Retaining device for a cylindrical object

Abstract

The invention relates to a retaining device for a cylindrical object (10, 10bis) such as a tube, a pipe or a tubular sheath, comprising: - a fastening part (1) for fastening to a structure, and - a holding part (2) comprising two shell portions which form two arcs of a same cylinder and have, in cross section, mirror symmetry with respect to each other along an axis (X) perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis (Y) between the shell portions, wherein the interior of the shell portions has ribs (11) parallel to the longitudinal central axis (Y), this retaining device having this in particular, that the average distance (b) between the faces (5, 6) of the distal ends of the shell portions and the axis (X) is greater than the average distance (a) between the faces (7, 8) of the proximal ends of the shell portions (3, 4) and this same axis (X). The invention also relates to the assembly composed of the aforementioned retaining device and of a cylindrical object (10, 10bis), and to ringed tubular sheaths (10, 10bis) and half-shells for manufacturing same.

Description

[0001] RETAINING DEVICE FOR CYLINDRICAL OBJECT

[0002] The invention relates to a retaining device for a cylindrical object such as a tube, a pipe or a tubular sheath, as well as the retaining device / cylindrical object assembly which it allows to form, corrugated tubular sheaths and half-shells for manufacturing them.

[0003] Background of the invention

[0004] US Patent No. US 5,588,683 relates to an anti-resonance tube attachment. In Figure 1 of this patent, which is attached, it can be seen that this attachment comprises:

[0005] - a part for fixing to a structure and

[0006] - a holding part comprising two shell portions forming two arcs of the same cylinder and having, in cross section, a specular symmetry with respect to each other along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis passing between the shell portions,

[0007] - the average distance (b) between the faces of the distal ends of the shell portions and the axis is greater than the average distance (a) between the faces of the proximal ends of the shell portions and this same axis.

[0008] The shell portions are hollow, the faces of their distal ends form, in cross-section, an angle relative to the aforementioned perpendicular axis and their proximal ends are partially fixed to a hollow connecting part integral with the fixing part.

[0009] Such a device has the major disadvantages of not holding the tube firmly - which can easily be turned, moved or extracted -, of being fragile and of only allowing a limited number of insertions / removals of the tube before breaking.

[0010] Summary of the invention

[0011] The main object of the invention is to provide a retaining device which does not have the aforementioned drawbacks, namely, which is solid, safe, simple, usable a large number of times, inexpensive and easy and quick to produce. According to the invention, this object is achieved using a device in accordance with the following statement 1:

[0012] 1. Retaining device for a cylindrical object, comprising:

[0013] - a part for fixing to a structure and

[0014] - a holding part comprising two shell portions forming two arcs of the same cylinder and having, in cross-section, a specular symmetry with respect to each other along an axis X perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis Y between the shell portions, this device being distinguished in that the interior of the shell portions has ribs parallel to the longitudinal central axis Y.

[0015] Advantageous features of the retaining device of the aforementioned statement 1 are indicated in the following enumerations 2 to 6:

[0016] 2. A retaining device according to claim 1, wherein the ribs have a triangular, preferably equilateral or isosceles, cross-section.

[0017] 3. Retaining device according to statement 1 or 2, in which the fixing part has a conical part whose top is secured to the bridge and whose base is secured to an anchoring cylinder.

[0018] 4. Retaining device according to statement 3, in which the anchoring cylinder has on its outer face fins parallel to each other.

[0019] 5. Retaining device according to one of statements 1 to 4, in which the average distance between the faces of the distal ends of the shell portions and the X axis is greater than the average distance between the faces of the proximal ends of the shell portions and this same X axis.

[0020] 6. Device according to one of statements 1 to 5, in which:

[0021] - the shell portions are massive,

[0022] - their distal ends have faces parallel to said X axis and

[0023] - their proximal ends are completely fixed to the fixation part using a solid bridge.

[0024] The invention also relates to an assembly composed of the aforementioned retaining device and a tubular object according to the following statement 7:

[0025] 7. Set composed of:

[0026] - a retaining device according to one of statements 1 to 6 and - a cylindrical object comprising at least one longitudinal section provided with grooves capable of being inserted into the spaces between the ribs.

[0027] Advantageous features of the whole of the above-mentioned statement 7 are indicated in the following statements 8 and 9:

[0028] 8. Assembly according to statement 7, in which the cylindrical object is a corrugated tubular sheath.

[0029] 9. Assembly according to statement 7 or 8, in which the outer radius of the cylindrical object is substantially equal to the inner radius of curvature of the shell portions.

[0030] The invention also relates to a corrugated tubular sheath for an assembly composed of the retaining device and a cylindrical object according to the following statement 10:

[0031] 10. Corrugated tubular sheath for an assembly according to one of statements 7 to 9, comprising at least one longitudinal section without corrugations and grooved.

[0032] Advantageous features of the corrugated tubular sheath of the aforementioned statement 10 are indicated in the following statements 11 and 12:

[0033] 11. Corrugated tubular sheath according to statement 10, in which, in cross section, the circumference of the corrugated section comprises at least one arc devoid of corrugations.

[0034] 12. Corrugated tubular sheath according to statement 10, in which, in section, the circumference of the corrugated section comprises grooves regularly distributed over this entire circumference.

[0035] Furthermore, the invention relates to half-shells for mold according to the following statements 13 and 14:

[0036] 13. Half-shell mold for the manufacture of a corrugated tubular sheath according to statement 11, comprising, in its hollow part, transverse grooves for the formation of the corrugations and longitudinal ribs for the formation of the grooves, at least one arc without ribs being formed in the periphery of the ribbed longitudinal section of the half-shell.

[0037] 14. Half-shell mold for the manufacture of a corrugated tubular sheath according to statement 12, comprising, in the hollow part, transverse grooves for the formation of the corrugations and longitudinal ribs for the formation of the grooves, regularly distributed over the entire periphery of the ribbed longitudinal section of the half-shell.

[0038] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will now be described in detail in the following description which is given with reference to the appended figures, which schematically represent:

[0039] [Fig. 1]: a fixing according to the prior art;

[0040] [Fig. 2]: a retaining device / cylindrical object assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention, in perspective front view;

[0041] [Fig. 3]: the cylindrical object of the whole of figure 2, in perspective;

[0042] [Fig. 4]: a retaining device according to the invention in front view;

[0043] [Fig. 5]: a retaining device / cylindrical object assembly according to Figure 2, in perspective side view;

[0044] [Fig. 6]: the retaining device / cylindrical object assembly of Figure 5, in sectional front view;

[0045] [Fig. 7]: a retaining device according to the invention, in front view, in the rest position and, in dotted lines, when it grips a cylindrical object;

[0046] [Fig. 8]: an annular tubular sheath according to a second embodiment;

[0047] [Fig. 9]: a step of introducing a corrugated tubular sheath according to the first embodiment into a retaining device according to the invention;

[0048] [Fig. 10]: the corrugated tubular sheath of figure 9 partially introduced into the retaining device;

[0049] [Fig. 11]: a step of separating the corrugated tubular sheath from the retaining device of Figure 10; and

[0050] [Fig. 12]: a half-shell of a mold for the manufacture of a corrugated tubular sheath according to the first embodiment of the invention.

[0051] Detailed description of the invention

[0052] Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of a retaining device / cylindrical object assembly according to the invention.

[0053] The cylindrical object 10 is visible alone in Figure 3.

[0054] It is advantageously a part of a corrugated tubular sheath comprising a longitudinal section 14 without corrugations and having instead grooves 12 capable of being inserted into the spaces between the ribs 11 of the retaining device.

[0055] According to this first embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal section 14 of the tubular sheath 10 comprises, in cross section, at least one arc 17 without groove 12.

[0056] It can be seen in particular in Figure 2 that the circumference of the tubular sheath 10 comprises three arcs 17 without grooves, two arcs 18 with several grooves 12 and two arcs 19 each having a single groove 12. Each arc of a particular type 17, 18 or 19 is preferably symmetrical, with respect to the longitudinal axis Y of the tubular sheath 10, to another arc of the same type 17, 18 or 19, this in order to facilitate the manufacture of the sheath.

[0057] Figure 4 shows a retaining device according to the invention, which is suitable for both the first and second embodiments.

[0058] As can be seen in this figure 4, this device is composed of a fixing part 1 to a structure, such as a wall or a wall, and a holding part 2 of a cylindrical object such as a tube, a pipe or a tubular sheath. The holding part 2 comprises two shell portions 3, 4 forming two arcs of the same cylinder and having, in cross section, a specular symmetry with respect to each other along an axis X perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Y passing through the center between the two shell portions.

[0059] The average distance b between the faces 5,6 of the distal ends of the shell portions 3,4 and the X axis is greater than the average distance a between the faces 7,8 of the proximal ends of the shell portions 3,4 and this same X axis. The adjectives "distal" and "proximal" refer, respectively, to the distance and proximity with respect to the fixing part 1.

[0060] Unlike the aforementioned prior art attachment, according to the invention, the shell portions 3, 4 are solid, which makes them more rigid and resistant. The faces 5, 6 of the distal ends are parallel to the X axis, which is intended to facilitate their separation from each other, when a cylindrical object is introduced between them. As for the proximal ends, they are completely fixed to the attachment part 1 using a solid bridge 9, in order to ensure rigidity to the entire holding part 2.

[0061] Figures 5 and 6 again show the first embodiment of an assembly composed of a retaining device according to Figure 4 and the cylindrical object 10 of Figure 3.

[0062] According to a second embodiment of the invention, the cylindrical object 10bis, shown in Figure 8, comprises, along its longitudinal section 14, grooves 12 over its entire circumference. In other words, there is no arc without grooves in cross section as in the first embodiment.

[0063] Preferably, the outer radius of the cylindrical object 10 or 10bis is substantially equal to the inner radius of curvature of the shell portions 3, 4. By “outer radius” is meant here half the outer diameter of the cylindrical object 10 or 10bis.

[0064] By "inner radius of curvature" is meant the radius of curvature of the inner face of the shells 3,4 relative to the longitudinal central axis Y, in cross section.

[0065] Figure 7 symbolizes advantageous characteristics of the retaining device according to the invention, in the rest position (in solid lines) and in the spaced position (in dotted lines), when a cylindrical object 10 or 10bis is gripped by the shell portions 3, 4.

[0066] As can be seen, the faces 5,6 of the distal ends of each shell portion 3,4 preferably form, with the axis X, in cross section, an angle a which can be approximately 65 degrees.

[0067] The faces 7,8 of the proximal ends of each shell portion 3,4 can form, with the axis X, in cross section, an angle [3 of approximately 75 degrees.

[0068] Note that the faces 7,8 of the proximal ends are not necessarily parallel to the X axis. On the other hand, the faces 5,6 of the distal ends are preferably parallel to the X axis. As for the angle y obtained when holding a cylindrical object 10 or 10bis, it can be approximately 60 degrees.

[0069] The angles a, (3 and y are measured at the midpoint of the faces of the distal or proximal ends.

[0070] Thus, in cross-section (see Fig. 4), before the introduction of the cylindrical object 10 or 10bis, the distance b between the middle of the faces 5, 6 of the distal ends and the axis X is desirably less than the outer radius of the cylindrical object 10 or 10bis to be introduced and it may preferably be between 0.6 and 0.8 times and more preferably still equal to 0.7 times this radius.

[0071] Consequently, when a cylindrical object 10 or 10bis is introduced between the two shell portions 3, 4, the distance between the faces 5 and 6 increases to reach the outer diameter of this object, then decreases, and once the latter is in place between the two shell portions 3, 4, the distance between the middle of each face 5 or 6 and the axis X takes a value c greater than the value b (see Fig. 7). This makes it possible to maintain a constraint on the cylindrical object 10 or 10bis, in order to prevent its rotation, and of course makes its extraction very difficult. According to the invention and as can be seen in Figures 2, 4, 6 and 7, the interior of the shell portions 3, 4 has ribs 11 parallel to the longitudinal central axis Y.

[0072] These ribs 11 preferably have a triangular cross-section, preferably equilateral or isosceles.

[0073] The ribs 11 are intended to cooperate with that of a corrugated tubular sheath 10 or 10bis whose grooves 12 are capable of being inserted into the spaces between these ribs 11.

[0074] The outer radius of the cylindrical object 10 or 10bis is preferably measured from the center of this cylindrical object 10 or 10bis to the top of the grooves 12, while the inner radius of curvature of the shell portions 3, 4 is measured between the Y axis and the base of the ribs 11.

[0075] Thanks to the ribs 11 and the grooves 12, it is possible to increase stability (rotation impossible) and to confer repeatability to the assembly of the cylindrical object 10 or 10bis between the shell portions 3, 4 and therefore a precise geometric position, for example, at 15, 30 or 45 degrees. Returning now to Figure 4, it can be seen that the fixing part 1 preferably has a conical part 13, the top of which is integral with the bridge 9 and the base integral with an anchoring cylinder 15. The latter preferably has on its outer face fins 16 parallel to each other, in order to facilitate the anchoring of the fixing part 1 in a wall or partition.

[0076] Manufacture of 10.1 Obis corrugated tubular sheaths with corrugated section

[0077] The corrugated tubular sheaths 10 and 10bis can be manufactured using a mold composed of two half-shells with specular symmetry.

[0078] Two half-shells can be used, each of which comprises, in its hollow part, transverse grooves 20 for the formation of the corrugations and longitudinal ribs 21 for the formation of the grooves 12.

[0079] For the manufacture of the corrugated tubular sheath 10, half-shells such as that shown in Figure 12 can be used. This half-shell comprises, in its hollow part intended to form the exterior of the sheath, transverse grooves 20 for the formation of the corrugations and longitudinal ribs 21 for the formation of the grooves 12, at least one arc without ribs 22 being formed in the periphery of the longitudinal ribbed section of the half-shell.

[0080] For the manufacture of the corrugated tubular sheath 10bis, each half-shell comprises, in the hollow part intended to form the external part of the sheath, transverse grooves 20 for the formation of the corrugations and longitudinal ribs 21 for the formation of the grooves 12, regularly distributed over the entire periphery of the longitudinal ribbed section of the half-shell.

[0081] Assembly of a retaining device according to the invention and a cylindrical object Figures 9 and 10 show a force measurement test during the assembly of a cylindrical object having a grooved section with a ribbed retaining device made entirely of polyamide 6.6. Using a Zwick™ machine, an insertion force Fi is exerted downwards on the fixing part in the direction of the cylindrical object.

[0082] The distance dL is the distance measured between the centers of the shell portions as a function of the force Fi indicated in Newtons.

[0083] The following Table I was obtained:

[0084] We therefore see that the insertion force Fi remains less than 30 N.

[0085] Disassembly

[0086] Figure 11 shows a force measurement test during disassembly of the assembled retainer / cylindrical object assembly as shown in Figure 9.

[0087] Using the same Zwick™ machine, an extraction force Fe is exerted upwards on the cylindrical object, the fixing part being held in place.

[0088] The distance dL is the distance measured between the centers of the shell portions as a function of the force Fe is indicated in Newtons.

[0089] The following Table II was obtained: Table II shows that the extraction force is greater than 90 N, but it can reach 200 N or more depending on the diameter of the cylindrical object.

Claims

Claims 1. Retaining device for a cylindrical object (10, 10bis), comprising: - a fixing part (1) to a structure and - a holding part (2) comprising two shell portions forming two arcs of the same cylinder and having, in cross section, a specular symmetry with respect to each other along an axis (X) perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis (Y) between the shell portions, in which the interior of the shell portions has ribs (11) parallel to the longitudinal central axis (Y), characterized in that the average distance (b) between the faces (5, 6) of the distal ends of the shell portions and the axis (X) is greater than the average distance (a) between the faces (7, 8) of the proximal ends of the shell portions (3, 4) and this same axis (X).

2. A retaining device according to claim 1, wherein: - the shell portions (3,4) are massive, - their distal ends have faces (5,6) parallel to said axis (X) and - their proximal ends are completely fixed to the fixing part (1) using a solid bridge (9).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ribs (11) have a triangular cross-section.

4. Device according to claim 3, in which the ribs (11) have an equilateral or isosceles cross-section.

5. Retaining device according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the fixing part (1) has a conical part (13) whose top is secured to a bridge (9) and the base secured to an anchoring cylinder (15).

6. Retaining device according to claim 5, in which the anchoring cylinder (15) has on its outer face fins (16) parallel to each other.

7. Set composed of: - a retaining device according to one of claims 1 to 6 and - a cylindrical object (10, 10bis) comprising at least one longitudinal section (14) provided with grooves (12) capable of being inserted into the spaces between the ribs (11).

8. Assembly according to claim 7, in which the cylindrical object (10,1 Obis) is a corrugated tubular sheath.

9. Assembly according to claim 7 or 8, in which the outer radius of the cylindrical object (10, 10bis) is substantially equal to the inner radius of curvature of the shell portions (3, 4).

10. Corrugated tubular sheath (10,1 Obis) for an assembly according to one of claims 7 to 9, comprising at least one longitudinal section without corrugations and grooved (14).

11. Corrugated tubular sheath (10) according to claim 10, in which, in cross section, the circumference of the corrugated section (14) comprises at least one arc (17) without corrugations.

12. Corrugated tubular sheath (1 Obis) according to claim 10, in which, in section, the circumference of the corrugated section (14) comprises grooves (12) regularly distributed over this entire circumference.

13. Half-shell mold for the manufacture of a corrugated tubular sheath (10,1 Obis) according to claim 10, comprising, in its hollow part, transverse grooves (20) for forming the corrugations and longitudinal ribs (21) for forming the grooves (12).

14. Mold half-shell according to claim 13 for the manufacture of a corrugated tubular sheath (10), in which at least one rib-free arc (22) is formed in the periphery of the ribbed longitudinal section of the half-shell.

15. Half-shell mold according to claim 13 for the manufacture of a corrugated tubular sheath (1 Obis) according to claim 13, in which the longitudinal ribs (21) for the formation of the grooves (12) are regularly distributed over the entire periphery of the ribbed longitudinal section of the half-shell.

16. Set consisting of: - a retaining device for a cylindrical object (10, 10bis), comprising: - a fixing part (1) to a structure and - a holding part (2) comprising two shell portions forming two arcs of the same cylinder and having, in cross section, a specular symmetry with respect to each other along an axis (X) perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis (Y) between the shell portions, in which the interior of the shell portions has ribs (11) parallel to the longitudinal central axis (Y), a cylindrical object (10, 10bis) comprising at least one longitudinal section (14) provided with grooves (12) capable of being inserted into the spaces between the ribs (11).

17. Assembly according to claim 16, wherein the cylindrical object (10, 1 Obis) is a corrugated tubular sheath.

18. Assembly according to claim 16 or 17, in which the outer radius of the cylindrical object (10, 10bis) is substantially equal to the inner radius of curvature of the shell portions (3, 4).

19. Assembly according to one of claims 16 to 18, in which the ribs (11) have a triangular cross section.

20. An assembly according to claim 19, wherein the ribs (11) have an equilateral or isosceles cross-section.

21. Assembly according to one of claims 16 to 20, in which the fixing part (1) has a conical part (13) whose top is secured to a bridge (9) and the base secured to an anchoring cylinder (15).

22. Assembly according to claim 21, in which the anchoring cylinder (15) comprises on its outer face fins (16) parallel to each other.

23. Assembly according to one of claims 16 to 22, in which the average distance (b) between the faces (5, 6) of the distal ends of the shell portions and the axis (X) is greater than the average distance (a) between the faces (7, 8) of the proximal ends of the shell portions (3, 4) and this same axis (X).

24. Assembly according to one of claims 16 to 23, in which: - the shell portions (3,4) are massive, - their distal ends have faces (5,6) parallel to said axis (X) and - their proximal ends are completely fixed to the fixing part (1) using a solid bridge (9).

25. Corrugated tubular sheath (10,1 Obis) for an assembly according to one of claims 16 to 24, comprising at least one longitudinal section without corrugations and grooved (14).

26. Corrugated tubular sheath (10) according to claim 25, in which, in cross section, the circumference of the corrugated section (14) comprises at least one arc (17) without corrugations.

27. Corrugated tubular sheath (1 Obis) according to claim 24, in which, in section, the circumference of the corrugated section (14) comprises grooves (12) regularly distributed over this entire circumference.

28. Half-shell mold for the manufacture of a corrugated tubular sheath (10,1 Obis) according to claim 25, comprising, in its hollow part, transverse grooves (20) for the formation of the corrugations and longitudinal ribs (21) for the formation of the grooves (12).

29. Mold half-shell according to claim 28 for the manufacture of a corrugated tubular sheath (10), in which at least one rib-free arc (22) is formed in the periphery of the ribbed longitudinal section of the half-shell.

30. Half-shell mold according to claim 28 for the manufacture of a corrugated tubular sheath (1 Obis), in which the longitudinal ribs (21) for the formation of the grooves (12) are regularly distributed over the entire periphery of the ribbed longitudinal section of the half-shell.

31. Corrugated tubular sheath (10.1 Obis) comprising at least one longitudinal section without corrugations and grooved (14).

32. Corrugated tubular sheath (10) according to claim 31, in which, in cross section, the circumference of the corrugated section (14) comprises at least one arc (17) devoid of corrugations.

33. Corrugated tubular sheath (1 Obis) according to claim 31, in which, in section, the circumference of the grooved section (14) comprises grooves (12) regularly distributed over this entire circumference.

34. Half-shell mold for the manufacture of a corrugated tubular sheath (10,1 Obis) according to claim 31, comprising, in its hollow part, transverse grooves (20) for the formation of the corrugations and longitudinal ribs (21) for the formation of the grooves (12).

35. Mold half-shell according to claim 34 for the manufacture of a corrugated tubular sheath (10), in which at least one rib-free arc (22) is formed in the periphery of the ribbed longitudinal section of the half-shell.

36. Mold half-shell according to claim 34 for the manufacture of a corrugated tubular sheath (10), in which the longitudinal ribs (21) for forming the grooves (12) are regularly distributed over the entire periphery of the ribbed longitudinal section of the half-shell.

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