Cable routing device

Abstract

Title of the invention: Cable passage device. The present invention relates to a cable passage device (1) comprising a cover (10) and a base (8) in which at least one conduit (16) is provided for receiving a cable (2). The cover (10) has an end that engages with the base (8) and is complementary in shape to the base (8). This end forms, with the base (8), a means (44) for rotating the cover (10) relative to the base (8). Abstract figure: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Cable passage device

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of protective equipment, and more particularly to equipment for protecting cables and pipes.

[0002] When cables and pipes are laid, for example to enable a water, gas, or electricity connection, it is necessary to provide equipment to protect them. In particular, the cables and pipes must be protected against damage that could result from motor vehicles driving over them. Furthermore, it is necessary to minimize the risk of falls that these cables and pipes may cause when they extend across passages or walkways used by pedestrians.

[0003] It is known in the prior art to use cable entry devices as protective equipment, in which the cables and pipes are enclosed. These cable entry devices generally comprise a base and a cover, the cables and pipes being housed within the base and then covered by the cover, which closes the base.

[0004] Cable routing devices exist in which the connection between the base and the cover is achieved by snapping the cover into the base. The cover is capable of elastic deformation to allow this snapping. More specifically, the cover is deformed by bending so that two of its opposite edges can be fitted respectively under edges of the base. This elastic deformation is made possible, in particular, by the use of flexible plastic for the cover. However, it is possible, especially due to the flexibility of the cover material, that the cover may detach from the base through elastic deformation caused by motor vehicles driving over the device, and it is then difficult to reattach the cover to the base.

[0005] Such disengagement of the hood from the base can be resolved by using a more rigid material for the hood. The hood and the base can, for example, be hinged to each other using a separate hinge system. While this solution allows for easier repositioning if the hood becomes disengaged from the base, it is nevertheless more complex to manufacture and therefore more expensive.

[0006] The present invention falls within this context by proposing a cable passage device that does not require the use of added parts, its cover and base forming an integrated hinge which allows rotation between these two elements without risk of disengagement.

[0007] The main object of the present invention is a cable passage device comprising a cover and a base in which at least one conduit is provided. intended to receive a cable, the hood having one end engaged in the base and of complementary shape to the base, this end forming with the base a means of rotation of the hood relative to the base.

[0008] The cable passage device according to the invention is a protective device for at least one cable, forming a receiving enclosure for it. The cable passage device is configured to withstand the passage of motor vehicles and also helps to limit the risk of pedestrians tripping.

[0009] The cable entry device comprises a base in which the cable is placed, the cable being housed in a conduit. The cable entry device also comprises a cover intended to cover the cable and thus at least partially the base. The cover is pivotally mounted on the base so that it can pivot between a closed position, in which the cover covers the cable, and an open position in which the cable is accessible.

[0010] The pivoting of the hood relative to the base is made possible by the complementary shapes of the hood and the base, which form a joint between them. The cable management system therefore eliminates the need for added parts, particularly hinges.

[0011] According to an optional feature of the invention, one of the hood, on an end edge, and the base, on an edge delimiting an opening to be covered by the hood, has a free edge at least partially cylindrical, the other having a groove, the cylindrical free edge being engaged in the groove to form the means of rotation.

[0012] In some embodiments, the partially cylindrical free edge is supported by the cover and the groove is supported by the base. In other embodiments, the partially cylindrical free edge is supported by the base and the groove is supported by the cover. It is understood that the cylindrical free edge is received in the groove, the groove being configured to pivot around the cylindrical free edge between the open and closed positions of the cable entry device. Here, "at least partially cylindrical" means that the free edge is a cylindrical shape held by a wall of the base. The groove is a curved portion formed in an end edge of the cover, which, due to this groove, has a hook shape.

[0013] The hood and the groove are formed as a single piece, and the base and the cylindrical free edge are formed as a single piece. In other words, the groove is formed during the manufacturing process, in particular by injection or die-casting, of the hood, and the free edge is formed during the manufacturing process, in particular by injection or die-casting, of the base.

[0014] According to an optional feature of the invention, the groove and the base have complementary shapes in the form of a circular arc along a section made in a plane perpendicular to their principal elongation direction.

[0015] The groove corresponds to a hook into which the cylindrical free edge is received. The complementary shapes of the groove and the base ensure unimpeded rotation of the cover relative to the base. The arc-shaped curves also facilitate this rotation.

[0016] According to an optional feature of the invention, the hood comprises a central convex portion, the groove being concave.

[0017] The convexity of the central portion of the cover and the concavity of the groove are measured relative to the exterior of the cable entry device; that is, the central portion forms a convex shape, while the groove forms a concave shape. The cover thus exhibits two different curvatures. The convex central portion allows the cover to conform to the overall convex shape of the cable entry device. The concave groove facilitates the formation of a receiving area for the cylindrical free edge and allows the cover to rotate around the cylindrical free edge.

[0018] According to an optional feature of the invention, the cable passage device extends mainly along a longitudinal extension direction, the groove being provided over an entire longitudinal dimension of the hood and the cylindrical free edge being provided over an entire longitudinal dimension of the base.

[0019] In other words, the groove and the cylindrical free edge extend from one longitudinal end of the cable routing device to the other. This facilitates the movement of the cover from its open to its closed position and vice versa, for example, by limiting the risk of the cylindrical free edge disengaging from the groove. It also simplifies the manufacturing of the groove and the cylindrical free edge, particularly for demolding parts in the case of injection molding or for die forging.

[0020] According to an optional feature of the invention, the hood extends transversely between a first transverse edge and a second transverse edge carrying the end in contact with the base, the base comprising a receiving stop for the first transverse edge.

[0021] The receiving stop is designed to receive the first transverse edge of the hood when the hood is in the closed position. The receiving stop thus prevents the hood from moving from its open position to its closed position.

[0022] According to an optional feature of the invention, the cable passage device comprises a plurality of conduits each intended to receive a cable, two adjacent conduits being separated from each other by a wall.

[0023] The cable entry device is, for example, designed to receive between one and four cables, each being received in a conduit. The wall separating two adjacent conduits extends from one longitudinal end to the other of the cable entry device. cables or occasionally along its longitudinal extension direction. This helps to prevent cables from becoming entangled.

[0024] According to an optional feature of the invention, the hood is hinged between an open position and a closed position, the hood being in contact with the wall in the closed position.

[0025] In other words, in the closed position, the hood rests against a free end of the wall that acts as a stop for the hood closure. The wall thus helps to prevent deformation of the hood, particularly when motor vehicles pass over the cable passage device.

[0026] According to an optional feature of the invention, the base comprises a central zone including the conduit for receiving the cable and two peripheral zones on either side of the central zone, the base comprising at least one clearance provided within at least one of the peripheral zones.

[0027] The peripheral areas surrounding the central area of ​​the base form ramps that facilitate access to the cable passage device. At least one of these peripheral areas is recessed to improve the flexibility of the cable passage device when vehicles pass over it. This recess also helps to lighten the cable passage device.

[0028] According to an optional feature of the invention, the base includes a bottom that helps to delimit the conduit intended to receive the cable, the bottom having at least one groove on a face opposite to the conduit.

[0029] The base corresponds to the part of the cable entry device that is intended to be positioned in contact with the ground. The presence of a groove improves water drainage within the cable entry device and prevents aquaplaning.

[0030] According to an optional feature of the invention, the hood and the base are made of plastic material.

[0031] The cover and the base are thus made of a flexible material that facilitates the rotation of the cover relative to the base, in particular by reducing friction between these two elements. This flexible material also limits the risk of breakage of the cable routing device.

[0032] According to an optional feature of the invention, the hood and the base are extruded.

[0033] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description on the one hand, and the illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the accompanying drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0034] [Fig.l] illustrates, schematically, a perspective view of a cable passage device according to the invention, comprising a base and a cover;

[0035] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the passage device cables of the [Fig.l], with the hood in a closed position;

[0036] [Fig.3] illustrates, schematically, a cross-sectional view of the cable passage device of [Fig.1], with the hood in an open position.

[0037] The features, variants, and different embodiments of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features, described hereafter in isolation from the other described features, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0038] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0039] In the detailed description that follows, the terms "longitudinal," "transverse," and "vertical" refer to the orientation of the cable routing device according to the invention. A longitudinal direction corresponds to a principal extension direction of the cable routing device, this longitudinal direction being parallel to a longitudinal axis L of a frame of reference L, V, T illustrated in the figures. A vertical direction corresponds to a direction perpendicular to the ground on which the cable routing device is intended to be positioned, this vertical direction being parallel to a vertical axis V of the frame of reference L, V, T, and this vertical axis V being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Finally, a transverse direction corresponds to a direction parallel to a transverse axis T of the frame of reference L, V, T, this transverse axis T being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and to the vertical axis V.

[0040] Figures 1 to 3 schematically illustrate a cable passage device 1 according to the invention. This cable passage device 1 is configured to protect at least one cable 2 or pipe used to convey, for example, water, gas, or electricity. The cable passage device 1 allows, in particular, motor vehicles to pass over the cable 2 without damaging it. The cable passage device 1 is, for example, obtained by extrusion.

[0041] The cable passage device 1 extends mainly along a longitudinal direction L between a first longitudinal end 4 and a second longitudinal end 6. In order to accommodate different cable lengths 2, several cable passage devices 1 can be joined end-to-end at their longitudinal ends 4, 6 to form a modular system of desired dimensions. Such an assembly of cable passage devices 1 is for example made using tenons.

[0042] The cable passage device 1 is intended to be positioned against the ground. More specifically, it comprises a base 8 in contact with the ground and a cover 10 at a distance from the ground; thus, in a vertical direction V perpendicular to the ground, the cover 10 is arranged on the base 8 so as to form an upper part of the cable passage device.

[0043] The base 8 has a central zone 12 surrounded by two peripheral zones 14 along a transverse direction T. The peripheral zones 14 form ramps on either side of the central portion 12, so as to facilitate the entry of motor vehicles onto the cable passage device 1. The cable passage device 1 therefore has a generally domed shape, in particular due to a generally convex shape of the cover which will be described in more detail below.

[0044] The central portion 12 comprises at least one conduit 16 for receiving a cable 2. As shown here, the cable passage device 1 has two conduits 16, but without departing from the scope of the invention, a central portion 12 could be imagined equipped with a different number of conduits 16 to receive more or fewer cables 2. It should be noted that, due to the generally convex shape of the cable passage device 1, it is possible to accommodate a large-diameter cable 2 in the center of the central portion 12 and smaller-diameter cables on either side of it, i.e., near the peripheral areas 14. When there are multiple conduits 16, they are delimited by a wall 18 extending between them. The wall 18, which projects in the vertical direction V, thus constitutes a separating element between two adjacent cables 2.

[0045] Within the base 8, the conduit 16 is further delimited by a base 20 of the cable entry device 1. The base 20 corresponds to the part of the cable entry device 1 intended to be in contact with the ground. The base 20 is delimited, along the vertical direction V, by a lower face 22 which faces the ground and by an upper face 24 opposite the lower face 22. The upper face 24 thus contributes to delimiting the conduit 16. The wall 18 extends from this upper face 24.

[0046] As can be seen particularly in figures 2 and 3, the lower face 22 of the bottom 20 of the cable passage device 1 is equipped with at least one groove 26 which extends mainly in the longitudinal direction L. This groove 26 forms within the cable passage device 1 a water drainage path.

[0047] The cable passage device 1 is made of a flexible material, for example, plastic. In order to improve the flexibility of the cable passage device 1, and as can be seen in the figures, at least one of the peripheral areas 14 has at least one clearance 28. This clearance 28 corresponds to an absence of material within the peripheral zone 14. In the embodiment illustrated here, the clearance 28 is a cavity formed within the peripheral zone 14. More precisely, one or two cavities are formed in each peripheral zone 14. Alternatively, the clearance 28 could correspond to a groove formed in the peripheral zone 14 which would be open to the ground; in other words, the clearance 28 would then include an opening formed in the bottom 20.

[0048] The cover 10 pivots relative to the base 8 between a closed position illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 and an open position shown in [Fig. 3]. In the closed position, the cover 10 is positioned over the central area 12 of the cable entry device 1 and thus over the conduit 16 and the cable 2 present in the conduit 16. The cover 10 rests, in particular, against the wall 18 and one free end of this wall. In the open position, the cover 10 allows access to the cable 2.

[0049] According to the vertical direction V, the hood 10 is delimited by an inner face 30 facing the conduit 16 and an outer face 32 opposite it, i.e. oriented towards an outside of the cable passage device 1. The inner face 30 is, in the closed position of the hood 10, in contact with the wall 18. The outer face 32 may, in certain embodiments, include an anti-slip coating.

[0050] The hood 10 extends, along the transverse direction T, between a first transverse edge 34 and a second transverse edge 36. In the closed position of the hood 10, the first transverse edge 34 rests against a receiving stop 38 provided in the base 8. This receiving stop 38 is here provided in a wall of the base 8 which helps to delimit one of the conduits 16, here a junction wall 40 between the central zone 12 and one of the peripheral zones 14.

[0051] The first transverse edge 34 and the second transverse edge 36 correspond to end portions of the hood 10 along the transverse direction T. Between the first transverse edge 34 and the second transverse edge 36, the hood 10 includes a central portion 42. This central portion 42 covers the central area 12 of the base 8. As is particularly visible in [Fig. 2], the central portion 42 has a convex shape, i.e., a domed shape from the outside of the cable passage device 1.

[0052] At the second transverse edge 36, the cable passage device 1 includes a means for rotating the cover 10 relative to the base 8. According to the invention, this means of rotation 44 is formed by the interaction of the shapes of the cover 10 and the base 8 without any additional elements. In the illustrated example, the means of rotation 44 is formed by one end of the cover 10 which is engaged in the base 8. This end corresponds here to the second transverse edge 36. However, without departing from the invention, embodiments could be envisaged in which, conversely, one end of the base 8 would be engaged in the cover 10.

[0053] The second transverse edge 36 forms a hook 46 on the outer face 32 of the cover 10. The second transverse edge 36 of the cover 10 thus includes a concave portion, with a direction of curvature different from the convex shape of the central portion 42, this concave portion defining a groove 47 within the hook 46. Within the cable passage device 1, the hook 46 and its groove 47 extend from the first longitudinal end 4 to the second longitudinal end 6, that is to say, along the entire length of the cover 10 and more generally of the cable passage device 1. As is particularly visible in [Fig. 2], the groove 47 has a concave shape, that is to say, it forms a hollow from the outside of the cable passage device 1.

[0054] The hook 46 is engaged in a receiving area 48 provided within the base 8. This receiving area 48 is at least partially provided in the peripheral area 14 and it communicates with the conduit 16. Such communication between the conduit 16 and the receiving area 48 allows for easier assembly of the cover 10 to the base 8. Indeed, this configuration of the cable passage device allows the hook 46 to be slid into the receiving area 48 through the conduit 16 in the absence of cable 2, and then to be locked in the receiving area 48 once the cable 2 is positioned in the conduit 16.

[0055] The receiving zone 48 is delimited at least in part by a cylindrical free edge 50. This cylindrical free edge 50 is a thickening of one end of the peripheral zone 14. Thus, the cylindrical free edge 50 extends cantilevered over the receiving zone 48 and contributes to forming an upper wall of the receiving zone 48. More precisely, the cylindrical free edge 50 forms one end of an extension of the peripheral zone 14 that extends over the receiving zone 48 towards the central zone 12. A notch 52 is formed within the extension of the peripheral zone 14 so as to border the cylindrical free edge 50. Together with the cylindrical free edge 50, the notch 52 contributes to delimiting the receiving zone 48.

[0056] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], the cylindrical free edge 50 extends from the first longitudinal end 4 to the second longitudinal end 6, that is, along the entire length of the base 8 and more generally of the cable passage device 1. The cylindrical free edge 50 has dimensions such that it is received within the groove 47 of the cover 10. Indeed, the cylindrical free edge 50 is housed in the concave shape of the groove 47. The cylindrical free edge 50 is thus opposite the external face 32 of the cover 10.

[0057] The hook 46 is delimited at its end opposite the central portion 42 by a stop wall 54. In the closed position of the cover 10, this stop wall 54 extends mainly in a longitudinal-transverse plane. In the closed position of the cover 10, the stop wall 54 is also in contact with the notch 52 of the extension which carries the cylindrical free edge 50.

[0058] As is particularly evident in [Fig. 2], the hook 46 and the assembly formed by the cylindrical free edge 50 and the notch 52 have complementary shapes, here in the form of an arc of a circle along a section made in a plane perpendicular to their principal elongation direction, in other words, a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. The groove 46 forms a guide path, cut into the material, with an arc of a circle which allows the semi-circular shape of the cylindrical free edge 50 to be guided within it. A material thickness of the hook 46 is substantially equal to a material thickness of the notch 52, or even the material thickness of the hook 46 is less than the material thickness of the notch 52.

[0059] The rotation means 44, formed by the end of the hood 10 engaged in the base 8, and more specifically by the interaction between the groove 47 and the cylindrical free edge 50, allows the hood 10 to rotate relative to the base 8, thus enabling it to move from its open position to its closed position and vice versa. This movement of the hood 10 from one position to the other is achieved by pivoting the groove 47 within the receiving area 48 around the cylindrical free edge 50.

[0060] In the closed position of the cover 10 illustrated in [Fig. 2], it extends substantially parallel to the bottom 20 of the base 8, disregarding its domed shape. In the open position of the cover 10 in [Fig. 3], the cover 10 is substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the base 8. In other words, a transition from the closed position to the open position corresponds to a 90° rotation of the cover 10. During this rotation, the groove 47 pivots around the cylindrical free edge 50 from a first position in which the stop wall 54 of the hook 46 extends in the longitudinal-transverse plane in contact with the notch 52, and a second position at a distance from the notch 52 in which the stop wall 54 extends mainly in a longitudinal-vertical plane.

[0061] It should be noted that the cylindrical free edge 50 and the receiving area 48 are arranged within the base 8 so as to present a transverse offset with respect to the conduit 16. In fact, the cylindrical free edge 50 is not positioned above the conduit 16 in the vertical direction V but is offset laterally. The pivoting of the groove 47 around the cylindrical free edge 50 is therefore carried out without undue interference with the conduit 16 and the cable 2 it contains, while allowing the hook 46 to be locked in the notch 52 when the cable 2 is in position.

[0062] The present invention thus proposes a cable passage device consisting of a base and a cover pivoting relative to the base, such pivoting resulting in particular from the complementary shapes of the cover and the base.

[0063] The present invention is not limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated herein and also extends to any equivalent means and configuration as well as to any technically operative combination of such means.

Claims

Demands

1. Cable passage device (1) comprising a cover (10) and a base (8) in which is provided at least one conduit (16) intended to receive a cable (2), the cover (10) having an end engaged in the base (8) and of complementary shape to the base (8), this end forming with the base (8) a means of rotation (44) of the cover (10) relative to the base (8).

2. Cable passage device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein one of the hood (10), on an end edge, and the base (8), on an edge delimiting an opening to be covered by the hood (10), has a free edge at least partially cylindrical (50), the other having a groove (47), the cylindrical free edge (50) being engaged in the groove (47) to form the rotation means 44).

3. Cable passage device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the groove (47) and the base (8) have complementary arc shapes along a section made in a plane perpendicular to their principal elongation direction.

4. Cable passage device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with claim 2, wherein the hood (10) comprises a convex central portion (42), the groove (47) being concave.

5. Cable passage device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with claim 2, extending mainly along a longitudinal extension direction, the groove (47) being provided over an entire longitudinal dimension of the hood (10) and the cylindrical free edge (50) being provided over an entire longitudinal dimension of the base (8).

6. Cable passage device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hood (10) extends transversely between a first transverse edge (34) and a second transverse edge (36) carrying the end in contact with the base (8), the base (8) comprising a receiving stop (38) for the first transverse edge (34).

7. Cable passage device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of conduits (16) each intended to receive a cable (2), two adjacent conduits (16) being separated from each other by a low wall (18).

8. Cable passage device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the hood (10) is hinged between an open position and a closed position, the hood (10) being in contact with the wall (18) in the closed position.

9. Cable passage device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base (8) comprises a central zone (12) comprising the conduit (16) for receiving the cable (2) and two peripheral zones (14) on either side of the central zone (12), the base (8) comprising at least one clearance (28) provided within at least one of the peripheral zones (14).

10. Cable passage device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base (8) includes a bottom (20) participating in delimiting the conduit (16) intended to receive the cable (2), the bottom (20) having at least one groove (26) on a face (22) opposite the conduit (16).

11. Cable passage device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (10) and the base (8) are made of plastic material.

12. Cable passage device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (10) and the base (8) are extruded.

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