Mounting assembly

Abstract

A mounting assembly for mounting two generally parallel pipes in close proximity to each other and to an adjacent surface. The assembly is so arranged that the pipes are permitted a limited degree of freedom of movement in an axial direction. Additionally, the assembly is so arranged that the pipes may be readily secured and released therefrom.

Description

This invention concerns a mounting assembly for mounting two elongate members in close proximity to each other.

It is often required to mount two or more generally parallel pipes or other elongate members to a surface or other fixture in close proximity. Such mountings should generally allow the pipes a certain amount of freedom of movement, and particularly in an axial direction. It is however usually required to maintain the pipes close to the fixture. It is also desirable for the mounting to be readily secured and also released.

Prior arrangements have often not proved wholly satisfactory. For instance in one arrangement, two adjacent P shaped brackets have been used with only the stem of the P's being mounted to the fixture. Such mounting has however tended to sag away from the fixture.

According to the present invention there is provided a mounting assembly for mounting two generally parallel first and second elongate members, the assembly including a bracket with the first and second elongate members extendable substantially against a front side thereof, a first component engageable with the first elongate member, the first component having a mounting part selectively mountable to the bracket on the far side of the elongate member relative to the second elongate member; a containment part extending from the mounting part to define in conjunction with the bracket a loop through which the first elongate member is extendible; and a holding part extending from the containment part and extendible through an opening in the bracket to a rear side thereof; the assembly also including a second component engageable with the second elongate member, the second component having a mounting part selectively mountable to the bracket on the far side of the second elongate member relative to the first elongate member; a containment part extending from the mounting part to define in conjunction with the bracket a loop through which the second elongate members are extendible; and a holding part extending from the containment part and extendible through said opening in the bracket to the rear side thereof.

Retaining means may be provided for retaining the holding parts on the rear side of the bracket.

In a first embodiment the retaining means interconnects the holding means of the first and second components. Alignable formations may be provided on the first and second components, and fastening means may be provided engageable with the alignable formations.

In a second embodiment the holding means of the first and second components are permanently joined together. A formation may be provided on the rear side of the bracket to which the holding means can be fastened.

In a third embodiment the retaining means includes a formation in the bracket opening. The bracket opening may include a central portion through which the holding means of the first and second components are movable, and outer portions in which a respective one of the holding means of the first and second components is engageable, but through which the respective holding means cannot pass. A head may be provided on each holding means, which head is of a size to pass through the opening central portion but which is too large to pass through the outer portions.

The holding means may be spring urged to engage with the opening outer portions.

The opening central portion may be in the form of a slot.

A mid part of the containment parts may be substantially arcuate. A hole or other formation may be provided in the holding means to facilitate manipulation thereof.

The mounting parts are preferably configured to lie substantially flat against the bracket. Respective alignable holes may be provided in the mounting parts and the bracket.

Deformable formations may be provided on the holding means which can be pushed through the bracket opening but prevent the holding means from being pulled back thereoutof.

The assembly may include a third component for mounting a third elongate member between the first and second elongate members, with the third component including a containment part extending between two holding parts.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompany drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from beneath of a first mounting assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from beneath of a component of the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view from beneath of a second mounting assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view from beneath of a third mounting assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view from above of the mounting assembly according to FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic side view through part of a fourth mounting assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a view from above of part of the assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic end view of a fifth mounting assembly according to the invention; and

FIGS. 9 and 10 are respectively diagrammatic side views of alternative components of mounting assemblies according to the invention.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first mounting assembly 10 suitable for mounting two adjacent elongate members 12, short sections of which only are shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1. The members 12 could be pipes or other elongate containment means.

The assembly 10 includes a bracket 14 which is a profiled length of channel section, with the elongate members 12 mounted on the underside of the channel. The assembly also includes first and second mounting components 16, 18. Each component 16, 18 includes a mounting part 20 in the form of a web locatable against the bracket 14. A hole 22 is provided in the mounting part 20 which is engageable with a corresponding hole 24 in the bracket 14. Fastening means (not shown) such as a nut and bolt can be provided extending through the holes 22, 24.

A containment part 26 of substantially n shape extends perpendicularly from the mounting part 20 away from the bracket 14 and is of a size to slidingly receive the respective elongate member 12.

A holding means 28 extends from the opposite end of the containment part 26 from the mounting part 20 and is in the form of a swaged end with a through hole 30. In this instance the holding parts 28 of the first and second components 26, 28 are welded together with their through holes 30 aligned. An opening 32 is provided through the bracket 14 through which the holding parts 28 extend. The opening 32 is formed by folding back a tab 34, which tab has a hole alignable with the through holes 30 through which an appropriate fastening means can be located to retain the holding parts 28 in position.

There is thus described a mounting assembly which provides for support on each side of the elongate members whilst allowing close proximity thereof. The assembly can readily be secured or released as required.

FIG. 3 shows a second mounting assembly 36 which is similar to the first mounting assembly 10 except as follows. In this instance the holding parts 38 are not permanently connected but rather can be connected by a nut and bolt 40, 42 as shown, with spacers 44 provided between the respective holding parts 38.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a third mounting assembly 46 and again only the differences relative to the first mounting assembly 10 will be described. Here a different opening 48 is provided through the bracket 50. The opening 48 is in the form of a slot 52 with cut out portions 54 extending on each side of the slot 52.for a short distance. The holding parts 56 are in the form of strips of a size to fit through the slots 52 but which are too wide to pass through the cut out portions 54. The containment parts 58 are of a size to fit through the cut out portions 54.

The holding parts 56 are spring urged to engage beneath the cut out portions 54, and also be urged to such a position by the containment parts 58. Holes 60 are provided in the holding parts 56 to facilitate manoeuvre thereof.

The third mounting assembly 46 therefore requires less fastening means and can therefore be assembled and disassembled more quickly, and with less tooling.

FIGS. 6 and 7 diagrammatically show part of a fourth mounting assembly 62. In this instance two tangs 64 are provided on each holding part 66 of each mounting component 68. The tangs 64 are curved upwardly and sprung such that they can be pulled through a slot in the bracket, but thereafter cannot be pulled upwardly back therethrough.

FIG. 8 diagrammatically shows a fifth mounting assembly 70 for mounting three elongate members (not shown). In this instance a third mounting component 72 is provided between the first and second mounting components 74, 76. The third mounting component 72 comprises a containment part 78 with two holding parts 80 extending therefrom. The mounting parts 80 are mountable to respective mounting parts on the first and second components 74, 76, and mountable to respective mounting tabs 82 on the bracket 84.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show respectively mounting components with alternative profiles for the containment parts 86, 88 for mounting different shaped elongate members. Such elongate members may be different shaped pipes or other forms of cabling or trunking etc.

There are thus described mounting assemblies for adjacent elongate members which provide for a number of significant advantages relative to prior proposals. The assemblies securely mount together two or in some instances more than two elongate members, whilst readily permitting securing or releasing of the respective assemblies.

Various other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance any of the above features can be combined as required. The components may take different shapes. The brackets may be differently formed. Other retaining means may be used.

Claims

1. A mounting assembly for mounting two generally parallel first and second elongate members, the assembly including a bracket with the first and second elongate members extendable substantially against a front side thereof, a first component engageable with the first elongate member, the first component having a mounting part selectively mountable to the bracket on the far side of the elongate member relative to the second elongate member; a containment part extending from the mounting part to define in conjunction with the bracket a loop through which the first elongate member is extendible; and a holding part extending from the containment part and extendible through an opening in the bracket to a rear side thereof; the assembly also including a second component engageable with the second elongate member, the second component having a mounting part selectively mountable to the bracket on the far side of the second elongate member relative to the first elongate member; a containment part extending from the mounting part to define in conjunction with the bracket a loop through which the second elongate members are extendible; and a holding part extending from the containment part and extendible through said opening in the bracket to the rear side thereof.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that retaining means are provided for retaining the holding parts on the rear side of the bracket.

3. An assembly according to claim 2, characterised in that the retaining means interconnects the holding means of the first and second components.

4. An assembly according to claim 3, characterised in that alignable formations are provided on the first and second components, and fastening means is provided engageable with the alignable formations.

5. An assembly according to claim 2, characterised in that the holding means of the first and second components are permanently joined together.

6. An assembly according to claim 2, characterised in that a formation is provided on the rear side of the bracket to which the holding means can be fastened.

7. An assembly according to claim 2, characterised in that the retaining means includes a formation in the bracket opening.

8. An assembly according to claim 7, characterised in that the bracket opening includes a central portion though which the holding means of the first and second components are movable and outer portions in which a respective one of the holding means of the first and second components is engageable, but through which the respective holding means cannot pass, a head being provided on each holding means, which head is of a size to pass through the opening central portion but which is too large to pass through the outer portions.

9. An assembly according to claim 8, characterised in that the holding means is spring urged to engage with the opening outer portions.

10. An assembly according to claim 8, characterised in that the opening central portion is in the form of a slot.

11. An assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that a hole or other formation is provided in the holding means to facilitate manipulation thereof.

12. An assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that a mid part of the containment parts is substantially arcuate.

13. An assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that the mounting parts are conFigureured to lie substantially flat against the bracket, and respective alignable holes are provided in the mounting parts and the bracket.

14. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein deformable formations are provided on the holding means which can be pushed through the bracket opening but prevent the holding means from being pulled back thereoutof.

15. An assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that the assembly includes a third component for mounting a third elongate member between the first and second elongate members, with the third component including a containment part extending between two holding parts.