| Mounting of tubes -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Mounting of tubesUSPTO Application #: 20060113514Title: Mounting of tubes Abstract: A tubular component (10) is secured to another component (12) by locating part of the tubular component (10) within a tapering recess opening or passage (22), locating a clamping member (26) within the tubular component (10) and securing the clamping member (26) to the said another component (12) to clamp the tubular component (10) between the clamping member (26) and the said another component (12). (end of abstract) Agent: Joel D. Skinner, Jr. Skinner And Associates - Hudson, WI, US Inventor: Ian James Prismall USPTO Applicaton #: 20060113514 - Class: 256001000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Fences, Miscellaneous The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060113514. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This invention relates to a technique for use in mounting tubes, and in particular tubes of a material having a degree of ductility, for example a plastics material, or tubes with preformed tapering end sections, to or upon other components. [0002] Plastics tubes are sometimes used to support, for example, the retractable barriers of a queue management system, signposts or a number of other objects. When used in such applications, the plastics tubes are secured, at their lower ends, to appropriately shaped bases. Typically, each base includes an upstanding boss into or over which the associated plastics tube is fitted, the plastics tube then being secured in position using, for example, screws. It has been found that the formation of openings or holes in the wall of the plastics tube into or through which the screws extend introduces stress concentrations which significantly weaken the tube and as a result there is a risk of the tube cracking or breaking, in use. Breakage of the tube in this manner may result in the tube/base combination no longer being suitable for continued use. In some applications, an adhesive may be used instead of screws. However, depending upon the materials of the base and the tube, difficulties may be faced in obtaining an adhesive which is suitable for use with and compatible with both materials. [0003] It is an object of the invention to provide a technique whereby a tube can be secured to another component, for example a base, in which this disadvantage is reduced or overcome. [0004] According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of securing a tube to another component, the method comprising providing the said another component with an opening, passage or recess of generally tapering form, introducing the tube into the opening, passage or recess, positioning a clamping member within the tube, and securing the clamping member to the said another component to clamp the tube between the clamping member and the said another component. [0005] The clamping member is also preferably of generally tapering form, conveniently conforming with the opening, passage or recess. [0006] The tube is conveniently of plastics form, and may be of circular cross-section, although other cross-sections may be used, and the said another component is conveniently a base to allow the tube to be stood generally upright and used to support, for example, part of a queue management system, or a housing containing the said part of the queue management system. It will be appreciated, however, that the tube may be used for other purposes, for example as a signpost, part of an exhibition stand or garden furniture. [0007] The tube may be shaped to include an end region of tapering form prior to the introduction of the tube into the opening, passage or recess. However, in one preferred technique, the tube is forced into the opening with a sufficiently high force to deform the end part of the tube to conform, generally, with the tapering shape of the opening, passage or recess. [0008] The clamping member may be provided with a screw threaded passage extending from the lower surface thereof, a screw threaded bolt being used to secure the clamping member to the said another component, the screw threaded bolt extending through an opening formed in the said another component and into the screw threaded passage. [0009] According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a post arrangement comprising a tube, an end of which extends into an opening, passage or recess provided in a base, the opening, passage or recess being of generally tapering form, a clamping member being located at least partly within the tube, the clamping member being secured to the base to clamp the tube between the clamping member and the base. [0010] The tube is preferably of plastics construction, and may be of circular cross-section, but other cross-sectional shapes may be used, if desired. [0011] The clamping member is preferably of generally tapering form, and preferably conforms generally with the shape of the interior of the part of the tube which is located within the opening, passage or recess provided in the base. [0012] Conveniently, the clamping member is arranged to be secured to the base by means of a screw threaded coupling, for example in the form of a screw threaded bolt arranged to extend through an opening in the base and into a screw threaded passage formed in the clamping member. [0013] The post is conveniently arranged to carry part of a queue management system. It will be appreciated, however, that the post may be employed in a number of other applications, and so may be adapted or arranged to carry a wide range of other components or articles, for example signs. [0014] According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a post arrangement comprising a tube, an end of which extends into an opening, passage or recess provided in a housing forming part of a queue management system, the opening, passage or recess being of generally tapering form, a clamping member being located within the tube, the clamping member being secured to the housing to clamp the tube between the clamping member and the housing. [0015] The tube is preferably of plastics construction, and may be of circular cross-section, although other shapes may be used if desired. [0016] The clamping member is preferably of generally tapering form, and preferably conforms generally with the shape of the interior of the part of the tube which is located within the opening, passage or recess provided in the housing. [0017] Conveniently, the clamping member is arranged to be secured to the housing by means of a screw threaded coupling, for example in the form of a screw threaded bolt arranged to extend through an opening in the housing and into a screw threaded passage formed in the clamping member. [0018] A post arrangement in accordance with the invention as defined above has the advantage that a generally widespread and uniform attachment means is provided. As no openings must be made in the tube in order to secure the tube to the base or housing, less weakening of the tube occurs than in prior arrangements, thus the risk of the post breaking is reduced. The compatibility problems which may be faced where adhesive is used are also avoided. [0019] The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a post arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; [0021] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view of part of the post arrangement of FIG. 1; and [0022] FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrammatic views of alternative configurations. [0023] The post arrangement shown in FIG. 1 comprises a plastics tube 10, the lower end of which is secured to a base 12. The upper end of the tube 10 carries, in this embodiment, a unit 14 forming part of a queue management system. The unit 14 comprises a housing 16 within which a spool is rotatably mounted, a length of webbing being wound onto the spool and a spring being provided to apply a biassing force to the spool so that, if webbing is pulled from the spool, then upon release of the webbing, the spring biassing causes the spool to rotate within the housing 16, winding the webbing back onto the spool and retracting the webbing into the housing 16. As shown, the housing 16 is provided with a slot through which the webbing extends. [0024] The free end of the webbing carries part of a catch mechanism engageable with or connectable to one of three cooperatively shaped receivers formed in or on another similar post arrangement. Continue reading... Full patent description for Mounting of tubes Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Mounting of tubes patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Mounting of tubes or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Counter-balance weight for a modular safety rail Next Patent Application: Post cover sleeves and spacers therefor Industry Class: Fences ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Mounting of tubes patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.09924 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Novartis , Pfizer , Philips , Polaroid , Procter & Gamble , |
||
