GB2572022A

GB2572022A - Cable or pipe restraint band

Info

Publication number: GB2572022A
Application number: GB1809843.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Ruddick Paul; Bianchi Steven
Original assignee: D Line Europe Ltd
Current assignee: D Line Europe Ltd
Priority date: 2018-03-16
Filing date: 2018-06-15
Publication date: 2019-09-18
Also published as: GB2572017A; GB201809843D0; GB201805984D0; GB201804239D0

Abstract

A cable or pipe restraint band 400 including a strip of material having a longitudinal strip axis, the strip having a plurality of lines of weakness 410 formed therein, each line of weakness having a longitudinal axis which is perpendicular to the strip axis. A user may cut a length of the band which is suitable for the amount of cable or width of pipe to be restrained. The strip may consist of a plurality of repeating units, each repeating unit including a plurality of lines of weakness. The repeating units may be configured as a flat-pack structure for assembly into a cable restraint, the flat-pack structure being connected integrally with adjacent flat-pack structures. The lines of weakness may be formed by elongate slots, notches or score lines. The strip may include a central securing hole (116, figure 1) and a plurality of integral locking portions 430 formed by tabs 434 which can bent out of the plane of the strip. The restraint band may be provided in a roll.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cable or pipe restraint band from which flat-pack structure for individual cable or pipe restraints, may be cut or otherwise disconnected.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

When fitting cable restraints in buildings, there is often a need for increased versatility in the size of the cable or pipe restraint, but at the same time, it is inconvenient for engineers to have to carry around a large selection of different cable restraints. The present invention aims to address this.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Broadly speaking, the present invention provides a cable or pipe restraint band from which flat-pack structures for individual cable restraints, such as those shown in GB1804239.30 and GB1805984.0 can be cut or otherwise disconnected. Specifically, in order to achieve this, the present invention provides a cable or pipe restraint band including a strip of material having a longitudinal strip axis, the strip having a plurality of lines of weakness formed therein, each of the lines of weakness having a longitudinal axis which is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the strip axis.

By providing a band, rather than a single flat-pack structure, as in GB1804239.30 and GB1805984.0, during, for example, installation of cable or pipe restraints, an engineer or similar may cut a length of the band which is suitable for the amount of cable or width of pipe being restrained at a given time. In other words, it provides advantageous versatility during installation. Lengths of the band can be cut off that may form e.g. U-shaped cable restraints, brackets, suspension clips and many other kinds of restraint. Accordingly, the strip is preferably made from a material which is configured to hold its shape once deformed. Preferably, the strip is made of metal, such as light-gauge (high temperature) mild steel, for easier manipulation. The strip may also be made of stainless steel, brass or Aluzinc.

Specifically, the cable or pipe restraint band of the present invention may be said to comprise a plurality of flat-pack structures, each of the flat-pack structures configured for assembly into a cable or pipe restraint, wherein the plurality of flat-pack structures are integrally formed with each other. The strip may include scored lines which are thinner than the rest of the strip so that individual flat pack structures may be disconnected from the band. Accordingly, when extended in full, the strip is preferably flat, i.e. it preferably has a uniform or substantially thickness. Put alternatively, the strip may be said to comprise a plurality of repeating units, each repeating unit including one or more lines of weakness.

In some embodiments, one or more of the lines of weakness may be in the form of elongate slots, each of the slots having a longitudinal slot axis which is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the strip axis. The slots may be rectangular, or trapezoidal, and may have either rounded corners or angular corners. Where a given elongate slot has angular corners, the cable restraints that may be formed by folding the cable or pipe restraint band at that slot will have sharp, angular ends, that can maximize internal capacity, or be shaped to fit tight angular spaces. Similarly, if an elongate slot has rounded corners, the resulting cable restraints will have more rounded ends that can be squeezed or rolled to compress the width into tight spaces such as PVC trunking systems. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the elongate slots may be substantially rectangular with semi-circular ends. By providing an elongate slot in the strip, when a bending force is imparted on the strip, since there is less material present at that point along the length of the strip, it tends to bend at the location along the length of the strip where the slot is located, with minimal effort. This aids both in improving the ease with which the strip may be bent, and controlling the location of the eventual bend. In some embodiments, one or more of the elongate slots may have a wider section at the centre (by which we mean at a position which is located centrally or substantially centrally along the slot axis), which may double up as a securing means (see later). For example, the elongate slot may effectively have a circular hole superimposed on it (see drawings).

It is preferred that the length of the elongate slot is no less than 50% of the width of the strip, no less than 60% of the width of the strip, no less than 70% of the width of the strip, no less than 80% of the width of the strip, or no less than 90% of the width of the strip.

One or more of the lines of weakness may include a notch in the edge of the strip. In the same way as the elongate slots, the provision of a notch also improves the ease with which the strip may be bent, and with controlling the location of the eventual bend. Preferably, the one or more lines of weakness include a pair of notches, respectively located on opposite sides of the strip, and aligned such that a line connecting the two notches is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the strip axis. By providing a pair of notches, the amount of material at that point along the length of the strip is reduced further than with a single notch, improving the effect of the line of weakness.

Each notch may have a width (in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strip at that point along its length) of no less than 1mm, no less than 2mm, no less than 3mm, no less than 4mm, or no less than 5mm. Preferably, the notches have a width of 3mm.

One or more of the lines of weakness may be in the form of scored lines, the scored lines being oriented perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the strip axis. Using scored lines provides the beneficial effect of the line of weakness by reducing the thickness of the material, rather than the width of the material at a given point along the length of the strip.

A given line of weakness may include more than one of an elongate slot, a notch, and a scored line. It may, for example, include a plurality of holes in the form of perforations.

In some embodiments, all of the plurality of lines of weakness may be identical or substantially identical. In some embodiments, the plurality of lines of weakness may include one, two, or all of elongate slots, notches and scored lines.

In preferred embodiments, the sequence of lines of weakness formed in the strip may be periodic, in the form of a repeating pattern. The pattern may be a pattern of spacing between successive lines of weakness, types of lines of weakness or both. In some embodiments, the plurality of lines of weakness may be equally spaced from each other. Having a repeating pattern means that several of the same flat-pack structures may be cut from the same cable or pipe restraint band. In other embodiments, the sequence of lines of weakness formed in the strip may be random or pseudorandom, so that several different types of flat-pack structure can be cut from the band.

In some embodiments, the sides of the strip are straight or substantially straight. In embodiments in which the lines of weakness are provided in the form of notches, the sides of the strip are straight or substantially straight in the regions between the notches. The shape of the whole strip is preferably rectangular or substantially rectangular. Here, the term “rectangular or substantially rectangular” should be understood to mean that the width of the strip is approximately constant, i.e. there is no tapering or similar. In preferred embodiments, the width of the strip may be constant for no less than 50% of its length, 60% of its length, 70% of its length, 80% of its length, 90% of its length or 95% of its length. In some embodiments, the strip may be rectangular with rounded corners.

In preferred embodiments, the strip may be no less than about 1m in length. More preferably, the strip is no less than about 2m in length. More preferably still, the strip is no less than about 3m in length. More preferably still, the strip is no less than about 4m in length. In particular preferred embodiments, the strip may be between about 5 and 10 m in length (inclusive). The width of the strip (i.e. in a direction perpendicular to its length) is preferably between 5 and 50 mm (inclusive). More preferable, the strip is between about 10 and 30 mm in width. It is particularly preferred that the strip is about 20mm in width.

The thickness of the strip is preferably 0.1 to 2.0 mm, more preferably 0.2 to 1.0 mm and most preferably 0.3 to 0.8 mm.

Throughout this application, where the terms “approximately”, “around” or “about” are used in combination with a numerical value, this may be interpreted to represent a range of values which may be ±30% of the value, ± 20% of the value, or ± 10% of the value. It must be stressed that such expressions are also intended to include the value itself, e.g. “about 20cm” should be understood to cover something which is exactly 20cm.

In addition to the lines of weakness, the strip may also have securing means formed therein, such as a central hole. The securing means is provided to attach a cable restraint formed from a portion of the cable or pipe restraint band to a surface in question, e.g. using a screw or equivalent fastener.

In some embodiments, the strip may further include a plurality of locking portions, which are preferably formed integrally with the strip. One or more of the locking portions may be in the form of a slot in the strip, the slot defining a locking tab, wherein the slot is shaped so that the tab can be bent out of the plane of the strip. In use, once a portion of the strip has been used to form a cable restraint, the tab can bent out of the plane of the strip, slotted through another hole in the strip, and e.g. folded back on itself in order to lock the cable restraint in order to prevent the restraint from becoming undone. One or more of the slots may be: semi-circular, trapezoidal (specifically three sides of a trapezium), shaped as three sides of a square or rectangle, or arch-shaped, or in all cases, substantially so. In embodiments with a plurality of locking tabs, the tabs may either all face the same way, or may, for example, alternate. Preferably, each repeating unit of the strip includes a locking portion.

In preferred embodiments, the cable or pipe restraint band of the present invention is provided in the form of a roll, i.e. the strip is rolled up. This is a more practical form in which the band can be distributed, stored, transported, and used. It should be noted that this feature does not conflict with the feature wherein the strip is flat, because in the present application “flat” should be understood to mean that the strip has a substantially uniform thickness. When the strip is rolled up, it still has a substantially uniform thickness, so is still “flat”. When the strip is fully rolled up, the rolled formed preferably has a diameter of 5 to 30 cm (inclusive), more preferably the diameter is 10 to 25 cm (inclusive), and most preferably the diameter is 15 to 20 cm (inclusive).

Further optional features of the invention are set out below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a repeating unit of a cable or pipe restraint band according to one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a repeating unit of a cable or pipe restraint band according to another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 shows a repeating unit of a cable or pipe restraint band according to another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 shows a repeating unit of a cable or pipe restraint band according to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows an example of a repeating unit of a cable or pipe restraint band 100 of the present invention. In the embodiment shown, the repeating pattern takes the form of four elongate slots 110, each having a rectangular portion 112 and semicircular ends 114. The total length of each slot is 14mm, and the width of the slot is 3mm. The elongate slots 110 are evenly spaced, having a spacing of 7.5mm from the central, longitudinal axis of one slot to the central axis of the next. In addition to the slots, the repeating unit includes a central hole 116, which is circular in shape, and has a diameter of 5.7mm. The central hole 116 is spaced 10.5mm from the central longitudinal axes of the elongate slots 110 located on either side of the central hole 116. The embodiment shown in Fig. 1 also has a logo 118. The central hole 116 may be used for fastening a cable restraint formed from a cut portion of the cable or pipe restraint band 100 onto a surface, in order to support cables. The strip is 20mm wide.

Fig. 2 shows an alternative example of a repeating unit of a cable or pipe restraint band 200 of the present invention. The example shown in Fig. 2 has a simpler repeating pattern than that of Fig. 1. Specifically, the repeating pattern is made up of a series of equally spaced elongate slots 210, with a logo 218 located between each pair of elongate slots 218. The spacing between the respective central longitudinal axes of each pair of adjacent elongate slots 210 is 10mm. The elongate slots 218 have the same dimensions as those of Fig. 1.

The repeating unit of cable restraint 300, shown in Fig. 3, is similar to that of Fig. 2. The two differ in the shape of the elongate slots 310. The shape of the elongate slots is effectively a superposition of the elongate slots 110, 210 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 respectively, and the central hole 116 shown in Fig. 1. This gives an elongate slot 310 with narrow portions 320, 322 at each end (in a longitudinal direction), and a wider central region 324. This means that the elongate slots 310 effectively represent a line of weakness, and a securing means for securing a cable restraint to a surface.

The repeating unit of the cable or pipe restraint band 400 shown in Fig. 4 includes two parts, an elongate slot 410, having the same geometry as the elongate slots 310 shown in Fig. 3, and a locking portion 430. The locking tab 430 is formed of a 2mm U-shaped slot 432, which defines a tab 434. The dimensions of the locking portion 430 are shown in Fig. 4. In use, when a portion of the cable or pipe restraint band 400 has been cut off, and assembled into a cable restraint, the tab 434 can be folded out of the plane of the cable or pipe restraint band 400 and slotted through one of the elongate slots 410, then folded back on itself in order to lock the cable restraint, to prevent wires from falling out or coming loose.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All references referred to above are hereby incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A cable or pipe restraint band including a strip of material having a longitudinal strip axis, the strip having a plurality of lines of weakness formed therein, each of the lines of weakness having a longitudinal axis which is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the strip axis.

2. The cable or pipe restraint band of claim 1, wherein the strip includes a plurality of repeating units, each repeating unit including a line of weakness.

3. The cable or pipe restraint band of claim 1, wherein the strip consists of a plurality of repeating units, each repeating unit including a line of weakness,

4. The cable or pipe restraint band of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein each repeating unit includes a plurality of lines of weakness.

5. The cable or pipe restraint band of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein each of the repeating units represents a flat-pack structure configured for assembly into a cable restraint, the flat-pack structure connected integrally with the adjacent flat-pack structures.

6. The cable or pipe restraint band of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein one or more of the lines of weakness is in the form of an elongate slot, the slot having a longitudinal slot axis which is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the strip axis.

7. The cable or pipe restraint band of claim 6, wherein one or more of the elongate slots are rectangular.

8. The cable or pipe restraint band of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein one or more of the elongate slots are trapezoidal.

9. The cable or pipe restraint band of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein one or more of the elongate slots are substantially rectangular, with semicircular ends.

10. The cable or pipe restraint band of any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein one or more of the elongate slots has a wider portion at a position which is located centrally or substantially centrally along the slot axis.

11. The cable or pipe restraint band of any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein one or more of the lines of weakness includes a notch in the edge of the strip.

12. The cable or pipe restraint band of claim 11, wherein one or more of the lines of weakness include a pair of notches respectively located on opposite sides of the strip, and aligned such that a line connecting the pair of notches is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the strip axis.

13. The cable or pipe restraint band of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein one or more of the lines of weakness is in the form of a scored line oriented perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the strip axis.

14. The cable or pipe restraint band of any one of claims 6 to 13, wherein one or more of the lines of weakness includes two or more of: an elongate slot, a notch and a scored line.

15. The cable or pipe restraint band of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein all of the plurality of lines of weakness are identical or substantially identical.

16. The cable or pipe restraint band of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the plurality of lines of weakness are equally spaced from each other.

17. The cable or pipe restraint band of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the sides of the strip are straight or substantially straight.

18. The cable or pipe restraint band of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the strip is 5 to 10 metres in length.

19. The cable or pipe restraint band of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the width of the strip is about 20 mm.

20. The cable or pipe restraint band of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the thickness of the strip is 0.3 to 0.8 mm.

21. The cable or pipe restraint band of any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the strip has a securing means formed therein.

22. The cable or pipe restraint band of claim 21, wherein the securing means is in the form of a central hole.

23. The cable or pipe restraint band of any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the strip includes a plurality of locking portions.

24. The cable or pipe restraint band of claim 23, wherein the locking portions are formed integrally with the strip.

25. The cable or pipe restraint band of claim 24 wherein one or more of the locking portions includes a slot in the strip, the slot defining a locking tab, which can be bent out of the plane of the strip.

26. The cable or pipe restraint band of claim 25, wherein the slot is one of the following:

semi-circular;

three sizes of a trapezium;

three sides of a square or rectangle; or arch-shaped.

27. The cable or pipe restraint band of any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the strip is provided in a roll.