DESCRIPTION

Technical Field

The invention is developed in the technical field of the distribution of electric power by means of busways. In particular, the invention relates to a box for electrical components fixable to one or more types of busways for connecting an electrical user to the busway.

Background art

Busways are usually used in large buildings, such as industrial plants or shopping malls, to distribute large amounts of low-voltage current within the building. The busways are made of segments joined together, which comprise conductor bars enclosed within a rigid casing.

To allow the connection of an electrical user unity with the conductor bars, the casing of a segment can have one or more openings, and special connection boxes can be fixed to the casing at the openings. The electrical components, such as terminals, switches and fuses, necessary for the connection and protection of a user to the conductor bars through the openings of the casing can be arranged inside the box. Generally the openings are obtained on two opposite sides of the casings, and the boxes are integrally fixed to the buses from below and from above or from the side as a function of the position of the openings.

In a known type of boxes a container is included, which contains electrical connectors shaped to connect to the conductor bars, and two pairs of jaws connected to opposite faces of the box and rotatable with respect to the box around special pins. The jaws protrude from the box towards the bus, and are provided with appropriate constraining elements intended to cooperate with the busway, for example by engaging with shelves of the casing, so as to support the box. In particular, in use, the jaws are oriented according to a closing orientation in which they protrude from the container substantially vertically, and, to free the box, the jaws are rotated so as to move the constraining elements away from each other.

The busways can have different sizes, and in particular their shelves can be located at different distances from the box along the vertical and also horizontal direction. Furthermore, a single bus segment can have sections of different widths. It is therefore desirable to make boxes which can be adapted to various types and shapes of busways. Object of the Invention

In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to find an alternative manner with respect to the known art for adapting a box for electrical components to different busways.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a box for electrical components applicable to busways with different sizes and shapes.

The mentioned technical task and the specified aims are substantially achieved by a box for electrical components comprising the technical features set out in one or more of the appended claims.

Advantageously, it is possible to connect such a box for electrical components to busways of different sizes and shapes. In particular, each box for electrical components comprises two jaws and each jaw comprises one or more constraining elements and a movable arm. The movable arms are configured to switch between a retracted configuration, in which the constraining elements constrain the box to a first type of busway, and a protruding configuration, in which the movable arms protrude from the jaws to constrain the box for electrical components to a second type of busway.

LIST OF FIGURES Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the description of an exemplary, but not exclusive, and therefore non-limiting preferred embodiment of a box for electrical components, as illustrated in the appended figures, in which:

- figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a box for electrical components, according to the present invention;

- figure 2 is a front view of an enlargement of the jaws of the box for electrical components of figure 1, on a rear side of the box,

- figure 3 is a perspective view of the enlargement of the jaws of figure 2;

- figure 4 is a front view of an enlargement of a second embodiment of the jaws of the box for electrical components of figure 1, placed for example on a front side of the box,

- figure 5 is a perspective view of the enlargement of the jaws of figure 4;

- figure 6 is a front view of the box for electrical components with a third embodiment of the jaws, always on the front side of the box of figure 1,

- figure 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a box for electrical components, according to the present invention;

- figure 8 is a front view of the box of figure 7,

- figure 9 is an enlarged section of a jaw of the box of figure 8,

- figure 10 is a perspective section of the jaw of figure 9,

- figure 11 is a front section of a first busway fixable to the box for electrical components,

- figure 12 is a front section of a second busway fixable to the box for electrical components. - figure 13 is a front section of a third busway fixable to the box for electrical components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a box for electrical components 1 selectively fixable to a first, a second, and preferably a third busway 100, 200, 300, shown for example respectively in figure 11, 12 and 13. The busways 100, 200, 300 extend along a main extension axis Z-Z.

Each busway 100, 200, 300 comprises a casing 102, 202, 320 extending mainly along the main extension axis Z-Z. The first, second and third busways 100, 200, 300 further comprise a plurality of conductor bars housed in the casing 102, 202, 320 which also mainly extend along the main extension axis Z-Z.

The first busway 100 comprises at least one constraining element 101, preferably a constraining protrusion 101 projecting from the casing 102 along a transverse direction X-X, orthogonal to the main extension axis Z-Z, shown in figure 11. Preferably, each first busway 100 comprises two constraining elements 101. Preferably, the first busway 100 has the constraining elements 101 on a pair of walls of the casing 102 which are opposite with respect to the transverse direction X-X.

Similarly, the second busway 200 comprises at least one constraining element 201, preferably a constraining protrusion 201 projecting from the casing 202 along the transverse direction X-X. Preferably, each second busway 200 comprises two constraining elements 201, as shown in figure 12. Preferably, the second busway 200 has the constraining elements 201 at edges of the casing 202 which are opposite with respect to the transverse direction X-X.

The third busway 300, if included, also comprises at least one constraining element 321, preferably a constraining element 321 projecting from the casing 320 along the transverse direction X-X, as shown in figure 13. Preferably, each third busway 300 comprises two constraining elements 321. Preferably, the third busway 300 has the constraining elements 321 on a pair of walls of the casing 320 which are opposite with respect to the transverse direction X-X.

In an embodiment, the first busway 100 has a greater size DI with respect to a size D2 of the second busway 200, both measured in the transverse direction X-X, as illustrated in figure 11. It should be noted that, in a preferred embodiment, each busway 100, 200, 300 has a dimension in the transverse direction X-X variable along the main extension axis Z-Z.

The third busway 300, where included, preferably has a size D3 in the transverse direction X-X greater than the size D2 of the second busway 200, more preferably substantially equal to the size DI of the first busway 100, as illustrated in figure 13. Furthermore, the third busway 300 has a greater dimension than the first busway 100 along a longitudinal direction Y-Y, orthogonal to the main extension axis Z-Z and the transverse direction X-X.

As shown in figure 1 or figure 7, the box 1 comprises a container 2 with a base 21 and a plurality of side walls 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, which extend from the base 21 to an edge 23, spaced from the base 21 along the longitudinal direction Y-Y. In the preferred embodiment, the container 2 is a parallelepiped. Furthermore, the container 2 comprises a front side wall 22a, orthogonal to the main extension axis Z-Z, a rear side wall 22b, opposite the front side wall 22a and two connecting side walls 22c, 22d parallel to the main extension axis Z-Z, opposite the transverse direction X-X and connecting the front wall 22a with the rear wall 22b. Furthermore, as shown for example in figure 1 or figure 7, the box 1 comprises at least two jaws 3. Each jaw 3 is constrained in rotation to one of the side walls 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d.

The jaws 3 are rotatable between a constrained position, shown for example in figure 3 and figure 8, so as to engage the busway 100, 200, 300, and an open position, not illustrated in the figures, in which they are spaced apart with respect to the constraining position. It should be noted that the jaws 3 are configured to rotate around the main extension axis Z-Z. In the constraint configuration, shown for example in figure 3 and figure 8, the jaws 3 are oriented along the longitudinal direction Y-Y. In the spaced configuration, not shown in the figures, the jaws 3 form an angle a with respect to the longitudinal direction Y-Y and are oriented spaced apart from each other. It should be noted that, in a preferred embodiment, the box 1 is hung on the busway 100, 200, 300, although the positioning of the box 1 can also be envisaged above or to the side of the busway 100, 200, 300.

In the hanging position, the box 1 is applied to the busway 100, 200, 300 so that in the constrained position the jaws 3 protrude from the container 2 upwards and support the weight of the box 1. It should be noted that the positioning of the box 1 can also be envisaged above or to the side of the busway 100, 200, 300. In the following, unless otherwise indicated, the features of the jaws 3 will be described with reference to the constrained position.

Each jaw 3 has a first side 31, facing the other jaw 3, and a second side 35 opposite the first side 31.

Each jaw 3 has at least one constraining element 32a, formed on the first side 31, configured to constrain the respective jaw 3 to the first busway 100. In a preferred embodiment, each jaw 3 comprises a plurality of constraining elements 32a, 32b, for example two constraining elements 32a, 32b, spaced from each other along the longitudinal direction Y-Y. Each constraining element 32a, 32b can be configured to constrain the jaw 3 to several busways, in particular a constraining element 32a for the first busway 100 and a constraining element 32b for the third busway 300.

Said constraining elements 32a, 32b of each jaw 3 are preferably slots, each configured to receive a respective constraining element 101, 321 of the first and/or third busway 100, 300.

It should be noted that the box 1 comprises a movable arm 30 for each jaw 3, as shown in figure 8 and in figure 1. Preferably, each movable arm 30 is positioned closer to the base 21, with respect to each constraining element 32a, 32b, along the longitudinal direction Y-Y, as shown for example in figure 4, where the jaws 3 are depicted on the front side wall 22a.

Each movable arm 30 is configured to reversibly switch between a protruding configuration, shown for example in figure 1, and a retracted configuration, shown for example in figure 8. In the protruding configuration, each movable arm 30 projects from the respective jaw 3 along the transverse direction X-X and the movable arms 30 are spaced apart from each other by a first distance. It should be noted that, in the protruding configuration, each movable arm 30 is configured to constrain the jaw 3 to the second busway 200. In the retracted configuration, shown for example in figure 8, the movable arms 30 are spaced apart along a transverse direction X-X for a second distance greater than the first distance. It should be noted that each constraining element 32a, 32b is configured to constrain the jaw 3 to the first and/or third busway 100, 300 when the movable arms 30 are in the retracted configuration.

A first embodiment of a box for electrical components according to the present invention will now be described. In accordance with a first embodiment, two of the jaws 3 are positioned on a same side wall 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, preferably on the rear side wall 22b. Such jaws 3 are spaced from each other along the transverse direction X-X. In a preferred embodiment, the box 1 comprises two further jaws 3, rotationally constrained to another side wall 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d. Preferably, such further jaws 3 are positioned on the front side wall 22a. In the following, reference will mainly be made to the features of the jaws 3 on the rear side wall 22b, but such features are to be understood as preferably also applicable to the jaws 3 on the front side wall 22a.

Each jaw 3 has a first side 31, facing the other jaw 3 placed on the same rear side wall 22b of the container 2, and a second side 35, facing away from such another jaw 3.

It should be noted that each movable arm 30 is rotatably connected to the respective jaw 3, to rotate between the protruding configuration and the retracted configuration. As shown for example in figure 5, each jaw 3 comprises a rotation pin 37, which rotatably connects the movable arm 30 to the jaw 3. In the preferred embodiment, the rotation pin 37 is oriented along the main extension axis Z-Z.

Each movable arm 30 comprises a step 301 with a constraining surface 302, which faces the base 21 in the protruding configuration, as shown for example in figure 3. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, shown in figure 3, each step 301 comprises a vertical side 310, which is arranged along the longitudinal direction Y-Y in the protruding configuration. Preferably, each step 301 comprises an obstacle side 304, opposite the constraining surface 302. In the illustrated embodiment, the obstacle side 304 forms an angle a with respect to the longitudinal direction Y-Y, shown in figure 2, preferably between 10° and 90°.

When the movable arm 30 is in the protruding configuration, each step 301 protrudes from the first side 31 of the respective jaw 3 along the transverse direction X-X. In more detail, each constraining surface 302 of a step 301 is configured to engage with the respective constraining element 201 of the second busway 200 when the movable arm 30 is in the protruding configuration.

In greater detail, in a preferred embodiment shown for example in figure 3, the constraining surface 302 of the step 301 and the base 21 of the container 2 are shaped to delimit a first constraining seat 40 to constrain the respective constraining element 201 of the second busway 200. The constraining seat 40 is shaped to receive a respective constraining element 201.

Furthermore, each obstacle side 304 is shaped so as to prevent fixing the box 1 to the first and/or third busway 100, 300, when the respective movable arm 30 is in the protruding configuration. In other words, each obstacle side 304 is shaped so as to create an obstacle, preventing one of the walls of the casing 102, 320 of the first and/or third busway 100, 300 from abutting the base 21 of the box 1. More in detail, in the protruding configuration, the distance in the transverse direction X-X between the obstacle sides 304 of the movable arms 30 of the two jaws 3 is smaller than the width DI, D3 of the first and/or third busway 100, 300 in the transverse direction X-X.

It should be noted that each step 301 is configured to rotate towards the base 21 during the passage from the protruding configuration to the retracted configuration. Furthermore, the step 301 is configured to rotate away from the base 21 during the passage from the retracted configuration to the protruding configuration. Advantageously, when the box 1 is hung on the busway 100, 200, 300, the weight of the box 1 keeps the movable arm 30 in the protruding configuration, opposing its rotation towards the retracted configuration.

When the movable arm 30 is in the retracted configuration, each step 301 is substantially aligned with the rotation pin 37 along the longitudinal direction Y-Y. Preferably, when the movable arm 30 is in the retracted configuration, not shown in the figures, the connecting side 304 is arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction Y-Y. More in detail, the movable arm 30 is configured to rotate by the angle a between the protruding configuration and the retracted configuration. It should be noted that each movable arm 30 comprises an abutment element 303, preferably opposite the step 301, for example spaced from the step 301 in the transverse direction X-X when the movable arm 30 is in the protruding configuration. In a preferred embodiment, the abutment element 303 comprises a protrusion extending along the main extension axis Z-Z. Furthermore, each jaw 3 comprises a first and a second abutment portion 33, 34, preferably positioned on the second side

35, as shown for example in figure 3 or in figure 6. Each abutment element 303 is configured to abut the first abutment portion 33 of the respective jaw 3 when the movable arm 30 is in the protruding configuration.

Furthermore, each abutment element 303 is configured to abut the second abutment portion 34 of the respective jaw 3 when the movable arm 30 is in the retracted configuration. Thereby, the abutment element 303 and the abutment portions 33, 34 prevent the rotation of the movable arm 30 beyond the protruding and retracted positions.

In a preferred embodiment, each jaw 3 has a slot 36, with a first and a second end, as shown in figure 5. In particular, in said embodiment, the first abutment portion 33 is the first end of the slot 36 and the second abutment portion 34 is the second end of the slot 36. In said embodiment, the abutment element 303 is inserted inside such a slot

36. Furthermore, the abutment element 303 is slidable inside the slot 36 during the passage from the protruding configuration to the retracted configuration and vice versa. In an embodiment, in a known way, each jaw 3 comprises a guide 370 extending between a first portion 371 and a second portion 372, spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction Y-Y, as shown for example in figure 1 and in figure 5. Preferably, the first and the second portion 371, 372 are spaced apart from each other also along the transverse direction X-X. Furthermore, each jaw 3 comprises a support pin 373 inserted inside the guide 370. The guide 370 is configured to slide so that the support pin 373 abuts with the first or the second portion 371, 372. The guide 370 is configured to switch at least between a raised configuration in which the support pin 373 abuts the first portion 371 and a lowered configuration in which the support pin 373 abuts the second portion 372.

Still in a known manner, in an embodiment the box 1 comprises a positioning panel 10, connected to the jaws 3 at the front side wall 22a of the container 2. The positioning panel 10 is movable between an engagement configuration, in which an edge of the positioning panel 10 is aligned with the base 21 of the box 1 along a plane defined by the transverse direction X-X and the main extension axis Z-Z, and a free configuration, in which such an edge of the positioning panel 10 protrudes along the longitudinal direction Y-Y with respect to the base 21.

Preferably, the box 1 further comprises a spring 11, preferably two, connected to the positioning panel 10 and to the container 2 and configured to press the positioning panel 10 along the longitudinal direction Y-Y from the engagement configuration towards the free configuration. During the application of the box 1 to the busway 100, 200, 300, the positioning panel 10 is positioned so that it is pressed by the casing 102, 202 of the busway 100, 200, 300 from the free configuration towards the engagement configuration, against the action of the spring 11. A second embodiment of a box for electrical components according to the present invention will now be described.

In accordance with a second preferred embodiment, each jaw 3 is connected to a connecting side wall 22c, 22d of the container 2.

It should be noted that each movable arm 30 is slidable with respect to the respective jaw 3 to switch between the retracted configuration and the protruding configuration. Preferably each movable arm 30 is slidable along the transverse direction X-X.

Preferably, each jaw 3 comprises a sliding seat 50, shown in figure 9, extending between the respective first and the second side 31, 35. Preferably, the sliding seat 50 extends between a first opening 51 located at the first side 31 and a second opening 52 located at the second side 35. The movable arm 30 is configured to slide along the sliding seat 50.

In a preferred embodiment, shown in figure 10, the sliding seat 50 comprises at least one locking element 55, which protrudes towards the arm 30 along the main extension axis Z-Z. Preferably, the sliding seat 50 comprises a pair of locking elements 55, on opposite sides of the movable arm 30.

It should be noted that each movable arm 30 comprises a first locking seat 56 and a second locking seat 57, spaced along the transverse direction X-X. In particular, the locking element 55 is configured to engage, preferably snap-fit, in the first locking seat 56 when the movable arm 30 is in the protruding configuration. Furthermore, the locking element 55 is configured to engage, preferably snap-fit, in the second locking seat 57 when the movable arm 30 is in the retracted configuration, as shown in figure

10. In other words, when the movable arm 30 switches from the retracted configuration to the protruding configuration, the locking element 55 is configured to disengage from the second locking seat 57 and to engage with the first locking seat 56.

Preferably, the movable arm 30 comprises a pair of first locking seats 56, which are opposite with respect to the main extension axis Z-Z, each for engaging with a distinct locking element 55 in the protruding configuration. Preferably, the movable arm 30 comprises a pair of second locking seats 57, which are opposite with respect to the main extension axis Z-Z, each for engaging with a distinct locking element 55 in the retracted configuration.

In a preferred embodiment, the movable arm 30 of each jaw 3 comprises a first end 60 facing away from the other jaw 3. Furthermore, the movable arm 30 of each jaw 3 comprises a second end 62 facing the other jaw 3 and opposite the first end 60. The second end 62 projects from the first side 31 when the movable arm 30 is in the protruding configuration and is positioned in the sliding seat 50 when the movable arm 30 is in the retracted configuration. Preferably, the second end 62 projects from the first opening 51 when the movable arm 30 is in the protruding configuration. Preferably, the second end 62 is positioned at the first opening 51, when the movable arm is in the retracted configuration. In a preferred embodiment, the second end 62 is configured to be pressed to switch the movable arm 30 from the protruding configuration to the retracted configuration, preferably disengaging the locking arm 55 from the first locking seat 56.

Furthermore, each movable arm 30 comprises a button 61 at the first end 60, shown in figure 9. It should be noted that the button 61 is configured to be pressed to switch the movable arm 30 from the retracted configuration to the protruding configuration, preferably disengaging the locking arm 55 from the second locking seat 57. It should be noted that the button 61 is slidable inside the sliding seat 50. In more detail, the button 61 is configured to be placed in the sliding seat 50 when the movable arm 30 is in the protruding configuration and to be positioned at the second side 35 when the movable arm 30 is in the retracted configuration. Preferably, when the movable arm 30 is in the retracted configuration, the button 61 is positioned at the second opening 52. Preferably, the sliding seat 50 comprises an abutment wall 54, near the first opening 51 and arranged transversely to the transverse direction X-X. The button 61 is configured to abut the abutment wall 54 when the movable arm 30 is in the protruding configuration.

Each movable arm 30 comprises a step 301 with a constraining surface 302 which faces the base 21 in the protruding configuration, as shown for example in figure 9. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, shown in figure 9, each step 301 comprises a vertical side 310, which is arranged along the longitudinal direction Y-Y.

When the movable arm 30 is in the protruding configuration, not shown in the figures, each step 301 protrudes from the first side 31 of the respective jaw 3 along the transverse direction X-X. In more detail, each constraining surface 302 of a step 301 is configured to engage with the respective constraining element 201 of the second busway 200 when the movable arm 30 is in the protruding configuration.

In greater detail, in a preferred embodiment shown for example in figure 9, the constraining surface 302 of the step 301 and the base 21 of the container 2 are shaped to delimit a first constraining seat 40 to constrain the respective constraining element 201 of the second busway 200. The constraining seat 40 is shaped to receive a respective constraining element 201.

It should be noted that each constraining surface 302 of a step 301 is configured to engage with the respective constraining element 201 of the second busway 200 when the movable arm 30 is in the protruding configuration.