GUIDE DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a guide device, in particular for a cable chain, comprising laterally opposite guiding walls for guiding the top part and/or the bottom part of the cable carrier, which are formed from wall elements interconnected from the area of the front-sided end. Said wall elements are made from a single piece of plastic, and they comprise, in the area of the front-sided ends, first securing means made of one piece which enable said elements to be fixed in a positive and/or non-positive fit to a directly adjacent wall element such that a separation therefrom and pivoting counter to is prevented in any direction.

Claims

1. A guide device for a line, in particular an energy guiding chain, the line having an upper run and a lower run, wherein the line is displaceable such that the upper run is positionable over the lower run, and the upper run and the lower run are connected together by an arcuate portion, wherein the guide device has guide walls which are disposed in laterally opposite relationship at least in one region for guiding at least one of the upper run and the lower run, which comprise laterally mutually opposite wall elements which respectively have two ends with end faces facing away from each other in a longitudinal direction of the wall element, an outside facing away from the laterally opposite wall element, an inside facing towards the laterally opposite wall element, a top side and an underside, wherein the wall elements forming a guide wall are connected together in a region of front-side ends thereof such that the inside of the guide elements form a continuous guide surface extending over the entire guide wall, wherein the wall elements are formed in one piece from plastic, and have first fixing means formed in one piece thereon in the region of the front-side ends for positively locking and/or force-locking fixing to an immediately adjacent wall element against separation from same and pivotal movement with respect thereto in any direction.

2. The guide device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the wall elements have second fixing means formed in one piece thereon for fixing the wall elements on a base.

3. The guide device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the wall elements of both guide walls are of a mutually identical configuration.

4. The guide device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the wall elements are of a substantially identical wall thickness over an entire height.

5. The guide device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the wall elements are curved outwardly in a region of the top side thereof.

6. The guide device as set forth in claim 1, wherein, in a region of one of the two ends, the wall elements have at least one projection projecting at the end face of the end and, in a region of the other end of the two ends, the wall elements have an opening which corresponds to the projection and into which the projection of an immediately adjacent wall element is introducible.

7. The guide device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the end faces of the wall elements are flat end faces.

8. The guide device as set forth in claim 7, wherein, in the region of the front-side ends at the end face, the wall elements have projecting projections which at one of the front-side ends are arranged in a height-displaced relationship with respect to the projection or the projections at the other of the front-side ends such that the projections at least partially cover outside regions of an immediately adjacent wall element and at least one projection engages between two projections without an intermediate space in respect of height.

9. The guide device as set forth in claim 8, wherein the projections are arranged externally on the wall elements such that the projections at least partially cover the outside of immediately adjacent wall elements.

10. The guide device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the wall elements have mutually corresponding latching means integrally formed thereon in the region of the two front-side ends, which latching means form a latching connection to prevent release of the wall elements from each other in the longitudinal direction thereof with the corresponding latching means of an immediately adjacent wall element.

11. The guide device as set forth in claim 10, wherein, in the region of one of the front-side ends, the latching means is in the form of a projection projecting at the end face with a latching region and, in the region of the other of the front-side ends, the corresponding latching means is provided with an opening into which the latching region of the projection of an immediately adjacent wall element is latchable.

12. The guide device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the latching region of the projection projects from the outside of the wall element wherein the opening corresponding to the latching region is provided in a part projecting from the outside of the wall element.

13. The guide device as set forth in claim 12, wherein the opening is of a window-like configuration in the part, the latching region corresponding to the window-like opening.

14. The guide device as set forth in claim 12, wherein the part having the opening respectively projects by half at the end face in question of the wall element.

15. The guide device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the second fixing means for fixing the wall elements on a base are in the form of fixing lugs which extend parallel to the underside of the wall elements and which project with respect to the end faces of the wall elements and which overlap upon connection of a wall element to an immediately adjacent wall element.

16. The guide device as set forth in claim 15, wherein the fixing lugs extend outwardly at the outside of the wall elements.

17. The guide device as set forth in claim 16, wherein a tongue-and-groove connection is provided in the overlap regions of the fixing lugs.

18. The guide device as set forth in claim 15, wherein there are provided limbs which extend in the region of the front-side ends of the wall elements to the top side thereof and which are formed in one piece at the outsides of the wall elements and which are arranged spaced from the end faces and form an angle with the fixing lugs.

19. The guide device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the wall elements have limbs which are directed in the region of their front-side ends towards the oppositely disposed wall element and which is connectable to the limbs of the oppositely disposed wall element.

20. The guide device as set forth in claim 19, wherein the limbs is connectable together by the interposition of an intermediate limb.

21. The guide device as set forth in claim 20, wherein the adjacent limbs of two immediately adjacent wall elements together form a latching means for connection to an intermediate limb.

22. The guide device as set forth in claim 1, wherein guide rails are formed in one piece at the the insides of at least one pair of opposite wall elements, for supporting the lower run of a line displaceable in the guide device, in particular an energy guiding chain.

23. The guide device as set forth in claim 1, wherein guide rails are formed in one piece at the insides of at least one pair of opposite wall elements, for supporting the upper run of a line displaceable in the guide device, in particular an energy guiding chain.

24. The guide device as set forth in claim 23, wherein the wall region of the wall elements are interrupted between the first fixing means for connecting immediately adjacent wall elements and optionally second fixing means for fixing the wall elements on a base or the like beneath the guide rails for the upper run.

25. The guide device as set forth in claim 1, wherein separate guide rails are provided at the insides of at least one pair of opposite wall elements for supporting the upper run of a line displaceable in the guide device, in particular an energy guiding chain, which guide rails are fixable at different heights to the wall elements in positively locking and/or force-locking relationship.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] FIG. 1a shows a perspective view of a portion of a guide device, comprising two respective immediately adjacent wall elements;

[0037] FIG. 1b shows a plan view of the portion shown in FIG. 1a;

[0038] FIG. 1c shows a lateral view on to the outside of the portion shown in FIG. 1a;

[0039] FIG. 1d shows an end view of the portion shown in FIG. 1a in the direction of the arrow A;

[0040] FIG. 2a shows a perspective view on to the inside of one of the wall elements shown at the right in FIG. 1a;

[0041] FIG. 2b shows a perspective view on to the outside of the wall element;

[0042] FIG. 2c shows a side view of the wall element directed on to the outside;

[0043] FIG. 2d shows a side view directed on to the inside of the wall element;

[0044] FIG. 2e shows an end view of the wall element in the direction of the arrow B in FIG. 2a;

[0045] FIG. 3a shows a perspective view on to the outside of one of the wall elements shown at the left in FIG. 1a;

[0046] FIG. 3b shows a perspective view on to the inside of the wall element;

[0047] FIG. 3c shows a side view on to the outside of the wall element;

[0048] FIG. 3d shows a side view on to the inside of the wall element;

[0049] FIG. 3e shows an end view of the wall element in the direction of the arrow C in FIG. 3a;

[0050] FIG. 4a shows a perspective view of a second embodiment for a portion of a guide device, respectively comprising two wall elements;

[0051] FIG. 4b shows a plan view of the portion shown in FIG. 4a;

[0052] FIG. 4c shows a side view on to the outside of the portion shown in FIG. 4a;

[0053] FIG. 4d shows an enlarged view of the region A in FIG. 4c;

[0054] FIG. 4e shows an end view of the portion shown in FIG. 4a in the direction of the arrow D;

[0055] FIG. 5a shows a perspective view on to the outside of one of the wall elements shown in FIG. 4a;

[0056] FIG. 5b shows a perspective view on to the inside of the wall element;

[0057] FIG. 5c shows a side view on to the outside of the wall element;

[0058] FIG. 5d shows a side view on to the inside of the wall element;

[0059] FIG. 5e shows an end view of the wall element in the direction of the arrow E in FIG. 5b;

[0060] FIG. 6a shows a perspective view on to the inside of the guide rail shown in FIG. 4a;

[0061] FIG. 6b shows a perspective view on to the outside of the guide rail;

[0062] FIG. 6c shows a perspective view on to the inside of the guide rail;

[0063] FIG. 6d shows a side view on to the outside of the guide rail;

[0064] FIG. 6e shows a perspective view of the guide rail in the direction of the arrow F in FIG. 6b;

[0065] FIG. 7a shows a perspective view on to the outside of a further embodiment of a wall element;

[0066] FIG. 7b shows a perspective view on to the inside of the wall element;

[0067] FIG. 7c shows a side view on to the outside of the wall element;

[0068] FIG. 7d shows a side view on to the inside of the wall element; and

[0069] FIG. 7e shows an end view of the wall element in the direction of the arrow G in FIG. 7b.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] FIGS. 1a through 1d show a portion of a first embodiment of a guide device that includes two mutually opposite guide walls each comprising two wall elements 1, 2. The wall elements 1 shown at bottom right in FIG. 1a are adjoined by further wall elements 1 identical thereto and form a first portion of the guide device for supporting the lower run of an energy guiding chain (not shown). Likewise the wall elements 2 shown at top left in FIG. 1a are adjoined by further wall elements 2 which are identical thereto and which form a second portion of the guide device for supporting and guiding the upper run of the energy guiding chain. The guide device which can be seen from the view in FIG. 1a is so designed that the free end of the lower run of the energy guiding chain to be guided therein has a stationary connection, for example between the wall elements 1 shown in FIG. 1a, and the upper run has a connection which is moveable relative to the guide device. The two runs of the energy guiding chain are connected together by an arcuate portion, wherein the arcuate portion of the energy guiding chain moves with a reciprocating movement upon displacement thereof in the above-mentioned portions of the guide device.

[0071] In the above-mentioned first portion the upper run depending on the respective length thereof can extend in self-supporting relationship over the lower run or after a given self-supported length can be supported on the lower run. If the upper run extends over the above-mentioned first portion in which it is possibly supported by the lower run into the above-mentioned second portion of the guide device it is there supported and guided by guide rails 3 arranged at the inside of the wall elements 2. The height of the top side 4 of the guide rails 3 at least approximately corresponds to the height of the lower run of the energy guiding chain that is disposed in the first portion.

[0072] The wall elements 1, 2 of the first and second portions respectively are identical to each other and injected in one piece from plastic. As can also be seen from FIG. 1a the wall elements 1, 2 forming the two oppositely disposed guide walls of the guide device are connected together at their mutually facing end faces in such a way that their insides 5 form a continuous guide surface extending in the longitudinal direction of the wall elements 1,2 for the upper run and in the above-mentioned first portion for the lower run. In other words, in the region of their mutually facing end faces there are no free spaces between the mutually adjoining insides 5 of the wall elements 1, 2.

[0073] The wall elements 1, 2 have first fixing means 6 formed in one piece thereon in the region of their front-side ends for positively locking fixing to an immediately adjacent wall element 1, 2 against separation therefrom and pivotal movement with respect thereto in any direction. The fixing means described hereinafter are so designed that portions of the guide device comprising guide walls having two or three wall elements 1, 2 form components which are stable in themselves, without further separate fixing means, which components can be reliably and safely handled upon transportation and assembly and which are self-supporting over their entire length. The wall elements 1, 2 used in the embodiment are of a length of 0.5 m and in the interconnected condition can form a stable component including two or three wall elements 1, 2.

[0074] For a such a component it may be sufficient for only each second or third wall element 1, 2 to be fixed on a base, for example a mounting bracket in a crane installation.

[0075] For fixing on a base which can also comprise mounting brackets, the wall elements 1, 2 have second fixing means which are injection-molded in one piece thereon.

[0076] The two wall elements 1, 2 from which the above-mentioned first and second portions of the guide device are composed are shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2a through 2e and

[0077] FIGS. 3a through 3e respectively. As can be seen from the Figures the wall elements 1, 2 are of a substantially equal wall thickness over their entire height. For better introduction of the energy guiding chain into the guide device the wall elements 1, 2 are curved outwardly in the region of their top side 8.

[0078] The wall elements 1, 2 have flat end faces 9, 10. The first fixing means 6 for connecting immediately adjacent wall elements 1, 2 include projections 11, 12 which project in the region of the two ends of the wall elements 1, 2 at the end faces 9, 10 and at the outside 13 of the wall elements 1, 2. The projections 11 at the end face 9 are arranged in height-displaced relationship with respect to the projections 12 at the end face 10 in such a way that, as shown in FIG. 1c, they cover the outside of an immediately adjacent wall element 1, 2 in the region of the front end thereof and engage without the formation of an intermediate space in respect of height between each other. When two immediately adjacent wall elements 1, 2 are joined together the projections 11, 12 provide for exact heightwise alignment of the wall elements 1, 2 with each other and secure the connection between the wall elements 1, 2 to prevent release thereof in a direction transversely relative to their longitudinal direction.

[0079] The first fixing means 6 for connecting immediately adjacent wall elements 1, 2 further include mutually corresponding latching means 14, 15 which are injection-molded in one piece on the wall elements 1, 2, in the region of the ends of the wall elements 1, 2. The latching means 14 in the region of the end face 10 is in the form of a projection, projecting at the end face 10 in question, with a latching region 16. The latching means 15 corresponding to that latching means 14 in the region of the other end face 9 is provided with a window-like opening 17 in which the latching region 16 of the projection of an immediately adjacent wall element 1, 2 can be latched. The latching region 16 of the projection projects from the outside 13 of the wall element 1, 2 wherein the window-like opening 17 corresponding to the latching region 16 is provided in a part 18 projecting from the outside of the wall element 1, 2.

[0080] The latching region 16 and the part 18 having the window-like opening 17 respectively project by half at the end faces 9 and 10 respectively so that in the connected condition of the immediately adjacent wall elements 1, 2 they are substantially symmetrical with respect to the end faces 9, 10, that bear against each other, of the wall elements 1, 2, as can be seen in particular from FIG. 1c.

[0081] The second fixing means 7 for fixing the wall elements 1, 2 on a base are in the form of fixing lugs 20, 21 extending parallel to the underside 19 of the wall elements 1, 2. They project with respect to the end faces 9 and 10 respectively of the wall elements 1, 2 and overlap upon being connected to an immediately adjacent wall element 1, 2, as can be seen in particular from FIGS. 1a and 1c. The fixing lugs extend outwardly at the outside 13 of the wall elements 1, 2.

[0082] A tongue-and-groove connection is provided in the overlap regions of the fixing lugs 20, 21 for additionally securing against separation and tilting. The groove 22 extends transversely relative to the longitudinal direction of the wall element 1, 2 in an end portion facing away from the respective end face 9 of the wall element 1, 2, while the tongue 23 extends in the transverse direction in a corresponding end portion projecting at the other end face 10 of the wall element 1, 2.

[0083] In addition there are limbs 24, 25 which are formed in one piece at the outsides 13 of the wall elements 1, 2 and extend in the region of the ends of the wall elements 1, 2 to the top side 8 thereof, the limbs being arranged spaced from the end faces 9 and 10 respectively and forming an angle with the fixing lugs 20 and 21.

[0084] For fixing the wall elements 1, 2 to their opposite wall elements 1, 2 limbs 26, 27 are produced by injection molding opposite to the fixing lugs 20, 21 at the inside 5 of the wall elements 1, 2, which limbs 26, 27 can be connected to the limbs 27 and 26 respectively of the opposite wall element 1, 2. At their free ends the limbs 26, 27 are provided with a latching means 28, 29 cooperating with a latching means 30 and 31 on an intermediate limb 32 arranged between the limbs 26 and 27 of the opposite wall elements 1, 2. By means of intermediate limbs 32 of differing length, it is possible for the width of the guide device, that is to say the spacing of the insides 5 of the opposite wall elements 1, 2 to be adapted to the width of the energy guiding chain to be guided.

[0085] The fixing lugs 20, 21 have openings which are aligned with each other upon overlap of the fixing lugs of immediately adjacent wall elements 1, 2 and serve for fixing screws or bolts to pass therethrough.

[0086] When immediately adjacent wall elements 1, 2 are connected, as shown in FIG. 1b, the limbs 26, 27 bear against each other and form a pair of limbs. The latching means 28, 29 of the pair of limbs form a latching means cooperating with the oppositely disposed latching means 30, 31 on an intermediate limb 32 for making a stable fixing connection.

[0087] As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 1b, 2b and 2d guide rails 33 are injection-molded in one piece at the insides 3 of the wall elements 1 for supporting the lower run of the energy guiding chain to be fitted therein. The guide rails extend between the limbs 26 and 27 and have therewith a continuous top side 34 at the same level.

[0088] The front end regions of the wall elements 1, 2 which include the first fixing means 6 for fixing in positively locking and/or force-locking relationship to an immediately adjacent wall element 1, 2 are referred to hereinafter as fixing regions 35, 36. They can include the second fixing means 7 for fixing the wall element 1, 2 on a base. In the embodiments being considered, the wall regions 37, 38 extending from the limbs 24 and 25 to the end faces 9 and 10 respectively and the fixing lugs 20 and 21 injection-molded in one piece at the underside thereof are included.

[0089] The wall regions 39 and 40 of the wall elements 1 extend substantially over the entire height of the fixing regions 35 and 36 as they laterally guide both the lower run and also the upper run of the energy guiding chain to be inserted. Between those guide regions and the fixing regions 35 and 36 the wall elements 1 have outwardly curved bulge portions 41 for increasing the stability of the wall elements 1 in relation to forces acting in the transverse direction on the guide device.

[0090] As can be seen from FIGS. 1a, 1c and in particular FIGS. 3a through 3e the wall regions 42 of the wall elements 2 extend between the fixing regions 35 and 36 between the guide rail 3 injected to the inside 5 and the top side 8 arranged at the same height level as in the case of the wall elements 1. The space beneath the wall region 42 between the fixing region 35 and 36 is open.

[0091] As can be seen in particular from FIG. 3b through 3d a projection 43 is arranged at an end of the guide rail 3 and a groove 44 corresponding to the projection 43 is arranged at the other end of the guide rail 3. When two immediately adjacent wall elements 2 are fitted together the projection 43 and the groove 44 engage into each other and thereby additionally enhance the stability of the connection.

[0092] FIGS. 4a through 4e show a portion of another embodiment of a guide device arranged at the same location as the portion shown in FIGS. 1a through 1d in the guide device. Only the differences in respect of the wall elements 45 used in this embodiment in relation to the above-discussed wall elements 1, 2 are set out hereinafter. In regard to the other details of the wall elements 45, as shown in FIGS. 4a through 4e and 5a through 5e, attention is directed to the above-described first embodiment.

[0093] All wall elements 45 of the second embodiment of a guide device are identical and are injected-molded from plastic in one piece. The wall elements 45 correspond to the wall elements 1 of the first embodiment except for a device for arranging a separate guide rail 46 at different heights at the inside 5 of the wall element 45.

[0094] As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 6a through 6e the guide rails 46 are in the form of an elongate element which is of an angled cross-section, wherein the one leg 47 is provided for fixing to the wall element 45 in question and the second leg 48 extending substantially perpendicularly thereto is provided for bearing against the upper run. The leg 47 serving for fixing purposes has knobs 49 directed towards the wall element 45 in the region of its ends and in the central region, which engage in positively locking and force-locking relationship into openings 50 in the wall element 45 that correspond to the knobs.

[0095] To permit height adjustment of the separate guide rails 46 for the upper run on the wall elements 45 there are provided a respective plurality of mutually superposed openings 50 in the wall elements 45.

[0096] Such wall elements 45 which further have guide rails 33 formed in one piece thereon for the lower run are used to form the above-mentioned first and second portions of the guide device, wherein the separate guide rails 46 for the upper run are fixed to the wall elements 45 only in the second portion.

[0097] In a third embodiment of the guide device wall elements 51 as are shown in FIGS. 7a through 7e are used.

[0098] The only difference in relation to the wall element 1 shown in FIGS. 1a through 1b and FIGS. 2a through 2b is that the wall region has a window-like opening 52 between the fixing regions 35 and 36. It extends in respect of its height at a certain spacing from the guide rail 33 which is injected-molded in one piece thereon that is sufficient for lateral guidance of the lower run, approximately as far as the outwardly curved region at the top side of the wall element 51.

[0099] Instead of the wall element 1 of the above-described first embodiment the wall element 51 can be used together with wall elements 2 or wall elements 45 of the above-described second embodiment in a guide device. Alternatively the wall elements 51 can be used for forming a guide device, which is in the form of a support channel, for the lower run.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0100] 1 wall element

[0101] 2 wall element

[0102] 3 guide rail

[0103] 4 top side

[0104] 5 inside

[0105] 6 first fixing means

[0106] 7 second fixing means

[0107] 8 top side

[0108] 9 end face

[0109] 10 end face

[0110] 11 projection

[0111] 12 projection

[0112] 13 outside

[0113] 14 latching means

[0114] 15 latching means

[0115] 16 latching region

[0116] 17 opening

[0117] 18 part

[0118] 19 underside

[0119] 20 fixing lug

[0120] 21 fixing lug

[0121] 22 groove

[0122] 23 tongue

[0123] 24 limb

[0124] 25 limb

[0125] 26 limb

[0126] 27 limb

[0127] 28 latching means

[0128] 29 latching means

[0129] 30 latching means

[0130] 31 latching means

[0131] 32 intermediate limb

[0132] 33 guide rail

[0133] 34 top side

[0134] 35 fixing region

[0135] 36 fixing region

[0136] 37 wall region

[0137] 38 wall region

[0138] 39 wall region

[0139] 40 wall region

[0140] 41 bulge portion

[0141] 42 wall region

[0142] 43 projection

[0143] 44 groove

[0144] 45 wall element

[0145] 46 guide rail

[0146] 47 leg

[0147] 48 leg

[0148] 49 knobs

[0149] 50 opening

[0150] 51 wall element

[0151] 52 opening