Pipes and tubular conduits – Flexible – Joined sections
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-30
2002-06-25
Hannon, Thomas R. (Department: 3682)
Pipes and tubular conduits
Flexible
Joined sections
C474S211000, C059S078100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06408888
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a guide element for an energy conducting guide chain, as well as a terminal mounting element for attaching the chain formed by the guide elements to a junction point, and a modular system which includes the chain.
Modern operating machines are often connected to a plurality of electric, hydraulic, and/or pneumatic incoming and outgoing lines, for controlling movable consumers, whether they perform static and/or dynamic operations. To run such lines, in particular from a stationary junction point to a movable consumer, it is common to use so-called line guide elements which are interconnected to form an energy conducting guide chain.
Likewise, modern work places, in particular open-plan offices of industry, administration, and commerce, require, for example, energy and telecommunication connections in the direct vicinity of each work place, in particular grounded outlets for electronic devices, for telephone, and for computers, light switches, automatic circuit breakers, overvoltage protectors, and many more.
In the case of office furniture, such as desks and computer tables, or in the case of special furniture for sound and movie studios, it is known to use conduits for purposes of running and laying in a defined manner current-carrying and/or other supply cables (also referred to herein as lines) to electrical or electronic devices placed or mounted on the furniture, so that the cables are not exposed. Such conduits are used both for protecting the cables and for protecting the operator of the devices. Moreover, such cable conduits prevent a device from being pulled down from the furniture in the case of tripping over or getting caught on the cable.
Based on the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide line guide elements, a guide chain formed of the elements, a terminal mounting element for the guide chain, as well as a modular system for forming a line guide structure for running at least one line. The components are easy to handle, small in number, and able to fulfil a number of energy supply situations, in particular electrification situations. In addition, it is intended to make it possible to insert the at least one cable into the guide elements even after assembly of the components, and without tools. Moreover, it is intended to cover different cases of use with static and/or dynamic loads. Furthermore, it is intended to be able to integrate possibly previously existing components, such as, for example, hollow guide sections with a substantially circular or rectangular cross section, as well as trays for depositing multipoint connectors, or the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above and other objects and advantages of the invention are achieved by the provision of a guide element for an energy conducting guide chain which comprises a generally tubular body which defines a longitudinally extending central guide area which is adapted to receive at least one energy conducting line. The guide element includes first and second longitudinally aligned guide sections which are joined by an intermediate joint section. Preferably, the first and second guide sections have the configuration of a segment of a sphere.
To form a guide chain, several of the guide elements are serially arranged, and the adjacent guide elements are coupled together by a coupling wherein the first guide section of one of the adjacent guide elements is coupled to the second guide section of the other of the adjacent guide elements. Such coupling is achieved by having the spherical first guide section overlie the spherical second guide section, and so as to permit relative rotation about the longitudinal axis.
The formation of a joint section between the two guide sections permits a high constructional degree of freedom. Moreover, wear of the joints is minimized insofar as it is possible to use the guide element of the invention in an advantageous manner, for guiding a cable even in manufacturing processes under clean room conditions or for electrification of, for example, therein needed work or inspection stations.
It is preferred to fabricate each guide element from two halves, i.e., first and second longitudinal halves, each having preferably the shape of a half shell, thereby facilitating in an advantageous manner its manufacture and assembly. The two longitudinal halves each define a pair of longitudinal edges, and the edges along one or both sides may be brought together and joined to form joining regions.
Where the two longitudinal halves have two joining regions, the two halves form a tubular guide element after being assembled, which fully encloses the central guide area. In this instance, the lines may be inserted initially during the assembly of the guide elements to form a guide chain through the front end openings of the guide elements.
As an alternative, the two longitudinal halves may have only one joining region along one side, so that after being joined, they form a generally tubular guide element, which substantially encloses the guide area but includes a continuous slot extending in the longitudinal direction of the guide element, so that in an advantageous manner the slot permits the lines to be inserted into the guide area even after the assembly is completed.
In a particularly simple construction, the two longitudinal halves can be joined in their joining region or regions by a tongue and groove connection.
To reinforce the structure of a guide element having only one joining region, it is proposed to provide the longitudinal halves, adjacent their one joining region, with at least one connecting means that reinforces the structure of the guide element. Preferably, the connecting means take the form of a pin on one longitudinal half, and which engages a corresponding receptacle in the other longitudinal half. In the simplest case, the connecting means may be a screw.
It will be possible to manufacture the guide elements in a particularly economical manner, when both the guide sections and the intermediate joint section of the longitudinal halves are formed of a plastic. Preferably, the intermediate joint section is composed of a material differing from the plastic of the guide sections, in particular of a softer material, which advantageously assists in the flexibility of the joint sections.
An advantageous development provides that the guide sections are molded to the intermediate joint section by the bicomponent injection molding method.
To improve a material-to-material engagement between the guide and joint sections, it is proposed to provide cavities or grooves in the joint section for molding thereto the guide sections in material-to-material engagement.
To improve the flexibility of the joint section, it is proposed to make the joint section at least in part elastic.
To further increase the flexibility, it is preferred to make the joint section in the fashion of an accordion. An accordion-type joint section provides with simple means higher degrees of freedom with respect to the possibility of turning adjacent guide sections relative to one another.
A guide chain formed from such guide elements for running at least one line distinguishes itself in that the first and the second guide section of adjacent guide elements can be interconnected in formfitting and/or force-locking or frictional engagement. This permits forming in an advantageous manner guide chains of any desired length.
Preferably, for example by simply joining the first or the second guide section of adjacent guide elements, the one element engages the other. This has the advantage that a guide chain is constructed without additional connecting elements that are possibly subjected to wear.
To improve the force-locking engagement and/or the formfitting or frictional engagement, the guide sections are designed and constructed, preferably to correspond with one another, in particular in the shape of a segment of a sphere.
Preferred is a construction of a guide chain, whose elements can be turned or twisted relative to one another, the
Bäumer Jürgen
Eul Werner
Wehler Herbert
Alston & Bird LLP
Charles Marcus
Hannon Thomas R.
Kabelschlepp GmbH
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