Multi-position hinge for the angled connection of two cable trays

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The object of this application is to provide a multi-position hinge system for the angular connection of two cable trays.

[0002] More specifically, the invention proposes the development of a connection system based on a multi-position hinge for the angular connection of two cable trays in a horizontal or vertical plane.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Connection devices are well known in the state of the art, devices specially configured for the connection of two cable tray sections at a variable angle and provided with a hinge joint, which comprise a pin that defines a geometric articulation axis, a first member and a second member that are rigid and articulated together around said geometric axis by means of said pin.

[0004] Nevertheless, the connection devices used only enable articulation in a single plane, either in a horizontal or vertical plane, so that at the production level, the manufacturer may find a problem of stock or lack of supply, depending on the level of demand for one type of hinge or another (vertical and horizontal).

[0005] Furthermore, the applicant is currently unaware of an invention that has all the features described in this specification.

[0006] It is known from prior art JP 4579284 disclosing a multi-position hinge for the angular connection of two adjacent cable trays.DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention has been developed with the aim of providing a multi-position hinge which is configured as a novelty within the field of application and solves the aforementioned drawbacks, further contributing other additional advantages that will be obvious from the description below.

[0008] According to the invention, there is provided a multi-position hinge system for the angular connection of two adjacent cable trays as set out in claim 1.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to therefore provide multi-position hinges for the angular connection of two adjacent cable trays to be hinged in the horizontal plane or in the vertical plane, each one comprising a pin that defines a geometric articulation axis, a first member and a second member articulated together around said geometric axis, it being foreseen that said first member and second member are each configured to be coupled to a corresponding cable tray. More particularly, it includes two intermediate attachment members, it being foreseen that each of them are to be coupled to a respective articulated element and to a respective tray, wherein each of the intermediate attachment members includes first coupling means configured to be coupled to a respective articulated element and second coupling means configured to be coupled to a respective tray.

[0010] Due to these features, a configuration is obtained that enables two adjoining trays to be hinged both in the horizontal plane and in the vertical plane. Moreover, the very operator or assembler can decide in real time whether a hinged connection of trays in the horizontal plane or in the vertical plane is required, and consequently, apply the corresponding parts as appropriate.

[0011] Preferably, the intermediate attachment member consists of a body in the shape of an elongated plate.

[0012] According to the invention, the first coupling means of the intermediate attachment member comprise a housing present at one of the ends thereof, for the insertion of an extension present in the first or second articulated member that includes a clipping retention system.

[0013] According to an embodiment, the extension can have a harpoon-shaped ending.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second coupling means of the intermediate attachment member consist of a body with at least one through hole configured for the insertion of a screw member.

[0015] Thus, the multi-position hinge described represents an innovative structure with structural and constituent features heretofore unknown for its intended purpose, reasons which, taken together with its usefulness, provide it with sufficient grounds for obtaining the requested exclusivity privilege.

[0016] It is worth mentioning that the various elements that make up the hinge of the invention can be made of a plastic material, such as PVC, metallic material, or a combination thereof.

[0017] Other features and advantages of the multi-position hinge object of the present invention will become apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the attached drawings, in which:BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first member and a second member of the one hinge set configured to be articulated together in a horizontal plane; Figure 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a first and second member of the second hinge set configured to be articulated together in a vertical plane; Figure 3 is an upper perspective view of an intermediate attachment member that forms part of the hinge of the invention; Figure 4 is a lower perspective view of the intermediate attachment member; Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the intermediate attachment member shown in Figures 3 and 4; Figure 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a member that forms part of the hinge shown in Figure 2; Figure 7 is a partial perspective view of two cable trays joined together at one of the ends thereof by means of a multi-position hinge like the one shown in Figure 2; Figure 8 is a partial perspective view of two cable trays joined together at one of the ends thereof by means of a multi-position hinge like the one shown in Figure 1. DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019] In light of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the adopted numbering, one may observe therein a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, which comprises the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.

[0020] Embodiments of the multi-position hinge for the angular connection of two cable trays (100) comprise a pin (1, 1') made, for example, of polymeric material (such as PVC) that defines a geometric articulation axis, a first member (2, 2') and a second member (3, 3') that are articulated together around said geometric axis by means of the pin (1, 1'), said first and second members (2, 2', 3, 3') being configured so that each is linked with a tray.

[0021] It is worth mentioning that Figure 1 shows a hinge configured for working in a horizontal plane, whereas Figure 2 shows a hinge configured for working in a vertical plane, the same common portions having the same numerical references.

[0022] Furthermore, Figures 7 and 8 show two arrangements of cable trays (100) joined together, through a pair of hinges such as those described below, each of them being housed in side walls of each of the cable trays (100).

[0023] The multi-position hinge includes two intermediate attachment members (4) that are the same in shape and size, having the shape of an elongated plate, it being foreseen that each of these intermediate attachment members (4) are to be coupled to a respective articulated member (2, 2' 3, 3') and to a respective cable tray (100). Each intermediate attachment member (4) includes first coupling means configured to be coupled to a respective member (2, 2', 3, 3') articulated together and second coupling means configured to be coupled to a respective cable tray (100) that will be explained in more detail later.

[0024] Now, with regard to the aforementioned first coupling means present in intermediate attachment members (4), they essentially comprise a housing (40) present at one of the ends of the body in the shape of a plate configured for the insertion of an extension present in the first or second articulated member (2, 3) that includes a clipping retention system, said extension (6) having a harpoon-shaped ending. This extension (6) having a harpoon-shaped ending (60) that can be seen in Figure 6 is inserted by pressure into complementary slits (7) that are made, particularly in one of the sides of each intermediate attachment member (4).

[0025] With particular reference to the second coupling means present in the intermediate attachment member (4), they consist of a plurality of oblong through holes (41) configured for the insertion of a screw member (8) (see Figures 7 and 8), which extend in a longitudinal direction of the intermediate attachment member (4), which enables the position thereof to be adjusted.

[0026] The details, shapes, dimensions and other secondary elements, used to manufacture the multi-position hinge of the invention, may be suitably replaced with others that do not depart from the scope defined by the claims included below.

Claims

1. A multi-position hinge system for the angular connection of two adjacent cable trays (100) to be hinged in the horizontal plane or in the vertical plane, wherein the system includes a first hinge set configured for articulating trays in a horizontal plane and a second hinge set configured for articulating trays in a vertical plane, wherein each one of the first and second hinge sets comprises a pin (1, 1') that defines a geometric articulation axis, a first member (2, 2') and a second member (3, 3') articulated together around said geometric axis, wherein the multi-position hinge system further comprises two intermediate attachment members (4), it being foreseen that said first members (2, 2') and second members (3, 3') are each configured to be coupled to a corresponding cable tray (100), by means of one of the two intermediate attachment members (4), it being foreseen that each of the intermediate attachment members (4) is to be simultaneously coupled to a respective first member (2, 2') or second member (3, 3') and to a respective cable tray (100), characterized in that each of the first and second members (2, 2', 3, 3') comprises an extension (6) which includes a clipping retention system, wherein each of the intermediate attachment members (4) includes first coupling means configured to be coupled to a respective first or second member (2, 2', 3, 3') and second coupling means configured to be coupled to a respective cable tray (100), and wherein the first coupling means of the intermediate attachment member (4) comprise a housing (40) present at one of the ends thereof, for the insertion of the extension (6) present in the first and second member (2, 2', 3, 3'), wherein the clipping retention system is configured to retain by clipping said extension (6) with the first coupling means of the intermediate attachment member (4).

2. The multi-position hinge system according to claim 1, characterised in that each intermediate attachment member (4) consists of a body in the shape of an elongated plate.

3. The multi-position hinge system according to claim 1, characterised in that each extension (6) has a harpoon-shaped ending configured to be inserted by pressure into complementary slits (7) that are made in one of the sides of each intermediate attachment element (4).

4. The multi-position hinge system according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second coupling means of the intermediate attachment member (4) consist of at least one through hole (41) configured for the insertion of a screw member (8).

5. The multi-position hinge system according to claim 4, characterised in that the at least one through hole (41) is an oblong hole which extends in a longitudinal direction of the intermediate attachment member (4).