GB2499434A

GB2499434A - Magnetic device for securing cables and the like

Info

Publication number: GB2499434A
Application number: GB1202740.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sam Lanyon; Amy Charman; Jonathan Barnett
Original assignee: PENINSULA COMMUNITY HEALTH
Current assignee: PENINSULA COMMUNITY HEALTH
Priority date: 2012-02-17
Filing date: 2012-02-17
Publication date: 2013-08-21
Anticipated expiration: 2032-02-17
Also published as: EP2815163A2; WO2013121169A2; GB201202740D0; WO2013121169A3; GB2499434B

Abstract

A device 2 for holding cables, tubes, lines or the like comprises an elongate band 4 of flexible material having a first end portion 8a and a second end portion 8b and a magnet 16a, 16b disposed in each of the first and second end portions 8a, 8b of the band 4. The band 4 may be synthetic rubber such as silicone rubber and the magnets 16a, 16b may be neodymium magnet discs or ferromagnetic particles 420 dispersed in the material of the band 404 and subsequently magnetized. The magnets 16a, 16b may be fully encased within integral, disc-shaped housings 14a, 14b at the ends of the band 4. The device 2 may be used for holding cables or the like in a medical environment for example to secure them to a hospital bed and may be arranged to be easily cleaned or sterilized. The device 2 may support cables or the like, but may come free or release from a support in the event sufficient force is applied so as to avoid snagging.

Description

1

DEVICE FOR HOLDING CABLES AND THE LIKE

5 The present invention relates to a device for holding cables, tube, lines and the like.

Cables, tubes, lines and the like are present at many locations and provide a hazard to users and passers-by if not properly ordered. One such location is a ward, 10 or a theatre or other treatment room in a hospital, clinic or care home. As will be appreciated, there is an increasing range of equipment used in such healthcare locations that relies on one or more cables, tubes, lines or the like for their operation, in particular to provide or receive power or electrical signals for normal operation or to provide or receive fluid from a patient. Unless properly tended to, such cables, 15 lines, tubes and the like present a hazard to the patient, healthcare staff tending the patient and to other persons in the vicinity. There is also the potential for damage to the cables and the like, which in turn may cause the equipment to have to be removed from service.

20 It is known to use clips and brackets of various designs and materials for holding and supporting cables. Generally, such clips or brackets are permanently fixed in place on a supporting structure.

Ties for holding and securing cables are also known and are used in a very 25 wide range of situations in which cables, tubes or lines are to be held, for example against or alongside a supporting structure. One commonly used tie comprises a flexible band, typically of plastic, having one end thereof provided with a gripping means or buckle. The second end of the band may be introduced through the buckle to grip the band and form a closed loop. The size of the loop may be adjusted to suit, 30 generally by pulling the free end of the band through the buckle to decrease the size of the loop and tighten the tie around cables or the like being held. The buckle may be arranged to be releasable. A recent example of such a cable tie is disclosed in US 2011/0126381.

2

Cable ties of the aforementioned kind may be attached to a supporting structure in any suitable manner. Commonly, such ties are passed both around the cables or the like being held and a portion of the supporting structure. An alternative means of attaching the cable tie is disclosed in DE 20 2005 002 167 U1, which 5 provides a cable tie having a band with a buckle disposed at one end. The buckle is provided with a magnet for securing to a suitable support structure.

Whilst very common and used extensively, cable ties have significant drawbacks, in particular in the healthcare environment. Accordingly, there is a need 10 for an improved means for holding cables, tubes, lines and the like and securing them to a support structure.

US 6,899,423 discloses a holding apparatus for eye glasses, comprising a flexible retaining member for extending around a users neck. A magnet is secured to 15 each end of the retaining member by a pivotal element for attaching to a corresponding magnet mounted on the frame of the eye glasses.

A magnetic strip comprising a series of magnets arranged in a flexible strip of material at least part enclosing each surface of each magnet is disclosed in US 20 7,187,261.

It has now been found that a most effective device for retaining cables, tubes, lines and the like may be provided using magnets disposed at each end of a flexible band. The device offers particular advantages in the healthcare environment.

25

Accordingly, the present invention provides a device for holding cables, tubes, lines or the like, the device comprising:

an elongate band of flexible material having a first end portion and a second end portion; and

30 a magnet disposed in each of the first and second end portions of the band.

The present invention provides a device for holding cables, tubes, lines or other elongate items. For conciseness, the device will be further described with reference to cables. However, the term 'cables' as used herein is to be understood

3

to include other similar items that may be held by the device in like manner, unless otherwise indicated.

The device of the present invention is particular suitable for use in a 5 healthcare environment. More especially, the device may be arranged to be easy to clean and sterilise, in particular, to wipe clean, with no areas or crevices in which bacteria or other microorganisms may reside. Further, the use of magnets in the present invention provides the device with a safety feature not present in known devices, such as cable ties, clips and the like. More specifically, by appropriate 10 selection of the strength of the magnets, the device may be securely attached to a support structure and hold the requisite number or size of cables, while still allowing the device to come free from the support structure in the event of a sufficient force being applied to the cable, for example in the case of the cable becoming snagged.

15 One example of an advantageous use of the device of the present invention is in conjunction with a hospital bed. Many hospital beds are electrically operated, with parts of the bed being moveable using a remote handset. In many cases, there is no static permanent structure available for supporting cables, tubes, lines and the like. As a result, a common practice is to pass such items through and around parts 20 of the bed structure. However, operation of the bed can result in the cables, tubes and lines being stretched, crushed or broken inadvertently. The device of the present invention provides a simple means for releasably securing the cables, tubes and lines to a bed frame or the like, without the risk of damage to the equipment.

25 The device of the present invention comprises a band of flexible material.

The band is elongate, that is has a length considerably longer than its largest lateral dimension. In this respect, the ratio of the length of the band to its largest lateral dimension is preferably greater than 5:1, more preferably greater than 10:1. Embodiments of the device may have this ratio at least 12:1, more particularly 30 greater than 15:1.

The band may be of any suitable cross-sectional shape. For example, the band may be rounded, in particular circular. More preferably, the cross-section of the band is generally rectangular, more preferably having a pair of opposing major sides

4

and a pair of opposing minor sides. The aspect ratio of the major sides to the minor sides is preferably from 1.5:1 to 10:1, more preferably from 2:1 to 7.5:1, still more preferably from 3:1 to 5:1.

5 The band may be formed from any suitable material. As noted above, the material of the band is flexible. In one preferred embodiment, the material of the band is resilient, allowing the band to return to its shape when deformed. More preferably, the material of the band is selected to provided the band with elasticity. In an alternative embodiment, the band is formed from a material or structure that 10 allows it to be deformed and to remain substantially in its deformed condition.

In addition, it is preferred that the material of the band has a high friction, in particular with the material of the cable or the like to be held and supported. In one embodiment, the material of the band is tacky. In particular, it has been found that a 15 material with an inherent or imparted tackiness allows the device to grip cables, increasing the resistance of the cable to sliding over or through the device, in turn allowing the cables to be held and located more firmly and securely.

Suitable materials for use in forming the band are known in the art and are 20 commercially available. Preferably, the band is formed from a polymer. Examples of suitable polymers are polyurethanes, polyolefins and polyvinylchlorides. Synthetic rubbers are particularly suitable for forming the band. A particularly preferred polymer material for use in forming the band is silicone rubber.

25 The elongate band has first and second end portions disposed at respective ends of an intermediate or central portion of the band. Each end portion is provided with a magnet. The magnet in each end portion is a permanent magnet, that is a material that is magnetized and provides its own persistent magnetic field.

30 The end portion of the band may have any suitable size, with the size being determined by the nature of the permanent magnet of the end portion. The end portions of the band are preferably the same size and shape. The end portions of the band may have any suitable shape. The end portions are preferably rounded. In one preferred embodiment, each end portion is generally flattened to have opposing

5

major surfaces, preferably with its opposing major surfaces being in the same plane or substantially parallel to the major surfaces of the band. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the end portions are generally disc-shaped.

5 It is preferred that the transition between each end portion of the band and the intermediate or central portion is generally smooth. This aids in cleaning and sterilising the device and avoids sites on the device that can be a source of infection. Further, such a smooth transition reduces or avoids points in the device that may act to concentrate stresses, thereby increasing the overall strength of the device.

10

As noted, the end portions of the device are each provided with a permanent magnet. Each end portion of the band may comprise one or a plurality of permanent magnets. It is preferred that each end portion comprises a single permanent magnet. The permanent magnet may be provided in a number of ways.

15

In one embodiment, the material of the band is provided with particles of a ferromagnetic material dispersed therein. The ferromagnetic material may be provided just in the end portions of the band or throughout the length of the band. The ferromagnetic material in each end portion is then magnetised to provide a

20 permanent magnet. Suitable magnetisable materials for inclusion in the material of the band are known in the art and are commercially available. For example, the band may comprise a powdered magnetisable material, for example a powder of a ferrous magnet or a rare earth magnet, such as an alloy of neodymium, iron and boron.

25

Once the band has been formed, the end portions may be magnetised in any suitable manner by exposure to a magnetic field, for example the magnetic field of a permanent magnet or an electromagnetic field.

30 This embodiment of the device provides the advantage of being relatively easy to form, in particular by moulding the band.

Accordingly, in a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for forming a device for holding a cable, tube, line or the like, the method comprising:

6

providing a band of flexible material having a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein at least the end portions of the band comprise a ferromagnetic material; and magnetising each end portion of the band to provide a permanent magnet in 5 each end portion thereof.

In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a magnetic material comprising a dispersion of a particulate magnetic material in a polymer matrix.

10 The particulate magnetic material may be any suitable magnetic material and is preferably a rare earth magnetic material, as described herein.

The polymer matrix may be any suitable polymer, with a matrix of synthetic rubber, in particular a silicone rubber, being particularly preferred.

15

Alternatively, and more preferably, the band is formed from a non-magnetic material and each end portion is provided with a block of ferromagnetic material providing a magnetic field. In this embodiment, the band and the permanent magnets are formed from dissimilar materials, preferably with the band being formed 20 from a non-ferromagnetic material.

The permanent magnet may be attached to the respective end portion of the band in any suitable manner. In a particularly preferred embodiment, each permanent magnet is retained with a housing disposed at the respective end portion 25 of the band. The housing may be attached to the band in any suitable manner. More preferably, the housing for each permanent magnet is formed integrally with the band, in particular with the end portion of the band encasing the permanent magnet. In order to reduce the occurrences of infection and to render the device easier to keep clean and sterilise, it is preferred that each permanent magnet is fully encased, 30 that is all surfaces of the magnet are covered by the housing, more particularly by the material of the band. By having the magnets wholly encased in the housing and the housing firmly attached to, preferably integrally formed with, the band, the potential for the individual magnets to come free and separate from the device is eliminated,

7

thereby rendering the device safer to use, in particular around the presence of children.

The size of the housing will be determined by the size of the magnet being 5 housed. In a preferred arrangement, the housing has the same general shape and configuration as the block of magnetic material held therein. The housing for each magnet of the device of this embodiment may be any suitable shape. The housings are preferably rounded. It is preferred that the housings at the ends of the band are the same shape and size Preferably, the housing at each end portion is generally 10 flattened to have opposing major surfaces, preferably with its opposing major surfaces being in the same plane or substantially parallel to the major surfaces of the band. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the housings are generally discshaped.

15 The housings at the end portions of the band preferably have a smooth transition to the intermediate or central portion of the band, for the reasons mentioned above.

The housings may be made of any suitable material. The material of the 20 housing should be of a nature and of sufficient thickness to protect the block of magnetic material therein, in particular to prevent the block from being damaged and cracked. Suitable materials for forming the housings are known in the art and include a range of polymers. Particularly preferred materials for the housing are synthetic rubbers, in particular silicone rubber. Each housing is preferably formed from the 25 same material as the band of the device, in particular when the housing is formed integrally with the band.

The permanent magnets in the housing at each end portion of the band may be formed from any suitable magnetic material, in particular a ferrous magnetic 30 material or a rare earth magnetic material. Suitable magnetic materials and magnets are known in the art and are commercially available, and include the range of rare earth magnets. One preferred magnetic material is a neodymium magnet formed from an alloy of neodymium, iron and boron. Such magnets are known in the art and available commercially. An alternative magnet material is a ferrous-based magnet,

8

which, while weaker in magnetic field strength than many equivalent rare earth magnets, may be cheaper and more readily available.

The permanent magnets in each end portion may be of any suitable shape 5 and size. Preferably, the permanent magnets are the same shape and size.

Preferably, the block of magnetic material has opposing major faces, with the poles of the magnet being disposed at the opposing major faces of the block. Preferably, the major faces of the block are arranged in planes parallel to the longitudinal axis of the band. One preferred form for the magnets is rounded, in particular disc-shaped.

10

The central and end portions of the band may have the same cross-sectional dimensions, in which case the device will have a uniform shape along its entire length. Alternatively, the end portions may be larger in one or more dimensions than the central portion of the band. This may be necessary in order to house a magnet of 15 sufficient size or sufficient magnetic material to provide the required magnetic field.

In one embodiment, each end portion of the band is larger than the central portion in at least one lateral direction, that is a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the band. More preferably, each end portion is larger than the 20 central portion in two, orthogonal lateral directions. In one arrangement, each end portion is arranged symmetrically about the longitudinal axis of the band. In an alternative arrangement, each end portion is arranged asymmetrically about the longitudinal axis of the band, in particular to provide the band with a continuous, flat surface.

25

As noted above, the end portions of the band are provided with a permanent magnet, to provide a magnetic field. In this way, the end portions of the band may be secured to a suitable support structure. The magnet may be arranged in each end portion in any orientation, that is have its poles in any orientation with respect to the 30 longitudinal axis of the band. However, it is particularly preferred for the magnet in at least one end portion, preferably in both end portions, to be arranged with its poles extending laterally, that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the band. If the band is of a shape to have a major surface, it is preferred that the poles are arranged to extend perpendicular to the plane of the major surface. It is particularly preferred

9

that the magnets in both end portions are oriented in this manner. In this embodiment, the poles of the magnets in the end portions may be oriented in the same manner with respect to the longitudinal axis. In this arrangement, the two end portions may be brought together and joined by attraction between their respective 5 magnets to form a closed loop with the end portions of the band extending from opposite sides of the magnets without the band being twisted. Alternatively, the magnets in the end portions may be oriented to have their poles in opposing orientation. In this arrangement, the two end portions may be brought together and joined by attraction between their respective magnets to form a closed loop with the 10 end portions of the band extending from the same side of the magnets without the band being twisted.

The magnet in each end portion of the band may have any suitable magnetic field strength. As noted above, it is particularly advantageous if the strength of the 15 magnet is sufficiently high to hold the cables as required, but is sufficiently low to yield when an excessive force is applied to the cable. It is preferred that the strength of the magnetic is the same in each end portion of the band.

The strength of the magnet in each end portion should be sufficient to attach 20 the device to a support structure, such as a steel structure, for example the frame of a bed or the like, and support the device and one or more cables without the need for a corresponding magnet being provided on the support structure.

The strength of the magnetic field, that is the magnetic flux density, will 25 decrease with increasing distance from the surface of the magnet. It is preferred that the magnetic field strength of the magnet is such that the magnetic flux density is less than 3.0 mT at a distance of 150 mm from the surface of the magnet, preferably at a distance of 125 mm, more preferably at a distance of 100 mm, still more preferably at a distance of 750 mm from the surface of the magnet.

30

In embodiments in which the magnet or magnetic material is encased within the material of the band or the housings, the device will not be able to be attached to a support structure such that the magnets are in contact with the surface of the support. Rather, the magnetic material will be some distance from the surface. The

10

strength of the magnetic field will need to be selected to ensure that the device may be securely attached to a support structure, with the magnets being separated from the surface of the support by a thickness of the encasing material.

5 The strength of the magnets may also be determined by the weight to be held by the device when installed. For example, the device may be arranged to support a weight of cable of 300g. The weight may be reduced when two or more devices are used in a spaced apart arrangement to hold and support a length of cable. The weight to be carried by the device may then be reduced, for example to 200g or 10 10Og. In a preferred embodiment, the device is able to hold at least 1 metre of cable. For a conventional domestic three-core electric cable, this corresponds to a weight of between 50g and 10Og, typically about 65g to 70g.

In use, the device has each end portion of the band attached to a support 15 structure, with the central portion of the band supporting one or more cables. It has been found to be particularly effective in supporting and retaining cables if the central portion is wrapped at least once around the cable or cables being held, to provide additional retention. Alternatively, or in addition, the band of the device may be wrapped around a portion of the support structure for additional security. The end 20 portions may be applied to the same surface or different surfaces of the support structure. Alternatively, the two end portions may be attached together, to form the band into a closed loop, and one end portion applied to a surface of the support structure. Should a longer device be required, two or more devices may be secured end to end and the free ends used to the secure the entire assembly to the support 25 as aforementioned.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides the use of a device as hereinbefore described in supporting one or more cables, tubes, lines or the like.

30 Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the device of one embodiment of the present invention;

11

Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 1 along the line

II - II;

5 Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 1 along the line III -

III in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the device of a second embodiment of the present invention;

10

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the device of a further embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the device of a still further embodiment of

15 the present invention; and

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the device of a yet further embodiment of the present invention.

20 Turning to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, generally indicated as 2. The device 2 comprises a band 4 having a central portion 6 and first and second end portions 8a and 8b.

25 The central portion 6 of the band 4 has a generally rectangular cross-section,

as shown in Figure 3, having an upper major surface 10 and a lower major surface 12, as viewed in the figures.

The end portions 8a, 8b each comprise a respective housing 14a, 14b. The

30 housings 14a, 14b are formed integrally with the central portion 6 of the band by moulding. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the housings 14a, 14b are offset from the longitudinal axis of the band 4, such that their lower surfaces are flush with the lower surface 12 of the central portion 6, to provide the device with a continuous lower surface.

12

The central portion 6 and the housings 14a, 14b of the end portions 8a, 8b are moulded from silicone rubber.

5 Each end portion 8a, 8b of the band 4 is provided with a block of neodymium permanent magnet 16a, 16b, fully encased within the respective housing 14a, 14b. The magnets 16a, 16b are in each in the form of a disc, having the poles N and S of the magnet at the major surfaces. The magnets are oriented with their poles in an opposing manner, such that the end portions 8a, 8b may be brought together to form 10 a loop without twisting the band.

It is to be noted that the poles N, S of the magnets 16a, 16b are arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the band and to provide the magnetic field extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and both the upper and lower faces 15 10, 12 of the band 4.

Turning to Figure 4, there is shown a side cross-sectional view of a device of a second embodiment of the present invention. The device, generally indicated as 102, has the same general arrangement and construction as that of Figures 1 to 3. 20 Accordingly, the same components are referred to using the same reference numerals. However, the housings 14a, 14b in each end portion 8a, 8b are arranged to be symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the band 4. As a result, the lower faces of the end portions 8a, 8b are not flush with the lower face 12 of the central portion 6 of the band 4.

25

Referring now to Figure 5, there is a shown an alternative embodiment of the device of the present invention. The device, generally indicated as 204, has the same general arrangement and construction as that of Figures 1 to 3. Accordingly, the same components are referred to using the same reference numerals. However, 30 the central portion 6 of the band 4 has been formed to provide a smooth transition at each end to the housings 14a, 14b of each end portion 8a, 8b. This arrangement may be preferred for ease of cleaning and sterilisation.

13

Referring now to Figure 6, there is a shown an alternative embodiment of the device of the present invention. The device, generally indicated as 304, has the same general arrangement and construction as that of Figures 1 to 3. Accordingly, the same components are referred to using the same reference numerals. However, 5 the central portion 6 of the band 4 and the housings 14a, 14b of each end portion 8a, 8b have been formed to have the same cross-sectional dimensions. This arrangement may be preferred for ease of cleaning and sterilisation.

Finally, referring to Figure 7, there is shown an alternative configuration of the 10 device of the present invention. The device, generally indicated as 402, has the same general configuration as the device of Figure 5. Accordingly, the device 402 comprises a band 404 having a central portion 406 and first and second end portions 408a and 408b.

15 The central portion 406 of the band 404 has a generally rectangular cross-

section, having an upper major surface 410 and a lower major surface 412, as viewed in the figure.

The central portion 406 and the end portions 408a, 408b are integrally 20 formed, for example by moulding, from a silicone rubber. The silicone rubber in the end portions 408a, 408b has dispersed therein powdered magnetic material 420, in particular a ferrous magnetic powder or a neodymium-containing rare earth magnetic material. Once formed, the band 404 is exposed to a magnetic field, for example that of a permanent magnet or an electromagnetic field, to permanently magnetise the 25 magnetic powder 420. In this way, each end portion 408a, 408b is provided with a permanent magnet.

As shown in Figure 7, the magnetic material 420 is dispersed within the end portions 408a, 408b. However, the magnetic material 420 may be dispersed 30 throughout the entire band 404, including the central portion 406. In this case, the end portions 408a, 408b are selectively magnetised by exposure to the magnetic field.

14

Claims

1. A device for holding cables, tubes, lines or the like, the device comprising:

5 an elongate band of flexible material having a first end portion and a second end portion; and a magnet disposed in each of the first and second end portions of the band.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the length of the band to 10 its largest lateral dimension is greater than 5:1.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the ratio of the length of the band to its largest lateral dimension is greater than 10:1.

15

4. The device according to any preceding claim, wherein the band is rectangular in cross-section.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the aspect ratio of the band is from 1.5:1 to 10:1.

20

6. The device according to any preceding claim, wherein the band is resilient.

7. The device according to any preceding claim, wherein the material is tacky.

25

8. The device according to any preceding claim, wherein the band is formed from a synthetic rubber.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the synthetic rubber is silicone rubber.

30

10. The device according to any preceding claim, wherein the band has opposing major surfaces and each of the first and second end portions has opposing major surfaces extending parallel to those of the band.

15

11. The device according to any preceding claim, wherein the transition between each of the first and second end portions and the intermediate portion of the band is smooth.

5

12. The device according to any preceding claim, wherein the band comprises particles of a ferromagnetic material dispersed therein, the particles in the end portion of the band being magnetised to form a permanent magnet.

13. The device according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein each of the first and 10 second end portions is provided with a permanent magnet comprising a block of ferromagnetic material.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein each of the first and second end portions comprises a housing within which the respective block of ferromagnetic is

15 disposed.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein each housing fully encases the block of ferromagnetic material therein.

20

16. The device according to either of claims 14 or 15, wherein each housing is integrally formed with the band.

17. The device according to any of claims 14 to 16, wherein each housing is discshaped.

25

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein the band has opposing major surfaces which are parallel to the major surfaces of each of the disc-shaped housings.

30 19. The device according to any of claims 14 to 18, wherein the block of magnetic material is disc-shaped.

19. The device according to any preceding claim, wherein the magnet comprises a neodymium magnet.

16

20. The device according to any preceding claim, wherein the magnets in the first and second end portions have their poles extending laterally of the band.

5

21. The device according to claim 20, wherein the magnets in the first and second end portions have their poles in the same orientation with respect to the band.

22. The device according to claim 20, wherein the magnets in the first and

10 second end portions have their poles in the opposite orientation with respect to the band.

23. The device according to any preceding claim, wherein the field strength of the magnet in each of the first and second end portions is less than 3.0 mT at a distance

15 of 150 mm from the surface of the magnet.

24. The use of a device as claimed in any preceding claim in supporting one or more cables, tubes, lines or the like.

20 25. A method for forming a device for holding a cable, tube, line or the like, the method comprising:

providing a band of flexible material having a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein at least the end portions of the band comprise a ferromagnetic material; and

25 magnetising each end portion of the band to provide a permanent magnet in each end portion thereof.

26. A magnetic material comprising a dispersion of a particulate magnetic material in a polymer matrix.

30

27. A device substantially as hereinbefore described having reference to any of Figures 1 to 3, Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6 or Figure 7.

17

28. A method for forming a device for holding a cable, tube, line or the like substantially as hereinbefore described.

5

10