CA2456682A1 - Wire holder - Google Patents
Wire holder Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2456682A1 CA2456682A1 CA 2456682 CA2456682A CA2456682A1 CA 2456682 A1 CA2456682 A1 CA 2456682A1 CA 2456682 CA2456682 CA 2456682 CA 2456682 A CA2456682 A CA 2456682A CA 2456682 A1 CA2456682 A1 CA 2456682A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- holder
- holding members
- wire
- projection
- cavity
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L3/00—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets
- F16L3/02—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets partly surrounding the pipes, cables or protective tubing
- F16L3/04—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets partly surrounding the pipes, cables or protective tubing and pressing it against a wall or other support
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G3/00—Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles
- H02G3/30—Installations of cables or lines on walls, floors or ceilings
- H02G3/32—Installations of cables or lines on walls, floors or ceilings using mounting clamps
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G3/00—Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles
- H02G3/36—Installations of cables or lines in walls, floors or ceilings
- H02G3/38—Installations of cables or lines in walls, floors or ceilings the cables or lines being installed in preestablished conduits or ducts
- H02G3/383—Installations of cables or lines in walls, floors or ceilings the cables or lines being installed in preestablished conduits or ducts in floors
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Installation Of Indoor Wiring (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention generally relates to a wire holder which, more particularly, holds and encapsulates a wire into place with respect to a surface. In the radiant floor heating industry, wires may have to be positioned according to an optimal pattern in between floor surfaces in order to function efficiently. The wire holder may be installed in between floor surfaces and includes a plurality of holding members spaced apart to define cavities into which a wire may be easily positioned and secured.
Description
Wire Holder Field of the invention The present invention generally relates to wire holders. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a wire holder which encapsulates and holds a wire into place.
Background of the invention For decades, the world's increasing energy needs have stimulated research and development regarding alternative energy production systems which generally use various energy sources or involve different ways of producing usable energy. Increasing and more severe environmental norms have also influenced innovations, with the arrival of more efficient and cleaner energy systems.
Amongst those innovations, the radiant floor heating industry was introduced in homes to produce an alternative to the conventional heat sources. Up to now, different types of floor heating systems have been developed, such as electrical and hydronic heating systems. Those systems usually involve a piping system or wires positioned underneath a floor surface so as to radiate heat through the floor surface.
To optimize the efficiency of an electrical radiant heating system, the wires have to be properly positioned with respect to the floor surface so that the radiating heating energy may be dispersed generally uniformly to the whole floor surface.
Generally, most electrical radiant heating systems require the positioning of the wires on or adjacent to a first sub-flooring surface. A second floor surface usually located above the wires is adapted to absorb the heating energy radiating from the wires. The second floor surface (tiles, wood or other known flooring material) is then usually affixed to the sub-flooring surface and/or to an adjacent wall structure with the help of glue, cement, or other known mounting elements.
To properly position the wires with respect to the floor surface, some systems use thin mats already containing at least one wire mapped in an optimal pattern. However, at the installation of the second floor surface and during the attachment process, the wires may be damaged or moved with respect to the floors. Also, these mats are generally expensive since they are usually custom-made according to specific and sometimes irregular floor dimensions.
Systems including brackets and channeled structures have also been used to locate the wires with respect to the sub-flooring surface or to the floor surface.
The brackets are usually attached at selected punctual key locations on the sub-flooring surface to hold the wires. The channeled structures generally consist of in-between floor structures defining or including a passage for the wires. The installation of these systems is usually tedious and time consuming.
In "Electric Radiant floor heating system" by Drake (bearing US patent number 4,878,332), there is disclosed a cable-retaining molding which secures cables in slots with respect to the sub-floor. The slots are located at regularly spaced intervals in the molding. However, this system does not hold and/or secure adequately the cables once inserted in the molding and comprises slots which are generally not on the same level as the body portion of the molding.
There is therefore a need for an inexpensive and easy to use holder which locates, holds and secures wires once installed.
Summary of the invention More specifically, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a holder for a wire comprising a longitudinally extending body having a bottom side and a top side, the holder also comprising at least two holding members made of mechanically compliant material, each comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion being mounted to the top side, the upper portion of at least one of the two holding members defining a mechanically compliant projection toward the other of the two holding member, the holder further comprising at least one cavity being defined in between the two holding members, including the projection, and by the top side, whereby in operation, the wire can be inserted in the cavity by deforming the mechanically compliant projection and is retained in the cavity by the mechanically compliant projection.
There is also provided a holder for positioning a wire with respect to a sub-surface and to surface, the holder comprising a longitudinally extending body having a bottom side and a top side, the bottom side being so configured and sized as to be attached to the sub-surface, the holder also comprising a plurality of holding members, each holding member comprising a hollow body portion, an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion being mounted on the top side, the upper portion of each of the holding member defining at least one deformable projection toward other consecutive holding members;
the holder further comprising a plurality of cavities, each cavity being defined in between the consecutive holding members, including the deformable projection, and by the top side.
There is furthermore provided a method for using a holder for positioning a wire with respect to a surface, the holder comprising a body and a plurality of holding members mounted thereon, each holding member defining at least one deformable projection toward an adjacent holding members, adjacent holding members being spaced apart to define a cavity, the method comprising the steps of: selecting two adjacent holding members, pressing the wire on one of the adjacent holding member, locally bending the projection until a passage is generated between the adjacent holding members, inserting the wire in the cavity through the passage and releasing the wire.
There is furthermore provided a holder for a wire comprising a longitudinally extending body having a bottom side and a top side, the holder also comprising at least one holding member comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion being mounted to the top side, the upper portion of the holding member defining an outward projection, the holder further comprising at least one cavity being defined in between the holding member, including the projection, and by the top side, whereby in operation, the wire can be inserted in the cavity and is retained in the cavity by the projection.
Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the figures In the appended drawings:
Figure 1 is a top view showing a holder according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a top view showing the holder of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a side elevation view showing the holder of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is an end view of the holder of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is an isometric view showing a portion of the holder of Figure 1;
Figure 6 is a side elevation view showing the first step of the insertion of a wire in the holder of Figure 1;
Figure 7 is side elevation view showing a wire fully inserted in the holder of Figure 1;
S
Figure 8 is a side elevation view showing a second embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 9 is a cross-section view taken along line 9-9 in Figure 8;
Figure 10 is a side elevation view showing a third embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 11 is a cross-section view taken along line 11-11 in Figure 10;
Figure 12 is a side elevation view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 13 is a cross-section view taken along line 13-13 in Figure 12;
Figure 14 is a side elevation view showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention with various types of holding members;
Figure 15 is a side elevation view showing a sixth embodiment of the holder of the present invention with various distances between holding members;
Figure 16 is a top view showing a seventh embodiment of the holder according to the present invention;
Figure 17 is a top view showing an eighth embodiment of the holder according to the present invention; and Figure 18 is a side elevation view taken along line 18-18 in Figure 17.
Detailed description Generally stated, the present invention relates to a holder which may be used to locate or hold an article such as a wire on a surface.
As illustrated in Figure 1, the holder 20 comprises a body 22 and a plurality of holding members 24. The holder 20 may be positioned on or mounted to a surface 26 and may serve to locate andlor hold in place a wire 28 with respect to the surface 26.
As shown in more details in figures 2 to 4, the body 22 of the holder 20 is generally thin, flat and longitudinally extending. The body 22 has a generally smooth bottom side 30 adapted to the type of surface on which it is destined to be installed. The holder 20 is usually installed on or mounted to the surface 26 such that its bottom side 30 is glued, nailed or tacked to the surface 26.
The body 22 also has a top side 32 which supports the plurality of holding members 24. The holding members 24 are generally consecutively aligned one next to the other along the length of the body 22. Each holding member 24 is spaced apart from the others such that a cavity 34 is defined therebetween. The size and shape of the holding members 24 and therefore, of the cavities 34, may differ depending on the intended use of the holder 20.
A sequence of holding members 24 is shown in more details in Figure 5. Each holding member 24 has a body portion 36 which may be hollow and which is generally longitudinally extending along the body 22. The holding member 24 has a lower portion 38 and an upper portion 40. The lower portion 38 is generally fixedly mounted or integrally formed with the top surface 32 of the body 22.
The upper portion 40 is generally longitudinally larger than the lower portion 38 such that the cavity 34 between consecutive holding members 24 may serve to encapsulate and hold a wire positioned therein. More specifically, the upper portion defines two mechanically compliant projections 52 and 54 each projecting towards an adjacent holding member.
As seen in Figures 6 and 7, a wire 42 may be introduced in a cavity 34 between a first holding member 44 and an adjacent second holding member 46. When the distance between consecutive upper portions 48, 50 is smaller than the wire 42 diameter, the wire 42 may be forced in the cavity 34 by being pressed on at least one of the projections 52, 54.
For instance, when submitted to a pressure load by a user pressing a wire 42 on the second holding member 46, the projection 52 may locally bend until the distance between the projection 52 of the second holding member 50 and the projection 54 of the first holding member 44 generates a passage which is equal or larger than the diameter of the wire 42.
At that time, the wire 42 may be automatically directed toward the cavity 34 or may be oriented therein by the user. Once in the cavity 34, the projection 52 of the second holding member 46 generally goes back to its natural position such that the wire 42 is encapsulated or maintained in the cavity 34.
The projections 52, 54 are generally the closest areas between consecutive holding members 44, 46. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7, the projections 52, 54 of the holding members 44, 46 are tapering from their respective bottom portion to their respective upper portion. However, one skilled in the art will understand that only one projection included in one of two consecutive holding members may serve the purpose of encapsulating a wire in a cavity 34.
It is also shown in the Figures how a spring portion 56 may help control the form and maximize the resiliency of the holding members 24 and more particularly, of the mechanically compliant projections 52 and 54. In the embodiment shown in the Figures 3 and 5, the spring portion 56 is generally located at the top of the upper portion 40 of the holding members 24, including the projections, since it is where the pressure load is applied by the user.
The spring portion 56 may be a local thickening of material at the upper portion 40 of the holding member 24 which has the effect of maximizing the elastic deformation occurrences of the holding members 24 under a pressure load as described hereinabove. Therefore, the elastically deformed holding member 24 has more chance of getting back to its natural shape and position.
The shape of a holding member 24 generally consists of its specific lateral cross-section and its longitudinal profile. Many combinations of cross-sections and profiles are possible, such that it may implicate the need or not to have a spring portion 56 and may also influence the required force to insert a wire in the cavity and the way that wire 28 is held in the cavity 34. In Figures 1 to 7, the profile of the holding members 24 is generally trapezoidal and its cross section is generally triangular or semi-arced.
Also, as seen in Figures 3 and 5, each cavity 34 is generally defined in between consecutive holding members 24 and by the top side 32 of the body 22 to minimize the height of the holder 20 which is the distance between the bottom side 30 of the body 22 and the upper portion 40 of the holding members. Since the holder 20 may be installed in between surfaces such as a sub-flooring structure and a floor structure, a smaller height of the holder 20 is interesting.
The embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7 also allows for a wire 42 to be positioned at almost the same level as the surface on which holder 20 is installed, which offers the advantage of minimizing the occurrences of kinks in the wire 42 when it is outside of the cavity 34, since the body of the holder is generally thin.
Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the hollow portion 70 of each holding member 24 may be used to secure and protect a wire positioned in the cavities 34. For instance, when the holder 20 is installed in between surfaces such as a sub-flooring structure and a floor structure, the floor structure is often made of tiles needing cement to adhere to the sub-flooring structure. Cement is usually applied in a generally liquid or malleable state which dries and hardens to cement adjacent structures. If a holder 20 is positioned in between tiles and a sub-flooring structure, cement may enter the hollow portion 70 of each holding member 24, such that the cement becomes more uniformly distributed. As the cement dries, the holding members 24 and the holder 20 are generally rigidified such that a wire positioned in a cavity is generally more protected.
Also, when holder 20 is made out of a flexible material such as plastic, the holder 20 may be rolled upon itself for storage or packaging and may also be bent or twisted to suit the various types of surfaces onto which the holder 20 may be attached or installed. This phenomenon is also made possible due to the fact that the succession of holding members 24 and cavities 34 allows the body 22 of the holder 20 to bend more easily where there is a cavity 34.
A holder 20A according to a second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. For concision purposes, only the differences befinreen the holder 20A and the holder 20 illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 will be described hereinbelow. The holder 20A includes hollow holding members 24A mounted on the body 22A. Each holding members 24A has a generally rectangular lateral profile and cross section and comprises generally flat, thin and elongated mechanically compliant projections 52A, 54A and a spring portion 56A.
A holder 20B according to a third embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 10 and 11. Again, only the differences between the holder 20B and the holder 20 illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 will be described hereinbelow. The holder 20B includes holding members 24B mounted on the body 22B. Each holding members 24B has a generally rectangular lateral profile and cross section and comprises generally flat, thin and elongated mechanically compliant projections 52B, 54B and a spring portion 56B. In this embodiment, however, the holding members 24B are not hollow.
A holder 20C according to a fourth embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 12 and 13. Again, only the differences between the holder 20C and the holder 20 illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 will be described hereinbelow. The holder 20C includes hollow holding members 24C mounted on the body 22C.
Each holding members 24C has a generally rectangular lateral profile and a generally circular cross section. In the shown embodiment however, each holding members 24C comprises only one generally flat, thin and elongated mechanically compliant projection 52C and a spring portion 56C.
A holder 20D according to a fifth embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 14. Again, only the differences between the holder 20D and the holder 20 illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 will be described hereinbelow. In this embodiment, various types of cross-sections and profiles of holding members may be alternatively used on the same holder 20D, at a regular interval or not, along the longitudinal length of the body 22D. Figure 14 shows a holder 20D
with three different types of holding members 58, 60, 62 (the ones shown in Figures 3-4, 8-9, and 10-11, respectively) located on the body 22 at regular intervals.
A holder 20E according to a sixth embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 15. Again, only the differences between the holder 20E and the holder illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 wiH be described hereinbelow. In this embodiment, the distances 64, 66, 68 separating consecutive holding members 24E mounted on the body 22E may also vary to accommodate various wire localization requirements.
A holder 20F according to a seventh embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 16. Again, only the differences between the holder 20F and the holder 20 illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 wilt be described hereinbelow. In this embodiment, the holder 20F includes more than one holder 70, 72 which may be used on the same sub-surface 74 to help control the position of one or more wires 76, 78 along any desired pattern with respect to the sub-surface 74. The number and the distance between the holders 70, 72 depend on the level of control required to localize the wires 76, 78 and the complexity of the pattern (the positioning of the wires 76, 78 with respect to the surface 74).
A holder 20G according to an eight embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 17 and 18. Again, only the differences between the holder 20G and the holder 20 illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 will be described hereinbelow. In this embodiment, the holder 20G includes more than one holder 80, 82, 84, 86 and 88 which may be used on the same sub-surface 90 to help control the position of wires 92, 94, 96 and 98 along any desired pattern with respect to the sub-surface 90. In the shown embodiment, some holders 86, 88 contain at least one holding member 100 defining one cavity 102. By properly positioning and orienting the holders 86, 88, the wire 98 may be oriented along any angles or path with respect to the sub-surface 90 and may also be maintained under tension when the wire 98 lies in the bottom of the cavity 102 or near the junction between the holding member 100 and the top side 104.
As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, the holders described herein and shown in the appended Figures may be fabricated by extrusion or by other known methods from a plurality of mechanically compliant materials such as plastic, elastomeric materials or some thin metallic materials. Although the holding members are shown in the figures as being integral with the body of the holder, the holding members may be distinctive parts which could be added at predetermined locations on the holder, according to the need of the holder user.
Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.
Background of the invention For decades, the world's increasing energy needs have stimulated research and development regarding alternative energy production systems which generally use various energy sources or involve different ways of producing usable energy. Increasing and more severe environmental norms have also influenced innovations, with the arrival of more efficient and cleaner energy systems.
Amongst those innovations, the radiant floor heating industry was introduced in homes to produce an alternative to the conventional heat sources. Up to now, different types of floor heating systems have been developed, such as electrical and hydronic heating systems. Those systems usually involve a piping system or wires positioned underneath a floor surface so as to radiate heat through the floor surface.
To optimize the efficiency of an electrical radiant heating system, the wires have to be properly positioned with respect to the floor surface so that the radiating heating energy may be dispersed generally uniformly to the whole floor surface.
Generally, most electrical radiant heating systems require the positioning of the wires on or adjacent to a first sub-flooring surface. A second floor surface usually located above the wires is adapted to absorb the heating energy radiating from the wires. The second floor surface (tiles, wood or other known flooring material) is then usually affixed to the sub-flooring surface and/or to an adjacent wall structure with the help of glue, cement, or other known mounting elements.
To properly position the wires with respect to the floor surface, some systems use thin mats already containing at least one wire mapped in an optimal pattern. However, at the installation of the second floor surface and during the attachment process, the wires may be damaged or moved with respect to the floors. Also, these mats are generally expensive since they are usually custom-made according to specific and sometimes irregular floor dimensions.
Systems including brackets and channeled structures have also been used to locate the wires with respect to the sub-flooring surface or to the floor surface.
The brackets are usually attached at selected punctual key locations on the sub-flooring surface to hold the wires. The channeled structures generally consist of in-between floor structures defining or including a passage for the wires. The installation of these systems is usually tedious and time consuming.
In "Electric Radiant floor heating system" by Drake (bearing US patent number 4,878,332), there is disclosed a cable-retaining molding which secures cables in slots with respect to the sub-floor. The slots are located at regularly spaced intervals in the molding. However, this system does not hold and/or secure adequately the cables once inserted in the molding and comprises slots which are generally not on the same level as the body portion of the molding.
There is therefore a need for an inexpensive and easy to use holder which locates, holds and secures wires once installed.
Summary of the invention More specifically, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a holder for a wire comprising a longitudinally extending body having a bottom side and a top side, the holder also comprising at least two holding members made of mechanically compliant material, each comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion being mounted to the top side, the upper portion of at least one of the two holding members defining a mechanically compliant projection toward the other of the two holding member, the holder further comprising at least one cavity being defined in between the two holding members, including the projection, and by the top side, whereby in operation, the wire can be inserted in the cavity by deforming the mechanically compliant projection and is retained in the cavity by the mechanically compliant projection.
There is also provided a holder for positioning a wire with respect to a sub-surface and to surface, the holder comprising a longitudinally extending body having a bottom side and a top side, the bottom side being so configured and sized as to be attached to the sub-surface, the holder also comprising a plurality of holding members, each holding member comprising a hollow body portion, an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion being mounted on the top side, the upper portion of each of the holding member defining at least one deformable projection toward other consecutive holding members;
the holder further comprising a plurality of cavities, each cavity being defined in between the consecutive holding members, including the deformable projection, and by the top side.
There is furthermore provided a method for using a holder for positioning a wire with respect to a surface, the holder comprising a body and a plurality of holding members mounted thereon, each holding member defining at least one deformable projection toward an adjacent holding members, adjacent holding members being spaced apart to define a cavity, the method comprising the steps of: selecting two adjacent holding members, pressing the wire on one of the adjacent holding member, locally bending the projection until a passage is generated between the adjacent holding members, inserting the wire in the cavity through the passage and releasing the wire.
There is furthermore provided a holder for a wire comprising a longitudinally extending body having a bottom side and a top side, the holder also comprising at least one holding member comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion being mounted to the top side, the upper portion of the holding member defining an outward projection, the holder further comprising at least one cavity being defined in between the holding member, including the projection, and by the top side, whereby in operation, the wire can be inserted in the cavity and is retained in the cavity by the projection.
Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the figures In the appended drawings:
Figure 1 is a top view showing a holder according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a top view showing the holder of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a side elevation view showing the holder of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is an end view of the holder of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is an isometric view showing a portion of the holder of Figure 1;
Figure 6 is a side elevation view showing the first step of the insertion of a wire in the holder of Figure 1;
Figure 7 is side elevation view showing a wire fully inserted in the holder of Figure 1;
S
Figure 8 is a side elevation view showing a second embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 9 is a cross-section view taken along line 9-9 in Figure 8;
Figure 10 is a side elevation view showing a third embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 11 is a cross-section view taken along line 11-11 in Figure 10;
Figure 12 is a side elevation view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 13 is a cross-section view taken along line 13-13 in Figure 12;
Figure 14 is a side elevation view showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention with various types of holding members;
Figure 15 is a side elevation view showing a sixth embodiment of the holder of the present invention with various distances between holding members;
Figure 16 is a top view showing a seventh embodiment of the holder according to the present invention;
Figure 17 is a top view showing an eighth embodiment of the holder according to the present invention; and Figure 18 is a side elevation view taken along line 18-18 in Figure 17.
Detailed description Generally stated, the present invention relates to a holder which may be used to locate or hold an article such as a wire on a surface.
As illustrated in Figure 1, the holder 20 comprises a body 22 and a plurality of holding members 24. The holder 20 may be positioned on or mounted to a surface 26 and may serve to locate andlor hold in place a wire 28 with respect to the surface 26.
As shown in more details in figures 2 to 4, the body 22 of the holder 20 is generally thin, flat and longitudinally extending. The body 22 has a generally smooth bottom side 30 adapted to the type of surface on which it is destined to be installed. The holder 20 is usually installed on or mounted to the surface 26 such that its bottom side 30 is glued, nailed or tacked to the surface 26.
The body 22 also has a top side 32 which supports the plurality of holding members 24. The holding members 24 are generally consecutively aligned one next to the other along the length of the body 22. Each holding member 24 is spaced apart from the others such that a cavity 34 is defined therebetween. The size and shape of the holding members 24 and therefore, of the cavities 34, may differ depending on the intended use of the holder 20.
A sequence of holding members 24 is shown in more details in Figure 5. Each holding member 24 has a body portion 36 which may be hollow and which is generally longitudinally extending along the body 22. The holding member 24 has a lower portion 38 and an upper portion 40. The lower portion 38 is generally fixedly mounted or integrally formed with the top surface 32 of the body 22.
The upper portion 40 is generally longitudinally larger than the lower portion 38 such that the cavity 34 between consecutive holding members 24 may serve to encapsulate and hold a wire positioned therein. More specifically, the upper portion defines two mechanically compliant projections 52 and 54 each projecting towards an adjacent holding member.
As seen in Figures 6 and 7, a wire 42 may be introduced in a cavity 34 between a first holding member 44 and an adjacent second holding member 46. When the distance between consecutive upper portions 48, 50 is smaller than the wire 42 diameter, the wire 42 may be forced in the cavity 34 by being pressed on at least one of the projections 52, 54.
For instance, when submitted to a pressure load by a user pressing a wire 42 on the second holding member 46, the projection 52 may locally bend until the distance between the projection 52 of the second holding member 50 and the projection 54 of the first holding member 44 generates a passage which is equal or larger than the diameter of the wire 42.
At that time, the wire 42 may be automatically directed toward the cavity 34 or may be oriented therein by the user. Once in the cavity 34, the projection 52 of the second holding member 46 generally goes back to its natural position such that the wire 42 is encapsulated or maintained in the cavity 34.
The projections 52, 54 are generally the closest areas between consecutive holding members 44, 46. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7, the projections 52, 54 of the holding members 44, 46 are tapering from their respective bottom portion to their respective upper portion. However, one skilled in the art will understand that only one projection included in one of two consecutive holding members may serve the purpose of encapsulating a wire in a cavity 34.
It is also shown in the Figures how a spring portion 56 may help control the form and maximize the resiliency of the holding members 24 and more particularly, of the mechanically compliant projections 52 and 54. In the embodiment shown in the Figures 3 and 5, the spring portion 56 is generally located at the top of the upper portion 40 of the holding members 24, including the projections, since it is where the pressure load is applied by the user.
The spring portion 56 may be a local thickening of material at the upper portion 40 of the holding member 24 which has the effect of maximizing the elastic deformation occurrences of the holding members 24 under a pressure load as described hereinabove. Therefore, the elastically deformed holding member 24 has more chance of getting back to its natural shape and position.
The shape of a holding member 24 generally consists of its specific lateral cross-section and its longitudinal profile. Many combinations of cross-sections and profiles are possible, such that it may implicate the need or not to have a spring portion 56 and may also influence the required force to insert a wire in the cavity and the way that wire 28 is held in the cavity 34. In Figures 1 to 7, the profile of the holding members 24 is generally trapezoidal and its cross section is generally triangular or semi-arced.
Also, as seen in Figures 3 and 5, each cavity 34 is generally defined in between consecutive holding members 24 and by the top side 32 of the body 22 to minimize the height of the holder 20 which is the distance between the bottom side 30 of the body 22 and the upper portion 40 of the holding members. Since the holder 20 may be installed in between surfaces such as a sub-flooring structure and a floor structure, a smaller height of the holder 20 is interesting.
The embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7 also allows for a wire 42 to be positioned at almost the same level as the surface on which holder 20 is installed, which offers the advantage of minimizing the occurrences of kinks in the wire 42 when it is outside of the cavity 34, since the body of the holder is generally thin.
Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the hollow portion 70 of each holding member 24 may be used to secure and protect a wire positioned in the cavities 34. For instance, when the holder 20 is installed in between surfaces such as a sub-flooring structure and a floor structure, the floor structure is often made of tiles needing cement to adhere to the sub-flooring structure. Cement is usually applied in a generally liquid or malleable state which dries and hardens to cement adjacent structures. If a holder 20 is positioned in between tiles and a sub-flooring structure, cement may enter the hollow portion 70 of each holding member 24, such that the cement becomes more uniformly distributed. As the cement dries, the holding members 24 and the holder 20 are generally rigidified such that a wire positioned in a cavity is generally more protected.
Also, when holder 20 is made out of a flexible material such as plastic, the holder 20 may be rolled upon itself for storage or packaging and may also be bent or twisted to suit the various types of surfaces onto which the holder 20 may be attached or installed. This phenomenon is also made possible due to the fact that the succession of holding members 24 and cavities 34 allows the body 22 of the holder 20 to bend more easily where there is a cavity 34.
A holder 20A according to a second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. For concision purposes, only the differences befinreen the holder 20A and the holder 20 illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 will be described hereinbelow. The holder 20A includes hollow holding members 24A mounted on the body 22A. Each holding members 24A has a generally rectangular lateral profile and cross section and comprises generally flat, thin and elongated mechanically compliant projections 52A, 54A and a spring portion 56A.
A holder 20B according to a third embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 10 and 11. Again, only the differences between the holder 20B and the holder 20 illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 will be described hereinbelow. The holder 20B includes holding members 24B mounted on the body 22B. Each holding members 24B has a generally rectangular lateral profile and cross section and comprises generally flat, thin and elongated mechanically compliant projections 52B, 54B and a spring portion 56B. In this embodiment, however, the holding members 24B are not hollow.
A holder 20C according to a fourth embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 12 and 13. Again, only the differences between the holder 20C and the holder 20 illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 will be described hereinbelow. The holder 20C includes hollow holding members 24C mounted on the body 22C.
Each holding members 24C has a generally rectangular lateral profile and a generally circular cross section. In the shown embodiment however, each holding members 24C comprises only one generally flat, thin and elongated mechanically compliant projection 52C and a spring portion 56C.
A holder 20D according to a fifth embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 14. Again, only the differences between the holder 20D and the holder 20 illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 will be described hereinbelow. In this embodiment, various types of cross-sections and profiles of holding members may be alternatively used on the same holder 20D, at a regular interval or not, along the longitudinal length of the body 22D. Figure 14 shows a holder 20D
with three different types of holding members 58, 60, 62 (the ones shown in Figures 3-4, 8-9, and 10-11, respectively) located on the body 22 at regular intervals.
A holder 20E according to a sixth embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 15. Again, only the differences between the holder 20E and the holder illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 wiH be described hereinbelow. In this embodiment, the distances 64, 66, 68 separating consecutive holding members 24E mounted on the body 22E may also vary to accommodate various wire localization requirements.
A holder 20F according to a seventh embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 16. Again, only the differences between the holder 20F and the holder 20 illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 wilt be described hereinbelow. In this embodiment, the holder 20F includes more than one holder 70, 72 which may be used on the same sub-surface 74 to help control the position of one or more wires 76, 78 along any desired pattern with respect to the sub-surface 74. The number and the distance between the holders 70, 72 depend on the level of control required to localize the wires 76, 78 and the complexity of the pattern (the positioning of the wires 76, 78 with respect to the surface 74).
A holder 20G according to an eight embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 17 and 18. Again, only the differences between the holder 20G and the holder 20 illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 will be described hereinbelow. In this embodiment, the holder 20G includes more than one holder 80, 82, 84, 86 and 88 which may be used on the same sub-surface 90 to help control the position of wires 92, 94, 96 and 98 along any desired pattern with respect to the sub-surface 90. In the shown embodiment, some holders 86, 88 contain at least one holding member 100 defining one cavity 102. By properly positioning and orienting the holders 86, 88, the wire 98 may be oriented along any angles or path with respect to the sub-surface 90 and may also be maintained under tension when the wire 98 lies in the bottom of the cavity 102 or near the junction between the holding member 100 and the top side 104.
As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, the holders described herein and shown in the appended Figures may be fabricated by extrusion or by other known methods from a plurality of mechanically compliant materials such as plastic, elastomeric materials or some thin metallic materials. Although the holding members are shown in the figures as being integral with the body of the holder, the holding members may be distinctive parts which could be added at predetermined locations on the holder, according to the need of the holder user.
Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims (24)
1. A holder for a wire comprising:
a) a longitudinally extending body having a bottom side and a top side;
b) at least two holding members made of mechanically compliant material, each comprising an upper portion and a tower portion, said lower portion being mounted to said top side, said upper portion of at least one of said two holding members defining a mechanically compliant projection toward the other of said two holding member;
and c) at least one cavity being defined in between said two holding members, including said projection, and by said top side;
whereby in operation, the wire can be inserted in said cavity by deforming said mechanically compliant projection and is retained in said cavity by said mechanically compliant projection.
a) a longitudinally extending body having a bottom side and a top side;
b) at least two holding members made of mechanically compliant material, each comprising an upper portion and a tower portion, said lower portion being mounted to said top side, said upper portion of at least one of said two holding members defining a mechanically compliant projection toward the other of said two holding member;
and c) at least one cavity being defined in between said two holding members, including said projection, and by said top side;
whereby in operation, the wire can be inserted in said cavity by deforming said mechanically compliant projection and is retained in said cavity by said mechanically compliant projection.
2. A holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said at least two holding members further comprises a hollow body portion.
3. A holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein each one of said at least two holding members is extending along said longitudinal body.
4. A holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least two holding members are generally consecutively aligned.
5. A holder as claimed in claim 4, wherein said at least two consecutively aligned holding members are spaced apart by the same distance.
6. A holder as claimed in claim 4, wherein said at least two consecutively aligned holding members are spaced apart by a variable distance.
7. A holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least two holding members are selected from at least two different holding members, said at least two different holding members being alternatively positioned on said body at a regular interval.
8. A holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said holding members are selected from at least two different holding members, said at least two different holding members being alternatively positioned on said body at an irregular interval.
9. A holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said upper portion comprises a spring portion.
10. A holder as claimed in claim 9, wherein said spring portion includes a thickening of said mechanically compliant material of said upper portion.
11. A holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said projection tapers from said lower portion to said upper portion.
12. A holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said at least two holding members define more than one projection.
13. A holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said holding member has a generally trapezoidal profile.
14. A holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said holding member has a generally triangular cross-section.
15. A holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said holding member has a semi-arced cross-section.
16. A holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said body is thin.
17. A holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said body is flat.
18. A holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said holder is made of plastic material.
19. A holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said holder is flexible.
20. A holder for positioning a wire with respect to a sub-surface and to surface, said holder comprising:
a) a longitudinally extending body having a bottom side and a top side, said bottom side being so configured and sized as to be attached to the sub-surface;
b) a plurality of holding members, each said holding member comprising a hollow body portion, an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion being mounted on said top side, said upper portion of each of said holding member defining at least one deformable projection toward other consecutive holding members; and c) a plurality of cavities, each cavity being defined in between said consecutive holding members, including said deformable projection, and by said top side.
a) a longitudinally extending body having a bottom side and a top side, said bottom side being so configured and sized as to be attached to the sub-surface;
b) a plurality of holding members, each said holding member comprising a hollow body portion, an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion being mounted on said top side, said upper portion of each of said holding member defining at least one deformable projection toward other consecutive holding members; and c) a plurality of cavities, each cavity being defined in between said consecutive holding members, including said deformable projection, and by said top side.
21. A holder as claimed in claim 20, wherein said upper portion comprises a spring member.
22. A holder as claimed in claim 20, wherein said holder is glued on the surface.
23. A holder for a wire comprising:
a) a longitudinally extending body having a bottom side and a top side;
b) at least one holding member comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion being mounted to said top side, said upper portion of said holding member defining an outward projection; and c) at least one cavity being defined in between said holding member, including said projection, and by said top side;
whereby in operation, the wire can be inserted in said cavity and is retained in said cavity by said projection.
a) a longitudinally extending body having a bottom side and a top side;
b) at least one holding member comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion being mounted to said top side, said upper portion of said holding member defining an outward projection; and c) at least one cavity being defined in between said holding member, including said projection, and by said top side;
whereby in operation, the wire can be inserted in said cavity and is retained in said cavity by said projection.
24. A method for using a holder for positioning a wire with respect to a surface, said holder comprising a body and a plurality of holding members mounted thereon, each said holding member defining at least one deformable projection toward an adjacent holding members, adjacent holding members being spaced apart to define a cavity, said method comprising the steps of:
a) selecting two adjacent holding members;
b) pressing the wire on one of said adjacent holding member;
c) locally bending said projection until a passage is generated between said adjacent holding members;
d) inserting the wire in said cavity through said passage; and e) releasing the wire.
a) selecting two adjacent holding members;
b) pressing the wire on one of said adjacent holding member;
c) locally bending said projection until a passage is generated between said adjacent holding members;
d) inserting the wire in said cavity through said passage; and e) releasing the wire.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2456682 CA2456682A1 (en) | 2004-02-02 | 2004-02-02 | Wire holder |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2456682 CA2456682A1 (en) | 2004-02-02 | 2004-02-02 | Wire holder |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2456682A1 true CA2456682A1 (en) | 2005-08-02 |
Family
ID=34865806
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2456682 Abandoned CA2456682A1 (en) | 2004-02-02 | 2004-02-02 | Wire holder |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2456682A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9428920B2 (en) | 2012-09-12 | 2016-08-30 | Schluter Systems L.P. | Veneer underlayment |
| WO2017106860A1 (en) * | 2015-12-17 | 2017-06-22 | Pentair Thermal Management Llc | Floor underlayment for retaining heater cable |
| CN107190944A (en) * | 2017-07-01 | 2017-09-22 | 武汉金牛经济发展有限公司 | A kind of novel ground heater module |
| US12044016B2 (en) | 2017-03-09 | 2024-07-23 | Schluter Systems L.P. | Uncoupling mat with heating elements |
-
2004
- 2004-02-02 CA CA 2456682 patent/CA2456682A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9428920B2 (en) | 2012-09-12 | 2016-08-30 | Schluter Systems L.P. | Veneer underlayment |
| US9797146B2 (en) | 2012-09-12 | 2017-10-24 | Schluter Systems L.P. | Veneer underlayment |
| US10392814B2 (en) | 2012-09-12 | 2019-08-27 | Schluter Systems L. P. | Veneer underlayment |
| US10822812B2 (en) | 2012-09-12 | 2020-11-03 | Schluter Systems L.P. | Veneer underlayment |
| WO2017106860A1 (en) * | 2015-12-17 | 2017-06-22 | Pentair Thermal Management Llc | Floor underlayment for retaining heater cable |
| US10100517B2 (en) | 2015-12-17 | 2018-10-16 | Nvent Services Gmbh | Floor underlayment for retaining heater cable |
| US12044016B2 (en) | 2017-03-09 | 2024-07-23 | Schluter Systems L.P. | Uncoupling mat with heating elements |
| CN107190944A (en) * | 2017-07-01 | 2017-09-22 | 武汉金牛经济发展有限公司 | A kind of novel ground heater module |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| AU2020203061B2 (en) | Multi-directional cable clip for short flanges | |
| US10928075B1 (en) | Floor heating system including membranes that are configured to be joined together to house a heating cable, and membrane system including such membranes | |
| US9719265B2 (en) | Floor underlayment for positioning heating elements | |
| US7435904B2 (en) | Wiring harness clip and method of making same from an extrudable blank | |
| CA2533062C (en) | Heating cable guide strip for electric radiant floor heating and method of use | |
| CN205524049U (en) | Pencil clip | |
| US20120211609A1 (en) | Cable Support and Methods of Supporting Cables | |
| US20140215958A1 (en) | Holder for a wall tie | |
| RU2452069C2 (en) | Support bracket intended for electric cables attachment on some structure | |
| RU2019113040A (en) | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND DEVICES FOR INSULATING THE SPACE ADJACENT TO THE UPPER PART OF THE ATTIC | |
| US8523506B2 (en) | Cable staple | |
| CA2456682A1 (en) | Wire holder | |
| JPH09511323A (en) | Floor heating system | |
| JP2002142339A (en) | Wire and cable-supporting clip | |
| JP4176666B2 (en) | Wiring / piping material support and fixing member for wiring / piping material support | |
| TWM524298U (en) | Mudguard device with hidden wire | |
| KR200446526Y1 (en) | Strengthened floor integrated ondol panel | |
| JP7002069B2 (en) | Tile, metal fittings for fixing tiles, fixing method of the metal fittings, construction method of tiles and manufacturing method of PC concrete plate | |
| US20220146019A1 (en) | Securing bracket | |
| JP2841186B2 (en) | Wiring duct for interior cable interior with excellent deformation stability | |
| KR102519870B1 (en) | Window frame shelf of clamp type | |
| KR102534635B1 (en) | Heating panel and its construction method | |
| JP3144659B2 (en) | Method of manufacturing floor heating device | |
| JP3227606B2 (en) | Cable spacing retainer | |
| KR20160029580A (en) | Interior molding and finishing suructure and method of wall therewith |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |