SYSTEM FOR CLOSING A PASSAGE OF ELONGATED ELEMENTS THROUGH A WALL, ENSURING THEIR PROTECTION AGAINST PESTS

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (2) for closing a passage of elongated elements (8) in an opening (10) of a wall (12). Such a closing system is characterized in that it comprises a base plate (4) receiving a plurality of slats (14) elongated in a longitudinal direction, which are stacked transversely, each slat (14) being able to slide along its length independently of all the other slats (14), in a forward direction towards the elongated elements (8), and in that it comprises a clamping device (S) for these slats (14). Applicable to the protection of pipes and cables, in particular electrical ones, against harmful animals, in particular rodents, snakes and large insects. Figure for abstract: Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: SYSTEM FOR CLOSING A PASSAGE OF ELONGATED ELEMENTS THROUGH A WALL ENSURING THEIR PROTECTION AGAINST HARMFUL ANIMALS Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for closing a passage of elongated elements through a wall intended to ensure the protection of said elongated elements against harmful animals, in particular rodents, snakes and large insects.

[0002] It also concerns any assembly consisting of two of such closure systems.

[0003] Finally, it relates to a method of implementing such a system as well as an assembly comprising two systems arranged in opposition on either side of the elongated elements. Prior art

[0004] For the passage of elongated elements having a constant section, such as electric cables or pipes for gas or various fluids, it is provided to pierce openings allowing the entry of such elements, whether in one of the walls of closed volumes, for example electrical cabinets or technical cabins, or in the structures separating contiguous volumes, for example walls, partitions, floors or intermediate ceilings between two rooms of the same building. In particular, electric cables can enter a cabinet by passing through an opening made on one side of said cabinet and, similarly, in a building, a set of pipes and cables can pass from one room to another by using an opening pierced in the wall separating these two rooms.

[0005] In the case where the cables or pipes are installed after the wall comprising the passage has been put in place, a free lateral space is generally left around the elongated elements which allows the maneuvers necessary for this installation. Furthermore, if the installation is to evolve, for example with a view to adding certain elements or their future replacement by elements having a different section, it is necessary to have a free lateral space in the existing passage around the elements already installed to allow these maneuvers.

[0006] Precisely because of this lateral space left free in the opening, a possibility of passage is created for unwanted animals, such as reptiles, rodents or large insects, which penetrate inside a technical room or which pass from one volume to another of a building, for example to settle in this room better sheltered from the cold or to find food.

[0007] In particular, rodents pose many problems, such as nibbling on various friable materials, including insulation or flexible materials, to make a nest or to eat, causing significant damage that can lead to breakdowns, fluid leaks or short circuits. Power outages of such systems and repair costs can result in significant costs, and sometimes the damage is such that it can cause accidents.

[0008] To avoid these problems, a first known solution, presented in particular by document GB-A-2168774 published on June 25, 1986, consists of the use of two identical plates arranged in opposition, able to slide towards each other, which in a close position leave a circular central hole allowing the passage of a pipe arranged perpendicularly and which, in a position of distance from said plates, leaves an oblong hole allowing the passage of the pipe with then an inclination.

[0009] This results in the protection of an opening around a single elongated element which may have different inclinations, but which can only completely surround this element with a certain amount of space around it. In the case of an opening containing several elements arranged next to each other with varying spacing, including in particular elements which are close to or in contact with each other, this type of protection is therefore not suitable since it can only surround each element individually. Furthermore, this method of protection cannot be suitable when the elongated elements have a non-circular section.

[0010] Another known solution, presented in particular by document US-Al-2005 / 0227535 published on October 13, 2005, consists of the use of a cable gland forming a small box inserted into the cutout of a partition, having two opposite walls formed from a flexible material, each having a rectilinear slot. The cable is inserted into each slot, forcing it down into the box, due to the deformation of the flexible edges of the slots which, simultaneously, ensures a tightening of these edges on the sides of the cable.

[0011] However, while this solution may be suitable for cable passages of small cross-section, in particular a few millimeters in width, the flexible edges of the slots tightening sufficiently on each side to close the passages, it is in no way suitable for the protection of elongated elements with a larger cross-section, some reaching several centimeters in width, such as fluid supply pipes. Indeed, the edges of the slots will then not close sufficiently on each side of these elements, and will therefore leave free passages around the elements which nevertheless need to be protected.

[0012] Furthermore, flexible materials for closing passages can be attacked by animals, particularly rodents. Furthermore, as in the previous example, this solution is only suitable for protecting a single elongated element and certainly not for protecting a bundle of elements arranged next to each other.

[0013] Alternatively, any other system for protecting against the passage of animals may be used, for example poisoned baits, repellents, traps, nets or wire mesh. However, these products may expire, disappear after consumption by certain animals, be attacked or no longer function over time, in which case they then allow the animals to pass freely. Presentation of the invention

[0014] The present invention aims in particular to avoid these problems of the prior art.

[0015] To this end, it proposes a system for closing a passage of elongated elements in an opening of a wall, this system being remarkable in that it comprises a base plate receiving a plurality of elongated strips in a longitudinal direction, which are stacked transversely, each strip being able to slide along its length independently of all the other strips, in a forward direction towards the elongated elements, and in that it comprises a device for clamping these strips.

[0016] An advantage of this sealing system lies in the fact that, after fixing the base plate opposite the bundle of elongated elements to be protected, arranged substantially aligned in a transverse direction, by sliding each strip to bring it into contact with an element or to insert it between two elements, and having taken care to choose a sufficiently thin strip thickness, a contour of shapes which can be of any shape is obtained, and which will only show successions of small notches having in any case an extremely reduced width, which will not allow the passage of animals.

[0017] It is also possible to arrange two systems in opposition on each side of the bundle of elongated elements, the ends of the strips of the two systems then meeting between the elongated elements, which has the advantage of making it possible to better follow the outline of each of the circular elements.

[0018] Then, by operating the slat clamping device, the longitudinal sliding of all the slats is completely blocked, which has the consequence of permanently maintaining each of said slats in the desired position, namely that in which it participates with its neighbors in the protection of the cables and pipes located opposite said system or the two systems placed in opposition.

[0019] The contour of each elongated element is thus completely closed, quickly, simply and practically, whatever its section, arrangement and purpose. Whether it is an electric cable, gas pipe, water pipe or other fluid or profiles of various sections, passage between these elements is now made impossible for animals since, at least in part, the material used to constitute each of the slats movable in a longitudinal direction is rigid and unassailable.

[0020] The closure system according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following characteristics, which may be combined with each other.

[0021] Advantageously, the base plate has holes receiving screws for fixing to the wall.

[0022] Advantageously, the base plate comprises upper guide means for each of the slats in its longitudinal sliding.

[0023] In this case, advantageously, the upper guide means comprise a cap parallel to the plate, which is fixed above and which forms with it the guide for each of the slats.

[0024] In addition, each strip may have at its rear end a projection which bears on the cap in its most forward position.

[0025] Advantageously, the slats include a metallic material.

[0026] In this case, in particular, each strip can be made of a plastic material and be provided with an insert forming the metallic material.

[0027] Advantageously, the clamping device comprises a transversely arranged screw which bears on the base plate to clamp the stack of slats.

[0028] In this case, the system may include an intermediate support wedge arranged between the screw of the clamping device and the first strip.

[0029] The invention also relates to an assembly for closing a passage in a wall, remarkable in that it comprises two closing systems which are arranged in opposition on either side of the elongated elements to be protected.

[0030] In this case, advantageously, the base plates have along their facing edges complementary shapes which fit into each other to align these plates when they are juxtaposed in opposition.

[0031] The invention further relates to a method for implementing a closure system comprising any one of the preceding characteristics, said method being remarkable in that it successively comprises a step of positioning one or two closure systems opposite the elongated elements, a step of fixing the or each of the base plates to the wall, a step of pushing forward each strip towards the elongated elements and finally a step of tightening these strips. Brief description of the drawings

[0032] The invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will appear more clearly on reading the description given below by way of example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0033] [Fig-1] shows a set of two closure systems according to the invention in a preparation position, arranged opposite each other on each side of a bundle of pipes and cables which, for their part, are aligned transversely;

[0034] [Fig.2] is a vertical sectional view along the longitudinal direction of a closure system having a blade pushed onto a pipe;

[0035] [Fig.3] shows in a position of use the two closure systems joined together with all their slats pushed back towards the pipes and cables to be protected; and

[0036] [Fig.4] shows two adjoining closure systems, without an interposed elongated element and without a cap for one of them, showing an example of a clamping device for each stack of slats produced in the form of a screw acting transversely. Description of the preferred embodiments

[0037] Throughout the following description, the front is considered to be the most proximal part of the bundle of pipes and cables to be protected and the rear is consequently the most distal part of said bundle.

[0038] Similarly, by "lower" is meant the part closest to the structure through which the elongated elements pass and by "upper" is meant the part furthest from said structure.

[0039] [Fig.l] shows a protection assembly consisting of two sealing systems 2 according to the invention, which are shown spaced apart, arranged in opposition on each side of a row of vertical pipes and cables 8 substantially aligned in a transverse direction, which pipes and cables form elongated elements passing through an opening 10 of a floor slab 12 which constitutes, in this example, a horizontal wall 12 separating two floors of a building.

[0040] Each closure system 2 comprises a rectangular base plate 4 formed from a sheet equipped with means for fixing to the floor slab 12, for example holes 6 provided at each corner of the plate 4 and each capable of receiving a fixing screw 5.

[0041] Each closure system 2 comprises a stack of a plurality of flat strips 14, elongated horizontally in the longitudinal direction, said slats being stacked vertically so as to form a compact, transversely aligned assembly.

[0042] Each strip 14 has a thickness of a few millimeters, advantageously between two and eight millimeters. Essentially, each strip consists of a rectilinear part which has at its front end a tip which in the example illustrated is a rounded tip 30, and at its rear end (or heel) an upper projection 32. Alternatively, the tip 30 may only be rounded in its two front corners. It may also be beveled. The important thing in any case is that this tip 30 cannot in any way cut, penetrate or tear the elongated elements 8.

[0043] The slats 14 are advantageously made from a plastic material, for example PVC, ideally reinforced by a central metal insert 36 of the same thickness as the slat, an insert which has an elongated rectilinear shape covering more than three-quarters of the length and which ends towards the rear in a “T” shape, the purpose of which is to guarantee perfect anchoring of the insert in the plastic material.

[0044] The insert 36 can be mounted floating in a housing provided for this purpose during the manufacture of the strip.

[0045] Alternatively, the strip may be overmolded onto the metal insert.

[0046] Whatever the embodiment of the strip 14, the ideal is that the front end of its metal insert is at a distance from the front end of the strip which does not exceed five millimeters, in order to make it impossible for a rodent to pass through even if the latter has at least partially destroyed the lower half of the strip.

[0047] Moreover, in order to reduce the manufacturing cost of the system according to the invention, it is possible to provide that the slats have a thickness of two millimeters and that only one slat 14 out of three is provided with a metal insert. The aforementioned space of five millimeters is in fact always perfectly respected in such a simplified construction.

[0048] An upper guide made in the form of a cap 16 made of a sheet metal covers the entire stack of slats 14. This cap has a constant longitudinal section comprising a flat central part, each transverse side of which is extended by a descending edge 34 suitable for coming into contact with the top of the slats, in order to ensure their guidance in the vertical plane. In the maximum advance position of the slats 14, the front part of their upper projection 32 is supported on the descending rear edge 34 of the upper guide sheet metal 16, as can be seen in [Fig. 2].

[0049] The stack of slats 14 is further provided at each of its two transverse ends with a thick intermediate support wedge 20, which can slide transversely, its sliding being however limited by an end stop 18 which is rigidly fixed on the base plate 4 as well as on the sheet metal of the cap. upper guide 16. This gives in the frame formed vertically, between the base plate 4 and the cap 16, and horizontally, between the two wedges 20 which come to bear on the inner faces of the end stops 18, a transverse passage section capable of receiving the stacking of the slats 14, the latter however retaining the freedom to be able to slide each independently of the others in the longitudinal direction.

[0050] At least one end stop 18 comprises a transverse clamping device S for the stack of slats 14, comprising for example a thrust system passing through this stop via a bore 26 to cause the nearest support wedge 20 to slide transversely. A clamping S of the stack of slats 14 is obtained, applying to all of the metal inserts 36 juxtaposed with each other, making it possible to keep this clamping constant over time, while avoiding pressing on the plastic material which could deform with a loss of clamping.

[0051] [Fig. 3] illustrates the operation of the two closure systems 2 arranged in a position of use, the facing edges of the two base plates 4 comprising in the vicinity of their ends two projecting tabs, one having a triangular point 22 and the other having a hollow 24 congruent with said point, this construction allowing the two tabs to fit into each other and thus ensuring the alignment of these two plates 4. After the two closure systems 2 have been placed in this position, their fixing screws 5 are tightened on the slab 12 so as to obtain a definitive positioning of the base plates 4 which then cover in practice almost the entire passage opening 10 in the slab 12.

[0052] After fixing the closure systems 2 on the slab 12, all the slats 14 are pushed individually forward so as to have their rounded front end 30 resting on the elongated element 8 arranged opposite, or, for those which do not encounter such an element 8, resting on the rounded end of a slat of the opposite closure system, as soon as these two slats reach the end of their travel with their rear projections 32 coming into abutment on the edges 34 of the caps 16. The clamping device S is then actuated to obtain a definitive locking of all the slats 14 in their own longitudinal position, which has the effect of ensuring a then complete closure, thanks to the rigid slats which come to cover the spaces of the opening of the slab 10 previously remaining around the elongated elements 8.

[0053] The length and stroke of the slats 14 are adapted to the section of the elongated elements 8 to be protected, with a stroke greater than half the diameter of the largest elements.

[0054] [Fig.4] illustrates a first means for the transverse clamping of each stack of slats 14, in the form of a screw 42 which, screwed into the end stop 18 connected via the base plate 4 to the other stop located at the other end, and resting on the neighboring wedge 20 by moving the latter transversely, thus ensures between said two stops a tightening of all the slats. The tightening screw 42 in fact bears directly on the thick wedge 20 which is neighboring it to distribute the force over the entire surface of the first slats 14.

[0055] Alternatively, other clamping devices may be used vertically or transversely, such as for example vertical clamping of each cap 16, a spring maintaining constant transverse pressure, or a lever operating a toggle system which allows rapid clamping without tools.

[0056] As another variant, the end stop 18 fixed to the base plate 4 can be replaced by two tabs 19, as appears on the device on the right in [Fig.l]. In this case, each strip 14 has a slot made parallel to its long sides, substantially in the center of its rectilinear part, below or above the metal insert 36. A rod, threaded at least at its two ends, extends between the two wedges 20 of the closure system, passing through each of said slots. The ends of this threaded rod are each fitted with a nut mounted on the outside of the wedge, a nut which is tightened or loosened depending on whether the stacking of slats is to be blocked or, on the contrary, whether the said slats are to be free to slide longitudinally so that they adapt to the configuration proposed by the cables and pipes to be protected from rodents.

[0057] It will be noted that, depending on the thickness of the strips 14, for support on inclined surfaces, in this case the sides of a pipe, small notches are obtained formed by the stacking of the strips, depending on their thickness, which leaves minimum passage sections at the level of these notches. Depending on the thickness of the strips 14, these minimum passage sections can thus be adjusted according to the sealing that is to be obtained.

[0058] Alternatively, the base plate 4 can be fixed to all types of supports and in all orientations, in particular a vertical partition of a building or a wall of a box such as, for example, an electrical cabinet or a technical cabin.

[0059] All types of animals, in particular rodents, arriving at the opening 10 find a passage completely blocked by the slats 14, which they cannot attack because the latter comprise a metal insert 36 covering a large part of their length. The plastic material of the slats 14 surrounding the metal insert 36, resting on the elongated elements 8, prevents these elements from being injured. Alternatively, for the production of the slats 14, other resistant materials, such as aluminum or stainless steel, can be used. This ensures the safety of all types of passage between premises, or entry into boxes or cabinets. electrical, by a simple system which has the advantage of being able to be quickly installed.

[0060] From all of the above, it is easily understood that a single closure system 2 can alternatively be used, in the particular case where the pipes and / or cables are arranged to bear on a wall, most often vertical. In this particular case, in fact, the strips 14 then come to bear on only one side of the elongated elements 8 or to bear, between these elements, on the wall arranged just behind. It is clear that a single closure system is sufficient in such a configuration.

[0061] The sealing system 2, as well as the assembly consisting of two such systems, has the additional advantage of allowing intervention on an installation already comprising its elongated elements 8 in place, for example an electrical cabinet having received its wiring. It is sufficient to install the protection last without having to disconnect cables or pipes. The sealing systems 2 also allow any modification of the elongated elements 8 after their installation, for example the exchange or addition of cables or pipes, by releasing the longitudinal sliding of the slats 14 by loosening the transverse screw 42, by moving these slats back to clear the passage 10 around the elements 8 without having to remove the base plates 4, then by tightening the screw 42 after the modification has been carried out.There is no need to disconnect even those elements that are not affected by the said modification, whether they are electrical cables, which can be left live, or fluid supply pipes, which can remain under pressure.

Claims

Claims

1. System (2) for closing a passage of elongated elements (8) in an opening (10) of a wall (12), characterized in that it comprises a base plate (4) receiving a plurality of slats (14) elongated in a longitudinal direction, which are stacked transversely, each slat (14) being able to slide along its length independently of all the other slats (14), in a forward direction towards the elongated elements (8), and in that it comprises a clamping device (S) for these slats (14).

2. Sealing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the base plate (4) has holes (6) receiving fixing screws (5) on the wall (12).

3. Closure system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the base plate (4) comprises upper guide means for each of the slats (14) in its longitudinal sliding.

4. A sealing system according to claim 3, characterized in that the upper guide means comprise a cap (16) parallel to the plate (4), which is fixed above and which forms with it the guide for each of the slats (14).

5. A closure system according to claim 4, characterized in that each strip (14) has at its rear end a projection (32) bearing on the upper guide means (16) in its most forward position.

6. A sealing system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the slats (14) include a metallic material (36).

7. A sealing system according to claim 6, characterized in that each strip (14) is made of a plastic material and is provided with an insert forming the metallic material (36).

8. A sealing system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping device (S) comprises a transversely arranged screw (42) which bears on the base plate (4) to clamp the stack of slats (14).

9. Sealing system according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises an intermediate support wedge (20) arranged between the screw of the clamping device (42) and the first strip (14).

10. Assembly for closing a passage (10) in a wall (12), characterized in that it comprises two closing systems (2) in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 9, said two closing systems being arranged in opposition on either side of the elongated elements (8).

11. Assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that the base plates (4) of the two closure systems (2) have along their facing edges complementary shapes (22, 24) which fit into each other to align these plates (4) when they are juxtaposed in opposition.

12. Method for implementing a closure system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it successively comprises a step of positioning said closure system opposite the elongated elements (8), a step of fixing the base plate (4) on the wall (12), a step of pushing each strip (14) forwards in the direction of the elongated elements (8) and finally a step of tightening these strips.

13. Method for implementing a closure assembly according to either of Claims 10 and 11, characterized in that it successively comprises a step of positioning two closure systems (2) arranged in opposition on each side of the elongated elements (8), a step of fixing each of the two base plates (4) to the wall (12), a step of pushing forward each strip (14) of each of the two closure systems (2) in the direction of the elongated elements (8) and finally a step of tightening these strips.

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