Utility bracket
A utility bracket for attaching wires or wire bundles to a structure is provided. The utility bracket includes a first portion that supports a product and a second portion for adhering to a support structure. The second portion includes a separation component that separates the second portion from the support structure by a predefined amount. The separation component includes a plurality of ridges or dimples for allowing even application of an adhesive. A nut plate or wire ties secure the product to the first portion. The second portion can include a base plate that is rotatably coupled to the first portion. The bracket can be formed by a molding or extruding process.
This invention relates generally to support systems and, more specifically, to utility brackets for securing system components to a structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Complex systems, such as electrical systems in aircraft, utilize numerous utility brackets for securing many parts, such as electrical wire bundles (
The utility bracket 30 utilizes a frame device (not shown) to alleviate this problem by supporting the utility bracket 30 after it is adhesively bonded with the structure 32. The frame device controls the adhesive bondline thickness between the utility bracket 30 and the structure 32, but adds an additional expense and requires the extra steps of installation prior to adhesive bonding, and then removing the frame device after the adhesive is cured. Also, the size of the frame device may limit the location freedom of the utility bracket 30 due to interference with nearby structure.
Therefore, there also currently exists an unmet need to quickly and effectively bond utility brackets to structures by controlling the adhesive bondline thickness, while closely replicating the size and function of the current mechanically attached bracket.
In addition, the current utility bracket is located in a fixed orientation that dictates the path of all connected components. If wire bundles are attached to the bracket, the wire bundles have a natural tendency to follow a specific path that could cause straining or over-bending of the wire bundles, which could occur because the utility bracket only allows a single axis of rotation. Thus, there currently remains an unmet need to design and manufacture a utility bracket that will swivel to provide multiple rotational axes, whereby components such as wire bundles can follow a general path without undue straining or over-bending.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a utility bracket for attaching wires or wire bundles to a structure, such as an aircraft. The present invention provides an easy to install bracket with known adhesive capabilities.
The utility bracket includes a first portion that supports a product and a second portion that adheres to a support structure. The second portion includes a separation component (geometric feature) that separates the second portion from the support structure by a predefined distance. The predefined distance is based on properties of an adhesive that is applied between the second portion and the support structure.
In one aspect of the invention, the separation component includes a plurality of ridges or dimples.
In another aspect of the invention, the second portion is a concave surface or an L-shaped surface.
In a further aspect of the invention, a nut plate secures the product to the first portion.
In still another aspect of the invention, the second portion includes a base plate and the first portion is rotatably coupled to the base plate. The base plate includes a button and the first portion includes a component for receiving the button.
In still a further aspect of the invention, the bracket is formed by a molding or extruding process.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings.
The present invention provides a utility bracket and a method for attaching the utility bracket to a structure in order to provide a quick and effective bond. Referring now to
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While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.
Claims
1. A utility bracket comprising:
- a first portion configured to support a product; and
- a second portion configured to adhere to a support structure, wherein the second portion includes a separation component configured to separate the second portion from the support structure by a predefined amount.
2. The bracket of claim 1, wherein the predefined amount is based on an adhesive that is applied between the second portion and the support structure.
3. The bracket of claim 1, wherein the separation component includes a plurality of ridges.
4. The bracket of claim 1, wherein the separation component includes a plurality of dimples.
5. The bracket of claim 1, wherein the second portion is a concave surface.
6. The bracket of claim 5, wherein the concave surface is curved to create a gap at the support structure.
7. The bracket of claim 1, wherein the second portion is an L-shaped surface.
8. The bracket of claim 1, further comprising a nut plate configured to secure the product to the first portion.
9. The bracket of claim 8, wherein the nut plate includes a device configured to hold one or more wires.
10. The bracket of claim 8, wherein the second portion includes a base plate and the first portion is rotatably coupled to the base plate.
11. The bracket of claim 10, wherein the base plate includes a button and the first portion includes a component for receiving the button.
12. The bracket of claim 1, wherein the bracket is formed by one of molding or extruding.
13. The bracket of claim 1, wherein the first portion includes at least one thru-hole and the bracket further includes at least one wire tie configured to secure the product to the first portion via the at least one thru-hole.
14. A wiring system within a vehicle structure, the system comprising:
- a plurality of wires; and
- a plurality of utility brackets configured to secure the plurality of wires to the vehicle structure, one or more of the utility brackets including: a first portion configured to support a product; and a second portion configured to adhere to a support structure of the vehicle structure, wherein the second portion includes a separation component configured to separate the second portion from the support structure by a predefined amount.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the predefined amount is based on an adhesive that is applied between the second portion and the support structure.
16. The system of claim 14, wherein the separation component includes a plurality of ridges.
17. The system of claim 14, wherein the separation component includes a plurality of dimples.
18. The system of claim 14, wherein the second portion is a concave surface.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the concave surface is curved to create a gap at the support structure.
20. The system of claim 14, wherein the second portion is an L-shaped surface.
21. The system of claim 14, further comprising a nut plate configured to secure the product to the first portion.
22. The system of claim 21, wherein the nut plate includes a device configured to hold one or more wires.
23. The system of claim 21, wherein the second portion includes a base plate and the first portion is rotatably coupled to the base plate.
24. The system of claim 23, wherein the base plate includes a button and the first portion includes a component for receiving the button.
25. The system of claim 14, wherein one or more of the brackets are formed by one of molding or extruding.
26. The system of claim 14, wherein the first portion includes at least one thru-hole and the bracket further includes at least one wire tie configured to secure at least a portion of the plurality of wires to the first portion via the at least one thru-hole.
27. A utility bracket comprising:
- a first portion configured to support a product; and
- a second portion configured to adhere to a support structure, wherein the second portion includes a plurality of dimples configured to separate the second portion from the support structure by a predefined amount.
28. A utility bracket comprising:
- a first portion configured to support a product; and
- a second portion configured to adhere to a support structure,
- wherein the second portion includes a first and second opposing walls, the first and second opposing walls include one or more ridges configured to separate the first and second opposing walls from the support structure by a predefined amount.
29. The utility bracket of claim 28, further comprising a surface between the first and second opposing walls, wherein at least a portion of the surface has a curved shape.
30. A utility bracket comprising:
- a first portion configured to support a product;
- a flange; and
- a second portion configured to adhere to a support structure,
- wherein the second portion includes one or more ridges configured to separate the second portion from the support structure by a predefined amount, and the second portion is approximately orthogonal to the flange.
31. A utility bracket comprising:
- a first portion configured to support a product;
- one or more securing straps; and
- a second portion configured to adhere to a support structure,
- wherein the second portion includes a first and second opposing walls, the first and second opposing walls include one or more ridges configured to separate the first and second opposing walls from the support structure by a predefined amount,
- wherein the first portion includes one or more thru holes, the one or more securing straps being received by the one or more thru holes.
32. The utility bracket of claim 31, further comprising a surface between the first and second opposing walls, wherein at least a portion of the surface has a curved shape.
33. The utility bracket of claim 31, wherein the first portion includes a surface having a radius of curvature.
34. A utility bracket comprising:
- a first portion configured to support a product;
- a flange;
- one or more securing straps; and
- a second portion configured to adhere to a support structure,
- wherein the second portion includes one or more ridges configured to separate the second portion from the support structure by a predefined amount, and the second portion is approximately orthogonal to the flange,
- wherein the first portion includes one or more thru holes, the one or more securing straps being received by the one or more thru holes.
35. The utility bracket of claim 34, wherein the first portion includes a surface having a radius of curvature.
36. A utility bracket comprising:
- a first portion configured to support a product;
- one or more securing straps; and
- a second portion configured to adhere to a support structure,
- wherein the second portion includes a first and second opposing walls, the first and second opposing walls include one or more ridges configured to separate the first and second opposing walls from the support structure by a predefined amount,
- wherein the first portion includes one or more thru holes, the one or more securing straps being received by the one or more thru holes,
- wherein a longitudinal axis of the first portion is approximately orthogonal to the first and second opposing walls.
37. The utility bracket of claim 36, further comprising a surface between the first and second opposing walls, wherein at least a portion of the surface has a curved shape.
38. The utility bracket of claim 36, wherein the first portion includes a surface having a radius of curvature.
39. A utility bracket comprising:
- a first portion configured to support a product;
- a flange;
- one or more securing straps; and
- a second portion configured to adhere to a support structure,
- wherein the second portion includes one or more ridges configured to separate the second portion from the support structure by a predefined amount, and the second portion is approximately orthogonal to the flange,
- wherein the first portion includes one or more thru holes, the one or more securing straps being received by the one or more thru holes,
- wherein a longitudinal axis of the first portion is approximately orthogonal to the second portion.
40. The utility bracket of claim 39, wherein the first portion includes a surface having a radius of curvature
41. A utility bracket system comprising:
- a utility bracket including: a first portion configured to support a product; and a second portion including a receiving structure; and
- a base plate including: a first surface including a separation component configured to separate the base plate from a support structure by a predefined amount; and a second surface including a device for attaching the base plate to the utility bracket via the receiving structure.
42. The utility bracket system of claim 41, wherein the device for attaching the base plate to the utility bracket includes a button.
43. The utility bracket system of claim 42, wherein the button swivels within the receiving structure.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 31, 2003
Publication Date: Feb 3, 2005
Inventors: Jeffrey Wood (Eureka, MO), Elizabeth Lenger (Kirkwood, MO), Gary Renieri (Chesterfield, MO), David Heck (St. Peters, MO), Randy Southmayd (Florissant, MO)
Application Number: 10/633,295