WO2022034314A1 - Support band - Google Patents

Support band Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022034314A1
WO2022034314A1 PCT/GB2021/052071 GB2021052071W WO2022034314A1 WO 2022034314 A1 WO2022034314 A1 WO 2022034314A1 GB 2021052071 W GB2021052071 W GB 2021052071W WO 2022034314 A1 WO2022034314 A1 WO 2022034314A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
support
band
curved region
support band
curvature
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2021/052071
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Michael DEWHIRST
Paul Lewis
Original Assignee
Lentus Composites Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lentus Composites Limited filed Critical Lentus Composites Limited
Publication of WO2022034314A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022034314A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B2/00—Friction-grip releasable fastenings
    • F16B2/02—Clamps, i.e. with gripping action effected by positive means other than the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening
    • F16B2/06—Clamps, i.e. with gripping action effected by positive means other than the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening external, i.e. with contracting action
    • F16B2/08—Clamps, i.e. with gripping action effected by positive means other than the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening external, i.e. with contracting action using bands
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D07—ROPES; CABLES OTHER THAN ELECTRIC
    • D07B—ROPES OR CABLES IN GENERAL
    • D07B1/00—Constructional features of ropes or cables
    • D07B1/005—Composite ropes, i.e. ropes built-up from fibrous or filamentary material and metal wires
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D63/00—Flexible elongated elements, e.g. straps, for bundling or supporting articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
    • B66C1/00—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles
    • B66C1/10—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means
    • B66C1/12—Slings comprising chains, wires, ropes, or bands; Nets
    • B66C1/18—Band-type slings
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L3/00—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets
    • F16L3/08—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets substantially surrounding the pipe, cable or protective tubing
    • F16L3/12—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets substantially surrounding the pipe, cable or protective tubing comprising a member substantially surrounding the pipe, cable or protective tubing
    • F16L3/137—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets substantially surrounding the pipe, cable or protective tubing comprising a member substantially surrounding the pipe, cable or protective tubing and consisting of a flexible band

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a support band, and in particular to a support band in the form of a loop that, in use, extends around a support and around an object to be supported, such that the band transmits loads between the object and the support, thereby providing support for the object.
  • the invention relates, in particular, to a support band of a composite material.
  • support bands of the form outlined hereinbefore are well known.
  • a known issue with support bands of this type is that, when placed under load, not only is the band placed under tension and so, potentially, is subject to axially directed, stretching loads which can negatively impact upon the strength and working life of the band, but also such loads can result in limited relative sliding movement between parts of the band and the support, and the associated contact generated stresses can also negatively impact upon the working life of the band.
  • a support arrangement comprising a support and a support band to support an object spaced apart from the support, the support comprising a surface curvature around which the support band extends, the support band comprising a loop of a composite material, the loop including a curved region that extends around part of the surface curvature of the support, wherein the curved region is manufactured with a radius of curvature that is greater than the surface curvature, such that, at rest, voids are present between the support band and lateral parts of the support.
  • the radius of curvature of the band is greater than the radius of curvature of the support, this results in the formation of the voids where the band is not in contact with the support surface.
  • the curved region of the band may be of part elliptical form.
  • the support band Being of composite material, such as a unidirectionally wound composite fibre material, it will be understood that the support band is relatively rigid and will retain its shape in its rest condition, as manufactured. It will also be understood that the support may have a known cross section.
  • the present disclosure suggests manufacturing a support band with a larger diameter than the known cross section of the support structure.
  • the band When positioned on the support in a rest condition, without a load applied, the band may have a line contact, or near-line contact, at the apex of the support surface, such that the band material extending laterally of the line contact extends spaced by a distance from lateral parts of the support surface.
  • Such arrangements are advantageous in that, when the band is placed under load, flexing and straightening of parts of the band may bring the band into contact with parts of the support, thereby wrapping parts of the band around portions of the curvature of the support, but significant sliding movement between the band and the support is avoided, thereby reducing sliding friction between the band and the support surface while the band bends and/or deforms to close the gap between it and lateral parts of the support. Accordingly, the damage that may otherwise arise from the occurrence of such sliding movement may be avoided, and the useful working life of the band may be enhanced.
  • any stretching or extension of the band may occur over a greater length of the band, at portions of the band not yet in contact with the support surface, resulting in the stresses associated therewith being spread over a longer length of the band, again resulting in an increase in the useful working life of the band.
  • the arrangement may comprise a plurality of support bands located on the support.
  • the invention further relates to a support band for use with the above-mentioned support arrangement, the support band comprising a loop of a composite material, the loop including a curved region that, in use, extends around part of said support to be provided, wherein the curved region is manufactured with a curvature that it maintains when slung around said support until subjected to a load.
  • the band is preferably of a fibre reinforced composite material.
  • it may be of carbon or glass fibre reinforced form.
  • the present disclosure includes a method of supporting an object relative to a support using a support band, wherein the support comprises a surface curvature for location of the support band, and the method comprises providing a support band comprising a loop of a composite material, the support band comprising a curved region that is manufactured with a radius of curvature that is greater than the surface curvature, positioning the curved region of the support band around the surface curvature of the support in a manner leaving voids between the support band and lateral parts of the support, and supporting an object relative to the support using the support band.
  • the method may further comprise allowing the support band to straighten under a load to thereby close the gaps between it and the lateral parts of the support, thereby to come in contact with the lateral parts of the support, and maintaining the object in a static condition spaced apart from the support.
  • the method may further comprise tensioning the support band by increasing a distance of the object relative to the support, whereby the support band may straighten.
  • the tensioning may be carried out by a ratchet type mechanism and/or by a threaded mechanism.
  • the tensioning may be carried out by moving either the support, or the object, or both the support and the object, to increase the distance therebetween. Once a desired position of the object is achieved and/or once a desired degree of tensioning of the support band is achieved, the support band may remain static.
  • the support band straightens when the load is applied, from a condition prior to the application of a load in which the support band is in a rest condition characterised by the presence of curved loop portions laterally spaced from the support.
  • Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a support arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 2 is a view illustrating part of the embodiment of Figure 1 in greater detail, at rest, without a load of an object applied;
  • Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 3 illustrating the support arrangement in use.
  • a support arrangement comprising a support 10 of generally circular cross sectional shape, an object 12, also of generally circular cross sectional shape and intended to be supported by the support 10, and a support band 14 encircling both the support 10 and the object 12 such that the object 12 is slung beneath and supported by the support 10.
  • the object 12 may be suspended in a spaced-apart relationship from the support 10, whereby the support band 14 is subject to loads urging it into a straightened condition.
  • the support arrangement may be part of a superconductor or cryogenic structure in which thermal insulation is sought between the support 10 and the object 12.
  • the object 12 may be held in a concentric arrangement relative to another structure (not shown in the Figures).
  • One or both of the support 10 and the object 12 may comprise conductive materials such as metal, in particular steel. Once installed, the arrangement may remain in place practically for the lifetime of an installation, in the region of several years or longer.
  • the purpose of the support band 14 is to maintain the object 12 in a spaced-apart relation relative to the support 10.
  • the support band 14 may be under tension.
  • the tension may be kept at a constant, static level.
  • the support band 14 is in a static condition.
  • 'static condition' it is meant that the support band 14 and or the object 12 are immobilised in a stable configuration relative to the support 10, supported via the support band 14. In the static condition, movement between the support band 14 and the support 10 is not desired.
  • the support band 14 is of carbon or glass fibre reinforced, composite material form and takes the form of a loop, made up of a pair of straightened sections 16 that, in this embodiment, extend substantially parallel to one another, and a pair of curved regions 18, 20.
  • band 14 may be of relatively low weight whilst being of good load bearing capacity.
  • the first curved region 18 is of a radius of curvature substantially matching the radius of curvature of the object 12.
  • the second curved region 20 is the part of the support band 14 that, in use, extends over and around a part of the support 10.
  • the second curved region 20, in this embodiment, is of a radius of curvature A' greater than the radius of curvature A" of the support 10.
  • first and second voids 22, 24 are formed between the support band 14 and adjacent parts of the support 10 to each side of the support 10.
  • the voids 22, 24 are arranged laterally, relative to the support, and a notional horizontal line passing through the centre of the support passes through both of the voids 22, 24.
  • the sections 16 between the curved regions 18, 20 may, before application of a load, not have been straightened and may have a bowed shape with a radius much larger than the curved regions 18, 20.
  • the band 14 When under load, as shown in Figure 3, the band 14 flexes and deforms. The flexing and deformation of the band 14 may result in extension thereof. In addition, additional bending of the second curved region 20 occurs resulting in the area of contact between the band 14 and the support 10 being extended. Thereby, portions of the band 14 wrap more closely around the semicircular portion of the support 10. It will be appreciated that the original contact line between the band 14 and the apex of the support 10 is for practical purposes maintained during application of the load. Therefore, additional bending occurs without significant sliding movement occurring between the band 14 and the surface of the support 10. As a consequence, the contact stresses that typically occur with a conventional design of band are avoided, and so the useful working life of the band can be enhanced.
  • the stretching that occurs upon the band being placed under load can occur over an extended length of the band, as a result of an extended length of the band not being in contact with the support 10 prior to the application of the load.
  • the band can more readily be designed to be able to withstand a given extension generated stress level, and so the working life of the band 14 can be enhanced.
  • the length of the band, and therefore the area across which tensile stress forces may be distributed may further be increased by providing a band with sections 16 that are formed with a bow, or curvature.
  • the stretching may be in the region of a few millimetres or less and may not be noticeable by macroscopic observation.
  • the band of the invention can be characterised by fatigue testing batches of bands for a given support geometry (such as support curvature or radius).
  • a tangent location is defined as the location or edge on the support surface where the support band, when under tension, transitions from being in contact with the support surface to no longer being in contact with the support surface.
  • matching-diameter support bands have a curved region that matches the contact surface curvature of the support diameter and "larger-diameter” support bands have a curved region of larger diameter than the contact surface curvature of the support.
  • matching-diameter support bands are expected to break with a greater likelihood at the tangent location, where different stress and friction forces accumulate.
  • larger-diameter support bands are expected, once reaching a given fatigue condition, to break at a random location along the loop. While, for a given sample size, random locations may include tangent locations, for a larger sample size of bands a more random break pattern would be expected to be observed in larger-diameter bands than in matching-diameter bands.
  • the voids 22, 24 result from the difference in the radii of curvature of the band 14 and the support 10, it will be appreciated that the voids 22, 24 may be achieved in other ways.
  • the second curved region 20 may be of part elliptical shape, with the support 10 being of circular cross sectional shape, leading to the spacing of parts of the curved region 20 from the support 10, and hence in the formation of the voids 22, 24.
  • the curved region 20 may include sections of different radii of curvature. By way of example, it may include a central part with a radius of curvature matching that of the support 10, and outer parts with a larger radius of curvature to result in the formation of the voids 22, 24.
  • the band 14 may comprise a seating region for location on the support 10 that reduces the likelihood of the band 14 slipping laterally (i.e. away from the apex of the support 10).
  • These merely represent examples of shapes of the curved region 20 that may give rise of the formation of the voids 22, 24 spacing the band 14 laterally from parts of the support 10, and the invention is not restricted in this regard.
  • the contact between the band 14 in its rest condition and the support 10 may be a line contact, or may be no more than an arc (viewed in section) of 90 degrees, 80 degrees, 70 degrees, 60 degrees, 50 degrees, 40 degrees, 30 degrees, 20 degrees, or 10 degrees.
  • the support 10 Whilst the support 10 has been illustrated in the Figures as being of circular crosssection, it may be of semi-circular cross-section.
  • the cross-section may comprise an arc of a circle of at least 180 degrees, at least 190 degrees or at least 200 degrees (with reference to a 360 degrees full circle).
  • the support 10 provides, thereby, a semi-circular contact surface for the support band.

Abstract

A support band (14) is described comprising a loop of a composite material, the loop including a curved region (20) that, in use, extends around part of a support (10), wherein the curved region (20) is of a curvature such that, at rest, voids are present between the band (14) and lateral parts of the support (10). When the support band (14) is used to support an object (12) from the support (10), the support band (14) needs bend to close the void before coming into contact with lateral parts of the support (10), whereby contact friction is avoided between the support band (14) and the support (10).

Description

SUPPORT BAND
This invention relates to a support band, and in particular to a support band in the form of a loop that, in use, extends around a support and around an object to be supported, such that the band transmits loads between the object and the support, thereby providing support for the object. The invention relates, in particular, to a support band of a composite material.
The use of support bands of the form outlined hereinbefore is well known. A known issue with support bands of this type is that, when placed under load, not only is the band placed under tension and so, potentially, is subject to axially directed, stretching loads which can negatively impact upon the strength and working life of the band, but also such loads can result in limited relative sliding movement between parts of the band and the support, and the associated contact generated stresses can also negatively impact upon the working life of the band.
It is an object of the invention to provide a support band in which at least some of the disadvantages associated with known bands are overcome or are of reduced impact.
According to the present invention there is provided a support arrangement comprising a support and a support band to support an object spaced apart from the support, the support comprising a surface curvature around which the support band extends, the support band comprising a loop of a composite material, the loop including a curved region that extends around part of the surface curvature of the support, wherein the curved region is manufactured with a radius of curvature that is greater than the surface curvature, such that, at rest, voids are present between the support band and lateral parts of the support. As the radius of curvature of the band is greater than the radius of curvature of the support, this results in the formation of the voids where the band is not in contact with the support surface. For instance, where the support is of circular cross-sectional shape, the curved region of the band may be of part elliptical form. Being of composite material, such as a unidirectionally wound composite fibre material, it will be understood that the support band is relatively rigid and will retain its shape in its rest condition, as manufactured. It will also be understood that the support may have a known cross section. Counterintuitively, the present disclosure suggests manufacturing a support band with a larger diameter than the known cross section of the support structure. When positioned on the support in a rest condition, without a load applied, the band may have a line contact, or near-line contact, at the apex of the support surface, such that the band material extending laterally of the line contact extends spaced by a distance from lateral parts of the support surface.
Such arrangements are advantageous in that, when the band is placed under load, flexing and straightening of parts of the band may bring the band into contact with parts of the support, thereby wrapping parts of the band around portions of the curvature of the support, but significant sliding movement between the band and the support is avoided, thereby reducing sliding friction between the band and the support surface while the band bends and/or deforms to close the gap between it and lateral parts of the support. Accordingly, the damage that may otherwise arise from the occurrence of such sliding movement may be avoided, and the useful working life of the band may be enhanced.
Furthermore, any stretching or extension of the band may occur over a greater length of the band, at portions of the band not yet in contact with the support surface, resulting in the stresses associated therewith being spread over a longer length of the band, again resulting in an increase in the useful working life of the band.
The arrangement may comprise a plurality of support bands located on the support. The invention further relates to a support band for use with the above-mentioned support arrangement, the support band comprising a loop of a composite material, the loop including a curved region that, in use, extends around part of said support to be provided, wherein the curved region is manufactured with a curvature that it maintains when slung around said support until subjected to a load.
The band is preferably of a fibre reinforced composite material. By way of example, it may be of carbon or glass fibre reinforced form.
The present disclosure includes a method of supporting an object relative to a support using a support band, wherein the support comprises a surface curvature for location of the support band, and the method comprises providing a support band comprising a loop of a composite material, the support band comprising a curved region that is manufactured with a radius of curvature that is greater than the surface curvature, positioning the curved region of the support band around the surface curvature of the support in a manner leaving voids between the support band and lateral parts of the support, and supporting an object relative to the support using the support band.
The method may further comprise allowing the support band to straighten under a load to thereby close the gaps between it and the lateral parts of the support, thereby to come in contact with the lateral parts of the support, and maintaining the object in a static condition spaced apart from the support.
The method may further comprise tensioning the support band by increasing a distance of the object relative to the support, whereby the support band may straighten. The tensioning may be carried out by a ratchet type mechanism and/or by a threaded mechanism. The tensioning may be carried out by moving either the support, or the object, or both the support and the object, to increase the distance therebetween. Once a desired position of the object is achieved and/or once a desired degree of tensioning of the support band is achieved, the support band may remain static.
It will be appreciated that the support band straightens when the load is applied, from a condition prior to the application of a load in which the support band is in a rest condition characterised by the presence of curved loop portions laterally spaced from the support.
The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a support arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a view illustrating part of the embodiment of Figure 1 in greater detail, at rest, without a load of an object applied; and
Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 3 illustrating the support arrangement in use.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, a support arrangement is illustrated comprising a support 10 of generally circular cross sectional shape, an object 12, also of generally circular cross sectional shape and intended to be supported by the support 10, and a support band 14 encircling both the support 10 and the object 12 such that the object 12 is slung beneath and supported by the support 10. The object 12 may be suspended in a spaced-apart relationship from the support 10, whereby the support band 14 is subject to loads urging it into a straightened condition. To provide an illustrative example, the support arrangement may be part of a superconductor or cryogenic structure in which thermal insulation is sought between the support 10 and the object 12. The object 12 may be held in a concentric arrangement relative to another structure (not shown in the Figures). One or both of the support 10 and the object 12 may comprise conductive materials such as metal, in particular steel. Once installed, the arrangement may remain in place practically for the lifetime of an installation, in the region of several years or longer.
It will be understood that, when the object 12 is supported, the purpose of the support band 14 is to maintain the object 12 in a spaced-apart relation relative to the support 10. The support band 14 may be under tension. The tension may be kept at a constant, static level. Under load and once the object 12 is supported, the support band 14 is in a static condition. By 'static condition', it is meant that the support band 14 and or the object 12 are immobilised in a stable configuration relative to the support 10, supported via the support band 14. In the static condition, movement between the support band 14 and the support 10 is not desired.
The support band 14 is of carbon or glass fibre reinforced, composite material form and takes the form of a loop, made up of a pair of straightened sections 16 that, in this embodiment, extend substantially parallel to one another, and a pair of curved regions 18, 20.
The use of composite materials is advantageous in that the band 14 may be of relatively low weight whilst being of good load bearing capacity.
The first curved region 18 is of a radius of curvature substantially matching the radius of curvature of the object 12. The second curved region 20 is the part of the support band 14 that, in use, extends over and around a part of the support 10.
The second curved region 20, in this embodiment, is of a radius of curvature A' greater than the radius of curvature A" of the support 10. As a consequence, when the support band 14 is not under load as shown in Figure 2, first and second voids 22, 24 are formed between the support band 14 and adjacent parts of the support 10 to each side of the support 10. The voids 22, 24 are arranged laterally, relative to the support, and a notional horizontal line passing through the centre of the support passes through both of the voids 22, 24. The sections 16 between the curved regions 18, 20 may, before application of a load, not have been straightened and may have a bowed shape with a radius much larger than the curved regions 18, 20.
When under load, as shown in Figure 3, the band 14 flexes and deforms. The flexing and deformation of the band 14 may result in extension thereof. In addition, additional bending of the second curved region 20 occurs resulting in the area of contact between the band 14 and the support 10 being extended. Thereby, portions of the band 14 wrap more closely around the semicircular portion of the support 10. It will be appreciated that the original contact line between the band 14 and the apex of the support 10 is for practical purposes maintained during application of the load. Therefore, additional bending occurs without significant sliding movement occurring between the band 14 and the surface of the support 10. As a consequence, the contact stresses that typically occur with a conventional design of band are avoided, and so the useful working life of the band can be enhanced.
Furthermore, compared to a traditional design of support band, the stretching that occurs upon the band being placed under load can occur over an extended length of the band, as a result of an extended length of the band not being in contact with the support 10 prior to the application of the load. By increasing the length of the band over which stretching occurs, the band can more readily be designed to be able to withstand a given extension generated stress level, and so the working life of the band 14 can be enhanced. The length of the band, and therefore the area across which tensile stress forces may be distributed, may further be increased by providing a band with sections 16 that are formed with a bow, or curvature. The stretching may be in the region of a few millimetres or less and may not be noticeable by macroscopic observation. It is believed that the band of the invention can be characterised by fatigue testing batches of bands for a given support geometry (such as support curvature or radius). To this end, a tangent location is defined as the location or edge on the support surface where the support band, when under tension, transitions from being in contact with the support surface to no longer being in contact with the support surface. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the following differentiation is expected to be observable between "matching-diameter" support bands and "larger-diameter" support bands, wherein "matching-diameter" support bands have a curved region that matches the contact surface curvature of the support diameter and "larger-diameter" support bands have a curved region of larger diameter than the contact surface curvature of the support. Once subjected to a load and reaching a given fatigue condition, matching-diameter support bands are expected to break with a greater likelihood at the tangent location, where different stress and friction forces accumulate. In contrast, larger-diameter support bands are expected, once reaching a given fatigue condition, to break at a random location along the loop. While, for a given sample size, random locations may include tangent locations, for a larger sample size of bands a more random break pattern would be expected to be observed in larger-diameter bands than in matching-diameter bands.
Whilst in the description hereinbefore, the voids 22, 24 result from the difference in the radii of curvature of the band 14 and the support 10, it will be appreciated that the voids 22, 24 may be achieved in other ways. By way of example, the second curved region 20 may be of part elliptical shape, with the support 10 being of circular cross sectional shape, leading to the spacing of parts of the curved region 20 from the support 10, and hence in the formation of the voids 22, 24. Alternatively, the curved region 20 may include sections of different radii of curvature. By way of example, it may include a central part with a radius of curvature matching that of the support 10, and outer parts with a larger radius of curvature to result in the formation of the voids 22, 24. The band 14 may comprise a seating region for location on the support 10 that reduces the likelihood of the band 14 slipping laterally (i.e. away from the apex of the support 10). These merely represent examples of shapes of the curved region 20 that may give rise of the formation of the voids 22, 24 spacing the band 14 laterally from parts of the support 10, and the invention is not restricted in this regard. The contact between the band 14 in its rest condition and the support 10 may be a line contact, or may be no more than an arc (viewed in section) of 90 degrees, 80 degrees, 70 degrees, 60 degrees, 50 degrees, 40 degrees, 30 degrees, 20 degrees, or 10 degrees.
Whilst the support 10 has been illustrated in the Figures as being of circular crosssection, it may be of semi-circular cross-section. The cross-section may comprise an arc of a circle of at least 180 degrees, at least 190 degrees or at least 200 degrees (with reference to a 360 degrees full circle). The support 10 provides, thereby, a semi-circular contact surface for the support band.
Whilst a specific embodiment of the invention has been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated that a wide range of modifications and alterations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

9 CLAIMS:
1. A support arrangement comprising a support and a support band to support an object spaced apart from the support, the support comprising a surface curvature around which the support band extends, the support band comprising a loop of a composite material, the loop including a curved region that extends around part of the surface curvature of the support, wherein the curved region is manufactured with a radius of curvature that is greater than the surface curvature, such that, at rest, voids are present between the support band and lateral parts of the support.
2. An arrangement according to Claim 1, wherein the support is of circular cross- sectional shape and the curved region of the band is of part elliptical form.
3. An arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the band is of a fibre reinforced composite material.
4. An arrangement according to Claim 3, wherein the composite material is of carbon fibre reinforced form.
5. An arrangement according to Claim 3, wherein the composite material is of glass fibre reinforced form.
6. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of support bands located on the support.
7. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an object supported via the support band spaced-apart from the support.
8. A support band for use with an arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, the support band comprising a loop of a composite material, the loop including a curved region that, in use, extends around part of a support, wherein the curved region is manufactured with a curvature that it maintains when slung around said support unless placed under a load.
9. A method of supporting an object relative to a support using a support band, wherein the support comprises a surface curvature for location of the support band, the method comprising providing a support band comprising a loop of a composite material, the support band comprising a curved region that is manufactured with a radius of curvature that is greater than the surface curvature, positioning the curved region of the support band around the surface curvature of the support in a manner leaving voids between the support band and lateral parts of the support, and supporting an object relative to the support using the support band.
10. A method according to claim 9, comprising allowing the support band to straighten under a load to thereby come in contact with the lateral parts of the support, and maintaining the object in a static condition spaced apart from the support.
11. A method according to claim 10, comprising tensioning the support band by increasing a distance of the object relative to the support.
12. A method according to claim 11, comprising using a ratchet mechanism and/or a threaded mechanism to gradually increase the distance.
PCT/GB2021/052071 2020-08-10 2021-08-10 Support band WO2022034314A1 (en)

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GBGB2012401.2A GB202012401D0 (en) 2020-08-10 2020-08-10 Support band
GB2012401.2 2020-08-10

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GB202012401D0 (en) 2020-09-23

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