A system for fixing a flexible pipe, particularly a pipe for the brake fluid of a motor vehicle

Abstract: The flexible end part of a brake pipe (2) of a motor vehicle is supported on a bracket (3) shaped as a fork (6) held firmly to an element of the motor vehicle; the pipe (2) is covered by a protective sleeve (14) capable of being inserted through a partially open opening (11) in a seat (10) of the fork (6); the sleeve (14), fitted to the pipe (2), is held in the seat (10) by an elastic fastener (16) stretched elastically to close the opening (11) between the free ends of two arms (8, 9) of the fork (6); the fastener (16) is provided at its ends, (16a, 16b) with engagement members (17), one (17a) of which is inserted firmly with play into a through-hole (18) formed at the end (8a) of the arm (8), while the other engagement member (17b) can be snap-engaged in a support seat (9) formed at the end (9a) of the arm (9); advantages: closing the fastener (16) ensures that the sleeves (14) and the pipe (2) are fitted correctly in the seat (10); the fastener (16) prevents the pipe (2) from accidentally slipping out of the bracket (3).

Description: The present invention concerns a system for fixing a flexible pipe, in particular, a pipe for the brake fluid of a motor vehicle and, in this particular example, for fixing a flexible brake pipe to a bracket fixed to an element of the motor vehicle, for example, the suspension of the motor vehicle, by resilient fastening means. The brake fluid pipework of a motor vehicle is generally constituted by a main metal part firmly fixed beneath the body of the motor vehicle, and a flexible end part connected to the brake cylinders and not fixed to the main part, capable of absorbing the jolts and vibrations of the wheels; as is currently known, the flexible portion of the pipe is fixed adjacent the brakes to an element of the suspension or a shock absorber by means of a spring fork or, more simply, using a plastics tie strip of the type having a sliding clip. A fixing system according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from DE-A-3 004 421. However, these arrangements have disadvantages, such as the tendency for the pipe to become detached from the fixing element due to violent jerks of the suspension, or due to the spring fork loosening or the plastics strip breaking; on the other hand, if the pipe were more securely fixed by the fastening member, although it would avoid this disadvantage, it carries with it the risk of damaging the pipe over the long term and, therefore, does not completely eliminate the disadvantage. The object of the present invention is therefore to produce a system for fixing a flexible pipe, in particular, a pipe for the brake fluid of a motor vehicle, free from the disadvantages of the systems currently in use and, more particularly, to produce a system for fixing the brake pipe which will be capable of retaining the pipe securely and firmly in all operating conditions of the motor vehicle, that is simple to use and economical. In accordance with the above-defined objects, there is presented a system for fixing a flexible pipe comprising the features of independent claim 1. There now follows a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of non-limitative example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an external side view of the pipe fixing system according to the invention; Figure 2 is a front view of the system of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a fixing bracket used in the system of Figure 1; and Figure 4 represents a fastener utilised to fix the tubing to the bracket of Figure 3. With reference to the drawings, the reference numeral 1 generally indicates the system according to the invention for fixing a pipe 2, in the non-limitative example illustrated, a brake pipe for a motor vehicle; the system 1 includes a support element 3 comprising a metal bracket formed by punching sheet steel; the bracket 3 is preferably, but not necessarily, provided on one side with a flange 4 bent at approximately 90°, capable of facilitating the fixing of the bracket 3, for example, by welding, to the side of a suspension mounting or to the cylindrical body 5 (Figure 3) of a shock absorber, close to a brake cylinder, not shown; the bracket 3 is shaped as a fork 6, delimited by a pair of arms 8 and 9 which define between them a circular seat 10 capable of holding the pipe 2; the seat 10 is partially open and communicates with an opening 11 delimited by two facing parallel edges of the two arms 8, 9; the pipe 2 can be inserted through the opening 11 into the seat 10 with little effort by elastically parting the arms 8, 9. In order to protect the flexible pipe 2, usually formed from composite materials (for example, rubber reinforced with fabric or the like), from possible damage caused by accidental contact with the sharp edges of the bracket 3, the portion of the pipe engaged with the bracket 3 is covered by a sleeve 14 made from soft rubber, made in two halves 14a, 14b (Figure 1) and provided with a circular channel 15 substantially equal in size to the thickness of the bracket 3, capable of covering an inner edge 10a when it is inserted into the seat 10. The pipe 2 inserted into the protective sleeve 14, which also functions to damp vibrations, is held securely in the seat 10 by means of the releasable fixing means formed from an elastic fastener 16 made from spring steel wire (piano wire steel) bent at its end 16a, 16b to form hooks 17a and 17b capable of engaging the engagement seats 18 and 19 formed at the ends 8a and 9a of the fork 6; in the central part 16c (Figure 4), the wire of the fastener 16 is folded back onto itself to form at least one elastic helical turn 20 capable of allowing small elastic excursions, particularly longitudinally, at the ends 16a and 16b. The engagement seats 18 and 19 (Figure 3) comprise respectively a through-hole 18 formed on one of the arms, for example, the arm 8, and a support 19 formed on the outside of the other arm 9 of the fork 6. In use, after having inserted the pipe 2, protected by the sleeve 14, into the seat 10, a first hook 17a of the fastener 16 is inserted with play in the through-hole 18 in such a way that the fastener 16 is able freely to rotate in the hole itself while remaining in the plane of the bracket 3; the second end 17b of the fastener 16 is capable of being engaged on the seat 19 of the arm 9, after having passed over a projection 21 of the end 9a by virtue of elastic deformation; the elastic deformation of the turn 20 puts the fastener 16 under tension between the ends 8a and 9a of the fork 6, which thus closes the opening 11, preventing the sleeve mounted on the tubing 2 from accidentally slipping out. If necessary, the fastener 16 can be opened by disengaging its end 17b from the support 19, by overcoming the elastic tension of the turn 20. As can be easily understood from the above, the fixing system according to the invention enables the pipe to be supported stably and securely close to the brake cylinders; the pipe 2 is therefore fixed onto the support 3 both longitudinally due to the action of the sleeve 14, forcibly inserted into the seat 10, and transversely by the elastic fastener 16 held firmly to close the opening 11.

Claims: A system for fixing a flexible pipe such as a pipe (2) for the brake fluid of a motor vehicle, comprising a support element (3) for the pipe (2) fixed to a suspension mounting, and releasable fastener means (16) capable of securing the pipe (2) to the said support element (3), the said support element (3) is constituted by a substantially flat bracket (3) which is shaped as a fork (6) and provided with a partly-open seat (10) in communication with an opening (11) delimited by a pair of arms (8, 9) and capable of housing the pipe (2), characterised in that the said releasable fastener means (16) are constituted by an elastic fastener (16) provided at its ends with engagement members (17) capable of engaging corresponding engagement seats (18, 19) formed on the said arms (8, 9) to close the opening (11). A fixing system according to Claim 1, characterised in that the said engagement seats (18, 19) are constituted respectively by a through-hole (18) formed in an end (8a) of one of the said arms (8) and capable of housing one of the said engagement members (17a), and a support (19) formed on an outer side of the end (9a) of another of the said arms (9) and capable of housing another of the said engagement members (17b). A fixing system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterised in that the said fastener (16) is constructed using spring steel wire and is shaped at its ends (16a, 16b) in the form of hooks (17a, 17b), and is bent in the central part (16c) to form at least one helical turn (20) capable of holding the said fastener (16) elastically extended between the said engagement seats (18, 19). A fixing system according to any preceding claim, characterised in that it includes a protective sleeve (14) for covering the said pipe (2), mounted coaxially of the pipe itself; the said protective sleeve (14) being provided with a circular channel (15) capable of engaging an inner edge (10a) of the said seat (10).

Inventors: BARENGO ANGELO, BARENGO, ANGELO
Applicants: FIAT AUTO SPA, FIAT AUTO S.P.A.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B60T17
IPC codes: B60T17, F16L3