FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the mounting of an object. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention relates to a mounting system and method for mounting an object on a surface of a structure or equipment.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It is well known to mount an object on a surface to cover and protect the surface on wear, abrasion, damage and the like.

One example of such an object is a liner used in the mining or quarrying industry. Conventionally, the liner is installed by bolting it onto the surface to secure it in position. This is, however, an extremely laborious, cumbersome and time-consuming process, as the liner is heavy which makes it difficult to handle. When the conventional method is followed, the removal of an old worn liner and replacement with a new liner generally results in significant production down-time which is costly and in many cases require extensive safety precautions. These are very important factors to be taking into account by users, especially when many liners have to be replaced in a single application, as the case usually is. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a mounting system and method for mounting an object on a surface that will, at least partially, alleviate the abovementioned problem and/or to provide a useful alternative to known mounting systems and methods for mounting an object on a surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a mounting system for mounting an object on a surface, the mounting system comprising:

- a carrier which is securable to the object; and

- a socket of complementary shape to that of the carrier to, in use, receive the carrier therein, to releasably mount the object on the surface.

The carrier may include an elongate curved arm and the socket may include an elongate curved passage. Preferably, both the arm and passage may extend along respective arcs which are disposed about a coinciding radial centre when the carrier is located within the passage.

There is provided for the arm to include a base end and an opposite free end, with the arm being securable to the object at its base end. There is also provided for the passage to include an open end and an opposite blind end, wherein the passage extends in an operatively upwardly direction from the open end to the blind end. The carrier may further include a support at its base end protruding laterally from the arm in any one of an operatively downward direction, operatively upward direction and operatively downward and upward directions.

The socket may further include a cavity at its open end extending laterally from the passage in any one of an operatively downward direction, operatively upward direction and operatively downward and upward directions.

There is provided for the socket and carrier to be shaped such that, in use, the support is in contact with and is supported in the cavity wherein the weight of the object is transferred through the support to the cavity.

There is further provided for the socket to be dimensioned such to be slightly larger than the carrier to allow for tolerances and for the carrier to be easily inserted into and removed from the socket.

According to an example embodiment of the invention, the system may include an insert body which is securable in the surface and wherein the socket is defined.

Alternatively, the socket may be defined in and be integral with the surface. The mounting system may further include a second carrier being similar to the carrier defined above, and a second socket being similar to the socket defined above also with respect to the second carrier. According to an example embodiment of the invention, the second carrier and the second socket may be spaced sideways from and may have similar shapes as the carrier and socket respectively.

According to another example embodiment of the invention, the second carrier and the second socket may be spaced operatively below or above and may have different shapes as the carrier and socket respectively.

According to an example embodiment of the invention, there is provided for the system to include a second insert body wherein the second socket is defined.

There is further provided for the mounting system to include locking means for locking the carrier in the socket.

The locking means may include a locking formation in the carrier and a locking member which is displaceable relative to the carrier between a locked position, wherein the locking member engages the locking formation and locks the carrier in the socket, and an unlocked position, wherein the locking member is retracted from the locking formation and the carrier is free to be withdrawn from the socket. Alternatively, the locking means may include a locking formation in the carrier and a resiliently deformable locking member protruding, at least partially, into the socket, wherein the carrier is displaceable relative to the locking member between a locked position, wherein the carrier is fully received in the socket and the locking member engages the locking formation and locks the carrier in the socket, and an unlocked position, wherein the carrier is, at least partially, retracted from the socket and the locking member is disengaged from the locking formation and the carrier is free to be withdrawn from the socket.

According to an example embodiment, the locking formation may be a recess.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of mounting an object on a surface, the method including the steps of:

- tilting the object relative to the surface;

- inserting a free end of a carrier, which is secured to the object, into a socket in the surface; and

- moving the object along a curved path defined by the socket towards the surface, whilst also rotating the object.

The path may extend along an arc, preferably, disposed about a radial centre.

According to an example embodiment of the invention, the socket may be defined in an insert body which is securable in the surface. Alternatively, the socket may be defined in and be integral with the surface. The method may include the further step of also inserting a free end of a second carrier, which is secured to the object, into a second socket in the surface.

According to an example embodiment of the invention, the second socket may be defined in a second insert body which is securable in the surface. Alternatively, the second socket may be defined in and be integral with the surface.

The carrier and second carrier may be simultaneously inserted into the socket and second socket respectively.

Alternatively, the carrier may be first, at least partially, inserted into the socket, where after the second carrier, located operatively underneath the first carrier, may be inserted into the second socket.

The method may include the further step of abutting an operatively upper end of the object against the surface before inserting the free end of the carrier into the socket.

Preferably, the object may be tilted to face in an operatively downwardly direction.

These and other features of the invention are described in more detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Embodiments of the invention are described below, by way of non-limiting examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic section side view of a mounting system for mounting an object on a surface, according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figures 2 to 4 illustrate a sequence to be followed for mounting the object of fig

1 on the surface;

Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the object having a pair of carriers which are spaced apart in a sideways direction ;

Figure 6 is a schematic section side view of a mounting system for mounting an object on a surface, according to a second embodiment of the invention; is a schematic section side view of part of a mounting system for mounting an object on a surface, according to a third embodiment of the invention; and is a schematic section side view of part of a mounting system for mounting an object on a surface, according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures, in which like features are indicated by like numerals, a mounting system in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention is generally designated by reference numeral 1 0A in figures 1 to 4, a mounting system in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention is generally designated by reference numeral 10B in figure 6, a mounting system in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention is generally designated by reference numeral 10C in figure 7, and a mounting system in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention is generally designated by reference numeral 1 0D in figure 8.

The mounting system 10A comprises a carrier 1 2 which is securable to an object 14 in a conventional manner, and a socket 16 being of complementary shape to that of the carrier 1 2. The carrier 12 could be either permanently secured to the object 14, by means of welding, casting or the like, or removably secured to the object 14, with the use of fasteners such as bolts or the like (not shown). In use, the carrier 12 is received in the socket 16 to releasably mount the object 14 on a surface 1 8.

The socket 16, which is defined in an insert body 20 which is secured in the surface 18, is dimensioned such to be slightly larger than the carrier 12 to allow for tolerances and easy insertion and removal of the carrier 1 2 into and from the socket 16. According to this example embodiment of the invention, the object 14 is in the form of a liner. It should be appreciated that, in other embodiments of the invention, the object 14 could comprise any other article as well. The surface 1 8 forms part of a body 21 which could be in the form of a piece of equipment, structure or the like. The insert body 20 is thus secured in the body 21 . The carrier 1 2 and insert body 20 could be manufactured from a synthetic plastics and/or metallic material.

The carrier 12 includes an elongate curved arm 22 or hook which is shaped such to extend along a first arc 24. Referring particularly to figure 2, the arc 24 is disposed about a first radial centre point 26 which is spaced from the object 14 in the direction of the carrier 12. It should be appreciated that the curvature of the arm 22 may cause the first centre point 26 to be located at different location including, but not limited to, on an inner surface 28 of the object 14 or spaced from the inner surface 28 in the direction away from the carrier 1 2.

The carrier 12 has a base end 30 where it is securable to the object 14, and an opposite free end 32 which is first inserted into the socket 16, in use. The carrier 12 further includes a support 34 at its base end 30 which protrudes laterally from the arm 22 in operatively upward and downwardly directions. Operatively upper and lower surfaces of the support 34 are curved such that their curvature also shares the common centre point 26, when the carrier 12 is located in the socket 16.

The socket 16 includes a curved passage 36 which is shaped such to extend along a second arc 38. Referring particularly to figure 2, the second arc 38 is disposed about a second radial centre point 40 which is spaced from the surface 18 in the direction of the socket 16. It should be appreciated that the curvature of the passage 36 may cause the second centre point 40 to be located at different location including, but not limited to, on the surface 18 or spaced from the surface 18 in the direction away from the socket 16.

Respective radial distances R of the first and second arcs 24 and 38, as measured from the centre points 26 and 40 to the medians of the arm 22 and passage 36, are of the same length. Upper radial distances for upper surfaces of the arm 22 and the passage 36 could be similar, or vary slightly to accommodate for fitment tolerances. Similarly, lower radial distance for lower surfaces of the arm 22 and the passage 36 could be similar, or vary slightly to accommodate for fitment tolerances.

The passage 36 has an open end 42 and an opposite blind end 44 further into the surface 1 8. The passage 36 extends in an operatively upwardly direction from its open end 42 to its blind end 44. The socket 1 6 further includes a cavity 46 at its open end 42 which protrudes laterally from the passage 36 in operatively upward and downward directions. Operatively upper and lower surfaces of the cavity 46 are curved such that their curvature also shares the common centre point 40, when the carrier 12 is located in the socket 16.

The support 34 is, in use, supported in the cavity 46 and assists to retain the object 14 in position on the surface 18. The socket 16, more particularly the cavity 46 and the carrier 12, more particularly the support 34, are shaped such that, when the carrier 12 engages the socket 1 6, the support 34 is in contact with and is supported in the cavity 46. This is to ensure that the weight of the object 14 is transferred through the support 34 to the cavity 46. Accordingly, the shear forces created by the weight of the object 14 and other life loads (not shown) on object 14, are not transferred to the arm 22. The arm 22 merely assists to hold the object 14 in position.

A rear surface 48 of the support 34 includes grooves or serrations to prevent unwanted particles such as dust, for example, from being sandwiched between the support 34 and the insert body 20, which could prevent the carrier 12 to properly locate in the socket 16. Although not shown, in the alternative, or in addition, a front surface 50 of the insert body 20 could include grooves or serrations. Furthermore, the rear surface 48 is slanted, causing the lower end of the support 34 to be wider than its upper end. This assists in providing greater stability to the seating of the support 34 in the cavity 46. The system 10A also includes locking means for locking the carrier 12 in the socket 16. The locking means includes a locking formation, in the form of a recess 52, defined in and extending into the arm 22, and a horizontally extending elongate, preferably round, locking member 54, having a flattened side. The insert body 20 defines an opening 56 which extends transversely through it. The locking member 54 is located in the opening 56 and is rotatably displaceable therein. The locking member 54 could be a conventional rod, bolt and nut. The locking member 54 could be fitted with one or more seals (not shown) to prevent liquid from escaping from the passage 36 through the insert body 20. It is envisaged that, in other embodiments of the invention, the locking member 54 could be axially displaceable. The flattened side would be in the form of a plurality of flattened side segments or recesses which are axially spaced along the length of the member 54.

According to the example embodiment of the system 10A, and referring to figure 5, the object 14 includes two carriers 1 2 located towards an upper end thereof and which are spaced apart in a sideways direction. The carriers 12 are similar, including their shape. Consequently, there are two similar sockets 16 (second one not shown) in the surface 1 8, their respective locations corresponding with those of the carriers 12. It should be appreciated that any number of carriers 1 2 could be used to hang a particular object and they could be arranged in any way relative to each other, depending on the type, weight, size, application, and the like of the object 14. The use of the system 10A will now be described, having regard only to the carrier 12 and socket 16 shown. It should be appreciated that the other carrier 12 (see figure 5) and socket 16 (not shown), referred to above, will have corresponding movements to the carrier 1 2 and socket 1 6. In order to mount the object 14 on the surface 1 8, the locking member 54 is rotated to its unlocked position wherein its flattened side faces the passage 36 (as shown in figures 1 to 3). This ensures that the passage 36 does not have any obstructions that would prevent movement of the arm 22 in the passage 36.

Referring to figure 2, the object 14 is then tilted relative to the surface 1 8 such that it faces, at an angle, in an operatively downwardly direction. The object 14 is then moved towards the surface 1 8 and manoeuvred such that the carrier 1 2 moves into register with the socket 16, as shown in figure 3. In this position, the first arc 24 aligns with the second arc 38, the centre points 26 and 40 coincide and the inner surface 28 remains substantially perpendicular with the second arc 38. The object 14 is then moved along a curved path, defined by the socket 16, towards the surface 18, whilst simultaneously rotating the object 14. When the object 14 is in position (as shown in figure 4) the first and second arcs 24 and 38 overlap. During this mounting process, depending on design characteristics of the system 10A, it may be necessary to move an adjacent object 14.1 located directly above the object 14 away from the surface 18, as shown.

With the arm 22 fully inserted, the opening 56 aligns with the recess 52, and the locking member 54 is rotated to a locked position wherein a portion of its side, other than the flattened portion, engages the recess 52 (as shown in figure 4). The locking member 54 thus creates an obstacle in the passage 36 which locks the arm 22 in the passage 36, and thus the object 14 in position.

Before the object 14 could be removed from the surface 18, it is necessary for the locking member 54 to be rotated to an unlocked position wherein it is retracted from the recess 52 by having its flattened portion in register with the recess 52. The carrier 12 is then free to be withdrawn from the socket 1 6.

It is envisaged that the locking member 54 could extend laterally through multiple insert bodies 20 (others not shown) arranged next to each other to make the locking process a simultaneous action by which multiple objects (not shown), arranged next to each other, could be locked in position with a single locking member 54.

The mounting system 10B, depicted in figure 6, is similar to the mounting system 10A described above, save for the differences mentioned below.

The system 10B includes at least two spaced apart sets, each comprising a carrier 12B and a socket 16B, the respective sets positioned operatively above and below each other. Typically, the system 10B would also include at least two further similar sets (not shown) being spaced from the former sets in an operatively sideways direction. The carriers 12B and sockets 16B share a common centre point 26B, in use, resulting in the curved arm 22B and curved passage 36B of the operatively upper carrier 1 2B and socket 16B defining a shorter radial distance Rl as opposed to the radial distance R2 of the curved arm 22B and curved passage 36B of the operatively lower carrier 12B and socket 16B. The carriers 12B thus have different shapes, and the sockets 16B also have different shapes.

The use of the system 1 0B is similar to that of the system 10A described above, save for the operatively upper carrier 12B first inserted in the operatively upper socket 1 6B, whereafter the operatively lower carrier 1 2B is being inserted in the operatively lower socket 1 6B

Figure 7 shows an operatively lower portion of the system 10C as well as an operatively upper section of another similar mounting system 10C.1 being located adjacent to the system 10C. The mounting system 10C is similar to the mounting system 10B described above, save for having different locking means for locking the carrier 12C in the socket 16C and thus adjacent objects in position.

The system's 10C locking means includes a locking formation in the form of a hole 58 defined in and extending partially, from below, into the operatively lower arm 22C of the system 10C. The locking means further includes an upright locking member 60. Adjacent insert bodies 20C of systems 1 0C and 10C.1 define a channel 62 wherein the locking member 60 is located so to be reciprocatably displaceable therein in an operatively vertical direction.

In use, when the objects 14 are not secured on the surface 18 (not shown), the locking member 60 is in a position being lower than that shown in figure 1 1 . In particular, the locking member 60 would extend further into the passage 36C of system 10C.1 shown, and would be withdrawn from the hole 58 and passage 36C of system 10C. This would permit the object 14 of system 1 0C to be secured on the surface 18 in the normal manner as described above. Thereafter, as the object 14 of system 10C.1 is being secured to the surface 18, its arm 22C would push the locking member 60 upwards as it is being inserted into the corresponding passage 36C. As such, the locking member 60 is linearly displaced from an unlocked position wherein it is withdrawn from the hole 58 to a locked position wherein it engages the hole 58 and locks the object 14 of system 1 0C in position. As a result, if the object 14 of system 10C is to be removed, the object 14 of system 1 0C.1 would first have to be removed. The mounting system 10D according to figure 8 is similar to the mounting system 10A described above, save for the differences mentioned below.

The horizontally extending elongate round locking member 54D does not have a flattened side and is made from a resiliently deformable material, such as rubber or the like. The locking member 54D protrudes, at least partially, into the socket 16D.

In use, when the carrier 1 2D is fully received in the socket 16D (as shown), being in its locked position, the locking member 54D, engages the recess 52D and locks the carrier 12D in the socket 16D. With the carrier 12D, at least partially, retracted from the socket 1 6D (not shown), being in its unlocked position, the locking member 54D is disengaged from recess 52D and the carrier is free to be withdrawn from the socket 16D. Therefore, in order to remove the object 14 from the surface 18, a user needs to exert a pulling force on the object 14 which is sufficient to overcome a biasing force created by the locking member 54D on the recess 52D.

It is envisaged that the invention discloses a systems for and method of mounting an object on a surface that would be less laborious, cumbersome and time-consuming to perform than using conventional known systems and methods. The invention could be applied to a variety of industries including, but not limited to, mining, quarrying, and the like. When implemented in, for example, the mining sector, it is foreseen that this system and method will result in less down-time and increased production. It is further envisaged that during construction the socket 1 6 could be cast into or secured onto surface or other structures and used for mounting temporary objects onto structures. Afterwards, the socket 1 6 could be used for maintenance access during the life of a facility.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the precise details as described herein and that many variations are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims. For example, the invention could be applied wherein the object 14 is of any other shape and is mounted on any other surface. Also, the arm 22 and passage 36 could be orientated in any direction, including vertically, horizontally, or any orientation in between. Further, in some embodiments of the invention the support 34 and/or cavity 46, or portions thereof, could be omitted. Still further, the width of the arm 22 and accordingly the passage 36 could vary along their respective lengths. For example, the arm 22 could taper, at least partially, from its base end 30 towards its free end 32 and the passage 36 could taper, at least partially, from its open end 42 to its blind end 44. In addition, the socket 1 6 may widen from its blind end 44 to its open end 42 to allow for the arcs 24 and 38 to misalign slightly during movement and align when the object 14 is in position or align during movement and misalign when object 14 is in position. Still further, the support 34 may protrude laterally from the arm 22 in an operatively sideways direction. Also, the cavity 46 may extend laterally from the passage 36 in an operatively sideways direction. Yet further, the socket 16 could be defined in and be integral with the surface 18. Further, the socket 16 could be an elongate socket or groove (not shown), wherein the socket would be wider than the carrier 12. This would enable sideways insertion of the carrier 1 2 into the socket and displacement of the object 14 in a horizontal direction, whilst the carrier 12 is engaged with the socket 16.

The description is presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention.