WO2003010457A1 - Clamping device - Google Patents

Clamping device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2003010457A1
WO2003010457A1 PCT/NZ2002/000128 NZ0200128W WO03010457A1 WO 2003010457 A1 WO2003010457 A1 WO 2003010457A1 NZ 0200128 W NZ0200128 W NZ 0200128W WO 03010457 A1 WO03010457 A1 WO 03010457A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bush
cover plate
base plate
tubes
clamping device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NZ2002/000128
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
David Gordon Mcmillan
Original Assignee
Dispatch And Garlick Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dispatch And Garlick Limited filed Critical Dispatch And Garlick Limited
Publication of WO2003010457A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003010457A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L5/00—Devices for use where pipes, cables or protective tubing pass through walls or partitions
    • F16L5/02—Sealing
    • F16L5/08—Sealing by means of axial screws compressing a ring or sleeve
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L3/00—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets
    • F16L3/22—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets specially adapted for supporting a number of parallel pipes at intervals

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a clamping device for releasably securing tubes in relation to a supporting surface.
  • the device of the present invention is designed for use with the milk and air tubes of a rotary milking shed, and will be described with particular reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the device of the present invention could in fact be used to releasably secure any of a wide variety of tubes in relation to a supporting surface.
  • the stainless steel tube(s) that collect the milk, and the stainless steel tubes that supply air to the pulsators for the milking machine project from the underside of the platform up through a deck port arranged at or adjacent each milking bale, to the upper side of the platform. It is necessary to secure each tube to the deck port and at present, the tube usually is secured by welding the exterior of the tube to the port. This has the obvious disadvantage that once the tubes are welded, they cannot be released from the port for cleaning or repair, but also has the drawback that stainless steel is not an easy material to weld successfully, so that the welding operation adds significantly to the overall cost of the dairy shed installation.
  • the present invention seeks to overcome the above described drawbacks by providing a clamping device which is capable of clamping the stainless steel milk and air tubes firmly relative to the platform deck, but without damage to the tubes.
  • a further objective of the present invention is the provision of a clamping device which allows the tubes to be released quickly and easily from the deck port, but without compromising the firm and accurate positioning of the tubes relative to the platform.
  • the present invention provides a clamping device for releasably supporting tubes in relation to a supporting surface, said device comprising a lamping device for releasably supporting one or more tubes in relation to a supporting surface, said device comprising: a cover plate having a tapered hole therethrough corresponding to the or each tube to be secured; a base plate having a hole therethrough corresponding to the or each tube to be secured; a bush having a taper complimentary to the taper of the or each said tapered hole; the or each said bush being located between the cover plate and the base plate and being dimensioned to be a sliding fit upon the corresponding tube; the or each said bush being oriented with its smallest diameter portion towards the cover plate; and means for pulling the cover plate towards the base plate such that the or each bush is engaged with the corresponding tapered hole, and securing said plates in that position.
  • Said base plate may be a separate plate secured in an aperture in the supporting surface or may be formed by the supporting surface itself.
  • the pulling and securing means may be formed by a single component (e.g. a screw- threaded bolt or an over-centre catch) or may be separate components.
  • the bushes are made of nylon.
  • Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through part of a device in accordance with the present invention, showing the tubes in place in the clamping device;
  • Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the device of fig. 1 , but with the tubes removed for clarity;
  • Fig.s 3 and 4 are plan views of two possible arrangements of tubes within the clamping device.
  • a clamping device 2 comprises a cover plate 3 formed with separate apertures corresponding to each of the tubes to be accommodated, a bush 4 mounted on each tube, a base plate or deck port 5, and means for securing the cover plate 3 to the deck port 5.
  • the cover plate 3 is formed with a number of spaced apertures 6 corresponding to the number of tubes 7 to be secured.
  • Fig.s 3 and 4 show clamping devices for 3 and 2 tubes respectively.
  • Each aperture 6 is tapered (i.e. frustro-conical in cross-section) with the smaller diameter portion at the upper surface of the cover plate (i.e. furthest from the deck port 5).
  • each bush 4 has a complementary taper (i.e. is frustro-conical shape and the angle of the bush walls matches the angle of the corresponding aperture 6).
  • the thickness "t" of each bush is greater than the thickness "h” of the corresponding aperture 6.
  • Each bush 4 is formed with a central cylindrical aperture 9 which is sized so that the bush is a sliding fit over the exterior of the corresponding tube 7.
  • the deck port 5 is a flat plate formed with holes 10 through which the tubes 7 are an easy sliding fit.
  • the deck port 5 is formed into a screw-threaded socket 11 for engagement with the lower end of an externally screw-threaded bolt 12.
  • the bolt 12 is arranged to pass through an aperture 13 in the cover plate 3, and is formed with a flat enlarged diameter washer to bear on the upper surface of the cover plate 3 when the bolt 12 is engaged with the socket 11.
  • the deck port 5 is shown as a separate plate, which may be secured to the platform deck either flat to the deck or at an angle to it. However, the deck port 5 may be formed by the platform deck itself, with the holes 10 and socket 11 formed directly in the deck.
  • the above-described device is used as follows:- the deck port 5 is mounted in, or formed in, the platform deck as described above.
  • the tubes 7 are led through the holes 10 in the deck port 5, to project above the deck surface.
  • a bush 4 is mounted on each tube 7, and is slid along the length of the tube until it is positioned above the deck surface, approximately at the point on the length of that tube at which the tube should be secured to the deck.
  • the cover plate 3 is then slid over the upper ends of the tubes 7, with each tube 7 in the corresponding hole 6 in the cover plate.
  • the cover plate 3 is slid over the bushes 4, so that each bush engages the sides of the corresponding tapered aperture 6.
  • Each bush is larger in external diameter than the holes 10 in the deck port 5, so the base of each bush is supported upon the deck port 5.
  • the complementary taper of each aperture 6 compresses the corresponding bush 4, so that the bush grips the corresponding tube 7 firmly.
  • the bolt 12 is screwed into the aperture 11 , pulling the cover plate 3 towards the deck port 5 and urging the bushes 4 firmly into contact with the tubes 7, securing the tubes relative to the platform deck.
  • Fig. 3 shows a device for securing three tubes 7, using one bolt 12.
  • Fig. 4 shows a device for securing two tubes 7, using two bolts 12.
  • the bushes 4 must be made of a tough, slightly resilient material.
  • the tubes 7, bolt 12, cover plate 3 and deck port 5 preferably are made of stainless steel, and the bushes 4 of nylon.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Supports For Pipes And Cables (AREA)
  • Clamps And Clips (AREA)

Abstract

A clamping device (2) for releasably securing tubes to a supporting surface for use in applications such as dairy sheds; the device (2) consists of a cover plate (3) with a tapered hole (6) through to accommodate the tube to be secured, a base plate (5) with a hole (10) through, and a bush (4) which has a taper complimentary to the tapered hole (6) in the cover plate (3); the device (2) is assembled with the bush (4) between the cover plate (3) and the base plate (5) and is provided with means (12) for pulling the cover plate (3) towards the base plate (5) such that the bush (4) is engaged with the corresponding tapered hole (6) and grips any tube passing through the device (2).

Description

Title: Clamping Device Technical Field
The present invention relates to a clamping device for releasably securing tubes in relation to a supporting surface. The device of the present invention is designed for use with the milk and air tubes of a rotary milking shed, and will be described with particular reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the device of the present invention could in fact be used to releasably secure any of a wide variety of tubes in relation to a supporting surface.
Background Art
In most designs of rotary milking sheds, the stainless steel tube(s) that collect the milk, and the stainless steel tubes that supply air to the pulsators for the milking machine, project from the underside of the platform up through a deck port arranged at or adjacent each milking bale, to the upper side of the platform. It is necessary to secure each tube to the deck port and at present, the tube usually is secured by welding the exterior of the tube to the port. This has the obvious disadvantage that once the tubes are welded, they cannot be released from the port for cleaning or repair, but also has the drawback that stainless steel is not an easy material to weld successfully, so that the welding operation adds significantly to the overall cost of the dairy shed installation.
Disclosure of Invention
The present invention seeks to overcome the above described drawbacks by providing a clamping device which is capable of clamping the stainless steel milk and air tubes firmly relative to the platform deck, but without damage to the tubes. A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a clamping device which allows the tubes to be released quickly and easily from the deck port, but without compromising the firm and accurate positioning of the tubes relative to the platform.
The present invention provides a clamping device for releasably supporting tubes in relation to a supporting surface, said device comprising a lamping device for releasably supporting one or more tubes in relation to a supporting surface, said device comprising: a cover plate having a tapered hole therethrough corresponding to the or each tube to be secured; a base plate having a hole therethrough corresponding to the or each tube to be secured; a bush having a taper complimentary to the taper of the or each said tapered hole; the or each said bush being located between the cover plate and the base plate and being dimensioned to be a sliding fit upon the corresponding tube; the or each said bush being oriented with its smallest diameter portion towards the cover plate; and means for pulling the cover plate towards the base plate such that the or each bush is engaged with the corresponding tapered hole, and securing said plates in that position.
Said base plate may be a separate plate secured in an aperture in the supporting surface or may be formed by the supporting surface itself.
The pulling and securing means may be formed by a single component (e.g. a screw- threaded bolt or an over-centre catch) or may be separate components.
Preferably, the bushes are made of nylon.
Brief Description of Drawings
By way of example only, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through part of a device in accordance with the present invention, showing the tubes in place in the clamping device;
Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the device of fig. 1 , but with the tubes removed for clarity; and
Fig.s 3 and 4 are plan views of two possible arrangements of tubes within the clamping device.
Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention
Referring to Fig.s 1 and 2 of the drawings, a clamping device 2 comprises a cover plate 3 formed with separate apertures corresponding to each of the tubes to be accommodated, a bush 4 mounted on each tube, a base plate or deck port 5, and means for securing the cover plate 3 to the deck port 5.
The cover plate 3 is formed with a number of spaced apertures 6 corresponding to the number of tubes 7 to be secured. Fig.s 3 and 4 show clamping devices for 3 and 2 tubes respectively.
Each aperture 6 is tapered (i.e. frustro-conical in cross-section) with the smaller diameter portion at the upper surface of the cover plate (i.e. furthest from the deck port 5).
The outer surface of each bush 4 has a complementary taper (i.e. is frustro-conical shape and the angle of the bush walls matches the angle of the corresponding aperture 6). The thickness "t" of each bush is greater than the thickness "h" of the corresponding aperture 6.
Each bush 4 is formed with a central cylindrical aperture 9 which is sized so that the bush is a sliding fit over the exterior of the corresponding tube 7.
The deck port 5 is a flat plate formed with holes 10 through which the tubes 7 are an easy sliding fit. The deck port 5 is formed into a screw-threaded socket 11 for engagement with the lower end of an externally screw-threaded bolt 12. The bolt 12 is arranged to pass through an aperture 13 in the cover plate 3, and is formed with a flat enlarged diameter washer to bear on the upper surface of the cover plate 3 when the bolt 12 is engaged with the socket 11.
The deck port 5 is shown as a separate plate, which may be secured to the platform deck either flat to the deck or at an angle to it. However, the deck port 5 may be formed by the platform deck itself, with the holes 10 and socket 11 formed directly in the deck.
The above-described device is used as follows:- the deck port 5 is mounted in, or formed in, the platform deck as described above. The tubes 7 are led through the holes 10 in the deck port 5, to project above the deck surface.
A bush 4 is mounted on each tube 7, and is slid along the length of the tube until it is positioned above the deck surface, approximately at the point on the length of that tube at which the tube should be secured to the deck.
The cover plate 3 is then slid over the upper ends of the tubes 7, with each tube 7 in the corresponding hole 6 in the cover plate.
The cover plate 3 is slid over the bushes 4, so that each bush engages the sides of the corresponding tapered aperture 6. Each bush is larger in external diameter than the holes 10 in the deck port 5, so the base of each bush is supported upon the deck port 5. Thus, as the cover plate 3 engages the bushes 4, the complementary taper of each aperture 6 compresses the corresponding bush 4, so that the bush grips the corresponding tube 7 firmly.
The bolt 12 is screwed into the aperture 11 , pulling the cover plate 3 towards the deck port 5 and urging the bushes 4 firmly into contact with the tubes 7, securing the tubes relative to the platform deck.
To release the tubes 7 from the device, the bolt 12 is unscrewed.
Any number of tubes 7 may be rapidly and easily secured by the use of this device. Fig. 3 shows a device for securing three tubes 7, using one bolt 12. Fig. 4 shows a device for securing two tubes 7, using two bolts 12.
It will be appreciated that the bushes 4 must be made of a tough, slightly resilient material.
For dairy applications, the tubes 7, bolt 12, cover plate 3 and deck port 5 preferably are made of stainless steel, and the bushes 4 of nylon.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A clamping device for releasably supporting one or more tubes in relation to a supporting surface, said device comprising: a cover plate having a tapered hole therethrough corresponding to the or each tube to be secured; a base plate having a hole therethrough corresponding to the or each tube to be secured; a bush having a taper complimentary to the taper of the or each said tapered hole; the or each said bush being located between the cover plate and the base plate and being dimensioned to be a sliding fit upon the corresponding tube; the or each said bush being oriented with its smallest diameter portion towards the cover plate; and means for pulling the cover plate towards the base plate such that the or each bush is engaged with the corresponding tapered hole, and securing said plates in that position.
2. The clamping device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base plate consists of a plate secured in an aperture in the supporting surface.
3. The clamping device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base plate is formed integrally with the supporting surface.
4. The clamping device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said pulling means comprises one or more screws each arranged to extend through said cover plate and releasably engage said base plate.
5. The clamping device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each bush is made of nylon.
PCT/NZ2002/000128 2001-07-24 2002-07-24 Clamping device WO2003010457A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NZ513124 2001-07-24
NZ51312401A NZ513124A (en) 2001-07-24 2001-07-24 Clamping device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003010457A1 true WO2003010457A1 (en) 2003-02-06

Family

ID=19928550

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/NZ2002/000128 WO2003010457A1 (en) 2001-07-24 2002-07-24 Clamping device

Country Status (2)

Country Link
NZ (1) NZ513124A (en)
WO (1) WO2003010457A1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1462700A2 (en) * 2003-03-25 2004-09-29 Poloplast GmbH & Co. KG Compressible flange
EP1701077A3 (en) * 2005-03-11 2009-04-08 Hauff-Technik GmbH & Co. KG Device for gas or fluid sealing between two adjacent rooms
WO2018116073A1 (en) 2016-12-21 2018-06-28 Pi Industries Ltd. 1, 2, 3-thiadiazole compounds and their use as crop protecting agent

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU4012378A (en) * 1977-10-14 1980-03-27 Malleys Ltd Multiple grummet
US4400920A (en) * 1981-04-16 1983-08-30 Logsdon Duane D Apparatus for securing pipe
US4462620A (en) * 1981-07-10 1984-07-31 Ford Motor Company Motor vehicle fill pipe to fuel tank connector
GB2172756A (en) * 1985-02-20 1986-09-24 Telephone Cables Ltd Clamping arrangements
DE3637963C1 (en) * 1986-11-07 1988-02-11 Daimler Benz Ag Gas and liquid-tight passage of a line through a wall
JPH0893970A (en) * 1994-09-19 1996-04-12 Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd Hose coupling
US5890684A (en) * 1997-03-24 1999-04-06 Stewart; Troy Duncan Electrical connector apparatus and method for stranded cable

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU4012378A (en) * 1977-10-14 1980-03-27 Malleys Ltd Multiple grummet
US4400920A (en) * 1981-04-16 1983-08-30 Logsdon Duane D Apparatus for securing pipe
US4462620A (en) * 1981-07-10 1984-07-31 Ford Motor Company Motor vehicle fill pipe to fuel tank connector
GB2172756A (en) * 1985-02-20 1986-09-24 Telephone Cables Ltd Clamping arrangements
DE3637963C1 (en) * 1986-11-07 1988-02-11 Daimler Benz Ag Gas and liquid-tight passage of a line through a wall
JPH0893970A (en) * 1994-09-19 1996-04-12 Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd Hose coupling
US5890684A (en) * 1997-03-24 1999-04-06 Stewart; Troy Duncan Electrical connector apparatus and method for stranded cable

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
DATABASE WPI Derwent World Patents Index; Class Q67, AN 1996-241585/25 *

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1462700A2 (en) * 2003-03-25 2004-09-29 Poloplast GmbH & Co. KG Compressible flange
EP1462700A3 (en) * 2003-03-25 2005-02-09 Poloplast GmbH & Co. KG Compressible flange
EP1701077A3 (en) * 2005-03-11 2009-04-08 Hauff-Technik GmbH & Co. KG Device for gas or fluid sealing between two adjacent rooms
WO2018116073A1 (en) 2016-12-21 2018-06-28 Pi Industries Ltd. 1, 2, 3-thiadiazole compounds and their use as crop protecting agent

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Publication number Publication date
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