GB2593896A

GB2593896A - Retaining apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2593896A
Application number: GB2005070.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Calvert Christopher
Original assignee: Ellis Patents Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Ellis Patents Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2020-04-06
Filing date: 2020-04-06
Publication date: 2021-10-13
Also published as: GB202005070D0

Abstract

An apparatus 100 for locating at least two cable ties with respect to an elongate object (e.g. cable) to be secured to a support surface, comprising a plurality of substantially flexible elongate portions 104,105,106,107 each configured to axially receive and guide a cable tie 300, 302 and provide an elongate liner surface (112) between the elongate object and the respective cable tie, wherein the elongate portions are integrally formed to define a cross-like profile of the apparatus. Used to secure the cable to the support surface whilst protecting the at least one cable from the cable ties. Aspects include a method comprising: inserting a first cable tie along a first substantially flexible and elongate portion; inserting a second cable tie along a second substantially flexible and elongate portion, locating the apparatus on an elongate object supported on a support surface to thereby provide an elongate liner surface between the elongate object and each cable tie; extending respective end regions of each cable tie around the elongate object and the support surface; coupling the respective end regions of each cable tie together; and tightening each cable tie to secure the elongate object to the support surface.

Description

RETAINING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to apparatus for retaining one or more elongate objects, such as at least one electrical and/or telecommunication cable or at least one pipe, with respect to a surface, such as a wall. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to apparatus for locating a plurality of elongate retaining elements, such as cable ties, in a desired orientation with respect to each other and around a single or multiple electrical and/or telecommunication cables and a support surface to thereby secure the at least one electrical and /or telecommunication cable to the support surface whilst protecting the at least one electrical and/or telecommunication cable from the cable ties.

It is known to support relatively long lengths of high voltage electrical and/or telecommunication cables on spaced apart cable hangers mounted to a surface such as a tunnel wall. Alternatively, the cable hangers may be free-standing and secured at a base region to the ground. The cable hangers typically include a vertically orientated elongate upright portion and a plurality of spaced apart support elements extending outwardly from the elongate portion. Each support element provides a substantially flat or curved support surface for locating at least one electrical and/or telecommunication cable on. However, the cable/s are generally not secured to the support elements which can result in the cables undesirably moving with respect to the hangers and in turn the integrity of the outer sheaf of the cable being compromised. This may result in a potentially fatal short circuit event and significant downtime of the electrical system whilst the problem is being rectified.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide apparatus for securing at least one electrical and /or telecommunication cable to a cable hanger support element.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide apparatus for locating a plurality of cable ties in a desired crossed orientation with respect to each other around at least one electrical and/or telecommunication cable and a cable hanger support element to thereby secure the cable/s to the support element.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide apparatus for securely locating a plurality of cable ties around at least one electrical and/or telecommunication cable and a cable hanger support element whilst protecting the cable/s from the cable ties.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for locating at least two cable ties with respect to an elongate object to be secured to a support surface, comprising: a plurality of substantially flexible elongate portions each configured to axially receive and guide a cable tie and provide an elongate liner surface between the elongate object and the respective cable tie, wherein the elongate portions are integrally formed to define a cross-like profile of the apparatus.

Optionally, the apparatus comprises four elongate portions extending outwardly from a central portion.

Optionally, a first pair of the elongate portions are axially aligned with each other to provide a first path for receiving and guiding a first cable tie, and wherein a second pair of the elongate portions are axially aligned with each other to provide a second path for receiving and guiding a second cable tie.

Optionally, the elongate portions are equally spaced apart about a central axis of the central portion such that adjacent ones of the elongate portions are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other.

Optionally, the central portion comprises a scalloped hinge region disposed between each adjacent ones of the elongate portions.

Optionally, each elongate portion comprises a pair of opposed side wall surfaces extending from the liner surface to define an elongate channel region for axially guiding and laterally retaining a cable tie in use.

Optionally, each side wall surface is substantially continuous.

Optionally, the liner surface comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart holes.

Optionally, each elongate portion comprises at least one bridge portion extending between the side wall surfaces.

Optionally, each channel region is substantially open along its length opposite the liner surface.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an assembly for securing an elongate objection to a support surface, comprising: apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention; a first cable tie located in a first one of the elongate portions; and a second cable tie located in a second one of the elongate portions.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of securing an elongate object to a support surface, comprising: inserting a first cable tie along a first substantially flexible and elongate portion of an apparatus; inserting a second cable tie along a second substantially flexible and elongate portion of the apparatus, wherein the elongate portions are integrally formed to define a cross-like profile of the apparatus; locating the apparatus on an elongate object supported on a support surface 25 to thereby provide an elongate liner surface between the elongate object and each cable tie; extending respective end regions of each cable tie around the elongate object and the support surface; coupling the respective end regions of each cable tie together; and tightening each cable tie to secure the elongate object to the support surface.

Optionally, the method comprises substantially conforming each elongate portion at least partially around the elongate object.

Optionally, the method comprises hinging each elongate portion with respect to a central portion of the apparatus from which each elongate portion outwardly extends.

Optionally, the method comprises axially guiding and laterally retaining each cable tie by a pair of opposed side wall surfaces extending from the liner surface to define an elongate channel region of each elongate portion.

Optionally, the method comprises sliding each cable tie under at least one bridge portion extending between the side wall surfaces of the respective elongate portion.

Description of the Drawings

Certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a top side isometric view of apparatus according to certain embodiments of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates an underside isometric view of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates an assembly comprising the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 and a pair of stainless-steel cable ties located in respective channel regions of the apparatus; Figure 4 illustrates a top side isometric view of the assembly of Figure 3 in use; and Figure 5 illustrates an underside isometric view of the assembly of Figure 4 in use.

Detailed Description

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, apparatus 100 according to certain embodiments of the present invention defines a pair of elongate channel regions 116 each configured to receive and retain an elongate retaining element, such as a cable tie, such that the retaining elements overlap each other to form a cruciform arrangement. More specifically, the apparatus 100 includes a central portion 102 and four elongate portions 104,105,106,107 extending outwardly from the central region 102. The elongate portions are substantially equal in length and width. Aptly, the central portion is substantially square wherein each side is around 16mm wide, and each elongate portion is around 72mm long and around 12mm wide. The central portion 102 is effectively a body of material where each pair of axially aligned elongate portions intersect.

The apparatus comprises a substantially flexible material, such as a flame retardant polymer which, in the event of a fire, emits low smoke with minimal toxic fumes, and formed by injection moulding or the like. Alternatively, the apparatus may be a metal material, such as a ductile aluminium, depending on the particular application for the apparatus. The flexibility of the material allows each elongate portion 104,105,106,107 to flex along its length and also with respect to the central portion 102. The flexibility of the apparatus aids insertion of the elongate retaining elements, such as cable ties, along their respective channel regions 116 and also when locating a second one of the retaining elements over or under a first one of the retaining elements proximal the central region.

Each corner region 108 of the central portion 102 is scalloped, i.e. comprises an inwardly curved or concave notch, to locally remove material and provide the elongate portions 104,105,106,107 with additional flexibility around those hinge points. The central portion 102 also includes a central through hole 110 to remove material and weight from the central portion whilst also providing the central portion with additional flexibility to allow it to conform partially around the outer surface of at least one electrical and/or telecommunication cable.

The elongate portions 104,105,106,107 are aptly arranged at 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees respectively around a central axis of the central portion 102 such that adjacent ones of the elongate portions are oriented substantially perpendicularly with respect to each other to define a cross-like or crucifix-shaped apparatus. However, the optimum orientation is dependent on the ratio of the maximum cable diameter to the width of the hanger support. A substantially perpendicular orientation is suitable for a ratio of around 1:1 but other orientations, such as a substantially trapezoidal orientation, may suit other ratios and applications.

Each elongate portion 104,105,106,107 comprises a base surface 112 and a pair of side wall surfaces 114 extending upwardly from the base surface to thereby define a channel region 116 extending along each pair of aligned elongate portions 104,106 & 105,107. The base surface 112 acts as a liner portion between the at least one electrical and/or telecommunication cable being secured and the cable ties and thereby protects the cable from the edges of the cable ties, particularly when the cable ties are stainless steel for high voltage applications, for example. The inner (or upper) base surface of the liner portion is substantially flat to efficiently engage with and support a correspondingly flat surface of a cable tie. Alternatively, the inner base surface of each channel region may be substantially curved to efficiently locate and support a correspondingly shaped elongate retaining element, such as a wire.

Aptly, the outer (or underside) surface of the liner portion is substantially flat to efficiently engage with and conform around the outer surface of the cable/s.

Likewise, the underside of the central portion may be substantially curved to efficiently locate on the curved outer surface of the electrical cable/s or the like, or it may be sufficiently flexible to be substantially flat in an unflexed state but substantially curved in a flexed state when located on at least one electrical cable or the like.

The illustrated side wall surfaces 114 are continuous but they may be intermittent, i.e. each side wall may comprise a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart wall portions extending upwardly from the base surface. Each elongate portion has an open free end region, i.e. the end distal from the central portion, to allow a cable strap or cable tie to be inserted therein and along the respective channel region, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 and described further below. Each pair of axially aligned elongate portions provides a respective continuous channel region for a respective cable tie to be located along and a continuous liner surface between the cable tie and at least one electrical and/or telecommunication cable being secured to a support surface. The central portion 102 effectively acts as a crossroads allowing each cable tie to pass from a first one of a pair of axially aligned elongate portions to the opposed one of the pair of axially aligned elongate portions.

As illustrated in Figure 1, each elongate portion 104,105,106,107 includes a pair of longitudinally spaced apart bridge portions 118,120 extending across the channel region 116 between the side wall surfaces 114. The bridge portions 118,120 add strength to the elongate portions whilst allowing them to flex at least partially around at least one electrical and /or telecommunication cable located on the cable hanger. The bridge portions also provide a substantially open top to the channel regions which allows a user to view the cable ties as they are being inserted into the channel regions and also when the assembly is in situ securing at least one electrical and/or telecommunication cable to a support surface which may be desirable for inspection purposes, for example, such as to check for corrosion, particularly when stainless steel cable ties are used.

As illustrated in Figure 2, each elongate portion 104,105,106,107 also includes an aperture 122,124 in the base surface 112 directly below each bridge portion 118,120 to allow the elongate portion to flex at least partially around at least one electrical and/or telecommunication cable located on the cable hanger, particularly proximal to the bridge portions.

As illustrated in Figure 3, a first cable tie 300 is inserted into the open end region of a first one of a first pair of axially aligned elongate portions 104,106 and slid along the channel region defined thereby. Optionally, the first cable tie may be slid along the channel region until the ratchet block 301 of the first cable tie abuts the end of the first one of the first pair of elongate portions. A second cable tie 302 is then inserted into the open end region of a first one of a second pair of axially aligned elongate portions 105,107 and slid along the channel region defined thereby. Optionally, the second cable tie is slid along the channel region until the ratchet block 303 of the second cable tie abuts the end of the first one of the second pair of elongate portions. The ends of each channel region may optionally act as a stop to retain a respective cable tie or the like located therein in a first axial direction. The second cable tie 302 passes over the first cable tie 300 when above the central portion 102 of the apparatus 100, or vice versa. If required, the flexibility of the apparatus aptly allows the second cable tie to be passed over or under the first cable tie and fully inserted along its respective channel region. The side walls of the channel regions laterally retain the cable ties in the desired position and orientation with respect to each other to define the desired cross-like or crucifix arrangement, whilst also aiding insertion of each cable tie into and along its respective channel region. The bridge portions 118,120 also aid insertion of each cable tie into the respective channel regions, whilst retaining the cable ties and the apparatus together when the assembly is being offered up to, and secured around, at least one electrical and/or telecommunication cable and cable hanger element, for example. The apparatus 100 and the cable ties 300,302 form an assembly 400 for securing at least one electrical and/or telecommunication cable to a support surface. The apparatus and retaining elements, e.g. cable ties, may be provided preassembled or may be assembled by a user on site.

As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the assembly 400 comprising the apparatus 100 and two cable ties 300,302 is offered up to at least one electrical and/or telecommunication cable 402 located on a support element 404 extending from an upright portion 406 of a cable hanger. The underside of the apparatus is located on the topside of the cable 402 and the free end of the first cable tie 300 is located around the cable and underneath the support element 404 of the cable hanger before being inserted into and pulled through the ratchet block of the first cable tie which is located under the support element. The free end of the second cable tie 302 is then located around the cable, underneath the support element of the cable hanger and over the first cable tie, before being inserted into and pulled through the ratchet block of the second cable tie which is also located under support element proximal to the ratchet block of the first cable tie. The cable ties are pulled taut to thereby securely attach the electrical cable to the support element of the cable hanger and their relatively long free ends are optionally cut off if required/desired. The apparatus securely locates and retains the cable ties in their desired positions and orientations with respect to each other and the cable, whilst providing a protective barrier between the cable and the cable ties to ensure the integrity of the cable is not compromised by the edges of the cable ties. This is particularly desirable when stainless steel cable ties are used for large and heavy cables and/or high voltage applications where the forces caused by a short circuit event can be extremely high.

In accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus may comprise more than four elongate portions to define more than two channel regions for securing more than two cable ties/straps around at least one electrical and/or telecommunication cable or other elongate object. The apparatus comprising four or more elongate portions is aptly sized according to its intended application, e.g. the elongate portions may be relatively long to conform around a relatively large elongate object to be secured and/or relatively wide to accommodate relatively wide cable ties/straps.

Certain embodiments of the present invention therefore provide apparatus for securely locating and retaining a pair of cable ties in a desired position and orientation with respect to each other and an elongate object, such as at least one electrical and/or telecommunication cable, to be secured to a support surface, such as the support element of a cable hanger. The apparatus desirably ensures the cable ties are held in the desired position and orientation with respect to each other and the apparatus whilst the assembly is being positioned on at least one electrical and/or telecommunication cable to be secured and whilst the cable ties are being secured around the cable and support element of the cable hanger. The apparatus desirably protects the at least one electrical and/or telecommunication cable from potentially sharp edges of the cable ties, particularly if the cable ties are stainless steel, during installation of the assembly when the cables are being tightened around the cable, and in use. The term 'cable tie' shall include all elongate retaining elements, such as a strap, tie, band, or the like, which are suitable for securing an elongate object, such as at least one electrical and/or telecommunication cable or pipe, to a support surface like a hanger support element. The cable ties used in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention may be stainless steel, plastic or the like.

Claims

Claims 1. Apparatus for locating at least two cable ties with respect to an elongate object to be secured to a support surface, comprising: a plurality of substantially flexible elongate portions each configured to axially receive and guide a cable tie and provide an elongate liner surface between the elongate object and the respective cable tie, wherein the elongate portions are integrally formed to define a cross-like profile of the apparatus.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising four elongate portions extending outwardly from a central portion. 4. 5. 6. 7.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a first pair of the elongate portions are axially aligned with each other to provide a first path for receiving and guiding a first cable tie, and wherein a second pair of the elongate portions are axially aligned with each other to provide a second path for receiving and guiding a second cable tie.
The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the elongate portions are equally spaced apart about a central axis of the central portion such that adjacent ones of the elongate portions are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other.
The apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the central portion comprises a scalloped hinge region disposed between each adjacent ones of the elongate portions.
The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each elongate portion comprises a pair of opposed side wall surfaces extending from the liner surface to define an elongate channel region for axially guiding and laterally retaining a cable tie in use.
The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein each side wall surface is substantially continuous.
8. The apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the liner surface comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart holes.
9. The apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein each elongate portion comprises at least one bridge portion extending between the side wall surfaces.
10. The apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 9, wherein each channel region is substantially open along its length opposite the liner surface.
11. An assembly for securing an elongate objection to a support surface, comprising: apparatus according to any preceding claim; a first cable tie located in a first one of the elongate portions; and a second cable tie located in a second one of the elongate portions.
12. A method of securing an elongate object to a support surface, comprising: inserting a first cable tie along a first substantially flexible and elongate portion of an apparatus; inserting a second cable tie along a second substantially flexible and elongate portion of the apparatus, wherein the elongate portions are integrally formed to define a cross-like profile of the apparatus; locating the apparatus on an elongate object supported on a support surface to thereby provide an elongate liner surface between the elongate object and each cable tie; extending respective end regions of each cable tie around the elongate object and the support surface; coupling the respective end regions of each cable tie together; and tightening each cable tie to secure the elongate object to the support surface.
13. The method according to claim 12, comprising substantially conforming each elongate portion at least partially around the elongate object.
14. The method according to claim 13, comprising hinging each elongate portion with respect to a central portion of the apparatus from which each elongate portion outwardly extends.
15. The method according to any of claims 12 to 14, comprising axially guiding and laterally retaining each cable tie by a pair of opposed side wall surfaces extending from the liner surface to define an elongate channel region of each elongate portion.
16. The method according to claim 15, comprising sliding each cable tie under at least one bridge portion extending between the side wall surfaces of the respective elongate portion.