Device for maintaining the position of an element conveying electrical current wound on a device for storing said element

Abstract

This device (14) for holding in position an element for conveying electric current, called an electric wire or cable, wound on a device for storing this element comprises a strip (16) having an inner face and an outer face, the inner face being adapted to be positioned on the winding of the element for conveying electric current parallel to this winding, the strip (16) having either a closed contour or an open contour which can be closed on itself by means of a fixing means, the strip (16) being able to resist the unwinding of the electric wire or cable when the latter is not otherwise kept wound on the storage device.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for holding in position an element for conveying electric current, called an electric wire or cable, this conveying element being wound on a device for storing this element.

[0002] It will be described here in a particular example where the element for conveying the electric current is an electric cable or an electric wire and where the storage device for this element is a reel or a spool, on which the electric cable or wire is wound.

[0003] This particular example is not limiting: on the one hand, the storage device can be any support suitable for storing the element for conveying the electric current with a view to preserving it and / or transporting it and / or installing it and can take any geometric shape on which the element for conveying the electric current can be wound; and on the other hand, the element for conveying the electric current is not necessarily an electric cable or wire, but can also be an optical cable or, more generally, any elongated element which is electrically conductive and which can be wound around a support.

[0004] The invention belongs to the field of accessories for electrical current routing elements. It is applicable in particular to the particular example described here, that is to say to hold in position an electric cable or wire wound on a reel, so as to avoid any untimely unwinding and / or tangling of this electric cable or wire when the end of the electric cable or wire located on the outside of the winding is left free.

[0005] Before being put into service, a coil of cable or electrical wire is usually packaged. The packaging is most often made of plastic or paper, for example kraft paper.

[0006] When the user unwraps the reel, this releases the electrical cable or wire stored in wound form on the reel, which was held in place by the packaging. When no means are provided to keep the electrical cable or wire wound on the reel, the natural tendency of the electrical cable or wire is then to unwind, in particular under the effect of the pushing and returning force which tends to move the free end of the electrical cable or wire away from the reel to return to the resting position, substantially straight, of the electrical cable or wire.

[0007] Coil 10 shown on the figure 1 illustrates this situation. The free end of the electric wire 12 wound on the spool 10 moves away from the spool 10 and the electric wire 12 tends to unwind. Thus, a restoring force (illustrated by the arrow F on the figure 1 ) is exerted by the electric wire, or cable, towards the outside of the coil, or reel.

[0008] Such unwanted unwinding, with or without concomitant tangling of the cable or electrical wire, presents a nuisance, or even a risk, for the user.

[0009] Indeed, not only can the transport and / or storage of the reel and / or the installation of the electric cable or wire be hampered due to unwanted unwinding and possible tangling, but in addition, unwinding and / or tangling represents a waste of time and unnecessary effort for the user who must rewind the unwound length of electric cable or wire and / or untangle the electric cable or wire before being able to continue his operations. In addition, this creates a risk of falling and / or injury for the user, who may in particular trip over the unwound electric cable or wire, as well as a risk of damage to the electric cable or wire and / or the reel.

[0010] A known solution in the field of fishing line spools is described in document US 2022 / 0081251 A1. A strip, arranged around the edge of the fishing line spool and equipped with a Velcro type clasp (registered trademark), allows, when the strip is closed on itself using the clasp, to retain the free end of the fishing line wound on the spool.

[0011] However, while such a device is suitable for fishing line, it is not suited to the high mechanical stresses encountered in the electrical cable and wire industry.

[0012] Indeed, in the field of electric cables and wires, the average orders of magnitude of the radii of curvature and diameters of electric cables and wires as well as the associated thrust and return forces towards the outside of the coil, in the region of the free end of the electric cable or wire wound on the coil, are clearly higher than the average orders of magnitude of the radii of curvature and diameters of fishing lines and the values of the associated thrust and return forces, which are comparatively negligible.

[0013] In particular, in the case of electrical cables of relatively large diameter and / or electrical cables and wires made of relatively non-flexible materials, the radii of curvature of these electrical cables and wires and the associated forces of thrust and return of the electrical cable or wire towards the outside of the drum or spool can reach very high values. In any case, these values are not comparable with the common values of the radii of curvature and the associated forces of thrust and return for reels of fishing line.

[0014] In fact, in the field of fishing lines, the problem is not to counter a pushing force of the line which moves it towards the outside of the spool, but rather to avoid the formation of knots and the tangling of the fishing line, in the event of uncontrolled unwinding.

[0015] In the field of electrical cables and wires, a known solution for holding the cable or electrical wire on the reel is to stick the free end of the cable or electrical wire on the reel using a conventional adhesive.

[0016] This solution has the double disadvantage of requiring the user to have such an adhesive available during operations and of consuming adhesive, a resource that is most often non-reusable, disposable and therefore produces waste.

[0017] There is therefore a need for a satisfactory and durable solution for maintaining in position an electric cable or wire and, more generally, any element for conveying electric current, including one with a very large diameter and / or radius of curvature, wound on a reel or spool or, more generally, on a storage device for this element, once this storage device has been unpacked and put into service.

[0018] The present invention aims to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art.

[0019] For this purpose, the present invention proposes a device for holding in position an element for conveying electric current, called an electric wire or cable, wound on a storage device for this element, called a reel or spool, the device for holding in position being remarkable in that it comprises a strip having an inner face and an outer face, the inner face being adapted to be positioned on the winding of the element for conveying electric current parallel to this winding, the strip having either a closed contour or an open contour closable on itself by means of a fixing means, the strip being capable of resisting the unwinding of the electric wire or cable when the latter is not otherwise kept wound on the storage device.

[0020] The invention offers many advantages.

[0021] It eliminates the risks of untimely unwinding and tangling of the cable or electric wire, as well as the associated risks of falling or injury to the user and damage to the cable or electric wire.

[0022] In addition, it is ergonomic, as it is very simple and quick to install.

[0023] It is also compatible with all storage devices using winding of an electric current conveying element, whether coils or reels, these storage devices generally having a maximum diameter greater than or equal to 40 mm and less than or equal to 400 mm when empty.

[0024] Moreover, it is economical and easy to manufacture.

[0025] In a particular embodiment, the strip is designed to resist a restoring force exerted by the wire, or electric cable, towards the outside of the coil or reel, at least equal to 30 N, preferably greater than 50 N.

[0026] In a particular embodiment, the headband may be made of a material having an elasticity such that the headband can stretch by at least 20% without breaking.

[0027] The elasticity of the band makes it possible to increase the pressure force exerted by the band on the electric current conveying element when the position-holding device is installed on the storage device. This thus makes it possible to further improve the position-holding of the current-carrying element wound on the storage device of this element.

[0028] In a particular embodiment, the strip may further comprise a reinforcing structure between its inner and outer faces, or inside at least one of the inner and outer faces.

[0029] The reinforcement structure makes it possible to increase the robustness of the strip and its resistance, in particular to high masses and thrust forces, in the case of large diameter drums and electric cables also of large diameter, but also in the case of coils of electric wire. Indeed, as non-limiting examples, the mass of a full 100 m coil of electric wire usually varies between 1.5 kg and 3 kg and for a drum of electric cable, this mass is commonly 35 kg to 45 kg.

[0030] In a particular embodiment, the reinforcing structure may comprise a metal mesh.

[0031] In a particular embodiment, which can be combined with the previous one, the reinforcing structure can comprise a plurality of glass threads arranged in at least one direction, for example in the longitudinal direction of the strip and / or in its transverse direction.

[0032] In a particular embodiment where the strip is self-closing, the strip may be a self-fixing strip, capable of automatically rolling up on itself by means of a slight tap applied by the user when he brings the strip close to the storage device. This type of self-fixing strip is called a "slap" or "snap" in English.

[0033] According to a particular characteristic, the self-fixing strip may contain metal.

[0034] In a particular embodiment where the strip can be closed on itself by means of a fixing means, the length of the strip can be adjustable.

[0035] In a particular embodiment, the strip can be closed on itself by means of an adhesive fastening means.

[0036] In a particular embodiment, the strip can be closed on itself by means of a magnetic fixing means.

[0037] In a particular embodiment, the outer face of the strip may include a graduation adapted to indicate the remaining length of the electrical current conveying element wound on the storage device.

[0038] This allows the user to immediately read this remaining length on the headband.

[0039] In a particular embodiment, the strip may comprise a gripping means adapted to grip the storage device of the wound electric current routing element, so as to separate it from a frame, this frame being capable of carrying at least one aforementioned storage device, the gripping means being able to be deformable.

[0040] According to a particular characteristic, the gripping means may be rigid.

[0041] Alternatively, the gripping means may be flexible.

[0042] In a particular embodiment, the strip may include a non-slip coating on its outer face and / or on its inner face.

[0043] The presence of a non-slip coating on the outer face of the strip allows the user a better grip on the position-holding device and the storage device, when the position-holding device is installed on the storage device.

[0044] The presence of a non-slip coating on the inner face of the strip allows the position-holding device, when installed on a storage device and in contact with the electrical current-carrying element wound on the storage device, to adhere even better to the electrical current-carrying element and thus further improve its position-holding on the storage device.

[0045] In a particular embodiment, the position holding device is provided with an attachment means, suitable for attaching it to an external element, in particular to a frame, this frame being suitable for carrying at least one aforementioned storage device.

[0046] This arrangement prevents the user from misplacing the position-holding device when not in use and offers the user multiple possibilities for storing the position-holding device on various external elements.

[0047] In a particular embodiment, at least a portion of the outer face comprises a reflective material.

[0048] This allows the user to use the device according to the invention as a safety armband, when this position-holding device is not installed on a storage device for an electrical current conveying element. The user can thus make himself more visible both to reduce the risk of accidents and to facilitate exchanges with other operators on a construction site, in particular when the light is poor, especially at night.

[0049] In a particular embodiment, the position-holding device comprises a radio frequency identification means, such as an RFID chip.

[0050] Thus, the position-keeping device can communicate to the outside by radio frequency identification information contained in the identification means.

[0051] In a particular embodiment, at least one of the outer and inner faces of the strip comprises flocking.

[0052] This allows any desired type of marking to be included on the position-holding device via this flocking.

[0053] In a particular embodiment, at least one of the outer and inner faces of the strip comprises a writable area.

[0054] This allows the user to enter their name or any other useful information in a possibly temporary and erasable manner. Brève description des dessins

[0055] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description below of particular embodiments, given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: [ Fig. 1 ], already described, illustrates a coil of electric wire on which is wound an electric wire whose visible free end is unwound. Fig. 2 ] shows an overall view of a particular embodiment of a position-holding device according to the present invention, installed on a reel of electric wire of the type of the figure 1 . [ Fig. 3 ] is a schematic representation of a particular embodiment of a position-holding device according to the present invention, in a resting state and in a stretched state. [ Fig. 4 ] is a schematic representation of another particular embodiment of a position-holding device according to the present invention, in the open position, in a resting state and in a stretched state. [ Fig. 5 ] is a schematic representation of yet another particular embodiment of a position-holding device according to the present invention, in an open state and in a closed state. [ Fig. 6 ] illustrates a particular possible use of a position-holding device according to the present invention, in a particular embodiment. [ Fig. 7 ] illustrates a particular characteristic which may possibly be included in a position-holding device according to the present invention, in a particular embodiment of the type of that of the figure 4 . [ Fig. 8 ] is a schematic representation of a particular possible example of storage of a position-holding device according to the present invention on a device for transporting, storing and installing electric cables or wires. [ Fig. 9 ] is a schematic representation of a particular embodiment of a position-holding device according to the present invention showing several possible particular characteristics. [ Fig. 10 ] is a schematic representation of another particular embodiment of a position-holding device according to the present invention showing several possible particular characteristics. [ Fig. 11 ] shows a position-holding device of the type of that of the figure 9 in two examples where it is installed respectively on two different coils of electric wire. Fig. 12 ] shows two non-limiting examples of adding inscriptions to a position-holding device according to the present invention, in particular embodiments. [ Fig. 13 ] is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a clasp which may possibly be included in a position holding device according to the present invention. [ Fig. 14 ] is a schematic representation of another exemplary embodiment of a clasp which may possibly be included in a position holding device according to the present invention. Description de mode(s) de réalisation

[0056] There figure 2 illustrates a device 14 for holding in position in accordance with the present invention, in the non-limiting example described here where the element for conveying the electric current is an electric wire 12 and where the device for storing the element for conveying the electric current is a coil 10, on which the electric wire 12 is wound. More generally, the storage device is called a coil or reel.

[0057] In accordance with the present invention, the position holding device 14 comprises a strip 16 having an inner face and an outer face.

[0058] As shown in the figure 2 , when the position holding device 14 is installed on the coil 10, it is arranged substantially parallel to the direction of the turns of the winding of the electric wire 12 on the coil 10 and covers the free end of the electric wire 12 and at least part of the height of the winding of the electric wire 12 on the coil 10. Indeed, depending on the width of the strip 16 and the height of the winding of the electric wire 12 on the coil 10, the strip 16 can cover all or part of the height of the winding.

[0059] The inner face of the strip 16 is the face of the strip 16 intended to be positioned in contact with the winding of the electric wire 12 when the position holding device 14 is installed on the reel 10.

[0060] The outer face of the strip 16 is the face of the strip 16 opposite the inner face. The outer face is therefore visible at least over part of its length when the position holding device 14 is installed on the reel 10.

[0061] In a particular embodiment, the strip is designed to resist a restoring force exerted by the wire, or electric cable, towards the outside of the coil or reel, at least equal to 30 N, preferably greater than 50 N. Such a restoring force is illustrated by the arrow F on the figure 1 already described.

[0062] The headband 16 may be made of an elastic or non-elastic material. In a particular embodiment of the type of that of the figure 3 described in detail below, the strip 16 is made of a material having an elasticity such that the strip can stretch by at least 20% without breaking.

[0063] As a non-limiting example, for the smallest current coils 10 of cable or electric wire 12, whose maximum diameter, i.e. when the coil is full, is 10 cm, which corresponds to a perimeter of approximately 30 cm, the strip 16 may have a length slightly greater than 30 cm at rest and of the order of 36 cm at maximum tension. Thus, the initial length of the strip 16 is multiplied by approximately 1.2. This is therefore equivalent to an elongation of approximately 20% without breaking, thanks to the elasticity of the material which will be chosen for the strip 16 and which may be any type of material having an elasticity property allowing it to stretch without breaking up to at least approximately 20% of its length at rest.

[0064] For large diameter reels, for example with a maximum diameter of 38 cm when full, which therefore have a perimeter of the order of 120 cm, a length strictly greater than 120 cm will be provided for the strip 16, the winding of the cable on the reel having a certain thickness and increasing accordingly the perimeter to be embraced by the strip 16.

[0065] In other words, the length of the strip 16 will be chosen according to the size of the reels 10 or reels on which it is planned to install the position holding device 14 according to the present invention.

[0066] By way of non-limiting example, when the headband 16 is made of an elastic material, this material may contain a silicone and / or a textile material and / or leather. Any material having the aforementioned elasticity property may be suitable.

[0067] In accordance with the present invention, whether elastic or not, the strip 16 has either a closed contour or an open contour which can be closed on itself by means of a fixing means and is capable of resisting the unwinding of the electric wire or cable when the latter is not otherwise kept wound on the storage device.

[0068] In the non-limiting example of the figure 2 , the strip 16 has an open contour that can be closed on itself and the fastening means is a clasp using multiple hooks and loops of the Velcro ® type, the multiple hooks being arranged on one of the two aforementioned faces of the strip 16 and the multiple loops being arranged on the opposite face, so that the two faces overlap (in the area symbolized by dashes in the drawing) to close the strip 16 on itself.

[0069] There figure 13 shows an alternative embodiment of the fixing means. The upper part of the figure 13 shows the strip 16 installed on the reel 10 and closed by means of the fixing means and the lower part of the figure 13 shows the 16 strip flat.

[0070] In this alternative embodiment, the fastening means is a clasp 26 comprising a hook 260 and a loop 262. In the non-limiting example embodiment shown, the hook 260 of the clasp 26 is provided at one end of the strip 16 and is arranged inside a loop 261 made from the material of the strip 16. The loop 262 of the clasp 26 is provided at the other end of the strip 16 and may, as shown, be similar to the loop 261. The hook 260 is adapted to be housed in the loop 262. In the non-limiting example embodiment shown, the hook 260 of the clasp 26 is substantially in the shape of a “6”, the free branch of the hook 260 being removably inserted into the loop 262.

[0071] In another variant, the fixing means may comprise at least one pair of self-adhesive surfaces respectively provided on the inner face and on the outer face of the strip.

[0072] In yet another variation, the attachment means may be a clasp having a magnetic region and a metal region, the magnetic region being adapted to contact the metal region.

[0073] In yet another variation, the fastening means may be a clip clasp.

[0074] In alternative embodiments where the strip 16 is closable on itself, it can also be in the form of a self-fixing strip, that is to say integrating the fixing means within itself and therefore considered here as an open contour closable on itself by means of a fixing means. Such a self-fixing strip is called in English "slap" or "snap" and is capable of automatically rolling up on itself by means of a slight blow applied by the user when he brings the strip 16 close to the storage device. This self-fixing strip can comprise metal and be made for example of metal and silicone, or of metal and plastic (for example polyvinyl chloride, PVC).

[0075] Advantageously, in embodiments of the device 14 for holding in position where the strip 16 has an open contour which can be closed on itself by means of a fixing means, the length of the strip 16 can be adjustable.

[0076] There figure 4 shows an example of such an embodiment of the position-holding device 14 in which the strip 16, which is illustrated in the open position, has an open contour that can be closed on itself by means of a Velcro ® type clasp and where the length of the strip 16 is adjustable over the entire width of the clasp. Furthermore, in the particular embodiment of the figure 4 , the headband 16 is made of elastic material, the figure 4 showing in its upper part the strip 16 at rest and in its lower part, the strip 16 in a stretched state, symbolized in the drawing by the arrows on either side of the strip 16.

[0077] There figure 5 shows the device 14 for holding in position in an alternative embodiment where the strip 16 is also of adjustable length and is made of a shape memory material. The upper part of the figure 5 illustrates the strip 16 in the open position and the lower part of the figure 5 illustrates the strip 16 in the position closed on itself, by any fixing means as described above (including in the form of a “slap” as previously described) allowing the length of the strip 16 to be adjusted according to the selected closing position.

[0078] There figure 14 shows an alternative embodiment where the strip 16 can be closed on itself by means of a fixing means and is adjustable.

[0079] In this variant, the fastening means is a clasp of a generally similar shape to the clasp of the figure 13 and additionally provided, optionally, with an element E having both a function of means for gripping the strip 16 and the clasp and a function of means for attaching the strip 16 to an element external to the device 14 for holding in position, in particular to a frame, this frame being capable of carrying at least one device for storing the element for conveying the electric current. Another embodiment of the attachment means is described later with reference to the figure 7 .

[0080] As shown in the non-limiting example of embodiment of the figure 14 , the clasp comprises a hook 280 and, at each of a plurality of positions on the perimeter of the strip 16, the free end of which is designated in the drawing by the reference L, a loop 282 in which the hook 280 of the clasp is adapted to be housed, thus making the strip adjustable to a plurality of winding diameters of the electric wire 12 on the spool 10, depending on the closing position of the strip 16 selected, that is to say depending on the position of the loop 282 chosen to house the hook 280 therein.

[0081] Conversely, the fixing means may comprise a loop 282 and, in each of a plurality of positions on the perimeter of the strip 16, a hook 280 adapted to be housed in this same loop 282, also making it possible to vary the length of the strip 16 in this case according to the position of the hook 280 chosen to be housed in the loop 282.

[0082] In a particular embodiment, the strip 16 can be closed on itself by means of an adhesive fixing means.

[0083] In a particular embodiment, the strip 16 can be closed on itself by means of a magnetic fixing means.

[0084] The outer face and / or the inner face of the strip 16 may include flocking presenting any desired type of marking (symbolized for information purposes by the arbitrary mention “Abc” on the figures 2 And 3 ).

[0085] The marking contained in the flocking can for example be the name of a commercial brand and / or a logo and / or a QR code (as shown on the figures 9 et 10 described below) and / or any name designating the position-keeping device 14 and / or the company that markets it, and / or any type of reference and / or any other type of marking, advertising or informative.

[0086] By way of non-limiting example, the flocking on the outer face of the strip 16 may be the name of the company manufacturing the position-holding device 14 and the flocking on the inner face of the strip 16 may be instructions for using the position-holding device 14.

[0087] In addition to or instead of flocking, the outer face and / or the inner face of the strip 16 may include a writable area.

[0088] There figure 12 shows, in its upper part, a partial schematic view of a reel 10 on which is installed a device 14 for holding in position, the strip 16 of which has, on its inner face, a writable zone 18 allowing personalization of the device 14 for holding in position, consisting for example of writing the first name of a user, as in the example illustrated (“Pablo”).

[0089] There figure 12 shows, in its lower part, a schematic view of a device 14 for holding in position in accordance with the invention, the strip 16 of which has, on its outer face, the writable zone 18 where, in the non-limiting example illustrated, the first name of another user (“Julien”) is written.

[0090] There figure 3 shows another particular embodiment of the position holding device 14, in which the strip 16 has a closed contour.

[0091] The upper part of the figure 3 represents the position-holding device 14 in its resting state and the lower part of the figure 3 represents the device 14 for holding in position in a stretched state, as symbolized by the arrows on either side of the strip 16.

[0092] As in the embodiment of the figure 2 , the outer face of the strip 16 in the embodiment of the figure 3 includes flocking where a marking is carried symbolized on the drawing by the arbitrary word “Abc” and which can in practice take any form as described above.

[0093] The closed contour of the headband 16 can be in the form of a tennis wrist type bracelet but with dimensions adapted to the diameters of the coils 10 which can be much larger as indicated above.

[0094] Alternatively, the closed contour of the strip 16 may be in the form of a bag.

[0095] In the case of a bag shape, the bag may be made for example from a woven textile material, possibly but not necessarily having one or more seams. The textile material may also be a non-woven material, possibly but not necessarily in the form of several panels joined by any suitable means such as gluing or stapling, these examples not being limiting. The bag-shaped strip 16 may be closed by a closing means such as an elastic band or a possibly self-locking lace, these examples also not being limiting.

[0096] In a particular embodiment, the strip 16 further comprises a reinforcing structure. The reinforcing structure may be arranged between the inner and outer faces of the strip 16, or in the inner face, or in the outer face, or even in both the inner face and the outer face.

[0097] This reinforcing structure may include a metal mesh.

[0098] Alternatively, the reinforcing structure may comprise, in the manner of reinforced or canvas adhesive tapes, a plurality of glass threads arranged in at least one direction, for example in the longitudinal direction and / or in the transverse direction of the strip 16, or more generally, at least two groups of glass threads, each group of glass threads being arranged in a different direction.

[0099] There figure 6 illustrates both a possible storage method and a possible use of the position-holding device 14 when the latter is not installed on a reel 10. This consists of the user placing the position-holding device 14 around his arm. The position-holding device 14 can then serve as a means of identifying the user and / or as a safety armband making the user more visible, in particular in a non-limiting example of embodiment where the band 16 comprises one or more parts made of reflective material.

[0100] There figure 7 shows a particular embodiment in which the position-holding device 14 is provided with an attachment means 19, adapted to attach the position-holding device 14 to an element external to the position-holding device 14. The attachment means 19 may be a carabiner as shown, but may just as well be a magnetic attachment, or even a suspension ring, these examples not being limiting, the attachment means being able to take any form allowing it to be fixed to an external element.

[0101] There figure 8 illustrates another possible storage method for the device 14 for holding in position when the latter is not installed on a reel 10, in an embodiment where the strip 16 has an open contour that can be closed on itself. In the example of the figure 8 , the device 14 for holding in position is stored by being closed on itself around one of the tubes 17 of a device for storing, transporting and installing electric wires and cables.

[0102] THE figures 9 et 10 illustrate other possible particular characteristics of the device 14 for holding in position, respectively in two particular embodiments where the strip 16 has an open contour that can be closed on itself. In each of these two figures, the strip 16 is shown in the open position, the outer face of the strip 16 being illustrated in the upper part of the drawing and its inner face in the lower part of the drawing.

[0103] In the particular embodiments of the figures 9 et 10 , the outer face of the strip 16 includes a graduation adapted to indicate the remaining length of the electric wire 12 wound on the reel 10.

[0104] This graduation is for example accompanied by marks delimiting zones corresponding to portions of length of the strip 16. In the embodiments of the figures 9 et 10 , these markers are presented in the form of lines in the direction of the width of the strip 16, this example of markers not being limiting.

[0105] The graduation may include numbers, for example “25”, “50” and “75” as shown in the figures 9 et 10 , representing, either in percent or in meters, the remaining quantity of electric cable or wire, or other element for conveying electric current, wound on the spool or reel, or other device for storing the element for conveying electric current.

[0106] Thus, when the strip 16 is closed on itself, the relative positions of the end of the strip 16 closed on the strip and of the graduation allow the user to immediately read the remaining quantity of the electric current conveying element, given that the figures corresponding to lengths or percentages of current conveying element already consumed are masked because they are covered by the part of the strip 16 closed on the strip.

[0107] There figure 11 thus shows, on the left, the full reel 10, comprising a winding of electric wire 12 with a total length of 100 m and on which the device 14 for holding in position is installed and on the right, the half-full reel 10, therefore comprising a remaining length of 50 m of electric wire. The reading of this remaining quantity of electric wire is immediate thanks to the graduation “50” at the level of which the end of the strip 16 is positioned, on the mark accompanying this value of the graduation.

[0108] In the embodiments of the figures 9 et 10 , the outer face of the strip 16 has a zone Z which can contain the flocking described above and / or include the writable zone 18 mentioned above. Furthermore, in the embodiment of the figure 10 , the inner face of the strip 16 also includes a writable area 18, which corresponds to the writable area 18 personalized by the first name of the user “Pablo” illustrated on the upper part of the figure 12 .

[0109] As also described above, the outer face of the strip 16 here optionally has at least one portion 20 made of reflective material. By way of non-limiting example, this reflective material may be a reflective fabric, or any material comprising one or more reflective sewing threads.

[0110] Furthermore, in the embodiments of the figures 9 et 10 , the fastening means allowing the strip 16 to close on itself is of the Velcro ® type, with loop regions 22 and hook regions 23.

[0111] Furthermore, optionally, the strip 16 may include a non-slip coating 24 on its outer face and / or on its inner face. In the particular embodiments of the figures 9 et 10 , the strip 16 has a non-slip coating on its inner face.

[0112] This coating, whether provided on the exterior or interior face, can be made from any material with non-slip properties, such as silicone.

[0113] In a particular embodiment, the position holding device 14 may further comprise a radio frequency identification means, such as an RFID type microcircuit (English acronym meaning “RadioFrequency Identification”), fixed (by gluing or sewing or any other appropriate fixing technique) for example on the outer or inner face of the strip 16 or inside thereof, or between the outer and inner faces.

[0114] Thus, the position-holding device 14 can communicate to the outside by radio frequency any identification information previously stored in the identification means.

[0115] In a particular embodiment, the strip 16 comprises a gripping means, allowing the user to grasp it even more easily and adapted to gripping the storage device of the wound electric current conveying element, so as to separate it from a frame, this frame being able to carry at least one such storage device, the gripping means being able to be deformable. The gripping means can be provided on the outer face of the strip 16 in the case of a strip with an open contour or a closed contour, for example at mid-length of the strip 16. In the case of a strip with an open contour, a variant consists of arranging the gripping means in the region of one of the ends of the strip 16.

[0116] The gripping means may be rigid. By way of non-limiting examples, the gripping means may in this case comprise a hook or a loop, which may be made of metal or plastic or any other rigid material.

[0117] Alternatively, the gripping means may be flexible. By way of non-limiting examples, the gripping means may in this case comprise a tab or a loop and is made of any flexible material, such as fabric, silicone, leather or a flexible plastic material.

Claims

1. Device (14) for holding in position an element for conveying electric current, called an electric wire or cable, wound on a device for storing said element, called a coil or reel, said device (14) for holding in position being characterized in that it comprises a strip (16) having an inner face and an outer face, said inner face being adapted to be positioned on the winding of the electric current conveying element parallel to said winding, said strip (16) having either a closed contour or an open contour which can be closed on itself by means of a fixing means, said strip (16) being able to resist the unwinding of the electric wire or cable when the latter is not otherwise kept wound on the storage device.

2. Device (14) for holding in position according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe strip (16) is designed to resist a restoring force exerted by the wire, or electric cable, towards the outside of the coil or reel, at least equal to 30 N, preferably greater than 50 N.

3. Device (14) for holding in position according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said strip (16) is made of a material having an elasticity such that the strip (16) can stretch by at least 20% without breaking.

4. Device (14) for holding in position according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that said strip (16) further comprises a reinforcing structure between said inner and outer faces, or inside at least one of said inner and outer faces.

5. Device (14) for holding in position according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said strip (16) is closable on itself, said device (14) for holding in position being characterized in thatsaid strip (16) is a self-fixing strip, called in English “slap”, capable of automatically rolling up on itself.

6. Device (14) for holding in position according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said strip (16) is closable on itself by means of a fixing means, said device (14) for holding in position being characterized in that the length of said strip (16) is adjustable.

7. Device (14) for holding in position according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said strip (16) can be closed on itself by means of a fixing means by adhesion or by magnetism.

8. Device (14) for holding in position according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said outer face comprises a graduation adapted to indicate the remaining length of said electric current conveying element wound on said storage device.

9. Device (14) for holding in position according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said strip (16) comprises a gripping means adapted to grip the storage device of the wound electric current conveying element, so as to separate it from a frame, said frame being able to carry at least one said storage device, the gripping means being able to be deformable.

10. Device (14) for holding in position according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said strip (16) comprises a non-slip coating (24) on said outer face and / or on said inner face.

11. Device (14) for holding in position according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatit is provided with an attachment means (19), adapted to attach said device (14) for holding in position to an element external to said device (14) for holding in position, in particular to a frame, said frame being able to carry at least one said storage device.

12. Device (14) for holding in position according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a portion (20) of said outer face comprises a reflective material.

13. Device (14) for holding in position according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that It includes a means of radio frequency identification.

14. Position holding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of said outer face and said inner face comprises flocking.

15. Position holding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatat least one of said outer face and said inner face comprises a writable area (18).

Images