Patent Application
20080121764
1. Field
This relates to supports, for example for lines, tubes, cables, conductors and other elements, for example line support blocks, tubes support blocks, block clamps and similar structures.
2. Related Art
Line support blocks are silicone rubber or other rubber or other elastomeric or non-metallic structures having openings there through for receiving and supporting lines, cables, hydraulic tubes and other pass-through elements (referred to herein generically as “payload”). Line support blocks may come in a number of outer shapes, often conforming to the shape of an opening into which the line block is placed and secured. Line blocks can also have basic outer geometric shapes, such as square, rectangular, trapezoidal, round or combinations of shapes.
Line support blocks often include one or more than one opening through the block, to accommodate more than one payload. The size and shape of each opening is determined by the outside dimension and shape of the payload. Therefore, different line support blocks will be made to accommodate different sizes of payloads, and even more line support blocks may be needed when the size and shape of an opening for one payload is different than that for another payload. Additionally, line support blocks may need to be specially manufactured to accommodate the different sizes and number of payloads to be used at a particular location in a structure, for example in an aircraft or ship frame or other applications. With the larger number of configurations, the number of parts for inventory increases, and the number of different parts that a user may need to order or stock also increases.
Line supports are described that can have more flexible applications or uses, or they can be used with a wider range of payload configurations. For example, line supports are described that can accommodate a larger number of payload sizes, or that can be reconfigured from one payload size combination to another payload size combination, for example without a need for replacing the part. Methods are also described.
In one example of a payload support, the support structure may be configured to have a first wall for defining an opening for receiving a payload. At least part of the opening will have a first shape or first profile, for example arcuate, straight, angled, curved, or other shape. One or more other openings are formed in or through the support structure outward of the payload opening. By removing material from the structure between the payload opening and the one or more other openings, the payload opening can be made to have a different configuration, such as larger, a different shape, or both larger and a different shape, a different profile, or otherwise. In one example, the one or more other openings have a shape that is the same as or similar to the first shape of part of the opening. For example, where the payload opening is circular, part of the payload opening has a shape that is in part circular or arcuate. The shapes of the one or more other openings can also be partly circular or arcuate, and in one example, they have the same profile as the first profile. In another example, where the payload opening is triangular, the shape of part of the payload opening can be angular or can be straight, depending on which portion of the triangular payload opening is selected.
In another example of a payload support, the support structure may be configured to have one or more first openings that can be used to define a first payload opening, for example having a first size or first shape. One or more second openings are also formed in the support structure outward of the first openings, with support material in the area between the first openings and the second openings. In one configuration, the payload support can accommodate a first payload having a first configuration when the support structure interior to the first openings is removed, thereby forming the first payload opening (for example, having a first diameter). In another configuration, the payload support can accommodate a second payload having a second configuration (for example, having a larger diameter) by removing the material within the first opening and removing the material between the first opening and the second openings. In another example, third openings can be formed in the support structure outward of the second openings, and fourth and more openings can be formed outward of the third openings, thereby allowing configurations for accommodating larger payloads.
In a further example of a payload support, the support structure may be configured to have one or more first openings that can be used to define a first payload opening, for example having a first size or first shape. One or more second openings are formed in the support structure outward of the first openings, with support material in the area between the first openings and the second openings. The payload support can be used to support a first payload for a time in the first payload opening, and then the material between the first payload opening and second openings can be removed to support a second payload, for example having a larger diameter, thereafter.
In an additional example of a payload support, a support structure may be configured to have one or more first openings, slits or cuts defining a first region interior to the first openings. The material within the first region can be removed to define a first payload support opening. The material within the first region can be removed at the factory or in the field. The support structure may also be configured to have one or more second openings, slits or cuts defining a second larger region interior to the second openings. The material between the second openings on the outside and the first openings on the inside can be removed to define a second payload support opening larger than the first payload support opening. In one example, the one or more first openings define a circular opening having wall portions that are arcuate or follow a circular path. Each of the one or more second openings are also arcuate or follow portions of a circular path. When the material interior to the second openings is removed, a circular payload support opening is formed. One or more third openings can be formed outward of the one or more second openings, and so on, for allowing selective formation of different payload support configurations.
In any of the examples described herein, the payload support can be considered to have an outer perimeter surface. The outer perimeter surface may take any shape. An access slit or cut may be formed in the payload support extending from the outer perimeter surface to one of the outer openings, one of the second openings, and/or one of the first openings. The access slit may be used to insert the payload into the payload support opening defined by removing material from within the first openings, from within the second and first openings, from within the third, second and first openings, or otherwise.
In a further example, a support for a payload or other component passing from a first side of the support to a second side of the support includes a surrounding structure having an outer perimeter surface. A first inner wall defines a first opening with at least a part of the first opening having a first shape. A second inner wall defines a second opening or breach into or through the surrounding structure, positioned between the first inner wall and the outer perimeter surface, and having first and second sides separable from each other a first distance and wherein the first side has a length, for example an arc length, greater than the first distance and having a relaxed shape similar to the first shape. A third inner wall defines a third opening or breach into or through the surrounding structure, positioned between the first inner wall and the outer perimeter surface, and the third inner wall is unconnected to the second inner wall, and the second inner wall has third and fourth sides separable from each other a second distance and wherein the third side has a length greater than the second distance and has a relaxed shape similar to the first shape. The shape may be arcuate or partly circular or may be another shape. The first inner wall is interior to the second inner wall, which in turn is interior to the third wall, and so on.
In another example, a method of making a payload support element includes forming one or more first openings defining a first interior area having a first size for receiving a first payload. One or more second openings are formed outward or outboard of the one or more first openings, and as to which removal of all the material interior to the one or more second openings forms a second interior area having a second size for receiving a second payload having a configuration different from the first payload. In one example, the one or more first openings is a single, first circular opening and the second openings are arcuate slits or cuts formed in the payload support element outward of the first circular opening. If the payload support material between the second openings and the first circular opening is removed, a second circular opening may be formed having a diameter larger than the first circular opening. The second circular opening can then support a payload having a different configuration (for example, different diameter) than that accommodated in the first circular opening. In another example, one or more third openings and additional sets of openings may be formed outward of the third and each respective additional set of openings, and removal of the intervening material can form a payload opening for accommodating a payload having a different configuration. A slit or cut can also be formed to extend from an outer perimeter of the payload support element to one or more of the first, second or other openings. Each of the one or more openings can be formed by mechanical cutting, water jet cutting or by other methods.
In a further example of a method of making a payload support element, any of the methods described above can be used to produce a payload support having a desired configuration. Additionally, further first, second and additional sets of openings can be formed to provide an additional area for supporting a second or additional payload. The first payload configuration can be identical to or different from the configuration of the second or additional payload. The opening for the first payload can be formed by removing material from the payload support element interior to the first opening, interior to the second openings, interior to the third openings or to any additional openings. The opening for the second payload can be formed by removing material from the payload support element interior to the first, second, third or additional openings corresponding to the second payload support opening. Additional payloads can also be accommodated by forming appropriate sets of openings and selectively removing material sufficient to accommodate each additional payload.
In an additional example, a payload is supported by a payload support element by forming an opening for accommodating a particular payload configuration. The opening is formed by removing material interior to a plurality of pre-existing openings in the payload support element. The payload is then positioned in the opening. In one example, the opening is formed by removing arcuate sections of material to form a circular opening. In another example, the opening is formed by punching out one or more sections of material to form a payload opening. In another example, different size payloads can be supported by the same payload support element by removing material from a first region interior to a plurality of pre-existing openings in the payload support element, and removing material from a second region interior to a second plurality of pre-existing openings.
These and other examples are set forth more fully below in conjunction with drawings, a brief description of which follows.
This specification taken in conjunction with the drawings sets forth examples of apparatus and methods incorporating one or more aspects of the present inventions in such a manner that any person skilled in the art can make and use the inventions. The examples provide the best modes contemplated for carrying out the inventions, although it should be understood that various modifications can be accomplished within the parameters of the present inventions.
Examples of supports and of methods of making and using the supports are described. Depending on what feature or features are incorporated in a given structure or a given method, benefits can be achieved in the structure or the method. For example, the supports described may allow more flexibility in assembly and installation of components, for example in aircraft, and the like.
In some configurations of supports, improvements can be achieved also in assembly, and in some configurations, a relatively small number of support structures can be used to provide a larger number of configurations of supports. For example, a single support may be configured to accommodate a large number of payloads, such as by selectively removing material to change a particular opening configuration to another configuration.
These and other benefits will become more apparent with consideration of the description of the examples herein. However, it should be understood that not all of the benefits or features discussed with respect to a particular example must be incorporated into a component or method in order to achieve one or more benefits contemplated by these examples. Additionally, it should be understood that features of the examples can be incorporated into a component or method to achieve some measure of a given benefit even though the benefit may not be optimal compared to other possible configurations. For example, one or more benefits may not be optimized for a given configuration in order to achieve cost reductions, efficiencies or for other reasons known to the person settling on a particular product configuration or method.
Examples of a number of support configurations and of methods of making and using the supports are described herein, and some have particular benefits in being used together. However, even though these apparatus and methods are considered together at this point, there is no requirement that they be combined, used together, or that one component or method be used with any other component or method, or combination. Additionally, it will be understood that a given component or method could be combined with other structures or methods not expressly discussed herein while still achieving desirable results.
Circular tube supports are used as examples of a line support block that can incorporate one or more of the features and derive some of the benefits described herein. However, supports other than those described herein can benefit from one or more of the present inventions.
Payload supports can take a number of configurations, but one example will be discussed in the context of a line support block with respect to
In the configuration shown in the drawings, the support structure 102 is cut, formed or otherwise made into an upper block 116 and a lower block 118. Adjacent surfaces of the upper block 116 and the lower block 118 contact each other along a slit, cut, gap or contact area 120, along an approximate mid-horizontal plane of the support structure 102. In the present example, the line support block includes a U-channel 122 (
The support structure 102 (
The first support opening 126 is depicted in
The first support opening 126 includes a first wall 138A for partly defining an opening for receiving a payload. At least part of the wall, and in the present example shown in
A second plurality of openings are also formed in the support structure outward of the first walls 138A and 138B, with support material in the area between the first walls and the second openings. Specifically, an upper second opening 140A and a lower second opening 140B are formed in the support structure of the first region 132, each outward of respective first walls 138A and 138B. Additionally, the upper second opening 140A and the corresponding first opening 138A define between them a segment of material 142A, and lower second opening 140B and the corresponding first opening 138B define between them a segment of material 142B. Therefore, the payload support 100 can accommodate a first payload (such as circular payload 104) when the support structure interior to the first walls 138A and 138B is removed, thereby forming the first payload opening 126, having the diameter presented by the walls 138A and 138B. In another configuration, the payload support 100 can accommodate a second payload having a second configuration (for example, having a larger diameter) by removing the material within the first walls 138A and 138B, as well as the material between the first walls and the second openings 140A and 140B. Specifically, the segments 142A and 142B can also be removed, in addition to the material interior to the first walls 138A and 138B, to accommodate and support a second, larger diameter payload.
A third plurality of openings are also formed in the support structure outward of the second plurality of openings 140, and therefore also outward of the first walls 138A and 138B, with corresponding support material in the area between the third plurality of openings and the second plurality of openings. Specifically, an upper third opening 144A and a lower third opening 144B, as well as a left third opening 144C and a right third opening 144D, are formed in the support structure of the first region 132. Each of the third openings 144 is outward of adjacent second openings 140. Additionally, the upper third opening 144A and portions of the left and right third openings 144C and 144D, respectively, in the upper block 116 and the upper second opening 140A define between them a segment of material 146A. The lower third opening 144B and portions of the left and right third openings 144C and 144D, respectively, in the lower block 118 and lower second opening 140B define between them a segment of material 146B. Therefore, with the configuration of the first, second and third openings in the first region 132, the payload support 100 can accommodate the first payload such as circular payload 104 when the support structure interior to the first walls 138A and 138B is removed, forming the first payload opening 126. As discussed above, the first payload opening 126 has the diameter presented by the walls 138A and 138B, and if the material between the first walls and the second openings 140A and 140B are removed, such as by removing the segments 142A and 142B, the payload support 100 accommodates a second payload having a second configuration such as a larger diameter corresponding to the inside diameter defined by the outer walls of the openings 140A and 140B. Furthermore, the material interior to the third openings 144 can be removed by removing the segments 146A and 146B to accommodate a third payload configuration such as that having a larger diameter corresponding to the inside diameter defined by the outer walls of the third openings 144.
The fourth plurality of openings are also formed in the support structure outward of the second and third plurality of openings, with corresponding support material in the area between the fourth and third plurality of openings. Specifically, an upper left fourth opening 148A and an upper right fourth opening 148B, and a lower left fourth opening 148C and lower right fourth opening 148D are formed in the support structure of the first region 132. Each of the fourth openings 148 is outward of adjacent third openings 144. Additionally, the fourth openings 148 in the upper block 116 and the adjacent third openings define between them a segment of material 150A. The fourth openings 148 in the lower block 118 and the adjacent third openings define between them a segment of material 150B. Therefore, with the configuration of the first, second, third and fourth openings in the first region 132, the payload support 100 can accommodate the first payload such as the circular payload 104 in a first payload opening 126. A second payload configuration can be received and supported by removing the segments 142, a third payload configuration can be received and supported by removing the segments 146, and a fourth payload configuration can be received and supported by removing the segments 150.
As shown in
In the configuration of the payload support shown in
In some examples of payload supports configured in ways described herein, the segments form spacer elements. They space the payload the desired distance from the underlying support surface or from outer edges of the payload support. When such spacer elements are in place, they also space the payload the desired distance from the outer-most openings, such as openings 148A, 148B, 148C and 148D. The segments may also be considered filler elements, packing elements or support elements. In an example of filler elements, the elements fill the space between the opening on the outer surface of the respective element and the inner surface of that element. For example, the segment 146A fills the space between the opening 144A on the outside and the opening 140A on the inside. In an example of packing element, for instance, the segment provides packing between the adjacent outer opening and the adjacent inner opening. For example, the segment 146A packs the space between the opening 144A on the outside and the opening 140A on the inside. Also, if the payload outside dimension is larger than the inside dimension of the opening in which it is held, pressure from the packing elements helps to hold the payload in place. For the present discussion of present examples, the elements will be referred to as segments.
In the configuration of a payload support such as that described with respect to
Individual segments are held in place by linking or bridging material, webs or tabs 152 (
Within a given payload support region, the openings and the corresponding segments are preferably arranged to be concentric about a center, for example center 154. In the example shown in
In the example shown in
The openings can have configurations other than arcuate as shown in
The payload support blocks 116 and 118 can be formed from any suitable material, including those presently used for line support blocks. Materials may include plastic, including elastomeric materials, Neoprene, silicone, Teflon, other plastics, composites, wood, other non-metals, and other materials softer than metal. While metal can be used, non-metal materials are appropriate for many applications.
Segments can be removed to form larger payload openings using a suitable tool. For example, tubes with sharpened openings corresponding to the diameter of the desired payload can be used to remove segments. Typically a combination of tubes corresponding to the number of payload openings will be available to remove the segments to thereby form the openings. The tubes can be combined into a combination tool, with the tubes mounted concentrically.
Having thus described several exemplary implementations, it will be apparent that various alterations and modifications can be made without departing from the concepts discussed herein. Such alterations and modifications, though not expressly described above, are nonetheless intended and implied to be within the spirit and scope of the inventions. Accordingly, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative only.
This application claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/827,604, filed Sep. 29, 2006, incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60827604 | Sep 2006 | US |
