Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention concerns boxes of the kind having two box elements joined together at a contact surface and together defining a housing of any kind and which are joined together in a releasable manner in each of two opposite assembly areas. 
     Applications of such boxes include light fittings in which, for maintenance reasons, it is frequently desirable to have relatively easy, but nevertheless controlled, access to their interior. 
     One of the box elements constituting a box of the above kind then constitutes a base adapted for fixing the assembly to a support of any kind and the other box element constitutes a glass, for example, operative in the manner of a cover relative to the base. 
     A general object of the present invention is an arrangement providing easy and controlled access in a simple and effective manner to the interior volume of boxes of the above type, and also having other advantages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To be more precise, the present invention consists in a box comprising two box elements attached together at a contact surface and connected together in a releasable manner in each of two opposite assembly areas, each box element including in each assembly area at least one clipping member adapted to hook onto a complementary clipping member in corresponding relationship thereto on the other box element and at least one journal member adapted to cooperate pivot fashion with a complementary journal member in corresponding relationship thereto on the other box element, wherein at least the clipping member of at least one of the box elements is carried by an elastically deformable arm. 
     Accordingly the invention associates, in each of the assembly areas between the two box elements, on the one hand, clipping means whereby the box elements can be very easily and quickly joined together, by simple forcible engagement of one on the other, and, on the other hand, journal means enabling the assembly to be opened, if required, without completely separating the two box elements from each other, separating them on one side only and leaving them articulated to each other on the other side. 
     However, in both cases, whether the separation is on one side only or on both sides, it requires the use of a tool, even if only a screwdriver blade, to operate accordingly on the elastically deformable arm carrying the corresponding clipping member. 
     It is therefore impossible for anyone without such a tool to separate them and therefore to open the assembly, which is a very simple way of assuring compliance with applicable standards if the box concerned is part of a light fitting. 
     What is more, both assembly areas of the box in accordance with the invention have clipping means and journal means and each can therefore serve interchangeably and alternately as an opening area or an articulation area, with the result that the box can advantageously be opened from either side. 
     Finally, because the elastically deformable arm tends to move the box elements between which it operates apart, each assembly area advantageously allows the box in accordance with the invention to be opened wide. 
     It can preferably be opened to at least 180°. 
     In a simplified embodiment of the invention the journal member of the box element whose clipping member is carried by an elastically deformable arm is in one piece with the clipping member. 
     Alternatively, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the journal member is dissociated from the clipping member and forms a separate part. 
     In this way it is advantageously possible to optimize the clipping and articulation functions individually. 
     Because of such dissociation, it is advantageously possible, when one box element is joined to the other, or when it is separated therefrom on both sides, for only the clipping means to be involved, which facilitates their intervention when fitting and when removing it, and when the assembly is opened on one side only the journal means on the other side immediately assume the corresponding assembly function, which assures a permanent assembly function, without risk of unintentional separation of the box elements on this other side. 
     The features and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description given by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a box in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 2 shows to a larger scale the detail II from FIG. 1, which relates to one of the assembly areas operative between the two box elements constituting the box. 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly area. 
     FIG. 4 is a partial top view of one of the box elements in the assembly area, to a larger scale and as seen in the direction of the arrow IV in FIG.  3 . 
     FIGS. 5,  6  and  7  are partial views of the box element in cross section taken along the respective lines V—V, VI—VI and VII—VII in FIG.  4 . 
     FIGS. 8 and 9 are partial views of the other box element in cross section taken along the respective lines VIII—VIII and IX—IX in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 10 is a partial view of the box in accordance with the invention shown in the closed position and in cross section taken along the line X—X in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 11 shows to a larger scale the detail XI from FIG.  10 . 
     FIGS. 12 and 13 are views respectively analogous to those of FIGS. 10 and 11 showing the open position of the box in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view analogous to that of FIG. 2 showing a different embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in the figures, the box  10  in accordance with the invention is of the kind having two box elements  10 A,  10 B attached together at a contacting surface  11 , conjointly defining a housing  12  of any kind, and joined together releasably in each of two opposite assembly areas  14 . 
     It is a light fitting box  10 , for example. 
     The box element  10 A then constitutes a base which it adapted to enable the assembly to be attached to a support of any kind and the box element  10 B then conjointly constitutes a glass, operative in the manner of a cover. 
     For convenience, it is supposed in the figures that the box  10  has a globally parallelepiped shape and that the two box elements  10 A,  10 B that constitute it are of substantially the same size about a contact surface  11  which is substantially plane. 
     Obviously this is not necessarily the case, however, in particular with regard to the general shape of the box  10 . 
     The box elements  10 A,  10 B will not be described in complete detail here. 
     Suffice to say that, in the embodiments shown, the box element  10 A forms, externally, projecting from its side wall, in the vicinity of its opening  15 , but slightly set back relative thereto, a channel  16  which runs all around it, being open on the same side as the contact surface  11 , to serve as a housing for a gasket  17 , and the free edge of which forms part of the contact surface  11 ; conjointly, the box element  10 B forms, around all of its perimeter, at its own opening  18 , in corresponding relationship to the channel  16  on the box element  10 A, a tongue  19  by which it is adapted to compress the gasket  17 , and, externally, projecting from its side wall, a flange  20  which, adapted to be pressed onto the free edge of the channel  16  of the box element  10 A, like the latter, is part of the contact surface  11  and, in practice, is locally interrupted in each of the two assembly areas  14 . 
     In the embodiments shown, the two assembly areas  14  are operative back-to-back in the middle area of two opposite faces of the box elements  10 A,  10 B, for example in the middle area of their smaller faces, each extending on either side of the contact surface  11 . 
     The two assembly areas  14 , only one of which can be seen in the figures, are preferably identical. 
     Only one of them is described here for this reason. 
     In accordance with the invention, each box element  10 A,  10 B includes in each assembly area  14 , on the one hand, at least one clipping member  22 A,  22 B by means of which it is adapted to hook onto a complementary clipping member  22 B,  22 A in corresponding relationship thereto on the other box element  10 B,  10 A and, on the other hand, at least one journal member  23 A,  23 B by means of which it is adapted to cooperate pivot fashion with a complementary journal member  23 B,  23 A also in corresponding relationship thereto on the other box element  10 B,  10 A; at least the clipping member  22 A,  22 B of at least one of the box elements  10 A,  10 B is carried by an elastically deformable arm  24 . 
     In the embodiments shown only the clipping member  22 B of the box element  10 B is carried by an elastically deformable arm  24 , and is at its end. 
     The clipping member  22 A of the other box element  10 A,  10 B, here the box element  10 A, is rigidly joined to the box element. 
     In the embodiments shown, there are in practice two clipping members  22 B in each of the two assembly areas  14 , at the end of a common elastically deformable arm  24  on the box element  10 B concerned, with two complementary clipping members  22 A in corresponding relationship thereto on the other box element  10 A,  10 B, here the box element  10 A. 
     As shown here, for example, the two clipping members  22 B extend back-to-back at the free end of the elastically deformable arm  24  that carries them. 
     As in the embodiments shown, the elastically deformable arm  24  is preferably joined to the box element  10 A,  10 B that carries it, here the box element  10 B, at a distance from the contact surface  11 , and extends cantilever fashion toward that surface. 
     As shown here, for example, the elastically deformable arm  24  extends beyond the contact surface  11  and therefore beyond the flange  20  of the box element  10 B. 
     In practice, in the embodiments shown, the elastically deformable arm  24  even extends beyond the free edge of the tongue  19  of the box element  10 B. 
     In the embodiments shown the elastically deformable arm  24  is divided into parallel flanges  26  which are joined together at their free end by a common crosspiece  27 . 
     As shown here, for example, six flanges  26  constitute the elastically deformable arm  24  and are divided into two groups of three, with a sufficient gap  28  between the two groups, for reasons that will become apparent hereinafter, to allow the insertion of a tool of any kind, not shown. 
     In the embodiments shown, the flanges  26  of the same group are joined together in pairs by spaces  29  over a fraction of their length, starting from their root. 
     In practice the flanges  26  constituting the elastically deformable arm  24  are perpendicular to the side wall of the box element  10 B and perpendicular to the contact surface  11 ; conjointly the crosspiece  27  joining the flanges  26  is parallel to the side wall of the box element  10 B and parallel to the contact surface  11 . 
     In the embodiments shown, the clipping members  22 B carried by the elastically deformable arms  24  are studs projecting laterally at the free end of the elastically deformable arm  24 , each consisting of the respective corresponding end of the crosspiece  27  at this location. 
     In the embodiments shown there are two journal members  23 A,  23 B on each of the box elements  10 A,  10 B in each of the two assembly areas  14 . 
     In the embodiment more particularly shown in FIGS. 1 through 13 the journal members  23 B of the box element  10 B whose clipping members  22 B are carried by an elastically deformable arm  24  are dissociated from the clipping member  22 B and so form separate parts. 
     Likewise, in this embodiment, the clipping members  22 B, on the one hand, and the journal members  23 B, on the other hand, can advantageously have different profiles. 
     In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 12 the studs forming the clipping members  22 B carried by the elastically deformable arm  24 , i.e. the studs forming the clipping members  22 B of the box element  10 B, have a globally quarter-cycle profile in cross section with a curvilinear side  30  which extends from the side opposite the side wall of the box element  10 B, a flat  31  parallel to the contact surface  11  and, at right angles thereto, a flat  32  extending from the same side as the side wall of the box element  10 B. 
     The clipping members  22 A of the other box element  10 A,  10 B, here the box element  10 A, have a globally canopy-shape profile in cross section and, as seen better in FIG. 5, for example, in the case of one of them, extend substantially parallel to the contact surface  11 . 
     As shown here, at their top surface, i.e. at the contact surface  11 , the clipping members  22 A are preferably softened by an insertion profile  34  extending generally obliquely toward their free end. 
     This profile is a rectilinear chamfer or a curved profile, for example. 
     In the embodiments shown the clipping members  22 A of the box element  10 A in fact have on their top surface a dihedral profile with the point directed toward the contact surface  11 . 
     In this embodiment, the clipping member  22 A of the box element  10 A have, in cross section, on their bottom surface, i.e. on the side opposite the contact surface  11 , a circular arc profile subtending an angle of substantially 90° and whose concave side faces away from the contact surface  11 , at substantially 45° thereto. 
     In the embodiments shown, the outermost side of each clipping member  22 A laterally adjoins a fixed flange  36  which stiffens it. 
     In practice the clipping members  22 A are spaced apart and face each other on their respective flanges  26  and, at the same level, both are globally set back relative to the contact surface  11 . 
     In the embodiment shown, a boss  37  is provided between the clipping members  22 A and, to brace the between the clipping members  22 A and, to brace the crosspiece  27  of the elastically deformable arm  24  of the box element  10 B, forms a circular arc shape shoulder  38  parallel to the contact surface  11  and at a lower level than the clipping members  22 A. 
     In the embodiment shown the boss  37  is in practice divided into parallel flanges  39  offset relative to the flanges  26  forming the elastically deformable arm  24  of the box element  10 B, so that they can be interleaved therewith. 
     The crosspiece  27  of the elastically deformable arm  24  of the box element  10 B is stiffened by a rib  40  in the gap  28  and the flanges  39  in the middle area of the boss  37  on the box element  10 A are of reduced height so as not to interfere with the rib  40 . 
     In the embodiment shown each of the journal members  23 B on the box element  10 B is a stud projecting laterally on an individual support arm  41 . 
     The support arm  41  is preferably rigid. 
     To this end it is rooted over all of its height to the side wall of the box element  10 B from the flange  20  thereof. 
     In the embodiment shown, the support arm  41  carrying a journal member  23 B in this way in practice has the same configuration as the flanges  26  constituting the elastically deformable arm  24  carrying the clipping members  22 B, and is parallel to them. 
     Because two journal members  23 B are provided, there are in practice two support arms  41  and they lie on respective opposite sides of the elastically deformable arm  24  carrying the clipping members  22 B, at a distance from the elastically deformable arm  24 . 
     In the embodiment shown, the studs forming the journal members  23 B have a globally circular profile in cross section and, in corresponding relationship, they each have on the side opposite the side wall of the box element  10 B a flat  42  substantially perpendicular to the contact surface  11 . 
     The studs forming the journal members  23 B of the box element  10 B are in practice coaxial with the studs forming the clipping members  22 B of the box element  10 B and extend in opposite directions. 
     In other words, unlike the two clipping members  22 B, which are back-to-back, the two journal members  23 B extend toward each other. 
     For each of the journal members  23 B on the box element  10 B the journal member  23 A of the other box element  10 A,  10 B, here the box element  10 A, has a rounded shoulder  44  at the edge of an insertion passage  43  parallel to the contact surface  11 , at the end of the insertion passage  43  opposite the contact surface  11 , with its concave side facing toward the side wall of the box element  10 A, oriented at substantially 45° to the contact surface  11 . 
     In practice the journal member  23 A is at a distance from the side wall of the box element  10 A and substantially parallel to that side wall, and in the manner of a bridge or a spacer it extends between, on the one hand, the side of the corresponding flange  36  opposite that on which a clipping member  22 A operates and, on the other hand, a flange  45  parallel to the flange  36 , being in one piece with both flanges  36  and  45 . 
     The flange  45 , which has a configuration similar to that of the flange  36 , has on its edge on the same side as the contact surface  11  a U-shape notch  46  (see FIG. 6) the back of which forms a cradle for the corresponding journal member  23 B of the box element  10 B. 
     In practice, the distance D 1  between the channel  16  and the journal member  23 A is substantially equal to (slightly greater than) the dimension D 2  of the journal member  23 B in line with its flat  42  (see FIG.  8 ). 
     Finally, in the embodiment shown, the box element  10 A also carries, beyond the flanges  45 , flanges  47  for guiding the support arms  41  carried by the box element  10 B which are parallel to the flanges  45  and, like them, have a configuration analogous to that of the flanges  36  and  39 . 
     As symbolized by an arrow F 1  in FIG. 3, the box  10  in accordance with the invention is assembled by simply engaging one of its box elements  10 A,  10 B forcibly with the other. 
     On completing this engagement, which is facilitated by the insertion profile  34  of the clipping members  22 A of the box element  10 A, the clipping members  22 B of the box element  10 B engage under the clipping members  22 A, by virtue of temporary elastic deformation of the elastically deformable arm  24  carrying them. 
     At the same time, by virtue of their flat  42 , the journal members  23 B of the box element  10 B engage between the journal members  23 A of the box element  10 A and the channel  16  thereof until they align with the rounded shoulder  44  of the journal members  23 A, as can be seen in the case of one of them in FIGS. 10 and 11. 
     Because of the interconnection of the clipping members  22 A,  22 B, the box elements  10 A,  10 B are then fastened together in each of their assembly areas  14 . 
     They are separated at one or both of the assembly areas  14 , according to whether they are to be totally or partly separated. 
     In either case this requires temporary elastic deformation of the elastically deformable arm  24  carrying the clipping members  22 B of the box element  10 B so that, by a movement which is the converse of the previous one, the clipping members  22 B can escape from the clipping members  22 A of the box element  10 A. 
     A tool is needed for this, however, as mentioned above. 
     This tool, which can simply be a screwdriver blade, is inserted between the crosspiece  27  carried by the elastically deformable arm  24  and the side wall of the box element  10 B, by virtue of the gap  28  provided for this purpose, and bears on that side wall to apply leverage to the crosspiece  27 . 
     When only partial separation is required, i.e. separation in only one of the assembly areas  14 , the other assembly area  14  advantageously acts like a hinge, enabling the box  10  to be opened on one side only, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. 
     At the commencement of opening, the journal members  23 A of the box element  10 A engage under the journal members  23 B of the box element  10 B by virtue of the rounded shoulder  44 , as shown for one of them in FIGS. 12 and 13, so holding the two box elements  10 A,  10 B inter-engaged with each other, without risk of them separating unintentionally at this point. 
     As shown here, the box  10  in accordance with the invention can advantageously open to more than 180°. 
     Opening can be restricted, if required, by providing flanges  50  on the box element  10 B, for example, as symbolized in chain-dotted line in FIG. 3, through which the box element  10 B bears on the boss  37  on the box element  10 A. 
     In the simplified embodiment shown in FIG. 14 the journal members  23 B of the box element  10 B whose clipping members  22 B are carried by an elastically deformable arm  24  are in one piece with the respective clipping member  22 B. 
     Otherwise their features are substantially the same as previously described. 
     Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described as shown, but encompasses any variant execution and/or combination of their various components. 
     In particular, the respective roles of the two box elements and/or those of their clipping members or their journal members can be interchanged. 
     Also, at least the clipping members of each box element could be carried by an elastically deformable arm.

Technology Category: 7