Connector

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector (1) for attaching a cable or a pipe to a support structure. The connector (1) includes a mounting part (2) for fastening to the support structure and a clamping part (3) for supporting the cable or the pipe. The mounting part (2) includes a base (21) substantially perpendicular to the fastening direction (D) and a side wall (22) extending substantially in the fastening direction (D) from the side edge of the base (21). The mounting part (2) further includes an adapter part (20) for receiving a fastening component, and an opening (23) is provided in the base (21). The adapter part (20) is at least partially mounted in the opening (23), and when the adapter part (20) is fastened to the support structure, the base (21) is movable relative to the adapter part (20). The connector (1) of the present invention is fastened to the support structure by the adapter part (20), and the opening (23) of the base (21) allows the base (21) to move within a certain range relative to the fixed adapter part (20), thereby enabling position adjustment of the connector (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to mounting and fastening components, and more particularly to connectors for attaching cables or pipes to a support structure.

Background Art

[0002] Various mounting and fastening components for installing and attaching cables or pipes are known. For example, connectors for attaching cables or pipes to a support structure are already widely used. In many cases, since the cable or pipe is very long and substantially straight, in order to attach the cable or pipe to the support structure, a plurality of connectors need to work together to form a plurality of support points along the entire length of the cable or pipe. Generally, the process of attaching a cable or pipe is as follows. First, a row of spaced mounting holes is formed at the mounting position of the cable or pipe, then the connectors are respectively mounted and fastened to the mounting holes, and finally the cable or pipe is mounted to the cable harness receiving part of the connector. However, in the above-described mounting process, the mounting hole positions often deviate slightly from the longitudinal axis of the cable or pipe. As a result, after the cable or pipe is mounted to the cable harness receiving part of the connector, it cannot maintain a straight path along the entire length of its longitudinal axis. This can result in, particularly in the case of a stiffer pipe, a situation where a part of the pipe cannot be mounted to the receiving part of the connector.

[0003] To solve the above technical problems, existing solutions create connectors that can be adjusted by an additional base. For example, European Patent No. 2270943 discloses fixing a connector to a support structure by a leg element, and the relative positions of the leg element and the connector are adjustable. However, the use of an additional base that enables adjustment of the connector position at the work site of the mounting operation is inconvenient. An additional process for fixing the base is required, and then the connector needs to be attached to the base. Furthermore, separate bases and connectors also increase the manufacturing cost and labor cost.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a connector for attaching a cable or a pipe to a support structure, and enables an appropriate degree of adjustment of the connector mounting position in a simple and convenient manner.

[0005] A connector for attaching a cable or a pipe to a support structure, the connector comprising a mounting portion for fastening to the support structure and a clamping portion for supporting the cable or the pipe, the mounting portion comprising a base substantially perpendicular to the fastening direction and a side wall extending substantially in the fastening direction from a side edge of the base, the mounting portion further comprising an adapter portion used for receiving a fastening component or directly fastenable to the support structure, an opening being provided in the base, and when the adapter portion is fastened to the support structure by a fastening component or directly, the adapter portion is at least partially mounted in the opening, and the base is movable relative to the adapter portion along the mounting surface of the support structure. Thus, the connector of the present invention is fastened to the support structure by the adapter portion. The base and the clamping portion of the connector are not directly fastened to the support structure, and the opening in the base enables the base to move within a certain range relative to the fixed adapter portion, thereby enabling the position adjustment of the connector and assisting in ensuring that the cable or the pipe is substantially straight after being attached to the support structure.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the adapter portion includes an extending portion that extends in the fastening direction and has a cross-section perpendicular to the fastening direction that is smaller than the opening, and a stopping portion that is adjacent to the extending portion and has a cross-section perpendicular to the fastening direction that is at least partially larger than the opening. The extending portion smaller than the opening allows the adapter to move within the opening, while the stopping portion larger than the opening is used to limit the adapter portion so that the adapter portion is not completely removed from the base, ensuring that the connector can be connected as a whole to the support structure by the adapter portion. At the same time, the base is preferably movable along the mounting surface of the support structure to adjust the position.

[0007] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the adapter portion includes at least one through-hole through which a fastening component passes. The fastening component is pushed into the support structure through the through-hole by a fastening tool, and the adapter portion further includes a receiving portion for receiving the nose portion of the fastening tool. In order to be compatible with various types of fastening components such as screws and bolts, the adapter portion is provided with through-holes for the fastening components. Pushing the fastening component into the support structure by a fastening tool is a common method of installing a cable or a pipe. Therefore, the fact that the adapter portion includes a receiving portion for fitting the nose portion of the fastening tool helps to ensure that the installation process is convenient and efficient.

[0008] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the adapter portion includes a fastening component at the end of the extending portion facing the support structure, and the adapter portion can be directly mounted on the support structure by the fastening component. Thus, the fastening component is a part of the adapter portion, and the adapter portion can be directly fastened to the support structure without the need for additional fastening components.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the opening is circular, rectangular, or oval. Differently shaped openings allow the base to have greater freedom of position adjustment with respect to the fastened adapter portion, for example, translation or rotation along the mounting surface of the support structure.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the opening is in the form of a substantially narrow slot, having a first side edge and a second side edge that face each other and are substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the cable or pipe, and two opposing edges of the narrow slot connect the first side edge and the second side edge. The opening in the form of a narrow slot enables the base to have an adjusted position with respect to the adapter portion fastened perpendicularly to the direction of extension of the cable or pipe, whereby a plurality of connectors distributed in the direction of extension of the cable or pipe are aligned, thus ensuring that the cable or pipe is straight in its direction of extension.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the extension portion has substantially the same shape as the opening, but is overall smaller in size than the opening. Thus, the extension portion has a larger range of movement within the opening and at the same time helps to ensure the stability of the connector.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the stopper portion extends in the direction of extension of the cable or pipe at least partially beyond the first side edge and the second side edge, thereby at least partially overlapping the edge of the opening. Thus, when the adapter portion is fastened to the support structure, the base is restricted by the stopper portion so that it can only move parallel to the plane of the mounting surface. The stopper portion covers the edge of the opening of the base, ensuring that the base does not move away from the limiting action of the stopper portion.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cutout is provided on the side wall of the mounting portion that is parallel to the first and second side edges, the stopper portion extends in the cutout, and the length of the cutout is substantially equal to the length of the narrow slot. Thus, the cooperation between the adapter portion and the mounting portion is realized simply and effectively.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the anti-slip structure is provided on the side surface of the stopper portion facing the base and / or on the opening edge portions of the first and second side edges of the base. The function of the anti-slip structure is to generate a greater friction between the stopper portion and the base. Therefore, when the connector is adjusted to the desired position, the connector does not move easily due to the friction between the stopper portion and the base.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the adapter portion is connected to the side wall by at least one flexible strip. Preferably, the at least one flexible strip has a predetermined breaking point of a weakening material. Alternatively, the at least one flexible strip is designed as a thin film hinge. The connector of the present invention is an integral structure. The adapter portion is part of the connector and is integrally formed with the whole of the connector. When the adapter portion is fastened to the support structure, the flexible connection between the adapter portion and the cavity enables the base and the clamp portion of the connector to move relative to the adapter portion, thus making the process of mounting and fastening the connector very easy. The integrally formed connector also helps to reduce the manufacturing cost as well as the labor cost in the mounting process.

[0016] The present invention will be described in more detail in the following examples with reference to the accompanying drawings. The described embodiments are merely possible configurations, and in these configurations, individual features may be realized independently of each other or may be omitted.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Figures 1 to 4 show a connector 1 for attaching a cable (not shown), such as a pipe, a tube, or an electrical cable, to a support structure (not shown), such as a wall, a ceiling, or a steel girder. Preferably, the connector 1 is made of plastic by injection molding.

[0019] The connector 1 includes a mounting portion 2 for fastening to the support structure and a clamping portion 3 for supporting the cable or pipe. The mounting portion 2 includes a base 21 substantially perpendicular to the fastening direction, a side wall 22 extending substantially in the fastening direction from a side edge of the base 21, and an adapter portion 20 that can receive a fastening component or can be directly fastened to the support structure.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the base 21 is substantially rectangular, and in the installed state of the connector 1, the bottom surface of the base 21 abuts against the mounting surface of the support structure. The side wall 22 extending in the fastening direction D from the side edge of the base 21 surrounds a square hollow space following the contour of the rectangular base. The clamping portion 3 further extends from the base side wall 22 and surrounds a cavity 31 for receiving the nose portion of a fastening tool and a clamping arm 32 for clamping the cable or pipe. Preferably, the clamping arm 32 is slightly inclined toward the cavity 31 or is angled in an arc shape toward the cavity 31, so that the opposing clamping arms 32 form a slot 33 and enable the cable or pipe to be firmly clamped in the slot 33.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the base 21 is provided with an opening 23. The adapter portion 20 is at least partially mounted within the opening 23. Preferably, the opening 23 is in the form of a narrow slot and has a first side edge 24 and a second side edge 25 that face each other and are substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the cable or pipe, and two opposing end edges 26 that connect the first side edge 24 and the second side edge 25. This type of opening 23 in the form of a narrow slot allows the base 21 to have an adjusted position relative to the adapter portion 20 fastened perpendicular to the direction of extension of the cable or pipe, whereby a plurality of connectors distributed in the direction of extension of the cable or pipe are aligned, thus ensuring that the cable or pipe is straight in its direction of extension. Preferably, the end edges 26 are arcuate. The arcuate end edges 26 allow the base 21 to rotate along the mounting surface and better conform to the shape and size of the cavity 31.

[0022] Alternatively, the opening 23 has another shape such as circular, rectangular, or oval. Differently shaped openings allow the base to have greater freedom of position adjustment relative to the fastened adapter portion, for example, translation or rotation along the mounting surface of the support structure. In fact, the shape of the opening 23 depends on the shape of the adapter portion and the required degree of freedom of movement of the connectors.

[0023] The adapter portion 20 includes an extension portion 201 that extends in the fastening direction and has a cross-section perpendicular to the fastening direction D that is smaller than the opening 23, and a stop portion 202 that is adjacent to the extension portion 201 and has a cross-section perpendicular to the fastening direction D that is at least partially larger than the opening 23. The cross-section of the extension portion 201 perpendicular to the fastening direction is uniform. Preferably, the extension portion 201 has substantially the same shape as the opening 23, but is overall smaller in size than the opening 23.

[0024] The stop portion 202 is substantially parallel to the mounting surface, that is, a plane perpendicular to the fastening direction, for example, a flange surface formed by extending radially outward from the extending portion 201. The cross-section of the stop portion 202 perpendicular to the fastening direction is at least partially larger than the opening 23, that is, the stop portion 202 does not completely enter the opening 23. The stop portion 202 at least partially covers the opening edge of the base 21, which is necessary to allow the extending portion to move relative to the opening 23. At the same time, the stop portion 202 covers the edge of the opening 23 of the base 21, restricts the adapter portion 20 so that the adapter portion 20 is not completely removed from the base 21, and ensures that the connector 1 can continue to be connected to the support structure by the adapter portion 20, and the base 21 is restricted by the stop portion 202 so that it can only move parallel to the plane of the mounting surface.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the opening 23 is in the form of a narrow slot, the stop portion 202 extends at least partially beyond the first side edge 24 and the second side edge 25 in the direction of the extension of the cable or pipe, thereby at least partially covering the edge of the opening. Preferably, the cut-out holes 27 are respectively provided in a pair of opposing side walls 22 of the mounting portion parallel to the first side edge and the second side edge, and the stop portion 202 extends in the cut-out holes 27. The length of the cut-out holes 27 is substantially equal to the length of the opening in the form of a narrow slot. The cut-out holes 27 are formed in a pair of side walls 22 perpendicular to the direction of the extension of the cable or pipe. Therefore, the cooperation between the adapter portion and the mounting portion is easily and effectively realized, and the molding requirements are met. In particular, when the connector 1 is integrally formed, demolding becomes easy.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of anti-slip structures 28 are provided on the side surface of the stopping portion 202 facing the base 21 and / or on the opening edge portion of the base. It is, for example, a plurality of ribs arranged in parallel, or discrete ridges uniformly distributed, and a roughened surface, etc. The function of the anti-slip structure is to generate a greater friction between the stopping portion and the base. Thus, when the connector 1 is adjusted to the desired position, the connector does not move easily due to the friction between the stopping portion 202 and the base 21.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the adapter portion 20 includes at least one through hole 203 through which the fastening component passes. Preferably, the through hole 203 is located at the center of the adapter portion, that is, the through hole 203 penetrates the stopping portion 202 and the extending portion 201 in the fastening direction. The fastening component is a screw, or a bolt, or a nail, or another fastener. The shape and size of the through hole 203 must conform to the fastening component used. The through hole 203 is used to receive the fastening component, and thus, the axis of the through hole 203 must be parallel to the fastening direction D.

[0028] When the fastening component is a bolt, it is suitable for a support structure having a pre-formed reamed hole or threaded hole. In this case, the through hole 203 is also preferably a threaded hole, so that the bolt is screwed into the through hole 203 and the hole of the support structure, thereby fastening the connector to the support structure.

[0029] When the fastening component is a screw, a fastening tool is required. The fastening tool is a direct fastening tool that operates without the need for pre-drilling, such as an electric nail gun or an electric screwdriver, for pushing the screw into the support structure. A common fastening tool is provided with a nose portion for mounting the screw. Therefore, the adapter portion 20 has a receiving portion 204 for receiving the nose portion of the fastening tool in order to better fit with the fastening tool. The size of the receiving portion 204 is adapted to the size of the nose portion. The receiving portion 204 is adjacent to the stopping portion 202. The through hole 203 penetrates the receiving portion 204, the stopping portion 202, and the extending portion 201. Pushing the fastening component into the support structure by the fastening tool is a common method of mounting a cable or a pipe. Therefore, the fact that the adapter portion 20 is provided with the receiving portion 204 for fitting to the nose portion of the fastening tool helps to make the mounting process convenient and efficient.

[0030] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the side portion of the extending portion 201 of the adapter portion 20 facing the support structure is provided with a fastening component, for example, a catch pin. Thus, when the fastening component is mounted in the mounting hole, the adapter portion 20 is directly fastened to the support structure, and there is no need to provide an additional through hole for the fastening component.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the adapter portion 20 is connected to the side wall 22 by at least one flexible strip 29. The flexible connection of the adapter portion 20 to the side wall 22 allows the base and the clamp portion of the connector to move relative to the adapter portion, and further helps to reduce manufacturing cost and technology. Preferably, there are two, three, or four flexible strips 29 distributed in the circumferential direction of the stopping portion 202. The flexible strip 29 has one end connected to the periphery of the stopping portion and another end connected to the side wall 22. More preferably, when the opening 23 is in the form of a narrow slot, four flexible strips 29 arranged in opposing pairs between the upper edge of the cutout hole 27 of the side wall 22 and the edge of the stopping portion are included. Such a structure facilitates the demolding of the integrated connector 1 in the injection molding process.

[0032] Preferably, at least one flexible strip 29 has a predetermined breaking point of a weakening material. Alternatively, at least one flexible strip is designed as a thin film hinge. After attachment to the support structure or after fixing the adapter part 20 to the support structure, when the base is adjusted, the flexible strip 29 may break at the predetermined breaking point, so that the position of the connector 1 can be adjusted more conveniently. Before the adapter part 20 is fastened to the mounting hole, the connector 1 of the present invention is an integral structure. The adapter part 20 is a part of the mounting part and is integrally formed with the mounting part 2 and the clamping part 3. When the adapter part 20 is fastened to the support structure, the end face of the extending part 201 of the adapter part and the bottom face of the base 21 simultaneously abut against the mounting surface of the support structure. Since the extending part 201 is smaller than the range of the opening, the stopping part 202 is pressed against the opening edge of the base, but the base 21 can preferably move, for example, parallel along the mounting surface or can rotate slightly. Therefore, in the process of mounting the cable or pipe, even if the mounting holes are not linearly aligned, the position of the base 21 can be preferably adjusted so that the clamping parts 3 of the plurality of connectors remain aligned due to the fact that the adapter part is fixed to the mounting hole, and the base and the adapter part can move relative to each other within the range of the opening. Therefore, the integrated connector of the present invention makes the process of fixing and fastening the cable or pipe to the support structure very easy.

[0033] The present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, but it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes can be made to the components of the present invention and equivalents can be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope thereof. Furthermore, many modifications may be made to adapt to the specific situations or materials taught by the present invention without departing from the important teachings of the present invention.

Claims

1. A connector for attaching a cable or pipe to a support structure, comprising a mounting portion for fastening to the support structure and a clamping portion for supporting the cable or pipe, wherein the mounting portion comprises a base substantially perpendicular to the fastening direction and a side wall extending substantially in the fastening direction from a side edge of the base. In the connector, the mounting portion further comprises an adapter portion that is used for receiving a fastening component or is directly fastenable to the support structure. An opening is provided in the base. When the adapter portion is fastened to the support structure by the fastening component or directly, the adapter portion is at least partially mounted within the opening, and the base is movable relative to the adapter portion along the mounting surface of the support structure. The connector is characterized by this.

2. The adapter portion according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an extending portion extending in the fastening direction and having a cross-section perpendicular to the fastening direction that is smaller than the opening, and a stopping portion adjacent to the extending portion and having a cross-section perpendicular to the fastening direction that is at least partially larger than the opening.

3. The adapter portion according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises at least one through-hole through which a fastening component passes, the fastening component is pushed into the support structure through the through-hole by a fastening tool, and the adapter portion further comprises a receiving portion for receiving the nose portion of the fastening tool.

4. The adapter portion according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a fastening component at an end of the extending portion facing the support structure, and the adapter portion is directly fastenable to the support structure by the fastening component.

5. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the opening is circular, rectangular, or oval.

6. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the opening is in the form of a substantially narrow slot and comprises a first side edge and a second side edge facing each other and substantially perpendicular to the extending direction of the cable or pipe, and two opposing end edges connect the first side edge and the second side edge.

7. The connector according to claim 6, characterized in that the extending portion has substantially the same shape as the opening, but is overall smaller in size than the opening.

8. The connector according to claim 7, characterized in that the stop portion extends in a direction of extension of the cable or pipe, at least partially beyond the first side edge and the second side edge, thereby at least partially overlapping with an edge portion of the opening.

9. The connector according to claim 8, characterized in that the cutout hole is provided in the side wall of the mounting portion parallel to the first and second side edges, the stop portion extends in the cutout hole, and a length of the cutout hole is substantially equal to a length of the narrow slot.

10. The connector according to claim 9, characterized in that the anti-slip structure is provided on a side surface of the stop portion facing the base and / or on an opening edge portion of the first side edge and the second side edge of the base.

11. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the adapter portion is connected to the side wall by at least one flexible strip.

12. The connector according to claim 11, characterized in that the at least one flexible strip has a predetermined breaking point of a weakening material.

13. The connector according to claim 11, characterized in that the at least one flexible strip is designed as a thin film hinge.

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