the cavity wall.

[0002] Unlike a solid wall, a cavity wall offers only a thin surface area for mounting the electrical box. Therefore, a fixing device is usually necessary for the secure positioning and installation of the box within the cavity wall, which may be cumbersome to operate using a special tool (e.g., a screwdriver).

[0003] The invention is based on the objective of providing a cavity wall box that can be anchored in the cavity wall particularly easily and quickly, especially without tools.

[0004] To solve this problem, the present invention provides the cavity wall box according to claim 1.

[0005] A cavity wall box for electrical installations in a cavity wall is disclosed, wherein the cavity wall box has a box body that forms an installation space accessible via an installation opening, wherein the cavity wall box has an anchoring device with at least one adjustable anchoring element to anchor the cavity wall box in the installed state in the cavity wall, wherein the anchoring device is preferably transferable without tools between an insertion position in which the cavity wall box has a minimized insertion contour for insertion into the cavity wall, and an anchoring position in which the at least one anchoring element projects beyond the insertion contour of the cavity wall box, wherein the cavity wall box has at least one actuating element to transfer the anchoring device between the insertion position and the anchoring position.wherein the actuating element is movably mounted on the can body in a direction parallel to the axis of the can body, wherein the actuating element displaces the anchoring element radially outwards to move it from the initial position to the anchoring position by pivoting the anchoring element about a pivot axis, wherein with increasing actuation of the actuating element the anchoring element is increasingly moved from a retracted position in the initial position of the anchoring device to a maximally extended position in the anchoring position of the anchoring device, wherein the actuating element and the anchoring element interact via a wedge engagement. This cavity wall box enables simple and quick, in particular tool-free,Anchoring in the cavity wall is possible. For installation, the cavity wall box simply needs to be inserted into the designated cavity wall opening, and the anchoring device moved from the insertion position to the anchoring position. The feature that the actuating element is mounted on the box body in a direction parallel to the axis of the box body facilitates its operation, as it can be performed in one continuous movement in the same direction as inserting the cavity wall box into the cavity wall opening. The interaction of the anchoring element with the actuating element allows the pivot position of the anchoring element to be precisely determined, enabling the anchoring element to be easily and securely anchored, for example, to drywall partitions with varying wall thicknesses. This feature...As the actuating element is increasingly pressed, the anchoring element is progressively moved from a retracted position in the anchoring device's initial position to a fully extended position in the anchoring device's anchoring position, allowing for particularly good control of the anchoring element's pivoting capability. The wedge engagement between the anchoring element and the actuating element provides the user with direct mechanical feedback when the anchoring element is properly seated against the inside of the installation wall. This allows for precise adjustment of the engagement between the anchoring element and the installation wall. This feature also improves the ease of installation of the cavity wall box.

[0006] Beneficial further training is subject to dependent claims.

[0007] It can be advantageous if the actuating element is designed to move the anchoring device, preferably steplessly, between the insertion position and the anchoring position, with the cavity wall box preferably having a separate actuating element for each anchoring element. This allows the cavity wall box to be optimally anchored in the cavity wall depending on the local conditions.

[0008] It can be helpful if the actuating element is permanently attached to the can body. This prevents the actuating element from being lost during transport or storage.

[0009] It can be advantageous if the cavity wall box, preferably for each actuating element, has a guide channel in which the actuating element is movably arranged, wherein the actuating element preferably protrudes from the guide channel in the initial position and / or lies partially or completely within the guide channel in the anchored position. The guide channel, by its shape, already defines the intended direction of movement of the actuating element. Actuating the actuating element in the intended direction is therefore simple and intuitive, even for untrained personnel. This minimizes operating errors.

[0010] It can be practical if the actuating element displaces the anchoring element radially outwards to transition from the initial position to the anchoring position by pivoting the anchoring element about a pivot axis located radially outside the actuating element, preferably such that, with increasing pivoting about the pivot axis, the anchoring element rotates towards the plane of the installation opening, contrary to the insertion direction. In the pivoted state, or in the anchoring position, the anchoring element forms an undercut that engages behind the installation wall, preventing the cavity wall box from being pulled out of the cavity wall opening.

[0011] It can be advantageous if the actuating element is securely locked or lockable to the box body in the initial position and / or in the anchoring position and / or in at least one intermediate position. This prevents the anchoring device from being unintentionally moved out of its respective position.

[0012] It can be advantageous if an actuating section of the actuator lies in the plane of the installation opening in the anchored position and / or is flush with an edge of the box body that defines the installation opening. This ensures that the actuator, in the anchored position, does not obstruct the intended use of the cavity wall box. Preferably, the actuator can be further secured in the anchored position by receiving and fastening an electrical installation within the cavity wall box. Once an electrical installation is received and fastened within the cavity wall box, the actuator—and consequently the anchoring element—can no longer be moved. Therefore, the anchoring device is secured in the anchored position.

[0013] It can prove advantageous if the anchoring element is firmly connected to the box body, preferably by force-fit and / or form-fit, with the anchoring element preferably being integrally molded onto the box body. This reduces the number of individual parts of the cavity wall box. Furthermore, it simplifies the handling of the cavity wall box.

[0014] It can be helpful if the anchoring element for moving the anchoring device between its initial position and the anchoring position is deformable, preferably elastically or plastically, and more preferably by means of a hinge, particularly a solid-state hinge, wherein one axis of the solid-state hinge is particularly preferably oriented tangentially to the can body. This design proves to be particularly advantageous because the anchoring element and its functionality, or rather its degrees of freedom, can be manufactured using the simplest means. This virtually eliminates the possibility of incorrect operation of the anchoring device.

[0015] It can be advantageous if the anchoring element is strip-shaped and / or protrudes in the insertion direction of the cavity wall box. With this design, the cavity wall box is particularly simple in construction and easy to use.

[0016] It can be advantageous if the anchoring element, in its initial position, is essentially flush with a wall, preferably an outer wall, of the box body. This results in a particularly compact insertion contour for the cavity wall box.

[0017] It can prove practical if the box body is at least partially double-walled, with an inner wall of the box body forming the installation space and an outer wall forming the outer contour of the cavity wall box. The actuating element is preferably arranged at least partially or completely between the inner and outer walls of the box body, and preferably does not project radially beyond the outer wall of the box body. With this design, the intended use of the cavity wall box is not impaired by the actuating element because it projects neither inwards into the installation space nor outwards beyond the insertion contour.

[0018] It can be advantageous if the anchoring device has a plurality of anchoring elements that can be moved, preferably individually, between the initial position and the anchored position. This design increases the pull-out resistance of the anchoring device.

[0019] It can be advantageous if the anchoring elements are arranged symmetrically on the box body, preferably on diametrically opposite sides of the box body, and preferably rotated 90° relative to at least one partition section that can be removed from the box body to connect the installation openings and / or installation spaces of coupled cavity wall boxes. This design enables a uniform load distribution around the circumference of the box body.

[0020] It can be helpful if the anchoring element is lever-shaped in order to translate or reduce a force acting on it onto an installation wall in a lever-like manner.

[0021] Further advantageous developments result from combinations of the features revealed in the claims, the figures and the description. Terms and definitions

[0022] The term anchoring device refers to a device with which the cavity wall box can be fixed in the cavity wall in a force-fit and / or form-fit manner. Brief description of the characters

[0023] They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a cavity wall box according to the invention in the first embodiment in the insertion position, in which anchoring elements of the anchoring device are in a retracted state. Fig. 2 a perspective view of the cavity wall box Fig. 1 in the anchoring position, in which anchoring elements of the anchoring device are in an extended state. Fig. 3 a sectional view of the cavity wall box made of Fig. 1 in the insertion position, with the cut running along the can axis and through the anchoring elements. Fig. 4 a sectional view of the cavity wall box made of Fig. 2 in the anchoring position, with the cut running along the can axis and through the anchoring elements. Fig. 5 a perspective view of a cavity wall box according to the second embodiment of the invention in the insertion position, in which anchoring elements of the anchoring device are in a retracted state. Fig. 6 a perspective view of the cavity wall box Fig. 5 in the anchoring position, in which anchoring elements of the anchoring device are in an extended state. Fig. 7 a sectional view of the cavity wall box made of Fig. 5 in the insertion position, with the cut running along the can axis and through the anchoring elements. Fig. 8 a sectional view of the cavity wall box made of Fig. 6 in the anchoring position, with the cut running along the can axis and through the anchoring elements. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0024] Before various variants of anchoring devices 5 are described in detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments, common features of these exemplary embodiments are explained below: The cavity wall box 1 described herein is used to house electrical installations such as light switches, sockets, or sensors in a cavity wall. The cavity wall box 1 has a box body 2, which forms an installation space 4 accessible via an installation opening 3. The box body 2 reveals a rim 2a defining the installation opening 3, with which the cavity wall box 1 can be positioned against the outer or visible side of an installation wall within the cavity wall. Extending from this rim 2a, the box wall 2b runs all the way around to the bottom of the box 2c. The box wall 2b includes integrated coupling sections on diametrically opposite sides on its outer surface, via which identical cavity wall boxes 1 can be mechanically / positively coupled to one another.The box wall 2b also includes detachable wall sections 2d, which lie within these coupling sections and can be detached from the box wall 2b, allowing the installation openings 3 and / or installation spaces 4 of the coupled cavity wall boxes 1 to communicate with each other. On the inside of the detachable wall sections 2d, and offset by 90° to each other on the inside of the box wall 2b, there are fastening sections (e.g., screw bosses in a triple arrangement) for receiving fasteners, for example, to attach an electrical installation to the box body 2. For example, at the transition between the box wall 2b and the box base 2c, various wire, cable, or pipe entry sections can be provided to connect an electrical installation located in the installation space 4 by penetrating the box wall with cables, conductors, or the like.

[0025] According to the invention, the cavity wall box 1 has an anchoring device 5 with at least one adjustable anchoring element 5b to anchor the cavity wall box 1 in the inserted state in the cavity wall, wherein the anchoring device 5 can be moved between an insertion position in which the cavity wall box 1 has a minimized insertion contour for insertion into the cavity wall and an anchoring position in which the at least one anchoring element 5b protrudes beyond the insertion contour of the cavity wall box 1.

[0026] The insertion contour is essentially determined by the outer diameter of the can body 2. The insertion contour is approximately cylindrical, with, for example, the outer contour of the can body 2 tapering slightly conically from the rim 2a to the can base 2c to facilitate insertion of the can into the cavity wall opening.

[0027] In the present embodiments, the anchoring device 5 is essentially formed by two anchoring elements 5b integrally connected to the can wall 2d via solid-body joints 5c. These anchoring elements are arranged on diametrically opposite outer sides of the can wall 2d and can be moved from the insertion position to the anchoring position by means of individually actuating elements 5a. These actuating elements 5a are pin-shaped elements that are guided slidably in the can wall 2b or in channels formed therein and are displaceable parallel to the can axis.The actuating elements 5a interact with the anchoring elements 5b, which are articulated to the box wall 2b and arranged symmetrically on the box body 2, such that when the actuating elements 5a are moved along the box axis A relative to the box body 2, the anchoring elements 5b are displaced radially to project beyond the (imaginary cylindrical) outer contour of the box body 2. The anchoring elements 5b are preferably located on diametrically opposite sides of the box body 2, preferably rotated 90° from the partition wall sections 2d, which can be removed from the box body 2 to connect the installation openings 3 and / or installation spaces 4 of coupled cavity wall boxes 1.

[0028] The special features of preferred embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the figures. First embodiment (Fig. 1-4)

[0029] In the first embodiment, which is described below with reference to the Fig. As described in Figures 1-4, the anchoring device 5 comprises two anchoring elements 5b, which are pivotally connected to the outer wall of the box body 2 on diametrically opposite sides via solid-state hinges. The anchoring elements 5b are essentially "cut free" from the outer wall of the box body 2 by two slots, preferably parallel to the box axis A, and are pivotally deformable about a pivot axis connecting the ends of the slots and oriented tangentially to the box body 2. Each anchoring element 5b is individually pivotally deformable via a solid-state hinge 5e, the pivot axis of which corresponds to the pivot axis, to move the anchoring device 5 between the insertion position and the anchoring position. At its distal or free end, the anchoring element 5b has rib-shaped retaining sections that, as intended, come into contact with the installation opening of an installation wall to anchor the cavity wall box 1 there.

[0030] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. In the insertion position shown in Figure 3, the cavity wall box 1 has a minimized insertion contour for insertion into the cavity wall 1. The two tab-shaped anchoring elements 5b extend flush with the adjacent sections of the box wall 2b. The insertion contour therefore corresponds approximately to the quasi-cylindrical outer contour of the box body 2, which may taper slightly from the box edge 2a to the box base 2c.

[0031] In the Fig. 2 and Fig. In the anchoring position shown in Figure 4, the anchoring elements 5b protrude radially beyond the insertion contour of the cavity wall box 1.

[0032] For stepless transition of the anchoring device 5 between the insertion position and the anchoring position, the cavity wall box 1 comprises a separate actuating element 5a for each anchoring element 5b, which is captively held in a guide channel 5d formed in the box body 2 and is movably mounted on the box body 2 in a direction parallel to the axis of the box body 2. In the insertion position ( Fig. 1 and Fig. 3) The actuating element 5a protrudes from the guide channel 5d. In the anchored position, the actuating element 5a lies completely within the guide channel 5d. An actuating section 5a1 of the actuating element 5a, designed as a push button, lies in the plane E0 of the installation opening in the anchored position and is aligned flush with the edge 2a of the box body 2 defining the installation opening 3.

[0033] To transition from the insertion position to the anchoring position, the actuating element 5a displaces the anchoring element 5b radially outwards via a wedge engagement. In doing so, the anchoring element 5b is displaced outwards around the pivot axis 5e, such that, with increasing pivoting about the pivot axis 5e, the anchoring element 5b rotates towards the plane E0 of the installation opening, opposite to the insertion direction E. With increasing actuation of the actuating element 5a, the anchoring element 5b is progressively moved from an insertion position, in which the anchoring element 5b is flush with the box wall 2a, to a maximally extended position in the anchoring position, in which the free end of the anchoring element 5b protrudes beyond the box wall 2b.

[0034] To prevent unintentional movement of the anchoring device 5 between the insertion position and the anchoring position, the actuating element 5a is locked or lockable to the box body 2 in the initial position and / or in the anchoring position and / or in at least one intermediate position of the cavity wall box 1 by means of force and / or form locking.

[0035] The anchoring element 5b is strip-shaped and protrudes in the insertion direction E of the cavity wall box 1.

[0036] The anchoring element 5b runs essentially flush with a wall, preferably an outer wall, of the can body 2 in the initial position.

[0037] To form the guide channel 5d, the box body 2 is partially double-walled. An inner wall of the box body 2 forms the installation space 4, while an outer wall of the box body 2 forms the outer contour of the cavity wall box 1. The actuating element 5a is arranged partially or completely between the inner wall and the outer wall of the box body 2, without projecting radially beyond the outer wall of the box body 2.

[0038] By loosening and, if necessary, removing the operating elements 5a, the cavity wall box 1 can be taken out of the wall again. Second embodiment (Figs. 5-8)

[0039] The second embodiment is based on the first embodiment and, with the exception of the differences explained below, has identical features which are provided with identical reference numerals.

[0040] In contrast to the first embodiment, the actuating elements 5a and anchoring elements 5b are constructed slightly differently in the second embodiment. The actuating elements 5a are fastening screws, for example, with which electrical installations such as sockets, light switches, or the like can be screwed to the cavity wall box 1. When the electrical installations are screwed to the cavity wall box 1 with the fastening screws 5a, the anchoring device 5 is simultaneously actuated. The anchoring element 5b comprises a one-piece molded projection or deflection section 5f, which is pivotally connected to the box wall 2b via a solid-body joint 5d. The free end of this projection extends inwards into the guide channel 5d and, in the insertion position, points approximately towards the center of the installation opening 3 in the plane E0.This free end of the projection 5f is designed to come into contact with the actuating element 5a, which is adjustable in the guide channel 5d parallel to the can axis A, and thereby be deflected. When the anchoring element 5b is deflected, the projection 5f pivots outwards about the pivot axis oriented tangentially to the can axis, so that the rear end or shoulder of the anchoring element 5b, which is located on the other side (outside) of the pivot axis compared to the projection 5f, increasingly projects radially beyond the insertion contour of the can body 2 and, with its rib-shaped engagement sections, increasingly rotates or points towards the plane E0.By pivoting the anchoring element 5b about the solid joint 5e, the gap of the projection 5f from the inner wall of the box 2, which defines the installation space 4, increases. As the actuating element 5a moves further in the insertion direction parallel to the box axis A, it passes through this gap, thus blocking elastic return of the deflected anchoring element 5b. Consequently, the anchoring element 5b can no longer be moved into the insertion position without removing the actuating element 5a from the guide channel 5d.

[0041] In contrast to the first embodiment, the anchoring element 5b in the second embodiment is designed as a lever which translates the deflecting force of the actuating element with a lever ratio > 1 between force arm and load arm when a large clamping force is desired, or with a lever ratio < 1 between force arm and load arm when a large stroke is desired (load arm: lever arm on the side of the load to be moved, force arm: lever arm on the side of the moving force; "force times force arm equals load times load arm").

[0042] When the actuating element 5a is fully inserted or screwed in, or in the anchored position, the screw head of each fastening screw, serving as the actuating section 5a1, lies flush with the upper edge 2a in the plane E0 of the installation opening. In the insertion position, this screw head, serving as the actuating section 5a1, protrudes well beyond the plane E0 and is easily accessible for the insertion of a screwdriver. Each fastening screw serving as an actuating element 5a is screwed into the fastening sections 2g when the electrical installation is attached to the junction box 1, thereby securing the anchoring elements 5b in the anchored position. By loosening and, if necessary, removing the fastening screws 5a, the cavity wall box 1 can be removed from the wall again. Reference symbol list 1 cavity wall box 2 can bodies 2a Can rim 2b Can wall 2c can bottom 2d separation section 2e Cable entry section 2f Pipe entry section 2g mounting domes 3 Installation opening 4 Installation space 5 Anchoring device 5a Actuating element 5a1 Actuation section 5a2 Locking section (locking lug) 5a3 Deflection section (wedge surface) 5b Anchorage section 5c Rastnut 5d guide channel (for actuator) 5e Solid body joint (between can wall and anchoring section) 5f projection or deflection section A axis of the can body E Direction of insertion EO level of the installation opening

Claims

[1] Cavity wall box (1) for electrical installations in a cavity wall, wherein the cavity wall box (1) has a box body (2) which forms an installation space (4) accessible via an installation opening (3), wherein the cavity wall box (1) has an anchoring device (5) with at least one adjustable anchoring element (5b) for anchoring the cavity wall box (1) in the cavity wall in the installed state, wherein the anchoring device (5) is transferable between an insertion position in which the cavity wall box (1) has a minimized insertion contour for insertion into the cavity wall and an anchoring position in which the at least one anchoring element (5b) projects beyond the insertion contour of the cavity wall box (1), wherein the cavity wall box (1) has at least one actuating element (5a) for transferring the anchoring device (5) between the insertion position and the anchoring position.wherein the actuating element (5a) is movably mounted on the can body (2) in a direction parallel to the axis of the can body (2), wherein the actuating element (5a) displaces the anchoring element (5b) radially outwards to move it from the initial position to the anchoring position by pivoting the anchoring element (5b) about a pivot axis (5e), ​​wherein the anchoring element (5b) is progressively moved from a retracted position in the initial position of the anchoring device (5) to a maximally extended position in the anchoring position of the anchoring device (5) as the actuating element (5a) is increasingly actuated, wherein the actuating element (5a) and the anchoring element (5b) interact via a wedge engagement. [2] Cavity wall box (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized by, that the actuating element (5a) is arranged to move the anchoring device (5) steplessly between the insertion position and the anchoring position, wherein the cavity wall box (1) preferably has its own actuating element (5a) for each anchoring element (5b). [3] Cavity wall box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the cavity wall box (1) preferably has a guide channel (5d) for each actuating element 5a), in which the actuating element (5a) is movably arranged, wherein the actuating element (5a) preferably protrudes from the guide channel (5d) in the initial position and / or lies completely within the guide channel (5d) in the anchoring position. [4] Cavity wall box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the actuating element (5a) displaces the anchoring element (5b) radially outwards in order to transfer it from the initial position to the anchoring position by pivoting the anchoring element (5b) about a pivot axis (5e) located radially outside the actuating element (5a), preferably such that the anchoring element (5b) rotates towards the plane (E0) of the installation opening with increasing pivoting about the pivot axis (5e) in the opposite direction to the insertion direction (E). [5] Cavity wall box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the actuating element (5a) is locked or lockable to the box body (2) in the starting position and / or in the anchoring position and / or in at least one intermediate position of the cavity wall box (1) by force and / or form locking. [6] Cavity wall box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that an actuating section (5a1) of the actuating element (5a) is in the anchoring position in the plane (E0) of the installation opening and / or is aligned flush with an edge (2a) of the can body (2) defining the installation opening (3). [7] Cavity wall box (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the anchoring element (5b) is firmly connected to the can body (2), preferably by force and / or form locking, wherein the anchoring element (5b) is preferably integrally formed on the can body (2). [8] Cavity wall box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the anchoring element (5b) is deformable for transferring the anchoring device (5) between the initial position and the anchoring position, preferably elastically or plastically, preferably articulated, in particular via a solid body joint (5e), ​​wherein a joint axis of the solid body joint (5e) is particularly preferably oriented tangentially to the can body (2). [9] Cavity wall box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the anchoring element (5b) is strip-shaped and / or protrudes in the insertion direction (E) of the cavity wall box (1). [10] Cavity wall box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the anchoring element (5b) in the initial position is essentially flush with a wall, preferably an outer wall, of the can body (2). [11] Cavity wall box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the box body (2) is at least partially double-walled, wherein an inner wall of the box body (2) forms the installation space (4), wherein an outer wall of the box body (2) forms the outer contour of the cavity wall box (1), wherein the actuating element (5a) is preferably arranged at least partially or completely between the inner wall and the outer wall of the box body (2), wherein the actuating element (5a) preferably does not project radially beyond the outer wall of the box body (2). [12] Cavity wall box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the anchoring device (5) has a plurality of anchoring elements (5b) which can be moved, preferably individually, between the initial position and the anchoring position. [13] Cavity wall box (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized by, that the anchoring elements (5b) are arranged symmetrically on the box body (2), preferably on diametrically opposite sides of the box body (2), preferably rotated by 90° to at least one partition section (2d) which can be removed from the box body (2) to connect the installation openings (3) and / or installation spaces (4) of coupled cavity wall boxes (1).

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