Device for securing equipment to one end of the inner surface of a pipe

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for fixing equipment to an end of the inner surface of a tube.

[0002] The interior of a tube is a useful location to install equipment in many situations. When a tube is used as a supporting component, such as a handlebar or a seat post in a bicycle, the inner space of the tube can be used for housing a GPS tracker or an alarm device (eg. NO 341947 B1). And when the tube is used as a conduit, such as a tail pipe in an exhaust system of a car or a duct in a ventilation system, the inner space of the tube can be used for housing a sensor to measure toxin levels, the temperature or any other parameter about the fluid passing through the conduit.

[0003] It has been noticed that the ends of the inner surface of a tube are desirable locations for installing equipment inside the tube, because it is sufficiently easy for most users to do this type of installation. In most cases, the installation process requires inserting the equipment into the tube until the latter no longer protrudes from the tube. Thus, the installation process is simple and accessible to most users. For example, a bicycle owner may buy a tracking unit (eg. NO 341947 B1) online and install it himself inside the handlebar of the bicycle, instead of having to take the bicycle to a specialised shop for the installation.

[0004] It can be challenging to keep the equipment fixed to an end of the inner surface of a tube.

[0005] A known approach is the one used in a typical end plug for a bicycle handlebar. This type of plug has several purposes: to close the inner volume of the handlebar and avoid dirt or water from entering in; to help stop the ends of the handlebars from impact or crush damage in the event of a crash; and to prevent serious injury to a user from an exposed bar end coming into contact with soft tissue. A typical end plug is attached to a handlebar by pushing it in until it reaches the desired position. The plug includes at least one bendable component around its central axis, such as an annular plastic flap, that remains compressed against the inner surface of the handlebar, and thus keeps it in place. A disadvantage of this approach is that an installed end plug does not require much force to be removed from the handlebar. Also, it is known that many end plugs must be replaced after some time due to the bendable components no longer being effective in compressing against the inner surface of the handlebar.

[0006] Another known approach is the one used in the oil industry to install a packer during the completion of a wellbore. A typical packer includes an expandable component, such as a rubber annular ring, that expands radially towards the surrounding surface (for example, the inner surface of a casing string). A typical solution to cause this radial expansion is to keep the expandable component compressed in the longitudinal axis. Once radially expanded, the component contacts the surrounding surface and forms a seal that blocks the passage of fluids from one side of the seal to the other within the annular formed between the packer and the surrounding surface. This approach has the drawback that it can only be used for installing a device in a tube in which no fluid is expected to pass through. Also, if a device installed using this approach is pulled from the tube, its expandable component may be swabbed off (ie. removed from the device due to the dislocation caused by the pulling motion), and thus this approach does not provide a suitable solution to keep equipment fixed to an end of the inner surface of a tube.

[0007] EP 2275338 A1 discloses a bar end electric shifter for a bicycle, shown in more detail in Figures 2 to 4 of that document. An attachment structure is used to mount a handlebar mounting portion. The attachment structure has a fixing bolt and three expansion members, which are coupled together by an expandable ring member. The fixing bolt has a brake control wire receiving passageway (reference number 40a in Figure 3 of EP 2275338 A1). At least part of the brake control wire receiving passageway is disclosed as preferably having a hexagonal cross section for receiving a hex tool such as an Allen wrench. The attachment structure is an expandable unit that is slidable within the free end of the handlebar together with the bar end mount that forms the handlebar mounting portion when in a first unexpanded configuration. When the fixing bolt is threaded into the brake control wire receiving passageway (reference number 30a in Figure 4 of EP 2275338 A1), the expansion members are forced into engagement with an outer tapered surface of the handlebar mounting portion such that the fixing bolt and the handlebar mounting portion push the expansion members radially outward to a second expanded configuration. When in a second expanded configuration, the attachment structure retains the handlebar mounting portion in a non-slidable state within the free end of the handlebar.

[0008] The present invention will now be disclosed.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for fixing equipment to an end of the inner surface of a tube, the device comprising: an elongated body comprising at least two holes, each hole being adapted for bearing a bolt aligned with the longitude of the elongated body; a ring adapted to surround and slide along a segment of the elongated body, the ring comprising at least two threaded bores designed to mate with the threads of the bolts so that the position of the ring on the elongated body is controllable by applying torque to the bolts; and at least two flaps rotatable on the ring, the flaps being positioned homogenously around the ring, wherein the elongated body comprises at least one portion adapted to guide the flaps so that the flaps radially open against the inner surface of the tube.

[0010] Each portion of the elongated body may comprise a slope to guide at least one flap outwardly towards the inner surface of the tube. Also, each flap may comprise an end adapted with a shape for sliding on a portion of the elongated body.

[0011] The ring may be adapted with at least one stopper, each stopper limiting the rotation of a flap to a maximum of 95 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body. Also, each flap may comprise a retractable mechanism so that the flap automatically rotates to the minimum angle available relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body. Also, the device may comprise four flaps.

[0012] The segment of the elongated body may comprise a groove for controlling the rotation of the ring during the sliding motion along the segment of the elongated body. Also, the ring may comprise an internal bulge to match the groove on the segment of the elongated body complementarily.

[0013] The device may comprise a hole through the elongated body so that the ends of hole are electronically connectable.

[0014] Each of the elongated body, the ring, and the at least two flaps may comprise a metallic material. This achieves a stronger fixation when to the inner surface of the tube.

[0015] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1is a perspective view of a device embodiment being shown outside of any tube; Figure 2Ais a cross-sectional longitudinal view of the embodiment in Figure 1, in which the flaps are radially closed and away from the inner surface of a tube; Figure 2Bis a cross-sectional longitudinal view of a simplified schematic of the embodiment in Figure 1, in which the flaps are radially open against the inner surface of a tube; Figure 3Ais a perspective view of a ring embodiment including four flaps; Figure 3Bis a perspective view of a half ring embodiment; Figure 4is a cut-away view of a device embodiment installed inside a handlebar in a bicycle, in which part of the handlebar has been removed to show the device inside.

[0016] Turning now to Figure 1, it shows a device embodiment being displayed outside of any tube. The device is to be placed inside a tube, such as a handlebar in a bicycle or a tail pipe of an exhaust system in a car.

[0017] The device includes an elongated body 110 serving as a base onto which other components are attached and a ring 120 for surrounding and sliding on a segment of the elongated body 110. Also, the ring includes four flaps 121 for radially opening against an inner surface of a tube.

[0018] The elongated body 110 includes two holes for bearing two bolts 131 aligned with the longitude of the elongated body 110. Also, the ring 120 includes two threaded bores designed to mate with the threads of the bolts 131. This allows controlling the position of the ring 120 on the elongated body 110 by applying torque to the bolts 131. When the bolts 131 are tightened, the ring 120 moves towards the holes for bearing the bolts 131. Contrarily, when the bolts 131 are released, the ring 120 moves away from the holes bearing the bolts 131.

[0019] This mechanism allows moving the ring 120 between two positions: an unfastened position, in which the ring 120 is away from the holes bearing the bolts 131; and a fastened position, in which the ring 120 is close to those holes and the flaps 121 are tightened against the body a portion 112 of the elongated body 110.

[0020] The four flaps 121 included in the device are rotatable on the ring 120. These rotatable components are used for griping against an inner surface of a tube when the ring 120 is in the fastened position. This is achieved as follows.

[0021] The flaps 121 are positioned homogenously around the ring 120 so that when they are radially opened they produce a balanced force against the surrounding inner surface of the tube. The elongated body 110 includes a portion 112 in the form of a slope for guiding the flaps 121 to radially open against the inner surface of the tube when the ring 120 is in the fastened position. When the bolts 121 are tightened, the ring 120 slides on the elongated body 110 towards the portion 112 of the elongated body 110. In other words, the flaps 121 move towards the portion 112 of the elongated body 110. After sufficient tightening of the bolts 131, the flaps 121 contact the portion 112 and start sliding on it. Given the slope of the portion 112, the ability of the flaps 121 to rotate on the ring 120, and the further tightening of the bolts 131, the flaps will start to radially open until they eventually grip against the inner surface of a tube surrounding the device.

[0022] The gripping of the flaps 121 against the inner surface of the tube results in that the elongated body 110 gets fixed to the tube. In practice, it has been observed that this solution is strong and very difficult to remove by most users without tools. This solution thus allows attaching further equipment onto the elongated body 110, and device can be used for fixing the equipment to the end of the inner surface of a tube. As explained in the beginning of the description, this has been noticed to be a desirable location for installing equipment inside the tube.

[0023] The segment of the elongated body 110 on which the ring 120 slides includes a groove 123 which is complementary in shape to an internal bulge in the ring 120. These features are explained in further detail below when describing Figures 3A and 3B.

[0024] Moreover, the elongated body 110 includes a hole 113 through it that allows providing electrical connections between the two ends of hole 113. This thus creates an efficient use of the space that is occupied by the device inside a tube. In the device embodiment shown in Figure 1, an antenna housing 200 is provided on the opposite end of the hole 113 through the elongated body 110, and this device embodiment allows providing equipment that can communicated with any antenna through the hole 113. Such an arrangement is explained in further detail below when describing Figure 4.

[0025] Figure 2A shows the embodiment in Figure 1 positioned inside the end of a handlebar. The ring 120 is in the unfastened position and the flaps 121 are not radially opened against the inner surface 401 of the handlebar.

[0026] For the purposes of a simpler visualisation, the flaps 121 are illustrated in a retracted position. This can be achieved with the use of springs or a similar mechanism inside the ring 120. It can also be achieved by placing an elastic band around the flaps 121, the band being made of a stretchable material such as rubber. This latter embodiment including the elastic band is particularly advantageous in that it achieves an improved friction against the inner surface 401 of the tube. Alternatively, the device may lack any means of retracting the flaps 121 when the ring 120 is not in the fastened position, and in that case the flaps 121 will behave in reaction to gravity. This latter embodiment still allows the device to inserted into and removed from the interior of the handlebar and is simple to produce.

[0027] The device has been fully inserted into the handlebar and the antenna housing 200 is shown on the left-hand side of Figure 2A on the outside of the handlebar. This arrangement achieves an overall aspect when installed that resembles an end plug for a bicycle handlebar. It also allows for the antenna housing 200 to be used efficiently for the purpose of holding communication features, such as a GPS antenna.

[0028] Figure 2B shows a simplified schematic of the embodiment in Figure 1, in which the flaps are radially open against the inner surface of a tube. No antenna housing is shown, and the elongated body has been cut to show mainly the flaps 121 radially opened against the inner surface 401 of the tube. The segment 111 on which the ring 121 slides is indicated in the Figure 2B. Also indicated, is the portion 112 of the elongated body 110 including a slope.

[0029] Also, the cut view shown in Figure 2B allows seeing the hole 113 through the elongated body and its full extension along the longitude of the elongated body 110.

[0030] Figure 3A shows a ring 120 embodiment including four flaps 121 positioned homogenously around the ring 120. The two threaded bores for receiving the bolts 130 are positioned in an intercalated manner with the arrangement of flaps 121. This achieves an efficient use of the reduced space available in the ring 120.

[0031] Figure 3B shows a half ring embodiment without any flaps 121, the half ring illustration showing in more detail where a threaded bore 122 is positioned. The half ring includes an internal bulge 124, which has already been briefly mentioned when describing Figure 1 above. The internal bulge 124 is shaped in a complementary manner to a groove 123 that is to exist in a portion 112 of the elongated body 110. This allows controlling the orientation of the ring 120 while it slides on the portion 112. For example, a straight groove 123 may be provided longitudinally along the elongated body 110 so that the ring 120 keeps a stable orientation and does spin while it slides on the segment of the elongated body 110. This thus allows using a reduced number of bolts 130. Further embodiments of the device may be carried out in which no groove 123 nor internal bulge 124 is provided, however the device includes a higher number of bolts 130, such as at least four bolts 130.

[0032] The half ring embodiment shown in Figure 3B also includes symmetrically mirrored joints at its ends. This design allows manufacturing, installing and removing rings 120 around the elongated body 110 in an efficient manner, as a reduced amount of parts is needed.

[0033] This embodiment thus achieves advantageous effects also on during the production as well as on the maintenance / repair of the device.

[0034] Figure 4 shows a device embodiment installed on the end of a handlebar 400 in a bicycle. For the purpose of providing a simplified visualisation, part of the handlebar 400 has been removed so that the device may be observed inside. The ring 120 is in the fastened position and the flaps 121 are radially opened against the inner surface of the handlebar 400. Also, the elongated body 110 has the antenna housing 200 attached to the side that faces the end of the handlebar 400 and an equipment housing 300 attached to the opposite side, the equipment housing 300 thus being hidden inside the handlebar 400.

[0035] The device embodiment shown in Figure 4 allows strongly fixing the equipment housing 300 to the end of inner surface of the handlebar 400 while enabling electronic connection to the antenna housing 200 positioned on the outside of the handlebar 400. The electronic connection is achieved through the core of the elongated body 110 of the device embodiment.Reference numbers

[0036] 100device 110elongated body 111 segment 112 portion 113 hole through elongated body 120ring 121 flap 122 threaded bore 123 groove 124 bulge 125 half ring 130bolt 131 bolt shaft 200antenna housing 300equipment housing 400handlebar 401 inner surface of the handlebar

Claims

1. A device (100) for fixing equipment to an end of the inner surface (401) of a tube (400), the device (100) comprising: - an elongated body (110); and - a ring (120) adapted to surround and slide along a segment (111) of the elongated body (110), characterized in that the elongated body (110) comprises at least two holes (113), each hole (113) being adapted for bearing a bolt (130) aligned with the longitude of the elongated body (110), wherein the ring (120) comprises at least two threaded bores (122) designed to mate with the threads of the bolts (130) so that the position of the ring (120) on the elongated body (110) is controllable by applying torque to the bolts (130), wherein the device further comprises at least two flaps (121) rotatable on the ring (120), the flaps (121) being positioned homogenously around the ring (120), and wherein the elongated body (110) comprises at least one portion (112) adapted to guide the flaps (121) so that the flaps (121) radially open against the inner surface of the tube.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein each portion of the elongated body comprises a slope to guide at least one flap outwardly towards the inner surface of the tube.

3. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each flap comprises an end adapted with a shape for sliding on a portion of the elongated body.

4. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ring is adapted with at least one stopper, each stopper limiting the rotation of a flap to a maximum of 95 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body.

5. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each flap comprises a retractable mechanism so that the flap automatically rotates to the minimum angle available relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body.

6. Device according to any of the preceding claims, the device comprising four flaps.

7. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the segment of the elongated body comprises a groove for controlling the rotation of the ring during the sliding motion along the segment of the elongated body.

8. Device according to claim 7, wherein the ring comprises an internal bulge to match the groove on the segment of the elongated body complementarily.

9. Device according to any of the preceding claims, the device comprising a hole through the elongated body so that the ends of the hole are electronically connectable.

10. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the elongated body, the ring, and the at least two flaps comprises a metallic material.