IES59907B2 - Mounting arrangements - Google Patents

Abstract

In an arrangement for mounting an elongate member (23), such as a pole for a traffic sign or a bus stop, on a hard material such as a concrete pavement, a threaded bolt (21) is anchored in the hard material. A tubular portion (22) is secured to the bolt (21) by means of an internal nut (29) retained within the tube (22) by a collar (26). The column or post (23) is then received over the secured tube (22). The arrangement includes an orientation portion (24) in the form of a sectoral surface of a sphere, for interposition between the end of the tube (22) and the surface of the concrete. The convex surface of member (24) faces the tube (22), and a slot (25) allows the convex portion (24) to be fitted over the bolt (21) and arranged, within predefined limits, to allow the required orientation, preferably upright, of the post (23).

Description

MOUNTING ARRANGEMENTS This invention relates to mounting arrangements. In particular, the invention relates to an arrangement for mounting an elongate member on a hard material to extend from a surface of the hard material at a predetermined angle relative to said surface. The invention is especially directed to a mounting arrangement for enabling orientation of an upright member in a substantially/ vertical disposition relative to an inclined or uneven surface. The invention is also suited however to the mounting of an elongate member such as a flagpole to extend at a predetermined angle from a vertical or inclined surface of a hard material, such as stone or concrete. The invention thus embraces a fixing device for fixing a hollow sleeve or pole to a hard surface such as concrete, and in particular, a device of this kind comprising a foot for enabling the sleeve or pole to be fixed in a vertical disposition relative to an inclined or uneven surface.

Adverting now to the case of vertical orientation of the elongate i member, problems exist in achieving vertical dispositions for upright r ,07 - 2 members in a variety of circumstances, for example in factories, and especially in food processing plants where floors are typically slightly inclined to allow for hosing down and drainage. Arrangements are known in which machines, conveyors, sinks etc. which stand on legs are provided with foot attachments at the lower ends of the legs capable of being adjusted in a vertical direction, so that the machine etc. may be levelled. In many such arrangements, a portion of the foot structure is however freely suspended from the bottom of the leg, as for example in the case of a foot mounting for a scaffolding.

Alternative structures in which the foot is fixed to a bracket having an upright spigot are generally ineffective for inclined surfaces. Problems with foot attachments of this kind include a readiness to come loose with machine vibration and also the existence of dirt traps within the mounting structures in question.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide means for fixing a steel or plastics tube to concrete, masonry or other hard material. It is a specific object of the invention to enable a tube of the aforementioned kind to be fixed in an upright or vertical 20 disposition, even when mounted on a sloping surface. It is a further object of the invention to provide a mounting arrangement suitable for use in conjunction with expanding or chemical anchor bolts such as are known in building construction.

Thus the invention is especially, though not exclusively, directed to the provision of strong and safe fixings of upright tubes to surfaces which may be either flat or sloping. In this connection, however, it is a further object of the invention to enable a tube to be fixed in an upright disposition in a manner which may be either permanent and irremovable, or alternatively, one which allows it to be removed again at a later date. Further desirable objects of the invention are for the fixing structure to be free from either water or dirt traps and to be easy to clean. It is a particular requirement of a system meeting yet another object of the invention that it should cater for the fixing of upright tubes of sizes varying in diameter over - 3 a wide range of dimensions, for example from 25 mm to 200 mm in diameter, although this range is not to be regarded as exclusive.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an arrangement for mounting an elongate member on a hard material to extend from a surface of the hard material at a predetermined angle relative to said surface, comprising (a) a fastener portion for anchoring in said hard material, (b) a securing portion for cooperative association with said fastener member, said securing portion being connectible to said elongate member, and (c) an orientation portion for interposition between said securing member and said surface in an assembled condition of the mounting arrangement, wherein said orientation portion is outwardly convex from said surface towards said securing portion, and said securing portion is associatable with said fastener member in any one of a multiplicity of angular orientations relative to said surface within predefined limits to grippinglv engage said orientation portion between said securing portion and said surface.

Said securing portion suitably comprises a fastener member displaceably associated with said securing portion and preferably also an abutment region for engagement by said fastener member in said assembled condition of the mounting arrangement. In a favoured embodiment of the invention, said securing portion comprises a tubular member and said abutment region of said securing portion comprises an internal plate portion within said tubular member. Said tubular member is suitably, but not necessarily, of circular or annular cross-section, but other cross-sectional shapes may also be used, for example, square, rectangular, hexagonal or irregular.

In an especially preferred construction of the mounting arrangement of the invention, said fastener portion comprises a bolt and said fastener member of said securing portion comprises a nut, said internal plate portion within said tubular member being apertured for passage of said bolt, and the diameter of the aperture of said internal plate portion being greater than the diameter of said bolt, said predefined limits of said multiplicity of angular orientations of said securing member being substantially determined by engagement of said bolt with the periphery of said aperture.

Said tubular member then suitably also comprises means for engaging said nut for rotation of said nut by rotation of said tubular member about its longitudinal axis.

In any of the foregoing embodiments of the invention in which said securing portion comprises a tubular member, said elongate member is suitably connectible to said tubular member in spigot and socket manner, said elongate member being for example tubular for external sleeving reception on said tubular member. Said tubular member may then be provided with at least one feature for engaging said elongate member when sleevinglv received on said tubular member. Said at least one feature may comprise a peripheral groove for engagement by at least one deformed section of the wall of said elongate member.

In any embodiment of the mounting arrangement provided in accordance with the invention, said orientation portion preferably comprises a sectoral surface section of a sphere having an aperture for passage of said fastener portion. Said aperture preferably comprises a slot, for facilitating passage of said fastener portion at an acute angle relative to said surface.

The invention also extend to a mounting arrangement substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in any one or more of Figures 5 to 11 of the accompanying drawings, as also to a method of mounting an elongate member on a hard material to extend from a surface of the hard material at a predetermined angle relative to said surface, substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in any one or more of Figures 5 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.

Thus according to the invention, in a particular embodiment, there - 5 is provided a domed plate with a central hole for placement over a bolt projecting from a hard material or concrete floor. Suitably the bolt is set in the concrete or other hard material, preferably by means of an epoxy resin, with a threaded portion extending upwardly through the hole in the domed plate. This central hole in the domed plate is preferably/ formed as a slot. A sleeve having an internally threaded portion, which may/ be a nut located in use of the mounting assembly within the sleeve, is fastened over the bolt and tightened down against the domed plate, such as by means of a key co-operating with a hole in the side of the sleeve. In this manner, tightening may be achieved by rotating the entire sleeve to tighten it over the bolt. The relative dispositions of the domed plate and the sleeve may be adjusted during the tightening operation, so as to ensure that the sleeve is upright when finally tightened down onto the plate.

The sleeve then defines a spigot, over which a hollow pole or further sleeve may be placed. This further sleeve may also be the leg of a machine and itself incorporate height adjustability with respect to other legs of the machine, to achieve levelling of the machine in the event of the structure being located on a slope. The initial locking sleeve or spigot and the outer pole or sleeve may be engaged together by a variety of means, for example by the inner sleeve having a series of circumferential grooves on its outer surface, into which the material of the outer sleeve is deformed, such as by a deforming device similar to a pipe cutter but using a blunt deforming tool in place of a cutting wheel. Deformation of the material of the outer sleeve into the circumferential groove or grooves of the inner sleeve achieves a locked-together structure.

Thus in the mounting arrangement of the invention, the spigot or locking sleeve is tightened securely to the foot plate or domed plate after the spigot is oriented in an upright disposition, in which it is substantially vertical. The mounting arrangement of the invention is applicable to any situation in which a hollow pole requires to be secured to concrete, including for example, structures such as bus stops and traffic signs. In factory circumstances, it may be applied - 6 to the fixing of protection barriers, wash basins and other equipment to sloping factory floors, as well as bollards.

The system of the invention is applicable to fixing a tube of inner diameter matched to the outer diameter of the locking sleeve or spigot. To achieve this, the inner sleeve or support tube is fixed in an upright orientation before the outer or object tube is applied, and the object tube may be fixed to the inner sleeve or support tube by a removable Allen screw or by a permanent fixing plug, or alternatively as already described by deformation of the outer tube.

Vertical or height adjustability may be provided by the inner sleeve or support tube being threaded and provided with a locking ring, so that the outer or object tube may be displaced relative to the inner sleeve or support tube by turning this locking ring. In this manner, height adjustment may readily be achieved. Height adjustment of this kind is particularly applicable to the fixing and levelling of object tubes linked together by some supported structure, such as applies in the case of the legs of equipment, tables, wash basins and the like.

Plastics packing strips may be interposed between the inner sleeve and the outer upright tubes to cater for non-standard diameter object tubes having an internal diameter greater than the external diameter of the locking or inner sleeve.

Particular advantages of the structure of the invention in at least certain of its embodiments are avoidance of dirt accumulation and avoidance of the mounting arrangement coming loose, which is a regular problem where grouting or shims are used underneath the foot to provide for levelling of the base structure.

Further advantageous features of the invention include an ability to allow electrical cables to feed from underneath the base portion of the structure into the upright tube, as well as alternative manners of securing the mounting arrangement in place, either with or without the - 7 upright tube in its final position.

The invention will now be described having regard to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a view of a bus stop on a sloping surface; Figure 2 shows a bollard fixed to a sloping factory floor; Figure 3 shows a first known method of fixing an upright member, such as a bus stop or traffic sign, to a sloping surface; Figure 4 shows a second method of fixing an upright member such as a bus stop or traffic sign pole, in a sloping surface; Figure 5 is an exploded view of an embodiment of mounting arrangement according to the invention; Figure 6 is a diagrammatic representation of the range of fixing angles available using the mounting arrangement of Figure 5; Figures 7 A to G are a series of diagrammatic representations showing the various steps involved in putting in place a mounting arrangement according to the invention; Figure 8 shows a first method of securing an outer tube to the fixing sleeve of an arrangement according to Figure 5; Figure 8A shows detail of the groove feature of Figure 8; Figure 9 shows an alternative method of securing an outer sleeve to the inner fixing sleeve of Figure 5; Figure 10 shows an adaptation of the structure of Figure 5e enabling it to accommodate outer tubes of large diameter, in particular - 8 tubes which are oversize for conventional socket-type reception on the spigot-defining fixing sleeve, in which intermediate packing pieces are used between the object tube and the inner sleeve, and Figure 11 shows a further modification of the.arrangement of Figure 5 for facilitating adjustment in a vertical direction of the disposition of an outer tube or sleeve on the fixing sleeve.

Figure 1 shows a tubular bus stop sign 1 or other traffic sign fixed to a sloping concrete footpath 2. It will be apparent that special measures are required to ensure that the bus stop 1 is upright or vertical when the material on which it is supported or into which it is inserted defines an inclined or sloping surface 2.

Figure 2 shows a bollard Π put in position on a sloping factory floor 12. The bollard 11 thus also slopes, unless special measures are taken to ensure that its upper surface is horizontal.

Figure 3 shows a first known technique for achieving verticality of an upright pole 1 such as a bus stop on a sloping surface 2. First of all, four holes are drilled in the footpath or other hard surface on which the pole 1 is to be set up. Four anchor bolts 3 are then put in place. Shims or washers are placed over the bolts 3 and a base plate 4 is put in position over the bolts and shims or washers and nuts 5 are screwed down on to the anchor bolts 3. The base plate 4 is provided with a central socket 6 which is welded to the base plate. The tubular support 1 for the sign is then put in position in this socket 5. Next, it is necessary to check that the tubular upright or support 1 is vertical. If this is not the case, it is necessary to remove it from the base plate 4, to again remove the base plate 4 and adjust the shims as necessary to ensure verticality of the tubular support 1. It may require some repetitions of this process to secure perfect verticality of the support pole 1. Final fixing of the mounting arrangement then takes place and the support tube 1 is engaged with the welded base socket 6, for example by means of a transverse bolt or pin.

„ Q _ The cavity under the plate may then be filled up using for example epoxy grout 7.

A more traditional method is shown in Figure 4, in which the surface of the concrete foot path 2 is first broken out. The subsoil underneath is then dug out to form a hole 8 approximately 500 mm in diameter and 750 mm deep. The support tube 1 is stood into the hole and supported in an upright position using bricks or stones. The hole 8 is then backfilled with concrete 9 and the surface of the concrete path again made good with an acceptable finish. The remaining spoil requires to be taken away and the pole 1 protected for some twenty-four hours until the concrete 9 has set.

The method of Figure 4 is relatively expensive, taking up to half a day, requiring the labour of two men, and needing a jack hammer and concrete, as well as facilities to remove spoil. While it provides good permanent fixing, the pole 1 cannot be removed other than by cutting it off at the level of the footpath 2 or by digging up the concrete 9.

The method of Figure 3 is less expensive in both time and labour, but the fixing is open to removal or damage by vandals. In addition, there is an untidy appearance in the base area 4, as well as its possibly constituting an unhygienic arrangement or dirt trap and perhaps also a hazard for passers-by. Furthermore, the epoxy grout 7 is prone to break away from under the plate 4. A further particular disadvantage of this mounting structure is that it is also difficult to obtain absolutely vertical alignment.

Referring now to Figure 5, the invention provides a device to facilitate fixing of a tube or pipe in a perfectly upright or vertical disposition to a concrete or masonry base. The device of the invention especially allows the pipe to be fixed precisely vertically or upright, even when the base is sloping, in other words when the base surface is not at right angles to the vertical. - 10 As shown in the exploded view of Figure 5, a fixing bolt 21 which is embedded into the concrete holds the other parts of the mounting arrangement of the invention together and in turn secures the whole unit to the surface of the base material. A sleeve or securing member 22 is screwed to this fixing or anchor bolt 21, and the object tube 23, which may be defined as the support tube for the item or structure to be supported, is fitted over the sleeve 22. A part-spherical cup 24 oriented with its outer or convex surface directed upwardly is clamped between the sleeve 22 and the surface of the base material to which the unit is to be fixed. The object tube 23, i.e. the tube or pipe which is required to be supported, is then in turn secured to the sleeve portion 22 of the device by one or more of a variety of means to be described.

The generally part-spherical cup 24 is in the form of a sectoral area of a sphere which is pressed down when the sleeve 22 is tightened up so that its open or concave or dished side faces onto the surface of the base material. A slot 25 extends from the centre of this domed plate or part-spherical cup 24 towards, but not to, the periphery of the cup to allow the fixing bolt 21 to pass through the domed cup 24 at a diversity of different angles, depending on the inclination of the base surface.

Within the screw-on sleeve 22, an apertured infill plate 26 is provided adjacent to the lower end 27 of the sleeve portion 22. An opening 28 in the centre of this infill plate 26 is over-size with respect to the fixing bolt 21, in other words, there is substantial tolerance between the outer diameter of the bolt 21 and the inner diameter of the hole 28, and this allows the fixing bolt 21 to pass loosely through this hole 28. The relatively loose fit of the sleeve 22 on the bolt 21 thus gives the device sufficient tolerance to allow the sleeve 22 to be set perfectly vertical, even though the fixing bolt 21 is not necessarily vertical. Within the sleeve, a nut 29 is accommodated, the nut being provided with wings 31 to engage inwardly extending protrusions 32 on the inner wall of the sleeve 22. Abutment of the wings 31 against the protrusions 32 enables the nut 29 to be - 11 prevented from rotating relative to the sleeve 22. In this way, when the sleeve 22 itself is rotated, the nut 29 is also rotated with the sleeve 22, and in this manner, the rotation of the sleeve 22 leads to the sleeve 22 being tightened down so that its lower end 27 abuts firmly onto the spheroidal surface of the central domed plate 24, to hold the entire structure together. Essentially therefore, by means of the nut 29, the sleeve 22 is screwed onto the anchor bolt 21 against the domed or part spherical cup 24, the circular end 27 of sleeve 22 bearing down onto the spheroidal surface of sectoral cup 24.

Figure 6 shows a range of fixing angles available with the arrangement of the invention as shown in Figure 5, the diagram showing the disposition of the fixing bolt 21 varying relative to that of the domed or part spherical plate 24. In practice, however, the bolt 21 will normally be approximately vertical and the surface 33 on which the domed plate 24 is placed will have a greater or lesser degree of inclination. The relative effect is however the same as that depicted in Figure 6.

Referring now to Figure 7, the sequence of steps involved in fixing a bus stop sign 41 to a sloping concrete footpath 42 is depicted. In Figure 7A, the concrete 42 is first drilled 43 to receive a chemical anchor bolt 41. The hole 44 is drilled roughly perpendicular, or as near to perpendicular as the operative can effectively achieve.

Referring to Figure 7B, the adhesive chemical bolt 21 is set into the hole 44, leaving approximately 120 mm of bolt 21 protruding upwardly. The bolt 21 is then left for the chemicals to set, which typically takes one hour.

The spherical cup 24 of the mounting arrangement is then placed over the bolt 21, Figure 7C, so that the part spherical cup 24 lies flat on the concrete path 42, with its convex surface directed upwardly. The transversely extending slotted hole 25 in the cup 24, - 12 extending away from the centre of the part spherical structure 24, allows the domed plate 24 to be positioned so that the line or axis of the bolt 21 passes approximately through the centre of curvature 45 of the part spherical domed plate 24.

The securing sleeve 22 is then placed over the protruding end of the bolt 21 Figure 7D. The nut 29 is placed in position, and the structure is then lightly tightened together by rotating the sleeve 22.

Referring now to Figure 7E, the support tube 41 with the sign or other object piece to be supported suitably attached, is placed over the sleeve 22 and adjusted until the desired degree of verticalitv is achieved. Adjustment of verticalitv is still possible because the device has not been fully tightened. When the required degree of verticalitv has been achieved, the support tube 41 is again removed and the device fully tightened up by rotating the sleeve 22 using for example a special wrench 46, indicated in Figure 7F, which suitably comprises a semi-circular head 47 with a protruding pin 48 for co-operating engagement or location in a hole provided in the tightening sleeve 22. This enables the sleeve 22 to be rotated without its external surface being damaged, so that the tightening operation does not result in any inhibition of the ability of the sleeve 22 to receive the object tube 41. Other potentially damaging tightening tools, such as pipe wrenches or vice grips, should preferably not be used.

In the final stage, Figure /G, the support tube 41 is slid back down over the tightening sleeve 22. The object or support tube 41 may then be rotated so that the bus stop or other sign is set in the desired direction or orientation. The tube 41 and sleeve 22 may then be fixed together as, for example by a conventional type of threaded stud, self tapping screw or plug, or by other means as subsequently further described.

Particular advantages of the arrangement provided by the invention - 13 are that it is less expensive, in that the amount of time required to put it in place is relatively short and in that it is a one-man job. A drill of modest size also suffices for setting the fixing bolt 21. Thus the placement task may be carried out more quickly and at less expense than using the known methods of Figures 3 and 4. The mode of fixing is also not obviously apparent and it is therefore substantially vandal-proof. A tube placed in position according to the invention may be removed when required by use of an electric drill to separate the support tube and fixing sleeve. The finished arrangement, as can be seen from Figure 7G, is also especially tidy and hygienic, and there are no cavities or crevices to trap dirt. An attractive appearance also results. No grout is required, while the structure makes it easy to achieve essentially perfect vertical alignment.

Figure 8 shows a first option for fixing the object or support tube 41 to the securing sleeve 22. The arrangement shown represents a variant from the use of a set screw, a self tapping area, or a snap-fit pin, such as already mentioned, the latter only being removable by drilling out. In the arrangement shown in Figure 8, an indentation groove 51 is provided in the outer surface of the wall of the fixing sleeve 22. The inner surface of the wall of the object tube 41 is pressed into this groove by using a tool such as a pipe cutter having a specially adapted blunt wheel. Thus the material of the object tube 41 is deformed 52 to provide positive grip of the object tube 41 on the tightening sleeve. This arrangement provides a very neat, vandal-proof fixing which cannot be removed without cutting through the pipe.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 9, a similar groove in the tightening sleeve 22 is engaged by indentations 53 formed in spots on the outer surface of the object tube 41. Thus in this instance, the material of the object or support tube 41 is deformed such as by using a blunt punch or a specially adapted clamp to provide the positive interengagement of tube 41 and sleeve 22. A neat and vandal proof fixing is again achieved, but in this instance, the structure may be taken apart by drilling out the deformed spots 53.

Using the arrangement shown in Figure 10, the mounting structure of the invention may be adapted to enable a single size of sleeve 22 to accommodate non-standard object tubes. To this end, vertical slots 61 may be provided in the tightening sleeve, over a portion of its height, into which I-shaped plastic packers 62 may be slid. The plastic packing strips 62 thus protrude outwardly from the outer surface of the tightening sleeve 22 and allow a tube 41 of significantly larger internal diameter than the outer diameter of the sleeve 22 to be securely engaged over the sleeve 22. The outer faces of these packing members 62 may readily be shaved by a knife or a rasp, to provide a good fit of the support tube 41 over the spacers 62. Thus by the use of packing members 62 of the type described, a smaller diameter tightening sleeve 22 may be enabled to accommodate a diverse range of sizes of support or object tube 41.

Height adjustment of the object tube 41 relative to a tightened securing sleeve 22 may be provided by the arrangement shown in Figure 11. As shown in this drawing, at least a lower portion 71 of the securing tube or sleeve 22 is threaded. A height adjustment ring 72 engaged on this threaded portion 71 serves to adjust the height of the object tube 41 by rotation of the height adjustment ring 72 relative to the tightening sleeve 22. The lower end 73 of the object tube 41 abuts against the upper end of the height adjustment ring 72. Thus rotation of the height adjustment ring 72 leads to linear displacement of this ring 72 in the direction of the axis of the tubular assembly, so that the height of the object tube 41 may be varied.

A tightening ring 74 may also be provided on this threaded portion 71, so that the structure may be tightened or loosened without removing the object tube 72. The tightening ring 74 is also located on the threaded portion 71 of the sleeve 22, below the height adjustment ring 72, and suitably extends beyond the end of the sleeve 22, so that the lower end 75 of the tightening ring 74 is in fact the portion of the structure that engages the upper surface of the domed base 24. Thus by rotating the tightening ring 74, the sleeve 22 can be tightened or loosened relative to the fixing bolt 21, so that the angle of the sleeve 22 can be adjusted without necessarily removing the object tube 41.

Referring now to Figure 12, there is shown a modification of the invention which is essentially similar to the embodiment of Figure 5, adapted however for the mounting of an object tube 123 of square or rectangular cross-section, as compared with the circular section or annular object tube 23 of Figure 5. All of the component parts of the arrangement of Figure 12 are identified by the same reference numerals as those applied to the correspoinding parts of Figure 5, with in each case the addition of 100.

In addition to the square section or rectangularity of the object tube 123, the only differences from the arrangement of Figure 5 reside in the provision of a matching square or rectangular cross-section fixing sleeve 122, the lower end 127 of which is shaped in a concave or curved manner, so as to enable rotation of the sleeve 122 when in engagement against or abutment with the orientation base or cup 124, in corresponding manner to the circular section end 27 of sleeve 22 of Figure 5. In all other particulars, the features of the construction of Figure 12 essentially equate to those of the embodiment of Figure 5.

The invention may also be applied to the mounting of object tubes of other cross-sections, including square, rectangular, hexagonal, or any other regular or irregular shape, by provision of an appropriately matching or shaped fixing sleeve, the lower end of which is profiled for rotational cooperation with the orientation base member in assembly of the arrangement of the invention. Thus the term tubular as used in the present text is not limited to tubes of circular or annular cross-section, or indeed to tubes of regular cross-section, but embraces a diversity of configurations of hollow elongate members, both regular and non-regular.

The invention is therefore particularly applicable to the fixing of any tube or post which is required to extend in a vertical - 16 direction, even though the surface from which the post or tube extends is sloping. The securing arrangement may however also be applied to a flat or horizontal surface. It may be used for bus stop signs, other forms of road sign, bollards, barriers, electric signs and fittings, animal pens, stair balustrades, foot rests of bar counters, table and equipment supports, and fencing posts.

It may also be applied to the mounting of tubes and pipes to extend in other directions, for example horizontal or at an angle to the horizontal, such as flagpoles, signs fixed to walls, the ends of barriers and rails, and structural steel members terminating on surfaces. It is applicable to any sizes of tube or pipe from as little as 10 mm up to 200 mm, although these sizes are not to be regarded as limiting and alternative dimensions may also be accommodated.

Claims (5)

1. An arrangement for mounting an elongate member on a hard material to extend from a surface of the hard material at a predetermined angle relative to said surface, comprising (a) a fastener portion for anchoring in said hard material, (b) a securing portion for cooperative association with said fastener member, said securing portion being connectible to said elongate member, and (c) an orientation portion for interposition between said securing member and said surface in an assembled condition of the mounting arrangement, wherein said orientation portion is outwardly convex from said surface towards said securing portion, and said securing portion is associatable with said fastener member in any one of a multiplicity of angular orientations relative to said surface within predefined limits to grippinglv engage said orientation portion between said securing portion and said surface.

2. A mounting arrangement according to Claim 1, wherein said securing portion comprises a tubular member and a fastener member in the form of a nut, said nut being displaceablv associated with said tubular member, said tubular member having an abutment region comprising an internal plate portion within said tubular member for engagement by said nut in said assembled condition of the mounting arrangement, said fastener portion comprising a bolt, said internal plate portion within said tubular member being apertured for passage of said bolt, and the diameter of the aperture of said internal plate portion being greater than the diameter of said bolt, said predefined limits of said multiplicity of angular orientations of said securing portion being substantially determined by engagement of said bolt with the periphery of said aperture.

3. A mounting arrangement according to Claim 2, wherein said elongate member is connectible to said tubular member in spigot and socket manner.

4. A mounting arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein said orientation portion comprises a sectoral surface section of a sphere having an aperture for passage of said fastener portion.

5. A mounting arrangement substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in any one or more of Figures 5 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.