Accessory for junction boxes and ASSEMBLY of a junction box and an accessory

Abstract

The invention relates to an accessory (1) for electrical and / or communication junction boxes (2), comprising a lower surface (4) defining a lower access (5), an upper surface (6) defining an upper access (7), a peripheral wall (9) extending between the lower surface (4) and the upper surface (6), the peripheral wall (9) defining an internal space (8) of the accessory and the peripheral wall (9) having at least one notch (10) in a segment of its upper part (9.1) which is open on both sides of the peripheral wall (9), the upper surface (6) being discontinuous in the segment of the notch (10) of the peripheral wall (9), said notch (10) being open in its upper part (10.1) and this notch (10) forming a channel (11) connecting the exterior with the internal space (8) of the accessory, so that a cable (12) can be placed in the channel (11) of the notch (10) through the general plane (13) of the upper surface (6), the general plane (14) of the lower surface (4) intersects the general plane (13) of the upper surface (6).

Description

Title of the invention: Accessory for junction boxes and ASSEMBLY of a junction box and an accessory. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of accessories for electrical and / or communication junction boxes, more specifically to the field of accessories for sealed boxes having different degrees of protection against dust and water, which maintain a certain degree of sealing. BACKGROUND

[0002] Sealed electrical and / or communication junction boxes having a certain degree of watertightness or IP rating when not in use are known in the art. However, using the connections involves opening the box, and consequently, the watertightness or IP rating is largely lost. These boxes are intended to be placed on the floor or wall and include a cover that is arranged so as to be flush with the surface of the floor or wall.

[0003] The degree of sealing depends on the protection against moisture and dirt or the ability to prevent the passage of dust or fluids (liquids and gases). This degree of sealing is indicated in accordance with the international standard IEC 60529 by IP (Ingress Protection: Protection against the ingress of dust and water) followed by two digits. The first digit indicates the level of protection against solid objects and is in the range from 0 to 6, where 0 is the level of no protection and 6 is the level of total dustproofing. The second digit indicates the level of protection against water and is in the range from 0 to 8, where 0 is the level of no protection and 8 is a level corresponding to watertightness under conditions of prolonged immersion.

[0004] Boxes such as that of US patent 20010262169, which comprise two lids that, when closed, form a space for a cable to pass between them, are known. The two lids have a sealing gasket made of a waterproof elastic material that allows the lids to be closed with a cable attached to them and fitted between the sealing gaskets. The degree of sealing of these lids is very low, since they only partially prevent the passage of dust, and they cannot be used in humid environments, since they offer no protection against the passage of water, as water can easily seep between the sealing gaskets of the lids.

[0005] To allow the use of the boxes on the floor and maintain a high degree of sealing, greater than or equal to IP33, there are accessories which are connected between the surface of the box and its lid. These accessories include a flange with a flexible sealing gasket at least on the surface that is in contact with the box, the box also having a complementary flange so that, when installing the accessory, the sealing gasket is pressed between the flanges and forms a watertight fixing.

[0006] To install these accessories, it is necessary to disassemble the box cover, screw the accessory in place to apply the appropriate pressure, make the necessary connections so that the cables exit through the notches in the upper part of the accessory, and finally place the cover on the upper surface of the accessory, covering it. Using the box involves assembling and disassembling the cover and the accessory, and therefore requires significant effort and assembly time, which limits the box's usability. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] To overcome the limitations of the prior art, the present invention proposes an accessory for electrical and / or communication junction boxes, comprising a lower surface defining a lower access, an upper surface defining an upper access, a peripheral wall extending between the lower surface and the upper surface, the peripheral wall defining an internal space of the accessory and the peripheral wall having at least one notch in a segment of its upper part which is open on both sides of the peripheral wall, the upper surface being discontinuous in the segment of the notch of the peripheral wall, said notch being open in its upper part and this notch forming a channel connecting the exterior with the internal space of the accessory, so that a cable can be placed in the channel of the notch through the general plane of the upper surface,and where the general plane of the lower surface intersects the general plane of the upper surface.

[0008] This accessory can be installed without having to disassemble the cover, making installation quick and easy. Furthermore, it allows the connections to be used temporarily while maintaining the IP rating, and for them to be quickly removed and the box closed when the connections are no longer needed.

[0009] According to certain embodiments, the accessory comprises, on its upper surface, an upper flange around its upper access point comprising at least one discontinuous segment in the space of the notch in the peripheral wall, such that the notch is open in its upper part to allow the passage of a cable through its upper part. The upper flange is intended to be in contact by complementary shape with a cover flange of a junction box.

[0010] According to certain embodiments, the lower surface of the accessory is provided with a lower flange which is located around its lower access, intended to be in contact by complementary shape with a flange on the upper surface of a junction box.

[0011] According to certain embodiments, the accessory includes, within the notch, a sealing gasket made of a waterproof elastic material. This sealing gasket occupies the space of the notch at least up to the general plane of the upper surface of the accessory, so that, when the box lid is closed on the accessory, the upper part of the sealing gasket is pressed between the lid and the channel of the notch, without leaving a significant gap between the lid and the sealing gasket, and thus considerably preventing the passage of dirt and liquids. The notch sealing gasket forms a passage for a cable.

[0012] According to certain preferred embodiments, the notch seal has a U-shaped form, where the base of the seal coincides with the base of the notch, and at least one wall extends from said base of the notch seal from one of its sides. The wall is formed of an impermeable elastic material and forms a passage or hole, which allows the passage of a cable by elastic deformation of the wall, so that the cable is fitted between the wall and the base of the seal in the case where there is only one wall, or between the walls of the seal in embodiments in which the seal has more than one wall.

[0013] Preferably, when the notch seal is not in use, and therefore does not have a cable fitted into it, at least one wall is in contact with the base of the seal, or in the case where the seal comprises more than one wall, at least two walls are in contact, so that the hole between the wall and the base or between the two walls is minimal and formed by the elastic deformation of the wall or walls.

[0014] According to some preferred embodiments, the notch sealing gasket has at least two walls that are in contiguous parallel planes, the inner surface of one of the walls being partially in contact with the outer surface of the other wall.

[0015] The notch sealing gasket can have different shapes. In some embodiments, it is formed by two complementary partitions fixed by a strip, each with a base from which at least one wall protrudes. One of the partitions is housed in the notch channel of the peripheral wall, and its base coincides with the base of the notch. The other partition is placed on the partition installed in the notch channel after the cable has been positioned between the two, and its base is in contact with the junction box cover in a configuration where the accessory is installed with the cover closed. The wall(s) of each partition, when the two partitions are fixed, overlap in parallel planes, so that the cable is adjusted between the walls by their elastic deformation.

[0016] In other preferred embodiments of the notch sealing joint, it comprises a unique U-shaped base comprising at least two elastic walls projecting from each side of the base, the two walls overlapping in parallel planes so that the cable is adjusted between the walls by the elastic deformation thereof.

[0017] According to certain embodiments of the accessory, the notch seal further comprises an internal wall extending parallel to, or flush with, the internal surface of the peripheral wall of the accessory and extending from the base of the notch to a height that is less than the height of the walls of the seal forming the passage for the cable. This internal wall of the notch seal prevents water from entering the accessory in the event that a drop seeps through the cable passage of the other walls.

[0018] According to some embodiments, the accessory includes a lower sealing gasket on its lower surface made of an elastic, impermeable material, which deforms elastically when the accessory is properly coupled to a box, so that a hermetic bond is formed between the accessory and the surface of the box.

[0019] In some embodiments, the peripheral wall of the accessory comprises a front wall and two side walls extending on each side of the front wall. The notch in the peripheral wall is preferably in the front wall, preferably in its upper part, although it may also be in one of its side walls.

[0020] According to certain embodiments, the peripheral wall comprises two or more notches open on both sides of the peripheral wall. The upper surface is discontinuous in the segments of the notches of the peripheral wall, said notches being open in their upper part and each notch forming a channel communicating the exterior with the internal space of the accessory, so that as many cables as there are notches can be placed, each in the space of each corresponding notch through the general plane of the upper surface of the accessory.

[0021] According to some embodiments, the accessory has a wedge shape, formed by a front wall and two side walls. The front wall of the wedge is rectangular and the side walls are triangular in shape, and at least one notch is located in the upper part of the front wall.

[0022] According to certain embodiments, the accessory comprises a lower frame having the lower surface of the accessory and the lower access of the accessory which allows the passage of cables and at least one hand to make the connections. The peripheral wall projects from the lower frame around the lower access, so that the frame is aligned with the central opening of a junction box and so that the internal space and lower access of the accessory allow access to the central opening of the junction box and allow the passage of cables and at least one hand to make the connections with the electrical and communication outputs of the junction box.

[0023] According to some embodiments, the lower frame of the accessory includes an accessory lock which, in a closed configuration, keeps the accessory fixed to the upper wall of a junction box, holding the lower sealing gasket of the accessory pressed between the two, so that the lower sealing gasket of the accessory is elastically deformed, forming a bond with a high level of sealing, preferably greater than or equal to IP33.

[0024] According to some embodiments, the accessory lock is provided with an upper stop, a lower stop and a shaft extending between the two stops and holds the lower frame of the accessory and an upper surface of a junction box together.

[0025] According to certain embodiments, the accessory comprises an upper frame having the upper surface of the accessory and the upper access of the accessory which allows the passage of cables and at least one hand to make the connections. The upper frame of the accessory also has a lower surface opposite the upper surface, and the peripheral wall projects from this lower surface around the upper access of the accessory, so that the upper access is aligned with the central opening of the junction box and with the lower access of the accessory, and such that the upper access, the internal space and the lower access of the accessory allow access to the central opening of the box and allow the passage of cables and at least one hand to make the connections with the electrical and communication outputs of the junction box.

[0026] The upper frame of the accessory includes an accessory lock hole intended to house the shaft of a lock on a junction box cover.

[0027] According to some embodiments, the locking hole of the accessory is open on the upper surface of the accessory, is complementary to a lock of a junction box cover, and is intended to house the shaft of the lock and to allow the passage of a lower stop of the lock until it is supported on a stop surface of the accessory located opposite the upper surface of the accessory.

[0028] In some embodiments, this stop surface of the accessory coincides with the lower surface of the upper frame.

[0029] According to certain embodiments, the invention also provides an assembly of an electrical and / or communication junction box with a hinged cover and an accessory for using the box's connections, maintaining a level high sealing, these levels above IP23 being considered a high degree of sealing.

[0030] The assembly includes a box having a top surface with a central opening which provides access to the inside of the box and further includes a lid having a bottom surface which is hinged to a rotation axis X with the box, so that an accessory of one of the described embodiments can be installed without having to uninstall the lid.

[0031] According to certain embodiments of the assembly, the box is provided with a box flange on its upper surface and around the central opening. In addition, the lid is provided, on its lower surface, with a lid flange which connects by complementary shape to the box flange in a configuration in which the lid closes the central opening of the box.

[0032] According to certain embodiments of the assembly, the lid flange and the box flange both have complementary shapes.

[0033] According to certain embodiments, the lid flange includes a lid seal formed by a waterproof elastic material. This lid seal can be elastically deformed when pressed between the lid and the upper surface of the box in a configuration in which the accessory is not installed and the lid closes the opening of the box, or between the upper surface of the accessory and the lower surface of the lid in a configuration in which the accessory is installed and the lid closes the upper access to the accessory.

[0034] According to certain embodiments of the assembly, the lower sealing gasket of the accessory, in a configuration with the accessory installed, is pressed between the lower surface of the accessory and the upper surface of the junction box.

[0035] According to some alternative embodiments, instead of the lower sealing gasket of the accessory, the assembly includes a sealing gasket on the upper surface of the box, also formed from a waterproof elastic material that allows elastic deformation. The box sealing gasket remains pressed between the lower surface of the lid and the upper surface of the box in a configuration in which the accessory is not installed and the lid closes the opening of the box, or between the lower surface of the accessory and the upper surface of the box in a configuration in which the accessory is installed.

[0036] According to some embodiments, the cover includes a cover lock provided with an upper stop, a lower stop and a shaft extending between the two stops.

[0037] According to some embodiments, the shaft and the lower stops of the cover lock and the accessory lock have the same dimensions, and in some Preferred embodiments where the lid and accessory locks have the same shape.

[0038] In a closed state of the box without the accessory installed, the lid lock keeps the lid closed on the upper surface of the box. Preferably, the lid seal is pressed between the lower surface of the lid and the upper surface of the box. In a configuration in which the accessory is installed, the lid lock keeps the lid fixed to the upper surface of the accessory, closing its upper access and keeping the lid seal pressed between the lower surface of the lid and the upper surface of the accessory.

[0039] According to certain embodiments, the box has an upper wall comprising the upper surface of the box and the central opening of the box, and includes a box locking hole for housing the accessory locking shaft in the configuration in which the accessory is installed, or for housing the lid locking shaft in the configuration in which the accessory is not installed and the lid is closed. The upper wall of the box also includes a lower surface opposite the upper surface.

[0040] According to some embodiments, the box lock hole is open on the upper surface of the box, is complementary to the lid lock and the accessory lock of the junction box, and is intended to house the axis of the lid and accessory lock, and to permit the passage of the lower stop of the lid or accessory locks until the stop is supported on a stop surface of the box which is located opposite the upper surface of the box, and in some preferred embodiments it coincides with the lower surface of the upper wall of the box. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0041] To complete the description and to allow for a better understanding of the invention, a set of drawings is provided. These drawings form an integral part of the description and illustrate embodiments of the invention which should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention, but only as an example of how the invention can be implemented. The drawings include the following figures:

[0042] [Fig. 1] shows a perspective view of an accessory for junction boxes according to the invention, having a wedge shape.

[0043] [Fig.2] shows a perspective view of an accessory for junction boxes according to the invention, with a curved shape.

[0044] [Fig.3] shows a perspective view of an accessory according to the invention in which the accessory comprises a lower frame and an upper frame and the general planes of the upper and lower surfaces of the accessory are observed.

[0045] [Fig.4] shows a view identical to [[Fig.3] in which the insertion of a cable into the channel of a notch can be seen.

[0046] [Fig.5] shows a view of the accessory of [Fig.3] from a different perspective.

[0047] [Fig. 6] shows an exploded view of the accessory of [Fig. 3] in which the joints The sealing of the notches, the lock and the lower sealing gasket of the accessory can be seen in an exploded view.

[0048] [Fig.7] shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a notch sealing joint.

[0049] [Fig.8] shows a front view of the notch sealing gasket of [Fig.7].

[0050] [Fig.9] shows a cross-section of a side view of the notch sealing gasket of [Fig.7].

[0051] [Fig. 10] shows a rear view of a notch sealing gasket of the [Fig.7].

[0052] [Fig. 11] shows a junction box of the assembly of the invention with a lid hinged around an X-axis with the box.

[0053] [Fig. 12] shows a perspective view of the assembly of a communication box with the accessory of the invention installed and with the lid open.

[0054] [Fig. 13] shows a cross-section of the assembly of a communication box with the accessory of the invention installed, and with the cover open.

[0055] [Fig. 14] shows a perspective view of the assembly of a communication box with the accessory of the invention installed, and with the cover closed on the accessory.

[0056] [Fig. 15] shows a cross-section of the assembly of a communication box with the accessory of the invention installed, with the cover closed. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0057] The invention provides an accessory 1 for electrical and / or communication junction boxes 2. Preferably, the accessory is used with boxes having a certain degree of sealing containing electrical connections for connecting electrical devices or containing connections for communications or data, or both types of connections. In preferred embodiments, the junction box has a protection rating greater than or equal to IP44, the installed accessory providing a protection rating greater than or equal to IP33, more preferably the installed accessory providing a protection rating equal to IP44. These junction boxes generally comprise a cover 3 with a flange 32 and a sealing gasket 33 forming a hermetic connection with the surface of the box 2.

[0058] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the accessory 1 comprises a lower surface 4 defining a lower access 5, an upper surface 6 defining an upper access 7, and a peripheral wall 9 extending between the lower surface 4 and the upper surface 6. The peripheral wall 9 defines an internal space 8 of the accessory and comprises at least one notch 10 in a segment of its upper part 9.1.

[0059] The notch 10 is open on both sides of the peripheral wall 9, so that the upper surface 6 is discontinuous in the segment of the notch 10 of the peripheral wall 9, and said notch 10 is open in its upper part 10.1, forming a channel 11 communicating the exterior with the internal space 8 of the accessory 1, so that, as illustrated in [Fig.4], a cable 12 can be placed in the channel 11 through the general plane of the upper surface 13.

[0060] As can be seen in [Fig.3], the general plane of the lower surface 14 of the accessory intersects the general plane of the upper surface 13 at the level of an axis Y.

[0061] The inclination between the lower surface 4 and the upper surface 6 of the accessory 1 allows the accessory 1 to be installed on a junction box 2 without having to uninstall the cover 3, thus allowing the connections in the box 2 to be used under IP conditions that the accessory can maintain.

[0062] The ease of installation of accessory 1 without disassembling cover 3 allows box 2 to have a very versatile use since accessory 1 can be installed whenever the links need to be used and uninstalled when the links are no longer used very quickly and easily.

[0063] As shown in [Fig.5], the accessory 1 includes on its upper surface 6 an upper flange 15 around its upper access 7 comprising at least one discontinuous segment 17 in the space of the notch 10 of the peripheral wall 9, so that the notch 10 is open in its upper part 10.1 in order to allow, as shown in [Fig.4], the passage of a cable 12 through its upper part 10.1.

[0064] The upper flange 15 of the accessory has a shape complementary to that of a cover flange 32 of the junction box 2. As illustrated in [Fig. 15], the upper flange 15 of the accessory is in the form of a projection and the cover flange 32 forms a recess. In a configuration such as that of [Fig. 15], where the accessory 1 is installed and the cover 3 of the box is closed over the accessory, the projection of the upper flange 15 of the accessory coincides with the recess of the cover flange 32 and fits into it.

[0065] Figure 15 also shows that the lower surface 4 of the accessory includes a lower flange 16 situated around the lower access 5 of the accessory and connected by complementary shape to a flange 30 of the junction box located on the upper surface 28 of the box. The lower flange 16 forms a recess, a projection of the flange 30 of the junction box coinciding with it and being housed within it, in a configuration such as that shown in [Fig. 15].

[0066] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the notch 10 of the peripheral wall 9 of the accessory 1 includes a notch sealing gasket 18 formed by an impermeable elastic material which deforms with the insertion of a cable 12 forming a hermetic channel for the cable.

[0067] In preferred embodiments, such as those shown in Figures 3 to 6, the notch seal 18 occupies the space of the notch 10 at least up to the general plane of the upper surface 13 of the accessory so that, when the cover 3 of the box 2 is closed onto the accessory 1, the upper part of the seal is pressed between the cover 3 and the channel 11 of the notch, without any significant gap remaining between the cover 3 and the notch seal 18, which considerably prevents the passage of dirt and liquids. The notch seal 18 forms a substantially airtight passage for a cable 12, allowing the cable 12 to pass through its upper part and fit into it.

[0068] Figures 7 to 10 are views of a variant of the notch seal 18, where the seal has a U-shaped form, the base 19 of which coincides with the base of the notch 10, and at least two walls 20 extend from said base 19 of the notch seal 18, each on one side of the base 19. The walls are made of a waterproof elastic material and form a central passage or hole 21 which allows the passage of a cable 12 by the elastic deformation of the walls 20, so that the cable 12 is fitted between them. Preferably, when the notch seal 18 is not in use and no cable is fitted to it, the walls 20 are in contact so that the passage 21 between the at least two walls 20 is minimal and formed by the elastic deformation of the walls 20.

[0069] Preferably, the two walls 20 of the notch sealing joint 18 are in contiguous parallel planes so that they overlap, the inner surface of one wall 20 being partially in contact with the outer surface of the other wall 20.

[0070] In the preferred embodiment of Figures 7 to 10, the notch seal 18 has a front surface and a rear surface, as shown in Figures 3 to 6. The front surface faces outwards from the accessory, and the rear surface faces into the internal space 8 of the accessory. The front surface is larger than the rear surface, so that the upper surface of the notch seal 18 is inclined at the same angle as the general plane of the upper surface of the accessory. Thus, instead of being an obstacle, it contributes to the sealing of the cover 3 when it is closed on the accessory 1. The upper part of the notch sealing gasket 18 simultaneously forms a hermetic contact with the cover 3.

[0071] In these embodiments of the notch sealing joint 18 of Figures 7 to 10, the notch sealing joint 18 comprises three pairs of opposing walls arranged at different heights so that a passage for a cable 12 which minimizes the passage of water is formed by the elastic deformation of the walls.

[0072] According to certain embodiments of the accessory, the notch seal 18 further comprises an internal wall 22 whose internal surface is also the rear surface of the notch seal 18. This internal wall 22 of the notch seal 18 extends parallel to, or is flush with, the internal surface of the peripheral wall 9 of the accessory 1 and extends from the base 19 to a height that is less than the height of the walls 20 forming the passage for the cable 12. This internal wall 22 of the notch seal prevents water from passing into the accessory 1 in the event that a drop seeps between the passage 21 for the cable 12 and the other walls 20.

[0073] According to some preferred embodiments, as can be seen in Figures 6, 13, and 15, the accessory 1 includes a lower sealing gasket 23 on its lower surface 4, made of a waterproof elastic material that deforms elastically when the accessory 1 is properly coupled to a box 2, so that a hermetic seal is formed between the accessory 1 and the upper surface 28 of the box. This lower sealing gasket 23 of the accessory 1, as shown in Figures 13 and 15, is located in the recess of the lower flange 16 of the accessory. In a configuration in which the accessory is installed, the lower sealing gasket 23 of the accessory is pressed into the recess of the lower flange 16 of the accessory with the protrusion of the flange 30 of the box 2, thus forming a hermetic seal.

[0074] In some preferred embodiments of the accessory 1, the peripheral wall 9 of the accessory 1 comprises a front wall 9.2 and two side walls 9.3, 9.4 extending on each side of the front wall 9.2. The notch 10 of the peripheral wall 9 is preferably located in the upper part of the front wall 9.2, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, although it may also be located in any of its side walls 9.3, 9.4.

[0075] According to certain embodiments of Figures 3 to 6, the front wall 9.2 of the peripheral wall 9 of the accessory 1 comprises two notches 10 open on both sides of the peripheral wall 9. The upper surface 6 is discontinuous in the segments of the notches 10 of the peripheral wall 9, said notches 10 being open in their upper part 10.1 and each notch 10 forming a channel 11 connecting the exterior with the internal space 8 of the accessory 1, so that as many cables 12 can be placed as there are notches 10 in the space of each corresponding notch 10 through the general plane of the upper surface 13.

[0076] According to embodiments of Figures 1 and 3 to 6, the accessory 1 has a wedge shape, formed by a front wall 9.2 and two side walls 9.3, 9.4. The front wall 9.2 of the corner is rectangular and the side walls 9.3, 9.4 have a triangular shape and the notch 10 is located in the upper part 9.1 of the front wall 9.2.

[0077] According to certain embodiments and as shown in Figures 3 to 6 and 12 to 15, the accessory comprises a lower frame 24 having the lower surface 4 of the accessory, and a lower access 5 of the accessory which allows the passage of cables 12 and at least one hand to make the connections in the box 2. The peripheral wall 9 projects from the lower frame 24 of the accessory around the internal space 8, so that the frame is aligned with a central opening 29 of the junction box 2 and so that the internal space 8 and the lower access 5 of the accessory allow access to the opening 29 of the junction box 2 and allow the passage of cables 12 and at least one hand to make connections with the electrical and communication outputs of the junction box 2.

[0078] As illustrated in Figures 6, 13 and 15, the lower frame 24 of the accessory includes a lock 25 of the accessory 1 which, in a closed configuration, keeps the accessory 1 fixed to the upper wall 28 of the junction box 2 by holding the lower sealing gasket 23 of the accessory pressed between the two, so that the lower sealing gasket 23 of the accessory 1 is elastically deformed by forming a bond with a high degree of sealing, preferably greater than or equal to IP33.

[0079] As shown in Figures 6, 13 and 15, the lock 25 of the accessory 1 is provided with an upper stop 25.1, a lower stop 25.2 and a shaft 25.3, extending between the two stops 25.1, 25.2.

[0080] According to some embodiments, the accessory, as seen in Figures 3 to 6, comprises an upper frame 26 provided with the upper surface 6 of the accessory and the upper access 7 of the accessory which allows the passage of cables 12 and a hand to make connections.As can be seen in Figures 13 and 15, the upper frame 26 of the accessory is also provided with a lower surface 38 opposite the upper surface 6, and the peripheral wall 9 extends from this lower surface 38 around the upper access 7 of the accessory, so that the upper access 7 is aligned with the central opening 29 of the junction box and with the lower access 5 of the accessory 1 and so that the upper access 7, the internal space 8 and the lower access 5 of the accessory allow access to the central opening 29 of the box and allow the passage of cables 12 and a hand to make connections with the electrical and communication outputs of the junction box 2.

[0081] The upper frame 26 of the accessory includes a locking hole 27 of the accessory 1 intended to house the shaft 34.3 of a lock of the cover 3 of the junction box 2.

[0082] According to certain embodiments, and as shown in Figures 3, 5 and 6, the locking hole 27 of the accessory is open on the upper surface 6 of the accessory 1 and is complementary to a lock 34 of the cover of the junction box 2 and is intended to house the shaft 34.3 of the lock 34 of the cover 3 and to allow the passage of the lower stop 34.2 until it is supported on a stop surface 39 of the accessory which is located opposite the upper surface 6 of the accessory.

[0083] As shown in Figures 13 and 15, this stop surface 39 of the accessory 1 coincides with the lower surface 38 of the upper frame 26 of the accessory.

[0084] As shown in Figures 13 to 15, the invention also proposes an assembly of an electrical and / or communication junction box 2 with a hinged cover 3 and an accessory 1 for using the connections of the box 2, while maintaining a high degree of sealing. High degrees of sealing are considered to be greater than IP23.

[0085] The assembly includes a box 2 having a top surface 28 with a central opening 29 which provides access to the inside of the box 2 and further includes a cover 3 having a bottom surface 31 which is articulated about an axis of rotation X with the box 2, so that an accessory 1 according to the invention can be installed without having to uninstall the cover 3.

[0086] As can be seen in [Fig. 1 1], the box 2 is provided with a box flange 30 on its upper surface 28 and around the central opening 29. In addition, the lid 3 is provided on its lower surface 31 with a lid flange 32 which coincides with the box flange 30 in a configuration in which the lid closes the central opening 29 of the box 2.

[0087] In certain embodiments of the assembly such as those shown in Figures 11, 13 and 15, the cover flange 32 and the box flange 30 both have complementary shapes.

[0088] In some embodiments, as also shown in Figures 11, 13 and 15, the lid flange 32 forms a hollow and the box flange 30 forms a projection which coincides with and is housed in the hollow of the lid flange 32 in configurations in which the lid 3 closes the box 2 without the accessory 1.

[0089] According to certain embodiments and as shown in [Fig. 15], the cover flange includes a cover seal 33 made of a waterproof elastic material. In some embodiments, this cover seal 33 is identical to the lower seal 23 of the accessory; similarly, the cover flanges 32 and the lower flange 16 of the accessory have the same shape and dimensions, and the box flanges 30 and the upper flange 15 of the accessory also have the same shape and dimensions.

[0090] The lid sealing gasket 33, like the lower sealing gasket 23 of the accessory, is able to be elastically deformed when pressed between the lid 3 and the upper surface 28 of the box in a configuration in which the accessory 1 is not installed and the lid 3 closes the opening of the box 29, or between the upper surface 6 of the accessory 1 and the lower surface of the lid 31 in a configuration in which the accessory 1 is installed and the lid 3 closes the upper access 7 of the accessory 1.

[0091] As shown in [Fig.15], in configurations in which accessory 1 is installed, the lower sealing gasket 23 of accessory 1 is pressed between the lower surface 4 of accessory 1 and the upper surface 28 of junction box 2.

[0092] According to certain alternative embodiments not shown, the shapes of a recess and a protrusion may be reversed: the cover flange 32 and the lower flange 16 of the accessory may have the shape of a protrusion, and the box flange 30 and the upper flange 15 of the accessory may have the shape of a recess. In these embodiments, the box flange 30 and the upper flange 15 of the accessory include waterproof elastic seals.

[0093] In another embodiment not shown, instead of the lower sealing gasket 23 of the accessory, the assembly includes a sealing gasket on the upper surface 28 of the box also formed of an impermeable elastic material which allows elastic deformation when this sealing gasket of the box 2 is pressed between the lower surface 31 of the cover and the upper surface 28 of the box, in a configuration in which the accessory 1 is not installed and the cover 3 closes the central opening 29 of the box 2, or between the lower surface 4 of the accessory 1 and the upper surface 28 of the box in a configuration in which the accessory 1 is installed.

[0094] According to certain embodiments of the assembly, and as can be seen in Figures 13 and 15, the cover 3 includes a cover 34 lock provided with an upper stop 34.1, a lower stop 34.2, and a shaft 34.3 extending between the two stops 34.1, 34.2.

[0095] According to some preferred embodiments, the shaft 25.3, 34.3 and the lower stops 25.2, 34.2 of the cover lock 34 and the accessory lock 25 have the same dimensions, and in some preferred embodiments the cover and accessory locks 25, 34 have the same shape.

[0096] When the box 2 is closed and the accessory is not installed, the latch 34 keeps the lid 3 closed on the upper surface 28 of the box. Preferably, the lid sealing gasket 33 is pressed between the lower surface 31 of the cover and the upper surface 28 of the box. In a configuration in which the accessory 1 is installed, the lock 34 of the cover 3 keeps the cover 3 fixed to the upper surface 6 of the accessory 1, thus closing its upper access 7 and keeping the cover sealing gasket 33 pressed between the lower surface 31 of the cover and the upper surface 6 of the accessory 1.

[0097] According to certain embodiments of the assembly, and as shown in Figures 11 to 13 and 15, the box 2 is provided with an upper wall 35 comprising the upper surface 28 of the box 2 and the central opening 29 of the box 2, and includes the locking hole 36 of the box for housing the shaft 25.3 of the lock 25 of the accessory 1 in the configuration in which the accessory 1 is installed, or for housing the shaft 34.3 of the lock 34 of the cover 3 in the configuration in which the accessory 1 is not installed and the cover 3 is closed. The upper wall 35 of the box also includes a lower surface 37 opposite the upper surface 28.

[0098] In some embodiments of the assembly, the locking hole 36 of the box 2 is open on the upper surface 28 of the box and is complementary to the lock 34 of the cover 3 and the lock 25 of the accessory 1 and is intended to house the shaft 34.3 of the lock of the cover 3 or the shaft 25.3 of the lock of the accessory 1 and to allow the passage of the lower stop 34.2, 25.2 of the locks of the cover 3 or of the accessory 1, until the stops 34.2, 25.2 are supported on a stop surface 40 of the box 2 which is located opposite the upper surface 28 of the box and, in some preferred embodiments such as those shown in Figures 13 and 15, coincides with the lower surface 37 of the upper wall 35 of the box.

[0099] The stops 34.2, 25.2 of the latches 25, 34 of the cover and the accessory include support surfaces resting on the stop surfaces 39, 40 of the accessory 1 and the box 2, depending on whether the accessory 1 is installed or not. To achieve this support position of the lower stop 34.2, 25.2 of the latch on the corresponding stop surface 39, 40, it is necessary to apply a force that elastically deforms the cover seal 33 or the accessory seal 23, respectively, allowing the lower stop 34.2, 25.2 to pass through a latch hole and allowing its surface to reach the corresponding stop surface 39, 40.

[0100] By turning the lock while maintaining pressure, the surface of the lower stop 34.2, 25.2 of the lock is pressed against the stop surface 39, 40 of the accessory 1 and the box 2. This stop surface 39, 40 can correspond to the lower surface 37 of the box or to the lower surface 38 of the frame of the accessory, as shown in Figures 13 and 15, or in embodiments not shown, it can be surfaces formed in a hole the thickness of the upper wall of the box 35 or of the upper frame 26 of the accessory 1.

[0101] According to certain embodiments of the assembly and as shown in [Fig.15], the thicknesses of the upper wall 35 of the box, the thickness of the lower frame 24 of the accessory and the thickness of the lower sealing gasket 23 of the accessory have a common rest length, i.e., when the accessory is placed on a box but the lock 25 of the accessory is in the open position and the sealing gasket is not pressed, which is greater than the length of the shaft 25.3 of the lock 25 of the accessory 1, so that at rest the lower stop 25.2 of the lock 25 is at least partially in the thickness of a hole 36 in the upper wall 35 of the box 2 intended to house the shaft 25.3 of a lock 25 and allowing the passage of the lower stop 25.2.In the closed position, by pressing the sealing gasket 23 of the accessory, the length including the thicknesses of the lower frame 24 of the accessory and the upper wall 35 of the box decreases, allowing the lower stop 25.2 of the lock of the accessory 1 to rotate and rest on the lower surface 37 of the upper wall 35 of the box 2.

[0102] Consequently, the accessory lock 25 is rotated from a position where the lower stop 25.2 is supported on the lower surface 37 of the upper wall 35 of the housing 2. However, before rotating the lock 25, it is necessary to apply pressure perpendicular to the upper stop 25.1 of the accessory lock so that the lower sealing gasket 23 of the accessory is pressed, thus allowing the lower stop 25.2 to be positioned completely behind the lower surface 37 of the upper wall 35 of the housing 2 and to rotate. When the accessory stop 25.2 comes into contact with the lower surface 37 or the stop surface 40 of the upper wall 35 of the housing 2, the lower sealing gasket 23 of the accessory is pressed and elastically deformed, forming a connection with a high degree of sealing.

[0103] Similarly, as shown in [Fig. 15], and according to certain embodiments of the assembly, the thicknesses of the cover 3 and the upper frame 26 of the accessory and the thickness of the cover sealing gasket 33 have a common rest length, i.e., when the cover is closed on the accessory but the cover lock 34 is in the open position and the gasket 33 is not pressed, which is greater than the length of the shaft 34.3 of the cover lock 34, so that at rest the lower stop 34.2 of the lock 34 is at least partially within the thickness of a lock hole 27 of the upper frame 26 of the accessory 2.

[0104] This hole is intended to house the shaft 34.3 of a cover lock 34 and to allow passage of the lower stop 34.2. In the closed position, by pressing the sealing gasket 33 of the cover 3, the common length, including the thicknesses of the cover 3, the cover flange 33, and the thickness of the upper frame 26 of the accessory 1, decreases, allowing the lower stop 34.2 of the lock to accessory 1 to turn and rest on the lower surface 38 of the upper frame of the accessory.

[0105] In view of this description and these figures, a person skilled in the art can understand that the invention has been described according to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but that multiple variants can be introduced into said preferred embodiments, without departing from the object of the invention as claimed.

[0106] In this text, the term "includes / comprise" and its derivatives (such as "including", etc.) should not be understood in an exclusive sense. In other words, these terms should not be interpreted as excluding the possibility that what is described and defined may include more elements, steps, etc.

Claims

Demands

1. Accessory (1) for electrical and / or communication junction boxes (2), comprising a lower surface (4) defining a lower access (5), an upper surface (6) defining an upper access (7), a peripheral wall (9) extending between the lower surface (4) and the upper surface (6), the peripheral wall (9) defining an internal space (8) of the accessory and the peripheral wall (9) having at least one notch (10) in a segment of its upper part (9.1) which is open on both sides of the peripheral wall (9), the upper surface (6) being discontinuous in the segment of the notch (10) of the peripheral wall (9), said notch (10) being open in its upper part (10.1) and this notch (10) forming a channel (11) connecting the exterior with the internal space (8) of the accessory, so that a cable (12) can be placed in the channel (11) of the notch (10) through the general plane (13) of the upper surface (6), characterized in that the general plane (14) of the lower surface (4) intersects the general plane (13) of the upper surface (6).

2. Accessory according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface (6) comprises an upper flange (15) situated around the upper access (7), provided with at least one discontinuous segment (17) which coincides with the space of the notch (10) of the peripheral wall (9).

3. Accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower surface (4) is provided with a lower flange (16) situated around the lower access (5).

4. Accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a notch sealing gasket (18) made of an impermeable elastic material, which occupies the space of the notch (10) at least up to the general plane (13) of the upper surface (6), the notch sealing gasket (18) forming a substantially airtight passage for a cable (12).

5. Accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower surface (4) comprises a lower sealing gasket (23) made of an elastic, impermeable material.

6. Accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the peripheral wall (9) comprises a front wall (9.2) and two side walls (9.3, 9.4), the notch (10) being in the front wall (9.2).

7. Accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the peripheral wall (9) comprises two or more notches (10) open on both sides of the peripheral wall (9) and the upper surface (6) being discontinuous in the segments of the notches (10) of the peripheral wall (9), said notches (10) being open in their upper part (10.1) and each notch forming a channel (11) communicating the exterior with the internal space (8) of the accessory, so that as many cables (12) can be placed as there are notches (10), each in the space of each corresponding notch (10) through the general plane (13) of the upper surface (6).

8. Accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a lower frame (24) having the lower surface (4) of the accessory, further comprising a lock (25) of the accessory having an upper stop (25.1), a lower stop (25.2) and a shaft (25.3) extending between the two stops and which, in its closed position, holds the lower frame (24) and an upper surface (28) of a junction box (2) together.

9. Accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an upper frame (26) having the upper surface (6) of the accessory comprising a locking hole (27) of the accessory for housing a shaft (34.3) of a lock (34) of a cover of a junction box (2).

10. Assembly of a junction box (2) with a hinged cover (3) and an accessory (1) comprising: - a box (2) having a top surface (28) with a central opening (29) which provides access to the inside of the box (2); - a cover (3) having a bottom surface (31); characterized in that it comprises an accessory (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and in which the cover (3) and the box (2) are hinged to an axis of rotation (X), so that the accessory (1) can be installed without having to uninstall the cover (3).

11. Assembly according to claim 10, wherein the box comprises on its upper surface (28) a box flange (30) around its central opening (29) and the lid (3) comprises on its lower surface (31) a lid flange (32) which coincides with the box flange (30) in a configuration in which the lid (3)

12.

13.

14.

15. closes the central opening (29) of the box (2), the two flanges having complementary shapes. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid flange (32) comprises a lid seal (33) made of a waterproof elastic material. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the box flange (30) comprises a box seal made of a waterproof elastic material. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (3) includes a cover lock (34) provided with an upper stop (34.1), a lower stop (34.2) and a shaft (34.3) extending between the two stops (34.1, 34.2). Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the box (2) comprises: - an upper wall (35) provided with the upper surface (28) of the box and the central opening (29) of the box; and - a lock hole (36) in the box, intended to house the shaft (25.3) of the lock (25) of the accessory in the configuration in which the accessory (1) is installed or to house the shaft (34.3) of the lock (34) of the cover in the configuration in which the accessory (1) is not installed and the cover (3) is closed.

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