Supporting apparatus for suspending slender body

Abstract

A supporting apparatus (1) for suspending a slender body on a supporting structure, the supporting apparatus comprising a receiving element (20) and a fastening element (10), wherein the receiving element comprises a hook part (22) for receiving one or more slender bodies and a rod part (23) that extends in a first direction from an attachment end of the hook part, the rod part being opposite a free end (21) of the hook part, the fastening element being configured to be fixed onto the supporting structure, the rod part (23) having a first mounting hole (27), the fastening element (10) having a second mounting hole (17), at least one pin (30) respectively passing through the mounting holes of the rod part and the fastening element, such that the fastening element is hinged to the rod part, and the fastening element can pivot relative to the rod part of the receiving element. The supporting apparatus of the present invention is suitable for different mounting positions, sturdy and durable, and mounting is convenient.

Description

[0001] Hilti Aktiengesellschaft

[0002] Principality of Liechtenstein

[0003] Supporting apparatus for suspending slender body

[0004] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0005] The present invention relates to a fastening connection apparatus, in particular a supporting apparatus for suspending a slender body (such as a pipeline, cable or analogue).

[0006] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A supporting apparatus for suspending a slender body (such as a pipeline, cable or similar) in the prior art generally comprises a fastening element and a receiving component. The receiving component is substantially hook-shaped, for receiving a body to be suspended, and such bodies are compressed in the receiving component under the effect of weight. The fastening element is used for fixing the supporting apparatus onto a supporting structure (such as a ceiling or wall). For example, a screw may act as a fastening means, and a fastening member may be fastened onto the supporting structure by means of mounting a screw in a threaded hole. Alternatively, a nail passes through the fastening element so as to fasten the supporting apparatus onto the supporting structure.

[0008] US10881694B discloses a cable support, which comprises a receiving element, a fastening element and at least one extending piece. The receiving element comprises a hook part; the hook part is configured to support one or more cables, and further comprises a rod part, and the rod part extends in a first direction from an attachment end that is opposite a free end of the hook part. The fastening element may extend in a second direction from the rod part, and may comprise one or more holes, used for receiving a fastening member that fixes the receiving element onto the supporting structure. The extending piece connects together the fastening element and the receiving element, and the extending piece may bend relative to the receiving element, in order to move the fastening element between a wall mounting configuration, a ceiling mounting configuration, and rod-type mounting configuration.

[0009] However, a known defect of a cable support is that when the cable support is mounted on different supporting structures, for example, a wall, ceiling or rod-type mounting, it is necessary to manually bend the extending piece, so that the fastening element can rotate to the correct mounting position. Cable supports are generally formed from metal sheet material, and in order to ensure sufficient supporting strength, sufficiently hard metal material should be selected as the metal sheet materialfrom ; therefore, a large force is usually required when bending the extending piece, and it is difficult to ensure the fastening element is bent to the correct mounting angle. Additionally, when the fastening element is bent to a suitable angle, a structure that maintains the relative positions of the fastening element and the receiving element is very complex, and mounting is inconvenient.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a supporting apparatus that is used for suspending a slender body, and that is suitable for different mounting positions, sturdy, durable and convenient to mount.

[0012] A supporting apparatus for suspending a slender body on a supporting structure, the supporting apparatus comprising a receiving element and a fastening element, wherein the receiving element comprises a hook part for receiving one or more slender bodies and a rod part that extends in a first direction from an attachment end of the hook part, the rod part being opposite a front end of the hook part, the fastening element being configured to be fixed onto the supporting structure, the rod part having a first mounting hole, the fastening element having a second mounting hole, and at least one pin respectively passing through the mounting holes of the rod part and the fastening element, such that the fastening element is hinged to the rod part, and the fastening element can rotate relative to the rod part of the receiving element around the pin. The fastening element and the rod part form a hinged connection therebetween by means of the pin, so that the angle of the fastening element relative to the rod part can be conveniently adjusted, so as to be suited for different supporting structures.

[0013] The fastening element rotates between a first direction and a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Thus, when in a first direction, the fastening element is suitable for mounting on a wall, and when in the second direction, the fastening element is suitable for mounting on a ceiling.

[0014] The angle of the fastening element is continuously adjustable between the first direction and the second direction. In the supporting apparatus of the present invention, the fastening element is hinged to the rod part; therefore, the fastening element may freely rotate relative to the rod part between the first direction and the second direction, and the fastening element is also fixedly connected onto the supporting structure even when the supporting structure is not arranged horizontally or vertically.

[0015] The fastening element comprises a main body part used for fastening and a connecting part extending out of the main body part, wherein the connecting part comprises a first locking face that is substantially perpendicular to the main body part and first mounting faces that respectively extend from two sides of the locking face away from the main body part, the first mounting hole being arranged on the first mounting face, a cross section of a top end of the rod part that is perpendicular to the first direction approximately being in the shape of the symbol “]”, comprising a second locking face that faces a free end of the hook part and second mounting faces that extend from two sides of the second locking face away from the hook part, and the second mounting hole being arranged on the second mounting face. In the supporting apparatus of the present invention, the fastening element and the rod part are hinged at respective ends thereof, such that the whole of the supporting apparatus is simpler and more practical.

[0016] An interlocking structure is provided between the connecting part of the fastening element and the top end of the rod part, such that when the main body part of the fastening element is in a first direction and / or second direction position, the fastening element and the rod part are locked in position. The interlocking structure ensures that the supporting apparatus is stable and reliable after being mounted on the supporting structure.

[0017] The interlocking structure comprises an elastic piece and a slit that are respectively arranged on the connecting part of the fastening element and / the top end of the rod part; when the main body part of the fastening element is in the first direction and / or second direction position, the elastic piece is engaged in the slit, and when the main body part of the fastening element is at a position between the first direction and the second direction, the elastic piece is released from the slit. Such an interlocking structure is not only structurally simple, and convenient to process, but also is extremely secure and reliable.

[0018] At least two elastic pieces are comprised, a first elastic piece being arranged on the first mounting face and a second elastic piece being arranged on the first locking face, the first elastic piece and the second elastic piece extending to an outer side relative to the first mounting face and the first locking face respectively, the slit also comprising at least a first slit and a second slit, which are arranged on the second mounting face and the second locking face, respectively, corresponding to the positions of the elastic pieces; when the main body part of the fastening element is in a first direction, the first elastic piece is locked in the first slit, and when the main body part of the fastening element is in the second direction, the second elastic piece is locked in the second slit. Thus, when the supporting apparatus of the present invention is mounted on different supporting structures, the fastening element can in each case be locked in position relative to the rod part, in order to ensure that the supporting apparatus is always stable in a process of use.

[0019] A limiting structure is further provided between the connecting part of the fastening element and the top end of the rod part, and thus, when the main body part of the fastening element is in the first direction, the main body part does not continue to rotate around the pin.

[0020] In the supporting apparatus for suspending a slender body in the present invention, the angle of the fastening element relative to the rod part can be very conveniently selected according to different supporting structures, and it can be ensured that the supporting apparatus is stable and secure after being mounted on the supporting structure.

[0021] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] A better understanding of the embodiments mentioned can be gained from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings. It is emphasized that various components are not necessarily drawn to scale. In fact, dimensions may be increased or decreased at will for the purpose of clear description. In the drawings, identical reference signs denote identical elements.

[0023] Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing of a supporting apparatus for suspending a slender body of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of a supporting apparatus for suspending a slender body of the present invention;

[0024] Fig. 3 is a schematic drawing of a mounting state of a fastening element of a supporting apparatus for suspending a slender body of the present invention when in a first direction;

[0025] Fig. 4 is a partial sectional view taken along line A-A of the supporting apparatus shown in Fig. 3;

[0026] Fig. 5 is a schematic drawing of a mounting state of the fastening element of the supporting apparatus of the present invention when in a second direction;

[0027] Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the supporting apparatus shown in Fig. 5;

[0028] Fig. 7 is a schematic drawing of the fastening element of the supporting apparatus for suspending a slender body of the present invention; and

[0029] Fig. 8 is a schematic drawing of a receiving element of the supporting apparatus for suspending a slender body of the present invention.

[0030] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] Below, with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 8, the fastening element of the supporting apparatus for suspending a slender body of the present invention is described. The following description is merely exemplary, and does not limit the disclosed content of the present application or the applications or uses of the present invention. The terms “front”, “rear”, “above...”, “below...”, “left” and “right” in the present invention are used throughout this specification to define various components of the supporting apparatus of the present invention when arranged in an orientation in which it is to be used.

[0032] Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, “1” is used to indicate the overall supporting apparatus for suspending a slender body of the present invention, which is generally a “J” shape, comprising a fastening element 10 and a receiving element 20.

[0033] Referring to Fig. 7, a fastening element 10 is configured to fix the supporting apparatus 1 onto a supporting structure (not shown). In the embodiment shown, the fastening element 10 is formed from a main body part 11 , which is formed from a sheet metal (such as iron or aluminium, or an alloy (such as steel)), and a connecting part 12 that extends out of the main body part; the main body part 11 extends on a plane that is perpendicular to a fastening direction and is provided with two opposite lateral edges 13 that are bent, for example at approximately 90°. Thus, a mounting face facing in the opposite direction to the fastening direction is formed between the two opposite lateral edges 13.

[0034] The main body part 11 of the fastening element 10 is provided with at least one hole 14, used for fixing the supporting apparatus 1 to the supporting structure, preferably using a fastening member (not shown), for example a threaded fastening member or a fastening pin driven with a tool such as a nail gun. In many scenarios, the supporting structure is a vertical or approximately vertical surface, for example a wall, and in many scenarios, the supporting structure is a horizontal or approximately horizontal surface, a typical horizontal supporting structure being a lower side of a support beam or horizontal beam and a ceiling made of concrete, wood or similar material. As is known in the art, the type of fastening member is determined by the type of supporting structure. It will be understood that whatever the type of hole 14, the fastening member always passes through the corresponding hole, and subsequently joins the supporting structure. In the present schematic embodiment, the main body part 12 of the fastening element 10 has two holes, respectively used for a threaded fastening member and a fastening pin. An internal diameter of one of the holes is threaded, to accommodate a threaded rod, such as a bolt, used for fixedly connecting the fastening apparatus onto the supporting structure that likewise has a threaded hole. The other hole is non-threaded and generally round, used for using a known fastening member in the art, such as a nail, to attach the supporting apparatus 1 onto a ceiling or other support or hanger.

[0035] The fastening element 10 further comprises a connecting part 12, and preferably, the connecting part 12 and the main body part 11 are formed integrally. The connecting part 12 comprises a first locking face 15, which is substantially perpendicular to the main body part 12, and first mounting faces 16 that respectively extend from two sides of the first locking face 15 away from the main body part; thus, the first mounting faces 16 are two opposite side faces that are approximately parallel to the lateral edges 13 of the main body part. A first mounting hole 17 is provided on the first mounting face 16.

[0036] Referring to Fig. 8, the receiving element 20 is preferably a strip or slender strip of metal sheet, steel or another self-supporting material. In a schematic embodiment of the present invention, a conventional metal forming technique is used to cut, stamp and / or mould the receiving element 20, in order to achieve the desired shape described in more detail below. The receiving element 20 forms a hook part 22 that is generally a “II” shape and has a free end 21 , used for receiving one or more slender bodies. Opposite the free end 21 , the hook part 22 transitions to an attachment end forming a rod part 23. An extension direction of the rod part 23 is defined as a first direction extension, and the rod part 23 is opposite the free end 21 of the hook part 22. In a preferred embodiment, the receiving element 20 is an integral body, and the hook part 22 and the rod part 23 form the receiving element 20 with a single metal strip whole body. More preferably, a cross section of the rod part 23 that is perpendicular to the first direction is approximately in the shape of the symbol “]”, and the rod part comprises a surface that faces the free end 21 of the hook part and two side faces that extend from two sides of this surface and away from the hook part. Additionally, a plastic housing may be sleeved on the hook part 22, and at least partially covers an outer surface of the hook part; thus, damage to a slender body can be avoided when the hook part 22 receives the slender body.

[0037] The rod part 23 extends in a first direction from the attachment end of the hook part to form a top end 24. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a cross section of the top end 24 that is perpendicular to the first direction is also approximately in the shape of the symbol “]”, and the top end comprises a second locking face 25, which faces the free end 21 of the hook part, and second mounting faces 26 that extend from two sides of the second locking face and away from the free end 21 of the hook part 22. A second mounting hole 27 is provided on the second mounting face 26.

[0038] Preferably, the receiving element 20 further comprises an engagement component 40, used for preventing the slender body from coming off the hook part 22. Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, the engagement component may be an elastic arm that extends from the free end from the attachment end of the hook part; the free end 21 of the hook part has a catch, and the elastic arm may be held in the catch, thereby closing an upper part of the hook part, in order to ensure that the slender body does not come off the free end of the hook part.

[0039] Referring to Figs. 1 to 6, the two opposite first mounting faces 16 of the fastening element 10 are respectively adjacent to two opposite second mounting faces 26 of the top end 24 of the rod part 23, and the positions and dimensions of the first mounting holes 17 on the first mounting faces 16 and the second mounting holes 27 on the second mounting faces 26 correspond to each other, and at least one pin 30 respectively passes through the first mounting hole 17 on the fastening element 10 and the second mounting 27 on the rod part 23, such that the fastening element 10 is hinged to the rod part 23, and the fastening element 10 can pivot relative to the rod part 23 of the receiving element. The fastening element 10 and the rod part 23 form a hinged connection therebetween by means of the pin 30, so that the angle of the fastening element relative to the rod part can be conveniently adjusted, so as to be suited for different supporting structures. The pin 30 is two rivet pins, respectively passing through two opposite mounting faces. Alternatively, the pin 30 may be a shaft pin that penetrates respective mounting holes on two opposite mounting faces.

[0040] According to the present invention, the fastening element 10 may rotate, relative to the top end of the rod part 23, between a first direction and a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Thus, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, when the fastening element 10 is at a position in the first direction, the fastening element is suitable for mounting on a wall, and when at a position in the second direction, the fastening element is suitable for mounting on a ceiling, as shown in Fig. 5.

[0041] Preferably, the angle of the fastening element 10 is continuously adjustable between the first direction and the second direction. For example, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the fastening element 10 forms an acute angle less than 90 degrees relative to the rod part 23. However, when the fastening element 10 is mounted and fastened to the supporting structure, the supporting apparatus 1 should be stable and secure; therefore, an interlocking structure is provided between the connecting part 12 of the fastening element 10 and the top end 24 of the rod part 23, such that when the main body part 11 of the fastening element 10 is at a position in the first direction and / or second direction, the fastening element 10 is locked to the rod part 23, and the fastening element 10 cannot rotate relative to the top end 24 of the rod part 23, unless, when changing from a position in the first direction to a position in the second direction, the interlocking structure is released, and thus the fastening element 10 can rotate with relative freedom between the first direction and the second direction.

[0042] The interlocking structure comprises elastic pieces 18, 19 and slits 28, 29 that are respectively arranged on the connecting part 12 of the fastening element 10 and / or the top end 24 of the rod part 23; when the main body part 11 of the fastening element 10 is in the first direction and / or second direction position, the elastic pieces 18, 19 are engaged in the slits 28, 29, and when the main body part 11 of the fastening element 10 is at a position between the first direction and the second direction, the elastic pieces 18, 19 are released from the slits 28, 29. Such an interlocking structure is not only structurally simple, and convenient to process, but also is extremely secure and reliable. It will be understood that the interlocking structure is not limited to the form of elastic pieces and slits; any interlocking structure that can lock the position of the fastening element, relative to the rod part, in the first direction and / or second direction is still within the concept of the present invention.

[0043] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, referring to Fig. 4 and Figs. 6 to 8, the elastic piece comprises a first elastic piece 18 that is arranged on the first mounting face 15 and a second elastic piece 19 that is arranged on the first locking face 16. The first elastic piece 18 is cut and bent from the first mounting face 15, such that the first elastic piece 18 extends at an incline relative to a side of the first mounting face 15 that faces the main body part 11. The second elastic piece 19 is cut and bent from the first locking face 16, such that the second elastic piece 19 extends at an incline toward an outer side relative to the first locking face 16.

[0044] The slit comprises a first slit 28, which is arranged on the second mounting face 25, and a second slit 29 that is arranged on the second locking face 26, corresponding to the positions and shapes of the first elastic piece 18 and the second elastic piece 19. Referring to Figs. 1 and 4, preferably, the first slit 28 is a notch directly formed on the second mounting face 25. Referring to Fig. 1 and Figs. 4 to 6, the second slit 29 is a notch directly formed on the second locking face 26. When the main body part 11 of the fastening element 10 is in the first direction, the first elastic piece 18 is locked in the first slit 28; when the main body part 11 of the fastening element 10 is in the second direction, the second elastic piece 19 is locked in the second slit 29. Thus, when the supporting apparatus of the present invention is mounted on different supporting structures, the fastening element 10 can in each case be locked in position relative to the rod part 23, in order to ensure that the supporting apparatus 1 always remains stable in a process of use. Since the fastening element 10 and the receiving element 20 are both made of a metal material, the first elastic piece 18 and the second elastic piece 19 are formed respectively by being directly cut and bent from the first mounting face 15 and the first locking face 16, the first slit 28 and the second slit 29 are formed respectively by being directly cut from the second mounting face 25 and the second locking face 26, such that the design of the interlocking structure is simple, and manufacture is convenient, and when the first elastic piece 18 is locked in the first slit 28 or the second elastic piece 19 is locked in the second slit 29, locking of the elastic piece and the slit is sufficiently strong to lock the fastening element in the first direction or the second direction, while the elastic piece further has a certain elasticity, such that the interlocking structure can be released.

[0045] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a limiting structure 50 is further provided between the connecting part 12 of the fastening element 10 and the top end 24 of the rod part 23. As shown in Fig. 3, the limiting structure 50 comprises a protrusion that is arranged on the first locking face 16 and a recess that is arranged on the second locking face 26, the protrusion being accommodated in the recess, and thus, when the main body part of the fastening element is in the first direction, the fastening element does not continue to rotate around the pin.

[0046] Therefore, the supporting apparatus 1 for suspending a slender body in the present invention is very conveniently suitable for different supporting structures, such as a ceiling or wall, and, after being mounted on the supporting structure, it can be ensured that the supporting apparatus is stable and secure.

[0047] As stated above, although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been explained herein with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and may have many other embodiments. The scope of the present invention should be defined by the claims and their equivalent meaning.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS1. Supporting apparatus for suspending a slender body on a supporting structure, the supporting apparatus comprising a receiving element and a fastening element, wherein the receiving element comprises a hook part for receiving one or more slender bodies and a rod part that extends in a first direction from an attachment end of the hook part, the rod part being opposite a free end of the hook part, and the fastening element being configured to be fixed onto the supporting structure, characterized in that the rod part has a first mounting hole, the fastening element has a second mounting hole, at least one pin respectively passes through the mounting holes of the rod part and the fastening element, such that the fastening element is hinged to the rod part, and the fastening element can rotate around the pin relative to the rod part of the receiving element.

2. Supporting apparatus according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the fastening element rotates between a first direction and a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

3. Supporting apparatus according to Claim 2, characterized in that an angle of the fastening element is continuously adjustable between the first direction and the second direction.

4. Supporting apparatus according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the fastening element comprises a main body part used for fastening and a connecting part extending out of the main body part, wherein the connecting part comprises a first locking face that is substantially perpendicular to the main body part and first mounting faces that respectively extend from two sides of the locking face away from the main body part, the first mounting hole being arranged on the first mounting face, a cross section of a top end of the rod part that is perpendicular to the first direction approximately being in the shape of the symbol “]”, comprising a second locking face that faces a free end of the hook part and second mounting faces that extend from two sides of the second locking face away from the hook part, and the second mounting hole being arranged on the second mounting face.

5. Supporting apparatus according to Claim 4, characterized in that an interlocking structure is provided between the connecting part of the fastening element and the top end of the rod part, such that when the main body part of the fastening element is in afirst direction and / or second direction position, the fastening element and the rod part are locked in position.

6. Supporting apparatus according to Claim 5, characterized in that the interlocking structure comprises an elastic piece and a slit that are respectively arranged on the connecting part of the fastening element and / the top end of the rod part; when the main body part of the fastening element is in the first direction and / or second direction position, the elastic piece is engaged in the slit, and when the main body part of the fastening element is at a position between the first direction and the second direction, the elastic piece is released from the slit.

7. Supporting apparatus according to Claim 6, characterized in that at least two elastic pieces are comprised, a first elastic piece being arranged on the first mounting face and a second elastic piece being arranged on the first locking face, the first elastic piece and the second elastic piece extending to an outer side relative to the first mounting face and the first locking face respectively, the slit comprising a first slit arranged on the second mounting face and a second slit arranged on the second locking face, corresponding to the positions and shapes of the elastic pieces; when the main body part of the fastening element is in the first direction, the first elastic piece is locked in the first slit, and when the main body part of the fastening element is in the second direction, the second elastic piece is locked in the second slit.

8. Supporting apparatus according to Claim 6, characterized in that a limiting structure is provided between the connecting part of the fastening element and the top end of the rod part.

Images