Waterproof enclosure device for a multi-socket electrical equipment box on a piece of furniture wall, fitted with a retractable cover.

Abstract

Device for sealing a multi-socket electrical outlet box for equipment on a wall of a piece of furniture, provided with a retractable cover. The invention relates to a device for sealing a connection between an electrical box (1) and a flat cover (2) which is retractable via a mechanism (3) housed inside the box (1). The cover (2) is composed of an upper plate (5a), a lower plate (5c) and a sealing gasket (5b). The sealing gasket (5c) incorporates a first seal body (6a) applied against the box (1) at a distance from a second seal body (6b) applied against the upper plate (5a), and a membrane (8) which extends in compression between the upper plate (5a) and the lower plate (5c). Fig.1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for waterproof enclosure of an electrical multi-socket box for equipment on a wall of a piece of furniture, provided with a retractable cover. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to the field of electrical sockets fitted to a wall of a piece of furniture, such as in particular a piece of furniture worktop - table, desk or workshop bench for example - for connecting a device to be supplied with electrical energy. More specifically, the invention relates to methods of sealing a box that can be fitted inside a wall of a piece of furniture, which houses one or more electrical sockets and which comprises a retractable cover for closing the box. Prior art

[0002] It is common to equip a piece of furniture with one or more built-in boxes that house one or more electrical outlets. The box is installed inside a housing that is included in a wall of the furniture, such as frequently, for example, a furniture worktop. The outlet(s) housed inside the box may be electrical outlets delivering power electrical energy and / or delivering control signals, such as pin-type electrical outlets and / or outlets with USB ports, for example.

[0003] It is known to organize the box according to two alternative stations, based on maneuvers of the box which are selectively operated by an individual. According to a closing station of the box, the box is locked in a position prohibiting access to the socket(s) it houses. According to an alternative station for opening the box, connection access to the electrical socket(s) by an individual is authorized.

[0004] According to a specific method, a maneuver of the housing from its closing station to its opening station is carried out by the individual exerting pressure against a pusher. The pusher is mounted elastically movable on the housing while being accessible from the outside of the furniture. When the pusher is subjected to pressure by an individual, a mechanism housed inside the housing causes the housing to move from its closing position to its opening position.

[0005] In this regard, reference may be made to documents US2002127897 (SHARPLES STANLEY) and FR3022699 (SOCIETE FINANCIERE VERON SOFIVE). According to document US2002127897, the housing in the closing station is retracted inside a housing included in a wall of a piece of furniture. In the opening station, the housing partially emerges from said wall, providing access to connection members connected to a socket housed inside the housing.

[0006] The present invention refers more specifically to document FR3022699, according to which the housing houses at least one socket, and preferably more specifically a power strip. The housing has in its interior volume respective socket-receiving cells, which are distributed on either side of a median extension axis of the housing.

[0007] The housing comprises a peripheral wall for fitting inside the housing of the wall of a piece of furniture which receives it, such as for example a furniture worktop, a side wall - or cheek - of the piece of furniture, or even an interior partition of the piece of furniture. The peripheral wall of the housing incorporates at its upper end a collar for bearing against the wall of the piece of furniture housing the housing.

[0008] The housing is equipped with a generally flat cover for closing the housing in the closing station. The upper end of the peripheral wall of the housing provides inside the housing a chamber for receiving the cover which is open towards the outside of the housing, providing an outlet from the housing to its external environment. In the closing station of the housing, the cover in the closed position is placed along its extension plane at the outlet of the housing, flush with the upper face of the collar which it comprises. The cover is thus accessible from the outside of the wall of the furniture which houses the housing, to allow an individual to move it into the position of release from the outlet of the housing, and thus access the socket(s) housed inside the housing.

[0009] According to another feature of the housing described by document FR3022699, the cover is made up of a push button for activating a mechanism for operating the cover, which extends inside the housing coaxial with the extension axis of the housing. The cover is mounted to move on the housing between the closing station and the opening station of the housing, along a mobility axis coaxial with the extension axis of the housing and therefore with the extension axis of the operating mechanism.

[0010] More specifically, the cover is mounted movably on the housing between a position for closing the cover in the housing closing station and a position for releasing the cover in the housing opening station. The cover is mounted movably on the housing, being movable along its axis of mobility both in pivoting and axially between its closed position and its release position. In the closed position, the cover closes the opening of the housing. In the release position, the cover is extracted along its axis of mobility from the housing which it overhangs, being oriented perpendicular to its closed position to provide access to the sockets housed inside the housing.

[0011] As a result of pressure exerted in the central zone on the cover by an individual, activation of the mechanism causes the cover to move along its axis of mobility from its closed position to its released position, providing the individual - through the opening of the housing - access to the sockets housed inside the housing. To move the cover from its release position to its closed position, the individual manually maneuvers the cover along its axis of mobility inversely by pivoting and translating, the cover then being held by the mechanism in the closed position.

[0012] For this purpose, the mechanism synthetically comprises a spring and rotating notched members cooperating with each other, including an activation barrel of the mechanism via which the cover is moved from its closed position to its released position and vice versa. The cover incorporates a thrust member, which causes by pushing against the activation barrel: -) on the one hand the activation of the mechanism causing a movement of the cover from its closed position to its released position, as a result of a relaxation of the spring and the rotational cooperation between the notched members, and -) on the other hand, a reverse operation of the mechanism by an individual causing the cover to move from its release position to its closed position, as a result of compression of the spring and reverse rotation of the co-operating notched members in rotation.

[0013] In this context, a problem to be solved is to provide a seal against infiltration of moisture and / or liquid - or potentially dust - inside the housing at the closing station. Indeed, the shape of the cover matches the shape of the opening of the housing open onto the receiving chamber of the cover when it is moved in translation, under the effect of pressure exerted by an individual on the cover to activate the mechanism moving the cover towards its release position.

[0014] However, at the closing station of the housing, an unavoidable gap is provided between the cover and said chamber, so as not to hinder the movement of the cover between its closed position and its released position. The presence of such a gap inopportunely provides a passage through which moisture, liquid and / or dust can be introduced inside the housing. This is particularly detrimental in the presence of electrical equipment installed inside the housing, such as in particular one or more electrical outlets and their electrical power supply cable from outside the housing. Summary of the invention

[0015] The approach of the present invention falls within the context of an improvement to a built-in box which houses at least one electrical outlet, such as a built-in box of the type described by document FR3022699.

[0016] The housing is in particular of the type equipped with a generally flat cover which is installed coplanar with an outlet of the housing towards its external environment providing access to the socket(s) housed inside the housing. The cover is mounted movably on the housing between a position of closure of the cover in which the outlet of the housing is closed by the cover - the housing then being in the closing station - and a position of release of the cover - the housing then being in the opening station - in which the outlet of the housing is open towards its external environment providing access to one or more sockets which it houses.

[0017] The cover consists of a push button for activating a spring mechanism and rotating notched members cooperating with each other, causing the cover to move from its closed position to its released position. The movement of the cover to its released position is carried out - via the mechanism - along an axis of mobility of the cover coaxial with an axis of extension of said mechanism, concomitantly in elevation overhanging the housing then in pivoting.

[0018] In this context, the invention relates to a device for sealing the housing in a closing station, via the cover with which it is equipped.

[0019] The aim of the invention is to provide a sealed junction between the cover and the outlet of the housing which houses it at the closing station of the housing, notwithstanding the movable mounting of the cover on the housing between its closed position and its released position.

[0020] It is more specifically aimed by the invention to overcome at least the following difficulties in obtaining such a watertight junction: -) which is reliable and effective without affecting the ergonomics of the housing with regard to the methods of its operation, in particular with regard to the arrangement of the cover as a push button for activating the mechanism housed inside the housing, the ability of the cover to be moved by the mechanism between its closed position and its released position, and holding the cover in the closed position by the mechanism providing effective sealing of the housing, -) which is controllable to limit the stresses supported by the sealing means implemented to obtain such a watertight joint and / or by the components included in the mechanism for moving the cover, -) which is sustainable despite the mobility of the cover which is carried out by an individual at regular and potentially sustained frequencies, -) which is structurally simple and easy to adapt to equip any housing of the aforementioned type, essentially comprising, as a reminder, a cover mounted movably on the housing, constituting a push button for activating a mechanism for operating the cover from its closed position to its released position, and for holding the cover in the closed position, -) whose structure does not hinder the correct positioning of the cover on the outlet of the housing when the cover is moved to the closed position, -) which makes it possible to avoid an increase in the size of the housing, so as not to hinder its fitting inside a housing of the smallest possible dimensions, such as a housing provided through a wall of a piece of furniture, in particular a work surface known to be cluttered by various devices and / or objects, and / or -) which is applicable to a housing housing one or more sockets, in particular by allowing it to be obtained independently of the relative position between a median axis of vertical extension of the housing and the axis of mobility of the cover coaxial with the axis of extension of the operating mechanism of the cover between its closed position and its released position.

[0021] To do this, the invention relates to a device for a sealed connection between a housing comprising in its internal volume at least one housing for an electrical socket, and a retractable cover. The cover is installed at an outlet of an upper chamber of the housing open to the external environment of the housing, an outlet allowing access to the socket(s) housed in the housing. The housing comprises a collar for applying the housing against a wall at the edge of a housing receiving the housing which the wall comprises. The cover is mounted movably on the housing between a position for closing the outlet of the housing preventing access to the socket(s), and a position for releasing the outlet of the housing in the station for opening the housing allowing access to the socket(s).

[0022] The housing houses a mechanism for operating the cover from its closed position to its released position. The cover can be moved to its released position along a mobility axis coaxial with an extension axis of the cover operating mechanism, on the one hand in elevation by being arranged overhanging the housing and on the other hand in pivoting by clearing access to the socket(s) through the opening of the housing. The cover is provided with a thrust member cooperating along the mobility axis of the cover with a barrel for activating the mechanism under the effect of pressure exerted by an individual against the upper face of the cover in the closed position.

[0023] In this context, the device of the invention is recognizable in that the cover comprises two superimposed plates, including an upper plate and a lower plate, and a one-piece elastomer seal extending around the periphery of the cover. The seal incorporates two seal bodies spaced apart from each other along an extension plane of the cover, including a first seal body applied against the housing and a second seal body applied against the peripheral edge of the upper plate. The seal further incorporates a membrane which extends from the first seal body to the second seal body. The membrane comprises an extension from the second seal body which extends between the top plate and the bottom plate.

[0024] Other specific characteristics of the device of the invention - not restrictive or limiting with regard to other characteristics that it may have - are the following.

[0025] Advantageously, the sealing gasket is made up of a sealing assembly member between the upper plate and the lower plate, the extension that the membrane comprises being sealed to both the upper plate and the lower plate. The cover composed of at least the upper plate, the lower plate and the sealing gasket forms a cohesive block that can be moved as a whole between the closed position and the release position of the cover.

[0026] According to a specific structural arrangement of the seal, the first seal body is advantageously shaped into a right-angled rebate comprising at least one shoulder for vertical support of the first seal body at the edge of the collar that the housing comprises and a return wing. The shoulder of the first seal body is advantageously extended by the return wing, which extends towards the interior of the chamber at a distance from the wall of the housing along the extension plane of the cover. The return wing integrates the membrane at its periphery in the middle zone of the vertical extension of the return wing. The second seal body comprises at least one flange which is advantageously inclined in the direction of the axis of mobility of the cover from its base to which the membrane is integrated.The first seal body and the second seal body are transversely separated at a distance from each other along the extension plane of the cover, advantageously by a groove which the sealing gasket comprises and which is provided between them overhanging the lower plate of the cover.

[0027] According to an advantageous embodiment of the device, the lower plate extends in support of the membrane towards the first seal body against which the lower plate is applied along the extension plane of the cover.

[0028] More specifically, the seal is advantageously sealed jointly to the upper plate and the lower plate of the cover on the one hand by sealing the second seal body against the edge of the upper plate, and on the other hand by sealing the extension of the membrane to the upper plate and the lower plate of the cover between which the extension of the membrane is compressed and sealed.

[0029] Advantageously, the upper plate incorporates members for centering the seal on the cover, which vertically pass through the extension of the membrane via openings which it comprises and which are of shapes complementary to those of the centering members. The centering members extend vertically towards the lower plate against which the centering members are applied. The centering members, the vertical extension of which determines the vertical separation distance between the upper plate and the lower plate, are at least constitutive of a means of calibrating the compression of the membrane between the upper plate and the lower plate to a predefined compression threshold.

[0030] Said compression threshold is balanced between a compression of the extension of the membrane which is on the one hand sufficiently effective in providing firm immobilization of the sealing joint keeping it in position between the plates, and on the other hand a moderate compression preserving the sealing joint in a lasting manner.

[0031] It will also be noted that the centering members advantageously constitute reinforcing members of the cover, the upper plate and the lower plate sealed together via the membrane also bearing against each other along the axis of mobility of the cover.

[0032] More specifically, the upper plate and the lower plate jointly form an overall reinforcement of the seal, by direct support of the upper plate vertically against the lower plate and by an extension of the lower plate along the extension plane of the cover towards the first seal body against which the lower plate is applied.

[0033] Preferably, the upper plate incorporates the thrust member equipping the cover. The lower plate and the membrane comprise in particular at least respective windows which are superimposed and which provide a passage for the thrust member vertically through them. The extension dimension of the windows along the extension plane of the cover in the closed position is preferably greater than the transverse size of the operating mechanism considered parallel to the extension plane of the cover, being included at least in the closed position in particular.

[0034] According to an advantageous embodiment, the activation barrel comprises at the periphery of its base a toothing which extends around the axis of mobility of the cover and which is composed of a plurality of teeth whose lower ends are vertically inclined. The teeth cooperate with the notches of a notched member which the mechanism comprises. The toothing further constitutes a means of calibrating the travel of the cover which is limited between a firm application of the seal vertically against the housing and a minimal emergence of the cover from the housing in the cover release position.

[0035] In other words, the teeth are inclined relative to the axis of mobility of the cover following a slight slope of calibration of the travel of the cover, which is limited between a firm application of the sealing gasket against the housing and an emergence of the cover from the housing in the release position which is adjusted as closely as possible - or in other words sufficient - to place the cover outside the housing.

[0036] The top plate of the cover has a bowl-shaped relief sized at finger of an individual, the cup-shaped relief being coaxial with the axis of mobility of the cover. Presentation of figures

[0037] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment, in relation to the following figures: [Fig.l] is a longitudinal perspective representation along a median sectional plane of an electrical power strip box. The box is equipped with a retractable cover which can be operated by an operating mechanism housed inside the box. The cover is shown in the closed position of the box placed in the closing station. A watertight junction device according to the invention is provided interposed between the cover and an upper outlet of the box. [Fig.2] is a longitudinal perspective representation of the housing and cover shown in [Fig.l]. The cover is shown in the closed position as shown in [Fig.l]. [Fig. 3] is a longitudinal perspective representation of the housing and cover illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The cover is shown in the position of release from the housing placed in the opening station, in which the cover is placed overhanging the housing while being oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the housing. [Fig.4] is a perspective representation from above of the cover illustrated in Figures 1 to 3. The cover - generally flat - is composed of an upper plate, a lower plate and a sealing gasket comprising seal bodies which are respectively applied against the lower plate and the upper plate at the periphery of the cover. [Fig.5] is an exploded perspective representation of the cover illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, highlighting the components of the cover. [Fig.6] is a detailed perspective view of the cover shown in Figures 1 to 5. The cover is installed in the closed position on the housing at the closing station, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. [Fig.6] illustrates the methods of watertight connection between the housing and the cover placed in the closed position. [Fig.7] is a perspective representation of an activation shaft included in the lid operating mechanism illustrated in [Fig.l], for causing an activation of the operating mechanism moving the lid from its closed position to its released position. Detailed description of the invention

[0038] The figures and their detailed non-limiting descriptions set out the invention according to particular methods which are not restrictive as to the scope of the invention. The figures and their detailed descriptions of an exemplary embodiment of the invention can be used to better define it, if necessary in relation to the general description which has just been made. Furthermore, to avoid overloading the figures and thus facilitate their reading, the reference numbers assigned to the terms and / or concepts used to describe the invention and indicated in any of the figures are potentially repeated in the description of any other figure without implying their presence in all of the figures.

[0039] In [Fig.l], a box 1 with an electrical multiple socket comprises an enclosure and a retractable cover 2 of generally flat conformation. The enclosure of the box 1 provides inside the box 1 housings 2a, 2b for receiving one or more electrical sockets, not shown so as not to clutter the figure.

[0040] The enclosure of the housing 1 also houses a mechanism 3 for operating the cover 2, the mechanism 3 extending inside the housing 1 vertically along an axis of mobility Al of the cover 2. The housings 2a, 2b for receiving the electrical sockets assigned to them are arranged inside the housing 1, being distributed equidistantly on either side of the axis of mobility Al of the cover 2 and therefore of the extension axis of the mechanism 3 defining the axis of mobility Al of the cover 2. The cover 2 can be moved by the mechanism 3 from a closed position - illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 - to a release position illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0041] In [Fig.l], the mechanism 3 comprises a spring 3a and co-operating notched members to move the cover 2 between its closed position and its released position. The notched members comprise in particular an activation barrel 3b of the mechanism 3 which causes the cover 2 to move from its closed position to its released position, following a push initially exerted by an individual against the cover 2. The cover 2 is then moved towards the inside of the housing 1, which causes a movement of the activation barrel 3b and consequently an activation of the mechanism 3 causing the cover 2 to move from its closed position to its released position.

[0042] In Figures 1 to 3, the housing 1 comprises a collar 1b for bearing against a wall - such as in particular a wall of a piece of furniture not shown - which comprises a housing for receiving the housing 1. In the closed position of the cover 2, the housing 1 is in the closing station of its internal volume as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. In the release position of the cover 2 the housing 1, the housing 1 is in the opening station as illustrated in [Fig.3], providing an individual with access to the sockets it houses.

[0043] More visible in [Fig. 3], the housing 1 has at its top a chamber 1a delimiting an outlet 1c of the housing 1 towards its external environment. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the cover 2 is shaped according to its extension plane in correlation with the shape of the chamber 1a and the outlet 1c of the housing 1.

[0044] In the closing station of the housing 1, the cover 2 in the closing position is kept positioned along its extension plane inside the chamber 1a by the operating mechanism 3, being coplanar with the outlet 1c of the housing 1 which it is flush with. In the opening station of the housing 1, the cover 2 extends along its extension plane overhanging the housing 1 while being oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the housing 1, or in other words while being oriented perpendicular to its closing position.

[0045] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], the cover 2 incorporates a thrust member 4 which extends below the cover 2 along its axis of mobility A1, and which cooperates with the activation barrel 3b which the mechanism 3 comprises, the activation barrel 3b being illustrated individually in more detail in [Fig.7].

[0046] Referring successively to [Fig.2] then to [Fig.3], the cover 2 is moved from its closed position to its released position, as a result of pressure exerted by an individual on the cover 2 along its axis of mobility A1. To guide the individual to apply suitable pressure against the cover 2 along its axis of mobility A1, the upper face of the cover 2 comprises - along the axis of mobility A1 of the cover 2 - a relief shaped like a bowl 5 sized to the finger of an individual illustrated in Figures 1 to 5.

[0047] Pressure exerted by the individual against the cover 2 causes it to be pushed back from the outlet 1c of the housing 1 towards the inside of the chamber 1a. The movement of the cover 2 towards the inside of the housing 1 causes the thrust member 4 to bear against the activation barrel 3b. The activation barrel 3b cooperates with the notched member assigned to it, which activates the mechanism 3. The cover 2 is then maneuvered from its closed position illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, towards its released position illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0048] As illustrated in [Fig.3], the operation of the cover 2 by the mechanism 3 causes a movement of the cover 2 from its closed position to its released position successively along its axis of mobility A1: -) in elevation along the axis of mobility Al of the cover 2, via the mechanism 3 which pushes the cover 2 overhanging the housing 1, -) then pivoting around the mobility axis Al of the cover 2 according to a stroke of 90° (ninety degrees). A tolerance of angular movement of the cover 2 in the release position can be allowed provided that it does not prevent access by the individual to the sockets housed inside the box 1 placed in the opening station.

[0049] To prevent infiltration, in particular of humidity, liquid or dust, into the housing 1 at the closing station, the invention proposes a sealed junction device between the cover 2 and the housing 1. The sealed junction device notably combines a specific structural arrangement of the cover 2 and a specific structural arrangement of the lower face of the activation barrel 3b, as described further in relation to [Fig.7].

[0050] For this purpose, more visible in Figures 4 to 6, the cover 2 comprises three components, including an upper plate 5a integrating the thrust member 4, an elastically deformable one-piece sealing joint 5b made of elastomer - based on silicone in particular - and a lower plate 5c.

[0051] The upper plate 5a is superimposed on the lower plate 5c along the axis of mobility A1 of the cover 2, the seal 5b extending at the periphery of the cover 2 in interposition between the upper plate 5a and the lower plate 5c. The seal 5b integrates two seal bodies 6a, 6b distant from each other along the extension plane of the cover 2. A first seal body 6a is applied against the housing 1 and a second seal body 6b is applied against the upper plate 5a.

[0052] The seal 5b also comprises a membrane 8 which extends from the first seal body 6a towards the second seal body 6b, and which extends as an extension of the second seal body 6b between the plates 5a, 5b constituting the cover 2. It is understood that the first seal body 6a, the second seal body 6b and the membrane 8 are integrated into a single block formed from a cohesive elastomer mass.

[0053] As illustrated in [Fig.l] and partially in the detail view of [Fig.6], the extension 8a of the membrane 8 is sealed jointly to the upper plate 5a and the lower plate 5c, being tightly housed in compression inside a space provided between the upper plate 5a and the lower plate 5c. Referring also to [Fig.5], the separation space between the upper plate 5a and the lower plate 5c is provided via centering members 9 of the sealing gasket 5b on the cover 2 which are integrated into the upper plate 5a.

[0054] The centering members 9 extend vertically from the upper plate 5a to the lower plate 5c, against which the centering members 9 are applied. The centering members 9 pass through the extension 8a of the membrane 8 along their vertical extension, via openings 10 provided through the extension 8a of the membrane 8 respectively assigned to the centering members 9. The openings 10 included in the extension 8a of the membrane 8 are of shapes complementary to those of the centering members 9, so that the membrane 8 surrounds the centering members 9 in adjusted contact.

[0055] More visible in [Fig.6], the first joint body 6a is shaped into a right-angled rebate 11. The rebate 11 provides a shoulder 11a for supporting the first joint body 6a at the edge of the collar 1b that the housing 1 comprises. The shoulder 11a of the first joint body 6a is extended by a return wing 11b that extends vertically - perpendicular to the shoulder 11a - at a distance along the plane extension of the cover of the wall of the housing 1 delimiting the chamber 1a. The second seal body 6b comprises a flange 12 inclined from its base in the direction of the axis of mobility A1 of the cover 2, the flange 12 being sealed at the periphery of the upper plate 5a.

[0056] The seal 5b comprises a groove 7 which extends between the first seal body 6a and the second seal body 6b, separating them from each other along the extension plane of the cover 2. As a result of pressure exerted by an individual against the cover 2, the shoulder 11a of the first seal body 5b is subjected to a bending stress to allow the introduction of the cover 2 towards the interior of the chamber 1a which it comprises at its upper end. The groove 7 promotes the bending of the shoulder 11a of the first seal body 5b towards the second seal body 6b, the inclined flange 12 of the second seal body 6b providing a stop limiting the amplitude of the deformation of the seal 5b in bending. This makes it possible to limit the stresses to which the seal 5b is subjected as a result of the cover 2 being moved towards the inside of the housing 1.

[0057] The lower plate 5c extends along the extension plane of the cover 2 in support of the membrane 8 up to the first seal body 6a against which the lower plate 5c is applied, the groove 7 overhanging the lower plate 5c. The upper plate 5a and the lower plate 5c jointly form a reinforcement frame for the sealing joint 5b. It is in fact recalled: -) that the lower plate 5c is secured to the upper plate 5a via the extension 8a of the membrane 8 which is jointly sealed to the upper plate 5a and to the lower plate 5c, -) that the upper plate 5a is applied vertically against the lower plate 5c via the centering members 9 which are integrated into the upper plate 5a, and -) that the lower plate 5c is applied against the first joint body 6a.

[0058] In Figures 1 and 5, the thrust member 4 extends along the axis of mobility A1 of the cover 2 from the upper plate 5a towards the activation barrel 3b, passing through the extension 8a of the membrane 8 housed between the upper plate 5a and the lower plate 5c, then passing through the lower plate 5c. To allow the passage of the thrust member 4 through them, the extension 8a of the membrane 8 comprises a first window 8b and the lower plate 5c comprises a second window 8c. The first window 8b and the second window 8c are of the same conformations and are superimposed while being centered along the axis of mobility A1 of the cover 2, their dimensions being greater than the size of the mechanism 3 considered parallel to the extension plane of the cover 2 in the closed position.

[0059] In Figures 1 and 7, the activation barrel 3b has at its top a blind recess 13 for receiving and guiding the thrust member 4 along the axis of mobility. Al of the cover 2. As a result of pressure exerted on the cover 2 causing it to move towards the inside of the housing 1, the pushing member 4 is moved along the axis of mobility Al of the cover 2 applied against the bottom of the blind recess 13 formed at the top of the activation barrel 3b. This has the effect of moving the activation barrel 3b towards the notching member with which the activation barrel 3b cooperates to cause the activation of the mechanism 3.

[0060] In [Fig.7], the activation barrel 3b has at its base a peripheral toothing 14 via which the activation barrel 3b cooperates with the notching member assigned to it. The toothing 14 is composed of teeth 14a successively spaced from each other which are arranged at the lower end of a peripheral wall of the activation barrel 3b. The lower ends of the teeth 14a are inclined vertically according to a slope PI which determines the travel of the cover 2 between its closed position and its disengaged position. The slope PI of the teeth 14a is calibrated to allow the movement of the cover 2 between its closed position and its disengaged position overhanging the housing 1, according to a travel limiting the vertical separation distance between the housing 1 and the cover 2 in the disengaged position of the cover 2.

[0061] As a further approach to a description of the present invention and the technical results provided to address the problem and related difficulties that are posed, the cover is at least composed of: -) a rigid upper plate, preferably made of metal, providing from the outside of the cover a member for an individual to press against the cover to move it from its closed position to its released position, -) a rigid lower plate, preferably made of metal, and -) a flexible, one-piece elastomer seal - silicone in particular - which provides a sealing interface between the peripheral edge of the cover and the inner face of the wall of the housing at its outlet, against which the seal is jointly applied.

[0062] It will be noted that the upper plate and the lower plate are preferably made of metal to reinforce their robustness in view of repeated and potentially sustained maneuvers of the cover between its closed position and its released position, while limiting their thickness with respect to other materials which could be used, such as plastic for example, which is known to be less robust than metal.

[0063] The seal is sealed - such as by gluing in particular - together with the upper plate and the lower plate constituting the cover. In other words, the seal not only constitutes a sealed junction member between the housing and the cover, but also constitutes an assembly member by sealing between the upper plate and the lower plate. The cover composed at least of the upper plate, the lower plate and the seal, forms a cohesive block that can be moved as a whole between the closed position and the cover release position.

[0064] The seal incorporates two seal bodies secured to each other at their base oriented towards the housing, via a membrane integrated into the seal. A first peripheral seal body of the seal is placed in application against the housing and a second seal body is placed in application against the upper plate of the cover. The first seal body and the second seal body are integrated into the seal at a distance from each other along the extension plane of the cover.

[0065] The seal incorporates a membrane that extends from the first seal body to the second seal body, and that has an extension from the second seal body to the top plate and the bottom plate of the cover, between which the membrane extension is compressed and sealed together with the top plate and the bottom plate of the cover.

[0066] In other words, more specifically, the seal is identifiable in that it forms a generally planar cohesive block, which is at least composed of the first seal body and the second seal body - which are distant from each other along the plane of extension of the seal - and the membrane. The membrane is integrated into the first seal body and the second seal body, and extends parallel to the base of the seal oriented towards the housing in interposition between the upper plate and the lower plate, the membrane being housed in compression between the upper plate and the lower plate to which the membrane is sealed.

[0067] Overall, the seal is sealed to the cover: -) on the one hand by sealing the second joint body against the peripheral edge of the upper plate, and -) on the other hand by sealing the extension of the membrane to the upper plate and to the lower plate of the cover between which the extension of the membrane is compressed and sealed.

[0068] The upper plate incorporates members for centering the seal on the cover, via the extension of the membrane interposed between the upper plate and the lower plate. The centering members - preferably shaped like a cylinder - vertically pass through the extension of the membrane via centering openings which it comprises and which are of shapes complementary to those of the centering members. The centering members extend vertically between the upper plate in which they are integrated to the lower plate against which the centering members are vertically applied.

[0069] It is understood but if necessary specified that the notion of verticality used to describe the invention is understood as a direction oriented parallel to - or merged with - the axis of mobility of the cover which is coaxial with the extension axis of the operating mechanism housed inside the housing. The relative notions such as upper and lower, elevation and repression, or overhang and counter-base or even base and top for example or other related relative notions, are understood with regard to the vertical direction - as just specified - and the extension of the housing from its bottom to its top. In addition, it is also if necessary specified here that the cover and the outlet of the housing extend along respective planes parallel to each other which are oriented perpendicular to the axis of mobility of the cover which extends vertically.

[0070] The compression of the membrane between the upper plate and the lower plate is calibrated via the centering members to a predefined compression threshold of the seal between them. The compression threshold is predefined balanced between a compression of the membrane between the upper plate and the lower plate on the one hand sufficiently effective to obtain a firm immobilization of the seal on the cover, and on the other hand a moderate compression preserving the seal in a lasting manner.

[0071] It will thus be noted that the centering organs combine several functions. In fact, the centering organs are constitutive of: -) of rigorous positioning devices of the sealing gasket in relation to the upper plate and the lower plate, providing an effective sealing function between the housing and the cover, -) of calibration organs of the compression threshold of the membrane interposed between the upper plate and the lower plate, and -) of reinforcement members of the cover subjected to forces during its passage between its closed position and its released position, it being specified here that the notion of the term "between" is understood as a passage of the cover from its closed position to its released position and vice versa, -) of overall reinforcement members of the seal, the upper plate applied against the lower plate via the centering members constituting a reinforcement frame for the seal as detailed below.

[0072] In fact, the upper plate and the lower plate jointly form an overall reinforcement frame for the sealing joint: -) by direct support of the upper plate vertically - or in other words perpendicular to the overall plane of extension of the cover - against the lower plate at the base of the cover via the centering members, and by sealing the membrane jointly to the upper plate and the lower plate between which the extension of the membrane extends around the centering members, and -) by an extension - following the extension plane of the cover - of the in- plate lower towards the first joint body, against which the lower plate is applied.

[0073] Furthermore, it is recalled here that the housing comprises: -) a support collar at the edge of a housing for installing the box on a wall of a piece of furniture, and -) a chamber for receiving the cover when it is initially moved towards the inside of the housing under the effect of pressure exerted by an individual on the cover, to cause the activation of the cover operating mechanism.

[0074] In this context: -) The first seal body is shaped into a right-angled rebate comprising a shoulder for supporting the first seal body at the edge of the housing against the wall of the furniture. The shoulder is extended by a return wing which extends vertically towards the interior of the chamber at a transverse distance from the wall of the housing, and which integrates the membrane in the middle zone of its extension. -) The second seal body has a flange inclined from its base incorporating the membrane, towards the axis of mobility of the cover. As a non-restrictive indication, the inclination of the flange is between 50° (fifty degrees) and 70° (seventy degrees). -) The first seal body and the second seal body are separated from each other - along the extension plane of the cover - by a groove which the seal comprises and which is provided between them, the groove defining the separation distance along the extension plane of the cover between the first seal body and the second seal body, -) the lower plate extends in support of the membrane towards the first seal body against which it is applied following the overall extension plane of the cover, the groove overhanging the upper plate.

[0075] When pressure is exerted by an individual against the cover - via the upper plate - to activate the cover operating mechanism, the cover is vertically moved towards the inside of the housing inside the chamber which it comprises at its upper end. In this context: -) The separation distance - via the groove - between the first seal body and the second seal body along the extension plane of the cover, allows bending of the shoulder of the first seal body towards the second seal body. -) The lower plate bearing against the return wing of the first seal body, the wing is held in position at a distance from the wall of the housing, limiting the amplitude of the bending of the shoulder of the first seal body. -) The inclined flange of the second joint body provides support for the shoulder of the first joint body subjected to bending.

[0076] This ultimately results in excessive bending deformation of the first body of seal is avoided when the cover is moved towards the inside of the housing by an individual exerting pressure against the cover. The deformation stresses of the seal are thus limited, which increases the durability of the seal.

[0077] Furthermore, as previously mentioned, the cover is equipped with a pushing member cooperating - under the effect of pressure exerted by an individual on the cover - with an activation barrel of the operating mechanism of the cover, to initiate the activation of the operating mechanism causing the movement of the cover from its closed position to its released position.

[0078] The thrust member is integrated into the upper plate, the membrane and the lower plate comprising respective superimposed windows for the passage through them of the thrust member, allowing the thrust member to bear against the activation barrel under the effect of pressure exerted by an individual on the cover. The windows each extend along the extension plane of the cover along a dimension slightly greater than the transverse dimensions of the operating mechanism. This makes it possible to prevent the cover from inopportunely striking the activation barrel when the cover is moved towards the interior of the chamber provided inside the housing.

[0079] Furthermore, the activation barrel comprises at the periphery of its base a toothing extending around the axis of mobility of the cover. The toothing is composed of a plurality of vertically inclined teeth, which cooperate with the notches of a notched member that the mechanism comprises to move the cover in pivoting around its axis of mobility between its closed position and its disengaged position. To limit a weakening of the seal and promote its durability despite repeated maneuvers of the cover by an individual initiating the activation of the maneuvering mechanism, the optimal travel of the cover between its closed position and its disengaged position is limited by the activation barrel of the mechanism for maneuvering the cover via the toothing that it comprises at its base.

[0080] For this purpose, the teeth composing the toothing are inclined vertically following a slight slope comprised - for non-restrictive information - between 15° (fifteen degrees) and 20° (twenty degrees). An excessive travel of the cover is thus avoided, by being calibrated by the vertical inclination of the teeth composing the toothing that the activation barrel comprises at its base. The travel of the cover is thus limited by the activation barrel between a firm and effective application of the seal against the housing in the closing station, and an emergence of the cover from the housing in the release position.

[0081] The travel of the cover from its closed position to its released position is thus adjusted to a minimum by correctly positioning the cover along its axis of mobility overhanging the housing, at a short vertical separation distance. between the housing and the cover in the release position. This further limits the stresses borne by the seal when the cover is moved between its closed position and its closed position. This also improves the ergonomics of the housing by limiting the vertical size of the cover in the release position.

[0082] It is obviously understood but if necessary specified here that such a slope slightly inclined relative to the axis of mobility of the cover - of an angle less than 20° (twenty degrees) for example - is defined: -) on the one hand between the travel of the cover towards the inside of the housing when it is subjected to pressure exerted by an individual to initiate the activation of the mechanism by the thrust member bearing against the activation barrel, -) and on the other hand conversely - under the effect of the activation of the mechanism - of this same stroke added to an emergence of the cover from the housing of a few millimeters not exceeding preferably one centimeter, sufficient for the individual to be able to access without hindrance the sockets housed inside the housing.

[0083] Furthermore, the upper plate of the cover provides the ergonomic interface between the cover and an individual applying a thrust against the cover to activate the operating mechanism of the cover causing it to move from its closed position to its released position. It is appropriate that the thrust exerted by the individual on the cover is strictly coaxial with the axis of mobility of the cover, to avoid a potential inopportune positioning of the cover at an angle inside the chamber.

[0084] For this purpose, the upper plate of the cover comprises, along the axis of mobility of the cover, a cup-shaped relief sized to fit an individual's finger. Such a relief provides ergonomic assistance to the individual, by guiding him in his action of pushing the cover and placing it in motion towards the chamber along the axis of mobility, against a risk of the cover being placed askew which could cause a failure of the pushing member to support against the activation barrel along the extension axis of the cover operating mechanism.

Claims

Claims

1. A device for a sealed connection between a housing (1) comprising in its internal volume at least one housing (2a, 2b) for an electrical socket, and a retractable cover (2) which is installed at an outlet (le) of an upper chamber (la) of the housing (1) open to the external environment of the housing (1), the outlet (le) allowing access to the socket(s) housed in the housing (1), the housing (1) comprising a collar (1b) for applying the housing (1) against a wall at the edge of a housing for receiving the housing (1) which the wall comprises, the cover (2) being mounted so as to be movable on the housing (1) between a position for closing the outlet (le) of the housing (1) preventing access to the socket(s), and a position for releasing the outlet (le) of the housing (1) allowing access to the socket(s), the housing (1) housing a mechanism (3) for operating the cover (2) from its closed position to its release position,the cover (2) being movable towards its release position along a mobility axis (Al) coaxial with an extension axis of the mechanism (3) for operating the cover (2) on the one hand in elevation by being arranged overhanging the housing (1) and on the other hand in pivoting by releasing access to the socket(s) through the outlet (le) of the housing (1), the cover (2) being provided with a thrust member (4) cooperating along the mobility axis (Al) of the cover (2) with an activation barrel (3b) of the mechanism (3) under the effect of pressure exerted by an individual against the upper face of the cover (2) in the closed position, characterized in that the cover (2) comprises two superimposed plates, including an upper plate (5a) and a lower plate (5c), and a one-piece elastomer seal (5b) extending around the periphery of the cover (2), the seal (5b) integrating two bodies of joint (6a,6b) spaced apart from each other along an extension plane of the cover (2), including a first seal body (6a) applied against the housing (1) and a second seal body (6b) applied against the peripheral edge of the upper plate (5a), the sealing joint (5b) further incorporating a membrane (8) which extends from the first seal body (6a) towards the second seal body (6b) and which comprises an extension (8a) from the second seal body (6b) which extends in compression between the upper plate (5a) and the lower plate (5c).,

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the seal sealing (5b) is constitutive of an assembly member by sealing between the upper plate (5a) and the lower plate (5c), the extension (8a) which the membrane (8) comprises being sealed to both the upper plate (5a) and the lower plate (5c), the cover (2) composed at least of the upper plate (5a), the lower plate (5c) and the sealing gasket (5b) forming a cohesive block which can be moved as a whole between the closed position and the release position of the cover (2).

3. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the first seal body (6a) is shaped as a right-angled rebate (11) comprising at least one shoulder (11a) for vertical support of the first seal body (6a) at the edge of the collar (1b) that the housing (1) comprises, the shoulder (11a) being extended by a return wing (11b) which extends towards the interior of the chamber (1a) at a distance from the wall of the housing (1) along the plane of extension of the cover (2), the return wing (11b) integrating the membrane (8) at its periphery in the middle zone of the vertical extension of the return wing (Hb), in that the second seal body (6b) comprises at least one flange (12) inclined in the direction of the axis of mobility (A1) of the cover (2) from its base in which the membrane (8) is integrated,the first seal body (6a) and the second seal body (6b) being separated from each other along the extension plane of the cover (2) by a groove (7) which the sealing gasket (5b) comprises and which is provided between them overhanging the lower plate (5c) of the cover (2).,

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lower plate (5c) extends in support of the membrane (8) towards the first seal body (6a) against which the lower plate (5c) is transversely applied along the extension plane of the cover (2).

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the sealing gasket (5b) is jointly sealed to the upper plate (5a) and the lower plate (5c) of the cover (2) on the one hand by sealing the second seal body (6b) against the edge of the upper plate (5a), and on the other hand by sealing the extension (8a) of the membrane (8) to the upper plate (5a) and the lower plate (5c) of the cover (2) between which the extension (8a) of the membrane (8) is compressed and sealed.

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the upper plate (5a) incorporates centering members (9) for the seal (5b) on the cover (2), which vertically pass through the extension (8a) of the membrane (8) via openings (10) which it comprises and which are of shapes complementary to those of the centering members (9), the centering members (9) extending vertically towards the lower plate (5c) against which the centering members (9) are applied, the centering members (9), the vertical extension of which determines the vertical separation distance between the upper plate (5a) and the lower plate (5c), constituting a means for calibrating the compression of the membrane (8) between the upper plate (5a) and the lower plate (5c) to a predefined compression threshold.

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the upper plate (5a) and the lower plate (5c) jointly form an overall reinforcement frame for the seal (5b), by direct support of the upper plate (5a) vertically against the lower plate (5c) and by an extension of the lower plate (5c) along the extension plane of the cover (2) towards the first seal body (6a) against which the lower plate (5c) is applied.

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the upper plate (5a) integrates the thrust member (4) equipping the cover (2), the lower plate (5c) and the membrane (8) comprising respective windows (8b, 8c) which are superimposed and which provide a passage for the thrust member (4) vertically through them, the extension dimension of the windows (8b, 8c) along the extension plane of the cover (2) in the closed position being greater than the transverse size of the operating mechanism (3) considered parallel to the extension plane of the cover (2) in the closed position.

9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the activation barrel (3b) comprises at the periphery of its base a toothing (14) which extends around the axis of mobility (Al) of the cover (2) and which is composed of a plurality of teeth (14a) whose lower ends are vertically inclined, the teeth (14a) cooperating with the notches of a notched member which the mechanism (3) comprises, the toothing (14) further constituting a means for calibrating the travel of the cover (2) which is limited between a firm application of the seal sealing (5b) vertically against the housing (1) and a minimal emergence of the cover (2) from the housing (1) in the release position of the cover (2).

10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the upper plate (5a) of the cover (2) comprises a cup-shaped relief (5) sized to the finger of an individual, which is coaxial with the axis of mobility (Al) of the cover (2).

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