EP0961296A1

EP0961296A1 - Ducting means

Info

Publication number: EP0961296A1
Application number: EP98109585A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Avner Sadot; Israel Heifetz
Original assignee: All Line Inc
Current assignee: All Line Inc
Priority date: 1998-05-27
Filing date: 1998-05-27
Publication date: 1999-12-01

Abstract

A ducting means, comprising at least one male member and at least one female member, the male member is a longitudinal rib and the female member is a longitudinal groove, the male member and the female member can be interlocked together, ducting means may interlocking with at least one other longitudinally juxtaposed ducting means; a typical example of the application being electric cable and fluid canals.

Description

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to ducting means for power transmission used in a multi channel environment. A typical example of the application of the invention being electric cable and fluid canals.
The modernization of our world involves a continuing increase in the use of electrical appliances, computers, communication, control and command systems, etc. All these systems use various types of cables, e.g. electric cables, data transfer cables, command cables and the like. Consequently, in the modern domestic and industrial environments, a large number of cables are to be found. When lying loose these cables tend to wind and get entangled with each other, creating safety hazards and performance failures as well as esthetic disturbances.
In order to overcome these problems a number of solutions have been suggested. These solutions include various means that involve grouping the adjacent cables and wrapping a band around such a group, e.g.a rubber band, a plastic clasp and the like. However, these solutions are only local solutions in the sense that they provide answers only for discrete sections of the extending cables and not for the full length thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide improved ducting means for power transmission that solve the above problems.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a modular assembly that comprises a number of ducting means for power transmission of the invention.
Other objects of the invention will be described along with the proceeding of the description.
By a first aspect, the present invention provides ducting means for power transmission comprising means for interlocking with at least one other longitudinally juxtaposed ducting means for power transmission of compatible design. The ducting means for power transmission of the invention can be an electric cable holding at least one insulated electric wire, a command conduit holding at least one canal adapted for the transmission of a pressurized fluid such as air, water or hydraulic fluid, and the like.
The term "electric cable" as used herein, should be understood in the broadest sense and encompasses inter alia data transfer cables, telephone cables, networking cables, hi-fi cables, optical fibers and generally any type of cable for transmitting electric charge or optical signals.
By a preferred embodiment of the present invention the interlocking means comprise at least one male member and at least one female member. According to one preferred embodiment of the invention the male member is at least one longitudinal rib and the female member is at least one longitudinal groove. By another preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one male member is a plurality of projections and the at least one female member is a plurality of sockets.
It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the use of any particular interlocking means and any means by which two ducting means according to the invention can be readily coupled, may be used.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the interlocking means are in a form of one or more longitudinal ribs and grooves that extend over essentially the entire length of the ducting means.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a modular assembly comprising at least two longitudinally juxtaposed interlocking ducting means for ducting means for power transmission of the type specified.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 shows example of ducting means for power transmission of the invention with longitudinally extending interlocking means;
Fig. 2 shows another ducting means for power transmission of the invention with longitudinally extending interlocking means;
Fig. 3 shows one embodiment of a modular assembly of electric cables according to the present invention;
Fig. 4 shows anothe embodiment of a modular assembly of electric cables according to the invention
Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of a modular assembly of ducting means according to the present invention;
Fig. 6 shows a still further embodiment of a modular assembly of ducting means according to the invention; and
Fig. 7 illustrates a method of locking a cable of the invention in a rolled state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the figures discussed hereinafter of ducting means and modular assemblies according to the invention, the electric wires or fluid flow canals are not shown.
Figs. 1 and 2 show examples of ducting means for power transmission of the present invention, Referring first to Fig. 1 there is shown ducting means 1 for power transmission having a longitudinal groove 3 and a longitudinal rib 5, adapted to interlock with other ducting means for power transmission of compatible design. Such ducting means for power transmission is particularly suitable for a single electric wire cable or for a single fluid canal for the transmission of said fluid such as pressurized water, air or hydraulic fluid.
Fig 2 illustrates another type of ducting means for power transmission 1' having interlocking means which comprises three longitudinal grooves 3' and three longitudinal ribs 5' that may be used for example for a two or three wire electric cable.
Figs 3 to 5 show modular assemblies of ducting means for power transmission of the invention. Assembly 7 shown in Fig. 3 comprises three electric cables 9 interlocked by their ribs and grooves in the manner shown.
In Fig. 4 there is shown a modular multi electric cable assembly 11, in which three electric cables 13 are coupled to each other.
The assembly shown in Fig. 5 allows a compact assembly 15 of cables 17 with some of the cables 17 interlocking with more than one adjacent cable.
Fig. 6 shows a modular assembly 19 of interlocking ducting means 21 which are typically single wire electric cables or single canal fluid conduit.
Fig. 7 illustrates a convenient way of handling and delivering cables of the invention. Cable 23 comprises a longitudinally extending male member 25 of the interlocking means and a longitudinally extending female member 27. While rolling cable 23 as illustrated in Fig. 6, male member 25 lockingly engages female member 27, ensuring that the rolled part of cable 23 will not unroll spontaneously, but can be readily unrolled manually or mechanically when required.

Claims

Ducting means for power transmission comprising means for interlocking with at least one other longitudinally juxtaposed ducting means for power transmission of compatible design thereto.
Ducting means for power transmission according to claim 1, wherein said interlocking means comprise at least one male member and at least one female member.
Ducting means for power transmission according to claim 2, wherein said male member is at least one longitudinal rib and said female member is at least one longitudinal groove.
Ducting means for power transmission according to claim 2, wherein said at least one male member is a plurality of projections and said at least one female member is a plurality of sockets.
Ducting means for power transmission according to any one of claims 1 to 4, holding at least one canal adapted for the transmission of a pressurized fluid.
Ducting means for power transmission according to any one of claims 1 to 4, holding at least one insulated electric wire.
A modular assembly comprising at least two longitudinally juxtaposed interlocking ducting means for power transmission according to any one of claims 1 to 6.