A CONDUCTOR STRIP FOR ELECTRICAL AND TELECOMMUNICATION CONDUCTORS

Abstract: Conductor strip (1) for electrical and telecommunication conductors with one or several through metallic conductors (9), which are arranged to be connected up at any selected position, and which are arranged on or in an electrically non-conductive strip base (5). The metallic conductor or conductors (9) is or are embedded in a through electrically conductive string or cord (8) of plastic material. Because of the inherent resiliency of the material and/or the springiness of the strip structure, the conductor strip (1) is automatically lockable by expansion or outward springing of the strip, whereat the free ends of the strip (1) are caused to engage behind projections (4) of an installation channel (3).

Description: A CONDUCTOR STRIP FOR ELECTRICAL AND TELECOMMUNICATION CONDUCTORS The present invention relates to a conductor strip for electrical and telecommunication conductors of the kind more clearly defined in Claim 1. Such conductor strips are placed to advantage in so-called installation channels or wiring channels and are arranged to be connected-up at any selected position. This avoids the necessity of carrying out wiring and cable installations at a later date, such work often being expensive, time-con¬ suming and requiring cavities or the like to be made in the walls, ceiling of the relevant building structure, which can detract from the aesthetic appearance of the building. When using present day conductor strips in installation channels, the conductors are still liable to present certain problems. This is particularly true of copper wire embedded in non-conductive plastic strip sections, and more particular ly when introducing the wire into the strip, either by hand o with the aid of expensive mechanical devices. This causes the strip sections to be relatively expensive, and often un- relieable. In addition, the sections must be constructed with a view to enabling the introduction of metal conductors there into, or to facilitating such introduction, which means that the sections are not given an optimal design which, for example, will enable the sections to be manufactured quickly and in simple fashin; which will ensure beneficial electrical insulation; which will exert a guaranteed contact pressure; and which will enable the sections to be produced simultaneou ly with electrical wiring and conductors for telecommunicatio and control systems, at the highest possible extent. The object of the present invention is to eliminate the afore said disadvantages and to provide a novel conductor strip for accommodating electric-current supply cables and supply cable for telecommunication and control communication systems, said conductor strips being in principle beneficial to the art and fulfilling the most divers demands. This object is achieved in accordance with the invention by means of a conductor strip of the aforesaid kind constructed in all essentials in accordance with the characterizing clause of Claim 1. Further characteristic features of the invention and advantages afforded thereby will be apparent from the following description made with reference to a number of non-limiting embodiments illustrated partial¬ ly schematically in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 illustrates an installation channel having arranged therein a conductor strip according to the inventio Figure 2 illustrates a second conductor strip according to the invention as manufactured, which is ready for storage and ready for delivery; Figure 3 illustrates the conductor strip of Figure 2 in its in-use position; Figure 4 illustrates a third conductor strip according to the invention as manufactured etc.; Figure 5 illustrates the conductor strip of Figure 4 in its in-use position; Figure 6 illustrates a fourth conductor strip according to the invention as manufactured etc.; Figure 7 illustrates a fifth conductor strip according to the invention as manufactured etc.; Figure 8 shows the strip of Figure 7 in its in-use position; Figure 9 illustrates a sixth conductor strip according to the invention as manufactured etc.; Figure 10 shows the strip of Figure 9 in its in-use position; Figure 11 illustrates a seventh conductor strip according to the invention as manufactured etc.; Figure 12 shows the strip of Figure 11 in its in-use position Figure 13 illustrates an eighth conductor strip according to the invention as manufactured etc.; Figure 14 shows the strip of Figure 6 in its in-use position; Figure 15 illustrates a ninth conductor strip base according to the invention in its in-use position; Figures are cross-sectional views of five further conductor 16-20 strips according to the invention, these strips bei of circular or substantially circular cross-section and Figures are cross-sectional views of four further conductor 21-24 strips, these strips exhibiting electrically conductive metal and/or plastic foils. Figure 1 incorporates a continuous conductor strip according to the invention, which is denoted by the general reference numeral 1. The strip can have any desired length and is pressed into a continuous recess 2 in an installation channel 3, the strip 1 being locked automatically in the re- cess 2 as a result of the expansion or outward springing of the strip due to the inherent resiliency of the material from which the strip is made and/or the springiness of the strip structure, said expansion or outward springing action causing the free ends of the strip to engage behind projections 4 herefor. Figure 1 also illustrates the integra¬ tion of electrically conductive and non-conductive parts of the strip, which will be described in detail hereinafter. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2 the conductor strip according to the invention comprises a flat base 5 made from an electrically non-conductive plastic, preferably PVC; ABS, (f?) for example NORYL (registered trademark owned by General Electric) . The base 5 is provided with notches 6 which enable the strip to be bent, preferably to the form of a U_ j _ as illustrated in Figure 3, the geometric transition regions suitably answering for a given outwardly directed elastic force/tension, such as to hold the strip 1 positively at the rear of a recess 2 in an installation channel or duct 3. Each leg 7 of the conductor strip has incorporated therein at mutually off-set locations, i.e. locations which do not lie opposite on another, a string or cord 8 preferably of electrically conducting plastics material and a metallic con¬ ductor 9, preferably copper wire, as evident from Figures 2 and 3, which show the conductor 9 embedded centrally in the string 8 or plastic material. Commercially available CARBEN BLACK and POLYOTEFIN are examples of suitable electri¬ cally conductive plastic materials in the present context. One constituent of CARBEN BLACK is carbon black. In addition hereto, however, or principally, powdered metal, such as powdered copper for example, can also be embedded in the string 8 of electrically conductive plastic. The reason for embedding one or more metal wires or filaments 9 is first ly to increase or improve electric conductability and secondl to hold the string together in the event of the string being subjected to extreme, unfavourable conditions under which cracks may form. As will be seen from Figures 2 and 3, the electrically conduc tive strings 8 extend out from respective sides of the base which affords the advantage of enabling, for example, contact pins to be bent and therewith guaranteed a given contact pressure. A still greater advantage is obtained when the side of the base 5 opposite to the electrically conductive string is cut away or otherwise exhibits depressions 10, so as to en able the actual string region itself to deflect elastically, for example in the manner illustrated in Figures 6 and 14. A particular advantage is obtained when the strip 1 according to the invention is of a flat or partially flat construction, in which the conductive strings 8 can be readily fitted. This enables the most widely differing designs to be achieved, as indicated in the different figures. In th-is regard, it is possible to apply to the side of the base 5 opposite the con¬ ductive strings 8 a further conductive layer 11, functioning for example as an earth conductor, as illustrated in Figures and 5 for example. This earth conductor 11 may also be provid with a centrally located metal wire or filament 12, as illustrated in Figures 11 and 12. The various layers and strings or the like of plastic materia are welded together or adhesively bonded together in a manner known per se. As illustrated in Figure 1, the base 5 may be provided on the side thereof opposite the conductive strings 8 with a central cavity 14 effective to embrace an outwardly extendi longitudinal rib 15 in an installation channel 3 or, as pre¬ viously mentioned, may be used ot accommodate an earth con¬ ductor 11 or to produce an additional conductive string 11. As illustrated in Figures 7 and 9 the inventive strip accordi to the invention may comprise an arbitrary multiple of leg po tions 7 and web portions 13 separated by notches 6. The condu tive strips of figures 7 and 9 are shown as manufactured, rea for storage and ready for delivery. Before use they, are folde together into the positions shown in figures 8 and 10 respec¬ tively, thus forming between the legs 7 a number of central cavities 14 and contact pin cavities 16, the latter exhibitin electrically conductive strings 8. It is also possible to form contact pins or the like so that they enter into the electrically conductive strings, which ma also be fully encased in an electrically insulating material, as in the case of the embodiments shown in the figures 16-20 illustrating conductor strips 1 * of generally round configura tion. Figure 18 illustrates a closed signal cable which thus presents in the middle a plastic conductive string 8 which en closes metal wires of filaments 9. The conductive string 8 is surrounded by a base 5 of non-conductive plastic material. Figure 16 illustrates an open signal cable exhibiting an inse tion slot 17. Figure 19 illustrates a closed co-axial cable, which also is encased in an electrically conductive layer 11. Figure 17 illustrates an open co-axial cable provided with a longitudinal insertion slot 17. Figure 20 illustrates a further embodiment of an open co-axial cable, which on each side of the insertion slot 17 exhibits protrusions 20 from the base 5, said protrusions preventing direkt contact betwee a contact pin intended for the central string 8 and the outsi conductive layer 11. The electrically conductive strings can either be partially sunk into the base 5 as described above or be arranged on the surface thereof. Figures 15 and 21-24 illustrate examples of conductive strips 1" of the latter type. Figure 15 shows a conductor strip 1" comprising a base 5 bent into a position of use, but before application of electrically conductive elements 19 such metallic and/or plastic foils. Another pur¬ pose with the conductor strip as shown in Figure 15 can be to use it without electrically conductive elements for special applications. The conductive strip 1" comprises leg portions 7 and web por¬ tions 13 separated by notches 6. The leg portions 7 exhibit bent parts 18 forming depressions 10 facing central cavities or the walls of a recess 2, for instance in an installation channeT 3. The opposite convex surface of the bent parts 18 are covered by electrically conductive elements, such as metallic and/or plastic foils 19 as shown in figures 21-24. Also the conductive strip 1" has a flat or partially flat con struction as manufactured just like the first described embod ment of the conductive strip 1. End caps made of an electrically insulating material can be fitted on the severed ends of the strip, when cut on the in¬ stallation side. Severed ends of the strip can also be attach to conductor joints for connection with another strip or othe electrical conductors.

Claims: C L A I M S 1. A conductor strip (1, 1', 1") for electrical and tele¬ communication conductors with one or several through electri cal conductors (9, 12, 19), which are arranged to be connect up at any selected position, and which are arranged on or in an electrically non-conductive strip base (5), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n , t h a t the electrical conductor or conductors (9, 12) is or are embedded in a through electrically conductive string or cord (8, 11) of plastic material, and/or that the conductor strip (1, l 1 , 1" because of the inherent resiliency of the material and/or the springiness of the strip structure is automatically lock able by expansion or outward springing of the strip, wherea the free ends of the strip are caused to engage behind pro¬ jections (4) of an installation channel (3). 2. A conductor strip as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d i n , t h a t the base (5) is of a flat or partially flat construction and/or is made of electrically non-conductive plastic material, preferably PVC, ABS, or for instance NORYL () (registered trademark owned by General Elec 3. A conductor strip as claimed in claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n , t h a t the base (5) exh bits notches (6), thus enabling the strip (1, 1") to be ben preferably to the form of a U, the geometric transition regions (notches 6) suitably answering for a given outwardl directed elastic force/tension, and/or that the strip (1, 1" exhibits opposite legs (7), which each are provided with an electrically conductive metallic and/or non-metallic foil (19) and/or with an electrically conductive string or cord (8, 11) of plastic material and a metallic conductor ( 12) preferably a copper wire or filament. 4. A conductor strip as claimed in at least one of the claims 1-3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n , t h a t the electri¬ cally conductive plastic material (8, 11) especially is a plastic material available under the trademarks CARBEN BLAC or POLYOTEFIN, and/or that additionally or principally in the electrically conductive plastic material string or cord (8, 11) is embedded metallic powder, such as powdered copper. 5. A conductor strip as claimed in at least one of the claims 1-4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n , t h a t the electri¬ cally conductive string or cord (8) or foil (19) is extending out from the respective sides of the base (5), and, preferabl in that the side of the base (5) opposite to the electrically conductive string or cord (8) or foil (19) is cut away or oth wise exhibits depressions (10), so as to enable the actual string or foil region itself to deflect elastically upon in¬ sertion of for instance a contact pin. 6. A conductor strip as claimed in at least one of the pre¬ ceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n , t h a t the strip (1, 1") is manufactured and can be stored as a flat or partially flat construction, and can be bent to its intended final shape, preferably first at the installa- tion thereof in for instance an installation channel (3). 7. A conductor strip as claimed in at least one of the pre¬ ceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y a cavity (14) between opposite strip legs (7) effective to embrace an out- wardly extending rib (15) or similar of an installation channel (3), or effective to accomodate an earth conductor (1 or an additional conductive string or cord (11). 8. A conductor strip as claimed in at least one of the preced claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n , t h a t the elec¬ trically non-conductive base material (5) is able to at least partially be penetrated by contact pins or similar. 9. A conductor strip as claimed in at least of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y a circumferentially enclosed conductor strip (I * ) forming a closed signal cable or closed co-axial cable, said conductor strip (1 * ) being fu encased in an electrically non-conductive base (5) and prese ting in the middle a plastic conductive string or cord (8), which preferably encloses metal wires or filaments (9), said conductor strip (l 1 ) possibly further being encased in an electrically conductive layer (11). (Figure 18, 19). 10. A conductor strip as claimed in at least one of the clai 1-8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n , t h a t the conduct strip (I 1 ) has the shape of an open signal cable or open co¬ axial cable, said conductor strip (l 1 ) exhibiting in the mid an electrically conductive string or cord (8) of plastic mat rial, which encloses metal wires or filaments (9) and which enclosed by an electrically non-conductive base (5) with a l itudinal through insertion slot (17). (Figure 16, 17, 20).

Inventors: BERGMAN NILS-AOKE, WIDELL HARALD, WIDELL JAN, BERGMAN, NILS-AOKE, WIDELL, HARALD, WIDELL, JAN
Applicants: BERGMAN NILS AKE, WIDELL HARALD, WIDELL JAN, BERGMAN, NILS-AOKE, WIDELL, HARALD, WIDELL, JAN
Application year: 1986
Main classification: H01B5
IPC codes: H01R25