CONNECTION CHAMBER WITH INTEGRATED METAL FRAME

Abstract

The invention relates to a junction chamber (1), which consists of a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped component (3) buried in the ground, closed at the top by at least one cover (7). The chamber (1) houses means for connecting wires or cables forming part of a distribution network and is formed by the superposition, through interlocking means (42), of frame-shaped elements. These frame elements comprise at least one base element (4) and an upper element (5) intended to receive the cover (7) through a metal frame (6). Each of the frame-shaped elements (4, 5) is molded from a composite material. Each of the elements (4, 5) comprises, in addition to the interlocking means, additional receiving means designed to secure two superimposed elements (4, 5) together. The metal frame (6) is an integral part of the upper element. (5).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates, in the field of underground civil works, to a connecting chamber consisting, more specifically, of a piece used buried in the ground, of rectangular parallelepiped shape and closed at the top by at least one plug.

[0002] Such a junction chamber, as defined in the present invention, is intended to house means for connecting wires or cables that are part of a distribution network. For this purpose, it is intended to be placed at the junction of electricity and / or telecommunications networks, to facilitate connections.

[0003] As is known, a connection chamber consists of the superposition, through interlocking means, of frame-shaped elements, in the form of a base element and an upper element for receiving the plug.

[0004] Therefore, in the state of the art, we already know of simple design and easy implementation connection chamber devices, which can replace the previously used devices made of concrete.

[0005] Such a device is described for example in document FR 2 941 716.

[0006] The junction chamber device described in this document FR 2 941 716 consists of a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped room used buried in the ground, closed at the top by one or more covers, and housing means for connecting wires or cables that are part of a distribution network, and which is made up of the superposition, through interlocking means, of at least two elements, each made from the molding of a composite material, and each comprising a peripheral wall made up of two skins delimiting a space intended to be filled with concrete.

[0007] Such a device has many advantages over what existed previously, particularly in terms of ease of implementation, due to its low weight and the reduced size of the parts that compose it, and also in terms of ease of storage.

[0008] This system, however, still has some drawbacks, notably the need to pour concrete, which is nevertheless necessary to ensure the cohesion of the various elements that make up a permanent formwork. Furthermore, the upper part of the system is not designed to optimally accommodate one or more plugs.

[0009] Furthermore, connection chamber devices of this type make it difficult to manage the problem of runoff water, both outside and inside the connection chamber device.

[0010] To overcome some of these drawbacks, patent document EP 2 878 734 describes a connection chamber device, which consists of a room buried in the ground, of rectangular parallelepiped shape, closed at the top by means of at least one plug, and intended to house means for connecting wires or cables.

[0011] An example of an embodiment of the upper part of such a prior art device is shown on the figure 1 The attached drawings will help with understanding.

[0012] The device here consists of the superposition, through interlocking means of the stud type, of basic elements and an upper element receiving the pad, all these elements being manufactured from the molding of a composite material.

[0013] The basic elements and the upper element include, in addition to the means of interlocking, means for receiving connecting means designed suitable for joining superimposed elements together.

[0014] It is also provided, in this system, that each of the basic elements has, externally and peripherally, means of collecting runoff water, for example in the form of internal and external peripheral grooves, as well as means of evacuating this water, the latter being able to take the form of openings.

[0015] Thus, the device according to this state of the art makes it possible in particular to effectively remedy the problem of management and evacuation of runoff water.

[0016] However, some drawbacks remain.

[0017] In particular, in this prior art, the upper element of the connection chamber device comprises an internal rebate, which receives a metal frame, itself intended to support a plug. Perimetric and concentric ribs are arranged on the surface of the bottom of the rebate, constituting means of retaining the concrete to seal the metal frame, while preventing the concrete from falling into the connection chamber.

[0018] It is also planned that the surface of the bottom of the internal rebate will have small, regularly spaced studs to provide spacing means to allow the concrete to spread.

[0019] It should also be noted that the solidity of the metal frame is reinforced by the attachment of the fixing brackets, which this frame includes, in concrete filling housings made internally in the upper element, in the cheek of the rebate.

[0020] Thus, it is clear that the concrete pouring operation remains necessary to ensure the cohesion and solidity of the metal frame on the upper element of the connecting chamber.

[0021] However, such an operation is tedious and has many disadvantages, in particular the fact that the drying of the concrete to ensure the bonding of the different elements together represents a certain and significant amount of time.

[0022] In addition, the presence of a machine dedicated to pouring concrete is required, which may hinder, or even prevent, movement on the road at the level of which the connection chamber is to be put in place, during the time of the operations.

[0023] It should also be noted that, prior to sealing, it may be necessary to adjust the metal frame not only in height, but also in inclination, for example in relation to the slope of the sidewalk, so that the cover housed in said metal frame is perfectly flush with the surface of said sidewalk, whether the latter is straight or has a more or less significant slope.

[0024] In particular, regarding the cross slope of the sidewalk, this should normally be less than or equal to 2%, to comply with standard P98 / 350 on the accessibility of roads for people with disabilities. However, the cross slope can often reach up to 6%.

[0025] In all cases, adapting the metal frame in the rebate using concrete, so that the cover is flush with the surface, is relatively expensive for the installer of such connection chamber devices, while also being tedious and unpredictable.

[0026] The present invention aims to provide, in particular, a connecting chamber that makes it possible to remedy, in a particularly ingenious way, at least some of the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0027] To this end, the present invention relates to a connection chamber, which consists of a piece used buried in the ground, of rectangular parallelepiped shape, closed at the top by at least one cover, said chamber housing means for connecting wires or cables forming part of a distribution network, and made up of the superposition, through interlocking means, of frame-shaped elements, and comprising at least one base element and one upper element intended to receive said cover through a metal frame, where each of said frame-shaped elements comes from the molding of a composite material, each of said elements comprising, in addition to said interlocking means, complementary receiving means to said interlocking means, designed suitable for the joining together of two superimposed elements, said connection chamber being characterized in that the metal frame is an integral part of the upper element.

[0028] Preferably, the upper element has a crowning element which forms an internal rebate onto which said metal frame is overmolded.

[0029] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, which should not however be considered limiting, said metal frame, advantageously overmolded on the upper element, is made of aluminum.

[0030] Particularly interestingly, the connecting chamber according to the invention further comprises at least one tilt correction device disposed between the upper element and a base element and / or at least one tilt correction device disposed between two successive base elements, said correction device being of rectangular parallelepiped shape and of identical dimensions in length and width to the dimensions of the frame-shaped elements, and in that two of the parallel sides are of different heights and the sides which connect them are of variable height, going in narrowing from said higher side to said lower side, said correction device further comprising interlocking means complementary to the interlocking means of the frame-shaped elements of the connecting chamber.

[0031] Thus, for example, said tilt correction device comprises two large sides and two small sides, said two large sides being able to have a different height while said two small sides which connect them are of variable height, going in narrowing from said tallest large side to said shortest large side of the tilt correction device.

[0032] In another example, said tilt correction device still comprises two large sides and two small sides, and it is said two small sides that have different heights, while said two large sides that connect them are of variable height, going in narrowing from said tallest small side to said shortest small side of the tilt correction device.

[0033] Regardless of the configuration chosen for the aforementioned tilt correction device, the slope, between the highest and lowest sides of said device, is preferably between 0.5 and 3%.

[0034] It should also be noted that, advantageously, each of the said basic elements of the connecting chamber according to the invention has, externally and peripherally, means for collecting runoff water, as well as means for evacuating this runoff water.

[0035] The present invention has the particular advantage of allowing a substantial time saving during the installation of the connecting chamber, as the pouring and drying stages of concrete are no longer necessary to ensure cohesion of certain elements of said chamber.

[0036] Another advantage of the present invention lies in the ease of installation of the connection chamber for operators, who no longer need to pour concrete using dedicated equipment, an operation that can prove delicate because it is meticulous, especially when the concrete has to be poured at the level of small elements.

[0037] Furthermore, the present invention can make it particularly easy to adapt the inclination of one or more plugs closing, in the upper part, a connection chamber, for example to house means for connecting wires or cables of a distribution network, so that said plug(s) are flush with the surface of the ground, without the need for adjustment using concrete.

[0038] The advantages and characteristics of the connecting chamber according to the invention and those of the tilt correction device of at least one buffer that can equip this chamber, will emerge more clearly from the following description which relates to the attached figures, which represent several non-limiting embodiments.

[0039] More specifically, in the attached figures: there figure 1 schematically illustrates a perspective and exploded view of the constituent elements of the upper part of a connection chamber according to the prior art, in particular a base element in the lower part of the chamber, surmounted by an upper element to which it is attached by suitable means, said upper element being intended to cooperate with a metal frame which engages, via attachment tabs, in a layer of concrete poured at the level of the internal rebate of the frame of the upper element; the figure 2 schematically illustrates a perspective and exploded view of a particular, non-limiting embodiment of a connecting chamber according to the invention, in which a metal frame, intended to receive a plug, is overmolded onto the internal rebate of the upper element, while a first tilt correction device is provided between this upper element and the base element disposed immediately below it, and a second tilt correction device is provided between two successive base elements; the figure 3 represents, schematically, a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a connecting chamber according to the figure 2 , installed below the ground surface, said connecting chamber being notably equipped with two tilt correctors; the figure 4 represents, schematically and according to several views (a front view, two side views and a perspective view), a first embodiment of a tilt correction device intended to equip the connecting chamber according to the invention, which device has two long sides and two short sides, the latter having different heights and the two long sides connecting them being of variable height; the figure 5 represents, schematically and according to several views (a front view, two side views and a perspective view), a second embodiment of an inclination correction device intended to equip the connecting chamber according to the invention, which device has two long sides and two short sides, said two long sides having different heights and the two short sides connecting them being of variable height.

[0040] With reference to figures 2 And 3From the attached drawings, the present invention relates to a junction chamber 1 for use where it is intended to be buried under the surface 2 of the ground 3, in order to house means for connecting wires or cables forming part of a distribution network, essentially a telecommunications network, such means not being shown in the attached figures.

[0041] Such a connecting chamber 1 according to the invention advantageously has, as shown in the figures, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, although any other shape is conceivable.

[0042] The present connecting chamber 1 is, essentially, made up of the superposition of a plurality of elements, having the general shape of a frame, in this case at least a base element 4 and a top element 5.

[0043] Thus, in the example of the construction of the connection chamber 1 shown on the figures 2 And 3 , said chamber 1 comprises, superimposed two by two, four basic elements 4, preferably identical, and a top element 5.

[0044] However, such an embodiment should not be considered limiting of the invention, and it may very well be that the connecting chamber 1 according to the invention comprises a single basic element 4, or a different number of basic elements 4, for example two, three or more than four basic elements 4.

[0045] On the figures 2 And 3 , we can thus see four basic elements 4, which are rectangular in shape, comprising two long sides (length) and two short sides (width), each with a constant height, as well as a relatively large thickness.

[0046] It will be noted that each basic element 4 has, protruding from its upper face 41, a plurality of interlocking studs 42, intended to cooperate with corresponding interlocking cavities, not visible on the attached figures, and made in the lower face either of another basic element 4, or of the upper element 5, and allowing to assemble, respectively, two successive basic elements 4 together, or even an upper element 5 on the basic element 4 which is intended to be positioned directly below it.

[0047] It should also be noted that, advantageously, the 42 interlocking studs can be externally fitted with at least one longitudinal rib, preferably crushable, allowing adjustment of the interlockings.

[0048] In the connecting chamber 1 according to the invention, the fitting of successive elements two by two can also be completed by a securing by screwing, for example by means of a plurality of tabs 43 furnishing each of the outer walls of the sides of the base elements 4, said tabs 43 being furthermore each provided with a hole for the passage of a screw, not shown, and intended to be screwed into the base element 4 placed directly below.

[0049] Furthermore, it can also be noted that the basic elements 4 have, in this case on the short sides 44 of these elements 4, pre-cuts 45, preferably round, each intended, after cutting, in particular by means of a hole saw, for the possible passage of a sheath for the passage of cables or wires.

[0050] It should also be noted that, in a preferred example of the connecting chamber of the invention 1, it also has, externally and peripherally, means for collecting runoff water, for example in the form of internal and external peripheral grooves at the level of the upper face 41 of a basic element 4, as well as means for evacuating this runoff water, preferably in the form of openings 46 provided in the external peripheral groove and opening onto the outside of said connecting chamber 1.

[0051] It should also be noted that these openings 46 are created, advantageously, in relation to the legs 43, which allows the latter to take place there during the fitting.

[0052] Advantageously, the legs 43 of the lowest base element 4 allow a plate 8 to be fixed which forms the bottom of the connection chamber 2.

[0053] In addition, the lower face of a basic element 4 advantageously has two peripheral ribs, external and internal, not visible in the figures, intended to cooperate in interlocking when the said elements 4 are superimposed.

[0054] It should also be noted that, in a most preferential manner, the upper element 5 may include, projecting downwards, two external and internal peripheral ribs, intended to cooperate in interlocking with, respectively, the external and internal peripheral grooves of the base element 4 placed immediately below this upper element 5.

[0055] As regards now, more particularly, the characteristics of said upper element 5 of the connecting chamber 1, in addition to a frame shaped to fit, in particular by fitting, to a base element 4 which is positioned directly below, said upper element 5 houses a metal frame 6, itself adapted to receive one or more plug(s) 7 to close said chamber 1.

[0056] According to a particular and essential feature of the connecting chamber 1 of the invention, said metal frame 6 is an integral part of the upper element 5.

[0057] For this purpose, in a non-limiting example of embodiment, the metal frame 6 is an integral part of the upper element 5 by an operation carried out beforehand in the factory of insertion and fixing said frame 6 on the upper element 5 through appropriate means.

[0058] However, even more advantageously, said upper element 5 of the connecting chamber 1 according to the invention includes a crowning 51 which forms an internal rebate on which said metal frame 6 is overmolded.

[0059] In a highly preferred embodiment example, the metal frame, integrated into the upper element 5, is preferably made of aluminum.

[0060] Thanks to this particular feature of the connection chamber 1 of the invention, the operators responsible for installing such a chamber at the appropriate location in the distribution network benefit from a reduction in the time required for its installation. Furthermore, such installation is facilitated by the complete elimination of the need for pouring and drying concrete, operations still necessary in the installation of state-of-the-art chambers for joining elements together.

[0061] In particular, the implementation of the connection chamber 1 of the invention allows the laying of the asphalt layer 11 immediately, without waiting for the concrete to solidify, the latter necessarily implying the postponement of the laying of the asphalt, generally to the day after the installation of the connection chamber.

[0062] Therefore, it is clear that the connecting chamber 1 of the invention represents a considerable economic gain.

[0063] Previously in the description, one of the constituent elements of the connection chamber 1 has already been mentioned, namely the buffer 7.

[0064] In general, the cover 7 is the element used to close the opening of a connection chamber 1. For this purpose, it must be flush with the surface 2 of the floor 3, so that said surface 2 and the cover 7 have a certain continuity, with no or almost no difference in level between said floor 3 and the connection chamber 1.

[0065] When the surface 2 of the floor 3 is horizontal, or almost horizontal, the installation of a connecting chamber 1 according to the invention and as described so far makes it possible to guarantee this continuity of level which is sought, between said surface 2 of the floor 3 and the upper face 71 of the buffer 7 which closes the opening of the chamber 1.

[0066] However, in the case where the surface 2 of the floor 3, at the location where the connecting chamber 1 is to be installed, has a certain slope, as illustrated in the figure 3 As shown in the attached drawings, this slope can reach up to 6% in certain configurations, it is also necessary to ensure continuity of level between said surface 2 and the upper face 71 of the buffer 7.

[0067] For this purpose, said connecting chamber 1 according to the invention may incorporate, when necessary, at least one tilt correction device 9, 10 as described in more detail below.

[0068] Thus, for example, in the present connecting chamber 1, at least one tilt correction device 9, 10 can be integrated between the upper element 5 and a base element 4 positioned directly below and / or between two successive base elements 4.

[0069] These two possible positionings of a tilt correction device 9 between two elements 4, 5 of said chamber 1 according to the invention are illustrated in the figures 2 And 3 .

[0070] Indeed, in these figures, a connecting chamber 1 is represented at the level of which a first tilt correction device 9 is housed between the upper element 5 and the lower base element 4, while a second identical tilt correction device 9 takes position between two base elements 4, in this case between the base element 4 positioned directly under the upper element 5 and the lower base element 4.

[0071] Thus, it is understood that it is conceivable that a plurality of tilt correction devices 9, 10 equip a connection chamber 1 of a distribution network conforming to the invention.

[0072] However, in such a configuration with several tilt correction devices 9, 10, it is preferable that a first device 9, 10 be positioned between the upper element 5 and the base element 4 positioned directly below it, and that a second device 9, 10 be positioned at a lower rank, between two base elements 4.

[0073] In other words, it is advantageous that two tilt correction devices 9, 10 are not superimposed, in order to facilitate the joining of these devices 9, 10 with the elements 4, 5 of the connecting chamber 1 through interlocking means which will be described in more detail below.

[0074] In any case, in a configuration where chamber 1 is equipped with at least one tilt correction device 9, 10 positioned between the upper element 5 and a base element 4 and / or between two base elements 4, the tedious operation of adjusting the tilt, carried out until then by means of concrete to tilt the metal frame before receiving the plug, so that it is perfectly flush with the surface 2 of the floor 3, even if this floor is sloping, is eliminated.

[0075] Therefore, it becomes conceivable, even in a connecting chamber 1 intended to be positioned under the surface 2 of a floor 3 having an inclination, and thanks to the inclination correction device 9, 10, that the metal frame 6 can be directly embedded in the upper element 5, to become an integral part of it, by manufacturing, by an overmolding operation, for example.

[0076] Now, with reference to figures 4 And 5, we can see two different examples of implementation of an inclination correction device 9, 10 intended to be fitted to the connecting chamber 1 according to the invention.

[0077] In general, an inclination correction device 9, 10 intended to equip said chamber 1, necessarily has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, in general frame shape, identical to the shape of the base elements 4 and upper 5 of said chamber 1.

[0078] In addition, the dimensions of the tilt correction device 9, 10 are also identical, in length and width, to the length and width dimensions of the elements 4, 5 of the connecting chamber 1, so that said device 9, 10 can be easily intercalated, for example between two of said elements 4, 5.

[0079] It should also be noted that said tilt correction device 9, 10 has four sides parallel in pairs, two of the parallel sides being of different heights, a first side being considered as the highest side and a second side being considered as the lowest side, and the sides connecting them being of variable height, going in narrowing from said highest side to said lowest side.

[0080] In a first example of implementation, which is the one illustrated on the figure 4 In the attached drawings, the said tilt correction device 9 is in the form of a rectangular frame, comprising two long sides 91, 92 and two short sides 93, 94.

[0081] Here, the two small sides 93, 94 have different heights from each other, the height of each side 93, 94 being otherwise continuous over its entire length.

[0082] For example, one of the short sides 93 has a constant height of 15 mm over its entire length while the second short side 94 of device 9 has a constant height of 5 mm over its entire length.

[0083] The two large sides 91, 92, which connect the small sides 93, 94 to each other, have, on the contrary, a variable height over their entire length, this height gradually decreasing from the highest small side 93 to the lowest small side 94, as illustrated in the side view of the tilt correction device 9.

[0084] On the figures 2 And 3 The connecting chamber 1 according to the invention is equipped with two tilt correction devices 9 as described with reference to the figure 4 .

[0085] In a second example of implementation, described with reference to the figure 5 representing a numbered tilt correction device 10, it is the two large sides 101 and 102 which each have a different height.

[0086] Just like the example of the figure 4 , one of the long sides 101 has a constant height of 15 mm, and constitutes the tallest long side, while the second long side 102 has a constant height of 5 mm and constitutes the shortest long side.

[0087] At that moment, the two small sides 103 and 104, which connect the two large sides 101, 102 to each other, have a variable height, gradually decreasing from the tallest large side 101 to the shortest large side 102.

[0088] Regardless of the embodiment chosen, the slope between the highest side 93, 101 and the lowest side, respectively 94, 102, of the tilt correction device 9, 10, is advantageously between 0.5 and 3%.

[0089] Thus, if the connecting chamber 1 according to the invention is to be installed under a surface 2 having a final slope of 6%, for example, it is conceivable that two identical tilt correction devices 9, 10, each having sides of variable height with a slope of 3%, may be fitted to said chamber 1.

[0090] It should also be noted that it is entirely conceivable that such a connection chamber 1 according to the invention could be equipped with at least: of a first tilt correction device 9 whose long sides 91, 92 have a variable height and whose slope is between 0.5 and 3%; of a second tilt correction device 10 whose short sides 103, 104, this time, have a variable height and whose slope is between 0.5 and 3%.

[0091] Such use, in a connecting chamber 1 according to the invention, of different tilt correction devices 9, 10 makes it possible, in a particularly advantageous way, to correct a slope of the surface 2 of the ground 3 going in two directions, so that the buffer(s) 7 closing said connecting chamber 1 are perfectly flush with the surface 2 of the ground 3, and this regardless of the circumstances and the configuration of the ground 3.

[0092] Another advantageous feature of the tilt correction device 9, 10 which can be fitted to the connecting chamber 1 of the invention is that it includes interlocking means complementary to the interlocking means of the different elements 4, 5 of the connecting chamber 1 between which said device 9, 10 is intended to be positioned.

[0093] It has already been mentioned that, preferably, the means for joining the elements 4, 5 of the connecting chamber 1 may consist of interlocking studs 42 protruding from the upper face 41 and cooperating with corresponding interlocking cavities.

[0094] As regards the tilt correction device 9, 10, it advantageously includes holes 95, 105, respectively, allowing the passage of said interlocking studs 42 while also allowing the cooperation of these studs 42 with the corresponding interlocking cavities.

[0095] As regards the manufacture of the basic elements 4 or the upper element 5 of the connecting chamber 1 according to the invention, as well as the possible tilt correction device 9, 10 intended to preferentially equip the present chamber 1, this is advantageously done from the molding of a composite material.

Claims

1. Junction chamber (1), which consists of a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped room buried in the ground (3), closed at the top by at least one cover (7), said chamber (1) housing means for connecting wires or cables forming part of a distribution network, and consisting of the superposition, through interlocking means (42), of frame-shaped elements, and comprising at least one base element (4) and an upper element (5) intended to receive said cover (7) through a metal frame (6), where each of said frame-shaped elements (4, 5) is molded from a composite material, each of said elements (4, 5) comprising, in addition to said interlocking means (42), additional receiving means to said interlocking means, designed suitable for joining two superimposed elements (4, 5), said junction chamber (1) being characterized in thatthe metal frame (6) is an integral part of the upper element (5).

2. Connection chamber (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper element (5) has a crown (51) which forms an internal rebate on which said metal frame (6) is overmolded.

3. Connecting chamber (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said metal frame (6) is made of aluminium.

4. Connecting chamber (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatit further comprises at least one tilt correction device (9, 10) disposed between the upper element (5) and a base element (4) and / or at least one tilt correction device (9, 10) disposed between two successive base elements (4), said correction device (9, 10) being rectangular in shape and having the same length and width dimensions as the frame-shaped elements (4, 5), and in that two of the parallel sides (93, 94; 101, 102) are of different heights and the sides (91, 92; 103, 104) which connect them are of variable height, going down from said higher side (93; 101) to said lower side (94; 102), said correcting device (9, 10) further comprising additional interlocking means (95; 105) to the interlocking means (42) of the frame-shaped elements (4, 5) of the connecting chamber (1).

5. Connecting chamber (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said tilt correction device (10) comprises two large sides (101, 102) and two small sides (103, 104), said two large sides (101, 102) having a different height and said two small sides (103, 104) which connect them being of variable height, going in narrowing from said taller large side (101) to said shorter large side (102).

6. Connection chamber (1) according to claim 4 characterized in that said tilt correction device (9) comprises two large sides (91, 92) and two small sides (93, 94), said two small sides (93, 94) having different heights and said two large sides (91, 92) which connect them are of variable height, going in narrowing from said higher small side (93) to said lower small side (94).

7. Connecting chamber (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6 characterized in that the slope between the highest side (93; 101) and the lowest side (94; 102) of said tilt correction device (9, 10) is between 0.5 and 3%.

8. Connecting chamber (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Each of the said basic elements (4) has externally and peripherally means for collecting runoff water, as well as means for evacuating this runoff water.