Patent Application
20110147540
The invention relates to a mounting arrangement, and more specifically, relates to a mounting arrangement for connecting components to a machine.
Wires or cables are broadly used for electrical communications and providing electrical power in a machine. Additionally, hydraulic hoses may be routed throughout a machine to provide hydraulic fluid. Generally, a fastener is applied to these wires or cables to facilitate the routing of the wire, cables, or hose through the machine. Currently many different types of fastening points are used on structures, such as weld links, bosses, threaded blocks and so on that are welded to the machine.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,848,839 issued to Tillman (“the '839 patent”) discloses an elastomeric conduit clamp for supporting an elongate relative to a structure. The '839 patent provides a clamp with a ringed shape for cable fastening. However, the space available may not permit such a clamp. Furthermore, the closed ring shape limits the number of cables, wires, or hose that may be fastened.
In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a mounting arrangement for connecting components to a machine. The mounting arrangement may comprise a planar attachment portion shaped to attach the mounting arrangement to the machine and a neck portion extending from the planar attachment portion. The mounting arrangement may further include a head portion extending from the neck portion, and the head portion may include an end, a main section, and one or more retention ears extending from the main section disposed adjacent the end. The planar attachment portion, the neck portion, and the head portion are unitarily formed.
In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a machine comprising a frame. The machine may comprise a plurality of machine components connected by a wiring harness or hydraulic lines. The machine may further comprise a plurality of mounting arrangements attached to the frame, which includes a planar attachment portion, a neck portion extending from the planar attachment portion, and a head portion extending from the neck portion. The machine may further comprise a plurality of securing devices connecting the wiring harness or hydraulic lines to the plurality of mounting arrangements. The head portion of the plurality of mounting arrangements includes an end, a main section, and one or more retention ears extending from the main section disposed adjacent the end.
Planar attachment portion 10 facilitates easily attaching mounting arrangement 100 to machine and eliminating a rub-point. In one embodiment, planar attachment portion 10 is connected to machine by welding, such as plug welding, spot welding and bonding. In addition, planar attachment portion 10 may further include an aperture 11, which allows a threaded connection with machine. Alternatively, planar attachment portion 10 may also be rigidly connected to a machine by an adhesive.
As shown in
The head portion 30 extends from neck portion 20 and may include an end 301, a main section 302, and retention ears 36. Head portion 30 may be planar and extend generally parallel to planar attachment portion 10. Planar attachment portion 10, neck portion 20, and head portion 30 may be unitarily formed. In one embodiment, in order to strengthen mounting neck portion 20, one or more gussets may be included.
The retention ears 36 may include a first retention ear 33 and second retention ear 34 that project from main section 32 and may be disposed adjacent end 31, being opposite to each other about the main section 32. End 31 may be curved and such curve may start from first retention ear 33 and end at second retention ear 34. As can be seen in
Machine 200 also includes a plurality of components (not shown) connected by a wiring harness or hydraulic conduit 210. As shown in
To satisfy different mounting environments, head portion 30 of mounting arrangement 100 may vary. In the embodiments illustrated in
The disclosed mounting arrangement may be applicable to connecting components to a machine. The mounting arrangement may include a planer attachment portion, a neck portion and a head portion. Further, the planer attachment portion, the neck portion and the head portion may be unitarily formed. The planar attachment portion of mounting arrangement may be attached to frame of a machine. An assembly worker may position a wiring harness or hydraulic hose near a mounting arrangement and secure it to the head portion of the mounting arrangement with a securing device, such as a twist tie, clip, tinnerman clip, and other fasteners known in the art. The retention ears of the head portion may engage the securing device to prevent disconnection from mounting arrangement. The disclosed mounting arrangement benefits the assembly work by providing faster assembly and by not requiring a securing device to be fished through a fastening point such as a solid metal ring while holding wiring harness in place.
It is contemplated that the three portions of mounting arrangement may be altered for optimized use in different applications and different circumstances. Therefore, the manufacture process for mounting arrangement may include a two part, two station progressive die for forming the head portion and the planar attachment portion respectively. This allows decreasing the manufacture cost, and in the meantime increasing the universal application of the mounting arrangement.
