Abstract:
A conduit is mountable to a mounting, such as the engine block of an automobile, and includes a body defining an area for receiving elongate elements, such as cables. A first locking member is stationary relative to the body, and a second locking member is mobile relative to the body. The movable locking member is capable of assuming an intermediate position, in which it defines, together with the body, a preliminary support space for the mounting. The conduit includes a locking feature capable of moving the movable locking member from the intermediate position to a locking position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a U.S. National Phase Patent Application based on International Application No. PCT/EP2011/070675 filed Nov. 22, 2011, which claims priority to French Patent Application No. 1060134 filed Dec. 6, 2010, the entire disclosures of which are hereby explicitly incorporated by reference herein. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention concerns a conduit for receiving elongate elements, a method for mounting same on a mounting, and an assembly comprising a mounting and such a conduit. 
     The invention applies more particularly to a conduit intended to be mounted on a mounting constituted by the engine block of a motor vehicle. In such a vehicle, many electrical wiring harnesses are positioned in the vicinity of the engine. It will therefore be appreciated that their integrity must be preserved, especially in order to prevent short-circuits. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     To achieve this end, it is known to house these electrical wiring harnesses in a conduit, which generally comprises an elongate body delimiting a receiving space for the harnesses. This conduit is further provided with means for fixing it to the engine. 
     Known from EP-A-1 367 308 is a device for fixing elongate objects to a flat mounting, which comprises, first of all, two support parts resting on said mounting. These two parts, which are slidably connected to each other, further support two half-cradles for receiving elongate objects. 
     This known solution carries certain disadvantages, however, in that it applies exclusively to flat mountings having specific edges. In addition, there must be enough room on each side of the mounting for the operator to be able to manipulate the support parts correctly. This is found to be inconvenient when the device has to be installed in a small space. Finally, only plastic catches are used to immobilize the elongate objects, so said objects can detach over time, particularly in the presence of high stresses, due, for example, to vibration. 
     US-A-2006/011381 describes a conduit for mounting ducts and tubes that is intended for use in airplanes. This conduit has a base body provided with a cut-out to receive a slidably mounted immobilizing element. 
     In that arrangement, the movable immobilizing element is not locked when it is not being guided. That is, only the final positioning of this element is assured, when it is at the end of its travel. Furthermore, the retention provided by a mounting of this kind is not the positive type, so it is not long-lasting, especially in cases where the mounting or the conduit is subject to high stress. 
     Finally, DE 20 2008 005 734 describes a conduit comprising a body provided with a first, fixed element that serves to immobilize the conduit relative to the mounting on which it is to be mounted. Also provided is an insert that is slidably mounted in relation to the body, which is equipped with a second locking element that is consequently movable in relation to the body. Catches are used to lock the body and the insert together. Such a conduit can be mounted on different-sized mountings. 
     This latter solution also has its limitations, related in particular to the use of catches. This does not completely eliminate the risk of untimely separation. In addition, this type of connection does not place the resulting assembly under tension, and it is therefore impossible to provide a positive lock. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is aimed at correcting the various above-cited disadvantages of the prior art, and, in particular, at proposing a conduit that is capable of being interconnected with a mounting in a reliable and lasting manner, even when the mounting is installed in an environment that is subject to strong vibration, such as a vehicle engine. The invention is also aimed at proposing a conduit of this kind that can be mounted quickly and easily to the aforesaid mounting. 
     To this end, the invention is directed to a conduit intended to be mounted on a mounting, particularly the engine block of a motor vehicle, said conduit including a body defining a receiving area for elongate elements, particularly in the nature of cables, a first immobilizing member to effect immobilization on the mounting, which member is fixed in relation to the body, and a second immobilizing member to effect immobilization on the mounting, which member is movable in relation to the body between a retracted position for situating the mounting and an advanced position for immobilizing the mounting, wherein said movable member defines an immobilizing space with the body, characterized in that the movable immobilizing member is capable of assuming an intermediate position in which it defines, with the body, a preliminary retention space for the mounting, the conduit comprising locking means capable of moving the movable immobilizing member from its intermediate position to its locking position. 
     A conduit according to the invention can advantageously have one or more of the following features:
         The immobilizing member can be moved from its retracted position to its intermediate position by a single axial action, particularly a manual such action.   The locking means comprise externally threaded means.   The externally threaded locking means comprise at least one externally threaded element that is interconnected with or is capable of being interconnected with a given one of the movable member and the body, together with at least one internally threaded element that is interconnected with or capable of being interconnected with the other one of the movable member and the body, said internally threaded element being capable of cooperating with a corresponding externally threaded element to move the movable member in relation to the body.   Arresting means are provided for arresting the movable member both in its refracted position and in its intermediate position.   The arresting means include a lug with which the movable member is equipped and which is capable of cooperating with a first and a second catch on the body that respectively correspond to the retracted and intermediate positions.   The lug is carried by a lever of the movable member, said lever having an actuating end capable of disengaging the lug from the first catch to permit the movement of the movable member toward the intermediate position.   The movable immobilizing member is capable of moving in a longitudinal direction of movement and said movable member has a support end bearing against the mounting and forming with said direction a draft angle of between 0 and 45° that is strictly positive, preferably of between 5 and 10°.   Transverse positioning means are provided for positioning the movable immobilizing member transversely with respect to the mounting.   The transverse positioning means comprise a positioning channel formed on the movable member and capable of cooperating with a rib provided on the mounting.       

     The invention is also directed to a method for mounting the above conduit on a mounting, wherein one places the conduit against the mounting substantially in the final position it is to assume, while simultaneously maintaining the movable member in its retracted position; one pushes the movable member backward to its intermediate position to maintain the conduit and the mounting in relation to each other; and one actuates the locking means to move the movable member into its locking position, thereby immobilizing the conduit with respect to the mounting. 
     Finally, the invention is also directed to an assembly comprising a mounting and a conduit as above, said conduit being mounted on said mounting. 
     According to an advantageous characteristic, the mounting comprises complementary transverse positioning means that cooperate with the transverse positioning means of the movable immobilizing member. 
     In one form thereof, the present invention provides a conduit intended to be mounted on a mounting, particularly the engine block of a motor vehicle, the conduit including a body defining a receiving area for elongate elements, particularly in the nature of cables, a first immobilizing member to effect immobilization on the mounting, which member is fixed in relation to the body, and a second immobilizing member to effect immobilization on the mounting, which member is movable in relation to the body between a retracted position for situating the mounting and an advanced position for immobilizing the mounting, wherein the movable member defines an immobilizing space with the body, characterized in that the movable immobilizing member is capable of assuming an intermediate position in which it defines with the body a preliminary retaining space for retaining the mounting, the conduit including locking means capable of moving the movable immobilizing member from its intermediate position to its immobilizing position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a conduit according to the invention; 
         FIGS. 2 and 3  are perspective views illustrating, at two different angles, a retaining base for a bolt belonging to said conduit; 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  are perspective views illustrating, at two different angles, a bolt belonging to said conduit; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view illustrating the bolt of  FIGS. 4 and 5 ; 
         FIGS. 7 to 8  are longitudinal sectional views illustrating the bolt mounted on its base, respectively first in a retracted position, then in an intermediate position, and finally in an immobilized position on a mounting; and 
         FIG. 9  is a side view illustrating the locked position of the conduit. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention, the embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention to the precise forms disclosed. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The various figures illustrate a conduit according to the invention, denoted as a whole by reference  1 , which is to be mounted on a mounting  101 . The latter, which can be seen in more detail in  FIG. 9 , is a motor-vehicle engine block in the example illustrated. However, the invention is also applicable to other types of mountings, such as, for example, metal profiles, particularly having a T or H shape. 
     The mounting  101  is provided with two ears  102  and  103 , which define two support planes P 102  and P 103  for affixing the conduit, as will be seen hereinafter. In addition, one  102  of these ears is provided with a rib  104  for positioning the conduit and the mounting in relation to each other, as will also be explained later on. 
     In the example illustrated, the conduit  1  is essentially produced by molding thermoplastic materials on injection presses. It has an elongate body  2 , whose main direction Y will be noted. This body, which is U-shaped overall, defines a receiving area  3  for elongate elements, particularly in the nature of cables, which exit to the outside through two openings  4  and  5  that form an inlet and an outlet or vice versa. Ordinarily, the function of this conduit is to shield these elongate elements from attack, such as wires becoming caught on each other or the incursion of liquids. 
     In the example illustrated, the receiving area  3  is covered by a lid  6 . The latter is optional, however, and can be replaced with any means by which the harnesses can be secured in relation to the conduit, particularly adhesive such means. 
     The conduit is provided with a front face  10 , referred to as the fixing face, where the mounting to mounting  101  takes place. This fixing face  10 , which extends in direction Y, is bordered by two immobilizing members  20  and  30 , which will now be described in more detail. 
     The first member, or heel  20 , is designated as fixed, to the extent that it is connected permanently and irremovably to the body  2 , particularly being integrally molded therewith. This heel has a protrusion  21  which defines with the opposite face  10  a first space  22  that serves to immobilize the mounting in direction Y, as a first direction. 
     The second member, or bolt  30 , is designated as movable, to the extent that it is mounted relative to the body with the capacity for axial travel, in direction Y. For this purpose, said bolt is supported by a base  50  interconnected with the body of the conduit, which base will be described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 and 7 to 9 . 
     This base  50 , forming the retaining member for the bolt  30 , has an approximately parallelepipedal shape. It is pierced in such a way as to define an axial chamber  51 , which is open opposite the heel  20 , and of which a first wall  52 , facing the body, defines therewith an intermediate space  53  (see  FIG. 7 ). This wall  52  comprises a notch  54  disposed adjacent the outlet from the chamber and forming a first catch, at the same time possessing a shoulder  55  forming a second catch. It will be seen below that the presence of the intermediate space  53  permits additional advancement of the bolt. 
     Wall  57 , opposite wall  52 , is cut out to permit the passage of uprights provided on the bolt  30 , as will be seen below. Finally, the other two walls  58  and  59  of the chamber are equipped with internal ribs  60  and  61  to guide the movement of the bolt. 
     The chamber  51  has a bottom  62  from which extends axially a barrel  63  whose walls define a central space  64 , permitting the insertion of a screw carried by the bolt. For this purpose, these walls are advantageously made of a soft plastic material, so that the screw can self-tap as it is inserted, in a manner known per se. 
     Referring henceforth primarily to  FIGS. 4 to 6 , the bolt  30  comprises a housing  31  whose outer profile substantially corresponds to the inner profile of the chamber  51 . This housing has a bottom  32  comprising an opening  33  for the passage of a screw  34  (see  FIG. 7 ), the perimeter of said opening being equipped with bosses  35 . The latter serve to maintain the screw in relation to the housing when the bolt is not yet firmly secured on its base  50 . 
     The housing is open opposite said bottom, delimiting a seat  36  for receiving the barrel  63 . In addition, said housing is provided on two of its walls with guide rails  37  capable of cooperating with the aforesaid ribs  60  and  61 . 
     A lever  38  extends from a third wall of said housing, via a hinge  39  created, for example, by thinning of material. This lever is provided at one end with an actuating tab  40 , while its other end defines a lug  41  capable of cooperating with one or the other of the catches  54  and  55 . This lug  41  has a rounded edge, facilitating the passage of the lever between the two catches. 
     Opposite the lever, the housing supports a heel  42 , whose face F adjacent said housing extends in direction Y, as shown in  FIG. 6 . This face terminates in a drafted area  43  forming with direction Y an angle α of between 0 and 45° that is strictly positive, preferably of between 5 and 10°. This makes it possible to exert a force in direction X, i.e., transversely to the main direction of the conduit, which causes a bearing force of face F on plane P 102  of the mounting. 
     Two ribs or uprights  44 , carried by face F of the heel  42 , define a channel  45 . The latter is capable of receiving the rib  104  provided on the mounting in order to position the latter satisfactorily with respect to the conduit. The free end of each of these uprights  44  is also slanted so as to be parallel to the drafted area  43 . 
     The interconnection of the above-described conduit  1  and mounting  101  will now be specified in detail. 
     During its production and any shipping that may follow, the conduit is in the arrangement illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The bolt  30  assumes a retracted position, i.e., it leaves free an area Z bordered by the front face  10  and the base  50 . This area Z, or latching area, corresponds to the location where the mounting is to be immobilized. In addition, the lug  41  is inserted in the notch  54 , thereby ensuring that the bolt is maintained in this configuration. 
     To perform the mounting operation per se, the operator first inserts the ear  103  of the mounting  101  in the latching space  22 , defined by the fixed heel  20 . He then fits the second ear  102  against the edge of the front face  10 , adjacent the base  50 , i.e., at the level of area Z. During this operation, the rib  104  should be placed opposite the positioning channel  45 . 
     Then, still holding the conduit  1  in this position with one hand, the operator presses on the tab  40  with the other hand to cause the lever  38  to pivot by elasticity around the hinge  39 , as indicated by the arrow f 1 , thereby releasing the lug  41  from the notch  54 . Under these conditions, the operator can then push the bolt  30  back axially, in the direction indicated by arrow f 2 , until said lug mates by elastic snap action with the second notch, defined by the shoulder  55 . This movement also enables the uprights  44  to cover the rib  104 , thereby positioning the conduit and the mounting in a transverse direction, denoted X in  FIG. 9 . 
     The bolt  30  is now in an intermediate position, illustrated in  FIG. 8 . It is henceforth disposed partially opposite face  10  of the body  2 , thus creating with the latter a space E′ designated the preliminary retaining space. Under these conditions, it is no longer necessary for the operator to hold up the conduit manually, so he can now, without risk, pick up a tool (not shown) such as a hand screwdriver. 
     Using this tool, the operator then goes ahead and tightens the screw  34  so that it penetrates into the walls of the barrel  63 . As this operation proceeds, the screw taps its own hole, assigned reference  65  in  FIG. 8 . This causes an axial movement of the bolt relative to its base, as indicated by arrow f 3  in  FIG. 8 . 
     At the end of this movement, the drafted area  43  of the heel  42  bears against the ear  102 , which helps to create a positive locking force of the bolt on the mounting. In this regard, it will be noted that the magnitude of this force is determined by the intensity of the tightening torque of the screw  34 . The final immobilization space, defined between faces F and  10  belonging respectively to the heel and to the body, is denoted E. 
     The invention is not limited to the example described and shown. For instance, it can be provided that the screw does not cooperate with the soft walls of a barrel. In that case, the bottom  62  of the chamber  51  supports an externally threaded element that passes through the bottom  32  of the housing  31 . A complementary internally threaded element attached to the end of the above externally threaded element can then be maneuvered by the operator to bring about the movement of the bolt relative to its base. 
     It can also be provided that the locking means do not involve externally threaded means. 
     The invention makes it possible to achieve the objects recited above. 
     To wit, first, it enables the conduit to be placed on the mounting in a particularly simple manner. As is apparent from the foregoing, the installer can easily arrange the conduit on the mounting with both hands, then shift the movable member by applying a low-intensity axial force. Then, thanks to the pre-assembly achieved in this way, it is easy for the installer to get hold of a tool to actuate the locking means. 
     Moreover, the invention permits satisfactory immobilization of the conduit on the mounting, thus ensuring that these two elements will remain lastingly connected even in an environment where strong vibrations are present. This is because the locking means, particularly threaded locking means, cause a positive force of the conduit on the mounting, thus preventing any untimely separation of the conduit when in use. 
     The provision of transverse positioning means for the conduit relative to the mounting is also advantageous. In this way, two elements can be mutually arranged with precision in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the movable member. 
     It will be noted, in this regard, that the invention is also applicable to a conduit that comprises such transverse positioning means but is also equipped with a conventional movable immobilizing member, as described in the preamble to the present description. Such a movable member can be moved from its retracted position to its advanced position by means of simple catches, without having an intermediate position as described above and without being provided with locking means. 
     In this spirit, the invention therefore concerns a conduit intended to be mounted on a mounting, particularly the engine block of a motor vehicle, said conduit comprising a body defining a receiving area for elongate elements, particularly in the nature of cables, a first immobilizing member to effect immobilization on the mounting, which member is fixed in relation to the body, and a second immobilizing member to effect immobilization on the mounting, which member is movable in relation to the body between a retracted position for situating the mounting and an advanced position for immobilizing the mounting, wherein said movable member defines an immobilizing space with the body, said conduit further comprising means for transversely positioning the movable immobilizing member in relation to the mounting. 
     The conduit as just defined can thus have all the characteristics described in this specification, insofar as they are technically compatible. 
     While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.