DISTRIBUTION MEANS

Abstract: A device for the distribution of electricity and information signals via separate cables, comprising a cover for said cables (6, 7), which cover is arranged so that a predetermined minimum distance (a) between cables for electricity on the one hand and cables for information signals on the other is maintained. The device is especially characterized in that said cover is flexible and arranged to form two channels (8, 9), running at said predetermined, minimum distance (1) from each other, in which channels at least one cable for electricity and at least one cable for information signals respectively, are intended to run.

Description: TITLE : DI STRIBUTION MEAN.S The present invention relates to a device for distribution of electricity and information signals via separate cables, comprising a cover for said cables, which is arranged so that a predetermined minimum distance is maintained between cables for electricity and cables for information respectively. Devices of substantially this kind are previously known. An important field of application for such devices is distribution of both electricity for power supply and information in the form of signals, such as data signals from and to networks and tele signals for telephone, to work stations in open office landscapes, where the devices connect e.g. ceiling based cables carried by cable ladders with actual work stations, whereby high demands are put on localisation flexibility since frequent re-localisation of work stations are often desired. The most common arrangements for distribution of information and electrical power today are so-called window shelf channels or, in open office solutions, up-right aluminium sections, so called service poles, which are screwed or compressed between floor and ceiling. Such known devices are associated with problems as far as, primarily, localisation flexibility is concerned. Window shelf channels do substantially not admit freely located work stations. Permanently installed service poles means a non-desired fixation of the location of the work stations in the room and hinders a desired flexibility, which is necessary for an efficient use of personnel and floor space. The present invention refers to a comparatively cheap and extremely efficient solution of the problems described. Thus, the present invention relates of a device according to the introductory part of the attached claim 1. The devices is especially characterized in what is presented in the characterizing part of said claim. Below the invention is described in connection with exemplifying embodiments and the attached drawing, in which Fig. 1 schematically shows a view over a working site connected by means of a device according to the invention, Fig. 2 schematically shows a first embodiment of a device according to the invention in a non-folded state, Fig. 3 schematically shows a sectioned end view of the device according to Fig. 2, in which the device is in a folded state, and Fig. 4 shows a fastening element according to the invention in three different views, and Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of the fastening element according to the invention. In Fig. 1 a working site is designated by 1, which working site is supplied by elec- trical power and information signals, primarily data and tele, by means of a device 2 according to the invention from ceiling based cables 3 carried by a cable ladder 4 and provided with sockets 5 in the normal way. Thus, the device according to the invention comprises a cable cover arranged for the maintenance of a predetermined minimum distance a between a cable/cables 6 for electrical power and a cable/cables 7 for information signals, Fig. 2 and 3, where said cover is flexible and arranged to form two channels 8, 9 ninning at said predetermined minimum distance from each other, in which channels 8, 9 a cable/- cables of the respective kind is/are meant to run. According to preferred embodiments, Fig. 2 and 3, said cover comprises a band- shaped, flexible, bendable and substantially non-elastic part 10, the longitudinally running edge parts 11 of which are arranged to be folded inwardly against each other and preferably removably fastened against a centrally π ning part 12 of the band-shaped part for the formation of said two channels. Each edge part and the centrally ninning part are provided with Nelcro® material 13 for the formation of a bur-hook connection. It is preferred that the channels are arranged to be formed running at said pre-deter- mined distance from each other by the edge parts being folded inwardly against each other substantially edge to edge, as shown in Fig. 3. By 14 a fastening element arranged for hanging of the device is designated. It is preferred that said fastening element is arranged to be removably fastened to said cen- trally running part and the edge parts and by means of fastening part 15 protrude between said edge parts in their inwardly folder state, as should be obvious from Fig. 2. In the embodiment shown, Fig. 4, the fastening element comprises a fastening piece 16 having Nelcro® material on two opposing side surfaces 17, 18 and a fastening part 15 protruding from one 17 of the side surfaces, e.g. a fastening part having "sharl αn shape", and provided with an eyelet for the cooperation with a ceiling based hook or the like. The fastening element is, according to the embodiment shown, constructed so that the triangular sharkfin part is of a woven fabric and protrudes through one of the Nelcro® parts and is attached by sewing through the two layers of Nelcro® material. In the further embodiment of fastening element shown in Fig. 5 the element is made of two parts of bendable material with Nelcro® material, namely a first part 14', to which an upright and with a eyelet provided folded part 14'" is glued. Hereby the horisontal, thus fonned part 14"" is provided with Nelcro® material on both the upper wide and the lower side. The bandshaped part 10 of the cover is preferably made of a dirt and water repellent woven fabric, such as relatively coarse nylon fabric, in lengths of e.g. about 30 meters (the normal piece length of the material) and can be cut to a length suitable for the actual purpose. The material is suitably chosen so that an end seal can be performed by welding in order to avoid splitting. The cover is suitable delivered in rolls in a non-folded state. The function of the device according to the invention should to a considerable part have been made clear above. Thus, the device is flexible and adaptable as far as length is concerned and fulfils by the distance between the channels and therewith the cables desired demands, e.g. EU demands, 50 mm:s, for safety distance between power and signal cables for the disturbance safety necessary. The actual EU demands are EU Directive EMC EN 50173. The channels are preferably closeable and openable by the bur-hook connection, whereby the extraction of an actual cable at a free to choose location along the cover may be performed. Fastening points may be arranged at desired locations along the cover by said fastening elements. In this way the length between the chosen fastening point of the fastening element, Fig. 1, and a fixed group of sockets (5) in a ceiling or on a cable ladder constitutes, substantially, the radius, within which the working site can be moved with a connection main- tained. As also should have been made clear above, the invention offers a most important improvement compared to prior art since, among other things, an extremely high flexibility, as far as working site location or the corresponding is concerned, is ob- tained. Above, the invention has been described in association with exemplifying embodiments. Of course further embodiments and minor changes and complements can be imagined without the substantial inventive idea being left. Thus, embodiments may be imagined, in which said channels are permanently closed and maintained said minimum distance. Different solutions for putting together cut lengths of cover may be imagined, e.g. by end located eyelets and a central double part, as shown in Fig. 2. Thus, the invention should not be considered to be limited to the embodiments given above but may be varied within its frame given by the attached claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A device for the distribution of electricity and information signals via separate cables, comprising a cover for said cables, which cover is arranged so that a predeteπnined minimum distance between cables for electricity on the one hand and cables for information signals on the other is maintained, characterized in, that said cover is flexible and arranged to form two channels (8, 9), running at said predetermined, minimum distance (a) from each other, in which channels at least one cable for electricity and at least one cable for in- formation signals respectively, are intended to run. 2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in, that said cover comprises a bandshaped, flexible part (10), the two longitudinal edge parts (11) of which are arranged to be folded inwardly towards each other and preferably remova- bly fastened against a centrally running part ( 12) of the bandshaped part to form said two channels. 3. A device according to claim 2, characterized in, that each edge part and the centrally running part are provided with Nelcro® material (13) for the forma- tion of a bur-hook connection. 4. A device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in, that the channels are arranged to be formed ranning at said predeteπnined distance from each other by folding the edge parts inwardly against each other edge to edge. A device according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in at least one fastening element (14) arranged for hanging up the device (2). 6. A device according to claim 5, characterized in, that said fastening element is arranged to be removably fastened to said centrally running part and by a fastening part (15) protrude between said edge part in their inwardly folded state. 7. A device according to claim 6, characterized in, that the fastening element comprises a fastening piece (16) with Nelcro® material on two opposing side surfaces (17, 18) and a fastening piece protruding from one (17) side surface. 8. A device according to anyone of claims 1-7, characterized in, that said pre- determined minimum distance (a) is 50 mm: s. 9. A device according to anyone of claims 1-8, characterized in, that it is intended to be delivered in predetermined lengths in its unfolded state in the form of rolls.

Inventors: FRIBERG MAARTEN, FRIBERG, MAARTEN
Applicants: FRIBERG MAARTEN, FRIBERG, MAARTEN
Application year: 1998
Main classification: H02G3
IPC codes: H02G3