Abstract
A line guide device comprising a displaceable flexible envelope with duct-like sheaths for lines and end fastening devices in each case comprising two clamping plates with major faces for exerting a clamping force and within each case a retaining portion for strain relief elements. The retaining portion retains the strain relief elements on the respective clamping plate against displacement in the longitudinal direction and, according to the invention, forms a profile cross-section with undercut. The strain relief elements each have at least one connection portion which, for form-fitting engagement behind the undercut, corresponds to the profile cross-section of the retaining portion in order also to retain the strain relief element on the clamping plate in the direction perpendicular to the major face. A variant of the end fastening device comprising two plate connectors for holding the clamping plates together in each case on a lateral end portion, in each case with two opposing clip portions for form-fitting interaction with an end region.
Claims
1-22. (canceled)
23. An end fastening device for fastening an end of a line guide device which is displaceable to-and-fro and has at least one elongate, flexible envelope, which comprises a number of duct-like sheaths for lines, the sheaths extending in a longitudinal direction from a first end to a second end, comprising: at least two clamping plates with substantially flat major faces for exerting a clamping force, wherein the clamping plates are each arrangeable with a principal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the envelope; and a number of strain relief elements, each with a clamping surface for one or more lines and for opposing arrangement between facing major faces of the clamping plates; wherein the at least two clamping plates each have a retaining portion for strain relief elements, which retains the strain relief elements on the clamping plate in a direction parallel to the major face against displacement in the longitudinal direction, wherein each of the at least two clamping plates has two long end faces parallel to the principal direction, wherein the retaining portion forms a profile cross-section with undercut, and wherein the strain relief elements each have at least one connection portion which, for form-fitting engagement behind the undercut, corresponds to the profile cross-section of the retaining portion in order also to retain the strain relief element on the respective clamping plate in the direction perpendicular to the major face, wherein the profile cross-section is formed by an end-face groove on each of the two end faces, and corresponding end-face connection portions are provided on the strain relief elements.
24. The end fastening device as claimed in claim 23, wherein the clamping plate has two long end faces and two short narrow sides, wherein the profile cross-section opens outwards at at least one of the short narrow sides and preferably opens outwards at both short narrow sides, and/or in that the profile cross-section extends over at least a predominant proportion of the length, preferably over the entire length of the clamping plate.
25. The end fastening device as claimed in claim 23, wherein the connection portions form an edge protection protruding at the end face for the lines.
26. The end fastening device as claimed in claim 23, wherein each clamping plate has two major faces facing away from one another and in each case a retaining portion for strain relief elements is provided on both sides which forms, perpendicular to the principal direction, a profile cross-section with an undercut.
27. The end fastening device as claimed in claim 26, wherein the two retaining portions are provided on the clamping plate offset relative to one another in the longitudinal direction, and are preferably arranged rotationally symmetrically to a main central axis, and/or are preferably arranged centrally in one of two width halves of the clamping plate.
28. The end fastening device as claimed in claim 23, wherein the retaining portion is mirror-symmetrical in configuration, in particular with two mirror-symmetrical undercuts.
29. The end fastening device as claimed in claim 23, wherein each retaining portion comprises a profile groove recessed relative to the major face and/or a profile projection protruding relative to the major face.
30. The end fastening device as claimed in claim 29, wherein the profile groove and/or the profile projection forms a T-shaped, V-shaped or dovetail-shaped profile cross-section and the connection portions of the strain relief elements have a form-fittingly matching cross-section.
31. An end fastening device for fastening an end of a line guide device which is displaceable to-and-fro and has at least one elongate, flexible envelope, which has a number of duct-like sheaths for lines extending in a longitudinal direction from a first end to a second end, comprising: at least two clamping plates with substantially flat major faces for exerting a clamping force, wherein the clamping plates in each case have two lateral end portions and two long end faces, which extend parallel to a principal direction, and are arrangeable with the end faces perpendicular to the envelope; and a number of strain relief elements, each with a clamping surface for one or more lines and for opposing arrangement between facing major faces of the clamping plates; wherein two separate plate connectors are provided, in order to retain the at least two clamping plates at in each case one of the two lateral end portions, wherein each plate connector has two opposing clip portions, which in each case interact at least form-fittingly with an end portion, and the plate connectors are configured to hold the at least two clamping plates together.
32. The end fastening device as claimed in claim 31, wherein, with their clip portions, the plate connectors hold two clamping plates together in the longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the major face, wherein in particular the clip portions interact with an undercut profile cross-section of the clamping plate and/or the clip portions are preferably configured to grip around the two end faces of the clamping plate in the end portion thereof, preferably with two longitudinally opposing claws.
33. The end fastening device as claimed in claim 31, wherein each plate connector comprises a supporting body, which represents a spacer for predetermining the vertical distance between the clamping plates.
34. The end fastening device as claimed in 31, wherein each strain relief element projects in the longitudinal direction beyond the end faces of the clamping plates and forms a sheath at a rear side remote from the clamping surface, in which sheath the respective clamping plate may be at least partly accommodated.
35. The end fastening device as claimed in claim 23, wherein a plurality of strain relief elements are arranged in a row in the principal direction and/or are retained displaceably on a clamping plate and/or are retained detachably on a clamping plate.
36. The end fastening device as claimed in claim 31, wherein the clamping plates are embodied as flat plates with major faces which are planar in front view or with a plate thickness which is uniform in the principal direction.
37. The end fastening device as claimed in claim 23, wherein the clamping plates are made of metal, preferably extruded metal profiles, in particular of aluminum, or of reinforced plastics material, in particular as injection moldings.
38. The end fastening device as claimed in claim 23, wherein: the strain relief elements are made in one piece of plastics material, in particular as injection moldings, wherein the plate connectors are preferably made in one piece from a harder plastics material than the strain relief elements, in particular as injection moldings; and/or the strain relief elements are made from a material which is softer than the material of the clamping plates and/or of the plate connectors.
39. The end fastening device as claimed in claim 23, wherein: the clamping plates have in each case at least two through-holes for screw fastenings in both lateral end portions and have one or more additional through-holes for screw fastenings between the end portions along the principal direction; and/or the plate connectors have at least two, preferably three through-holes for screw fastenings, which are preferably arranged for aligned arrangement with corresponding through-holes for screw fastenings in the clamping plates.
40. The end fastening device as claimed in claim 23 for fastening at least two envelopes in superposed layers, comprising at least three clamping plates arranged one above the other, wherein on the middle clamping plate in the mounted state strain relief elements are retained on both sides.
41. A line guide device for lines, for clean room applications, comprising: at least one elongate, flexible envelope which is displaceable to-and-fro, and comprises a number of duct-like sheaths for lines, the sheaths extending in a longitudinal direction from a first end to a second end; a first end fastening device for the first end and a second end fastening device for the second end of the envelope; wherein the first end fastening device and/or the second end fastening device is an end fastening device as claimed in claim 23.
42. A modular building kit for producing end fastening devices as claimed in claim 23, comprising: at least one flat clamping plate; at least two different types of strain relief element within each case different structural heights and in each case connection portions of identical construction for securing to the clamping plate at least in a longitudinal direction; at least two different types of plate connector with different structural heights, wherein each plate connector has two opposing clip portions of identical construction, which in each case interact at least form-fittingly with an end portion of the flat clamping plate.
43. The modular building kit for end fastening devices as claimed in claim 42, wherein the clamping plate in each case has at least one retaining portion with a profile cross-section with undercut; and each strain relief element in each case has a connection portion in order to retain the strain relief element on the clamping plate by engaging behind the undercut of the profile cross-section in the direction perpendicular to the major face of said clamping plate.
44. The device or building kit as claimed in claim 23, wherein the strain relief elements project in the longitudinal direction or perpendicular to the principal direction of the clamping plates beyond the clamping plates on both sides and preferably grip at least in part around the respective end face of the clamping plate.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0076] Further details and advantages of the invention may be inferred, without restricting the general nature of the above, from the following explanation of preferred exemplary embodiments on the basis of the appended drawings. Features of corresponding or identical structure or function have corresponding reference signs and may not be repeatedly described.
[0077] In the figures:
[0078] FIGS. 1A-1B are schematic representations of a generic line guide apparatus in perspective view (FIG. 1A) and in cross-section transversely of the longitudinal direction (FIG. 1B) according to the prior art for example from DE 20 2019 103 276 U1;
[0079] FIGS. 2A-2C shows a first exemplary embodiment of an end fastening for a line guide apparatus according to FIGS. 1A-1B assembled in perspective view (FIG. 2A) and in exploded view (FIG. 2B) and inside view (FIG. 2C);
[0080] FIG. 2D shows a variant of an end fastening according to FIGS. 2A-2B in perspective view with other strain relief elements;
[0081] FIGS. 3A-3B are a cross-sectional view and a side view of a second exemplary embodiment of an end fastening device;
[0082] FIGS. 4A-4B are a cross-sectional view and a side view of a third exemplary embodiment of an end fastening device;
[0083] FIGS. 5A-5C show a fourth exemplary embodiment of an end fastening device in cross-section (FIG. 5A) and in partial perspective view (FIGS. 5B-5C);
[0084] FIGS. 6A-6C show a fourth exemplary embodiment of an end fastening device in cross-section (FIG. 6A) and in partial perspective view (FIGS. 6B-6C);
[0085] FIGS. 7A-7B show a front view and a plan view of a further exemplary embodiment of an end fastening device different from FIGS. 6A-6C; and
[0086] FIGS. 8A-8C show plan views onto different variants of clamping plates, in particular for an exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 2A-2D.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0087] FIGS. 1A-1B show an exemplary embodiment of a dynamic line guide apparatus 1, i.e. one which is displaceable to-and-fro, for supply lines 8, for example for power and data supply in a machine. The line guide apparatus 1 is linearly displaceable and in the process forms a mobile upper run 1A, a stationary lower run 1B and therebetween a co-traveling deflection arc 1C. The upper run 1A is displaceable in the longitudinal direction L of the line guide apparatus 1. The deflection arc 1C has a predetermined deflection radius or bending radius about a transverse direction Q, perpendicular to longitudinal direction L. In FIG. 1A the line guide apparatus 1 comprises two flexible envelopes 2 elongated in the longitudinal direction L and nested one above the other. The spatial position is arbitrary, however, and the line guide apparatus 1 may for example also move vertically. Each envelope 2 is hose-like overall and sufficiently flexibly embodied, inter alia through suitable design and/or material selection, to allow reversibly flexible curvature of the deflection arc 1C with little expenditure of effort and to follow the travel motion of a mobile connection or moving end with the least possible resistance.
[0088] Each dust-protecting envelope 2 (also known as a “pod”) is in particular of dust-tight embodiment and serves primarily to prevent exit to the outside of particles which inevitably arise in particular through abrasion of the lines and/or support chain. The construction of the hose-like envelope 2 may for example be selected to be as described in DE 20 2019 103 276 U1, FIGS. 9-10, the teaching of which is hereby included for brevity's sake. Other hose-like envelopes 2, for example from the prior art mentioned above, may be used.
[0089] FIG. 1A further shows two end fastening devices 10, which are each provided at one end of the line guide apparatus 1. The line guide apparatus 1 is connected and fastened, using the end fastening devices 10, in each case to one of two connection points mobile relative to one another, for example on a machine or installation (not shown). FIG. 1A shows end fastening devices according to DE 20 2019 103 276 U1 (cf. FIGS. 13A-13D therein). Preferred embodiments according to the invention of the end fastening devices, instead of those from FIG. 1A, are explained further below in relation to FIGS. 2-8.
[0090] FIG. 1B shows merely by way of example a possible internal subdivision of one of the two envelopes 2 in a cross-section perpendicular to longitudinal direction L. The envelope 2 may for example be composed of a plurality of individual envelope units (not shown) made from plastics material or from a one-piece hose with a plurality of ducts as sheaths 7. In FIG. 1B the envelope 2 has by way of example five duct-like sheaths 7 for one or more supply lines 8 or bundles of lines and two support chains 9 in the outer sheaths, which predetermine the radius of the deflection arc 1C and support a self-supporting length of the advanced upper run 1A. The envelope 2 is made from a flexible, pliable plastics material, in particular a thermoplastic, for example PE, PU, TPU, PTFE, expanded PTFE, PP or the like, and has a cross-section perpendicular to longitudinal direction L which is constant throughout over the length thereof. The envelope 2 may be produced inexpensively as a strand product using suitable plastics extrusion technology and cut to a suitable length, for example of around 100 mm to around 1500 mm. All the sheaths 7 within the envelope 2 are spatially separate from one another and lie next to one another in transverse direction Q. The envelope 2 surrounds the lines 8 or support chains 9 over the longitudinal extent in dust-tight manner and thus prevents the escape of particles, which arise for example. through abrasion or wear.
[0091] FIGS. 2A-2B show a particularly preferred example of an end fastening device 20 according to the invention. The end fastening device 20 is usable at both ends of the line guide apparatus 1. It has a number of clamping plates 210 of identical construction, which are produced in FIGS. 2A-2D as substantially flat rectangular plates of metal, for example of an extruded aluminum profile. The clamping plates 210 form a major face 22 on each major side for exerting a clamping force and are arranged with their principal direction H, which corresponds to the longitudinal extent of the clamping plate 210, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L of the envelope 2 (cf. FIG. 1A). All the clamping plates 210 are of like construction and have two long end faces 211 in the principal direction H, transversely of which the lines 8 are conducted, and two short narrow sides 212.
[0092] The end fastening device 20 in FIGS. 2A-2D is of multilayer construction, for a plurality of envelopes 2 one on top of the other, and comprises in each layer a number of modular strain relief elements 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D etc. of different designs. In each of the exemplary four layers shown here, identical strain relief elements 23A, 23B, 23C and 23D are respectively located opposite one another in pairs between two clamping plates 210. The strain relief elements 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D in each case have a clamping surface 232 for force-locking retention of one or more lines 8 (cf. FIG. 1B) in the respective duct-like sheath 7 together with the envelope 2. The strain relief elements 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D are modular and are configured for strung-together, opposing arrangement between facing major faces 22 of the clamping plates 210.
[0093] As is most clearly apparent from the side view FIG. 2C, each of the clamping plates 210 of identical construction in each case has a retaining portion 213, inter alia for strain relief elements 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D etc., which retains these on the respective clamping plate 210 against displacement in the longitudinal direction L. As is most clearly apparent from FIGS. 2B-2C, the clamping plates 210 to this end each have on their long end faces 211 pronounced retaining portions 213 facing away from one another and with a profile cross-section 220 here at the end with in each case one undercut when viewed in cross-section or side view, wherein the undercut in FIGS. 2A-2D is embodied at the end faces 211 by a groove 221 or recess which is roughly U-shaped or constant throughout in the principal direction. The groove 221 is here in each case mirror-symmetrical and perpendicular to both central planes and parallel to the main faces 22 and has a rounded rectangular cross-section, with approximately half the structural height of the clamping plate 210.
[0094] The various strain relief elements 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D etc. in each case have two connection portions 230, here with claw-shaped cross-sections relative to the principal direction H, configured for form-fitting engagement behind the undercut or groove 221 in the profile cross-section 220 of the retaining portion 213 of the clamping plate 210, i.e. for engagement in the end-face groove 221 as apparent from FIGS. 2A-2D. The connection portions 230 are in each case embodied at the two end faces as mirror-symmetrical claws of identical construction, wherein each claw of a connection portion 230 occupies not quite half of the free height of the end-face groove 221, such that in each case strain relief elements 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D with corresponding connection portions 230 may engage in the profile cross-section 220 of the retaining portion 213 on both sides on each clamping plate 210, cf. FIG. 2C.
[0095] Between the opposing connection portions 230 a sheath 231 is formed on the rear side of the strain relief elements 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D, which sheath accommodates approximately half of the cross-section of the respectively associated clamping plate 210. For instance, one and the same clamping plate 210 may be used for two successive layers of envelopes 2, as the three vertically interior clamping plates 210 in FIG. 2A illustrate. The strain relief elements 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D have different clamping surfaces and a substantially identical base area for modular use. The strain relief elements 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D may be made from the same pliable, low-abrasion plastics material as the envelopes 2 (see above).
[0096] Through the design of the connection portions 230 which engage form-fittingly in the undercut(s) of the clamping plates 210, the strain relief elements 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D are retained captively on the respective clamping plate 210 not only in the longitudinal direction L, but also in the direction perpendicular to the major face 22.
[0097] FIGS. 2A-2D furthermore show special fastening elements 24 for support chains 9, which secure the support chains 9 to the end fastening device 20 in the longitudinal direction L. The fastening elements 24 have connection portions 230 and sheaths 231 of identical construction on their rear sides (not shown). The same is also true of additional spacers 25 in the top two layers of FIGS. 2A-2D. These spacers 25 allow lateral offset in the transverse direction Q between the opposing strain relief elements 23A, such that in each case two envelopes, as shown in FIG. 1A, lying one above the other may be jointly secured between two clamping plates 210 in the top two layers. The spacers 25 have, like the fastening elements 24, claws for retention on the clamping plates 210 which are likewise cross-sectionally identical to the connection portions 230. The fastening elements 24 and spacers 25 are thus likewise securely retained and fixable on the clamping plates 210 in the longitudinal direction L and perpendicular to the major faces 22.
[0098] As FIGS. 2A-2D further show, the profile cross-section 220 opens on both sides at the short narrow sides 212 to the outside, i.e. is laterally openly accessible. The profile cross-section 220 is constant throughout over the entire length in the principal direction H or between the narrow sides 212. In this way, strain relief elements 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D, fastening elements 24 and spacers 25 may optionally be attached in modular manner or as required on the clamping plates and positioned at any position through insertion along the principal direction H.
[0099] FIG. 2B additionally illustrates by way of example toothed clamping surfaces 232 for force-locking retention of the lines 8 with the envelope 2 on the strain relief elements 23A (in the upper layers). In this case, the clamping surfaces 232 have tooth strips or comb teeth projecting alternately between recesses and extending in the longitudinal direction L, which tooth strips or comb teeth achieve a degree of deformability for adaptation to different diameters of the lines 8 and at the same time achieve good frictional engagement. By way of example, only the clamping surface 232 is briefly described. Flat designs are also possible, as for instance in the case of strain relief elements 23B, 23C, 23D which differ primarily by different structural heights or depths of the respective clamping surfaces. Furthermore, strain relief elements 23E, 23F, 23G with concave or concave/convex clamping surfaces can also be used, as in the variant of FIG. 2D. These strain relief elements 23E, 23F, 23G also have connection portions 230 which interact with the retaining portions 213. The end fastening device 20′ in the variant of FIG. 2D differs substantially through these differently shaped strain relief elements 23E, 23F, 23G.
[0100] As FIGS. 2A-2D further show, the end fastening device 20 according to a further aspect has in each case between lateral end portions 214 of the clamping plates 210 two plate connectors 240A, 240B provided as separate components, in order to grip and connect in each case two clamping plates 210 in pairs on in each case one of the two lateral end portions 214. To this end, each plate connector 240A, 240B has two opposing clip portions 242, which according to FIGS. 2A-2D correspond in construction to the claw-like connection portions 230 of the strain relief elements 23A-23G, i.e. have two mutually facing end-face claws. The plate connectors 240A, 240B have however in each case at their top and bottom a corresponding clip portion 242 for connection with two clamping plates 210. Using the plate connectors 240A, 240B, the clamping plates 210 are in each case connected together in pairs and retained parallel at a predetermined distance from one another. To this end, the opposing clip portions 242 grip in each case in pairs at least form-fittingly in the end-face groove 221 of the clamping plates 210, in a manner similar to the connection portions 230 (cf. FIG. 2C). In the example of FIGS. 2A-2D two types of plate connector 240A, 240B are shown, which differ merely in different structural heights, such that through selection of the plate connectors 240A, 240B the space between the strain relief elements 23A-23G opposing one another in pairs may be adjusted. Structurally identical plate connectors 240A or 240B are inserted between two clamping plates 210 in each case at the two end portions 214. These are likewise laterally insertable in the principal direction H and re-detachable. The plate connectors 240A, 240B have a block-like supporting body 243, here of solid material, in particular a dimensionally stable, non-resilient plastics material such as for example a fiber-reinforced polyamide. The supporting body 243 has a vertical spacer for predetermining the vertical distance between the clamping plates 210. The plate connectors 240A, 240B differ in particular in the structural height of the supporting body 243 and are otherwise of identical construction, in particular their vertically and horizontally mirror-symmetrical clip portions 242. The plate connectors 240A, 240B may unilaterally have a concave opening to the accommodation space for the envelopes.
[0101] The plate connectors 240A, 240B in each case have, identically arranged in their supporting bodies 243, three through-holes 245 distributed in the longitudinal direction L for screw fastenings using screws 250. The through-holes 245 are arranged to match the aligned arrangement with corresponding through-holes 215 for the screws 250 in the clamping plates 210. The outer two screws 250 in the end portions 214 may be used for lateral securing of the ready-mounted end fastening device 20, 20′, as may be seen in FIGS. 2A/2D. To this end, in the bottom clamping plate 210 a threaded bush may in each case be driven into the corresponding through-holes 215 at the bottom, or a nut can be used. The middle through-holes 215, 245 may be used to fasten the end fastening device 20, 20′ to the connection point, i.e. to the fixed point or moving end (not shown).
[0102] As is further apparent from FIGS. 2A-2D, the connection portions 230 of the strain relief elements 23A-23G and also of the fastening elements 24 and spacers 25 serve at the same time as edge protection at the end faces 211 of the clamping plates 210, such that the lines 8 cannot come into contact with the end faces 211 of the clamping plates 210.
[0103] FIGS. 3A-3B show a modification with an end fastening device 30, here by way of example for two layers of envelopes, which differs merely in the design of the clamping plates 310. These likewise have a profile cross-section 320 with an undercut, which is not however symmetrical to the central plane of the clamping plate 310. The clamping plate 310 corresponds in construction to a vertically bisected clamping plate 210 of FIGS. 2A-2D, such that two clamping plates 310 have to be provided arranged inverted one on top of the other between two successive layers. This allows less costly production of the clamping plate 310 with lower material cost.
[0104] A further simplification of the clamping plate 410 is shown in the variant of the end fastening device 40 of FIGS. 4A-4B, with a substantially flat plate without undercut being used here, which is particularly inexpensive to produce. The example according to FIGS. 4A-4B further illustrates that the second aspect of the invention relating to the construction with separate plate connectors 240A, 240B may also optionally be used independently of the first aspect, i.e. the connection between strain relief elements 23A-23G and the clamping plates 410. In FIGS. 4A-4B in each case two clamping plates have to be used for each layer.
[0105] FIGS. 5A-5C show an exemplary embodiment of an end fastening device 50 with an alternative design of profile cross-section 520 for the clamping plate 510. The profile cross-section 520 is here provided as a combination of a cross-sectionally T-shaped projection 527 with two mirror-symmetrical L-shaped grooves 521 as undercuts in the plate body of the clamping plate 510. The profile cross-section 520 is provided on just one of the two major sides of the clamping plate 510 and is mirror-symmetrical relative to the vertical longitudinal central plane of the clamping plate 510 (FIG. 5A). In the case of clamping plate 510 too, the profile cross-section 520 is identical throughout in the principal direction H and laterally open on both sides for insertion of the strain relief elements 523 or plate connectors 540 etc. in the principal direction H. The strain relief elements 523 or plate connectors 540 have a connection portion 530, with matching cross-sectional profile, shaped accordingly as a form-fitting counterpart.
[0106] FIGS. 6A-6C show a further exemplary embodiment of an end fastening device 60 with an alternative design of the profile cross-section 620 of the clamping plate 610, here with two retaining portions 613 on each clamping plate 610. The clamping plate has in each case one retaining portion 613 for strain relief elements 623 at both major faces 622. Perpendicular to the principal direction H, the retaining portions 613 here also form a profile cross-section 620 with a double undercut, for example formed in each case of a T-shaped groove 621, which is fully let into the plate body of the clamping plate 610.
[0107] The two retaining portions 613 are provided on the clamping plate 610 in each case on one of the two major faces 622 facing away from one another, said retaining portions being offset relative to one another in the longitudinal direction L, i.e. perpendicular to the principal direction H, and arranged rotationally symmetrically to a main central axis M. The retaining portions 613 are furthermore arranged centrally in one of two width halves of the clamping plate 610. Thus, with the construction of the clamping plate 610, strain relief elements 623 and plate connectors (not shown) can also engage with correspondingly matchingly shaped connection portions on both sides of the clamping plate. Other features in FIGS. 5A-5C and FIGS. 6A-6B correspond to those described above in relation to FIGS. 2A-2D.
[0108] A further variant of an end fastening device 70 is shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, in which the clamping plate 710 may for example have the cross-section of the clamping plate 610 from FIGS. 6A-6C. FIGS. 7A-7B show that lateral securing with screws is also possible without corresponding through-holes in the clamping plates 710, through the laterally protruding arrangement of the plate connectors 740, which have through-holes 745 as described in relation to FIG. 2C.
[0109] FIGS. 8A-8C show variants of the clamping plates 210 from FIGS. 2A-2D. Between the lateral end portions 214 additional through-holes 235 for screw fastenings are provided according to different drill patterns for an optionally improved clamping action, for example in the case of multilayer end fastenings.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
FIGS. 1A-1B:
[0110] 1 Line guide apparatus [0111] 1A Upper run, 1B Lower run, 1C Deflection arc [0112] 2 Envelope [0113] 7 Sheath [0114] 8 Supply line [0115] 9 Support chain [0116] 10 End fastening device [0117] L Longitudinal direction [0118] Q Transverse direction
FIGS. 2A-2D:
[0119] 20, 20′ End fastening device [0120] 24 Fastening elements [0121] 25 Spacer [0122] 210 Clamping plates [0123] 211 End face (long side) [0124] 212 Narrow face (short side) [0125] 213 Retaining portion [0126] 214 End portion [0127] 22 Major face [0128] 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D, 23E, 23F, 23G Strain relief elements [0129] 230 Connection portion (with claws) [0130] 231 Sheath [0131] 232 Clamping surface [0132] 240A, 240B Plate connectors [0133] 242 Clip portions [0134] 243 Supporting body [0135] 215, 245 Through-holes (for screws) [0136] 250 Fastening screws [0137] L Longitudinal direction [0138] H Principal direction (corresponds to transverse direction Q)
FIGS. 3A-3B; FIGS. 4A-4B
[0139] 30; 40 End fastening device [0140] 310; 410 Clamping plates [0141] 320 Profile cross-section [0142] 240A, 240B Plate connectors
FIGS. 5A-5B; FIGS. 6A-6B
[0143] 50; 60 End fastening device [0144] 510; 610 Clamping plate [0145] 513; 613 Retaining portion [0146] 520; 620 Profile cross-section [0147] 521; 621 Groove [0148] 622 Major face [0149] 523; 623 Strain relief element [0150] 527 Projection [0151] 530; 630 Connection portion [0152] 540 Plate connector [0153] H Principal direction [0154] M Main central axis
FIGS. 7A-7B
[0155] 710 Clamping plate; 740 Plate connector; 745 Through-holes
FIGS. 8A-8C
[0156] 210 Clamping plate; 214 End portions; 215, 235 Through-holes
