Assembly for coupling two cable channels and corresponding coupling device

The cable channel coupling device addresses the issue of surface damage by using polymeric pressing bodies with oblong ribs to create a frictional lock, ensuring secure coupling without harming the cable channels, and is cost-effective and easy to construct.

WO2025109243A1PCT designated stage expired Publication Date: 2025-05-30UNEX APARELLAJE ELECTRICO SL
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/ES2024/070731
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-11-23
Filing Date
2024-11-21
Publication Date
2025-05-30

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing cable channel coupling devices can damage the surface of polymeric cable channels due to the use of metallic parts with serrated edges, which can leave permanent marks and compromise the integrity of the channels.

Method used

A coupling device with a pressing body made of polymeric material, featuring rigid plates with oblong ribs that create a frictional force against the cable channel side walls, preventing movement without causing damage. The device includes a manually actuated rotary actuator to move the pressing body into a locking position.

Benefits of technology

The solution effectively locks the cable channels without damaging their surfaces, providing a robust and secure coupling while maintaining the integrity of the polymeric material. The design is cost-effective and simplifies the construction of the coupling device.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to an assembly for coupling two cable channels made of a polymer material, and a coupling device (6) which is part of the assembly. An open end of the cable channels is introduced into a housing (11) on the perimeter of open ends (10) of the coupling device (6), thereby forming a continuous channel. The coupling device (6) comprises a movable pressing body (12) and an actuator (13) that can be manually operated to move the pressing body (12) into a blocking position. The pressing body (12) is a rigid plate made of a polymer material and has at its ends support surfaces in a plane. In the blocking position, the support surfaces press flatly against a side wall of the cable channels to block the movement of the open end of the cable channels in the housing (11).
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Description

[0001] SET FOR COUPLING TWO CABLE CHANNELS, AND DEVICE

[0002] CORRESPONDING COUPLER

[0003] DESCRIPTION of the invention

[0004] The invention relates to cable channels, which are commonly used to guide cables in a space. The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, applicable to guiding fiber optic cable bundles and other cables in data centers.

[0005] More specifically, the invention relates to an assembly for coupling two cable channels, comprising:

[0006] - a first cable channel and a second cable channel made of polymeric material, each comprising a U-shaped section, with a bottom wall, two facing side walls, an open upper face and at least one open end;

[0007] - and a coupling device for coupling said first and second cable channels together, said coupling device having a straight channel shape in a longitudinal direction, with a U-shape in section, with a bottom wall, two facing side walls, an open upper face and two opposite open ends; said coupling device comprising, along the perimeter of each of said open ends, a housing into which said open end of the first and second cable channels is inserted in said longitudinal direction, to couple them to said coupling device, such that said first and second cable channels and said coupling device form a continuous channel in said longitudinal direction;said coupling device further comprising, on each of its two side walls, a movable pressing body and a manually actuated actuator to move said pressing body to a locking position, in which said pressing body rests under pressure on one of the side walls of each of the first and second cable channels, at the open end inserted in said housing, thus blocking the coupling of said first and second cable channels with said coupling device.;

[0008] The invention also relates to the coupling device that forms part of this assembly. State of the art

[0009] Document EP1606866B1 discloses an assembly for coupling two cable ducts of the type indicated at the beginning. The pressing body of the coupling device is a tongue with barbed ends. The pressing body is supported by the side wall of the cable ducts by the edge of the barbed ends of the tongue. Each of these barbed ends of the tongue forms an acute angle with the side wall of the cable duct, and is oriented such that it does not oppose the relative movement of the side wall of the portable duct to couple it to the coupling device, but blocks its relative movement in the opposite direction, which is necessary to uncouple the cable duct. This blocking is due to the fact that the relative movement of the side wall of the cable duct, in the uncoupling direction, causes the edge of the barbed end of the tongue to tend to dig into said side wall.This locking system is effective, but has the disadvantage that the force exerted by the barbed end of the tongue can damage the sidewall surface of the cable duct and leave visible, permanent marks on it. In practice, cable ducts are typically made of polymer material, the tongue is metallic, and the edge of the barbed ends of the tongue is serrated to better grip the surface of the cable duct, thereby exacerbating the disadvantage mentioned above.

[0010] Description of the invention

[0011] The invention aims to provide an assembly for coupling two cable channels, of the type indicated at the beginning, in which the locking of the cable channels in the coupled position is carried out without damaging the surface of the cable channels, and at the same time without reducing the effectiveness of the locking and without complicating the coupling device or increasing its manufacturing cost.

[0012] This purpose is achieved by means of an assembly for coupling two cable channels of the type indicated at the beginning, characterized in that the pressing body is a rigid plate of polymeric material having, at one end, a first support surface extending in a plane in at least the longitudinal direction of the coupling device and, at an opposite end, a second support surface extending in a plane in at least said longitudinal direction, such that, in the locked position, each of the first support surface and second support surface rests flatly and under pressure on the side wall of each of the first and second cable channels, at the open end inserted into each of the housings, thus creating a frictional force on said side wall that blocks the movement of said open end in said housing.This flat support, through the bearing surfaces, allows the actuator to exert a significant force on the pressing body formed by the rigid plate, which is directly transmitted by the latter to press the side wall of the cable channel without causing damage to its surface. The extension of the bearing surfaces, particularly in the longitudinal direction, provides a high frictional force that opposes the disengagement movement, thus providing a robust locking. Advantageously, to achieve this robust locking, it is sufficient to arrange a pressing body and actuator unit on each of the side walls of the coupling device; it is not necessary to arrange any locking system on the back wall.

[0013] Preferably, in the side walls of the coupling device, the housing is a space delimited laterally by the side wall of the coupling device and by the rigid plate constituting the pressing body, said rigid plate facing said side wall of the coupling device. This configuration simplifies the construction of the coupling device. Furthermore, it allows the rigid plate constituting the pressing body to be larger, and the first and second support surfaces can also be larger, thereby achieving a more stable support of said rigid plate on the side wall of the cable channel.

[0014] Preferably, the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface are discontinuous and consist of the ridges of protuberances formed on one face of the pressing body. This results in greater pressure in the contact areas of these protuberances with the side wall of the cable channel, and therefore a firmer locking, but without damaging the surface of said side wall since the protuberances all rest on the same plane. Preferably, the protuberances are oblong ribs. This solution prevents the creation of specific bearing areas that could damage the surface. More preferably, the oblong ribs extend in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, thus providing maximum frictional force against relative movement in said longitudinal direction. In preferred embodiments, there are between two and ten oblong ribs on each of the first and second bearing surfaces.

[0015] Preferably, the actuator is a rotary control that bears against the pusher body and is rotatably mounted on a shaft extending from the side wall of the coupling device and passing through an opening in said pusher body, such that, when said actuator rotates relative to said shaft, said actuator moves toward the side wall of said coupling device, pushing said pusher body. This configuration requires few parts and is particularly robust.

[0016] Preferably, the actuator comprises an inner cylindrical wall coaxial with the axis and a helical track formed by a rim projecting from said inner cylindrical wall; and said axis comprises at its end at least one journal bearing on said inner cylindrical wall and on said helical track, such that, when said actuator rotates with respect to said axis, said journal slides along said helical track, resting thereon. In this solution, the mechanism formed by the helical track and the journal is located entirely within the actuator, which makes it possible to form a handle on the outer surface of the actuator that is convenient for the user to rotate the actuator. Preferably, the travel of the journal in the helical track is at most half a turn of the circumference, more preferably at most a quarter of a turn of the circumference, with respect to the axis.The user can thus easily turn the actuator with one hand and in a single gesture to bring the pressure body to the locked position.

[0017] Preferably, a tab is formed on the helical track that interferes with the journal when said journal slides in said helical track, such that said tab is forcibly overcome by said journal when said pressing body reaches the locked position, and such that said tab, forcibly overcome by said journal, maintains said pressing body in said locked position. This is a simple and sufficiently robust solution for maintaining the actuator and the pressing body in the locked position. Preferably, the coupling device comprises snap-fitting means, separate from the housing, that snap-fit ​​with corresponding snap-fitting means of the first and second cable channels when the open end of each of the first and second cable channels is inserted into said housing, to couple said first and second cable channels to said coupling device.This configuration makes coupling and locking easier: the user can first perform the coupling, achieving a stable relative position of the two coupled cable ducts with the coupling device thanks to the snap-fit, and then perform the locking by manually operating the actuator. Facilitating the assembly operations that must be performed by the user is important, since the cable ducts can be large, which complicates their handling, and they can be located in a space that is difficult for the user to access.

[0018] Preferably, the snap-fitting means of the coupling device are arranged at an upper end of its side walls, opposite its bottom wall, and the snap-fitting means on the first and second cable channels are arranged at an upper end of its side walls, opposite its bottom wall; and, at least on the bottom wall of the coupling device, the housing is formed by a space delimited between an outer partition and said bottom wall of the coupling device, said outer partition being arranged such that it does not reach the end of said bottom wall of the coupling device in the longitudinal direction.This configuration allows for coupling by first inserting the end wall of the cable duct into the housing, with the cable duct slightly angled, and then rotating the cable duct to insert the top end of the side walls into the housing to achieve a snap fit. This coupling method is easier for the user.

[0019] Preferably, the snap-fit ​​means on the coupling device are two opposite lugs formed on each of the side walls of the coupler device, extending in the longitudinal direction and having a tapered section towards their end; and the corresponding snap-fit ​​means on the first and second cable channels are a tubular flange at an upper end of each of the side walls of the first and second cable channels, such that each of said lugs is inserted and snap-fits into said tubular flange of each of said first and second cable channels. This solution has the advantage of using, to perform the snap-fit, the flanges that are usually arranged at the upper end of the side walls of the first and second cable channels and which serve other functions, in particular for fixing covers or other elements to the cable channel.

[0020] Preferably, the coupling device comprises, at an upper end of each of its side walls, a pin extending longitudinally and forming one of the lugs at each end. This configuration is particularly robust and makes the operating mode easier for the user to understand at a glance.

[0021] Preferably, the pin comprises a central portion separating the lugs, said central portion being exposed when the first and second cable-carrying channels are coupled to the coupling device, with said lugs inserted and snap-fitted into the tubular rim of each of said first and second cable-carrying channels. Furthermore, preferably, the assembly comprises a bridge having, at its ends, claws with a shape complementary to that of the central portion of the pin, such that said claws snap-fit, in a removably manner, with the central portion of the pins and said bridge closes a central section of the open upper face of the coupling device. This solution allows the bridge to be optionally placed to confine the cables laid in the cable-carrying channels, without altering the geometry of said cable-carrying channels.

[0022] Preferably, the bridge is shaped such that, when it is snap-fitted by its claws to the central portion of the pins, closing a central section of the open upper face of the coupling device, said bridge does not protrude beyond said open upper face of the coupling device. This solution has the advantage that the bridge does not alter the height of the coupled cable ducts.

[0023] The invention also comprises the coupling device that forms part of the assembly described above, considered individually. Thus, the invention comprises a coupling device, for coupling together a first cable channel and a second cable channel, said first and second cable channels being made of polymeric material and each comprising a U-shaped section, with a bottom wall, two facing side walls, an open upper face and at least one open end;said coupling device having a straight channel shape in a longitudinal direction, with a U-shape in section, with a bottom wall, two facing side walls, an open upper face and two opposite open ends, said open ends each forming, along their perimeter, a housing for introducing, in said longitudinal direction, said open end of the first and second cable channels, to couple them to said coupling device, such that said first and second cable channels and said coupling device form a continuous channel in said longitudinal direction;said coupling device comprising, on each of its two side walls, a movable pressing body and a manually actuated actuator to move said pressing body to a locking position, in which said pressing body rests under pressure on one of the side walls of each of the first and second cable channels, at its open end when it is inserted into said housing, thus blocking the coupling of said first and second cable channels with said coupling device;characterized in that said pressing body is a rigid plate of polymeric material having, at one end, a first support surface extending in a plane in at least said longitudinal direction and, at an opposite end, a second support surface extending in a plane in at least said longitudinal direction, so that, in said locked position, each of said first support surface and second support surface rests flatly and under pressure on the side wall of each of the first and second cable-carrying channels, at the open end when the latter is inserted into each of said housings, thus creating a frictional force on said side wall that blocks the movement of said open end in said housing.;

[0024] The coupling device according to the invention optionally comprises each of the preferred features described above in reference to the coupling device of the assembly.

[0025] The invention also comprises other detailed features shown in the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention and in the accompanying figures.

[0026] Brief description of the drawings The advantages and characteristics of the invention can be appreciated from the following description in which, without limiting the scope of the main claim, preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth with reference to the figures.

[0027] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of two cable channels and a coupling device, in an uncoupled position.

[0028] Figs. 2 and 3 are respectively a front view and a perspective view of the cable channel.

[0029] Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are perspective views showing the successive steps for coupling the two cable channels with the coupling device.

[0030] Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10 are respectively a top perspective view, a bottom perspective view, a front view and a side view of the coupling device.

[0031] Fig. 11 and 12 are exploded perspective views, from two different angles, of the coupling device.

[0032] Figs. 13 and 14 are respectively a front view and a partial perspective view of the main body of the coupling device, without the pressing body and the actuator.

[0033] Figs. 15, 16 and 17 are respectively a front perspective view, a rear perspective view and a top view of the pressing body.

[0034] Figs. 18, 19 and 20 are respectively a front perspective view, a rear perspective view and a sectional perspective view of the actuator.

[0035] Fig. 21 is a partial perspective view showing the coupling body and the two cable channels coupled thereto, with the actuator and the push-button body in a non-locking position. Fig. 22 is a view similar to Fig. 21, with the actuator and the push-button body in the locked position.

[0036] Fig. 23 is a partial perspective view showing the coupling body and the two cable channels coupled to it, with the bridge before being positioned and snapped into place.

[0037] Fig. 24 is a view similar to Fig. 23, with the bridge snapped into place.

[0038] Detailed description of some embodiments of the invention

[0039] The assembly for coupling two cable ducts described below by way of example is primarily used for guiding bundles of optical fiber cables in data centers. It consists of two cable ducts 1A, 1B and a coupling device 6. The cable ducts 1A, 1B are made of a polymeric material such as, for example, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). In the example shown in the figures, the two cable ducts 1A, 1B are identical in section and can have different lengths. As can be seen in Figs. 1 to 3, each cable duct 1A, 1B is a straight section with a U-shaped profile in section, with a bottom wall 2, two facing side walls 3, an open upper face 4 and two open ends 5. The free upper end of each side wall 3 forms a tubular flange 26 that projects outwards.Other embodiments of the invention are possible in which the cable channels 1A, 1B are not a straight section with a U-shaped profile. For example, at least one of the cable channels may be an elbow or a T-branch, with an end section with the U-shaped section described above.

[0040] The coupling device 6 is inserted between the two cable trays 1A, 1B to couple them at their open ends 5. It has a straight channel shape in a longitudinal direction L, with a U-shaped section corresponding to that of the cable trays 1A, 1B, with a bottom wall 7, two facing side walls 8, an open top face 9 and two opposite open ends 10. The coupling device 6 is formed by five parts: a main body 31 with the U-shaped section described above, two pressing bodies 12 and two actuators 13 manually actuated to move each pressing body 12 to a locked position, as will be seen later. There are two identical assemblies of pressing body 12 and actuator 13, each mounted on one of the side walls 8, to lock the coupling on each of these side walls 8.Each of these parts 31, 12 and 13 is made of a polymeric material such as PVC or ABS. Figs. 7 to 12 show the coupling device 6 as a whole; Figs. 13 and 14 show the main body 31; Figs. 15 to 17 show the pressure body 12; and Figs. 18 to 20 show the actuator 13.

[0041] Along the perimeter of the two open ends 10 of the coupling device 6, a housing 11 is formed for receiving, in the longitudinal direction L, the open ends 5 of the cable channels 1A, 1B, in order to couple them to the coupling device 6. Figs. 4 to 6 show successive phases for carrying out the coupling, in which first one cable channel 1B is coupled to an open end 10 of the coupling device 6 (Fig. 5) and then the other cable channel 1A is coupled to the other open end 10 of the coupling device 6 (Fig. 6). In the position shown in Fig. 6, the two cable channels 1A, 1B and the coupling device 6 to which they are coupled form a continuous channel in the longitudinal direction L. The housing 11 is formed, in the back wall 7, by a space delimited between an outer partition 24 and said back wall 7 of the coupling device 6.The outer partition 24 is arranged so that it does not reach the end of the back wall 7 in the longitudinal direction L. Preferably, the outer partition 24 and the housing.

[0042] 11 delimited by this also extend to the corners between the back wall 7 and the side walls 8, as can be seen in Figs. 8 and 9. In the side walls 8, the housing 11 is formed by a space delimited laterally by the side wall 8 and by a rigid plate which, as will be described later, constitutes the pressing body.

[0043] 12 and which faces said side wall 8.

[0044] The two side walls 8 of the coupler device 6 are identical and each have, on their outer face, shaped elements for mounting the presser body 12 and the actuator 13. As can be seen in Fig. 14, each side wall 8 has on its outer face an axis 18 that extends perpendicularly to said side wall 8. At the free end of the axis 18, two opposite trunnions 22 are formed that cooperate with the actuator 13, as will be seen later. Furthermore, each side wall 8 has on its outer face an upper guide 33 and a lower guide 34 parallel that delimit a space in which the presser body 12 fits slidably, such that the presser body 12 can slide in said space, with respect to said upper guides 33 and lower guides 34, to move away from and towards the side wall 8. Preferably, as can be seen in Fig.10, the side edges of the pressing device 12 are aligned with the side edges of the upper 33 and lower 34 guides and with the side edges of the outer partition 24, so that none of them reaches the end of the bottom wall 7 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0045] As shown in Figs. 15 to 17, the pressing body 12 is a rigid plate with a generally rectangular shape having, at one end, a first bearing surface 14 extending in a plane in the longitudinal direction L and in a direction orthogonal thereto, and, at an opposite end, a second bearing surface 15 extending in a plane in said longitudinal direction L and in a direction orthogonal thereto. The bearing surfaces 14 and 15 are discontinuous and are constituted by the crests 16 of protuberances 17 formed on a flat face of the rigid plate constituting the pressing body 12. In Figs. 16 and 17, reference numerals for all of the protuberances 17 are not indicated so as not to impair the clarity of the figure. The protuberances 17 are parallel oblong ribs extending in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction L.For example, as shown in the figures, there are four oblong ribs on each of the bearing surfaces 14, 15, and the oblong rib closest to the center of the rigid plate is interrupted in its central part. The rigid plate forming the presser body also has an opening 19 for the passage of the shaft 18 with its journals 22. The outer face, opposite the face on which the bearing surfaces 14 and 15 are formed, comprises a circular frame 35 for receiving the actuator 13.

[0046] The actuator 13 is a rotary control, which is rotatably mounted on the end of the shaft 18 protruding through the opening 19, and which bears against the pressing body 12 to push it towards the side wall 8. As can be seen in Figs. 18 to 20, the actuator 13 comprises a circular base 36 on which a handle 32 is formed. The circular base 36 fits inside the circular frame 35, thus forming a rotary fit of the actuator 13 with respect to the presser body 12. The actuator 13 comprises an inner cylindrical wall 20 coaxial with the axis 18 and two helical tracks 21 formed by a flange projecting from said inner cylindrical wall 20. The axis 18 is introduced into the cavity delimited by the inner cylindrical wall 20, such that each of the journals 22 rests on said inner cylindrical wall 20 and on a corresponding helical track 21.When the user rotates the actuator 13 with respect to the axis 18, the journals 22 slide along the helical tracks 21, resting on them, whereby the actuator 13 moves towards the side wall 8 of the coupling device 6, pushing the pressing body 12 which also moves towards the side wall 8. The travel of the journals 22 along the helical tracks 21 is a quarter of a circumference with respect to the axis 18. Two tabs 23 are formed on the inner cylindrical wall 20 which interfere with each of the journals 22 when they slide along the helical tracks 21, such that each tab 23 is forcibly overcome by each journal 22 when the pressing body 12 reaches the locked position. The tabs 23, forced over by the journals 22, hold the pressing body 12 in the locked position.

[0047] The coupling device 6 comprises, at an upper end of each of its side walls 8, opposite the bottom wall 7, a pin 27 extending in the longitudinal direction L and forming at each of its ends a stud 25. Each stud 25 extends in the longitudinal direction L and has a decreasing section towards its end. The two lugs 25 are separated by a central portion 28 of the tang 27. When the open end 5 of each of the first and second cable channels 1A, 1B is inserted into the housing 11 to couple the first and second cable channels 1A, 1B to the coupling device 6, each of the two lugs 25 is inserted and snap-fits into the tubular rim 26 of each of the first and second cable channels 1A, 1B, with the central portion 28 of the tang 27 being exposed, as can be seen in Fig. 21. Optionally, as shown in Figs.23 and 24, a bridge 29 can be placed to close a central section of the open upper face 9 of the coupling device 6. The bridge 29 has at its ends claws 30 with a shape complementary to that of the central part 28 of the pin 27 that is exposed, such that said claws 30 snap-fit, in a removably manner, with said central part 28 of the pins 27. When the bridge 29 is snap-fitted by its claws 30 to the central part 28 of the pins 27, as shown in Fig. 24, it does not protrude from the open upper face 9 of the coupling device 6.

[0048] The procedure for coupling the cable channels 1A, 1B to the coupling device 6, and for subsequently locking this coupling, is as follows. First, one cable channel 1B is coupled to the coupling device 6 (Fig. 5), moving it in the longitudinal direction L so as to make the open end 5 enter the housing 11 and at the same time snap the pin 25 into the tubular flange 26. The same operation is then carried out with the other cable channel 1A (Fig. 6), thus completing the coupling of the two cable channels 1A, 1B to the coupling device 6.The embodiment of the invention described above makes it possible to advantageously use an alternative method (not shown in the figures) to couple each of the cable channels 1A, 1B to the coupling device 6. This alternative method consists of first introducing the bottom wall 2 of the cable channel 1A, 1B into the housing 11, keeping said cable channel 1A, 1B slightly inclined with respect to the coupling device 6, and then rotating the cable channel 1A, 1B to thereby introduce the upper end of the side walls 3 into the housing 11 and, at the same time, introduce and snap-fit ​​the stud 25 into the tubular flange 26.

[0049] The coupling of the cable channels 1A, 1B to the coupling device 6 is carried out with the two actuators 13 (one actuator 13 on each side wall 8) in the non-locking position shown in Fig. 21, in which each pressing body 12 is in a withdrawn position and does not exert effective pressure against the side wall 3 of the open end 5 of the cable channel 1A, 1B which is introduced into the housing 11. To lock the coupling, the user takes each actuator 13 by hand by the handle 32 and turns it a quarter of a turn to the locking position shown in Fig. 22, having to provide at the end of this quarter of a turn a torque sufficient to overcome the opposition of the tabs 23 to the passage of the journals 22.In this locked position, the pressing body 12 has moved towards the side wall 8, pushed by the actuator 13, and is pressed against the side wall 3 of the open end 5 of the cable duct 1A, 1B inserted into the housing 11. The bearing surfaces 14, 15 rest flatly and under pressure on the side wall 3 of each of the cable ducts 1A, 1B, at the open end 5 inserted into each of the housings 11, thus creating a frictional force on said side wall 3 which blocks the movement of said open end 5 in said housing 11. To exit the locked position and thus allow a decoupling between the cable ducts 1A, 1B and the coupling device 6, the user turns the actuator 13 a quarter of a turn in the opposite direction, having to provide at the beginning of this quarter of a turn the torque sufficient to overcome the opposition of the tabs 23 to the passage of the stumps 22.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 Set for coupling two cable channels, comprising: - a first cable channel (1A) and a second cable channel (1B) made of polymeric material, each comprising a U-shaped section, with a bottom wall (2), two facing side walls (3), an open upper face (4) and at least one open end (5); - and a coupler device (6) for coupling said first and second cable channels (1A, 1B) together, said coupler device (6) having a straight channel shape in a longitudinal direction (L), with a U-shape in section, with a bottom wall (7), two facing side walls (8), an open upper face (9) and two opposite open ends (10); said coupler device (6) comprising, along the perimeter of each of said open ends (10), a housing (11) into which said open end (5) of the first and second cable channels (1A, 1B) is inserted in said longitudinal direction (L), to couple them to said coupler device (6), such that said first and second cable channels (1A, 1B) and said coupler device (6) form a continuous channel in said longitudinal direction (L);said coupling device (6) further comprising, on each of its two side walls (8), a movable pressing body (12) and an actuator (13) manually actuated to move said pressing body (12) to a blocking position, in which said pressing body (12) is pressed against one of the side walls (3) of each of the first and second cable channels (1A, 1B), at the open end (5) inserted in said housing (11), thus blocking the coupling of said first and second cable channels (1A, 1B) with said coupling device (6);characterized in that said pressing body (12) is a rigid plate of polymeric material having, at one end, a first support surface (14) extending in a plane in at least said longitudinal direction (L) and, at an opposite end, a second support surface (15) extending in a plane in at least said longitudinal direction (L), such that, in said locked position, each of said first support surface (14) and second support surface (15) rests flatly and under pressure on the side wall (3) of each of the first and second cable channels (1A, 2A), at the open end (5) inserted into each of said housings (11), thus creating a frictional force on said side wall (3) that blocks the movement of said open end (5) in said housing (11). 2.- Assembly for cable channels according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the side walls (8) of said coupling device (6), said housing (11) is a space delimited laterally by the side wall (8) of the coupling device (6) and by the rigid plate constituting the pressing body (12), said rigid plate facing said side wall (8) of the coupling device (6). 3.- Assembly for cable channels according to any of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said first support surface (14) and second support surface (15) are discontinuous and are constituted by the crests (16) of protuberances (17) formed on one face of said pressing body (12). 4.- Assembly for cable channels according to claim 3, characterized in that said protuberances (17) are oblong ribs. 5.- Assembly for cable channels according to claim 4, characterized in that said oblong ribs extend in a direction orthogonal to said longitudinal direction (L).

6. Assembly for cable channels according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said actuator (13) is a rotary control that bears against said pressing body (12) and that is rotatably mounted on an axis (18) that extends from the side wall (8) of said coupling device (6) and that passes through an opening (19) of said pressing body (12), such that when said actuator (13) rotates with respect to said axis (18), said actuator (13) moves towards the side wall (8) of said coupling device (6) pushing said pressing body (12).

7. Assembly for cable channels according to claim 6, characterized in that said actuator (13) comprises an inner cylindrical wall (20) coaxial with said axis (18) and a helical track (21) formed by a rim projecting from said inner cylindrical wall (20); and said axis (18) comprises at its end at least one trunnion (22) resting on said inner cylindrical wall (20) and on said helical track (21), such that when said actuator (13) rotates with respect to said axis (18), said trunnion (22) slides along said helical track (21) resting thereon. 8.- Assembly for cable channels according to claim 7, characterized in that a tab (23) is formed on said inner cylindrical wall (20) that interferes with said trunnion (22), when said trunnion (22) slides along said helical track (21), such that said tab (23) is forcibly overcome by said trunnion (22) when said pressing body (12) reaches said locking position, and such that said tab (23), forcibly overcome by said trunnion (22), keeps said pressing body (12) in said locking position.

9. Assembly for cable channels according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said coupling device (6) comprises snap-fitting means, different from said housing (11), which snap-fit ​​with corresponding snap-fitting means of the first and second cable channels (1A, 1B), when said open end (5) of each of the first and second cable channels (1A, 1B) is introduced into said housing (11) to couple said first and second cable channels (1A, 1B) to said coupling device (6).

10. Assembly for cable channels according to claim 9, characterized in that said snap-fitting means on said coupling device (6) are arranged at an upper end of its side walls (8), opposite its bottom wall (7), and said snap-fitting means on said first and second cable channels (1A, 1B) are arranged at an upper end of its side walls (4), opposite its bottom wall (2); and in that, at least in the bottom wall (7) of said coupler device (6), said housing (11) is formed by a space delimited between an outer partition (24) and said bottom wall (7) of the coupler device (6), said outer partition (24) being arranged such that it does not reach the end of said bottom wall (7) of the coupler device (6) in the longitudinal direction (L).

11. Assembly for cable channels according to any of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that said snap-fitting means on the coupling device (6) are two opposite lugs (25), formed on each of the side walls (8) of the coupling device (6), which extend in the longitudinal direction (L) and have a decreasing section towards their end; and said corresponding snap-fitting means on the first and second cable channels (1A, 1B) are a tubular flange (26) at an upper end of each of the side walls (3) of said first and second channels. cable carrier (1A, 1 B), such that each of said lugs (25) is inserted and snap-fits into said tubular rim (26) of each of said first and second cable carrier channels (1A, 1 B). 12.- Assembly for cable channels according to claim 11, characterized in that said coupling device (6) comprises, at an upper end of each of its side walls (8), a pin (27) that extends in the longitudinal direction (L) and that forms at each of its ends one of said lugs (25).

13. Assembly for cable channels according to claim 12, characterized in that said pin (27) comprises a central portion (28) separating said lugs (25), said central portion (28) being exposed when said first and second cable channels (1A, 1B) are coupled to said coupling device (6), with said lugs (25) inserted and snap-fitted into said tubular rim (26) of each of said first and second cable channels (1A, 1B); and said assembly comprises a bridge (29) having at its ends claws (30) with a shape complementary to that of said central portion (28) of the pin (27), such that said claws (30) snap-fit, in a removably manner, with said central portion (28) of the pins (27), and said bridge (29) closes a central section of the open upper face (9) of said coupling device (6). 14.- Assembly for cable channels according to claim 13, characterized in that said bridge (29) is shaped such that, when it is snap-fitted by said claws (30) to said central part (28) of the pins (27), closing a central section of the open upper face (9) of the coupling device (6), said bridge (29) does not protrude from said open upper face (9) of the coupling device (6).

15. Coupler device (6) for the assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14, said coupler device (6) having a straight channel shape in a longitudinal direction (L), with a U-shape in section, with a bottom wall (7), two facing side walls (8), an open upper face (9) and two opposite open ends (10); and said coupler device (6) comprising, along the perimeter of each of said open ends (10), a housing (11) for introducing in the longitudinal direction (L) the open end (5) of the first and second cable channels (1A, 1B) of said assembly, to couple them to said coupler device (6), such that said first and second cable channels (1A, 1B) of said assembly are coupled to said coupler device (6), such that said first and second cable channels (1A, 1B) of said assembly are coupled to said coupler device (6), second cable channels (1A, 1B) and said coupling device (6) form a continuous channel in said longitudinal direction (L); said coupler device (6) further comprising, on each of its two side walls (8), a movable pressing body (12) and an actuator (13) manually actuated to move said pressing body (12) to a locked position, so that said pressing body (12) presses against one of the side walls (3) of each of the first and second cable channels (1A, 1B), at the open end (5) inserted in said housing (11), thus blocking the coupling of said first and second cable channels (1A, 1B) with said coupler device (6);characterized in that said pressing body (12) is a rigid plate of polymeric material having, at one end, a first support surface (14) extending in a plane in at least said longitudinal direction (L) and, at an opposite end, a second support surface (15) extending in a plane in at least said longitudinal direction (L), so that, in said locked position, each of said first support surface (14) and second support surface (15) rests flatly and under pressure on the side wall (3) of each of the first and second cable channels (1A, 2A), at the open end (5) inserted into each of said housings (11), to create a frictional force on said side wall (3) blocking the movement of said open end (5) in said housing (11).

Citation Information

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