Abstract:
The present invention is a Modular Mounting System used to mount a hollow or solid, elongated or partially elongated member such as, but not limited to, a tube, hose, wiring harness, spindle, baluster, post, shaft or pipe to another hollow or solid, elongated or partially elongated member such as those previously listed where the exterior shape of the short-side cross-section of either member may be of any shape and not simply limited to a circular form. And where the elongated or partially elongated members may or may not run parallel to one another, and where one mounted member supports the other mounted member so that no other mounting is required or provided for.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to block style support mechanisms used to mount elongated members. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Both block style and clamp ring type supports are commonly used to support elongated members such as pipes, tubes, hoses, wiring harnesses, and the like. Often these apparatuses employ the use of a single circular grommet or two joined semi-circular grommets which form a passage having an inside diameter which surrounds the elongated member. These apparatuses are often held together by various means such as screws, bolts or other assemblies, which apply the force needed to hold the elongated member in place. 
         [0003]    Additionally, inserts are also commonly used for various reasons such as to reduce the size of the inside diameter of the tubular passage; to reduce vibration or noise; or to alter the frictional properties of the device. 
         [0004]    Such apparatuses are typically mounted to an external support structure other than the elongated members, and they are often utilized to support industrial members such as pipes, conduits, hoses and similar elongated members. 
         [0005]    However, many of these apparatus suffer from one or more limitations such as the utilization of a separate mechanism to support the apparatus (Sampson U.S. Pat. No. 9,062,800 B2); passages which typically run in parallel (Ellinwood U.S. Pat. No. 2,288,158); can only be used to support round tubular members (Sampson U.S. Pat. No. 9,062,800 B2; Ellinwood U.S. Pat. No. 2,288,158; Matsumura et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,162 and many others); and most of these apparatuses are not suitable (safe) for use in areas frequented by people or animals due to their harsh industrial characteristics such as square, rough and/or sharp edges. These limitations are most likely due to the intended use of the apparatus to support industrial members as those previously stated in paragraph 0004. 
         [0006]    The above limitations and others are addressed by the invention which is the topic of this disclosure as summarized below. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present invention is a Modular Mounting System used to mount a hollow or solid, elongated or partially elongated member such as, but not limited to, a tube, hose, wiring harness, spindle, baluster, post, shaft or pipe to another hollow or solid, elongated or partially elongated member such as those previously listed where the exterior shape of the short-side cross-section of either member may be of any shape and not simply limited to a circular form. And where the elongated or partially elongated members may or may not run parallel to one another, and where one mounted member supports the other mounted member so that no other mounting is required or provided for. 
         [0008]    The present invention features interchangeable front and back modular inserts which may have different interior shaped and sized bores or holes that form the passages that support the elongated or partially elongated members. Various embodiments of these inserts are possible so that elongated or partially elongated members with short-side cross-sections of various shapes and sizes can be supported such as, but not limited to, round, square, rectangular, rounded-rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal or other polygonal shaped members. 
         [0009]    Partially elongated members must be of adequate length to pass through the modular mounting system so that the member may be properly secured. 
         [0010]    Additionally, the bore or passage through the modular inserts can be made at various angles including but not limited to 90 degrees perpendicular to the top and bottom faces of the modular insert. This allows the elongated or partially elongated members to be angularly offset from each other rather than being limited to a parallel orientation. 
         [0011]    While the present invention features interchangeable front and back modular inserts, it is possible to utilize the modular mounting system with or without one or both front and/or back modular inserts in place. 
         [0012]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a means of attaching elongated or partially elongated members to one another via the use of applied force and friction to support the elongated members in a manner which is intended to be non-marring or non-damaging to the supported members. 
         [0013]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a mounting that does not require fasteners to be placed into the elongated or partially elongated members being secured. 
         [0014]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a mounting or support for solid-core as well as hollow-core elongated or partially elongated members. 
         [0015]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a mounting or support for elongated or partially elongated members where the exterior shape of the short-side cross-section of either member may be of any shape and not simply limited to a circular form. 
         [0016]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a mount for the elongated or partially elongated members that does not require attachment to an external support structure. 
         [0017]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a mount that does not possess the same harsh characteristics as other mounts or clamps; thus making it a better alternative for use in areas frequented by people or animals, and not simply limited to industrial usage. 
         [0018]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a mount that can be utilized horizontally, vertically or at any angle in between. 
         [0019]    Finally, another object of the present invention is to provide a mount for elongated or partially elongated members that may run parallel to one another or may be offset angularly. 
         [0020]    The afore mentioned and other aspects of this invention will be described in greater detail below with reference to the attached drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is an orthographic view of the Modular Mounting System with one embodiment of both the front and back modular inserts in place; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a top side plan view of  FIG. 1  with the bottom side plan view being a mirror-image; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a back elevation view of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of  FIG. 1  with the opposite side elevation view being a mirror-image; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is an exploded orthographic view of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is an orthographic view of the same modular mounting system in  FIG. 1  with both front and back modular inserts removed; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a top side plan view of  FIG. 7  with the bottom side plan view being a mirror-image; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of  FIG. 7  with the opposite side elevation view being a mirror-image; 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is an orthographic view of one embodiment of the modular mounting system illustrating the use of the mount with one embodiment of the front modular insert in place and the back modular insert removed; 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  is an orthographic view of one embodiment of the modular mounting system illustrating the use of the mount with one embodiment of the back modular insert in place and the front modular insert removed; 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  is an orthographic view of  FIG. 1  illustrating the use of the modular mounting system as shown in  FIG. 1  employing one embodiment of both the front and back inserts to hold two circular elongated members; 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  is an orthographic view of  FIG. 7  illustrating the use of the mount as shown in  FIG. 7  employing the modular mounting system to hold two elongated members (one non-circular) without the use of either front or back modular inserts; 
           [0034]      FIG. 14  is an orthographic view of one embodiment of a front modular insert; 
           [0035]      FIG. 15  is a front elevation view of  FIG. 14  with the back elevation view being a mirror-image; 
           [0036]      FIG. 16  is a top side plan view of  FIG. 14  with the bottom side plan view being a mirror-image; 
           [0037]      FIG. 17  is a side elevation view of  FIG. 14  with the opposite side elevation view being a mirror-image; 
           [0038]      FIG. 18  is an orthographic view of one embodiment of a back modular insert; 
           [0039]      FIG. 19  is a front elevation view of  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 20  is a top side plan view of  FIG. 18  with the bottom side plan view being a mirror-image; 
           [0041]      FIG. 21  is a back elevation view of  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 22  is a side elevation view of  FIG. 18  with the opposite side elevation view being a mirror-image. 
           [0043]      FIG. 23  is a back elevation view of part  1   a;    
           [0044]      FIG. 24  is a front elevation view of part  1   b;    
           [0045]      FIG. 25  is a back elevation view of part  1   b;    
           [0046]      FIG. 26  is a front elevation view of part  1   c;    
           [0047]      FIG. 27  is an orthographic view of one alternative embodiment of a front modular insert with an angular bore; 
           [0048]      FIG. 28  is an orthographic view of one alternative embodiment of a back modular insert with a noncircular (octagonal) bore; 
       
    
    
       [0049]    The broken lines shown in the figures ( FIGS. 12 &amp; 13 ) depict unclaimed environment and form no part of the claimed invention. 
         [0050]    The front and back elevation views of  FIG. 7  remain the same as shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  respectively. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0051]    The present invention is a Modular Mounting System  1  comprised of: 
         [0052]    a three-part main body (front  1   a , middle  1   b  and back  1   c ); 
         [0053]    a rounded front modular insert  2 ; 
         [0054]    a rectangular-shaped back modular insert  3   
         [0000]    as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0055]    The rounded front modular insert  2  is comprised of two halves: a front half  2   a  and a back half  2   b . When assembled, parts  2   a  and  2   b  form a passage with an axis A 1  as shown in  FIG. 1 . An elongated or partially elongated member passes through this passage and is secured by the front modular insert  2 . 
         [0056]    The rectangular-shaped back modular insert  3  is comprised of two halves: a front half  3   a  and a back half  3   b . When assembled, parts  3   a  and  3   b  form a passage with an axis A 2  as shown in  FIG. 1 . An elongated or partially elongated member passes through this passage and is secured by the back modular insert  3 . 
         [0057]    The embodiments of the front modular inserts  2  and back modular inserts  3  shown in  FIG. 1  are examples of just one possible embodiment of each insert. These embodiments illustrate the use of both the front modular inserts  2  and the back modular inserts  3  to support round elongated or partially elongated members (those members with a circular short-size cross-section) running in parallel. 
         [0058]    The present invention is capable of supporting elongated or partially elongated members with short-side cross-sections which may be noncircular. Additionally, the size and shape of the short-side cross-section of each member may be dissimilar from one another. 
         [0059]    For illustrative purposes, an alternative embodiment  7  of the back modular insert is shown in  FIG. 28 . This particular alternative embodiment features an octagonal bore and passage  7   c , which is formed when parts  7   a  and  7   b  are assembled within the modular mounting system. While this embodiment is specific to the back modular insert, the front modular insert may feature noncircular passages as well. 
         [0060]    The present invention is also capable of supporting elongated or partially elongated members that are not parallel to one another. The elongated or partially elongated members may run parallel to one another or may be offset angularly. 
         [0061]    For illustrative purposes, an alternative embodiment  6  of the front modular insert is shown in  FIG. 27 . This particular alternative embodiment features an angular bore and passage  6   c  with an axis A 5  which is not perpendicular to the main body. This passage  6   c  is formed when parts  6   a  and  6   b  are assembled within the modular mounting system. While this embodiment is specific to the front modular insert, the back modular insert may feature an angular bore as well. 
         [0062]    The present invention can be utilized horizontally, vertically or at any angle in between. 
         [0063]    The present invention is capable of supporting elongated or partially elongated members that have either a solid or hollow core. 
         [0064]    The present invention may be composed of a metal or polymeric material such as plastic or vinyl. The modular front inserts and back inserts may also be composed of a metal or polymeric material such as plastic or vinyl. Or the modular front inserts and back inserts may be composed of an elastomeric material, or alternatively an elastomeric coating may be applied to the inside passage of the front and/or back modular inserts. 
         [0065]    The present invention and the related front and back modular inserts can be produced via milling or mass produced via an injection molding process. 
         [0066]    The present invention is intended to be non-marring or non-damaging. As such, the present invention uses applied force and friction to support the elongated or partially elongated members and does require fasteners into the members being supported. 
         [0067]    Furthermore, the present invention does not require attachment to an external support structure as such no other mounting is required or provided for. 
         [0068]    Finally, unlike many industrial mounts, the present invention as shown in  FIG. 6  features a smooth rounded front design  1   m  and rounded edges  1   n ,  1   o ,  1   p ,  1   q ,  1   r  making it a safer alternative for areas frequented by people or animals. 
         [0069]    Referring to  FIG. 2  the passage  2   c  formed by the assembly of halves  2   a  and  2   b  of the one embodiment of the front modular insert  2  shown has an inside diameter  2   d . This diameter is approximately equivalent given tolerances to the outside diameter of the elongated or partially elongated member being secured by the Modular Mounting System  1 . The front modular insert is held in place by the fastening of part  1   a  to part  1   b.    
         [0070]    Still referring to  FIG. 2  the passage  3   c  formed by the assembly of halves  3   a  and  3   b  of the one embodiment of the back modular insert  3  shown has an inside diameter  3   d . This diameter is approximately equivalent given tolerances to the outside diameter of the elongated or partially elongated member being secured by the Modular Mounting System  1 . The back modular insert is held in place by the fastening of part  1   c  to part  1   b.    
         [0071]      FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  provide a front elevation view of part  1   a , and a back elevation view of part  1   c  respectively, while  FIG. 5  provides a side elevation view of parts  1   a ,  1   b  and  1   c  of the Modular Mounting System  1 . 
         [0072]    The exploded view  FIG. 6  illustrates how the overall Modular Mounting System  1  is assembled with one possible embodiment of each the front modular insert  2  and the back modular insert  3 . The groove  1   i  in the back of part  1   a  accepts either the tongue  2   e  on part  2   a , or tongue  2   f  on part  2   b . The groove  1   j  in the front of part  1   b  accepts either the tongue  2   e  on part  2   a , or tongue  2   f  on part  2   b . Part  1   a  is then attached to part  1   b  using fasteners  4 . Force is applied to the elongated or partially elongated members passing through the front modular insert  2  by the tightening of the fasteners  4  which attach part  1   a  to part  1   b  and compress the two halves  2   a  and  2   b  of front modular insert  2  around the elongated or partially elongated member. The member is then held in place by the applied force and friction. Similarly, the groove  1   k  in the back of part  1   b  accepts the tongue  3   e  on part  3   a . The groove in the front of part  1   c  (not visible) accepts the tongue  3   f  on part  3   b . Part  1   c  is then attached to part  1   b  using fasteners  5 . Force is applied to the elongated or partially elongated members passing through the back modular insert  3  by the tightening of the fasteners  5  which attach part  1   c  to part  1   b  and compress the two halves  3   a  and  3   b  of back modular insert  3  around the elongated or partially elongated member. The member is then held in place by the applied force and friction. At this point both members have been secured to one another through the assembly of the Modular Mounting System  1 . 
         [0073]    Below is a description of each part or feature shown in explode view  FIG. 6 . 
       REF DESCRIPTION 
       [0000]    
       
           1  The Modular Mounting System 
           1   a  Front Portion of Modular Mounting System 
           1   b  Middle Portion of Modular Mounting System 
           1   c  Back Portion of Modular Mounting System 
           1   i  Groove in part  1   a  which accepts the tongue  2   e  on part  2   a , or tongue  2   f  on part  2   b    
           1   j  Groove in front of part  1   b  which accepts tongue  2   f  on part  2   b , or tongue  2   e  on part  2   a    
           1   k  Groove in back of part  1   b  which accepts tongue  3   e  on part  3   a    
           1   m  Round front exterior profile of part  1   a    
           1   n  Rounded exterior edges of part  1   a    
           1   o  Rounded exterior edges of part  1   b    
           1   p  Rounded exterior edges of part  1   c —4 short sides 
           1   q  Rounded exterior edges of part  1   c —2 long sides 
           1   r  Rounded exterior edges of part  1   c —2 short sides 
           1   s  Fastener holes through part  1   a    
           1   v  Fastener holes through back of part  1   b    
           1   x  Recess for fastener head 
           2  Front Modular Insert 
           2   a  Front half of the Front Modular Insert 
           2   b  Back half of the Front Modular Insert 
           2   e  Tongue on part  2   a  which fits into groove  1   i  on part  1   a  or groove  1   j  on part  1   b    
           2   f  Tongue on part  2   b  which fits into groove  1   j  on part  1   b  or groove  1   i  on part  1   a    
           3  Back Modular Insert 
           3   a  Front half of the Back Modular Insert 
           3   b  Back half of the Back Modular Insert 
           3   e  Tongue on part  3   a  which fits into groove  1   k  on part  1   b    
           3   f  Tongue on part  3   b  which fits into the groove on front side of part  1   c  (groove not visible in this view) 
           4  Front Fasteners, which attach part  1   a  to part  1   b    
           5  Back Fasteners, which attached part  1   c  to part  1   b    
       
     
         [0102]    As mentioned in paragraph 0011, it is possible to utilize the Modular Mounting System with or without one or both front and/or back inserts in place. The Modular Mounting System  1  is shown without the use of either the front or back modular inserts in  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 . 
         [0103]    When the Modular Mounting System  1  is assembled without the use of the front modular insert, parts  1   a  and  1   b  form a circular passage with an axis A 3  as shown in  FIG. 7 . Referring to  FIG. 8 , an elongated or partially elongated member of appropriate size passes through the passage  1   e , which has a diameter  1   d . The elongated or partially elongated member is secured by parts  1   a  and  1   b  of the Modular Mounting System  1  through applied force and friction. 
         [0104]    When the Modular Mounting System  1  is assembled without the use of the back modular insert, parts  1   b  and  1   c  form a rectangular-shaped passage with an axis A 4  as shown in  FIG. 7 . Referring to  FIG. 8 , this passage  1   y  has a height  1   g  and width  1   h  and features rounded corners  1   f  on the front of the rectangular-shaped passage. An elongated or partially elongated member of appropriate shape and size given tolerances passes through this passage and is secured by parts  1   b  and  1   c  of the Modular Mounting System  1  through applied force and friction. 
         [0105]      FIG. 9  provides a side elevation view of parts  1   a ,  1   b  and  1   c  of the Modular Mounting System  1 . 
         [0106]    The Modular Mounting System  1  is shown with one embodiment of the front modular insert  2  and without a back modular insert utilized in  FIG. 10 . Other embodiments of the front modular insert are possible. An alternative embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 27 . 
         [0107]    The Modular Mounting System  1  is shown with one embodiment of the back modular insert  3  and without a front modular insert utilized in  FIG. 11 . Other embodiments of the back modular insert are possible. An alternative embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 28 . 
         [0108]      FIG. 12  illustrates the use of the Modular Mounting System  1  employing one embodiment of both the front modular insert  2  and the back modular insert  3  to secure two circular elongated members  200  and  300  respectively. 
         [0109]      FIG. 13  illustrates the use of the Modular Mounting System  1  to secure two elongated members  400  and  500  (one a noncircular square tube with rounded corners  500 ). In this case, neither the front modular insert or back modular insert are utilized. 
         [0110]      FIG. 14 ,  FIG. 15 ,  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17  provide additional views of one possible embodiment of the front modular insert  2 . As previously stated, the front modular insert  2  is comprised of two halves  2   a  and  2   b  as shown in  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 16 . Each of these halves  2   a  and  2   b  have the same exterior size and shape and the tongue  2   e  on half  2   a  is identical to the tongue  2   f  on half  2   b ; however, the interior shape of  2   a  and  2   b  may differ. Since the external size and shape of the two halves  2   a  and  2   b  of the front modular insert  2  are identical, this allows the front modular insert  2  to rotate 360 degrees within the passage ( FIG. 8   1   e ) formed between parts  1   a  and  1   b.    
         [0111]      FIG. 18 ,  FIG. 19 ,  FIG. 20 ,  FIG. 21  and  FIG. 22  provide additional views of one possible embodiment of the back modular insert  3 . As previously stated, the back modular insert  3  is comprised of two halves  3   a  and  3   b  as shown in  FIG. 18 ,  FIG. 20  and  FIG. 22 . Referring to  FIG. 18  and  FIG. 20 , like the two halves of the front modular insert, the two halves  3   a  and  3   b  of the back modular insert  3  feature tongues  3   e  and  3   f  on each half respectively. However, unlike the front modular insert, each of these halves  3   a  and  3   b  are slightly different. The front half  3   a  features rounded front corners  3   g  as shown in  FIG. 18 ,  FIG. 19 ,  FIG. 20  and  FIG. 22 , while the back half  3   b  does not. As such the back modular insert  3  can only be inserted into the Modular Mounting System in one direction, which determines and controls the orientation of the elongated or partially elongated member being secured by the back modular insert  3 . 
         [0112]      FIG. 23 ,  FIG. 24 ,  FIG. 25  and  FIG. 26  provide additional views of parts  1   a ,  1   b  or  1   c . Groove  1   i  on the back side of part  1   a  is shown in  FIG. 23 . Groove  1   i  accepts the tongue feature on the either half of the front modular insert. Groove  1   j  on the front side of part  1   b  is shown in  FIG. 24 . Groove  1   j  also accepts the tongue feature on the either half of the front modular insert. Groove  1   k  on the back side of part  1   b  is shown in  FIG. 25 . Groove  1   k  accepts the tongue feature on the front half of the back modular insert. Groove  1   l  on the front side of part  1   c  is shown in  FIG. 26 . Groove  1   l  accepts the tongue feature on the back half of the back modular insert. 
         [0113]    The tongue and groove features on the Modular Mounting System and associate front and back modular inserts, previously described herein, provide for both fitment and alignment of the modular inserts within the Modular Mounting System. 
         [0114]    The preceding description of the present invention, a Modular Mounting System for elongated or partially elongated members outlines the features and benefits of the Modular Mounting System and how it meets the objectives stated herein. 
         [0115]    While certain embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated in this document, it is not possible to describe or illustrate all possible forms of the Modular Mounting System or the modular inserts utilized. The text provided is meant to describe the present invention but not limit it to a particular embodiment. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without deviating from the scope of the present invention.