AU2021106841A4 - Mount for Service Line - Google Patents

Abstract

Amount (10) for a service line comprising abase (12)securableto equipment 5 on which the service line is provided having an arm (14) extending outwardly from the base, A sleeve (16) is provided on the arm having an elongate opening for receiving the service line and the sleeve (16) and the arm (14) are formed from an elastomeric compound. 10 1/4 40 10 42 29 1016 30 34 14 20 31 38 36 2 24 18 Fig 1a 29 26 16 38 10 42 18 40 34 30 12 38 31 28 Fig 1b

Description

1/4 40 10 42 29 1016 30 34 14 20

31 38

36 2 24 18

Fig 1a

26 16 38 10 29 42 18 40

34

30 12 38 31 28 Fig 1b

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

Invention title:

"Mount for Service Line"

Applicant:

Retineo Pty Ltd

Associated provisional applications:

Number 2020904201 filed on 16 November 2020

The following statement is a full description of the invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:

"Mount for Service Line"

Field of the Invention

[001] The present invention relates to a mount for supporting a service line.

Background to the Invention

[002] A range of industrial applications utilise service lines mounted at various locations around the particular equipment. Plant equipment, vehicles and other machines require electrical, fluid and air lines to be installed to distribute these services between different locations. Such service lines are held in place by a range of fastening devices, such as zip ties, P-clips, straps and assorted clamps mounted to the equipment.

[003] During operation, the equipment generally creates some level of vibration, which is passed through the mounting device used to secure the service line. Further, some equipment has moving components connected by service lines which are fixed at one end. Such vibration and movement applies stresses to the service line which, over time, may potentially damage the line. Small amounts of relative movement between the service line and the mounting point can also create cable rub through. Regular maintenance is required to detect this type of damage to service lines and breakdowns due to failure may potentially result if not detected. Both maintenance and breakdowns result in increased costs, along with potential loses causes by equipment being out of service.

[004] The present invention relates to a mount for a service line aimed at reducing the abovementioned issues.

Summary of the Invention

[005] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a mount for a service line comprising: a base securable to equipment on which the service line is provided; an arm extending outwardly from the base; a sleeve provided on the arm having an elongate opening for receiving the service line; wherein the sleeve and the arm are formed from an elastomeric compound.

[006] Preferably the base is also formed from an elastomeric compound.

[007] Preferably the sleeve includes outer and inner surface and wherein one or more grooves are provided extending around the periphery of the outer surface in which a cable tie may be received.

[008] Preferably the sleeve includes first and second side portions on opposite sides of the opening each tapering inwardly in length toward the opening.

[009] Preferably the base includes parallel planar upper and lower surfaces connected by relatively short first and second side walls and first and second end walls.

[010] Preferably the arm extends upwardly away from the upper surface of the base and is angled such that the sleeve is offset away from the hole towards the first side wall of the base such that the hole is accessible for receiving a fastener.

[011] In one embodiment, a single groove is provided centrally on the outer surface of the sleeve and an aperture is provided in the arm such that a cable tie may pass through the aperture.

[012] In a further embodiment, there are provided two such grooves located one either side of the arm.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[013] The invention will now be described, byway of example, with reference to the following drawings in which:

[014] Figure 1a is an upper perspective view of a mount for a service line in accordance with the present invention;

[015] Figure 1b is a top view of the mount of Figure 1a;

[016] Figure 2a is an end view of the mount of Figure 1;

[017] Figure 2b is a side view of the mount of Figure 1;

[018] Figure 3a is an upper perspective view of a second embodiment of mount for a service line in accordance with the present invention;

[019] Figure 3b is atop view of the mountof Figure 3a;

[020] Figure 4a is an end view of the mount of Figure 3; and

[021] Figure 4b is a side view of the mount of Figure 3.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[022] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a mount 10 for a service line 11 comprising generally a base 12, an arm 14 extending from the base 12 and a sleeve 16 provided at a distal end of the arm 14. The base 12 is provided for mounting to equipment on which the service line 11 is provided and the sleeve 16 is provided for receiving and holding the service line 11 relative to the base 12.

[023] The base 12 is provided with a hole 18 for receiving a fastener, such as a bolt, in order to fix the base 12 to a surface of the equipment on which the service line 11 is provided. In the embodiment shown, the base 12 includes parallel planar upper and lower surfaces 20 and 21 connected by a relatively short edge wall. The edge wall comprises first and second side walls 22 and 23 and first and second end walls 24 and 25.

[024] The arm 14 extends upwardly away from the base 12 from adjacent the first side wall 22 thereof. The arm 14 extends upwardly away from the upper surface 20 of the base 12 and is angled away from the hole 18 such that the sleeve 16 is supported generally above the first side wall 22. That is, the sleeve 16 is offset away from the hole 18 towards the first side wall 22 of the base 12 such that the hole 18 is accessible for receiving a fastener.

[025] In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the arm 14 extends upwardly from the upper surface 20 of the base 12. In the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4, the arm 14 extends outwardly from the first side wall 22.

[026] The sleeve 16 comprises a part-cylindrical member having a longitudinal opening 26 extending from a first end 28 to a second end 29 thereof. The sleeve 16 includes an outer surface 30 and an inner surface 31. The inner surface 31 is arcuate in cross section taken perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the sleeve 16. In the embodiment shown, the outer surface 30 is also arcuate in cross section taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve 16.

[027] The sleeve 16 includes also first and second intermediate surfaces 32 and 33. The first intermediate surface 32 connects between the outer surface the inner surface 31 on a first side of the longitudinal opening 26 and the second intermediate surface 33 connects between the outer surface 30 and the inner surface 31 on a second opposite side of the longitudinal opening 26. Each of the first and second intermediate surfaces 32 and 33 are generally planar. In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the first and second intermediate surfaces are generally parallel to the upper surface 20 of the base 12.

[028] The mount 10 is formed from an elastomeric compound such that the sleeves 16 and arm 14 may bend in multiple directions at once. The use of the elastomeric compound provides for movement and damping of vibration in order to protect the service line 11.

[029] The sleeve 16 is provided with one or more grooves 34 in the outer surface 30. The grooves 34 extend circumferentially around the outer surface of the sleeve 16 to receive and to perpendicularly locate a fastener a fastener, such as a cable tie. In the embodiment Figures 1 and 2, a single groove 34 is provided centrally on the outer surface 30 of the sleeve 16 and an aperture 36 is provided in the arm 14 such that the cable tie may pass through the aperture 36 when it is retained within the groove 34. In the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4, there are provided two such grooves 34 located either side of the arm 14.

[030] The sleeve 16 includes end surfaces 38 being angled relative to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve 16 such that first and second side portions 40 and 42 of the sleeve 16, being located on opposed sides of the opening 26, each taper inwardly towards the opening 26. That is, longitudinal edges of the sleeve 16 adjacent the opening 26 are shorter in length of than the length of the sleeve 16 at positions rotated around the central longitudinal axis of the sleeve 16 by around 90° from the centre of the opening 26, as best seen in Figures 2b and 4b.

[031] In use, a service line 11 is received within the sleeve 16 such that the outer surface of the service line 11 is engaged by the inner surface 31 of the sleeve 16. The use of an elastomeric compound for the mount 10 allows flexing of the service line 11 and damping of vibration which may pass through the base 12, the arm 14 and the sleeve 16. The service line 11 may be secured in place by a cable tie and the shape of the outer and inner surfaces 30 and 31 and the intermediate surfaces 32 and 33 means that the cable tie will extend across the opening 26 without engaging the outer surface of the service line 11, which would potentially damage the service line 11.

[032] The elastomeric compound and its surface finish also has a coefficient of this friction sufficient to restrict axial sliding of the service line 11 to relevant standards as applicable to each use case and industry when attached by the cable tie. Further, the inward taper of the first and second side portions 40 and 42 of the sleeve 16 minimise the build-up and ingress of foreign matter including dust and water.

[033] The mount 10 may vary in durometer (hardness) to allow for differing service line weight, temperatures, vibration and cable material and/or movement that the service line is expected or measured to receive.

[034] It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention.

Claims (8)

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A mount for a service line comprising: a base securable to equipment on which the service line is provided; an arm extending outwardly from the base; a sleeve provided on the arm having an elongate opening for receiving the service line; wherein the sleeve and the arm are formed from an elastomeric compound.

2. A mount in accordance with claim 1, wherein the base is also formed from an elastomeric compound.

3. A mount in accordance with claim 1 or 2, wherein the sleeve includes outer and inner surface and wherein one or more grooves are provided extending around the periphery of the outer surface in which a cable tie may be received.

4. A mount in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve includes first and second side portions on opposite sides of the opening each tapering inwardly in length toward the opening.

5. A mount in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base includes parallel planar upper and lower surfaces connected by relatively short first and second side walls and first and second end walls.

6. A mount in accordance with claim 6, wherein the arm extends upwardly away from the upper surface of the base and is angled such that the sleeve is offset away from the hole towards the first side wall of the base such that the hole is accessible for receiving a fastener.

7. A mount in accordance with any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein a single groove is provided centrally on the outer surface of the sleeve and an aperture is provided in the arm such that a cable tie may pass through the aperture.

8. A mount in accordance with any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein there are provided two such grooves located one either side of the arm.

Retineo Pty Ltd by its Patent Attorneys Armour IP