AU2021103296B4

AU2021103296B4 - A Hose Loom Assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2021103296B4
Application number: AU2021103296A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Robert Hunter
Original assignee: Mtc Contractors Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Mtc Contractors Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2021-06-11
Filing date: 2021-06-11
Publication date: 2022-09-22
Anticipated expiration: 2029-06-11
Also published as: AU2021103296A4; AU2022100127A4

Abstract

A hose loom assembly includes a number of hoses. At least two spaced hose retaining members each define a number of apertures corresponding to the number of hoses. Each hose passes through one respective aperture in each retaining member so that the hoses are located in a spaced apart relationship at least at the retaining members. A protective body extends between the retaining members, with sections of the hoses between the retaining members being embedded in the protective body.

Description

A HOSE LOOM ASSEMBLY FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a hose loom assembly and to a method of forming a hose loom assembly. The invention is particularly suited for high pressure hoses, such as hydraulic hoses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hydraulic hoses can be subjected to extremely high pressures when conveying hydraulic fluid. It follows that a particular danger is blowout resulting from failure of the hose. Another danger is breach of the hose, which can result in a substantially invisible jet of hydraulic fluid from the hose. Such a jet can result in personnel being injected with hydraulic fluid.

Various measures are available to inhibit blowout or breach of individual hydraulic hoses. Such measures include covering the hose with a layer of protective material, for example, a sleeve of protective material.

Hydraulic hoses are often supplied as looms, where it is necessary to connect multiple points together in a hydraulic system. It can be tedious and difficult to cover each of the hoses, individually, with a protective sleeve or the like. For example, it is necessary to pay individual attention to each of the hoses when taking protective measures. For looms with a relatively high number of hoses, the difficulties are exacerbated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a hose loom assembly that comprises: a number of hoses; at least two spaced hose retaining members, each retaining member defining a number of apertures corresponding to the number of hoses, each hose passing through one respective aperture in each retaining member so that the hoses are maintained in a spaced apart relationship at least at the retaining members; and a protective body extending between the retaining members, with sections of the hoses between the retaining members being embedded in the protective body.

The hoses may be high-pressure hoses. Such high-pressure hoses may be hydraulic hoses.

Each hose retaining member may be generally disc-shaped and the apertures may be circular to accommodate the hoses.

The protective body may be primarily of a polymer. The polymer may be polyurethane.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of forming a hose loom assembly that includes a number of hoses, the method comprising the steps of: locating each hose in respective apertures defined in each of at least two spaced hose retaining members so that the hoses are maintained in a spaced apart relationship at the retaining members; and forming a protective body to extend between the hose retaining members so that sections of the hoses between the hose retaining members are embedded in the protective body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of a hose loom assembly, in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the hose loom assembly.

Figure 3 is an end view of the hose loom assembly.

Figure 4 is a front view of a retaining member of the hose loom assembly.

Figure 5 is a three-dimensional view of a mould assembly used in one embodiment of a method, in accordance with the invention, for forming a hose loom assembly.

Figure 6 is an exploded view of the mould assembly.

Figure 7 is a sectional end view of the mould assembly.

Figure 8 is a side view of a number of the mould assemblies connected together to extend a length of a protective body to be moulded.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In figure 1, reference numeral 10 generally indicates an embodiment of a hose loom assembly, in accordance with the invention.

The hose loom assembly 10 includes a number of hoses, in the form of high pressure hoses, in this example, hydraulic hoses 12. These are conventional hydraulic hoses having conventional coupling assemblies 14 at respective ends so that the hoses 12 can be coupled between supply and delivery points of a hydraulic system in a conventional manner. It is to be understood, however, that the hoses can be specialized hoses with non-conventional coupling assemblies, if necessary. In this embodiment, nine hoses 12 are provided. It is to be understood that the assembly 10 can include any number of hoses.

The hose loom assembly 10 includes at least two spaced hose retaining members 16.1, 16.2. In this embodiment, four spaced hose retaining members 16.1, 16.2, 16.3 and 16.4, with the retaining members 16.3, 16.4 spaced from each other and interposed between the retaining members 16.1, 16.2. It is to be understood that any number of hose retaining members 16 can be provided, depending on a required length of the loom assembly 10. The variable length of the hose loom assembly 10 is indicated by the break line 17 in figure 2.

Each retaining member 16 has opposed, substantially flat faces. Furthermore, each retaining member 16 is circular. Thus, hereinafter, the retaining members 16 are referred to as retaining discs 16. The retaining discs 16 can be of any suitable material, such as a plastics material, which may be reinforced and/or may contain a fire retardant.

Each retaining member 16 has a plurality of apertures 18 defined therein. The apertures 18 can be circular and can be of varying diameters to suit the hoses 12. The hoses 12 each extend through one respective aperture 18 in each disc 16 so that the hoses 12 can be maintained in a spaced-apart fashion at least at each disc 16.

A protective body 20 extends between the retaining discs 16.1, 16.2 so that sections 12a of the hoses 12 between the discs 16.1, 16.2 are embedded in the body 20, together with the discs 16.3, 16.4. Peripheral edges of the discs 16.3, 16.4 may be generally flush with the body 20, so providing a level of structural integrity and protection to the body 20 along its length.

Thus, the discs 16 can serve to locate the hoses 12, along their lengths, in a spaced apart manner, achieving individual encapsulation of the hoses 12 within the body 20. The discs 16 are used to locate the hoses 12 prior to casting or moulding the body

, in the manner described below and while the body 20 sets in the casting or moulding process.

The body 20 can consist primarily of a polymer. The polymer can be an elastomer. The polymer can be a spray or a cast polymer. Examples of suitable spray and cast polymers are those that are provided by Era Polymers Pty Ltd (https://www.erapol.com.au). The cast polymer can be a cold cast polymer.

In one example, the polymer may be polyurethane. The polyurethane may be a cold castable polyurethane. The polyurethane can have a variety of hardness's depending on the required application. For example, the polyurethane can have a hardness that varies from a Hardness (Shore A) of 45 to a Hardness (Shore D) of 80. Thus, the polyurethane can be flexible or substantially rigid. It follows that the characteristics of the polyurethane can be selected depending on the environment in which the assembly 10 is to be used.

Depending on the properties required, the polyurethane can be produced using TDI (toluene diisocyanate) or MDI (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate).

The body 20 can include a fire retardant. For example, the body 20 can include a fire retardant antistatic additive for polyurethane systems. An example of a suitable additive is that known as FRAS 3608, also supplied by Era Polymers Pty Ltd.

It is envisaged that there are a number of ways in which embedment of the hoses 12 in the body 20 can be achieved.

In figures 5 to 7, reference numeral 30 generally indicates a mould or casting assembly for casting the body 20 with the hoses 12 and the discs 16.3, 16.4 embedded in the body 20.

The mould assembly 30 includes an upper mould shell 32 and a lower mould shell 34.

The shells 32, 34 each have a shell body 36, 38, respectively. A flange 40, 42 extends along each side of the respective bodies 36, 38. The flanges 40 and 42 are fastened to each other with suitable fasteners. More particularly, the flanges 40 and 42 are bolted together with nut and bolt combinations, shanks 44 passing through openings 46 in the flanges 40, 42, with nuts 48 threadedly engaged with the shanks 44 so that the flanges 40, 42 can be clamped together between bolt heads 50 and the nuts 48.

Two mould funnels 52 are arranged on the upper mould shell 32 and are in fluid communication with a mould volume 54 defined by the shell bodies 36, 38, when bolted together.

The discs 16 and the mould shells 32, 34 are dimensioned so that the discs 16 can fit in the mould volume 54 to be retained between the shell bodies 36, 38, spanning the volume 54. In use, the hoses 12 are located in the apertures 18 of the discs 16. The hoses 12 and the discs 16 can then be placed in the lower shell 34. The upper shell 32 is then bolted to the lower shell 34. A wet, cold-settable polymer mix, for example wet mix for the polyurethane described above, is poured into the mould volume via the funnels 52. The funnels 52 extend longitudinally along the upper mould shell 32 so that the settable material can be poured or introduced into the volume 54 on both sides of discs 16 that may be positioned at the apertures 52, if necessary, to ensure that the entire volume 54 is filled. Once the polymer has set, the mould shells 32, 34 are removed to provide the hose loom assembly 10, described above.

As can be seen in figure 7, a generally triangular void-forming structure 56 is arranged internally on the lower shell body 38. The structure 56 has an arcuate base 58 that can rest or be fastened, in a nesting manner, to the lower shell body 38. An inverted V-shaped member 60 is arranged on the base 58 and projects into the mould volume 54. The structure 56 serves to reduce the amount of material required for the body 20. Furthermore, the reduction in that material can enhance the flexibility of the body 20 and thus the assembly 10, for example, when the assembly 10 is folded or twisted.

As set out above, the hose loom assembly 10 can have various lengths. Thus, the mould assembly 30 can be configured to be connected end-to-end with other mould assemblies 30 to achieve an overall mould assembly with a desired length, as shown in figure 8.

It is envisaged that the body 20 can be formed in ways other than those that might require the mould assembly 30. For example, the elastomer can be selected to be sprayable, as described above, so that it can be sprayed onto the hoses 12 between the retaining discs 16.1, 16.2.

The hose loom assembly 10 can be provided as a relatively simple product for handling purposes. The use of the moulded or sprayed elastomer provides a body 20 that can inhibit high-pressure hose blowouts or breaches of hose walls. Thus, the hose loom assembly 10 provides a working environment which is significantly safer than one without the body 20. Furthermore, as is apparent, the forming of the hose loom assembly 10 is a relatively simple process, requiring a single casting or spraying process rather than a process in which each of the hoses 12 might require individual attention to inhibit blowout or breach.

The appended claims are to be considered as incorporated into the above description.

Throughout this specification, reference to any advantages, promises, objects or the like should not be regarded as cumulative, composite, and/or collective and should be regarded as preferable or desirable rather than stated as a warranty.

Throughout this specification, unless otherwise indicated, "comprise," "comprises," and "comprising," (and variants thereof) or related terms such as "includes" (and variants thereof)," are used inclusively rather than exclusively, so that a stated integer or group of integers may include one or more other non-stated integers or groups of integers.

Words indicating direction or orientation, such as "front", "rear", "back", etc, are used for convenience. The inventor(s) envisages that various embodiments can be used in a non-operative configuration, such as when presented for sale. Thus, such words are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

Features which are described in the context of separate aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used together and/or be interchangeable. Similarly, features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

It is to be understood that the terminology employed above is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The described embodiments are intended to be illustrative of the invention, without limiting the scope thereof. The invention is capable of being practised with various modifications and additions as will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

Claims

Claims 1. A hose loom assembly that comprises: a number of hoses; at least two spaced hose retaining members, each retaining member defining a number of apertures corresponding to the number of hoses, each hose passing through one respective aperture in each retaining member so that the hoses are located in a spaced apart relationship at least at the retaining members; and a protective body extending between the retaining members, with sections of the hoses between the retaining members being embedded in the protective body; wherein the protective body is primarily formed of a polymer.

2. The hose loom assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein each hose retaining member is generally disc-shaped and the apertures are circular to accommodate the hoses.

3. The hose loom assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protective body is primarily of polyurethane.

4. A method of forming a hose loom assembly that includes a number of hoses, the method comprising the steps of: locating each hose in respective apertures defined in each of at least two spaced hose retaining members so that the hoses are maintained in a spaced apart relationship at least at the retaining members; and forming a protective body to extend between the hose retaining members so that sections of the hoses between the hose retaining members are embedded in the protective body, the protective body being formed of a polymer.

5. A method of forming a hose loom assembly as claimed in claim 4, further including the steps of: locating the hoses in a spaced-apart relationship within a mould shell; and introducing a polymer mix into mould funnels within the mould shell.

MTC CONTRACTORS PTY LTD By its Patent Attorneys ARMOUR IP

P2492AU00

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