Abstract:
A wrap bracket assembly is provided for securing an elongated member. The assembly includes a bracket with a clamp extending from a base to wrap around the elongated member. The clamp defines an aperture, and includes side edges that extend around the elongated member. The assembly also includes a grommet forming a split tubular body that defines a substantially cylindrical cavity. The body has an axially extending opening through which the elongated member is inserted into the cavity. The body includes a pair of flanges, each of which engages one of the first and second side edges to nest the grommet within the clamp. A projection is provided that extends radially outward from the body and is received in the aperture to circumferentially align the grommet with the bracket.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/731,940 filed Mar. 25, 2010, U.S. Pat. No. 8,870,132 issued Oct. 28, 2014, which, in turn, claims the benefit of U.S. provisional Application No. 61/163,106 filed Mar. 25, 2009, the disclosures of which are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The field relates to clamps for tubes, pipes, hoses, ducts, lines, cables and harnesses. 
     BACKGROUND 
     One example of a wrap bracket is disclosed U.S. Pat. No. 2,466,921 to Tinnerman. An example of a toothed bracket for securing a tube is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,037,810 to Pate. 
     SUMMARY 
     In at least one embodiment a wrap bracket assembly is provided. The wrap bracket assembly includes a bracket having a base that is adapted to be attached to a surface and a clamp extending from the base and that is adapted to wrap around an elongated member. The clamp defines an aperture, and has first and second axially spaced side edges that extend around the elongated member. The assembly also includes a molded grommet forming a split tubular body that defines a substantially cylindrical cavity. The body has an axially extending opening through which the elongated member is inserted into the cavity. The body also has a pair of flanges, each of which engages one of the first and second side edges to nest the grommet within the clamp. The grommet includes a projection extending radially outward from the body that is received in the aperture to circumferentially align the grommet with the bracket. 
     In another embodiment, a wrap bracket assembly having an oblong projection is provided. The wrap bracket assembly includes a bracket having a base that is adapted to be attached to a surface and a clamp extending from the base and that is adapted to wrap around an elongated member. The clamp has an inner end that is attached to the base and a distal end opposite the base. The clamp defines a slot. The bracket includes a first engagement feature that extends from the distal end to attach the distal end of the clamp to a second engagement feature provided on the base. The assembly also includes a molded grommet having a split tubular body that has axially opposite sides. The grommet has a plurality of flanges extending radially from the axially opposite sides of the body. The flanges nest the grommet within the clamp. The body forms a cylindrical cavity when in a closed position for supporting the elongated member. The grommet includes an oblong projection extending radially outward from the body that is received in the slot and secures the grommet to the bracket. 
     In yet another embodiment, a wrap bracket assembly having a toothed grommet is provided. The wrap bracket assembly includes a bracket having a base that is adapted to be attached to a surface and a clamp extending from the base and that is adapted to wrap around an elongated member. The clamp has an inner end that is attached to the base and a distal end opposite the base. The clamp defines an aperture. The assembly also includes a grommet having an elongate body of flexible material having a transverse width and a longitudinal length with a proximal end and a distal end. The body forms a split tubular structure when attached to the bracket and oriented in a closed position. The grommet is provided with a series of longitudinally spaced apart teeth formed along a central portion of the length that extend from a first side of the body. The teeth define a substantially cylindrical cavity with an axially extending opening for supporting the elongated member. The grommet also includes a post formed at the distal end of the length and extending from the first side of the body and a notch defined by the grommet and formed at the proximal end of the length and extending from the first side of the body. The notch receives the post when oriented in the closed position. The grommet also includes a projection extending from a second side of the body that is opposite the first side, wherein the projection is received by the aperture to circumferentially align the grommet with the bracket. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a wrap bracket assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrated supporting an elongated member; 
         FIG. 2A  is a bottom plan view of a grommet of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2B  is a side elevation view of the grommet of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the wrap bracket assembly of  FIG. 1 , illustrated in a closed assembly position; 
         FIG. 4  is a side sectional elevation view of the wrap bracket assembly of  FIG. 1 , taken along the line  4 - 4  and illustrated in an open assembly position; 
         FIG. 5  is a side sectional elevation view of a wrap bracket assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention, illustrated with a “R” shaped bracket; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a wrap bracket assembly according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in an open position; 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the wrap bracket assembly of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of the wrap bracket assembly of  FIG. 6 , illustrated in a closed position; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a wrap bracket assembly according to still another embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in an open position; 
         FIG. 10  is a side elevation view of a wrap bracket assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention, illustrated with a dual tube grommet having oblong projections; 
         FIG. 11  is a front elevation view of the grommet of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a side elevation view of a wrap bracket assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention, illustrated with a channeled dual tube grommet; and 
         FIG. 13  is a front elevation view of the grommet of  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a wrap bracket assembly is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention and is referenced by numeral  10 . The wrap bracket assembly  10  includes a wrap bracket  12  assembled about a grommet  14 . Once assembled, the wrap bracket assembly  10  is fastened to a supporting surface to secure a tube  16 . The wrap bracket assembly  10  may be used to secure a variety of tubes including: pipes, hoses ducts, lines, cables and harnesses. An exemplary example of one such application of a wrap bracket assembly is to secure power steering lines on an automotive vehicle. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-2B , the grommet  14  is sized to attach to a wrap bracket  12  and to conform to the outer diameter of the tube  16 . The grommet  14  is a molded elastic material, such as EPDM, Neoprene, Silicone, HNBR, Nitrile or Viton®. The material selected for the grommet  14  will preferably have a Shore Durometer Hardness between 60-80 Shore A. 
     The grommet  14  is molded in an open position, providing a split tubular grommet body  18  having a partially cylindrical shape. An axially extending opening  20  is formed along the length of the body  18 . The opening  20  may be formed during the mold process as opposed to cutting the opening  20  afterwards. By incorporating the opening  20  into the mold process, a pair of smooth lead-in surfaces  21  are created. The lead-in surfaces  21  each include a raised tip  23 . The dimension between the opposing raised tips  23  when assembled may be less than the inner diameter of the grommet  14 . The lead-in features  21  with the raised tips  23  may provide a “Snap-fit” as the wrap bracket assembly  10  engages a tube  16 . This “Snap-fit” provides positive feedback to confirm proper assembly to the tube  16 . 
     Alternative embodiments of the grommet are envisioned where the grommet is “molded closed”. An opening for this grommet could be cut after the mold process. 
     The grommet  14  is designed such that when it is closed, as seen in  FIG. 1 , the body  18  assumes a generally cylindrical shape, having an ovate cross section with a circular inner diameter that forms a cylindrical cavity. A pair of flanges  22  radially extend from the body  18 . An oblong projection  24  extends from a mid portion of the body  18  in a direction that is diametrically opposite to the opening  20 . The projection  24  includes a shaft  26  with an oblong tapered head  28 , the width of the head  28  may be larger than that of the shaft  26 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3-4 , the wrap bracket  12  is generally a single stamping that secures a tube  16  by wrapping around it. The wrap bracket  12  includes a planar base, such as mounting portion  30  for mounting the bracket  12  to a surface. The mounting portion  30  includes a fastener aperture  32  for receiving a fastener (not shown). A clamp, such as curved portion  34  of the bracket  12  extends from the mounting portion  30 . An elongated slot  36  extends through the curved portion  34 . The slot  36  is sized for receiving the oblong projection  24 . 
     The projection  24  facilitates retaining the grommet  14  within the wrap bracket  12 . Projection  24  is sized such that the width of the tapered head  28  is greater than the width of the slot  36 . Therefore the head  28  temporarily deforms to pass through the slot  36 , and then the head  28  returns to its original shape to retain the grommet  14  to the bracket  12 . 
     The oblong shape of the projection  24  as well as the flanges  22  help locate the grommet  14  within the wrap bracket  12 . The grommet  14  is sized such that the perpendicular distance between the flanges  22  is slightly larger than the width of the bracket  12 , which allows the grommet  12  to nest within the curved portion  34  of the bracket  12 . The oblong shape of the projection  24  prevents the grommet  14  from rotating relative to the bracket  12 . 
     The wrap bracket assembly  10  is illustrated in a closed position in  FIG. 3  and an open position in  FIG. 4 . The wrap bracket  12  includes a tab  38  that transversely extends from a distal end of the wrap bracket  12 . A tab-slot  40  is positioned between the mounting portion  30  and the curved portion  34  for receiving the tab  38 . During installation, a user engages the tube  16  with the open wrap bracket assembly  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Once the tube  16  is engaged the user bends the wrap bracket assembly  10  to the closed position of  FIG. 3 , and inserts the tab  38  into the slot  40 . The closed position of the wrap bracket assembly  10  is maintained by plastic deformation of the wrap bracket  12 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of the wrap bracket assembly, generally referenced by numeral  50 . Wrap assembly  50  is generally a bracket that secures a tube (not shown) by wrapping around it, and includes a temporary locking feature. Wrap Assembly  50  includes an R-shaped wrap bracket  52 . The bracket  52  includes a planar base, such as mounting portion  54  and a planar locking portion  58  connected to each other by a clamp, such as curved portion  56 . The mounting portion  54  includes a fastener aperture  60  for receiving a fastener (not shown) to secure the wrap assembly  50  to an underlying surface. The mounting portion  54  also includes a retention tab  62  that extends in a generally upright direction therefrom. The clamp, such as curved portion  56  is sized for receiving the grommet  14 . The locking portion  58  also includes a fastener aperture  61 . The retention tab  62  and the locking portion  58  are sized to provide a partial interference fit between them when the assembly  50  is bent into a closed position (not shown). The interference fit provides a temporary locking feature that may be utilized during shipping or during assembly, and prior to inserting a fastener into the fastener apertures  60 ,  61 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 6-8 , a wrap bracket assembly having a toothed grommet is illustrated in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention and is referenced by numeral  70 . The wrap bracket assembly  70  includes a wrap bracket  72  assembled about a toothed grommet  74 . Once assembled, the wrap bracket assembly  70  may be fastened to a surface to secure a tube  16  in place. The wrap bracket assembly  70  may be used to secure a variety of tubes including: pipes, hoses ducts, lines, cables and harnesses. An example of one such application of a wrap bracket assembly is to secure HVAC lines on an automotive vehicle. 
     The toothed grommet  74  is sized to attach to the wrap bracket  72  and to conform to the outer diameter of the tube  16 . The grommet  74  is formed of a molded elastic material, such as EPDM, Neoprene, Silicone, HNBR, Nitrile or Viton®. The material selected for the grommet  74  will preferably have a Shore Durometer Hardness between 60-80 Shore A. 
     The toothed grommet  74  is molded in an open position, providing a grommet body  76  having an elongate shape, with a transverse width and a longitudinal length. A series of transverse teeth  78  extend from the body  76 . The teeth are formed to evenly engage the circumference of the tube  16 . The grommet  74  includes a generally cylindrical post  80  extending from a distal end of the body  76 . A notch  82  is formed at the opposite end of the body  76 . The notch  82  is sized for receiving the post  80 . The post  80  and the notch  82  cooperate to provide an alignment feature for the wrap bracket assembly  70 . The alignment feature is positioned at an opening  84  of the wrap bracket assembly  70 . 
     The toothed grommet  74  is designed such that when it is closed, the body  76  assumes a generally cylindrical shape, having a cross section with teeth  78  that extend radially inward to form a generally cylindrical cavity with a circular inner diameter. A pair of flanges  86  radially extend from the body  76 . A cylindrical projection  88  radially extends from a mid portion of the body  76  in a direction that is diametrically opposite to the opening  84 . A pair of opposing flaps  90  extend transversely from the flanges  86  toward the projection  88 . 
     The wrap bracket  72  is generally a single stamping that secures a tube  16  by wrapping around it. The wrap bracket  72  includes a planar base, such as mounting portion  92  for mounting the bracket  72  upon an underlying surface. The mounting portion  92  includes a fastener aperture  94  for receiving a fastener (not shown). A clamp, such as curved portion  96  of the bracket  72  extends from the mounting portion  92 . The curved portion  96  includes an aperture  98  that extends through the bracket. The aperture  98  is sized for receiving the cylindrical projection  88 . The bracket  72  includes a planar locking portion  100  extending from the curved portion  96 . The locking portion  100  also includes a fastener aperture  95 , that aligns with the fastener aperture  94  of the mounting portion  92 , when the bracket assembly  70  is in the closed position ( FIG. 8 ). 
     The projection  88  as well as the flanges  86  help locate the grommet  74  to the wrap bracket  72 . The grommet  74  is sized such that the perpendicular distance between the flanges  86  is slightly larger than the width of the bracket  72 , which allows the grommet  74  to nest within the curved portion  96  of the bracket  72 . The flaps  90  help retain the grommet  74  to the bracket  72 . 
     The wrap bracket assembly  70  is illustrated in an open position in  FIG. 6  and an closed position in  FIG. 8 . During installation, a user engages the tube  16  with the open wrap bracket assembly  70 . Once the tube  16  is engaged the user bends the wrap bracket assembly  70  to the closed position of  FIG. 8 . The closed position of the wrap bracket assembly  70  is partially maintained by plastic deformation of the wrap bracket  72 , until the user securely mounts the assembly  70  using a fastener (not shown). 
       FIG. 9  illustrates yet another embodiment of the wrap bracket assembly that is generally referenced by numeral  110 . This embodiment includes, a toothed grommet  112  having a pair of channels  122  extending the length of the lateral edges of the grommet  112 . The channels  122  help retain the grommet  112  on a bracket  114 . The grommet includes an alignment feature having a post  118  and a notch  120 . Additionally a grommet post  124  outwardly extends from the grommet  112 , opposite the notch  120 . During assembly of the grommet  112  to the bracket  114 , the channels  122  are peeled open to engage the bracket  114  and released so that the channels  122  retain the grommet  112  to the bracket  114 . The mounting bracket  114  includes a step  126  to offset the grommet  112  from the underlying surface. Such an offset  126  may be used for packaging purposes, or to prevent the channels  122  or post  124  from contacting the underlying surface. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a wrap bracket assembly having a dual tube grommet with oblong projections is illustrated in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention and is referenced by numeral  130 . The wrap bracket assembly  130  includes a wrap bracket  132  assembled about a dual tube grommet  134 . Once assembled, the wrap bracket assembly  130  is fastened to an underlying surface to secure a pair of tubes  16 . The wrap bracket assembly  130  may be used to secure a variety of tubes including: pipes, hoses ducts, lines, cables and harnesses. An example of one such application of a wrap bracket assembly  130  is to secure both the pressure and return power steering lines on an automotive vehicle. 
     The dual tube grommet  134  is generally rectangular in shape. The grommet  134  includes a pair of cavities projecting through the grommet  134  for receiving a pair of tubes  16 . The grommet  134  also includes a pair of oblong projections  136  for securing the grommet  134  to the wrap bracket  132 . The oblong projections  136  extend from opposite sides of the grommet  134 . The projections  136  are received by corresponding slots (not shown) of the wrap bracket  132  for retention. Alternate embodiments of the wrap bracket assembly  130  envision a grommet having only one, or more than two oblong projections extending therefrom. Additional alternate embodiments envision a multi-tube grommet configured for more than two tubes, (e.g. a three or four tube grommet). 
       FIGS. 12-13  illustrate a wrap bracket assembly having a dual tube channeled grommet, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention and is referenced by numeral  140 . The wrap bracket assembly  140  includes a wrap bracket  142  assembled about a dual tube channeled grommet  144 . The channeled grommet  144  includes a pair of channels  146  disposed over a portion of opposing sides of the grommet  144 . The channels  146  help retain the grommet  144  to the bracket  142 . 
     While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.