WO2005111487A1

WO2005111487A1 - A retainer

Info

Publication number: WO2005111487A1
Application number: PCT/IB2005/051571
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frank Stærke NIELSEN
Original assignee: Nielsen Frank Staerke
Priority date: 2004-05-17
Filing date: 2005-05-13
Publication date: 2005-11-24

Abstract

A retainer to mount in a groove (2) serves for retaining installations (4) like e.g. electrical wires, cables, tubes or hoses placed in the groove. The shape of at least one part of the retainer (1) is changeable to a shape where opposite faces (8) on the retainer are supporting against opposite sidewalls (6) of the groove in the mounted state of the retainer. The retainer is easy and quick to mount in the groove without any risk for injuring the installations.

Description

Description A RETAINER

[I] The present invention relates to a retainer to mount in a groove for retaining installations like e.g. electrical wires, cables, tubes or hoses placed in the groove, and also to a method for mounting the retainer in the groove and a method for producing the retainer.

[2] Such installations are often concealed in grooves formed in the surface of the walls, floor or ceiling of a room for thereby preventing the installations to appear as eyesores in the room.

[3] The installations are for being concealed laid in an open groove, which thereafter are filled with e.g. a cement - or mortar plaster.

[4] The installations are however usually not able to hold themselves into position during the process of laying the installations in the groove. They therefore need to be retained in the open groove in other ways.

[5] The installations are for instance often retained in the open groove by means of fasteners liker screws or nails, which however are strenuous and time consuming to use. In addition there always is a risk for injuring the installations while fixing the fasteners in the groove by means of tools like screwdrivers or hammers.

[6] The document GB 467054 discloses a retainer in the shape of a clip, which is provided with a tailpiece fitting into a dowel hole made in the bottom of the groove. The clip is anchored in the dowel hole by a filling of e.g. a cement plaster. The clip is in addition adapted to encircle e.g. a conduit positioned in the groove to hold this within the groove. In this way the risk for injuring the installations is eliminated. But forming the dowel holes in the bottom of the groove, afterwards anchoring the clip in the dowel hole by means of a plaster, and finally encircle the installations with the outer part of the clip are on the other hand very time-consuming and costly operations.

[7] In a first aspect of the invention a retainer of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is provided that effectively is able to retain installations, which are placed in an open groove formed in the surface, which is surrounding a room.

[8] In a second aspect of the invention a retainer of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is provided that can be mounted in the groove without any risk for injuring the installations.

[9] In a third aspect of the invention a retainer of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is provided that is quick and easy to mount in the groove.

[10] In a fourth aspect of the invention a retainer of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is provided that is simple and cheap to produce.

[II] The new and unique feature whereby this is achieved consist in that the shape of at least one part of the retainer is changeable, and that the shape of said at least one part of the retainer is adapted to be changed to a shape where opposite faces on the retainer are supporting against opposite sidewalls of the groove in the mounted state of the retainer.

[12] By means of this construction is advantageously obtained that the retainer easily and quickly can be mounted in the groove. Another advantage consists in that the mounting of the retainer can take place without any risk for injuring the installations.

[13] The coefficient of friction between the supporting faces of the retainer and the sides of the groove can according to the invention be larger than 0,3 for thereby securely keeping the retainer in position in the groove and this effect can furthermore be improved when the supporting faces are uneven.

[14] The retainer is according to the invention especially easy and quick to fix in the groove when at least the changeable part of the retainer is of an elastic material whereby the supporting faces of the retainer effectively will press against the sides of the groove loaded by the spring power of the ring.

[15] The retainer can according to the invention in a cheap and effectively functioning embodiment be shaped like an elastic ring whereby is obtained that the retainer with a very little consumption of materials is able to provide a relatively large elastic force in a pre-stressed state. Another advantage consists in that a ring-shaped retainer doesn't tend to weaken the finally filling of the groove.

[16] When the ring comprises two pairs of supporting faces formed on the ring and the supporting faces on the same side of the ring are separated by a mainly U-shaped gap can the pre-stressing of the elastic ring advantageously be carried out by means of a pliers which jaws are engaging each their gap whereby it is made particular convenient for the operator to mount the retainer in the groove.

[17] In another embodiment according to the invention can a ratchet rod extend through a co-operation ratchet opening formed in the elastic ring with an end part of the rod fixed to an area of the ring placed mainly diametrically opposite the ratchet opening. The retainer can easily be fixed in the groove by pulling the rod whereby the operator also is able to adjust the elastic force of the ring as required.

[18] The retainer doesn't need to be ring-shaped but can within the scope of the invention have any other appropriate shape.

[19] The retainer can for instance consists of an elastic strip and one or more clamps for the installations. This embodiment allows a row of retainers to be mounted in the groove after which the installations conveniently can be fixed in the groove by means of the clamps.

[20] The retainer can also consists of two co-operation wedges, which are mounted in the groove by moving the wedges against each other. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[21] The invention will be explained in greater detail below, describing only exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, in which [22] Fig. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of the retainer according to the invention, shown in a first state, [23] Fig. 2 shows in a second state the retainer of fig. 1 inserted in a fragmentarily shown groove with an installation, [24] Fig. 3 shows the same, but with the retainer in a third state,

[25] Fig. 4 shows, seen in perspective, the same, but with the groove filled with a plaster, [26] Fig. 5 is, shown in a first state, a front view of a second embodiment of the retainer according to the invention inserted in a fragmentarily shown groove with an installation, [27] Fig. 6 shows the same, but with the retainer in a second state,

[28] Fig. 7 shows in a first state a third embodiment of the retainer according to the invention, seen in perspective, [29] Fig. 8 shows in a second state, seen from the side, the retainer of fig. 7 mounted in a fragmentarily shown groove, [30] Fig. 9 shows the same, but with an installation fixed in a clamp of the retainer,

[31] Fig. 10 is, shown in a first state, a front view of a fourth embodiment of the retainer according to the invention inserted in a fragmentarily shown groove with an installation, and [32] Fig. 11 shows the same, but with the retainer in a second state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING [33] Fig. 1, 2 and 3 show a retainer in the shape of a ring 1 for retaining an installation placed in an open groove 2 in a wall 3. The installation can be of any kind like e.g. electric wires, cables, tubes or hoses, but is in the example shown an electric cable 4. [34] The groove 2 has a bottom 5 and two opposite facing sidewalls 6. The ring 1 is presumed to be of an elastic material like e.g. plastic or metal. [35] On each of two opposite sides of the ring 1 are formed two projections 7 with end faces 8. The projections on the same side of the ring are separated by a mainly U- shaped gab 9. [36] In fig. 1 is the elastic ring 1 in a stress-relieved first state in which the distance l between the end faces 8 is larger than the width a3 of the groove 2. [37] In fig. 2 is the ring in a pre-stressed second state where the distance a2 between the end faces 8 is smaller than the width a3 of the groove 2. The shape of the ring is changed from the first shape shown in fig. 1 to the second shape shown in fig. 2 by applying pressure on the ring from opposite sides of this in the direction of the arrows shown. [38] As seen in fig. 2 can the elastic ring, owing to the fact that the distance a2 between the end faces 8 of the projections 7 of the retainer 1 is smaller in the second state of the ring than the width a3 of the groove, easily and quickly be inserted into the groove with said end faces directed against the sidewalls of the groove. [39] The operator can use his fingers for applying the necessary pressure on the ring, but also advantageously use a pliers (not shown), which jaws then are engaging each their gap 4 on the elastic ring during pre-tensioning of this. [40] The ring is in fig. 3 in a still pre-stressed third state where the distance a3 between the end faces 8 corresponds to the width a3 of the groove 2. [41] The ring is brought into this third state by simply releasing the hold of the ring whereby the ring is allowed to expand until the end faces of the projections of the retainer are abutting the sidewalls of the groove loaded by the spring power of the ring. The friction between the end faces of the ring and the sidewalls of the groove now is keeping the ring in position in the groove thereby retaining the cable in the open groove. [42] The coefficient of friction is for improving said effect larger than 0,3. In addition to this or alternatively can the end faces furthermore be uneven. [43] The groove has in fig. 4 finally been filled by e.g. a cement - or mortar plaster 10 whereby the desired effect, that the cable cannot be seen, now is obtained since the cable has been fully concealed in the wall. [44] Fig. 5 and 6 show a second embodiment for a retainer 11 for retaining the cable 4 in the open groove 2. [45] The retainer 11 consists in this case of an elastic ring 12 and a ratchet rod 13 extending through a co-operation ratchet opening 14 formed in the ring, whereby an end part 15 of the rod is fixed to an area 16 of said ring placed mainly diametrically opposite the ratchet opening. [46] The elastic ring 12 has in a first state a width that is smaller than the width of the groove. The retainer can, as it appears from fig. 5, therefore easily and quickly be inserted into the groove. [47] The elastic ring is then, by pulling the ratchet rod in the direction of the arrow, brought into the second state shown in fig. 6 where the ring are pressed against the sidewalls 6 of the groove loaded by the spring power of the elastic ring thereby securing the retainer in the groove. [48] Fig. 7, 8 and 9 show a third embodiment for a retainer 17 for retaining the cable 4 in the open groove 2. [49] The retainer 17 consists in this case of an elastic strip 1 and a clamp 19 for the cable. It is pointed out that the retainer instead of only one clamp can be equipped with a number of clamps for fixating a number of cables.

[50] In fig. 7 is the strip 18 in a stress-relieved first state in which the distance between the end faces 20 of the strip is larger than the width of the groove.

[51] In fig. 8 is the elastic strip 18 of the retainer 17 brought into a pre-stressed second state by being forced into the groove in the direction of the arrow. In this second state is the strip 18 advantageously assuming a shape like a barb with the end faces 20 pressed against the sidewalls of the groove.

[52] The retainer is effectively kept in position in the groove because the strip is shaped like a barb, which is adapted to offer resistance against being removed from the groove.

[53] By using this third embodiment of the retainer according to the invention it is possible to first mount a row of retainers in the groove, as shown in fig. 8, and then fixing the cable in the clamps, as shown in fig. 9.

[54] Alternatively can the retainers be clamped upon the cable after which the retainers are mounted in the groove.

[55] Fig. 10 and 11 show a fourth embodiment for a retainer 21 for retaining the cable 4 in the open groove 2 with the sidewalls 6.

[56] The retainer 21 consists in this case of two co-operation wedges 22 movable in relation to each other.

[57] The shown wedges are hollow for thereby saving material and preventing the finally filling to be weakened of relatively large coherent pieces of material.

[58] The wedges can be two separated parts, but they can also be slidable interconnected by means of e.g. a key and slot connection (not shown).

[59] Each wedge of the retainer is in this case shaped like a right-angled triangle having a first cathetus 23, a second cathetus 24, and a hypotenuse 25.

[60] The retainer is in fig. 10 shown in a first state where it is assuming a width smaller than the width of the groove. As it appears can the retainer in this state therefore easily be inserted into the groove.

[61] The retainer is brought into the second state shown in fig. 11 by applying a pressure in the direction of the shown arrows upon the first cathetuses 23 of the wedges, which thereby are forced to slide in relation to each other along their hypotenuses resulting in that their second catethuses 24 are pressed against each their opposite sidewalls of the groove.

[62] The inclination of the hypotenuses and the coefficient of friction between the surfaces of said second catethuses and said sidewalls is chosen such that the cooperating wedges are self-locking for thereby effectively securing the retainer in the groove. [63] The invention is above described and on the drawing shown by means of only exemplary embodiments. Within the scope of the invention are many other embodiments however possible.

Claims

[1] A retainer to mount in a groove (2) for retaining installations (4) like e.g. electrical wires, cables, tubes or hoses placed in the groove, characterized in - that the shape of at least one part of the retainer (1,11,17,21) is changeable, and that the shape of said at least one part of the retainer is adapted to be changed to a shape where opposite faces (8,20,24) on the retainer are supporting against opposite sidewalls (6) of the groove in the mounted state of the retainer.

[2] The retainer according to claim 1, characterized in that the coefficient of friction between the supporting faces (8,20,24) of the retainer (1,11,17,21) and the surface of the sidewalls (6) of the groove (2) is larger than 0,3.

[3] The retainer according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting faces (8,20,24) of the retainer (1,11,17,21) are uneven.

[4] The retainer according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that at least the changeable part of the retainer (1,11,17,21) is made of an elastic material.

[5] The retainer according to claim 4, characterized in that the changeable part of the retainer (1,12) is shaped like a ring.

[6] The retainer according to claim 5, characterized in that the ring (1) comprises two pairs of opposite supporting faces (8) and that the s upporting faces on the same side of the ring are separated by a mainly U-shaped gap (9).

[7] The retainer according to claim 4, characterized in that the retainer comprises an elastic ring (12) and a ratchet rod (13) extending through a co-operation ratchet opening (14) formed in the ring, whereby an end part of the rod is fixed to an area (16) of said ring placed mainly diametrically opposite the ratchet opening.

[8] The retainer according to claim 4, characterized in that the retainer (17) comprises an elastic strip (18) and a clamp (19) for the installations (4).

[9] The retainer according to any of the claims 1 - 4, characterized in that the changeable part of the retainer (21) comprises two co-operation wedges (22).

[10] A method for mounting the retainer (1,11,17,21) according to claim 1 - 8 in a groove (2) for installations (4) like, electrical wires, cables, tubes and hoses placed in the groove, characterized in that the method is comprising the steps of, - producing the at least changeable part of the retainer of an elastic material, - applying pressure onto said changeable part, - inserting the retainer into the groove, - directing the support faces ((8,20,24)) against the sidewalls (6) of the groove, and releasing said pressure.

[11] The method according to claim 10, and where the changeable part of the retainer is shaped like a ring (1) with two pairs of opposite supporting faces (8), whereby the supporting faces on the same side of the ring are separated by a mainly U-shaped gap (9), characterized in that the method is comprising that pressure is applied onto the ring by means of a pliers which jaws are engaging each their gap on the ring.

[12] A method for producing the retainer according to claim 1 - 10, characterizing in that the retainer (1,11,17,21) is injection moulded in one piece.