Tube-retaining assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9453593-B2
Application number	US-201214357218-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 8, 2012
Priority date	Nov 11, 2011
Publication date	Sep 27, 2016
Grant date	Sep 27, 2016

Abstract

A fastener assembly is configured to secure a tubular member to a structure. The fastener assembly may include a stud retainer configured to receive and retain a fastener that is configured to securely fasten the assembly to the structure, a tube-retaining section having interior walls that define a tube channel configured to receive the tubular member, and an adaptable tube-engaging member extending into the tube channel. The adaptable tube-engaging member is configured to securely engage a portion of the tubular member.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A fastener assembly configured to secure a tubular member to a structure, the fastener assembly comprising:
a stud retainer configured to receive and retain a fastener that is configured to securely fasten the assembly to the structure;
a tube-retaining section having interior walls that define a tube channel configured to receive the tubular member; and
an adaptable tube-engaging member extending into the tube channel, wherein the adaptable tube-engaging member is configured to securely wrap around more than half an outer circumference of the tubular member, wherein the adaptable tube-engaging member is flexible and resilient, wherein the adaptable tube-engaging member is configured to securely engage multiple tubular members of different shapes and sizes, wherein the adaptable tube-engaging member comprises:
opposed flexing protuberances that cooperate to wrap around a first portion of the outer circumference of the tubular member, wherein each of the opposed flexing protuberances comprises an arcuate finger configured to engage around a portion of the tubular member; and
at least one flexible securing protuberance configured to wrap around a separate and distinct second portion of the outer circumference of the tubular member, wherein the at least one flexible securing protuberance comprises an extension beam integrally connected to an arcuate beam having a free end, wherein the extension beam extends from a portion of the interior walls.

2. A fastener assembly configured to secure a tubular member to a structure, the fastener assembly comprising:
a stud retainer configured to receive and retain a fastener that is configured to securely fasten the assembly to the structure;
a tube-retaining section having interior walls that define a tube channel configured to receive the tubular member; and
an adaptable tube-engaging member extending into the tube channel, wherein the adaptable tube-engaging member is configured to securely engage a portion of the tubular member, wherein the adaptable tube-engaging member is flexible and resilient, and wherein the adaptable tube-engaging member is configured to securely engage multiple tubular members of different shapes and sizes, wherein the adaptable tube-engaging member is configured to wrap around more than half an outer circumference of the tubular member, wherein the adaptable tube-engaging member comprises opposed flexing protuberances and at least one flexible securing protuberance that differs in shape from each of the opposed flexing protuberances, wherein each of the opposed flexing protuberances comprises an arcuate finger configured to engage around a portion of the tubular member, and wherein the at least one flexible securing protuberance comprises an extension beam integrally connected to an arcuate beam having a free end that extends into the tube channel, wherein the extension beam extends from a portion of the interior walls.

3. The fastener assembly of claim 1 , wherein the opposed flexing protuberances are configured to wrap around more than half an outer circumference of the tubular member.

4. The fastener assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one flexible securing protuberance comprises two opposed flexible securing protuberances.

5. The fastener assembly of claim 2 , wherein the at least one flexible securing protuberance is configured to wrap around a separate and distinct portion of the tubular member than the portion of the tubular member.

6. An assembly configured to securely engage a tubular member, the assembly comprising:
a tube-retaining section having interior walls that define a tube channel configured to receive the tubular member; and
an adaptable tube-engaging member extending into the tube channel, wherein the adaptable tube-engaging member is configured to securely engage a portion of the tubular member, wherein the adaptable tube-engaging member is flexible and resilient, wherein the adaptable tube-engaging member is configured to securely engage multiple tubular members of different shapes and sizes, wherein the adaptable tube-engaging member is configured to wrap around more than half an outer circumference of the tubular member, wherein the adaptable tube-engaging member comprises opposed flexing protuberances and a single flexible securing protuberance that differs in shape from each of the opposed flexing protuberances, wherein each of the opposed flexing protuberances comprises an arcuate finger configured to engage around a portion of the tubular member, and wherein the flexible securing protuberance comprises an extension beam integrally connected to an arcuate beam having a free end that extends into the tube channel, wherein the extension beam extends from a portion of the interior walls.

7. The assembly of claim 6 , wherein the opposed flexing protuberances are configured to wrap around more than half an outer circumference of the tubular member.

8. The assembly of claim 6 , wherein the flexible securing protuberance is configured to wrap around a separate and distinct portion of the tubular member than the portion of the tubular member.

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Pearson Timothy D
• Pangallo Christopher M

Classifications

• F16L3/1075 Primary

  with two members, the two members being joined with a hinge on one side and fastened together on the other side · CPC title

• F16L3/12

  comprising a member substantially surrounding the pipe, cable or protective tubing · CPC title

• F16L3/2235

  each pipe being supported by a common element fastened to the base · CPC title

• F16L3/1025

  the members being joined by quick-acting means · CPC title

• F16L3/223 Primary

  each support having one transverse base for supporting the pipes (F16L3/23, F16L3/237 take precedence) · CPC title