Wall-mounted cable entry device

Abstract

Wall-mounting device for cable. This description relates to a wall-mounting device (14) comprising: a base (3); one or more slides (51, 53, 55) shaped to slide within the base; one or more deformable elements (41, 43, 45), each receiving one or more cables, each deformable element being integral with a slide. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 2B

Description

Title of the invention: Wall crossing device for cable Technical field

[0001] The present description relates generally to electrical and telecommunications installations and, more particularly, to the sealed crossing of a wall of a housing by cables. The present description applies generally to all types of cables, for example, electrical, power, low current, coaxial, telecommunications, etc. and more particularly to optical fiber cables. Prior art

[0002] The sealed crossing of a wall of a housing by a cable generally uses a device whose function is to ensure the sealing of the connection between the cable and the housing and to maintain the cable in a fixed position at the level of the crossing of the wall of the housing.

[0003] For example, cable gland type devices are known forming a cylindrical sheath, provided with external threads at its two ends and intended to receive a rubber sleeve in which a cable is engaged. The sheath passes through a wall of a housing and is locked in it by a nut screwed from the inside of the housing. An external nut deforms, by its screwing, the external end of the sheath and the seal, by pressure, thus locking the cable in a watertight manner at the level of the passage through the housing. These cable gland devices are suitable for most situations but require screwing when laying the cable. In addition, the watertightness is a function of the screwing force and therefore depends on the operator. Furthermore, a cable gland is not suitable for the passage of cables equipped with a connector unless this connector is dismantled.

[0004] Also known are so-called membrane pass-through systems consisting of a flexible rubber membrane, pierced by the cable as it passes through and crushed by the closing of the housing by a cover. Such devices are only slightly effective and, as with cable glands, are not suitable when the cable is only ripped open to take only part of the conductors or fibers from the cable.

[0005] Screw and claw type devices are also known, associated with a thickness of foam ensuring sealing. Such devices require screwing which is inconvenient for the operator.

[0006] Also known, in particular in telecommunications boxes intended to receive telecommunications cables, in particular optical fibers, are deformable slotted pads (or pads), forming a clamp. The slot is intended to receive a cable and is crushed when the box is closed. The cable is engaged in the slot / clamp before closing the box. Such studs are generally engaged in openings or housings in the wall of the box. These studs are generally removable (therefore loseable) and inserted into their housings by an operator during the assembly of the cables. Such studs are relatively well adapted but are likely to escape from the operator's hands. This is particularly inconvenient, especially when working on poles. Summary of the invention

[0007] There is a need for improvement of wall crossing devices for cables.

[0008] One embodiment overcomes all or part of the disadvantages of known devices.

[0009] One embodiment provides a wall crossing device comprising: a base; one or more sliders shaped to slide in the base; one or more deformable elements, each receiving one or more cables, each deformable element being secured to a slider.

[0010] According to one embodiment, at least one of said deformable elements is provided with one or more slots, each for receiving a cable.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the base defines: one or more first receiving slides, each, of a slider; and one or more second receiving slides, each, of one or more deformable elements, all the slides being oriented in the same direction.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the first slide(s) are shaped to prevent the slider with which they are respectively associated from coming out of the slide.

[0013] According to one embodiment, each slider defines one or more cradles for guiding one or more cables.

[0014] According to one embodiment, each cradle is open in the same direction as a slot in the deformable element carried by the slide.

[0015] According to one embodiment, one or more sliders carry, opposite the deformable element(s), one or more cable holding elements.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the base defines one or more cable holding elements opposite the deformable element(s) of a slider.

[0017] According to one embodiment, each cable holding element is open in the same direction as the slot of the deformable element carried by the corresponding slider.

[0018] According to one embodiment, all or part of the slides each comprise a or several rods passing through the deformable element to which the slide is associated so as to link them together.

[0019] According to one embodiment, all or part of the deformable elements are overmolded onto the corresponding slide.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the device comprises several deformable elements respectively associated with cables of different diameters.

[0021] One embodiment provides a connection box for cables, comprising, in a wall, at least one wall-through device.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the slides are open towards a closing cover of the housing.

[0023] According to one embodiment, each deformable element causes one or more cables to emerge inside the housing. Brief description of the drawings

[0024] These characteristics and advantages, as well as others, will be explained in detail in the following description of particular embodiments given without limitation in relation to the attached figures among which:

[0025] [Fig.l] represents, very schematically, by an exploded perspective view, an example of a housing of the type to which the described embodiments apply;

[0026] [Fig.2A] and [Fig.2B] are schematic perspective representations, seen from the inside and outside of a housing, of an embodiment of a wall-passing device, in the closed position, empty of cable;

[0027] [Fig.3A], [Fig.3B] and [Fig.3C] are schematic perspective representations, seen from the outside of a housing, of the embodiment of the wall-passing device of FIGS. 2A and 2B, partially open, empty of cable;

[0028] [Fig.4A], [Fig.4B] and [Fig.4C] are schematic perspective representations, seen from inside a housing, of the embodiment of the wall-passing device of FIGS. 2A and 2B, partially open, empty of cable;

[0029] [Fig.5A], [Fig.5B] and [Fig.5C] are schematic perspective representations, seen from the outside of a housing, of an embodiment of the wall-through device, partially open, with cables; and

[0030] [Fig.6A] and [Fig.6B] are schematic perspective representations, seen from the outside of a housing, of embodiments of a wall-passing device, in the closed position, with cables. Description of the embodiments

[0031] The same elements have been designated by the same references in the different figures. In particular, the structural and / or functional elements common to the different embodiments may have the same references and may have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

[0032] For the sake of clarity, only the steps and elements useful for understanding the embodiments described have been shown and are detailed. In particular, the other components of the housing for which the cables are intended have not been detailed, the embodiments described being compatible with the usual applications of cable ties.

[0033] Unless otherwise specified, when reference is made to two elements connected to each other, this means directly connected without intermediate elements other than, where appropriate, an adhesive or lubricating layer, and when reference is made to two elements connected (in English "coupled") to each other, this means that these two elements can be connected or be connected by means of one or more other elements.

[0034] In the following description, when reference is made to absolute position qualifiers, such as the terms "front", "back", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", etc., or relative position qualifiers, such as the terms "above", "below", "upper", "lower", etc., or to orientation qualifiers, such as the terms "horizontal", "vertical", etc., reference is made unless otherwise specified to the orientation of the figures.

[0035] Unless otherwise specified, the expressions "about", "approximately", "substantially", and "of the order of" mean to within 10% or 10°, preferably to within 5% or 5°.

[0036] The embodiments will be described subsequently in relation to an application to optical fibers and to a PB O (Optical Branching Point) type housing and more particularly of the PBOE (Waterproof Optical Branching Point) type. These embodiments apply more generally to any type of housing whether for optical, metal, or other cables.

[0037] [Fig. 1] represents, very schematically, by an exploded perspective view, an example of a housing of the type to which the described embodiments apply.

[0038] A housing 1 defines an interior space 12 for receiving various connection elements, for example optical splices housed in cassettes (not shown) for distributing fibers from one or more incoming cables 22 of a large number of fibers to outgoing cables 24, 26 of a smaller number of fibers. By "large" number of fibers, we mean a direction relative to the number of fibers of the outgoing cable(s) 24, 26. Among the outgoing cables, there may be cables of different diameters comprising different numbers of fibers, for example cables 24 of a diameter greater than the diameter of cables 26, cables 24 and 26 being of a diameter smaller than the diameter of the incoming cable(s) 22.

[0039] The cables 22, 24, 26 pass through one or more walls of the housing, for example a wall 14, generally the lower wall (the least exposed to the weather) once the box mounted on a support, for example a pole.

[0040] The housing 1 is associated with a generally watertight closing cover 16. The housing 1 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, but other shapes can be provided, the wall 14 generally being a flat wall to facilitate its passage by the cables. The passage of the wall 14 by a cable is carried out via a sealing device, generally called ECAM (Mechanical Cable Entry).

[0041] According to the embodiments described, provision is made to equip a wall 14, or a section or element of wall, with a crossing device comprising one or more deformable elements or joints in the form of clamps carried by one or more slides linked to the wall 14.

[0042] Preferably, slides in which the sliders and the deformable elements slide are open, for example in the direction of the cover, so as to allow the deformable elements to come out of their respective slides for the installation of the cables, then to be returned to the slides to close the elements on the cables, and finally to be locked in the retracted position by the cover 16 of the housing 1.

[0043] Preferably, each slider is associated with one or more cable holding elements (or cable clamps). Depending on the embodiments, the holding elements may be defined in a base of the device, therefore fixed, or be carried by the sliders, therefore mobile. The role of the holding elements or cable clamps is to keep the cable in translation perpendicular to the wall 14 while the role of the deformable elements is to ensure sealing.

[0044] The device may be directly formed in a wall 14 of the housing 1 or constitute an ECAM device, itself, mounted in an opening of a wall 14 of a housing 1. In other words, the number of intermediate elements between the structure of the housing 1 and the sliders and deformable elements may, according to the present description, be any number provided that each deformable element is integral with a slider and that each slider is, once mounted in the device, integral with the housing 1, that is to say, cannot escape from it when cables are mounted in the housing.

[0045] Figures 2A and 2B are schematic perspective representations, seen from the inside and outside of a housing (not shown), of an embodiment of a wall-passing device, in the closed position, empty of cable.

[0046] These figures represent a crossing device or ECAM respectively seen from inside the housing and from outside the housing. The representations of figures 2A and 2B show a device in the closed position, that is to say with the slides and deformable elements retracted into their respective slides, but empty of cable.

[0047] The example shown in Figures 2A and 2B illustrates a crossing device comprising three deformable elements or joints 41, 43, 45, respectively intended for different cable diameters, each deformable element being carried by a slider 51, 53, 55.

[0048] A body or base 3 of the device defines slides 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 in which the deformable elements 41, 43, 45 and the sliders 51, 53, 55 slide. All the slides have the same orientation and allow the deformable elements 41, 43, 45 to be released so as to allow the introduction of the cables. Preferably, each deformable element 41, 43, 45 defines one or more slots 413, 433, 453 so as to form a clamp whose opening is oriented either in the direction of sliding (slot 413), or in a direction perpendicular to the sliding and to the axis of the cable (slots 433 and 453).

[0049] In the example shown, the sliders 53, 55 carry, or define, cable holding elements or cable clamps 533, 553. The slider 51 does not define a cable clamp in this example, a holding element or cable clamp 38 being defined directly by the base 3 of the device. Alternatively, the cable clamp 38 can be carried by the slider 51. The holding elements have the role of blocking the cables in translation, rotation and flexion relative to the wall.

[0050] For example, the elements 41, 51 and 38 are intended for cables of relatively large diameter compared to other cables and correspond, for example, to elements for incoming distribution cables, for example of 96 fibers or more to be distributed inside the housing to other cables. Still for example, the elements 45, 55 and 553 are intended for cables of relatively small diameter compared to other cables, for example, to elements for outgoing cables of 1 to 12 fibers. The elements 43, 53 and 533 are intended for cables of intermediate diameter compared to other cables, for example, to elements for outgoing cables of 12 to 48 fibers.

[0051] The holding elements 533, 553, 38 carry or define, for each cable, a cradle acting as a cable clamp in order to block the cable in all directions in the cradle. Each cradle is, when the device is closed, axially aligned with a slot 413, 433, 453 of a deformable element 41, 43, 45 and open in the same direction as this slot.

[0052] Each deformable element 41, 43, 45 or block of deformable elements is integral with a slide 51, 53, 55 with which it is associated. The sliding makes it possible to release the slot(s) of the deformable elements in the extended position and to close the slot(s) around the cable(s) in the retracted position in the slide 31, 32, 33, the closed position being locked by closing the cover 16.

[0053] Each slider 51, 53, 55 can slide vertically in the orientation of the figures in its slide 34, 35, 36 but is retained in it so that it cannot come out completely. Similarly, as each deformable element 41, 43, 45 is linked to a slide, the deformable elements cannot escape from the device. Thus, all the components of the crossing device are integral with the wall 14 and do not risk being lost during assembly.

[0054] In the example shown, the deformable elements 41, 43, 45 and their slide 51, 53, 55 are made integral two by two by rods 515, 535, 555, projecting from the slide and passing through the joint 41, 43, 45 with which it is associated. For example, each rod 515, 535, 555 ends in a harpoon shape so as to maintain the joint. The number of rods depends on the size of the joint and is, for example, between 2 and 5 per deformable element. The positions of the rods 515, 535, 555 are preferably on the side of the closed end of the slot 413, 433, 453 of the seal 41, 43, 45, so as not to hinder the opening of the slot when mounting a cable.

[0055] Any other means of securing a deformable element to its slider may be provided. For example, the deformable elements may be overmolded onto the sliders. According to other examples, a connection may be provided by clipping, dovetail locking, welding, etc.

[0056] In the example shown, each slide 51, 53, 55 is locked in its slide 34, 35, 36 by teeth partially closing the slides and intended to cooperate with ribs in the bases of the slides in order to hold the latter in the slides. The engagement of a holding element in its slide is carried out by force during the assembly of the device. The deformable elements being integral with the slides, they are kept linked to the device by these slides.

[0057] Figures 3A, 3B and 3C are schematic perspective representations, seen from the outside of a housing, of the embodiment of the wall-passing device of Figures 2A and 2B, partially open, empty of cable.

[0058] Figures 3A, 3B and 3C show that each slider 51, 53, 55 defines one or more cradles 511, 531, 551 for guiding one or more cables, each cradle being open in the same direction as a slot 413, 433, 453 of the deformable element 41, 43, 45 carried by the slider 51, 53, 55.

[0059] Figures 4A, 4B and 4C are schematic perspective representations, seen from inside a housing, of the embodiment of the wall-passing device of Figures 2A and 2B, partially open, empty of cable.

[0060] Figures 5A, 5B and 5C are schematic perspective representations, seen from the outside of a housing, of an embodiment of the wall-through device, partially open, with cables.

[0061] Figures 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, 4C, 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate the operation of the crossing device for laying cables.

[0062] Compared to the embodiment illustrated by Figures 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B and 4C, the embodiment of Figures 5A, 5B and 5C shows the deformable elements and the sliders at different positions in the device, but the operation remains the same. This shows that, except for a slider 51 whose cable clamp 38 is carried by the base 3 of the device, the respective positions of the sliders are interchangeable provided that they have the same dimensions.

[0063] [Fig. 5A], 5B and 5C also illustrate a variant in which the device is mounted in an opening of a wall 14 (not shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C) of a housing, its base being clipped (clip 37) to the wall and also being able to be screwed to the bottom of the housing (screw passage opening 39).

[0064] Figures 3A, 4A and 5A illustrate the extended or open position of the deformable element 4L. In this example, the element 41 is intended for a single cable 22 of relatively large diameter. The element 41 forms a clamp with two jaws 415 and 417, defining the slot 413 for introducing the cable from above. Figures 3A and 5A illustrate the case where the base 3 comprises a fixed cable clamp 38 for the cable 22.

[0065] Once the cable 22 is inserted into the slot when the deformable element 41 is outside its slide 31, an operator simply has to exert pressure to make the slide 51 return to the bottom of its slide 34, driving the seal 41 into its slide 31, to ensure the sealing of the crossing and the retention of the cable 22. The retracted or closed position of the element 41 and slide 51 is visible in figures 3B, 4B, 5B, 3C, 4C, 5C.

[0066] Figures 3B, 4B and 5B illustrate the extended or open position of the deformable element 43. In this example, the element 43 is intended for two cables 24 of intermediate diameter. The element 43 defines two horizontal clamps each having a slot 433 for introducing a cable 24 laterally. Each clamp is defined by an external jaw, respectively high 435 and low 437 and an intermediate jaw 439 common to both clamps.

[0067] Compared to the element 41 and slider 51, the introduction of the cables is carried out here laterally when the element 43 and slider 53 are outside their respective slides 32, 35. However, the assembly remains simple and it is sufficient, here too, for an operator to exert pressure to make the element 43 and slider 53 enter their respective slides to ensure the sealing of the crossing and the retention of the cables 24. The retracted or closed position of the element 43 and slider 53 is visible in figures 3A, 4A, 5A, 3C, 4C, 5C.

[0068] Figures 3C, 4C and 5C illustrate the extended or open position of the deformable element 45. In this example, the element 45 is intended for eight cables 26 of small diameter. The element 45 defines two vertical groups of four horizontal clamps each, each clamp having a slot 453 for introducing a cable 26 laterally. The slots 453 of a group open on one side of the element 45 while the slots 453 of the other group open on the other side of the element 45. In the example shown, the element 45 is in fact made up of four sub-elements 47 stacked in the slide 33, each sub-element 47 being attached to the slide 53 by a rod 555. Each sub-element 47 defines two opposite lateral clamps, each clamp being defined by two jaws 455 and 457. Alternatively, the element 45 is made from a single piece.

[0069] The introduction of the cables 26 is carried out laterally when the element 45 and slider 55 are outside their respective slides 33 and 36. Here again, the assembly remains simple and it is sufficient for an operator to exert pressure to make the element 45 and slider 55 enter their respective slides to ensure the sealing of the crossing and the retention of the cables 26. The retracted or closed position of the element 45 and slider 55 is visible in FIGS. 3A, 4A, 5A, 3B, 4B, 5B.

[0070] Figures 6A and 6B are schematic perspective representations, seen from the outside of a housing, of embodiments of a wall-passing device, in the closed position, with cables.

[0071] [Fig.6A] illustrates an embodiment similar to the previous figures. [Fig.6B] illustrates an embodiment in which the sliders 53' and 55' are without cable clamps.

[0072] These figures also illustrate the fact that the same slider 55' (therefore the same associated deformable element) can receive cables of different diameters 26 and 26' provided that the difference in diameter can be absorbed by the deformable element 45 without harming the seal.

[0073] In the examples shown, each slide 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 is defined by two lateral grooves or grooves in which the respective edges of the deformable elements and the sliders engage, with opposite shapes. Other shapes are nevertheless possible, for example vertical grooves defined in the deformable elements and / or sliders and corresponding ribs defined in the base 3 to form the slides.

[0074] The locking, during the manufacture of the device, of the deformable sealing elements and the sliders in their respective slides in order to make them integral with the device, therefore with the wall in which the device is mounted, can be ensured by stops with force engagement of the sliders, by screws limiting their sliding, clips, etc.

[0075] The deformable elements or seals are for example made of rubber or a similar synthetic material. The embodiments described are compatible with the materials usually used to form seals by crushing.

[0076] The cable clamp elements are for example made of the same material as the sliders, for example, made of rigid plastic, like the base 3 of the device.

[0077] According to a variant, the cradles of the cable clamp elements are associated with individual clamping collars.

[0078] Various embodiments and variants have been described. Those skilled in the art will understand that certain features of these various embodiments and variants could be combined, and other variants will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In particular, different types of deformable seals, sliders and cable clamps may be provided provided that they comply with the functionalities of defining slots for the cables and sliding to lock the cables and ensure sealing. Furthermore, although a feed-through device has been described by taking as an example a device in a side wall of the housing with slides open towards the cover of the housing, a feed-through device may be provided in other walls, for example in the bottom of the housing.

[0079] Finally, the practical implementation of the embodiments and variants described is within the reach of the person skilled in the art based on the functional indications given above. In particular, the choice of materials and dimensions is within the reach of the person skilled in the art depending on the application and in particular the diameters of the cables for which the device is intended.

Claims

Claims

1. Wall crossing device (14) comprising: a base (3); one or more sliders (51, 53, 55) shaped to slide in the base; one or more deformable elements (41, 43, 45), each for receiving one or more cables (22, 24, 26), each deformable element being integral with a slider.

2. Device according to claim 1, in which at least one of said deformable elements (41, 43, 45) is provided with one or more slots (413, 433, 453) for receiving, each, a cable (22, 24, 26).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the base (3) defines: one or more first slides (34, 35, 36) each for receiving a slider (51, 53, 55); and one or more second slides (31, 32, 33) each for receiving one or more deformable elements (41, 43, 45), all the slides being oriented in the same direction.

4. Device according to claim 3, in which the first slide or slides (34, 35, 36) are shaped to prevent the slider (51, 53, 55) with which they are respectively associated from coming out of the slide.

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which each slider (51, 53, 55) defines one or more cradles for guiding one or more cables (22, 24, 26).

6. Device according to claims 2 and 5, in which each cradle is open in the same direction as a slot (413, 433, 453) of the deformable element (41, 43, 45) carried by the slide (51, 53, 55).

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which one or more sliders (53, 55) carry, opposite the deformable element(s) (43, 45), one or more cable holding elements (533, 553).

8. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the base (3) defines one or more cable holding elements (38) opposite the deformable element(s) (41) of a slider (51).

9. A device according to claim 7 or 8, as dependent on claim 2, wherein each cable retaining element (38, 533, 553) is open in the same direction as the slot (413, 433, 453) of the deformable element (41, 43, 45) carried by the corresponding slide (51, 53, 55).

10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which all or part of the sliders (51, 53, 55) each comprise one or more rods (515, 535, 544) passing through the deformable element (41, 43, 45) with which the slider is associated so as to link them together.

11. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in which all or part of the deformable elements (41, 43, 45) are overmolded onto the corresponding slide (31, 32, 33).

12. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising several deformable elements (41, 43, 45) respectively associated with cables (22, 24, 26) of different diameters.

13. Connection box (1) for cables (22, 24, 26), comprising, in a wall (14), at least one device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. Housing according to claim 13 in its attachment to claim 3, in which the slides (31, 34, 32, 35, 33, 36) are open towards a cover (16) for closing the housing (1).

15. Housing according to claim 13 or 14, in which each deformable element (41, 43, 45) causes one or more cables (22, 24, 26) to emerge inside the housing (1).

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