Priority Cross-Reference

[0001 ] The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2017903945 filed 28 September 2017 the contents of which is to be considered to be incorporated into this specification by this reference.

Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a spacer device that has been developed principally for centralising an inner pipe within a bore or within an outer pipe. It will be convenient to describe the invention in relation to that application, although it should be appreciated that the invention could have other applications, such as where the spacing or positioning of one part relative to another is required.

Background of Invention

[0003] Various pipe installations require an internal pipe to be positioned within a bore or an external pipe. In some installations, one pipe is positioned within a bore and centralised within the bore before the bore is filled with grout about the pipe. In other installations, one pipe is positioned within another pipe or casing to protect the internal pipe. This can be necessary where the ground pressure is too great for the internal pipe to resist. In other installations, one pipe is positioned within another pipe or casing to protect against leaks if the internal pipe fails or if the internal pipe has to be withdrawn and replaced.

[0004] Often very rudimentary means are employed to centralise or space an internal pipe within a bore. For example, pieces of timber (timber "chocks") can be jammed into the space between an internal pipe and the facing surface of a bore (such as the internal surface of an external pipe) to centralise the internal pipe.

[0005] More sophisticated arrangements are however available and for example, Australian patent application 200143778 in the name of Kwik-Zip Pty Ltd discloses a borehole casing centraliser to centralise a casing or pipe within a borehole. Australian patent 200143778 discloses a two-part centraliser device in which the two parts each include a plurality of spacing bows and the two parts can interconnect with each other about a pipe so that the bows project radially outwardly from the pipe an extent necessary to space the pipe within either a borehole or another pipe. The two-part construction of the centraliser allows the centraliser to be placed about a pipe without needing the pipe to be threaded or passed through the centraliser. The centraliser device of Australian patent 200143778 is relatively simple to install and provides reliable spacing of a pipe or casing to which the centralising device is attached. However, a drawback with the centralising device of patent 200143778 is that the two-part construction of the centraliser of Australian patent 200143778 suits one size of pipe. Larger pipes may require three or more of the parts of the device to fully extend and connect about the pipe but this can provide far more spacing bows than actually required to properly centralise the pipe. Accordingly, there can be significant waste in the use of the centraliser of Australian patent 200143778 with larger pipes, by the need for the parts of the device to be connected together to fully extend about the pipe.

[0006] While the parts of the centraliser of Australian patent 200143778 can be manufactured for different outside diameter sizes of pipes or casings, a further drawback arises in that various sizes of the centraliser device must be produced and stocked.

[0007] Also, where a bore is to be grouted following insertion of a pipe into a bore, the spacing bows of Australian patent 200143778 present a barrier to flow of the grout and where there is a large number of spacing bows, the flow of grout can be compromised.

[0008] Still further, because the spacing provided by the bows of the centraliser device of Australian patent 200143778 is fixed in respective of each segment, if there are variations in the spacing along a pipe or bore that need to be accommodated, ie between an internal pipe and the facing surface of a bore, then different dimensioned centraliser devices need to be employed. Moreover, it can often be evident only after a centraliser device has been attached to a pipe that the spacing the device provides is too great or not sufficient. In that case, the attached device needs to be removed and a new device of a different size needs to be attached. This is time consuming and means that the installers need to stock different sizes of centraliser devices on site. [0009] Pipes that are installed in bores are usually pushed into the bore from one end and where a centralising device is attached to the outside of the pipe, the centralising device normally scrapes along the inside surface of the bore. Where obstructions are encountered, the existence of the centralising device can make it difficult for the pipe to be pushed further into the bore upon engagement with an obstruction, or the centralising device can be caught and the pipe can slide through the centralising device. Obstructions in earth bores are frequent and so this problem can occur frequently, particularly if the centralising device is a tight fit within the bore. In these circumstances, the spacing bows of the centralising device can also break, thus potentially compromising the operation of the centralising device.

[0010] Also, and where there is a large number of spacing bows, these can pick up earth from a bore wall as the pipe is pushed into the bore and this can compromise the flow of grout into the bore.

[001 1 ] The present invention has been developed in order to provide an improved form of spacer device such as can be used to centralise a pipe within a bore. It is intended that by the improvements which have been developed, that one or more of the drawbacks associated with prior art spacer devices or centralising devices, may be overcome or at least alleviated.

Summary of Invention [0012] In one form of the invention, there is provided a spacer device for spacing one component relative to another component, the spacer device including: a base for connection to said one component, and an elongate and flexible or semi rigid spacer member, opposite first and second ends of the spacer member being connected to the base at spaced apart positions so that the spacer member projects outwardly from the base, the position of connection of the first end of the spacer member to the base being adjustable to adjust the extent to which the spacer member projects from the base.

[0013] A spacer device according to the invention advantageously provides for adjustment of the extent to which the spacer member projects from the base. This overcomes drawbacks associated with the prior art in which a range of different centralising devices needs to be provided to accommodate different spacing gaps or distances and also allows on-site adjustments to be made, where the spacing gap needing to be accommodated varies from one position to the next. The present invention can result in lower levels of stock being provided, given that a single spacer device according to the invention can accommodate a range of different spacing gaps. [0014] The spacer device of the invention can take many different forms. Thus, each of the base and the spacer member can have a variety of different forms, and the connection between the first end of the spacer member to the base can also take different forms. Importantly, the mechanism that facilitates adjustment of the positon of connection of the first end of the spacer member to the base can also take a variety of different forms.

[0015] In some forms of the invention, the position of connection of the first end of the spacer member to the base can be adjustable by movement towards or away from the positon of connection of the second end of the spacer member to base. In this form of the invention, the second end of the spacer member can have a single or fixed point of connection to the base, while the position of connection of the first end of the spacer member to the base can be adjustable by movement towards or away from the connection of the second end to the base.

[0016] In the above form of the invention, the spacer member can be formed as a semi rigid strap or bar, for example, which has opposite ends which each connect at spaced apart locations to the base. The strap or bar can be formed from plastic or metal, although plastic is preferred and PVC is the preferred plastic. The strap or bar will form an arc, loop or bow relative to the base and the radius of the arc, loop or bow will depend on the spacing between the first and second ends of the spacer member in connection with the base. Thus, the spacer member will have the greatest radius and thus the least extension or projection away from the base, when the first and second ends of the spacer member are spaced apart at maximum distance. The radius will decrease and thus the extension or projection of the spacer member away from the base will be greatest when the first and second ends of the spacer member are closest together.

[0017] The stiffness or rigidity of the spacer member can be varied as required during manufacture and spacer members of different stiffness or rigidity can be made available depending on the requirements of a particular installation. The spacer members can be made to be resilient so as to function as a spring. Thus, where two or three spacer members are attached to the outside of a pipe and in pressing engagement with the facing surface of a bore or casing, they can tend to automatically centralise the pipe within the bore or casing by the biasing effect between the spacer members.

[0018] The stiffness or rigidity of the spacer member can also be varied along the length of the spacer member so that it is more stiff or rigid at one section, such as an end, than in another section, such as the opposite end. This variation in stiffness can be provided to resist collapse of the spacer member during installation of a pipe in a bore. In this respect, as a pipe to which the spacer device is fixed is inserted into a bore, the spacer member will usually engage the facing surface of the bore and that engagement will tend to push the spacer member reawardly and will tend to collapse the spacer member. However, by making the spacer member more stiff or rigid towards the first end, that collapse is resisted.

[0019] In the above form of the invention, the spacer member can alternatively be formed as a hinged member that is hinged at the centre and that forms a triangular configuration whereby the apex of the triangle is raised and lowered relative to the base as the spacing between the first and second ends of the spacer member changes. [0020] What is important is that the amount the spacer member projects from the base be adjustable so that the projection can be increased or decreased to suit the installation circumstances of a particular installation.

[0021 ] The adjustment of the spacer member thus takes place between a smallest projection of the spacer member from the base to the largest or greatest projection and in forms of the spacer member whereby that member is formed as a strap or bar, the point of maximum projection from the base would generally be at the midpoint between the first and second ends of the spacer member.

[0022] The connection of the first and second ends of the spacer member with the base can be any suitable connection. While the positon of connection of the first end of the spacer member to the base is an adjustable connection, the positon of connection of the second end of the spacer member with the base can also be an adjustable connection. Alternatively, in other forms of the invention, the position of connection of the second end of the spacer member to base can be at a single position and the connection can be an integral connection or a releasable connection. In this form of the invention, the point at which the second end of the spacer member connects to the base is a set position and is not an adjustable position.

[0023] The connection of the first end of the spacer member to the base can be adjustable in any suitable form and in some forms of the invention, the connection can be a slidable connection so that the first end of the spacer member can slide relative to the base to the positon at which the first end is to be fixed relative to the base. This slidable connection can enable sliding movement of the first end of the spacer member both towards and away from the second end of the spacer member, or the slidable connection can be a one-way connection, so that the first end of the spacer member can only slide in one direction, either towards or away from the second end of the spacer member. In some forms of the invention, this one-way connection only allows movement of the first end of the spacer member to slide in a direction towards the point of connection of the second end of the spacer member to the base. [0024] A sliding connection of the above kind advantageously permits easy adjustment of the spacer device and in fact allows adjustment either before a pipe is inserted into a bore, or once the pipe is inserted into the bore. In some arrangements for example, the precise level of spacing might not be apparent until a pipe is inserted into a bore and the spacing device is activated. By use of the present invention, installation personnel can adjust the spacer device once a pipe is inserted into the bore to ensure that proper spacing is provided. In this respect, pipes are often spaced within a bore by the use of three points of spacing contact. In the present invention, three spacer devices can be employed such as at 120° to each other about the pipe and in order to properly incline the pipe such as for use in gravity fed drainage and sewage systems, it might be necessary for the spacer devices to be adjusted once the pipe is installed within a bore. The present invention can provide for fine adjustment to ensure a proper inclination of the internal pipe is achieved. [0025] The one-way connection discussed above can be achieved in various ways, but in one form, the connection is a ratchet and pawl connection and for this, the base can include a ratchet configuration and the pawl can be provided at the first end of the spacer member.

[0026] Given that the sliding movement is in one direction only, the sliding connection can have an entry section and an exit section, so that when the first end of the spacer member has reached the position at which the projection of the spacer member from the base is at a maximum, further sliding movement can disconnect the first end from the base, to enable the first end to be repositioned at the entry end for reconnection to the base. This arrangement facilitates the sliding connection between the first end of the spacer member and the base, but also allows the first end of the spacer member to be returned to the start of the ratchet if the first end of the spacer member has been shifted too far towards the second end of the spacer member to a position which the spacer member projects too far from the base. In that case, the first end of the spacer can be shifted to the exit section for disconnection from the base and for reconnection to the base at the entry section. This arrangement is a convenient arrangement for the ratchet and pawl connection discussed above, whereby the first end of the spacer member can slide along the ratchet section of the base and if the first end is slid to far along the ratchet section, continued sliding of the first end will allow the first end to be disconnected from the ratchet through the exit section and to be reconnected through the entry section, so that the adjustment of the first end on base can be recommenced.

[0027] It is to be appreciated that while the base can include a ratchet section and a first end of the spacer member can include a pawl, the reverse arrangement is also acceptable. The arrangement can also be such that the pawl can be temporarily disconnected from the ratchet to shift the pawl along the ratchet towards first end of the spacer member, rather than sliding the first end fully along the ratchet through to the exit section to disconnect the pawl from the ratchet. This can be a temporary disconnection such as by temporarily bending or flexing the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet and allowing resilient return of the pawl into engagement with the ratchet. Any suitable arrangement for disconnecting the pawl can be employed.

[0028] The ratchet and pawl can provide any increment of advancement of the first end of the spacer member, and in prototypes developed to date, 3mm increments are provided. However, those increments can be finer by providing different points of connection between the spacer member and the base at the second end. Thus, as described above, the second end of the spacer member can have a fixed connection. However, in alternative arrangements, the second end of the spacer member can have a second or further positons of connection to the base, adjacent the first position of connection. The second positon of connection to the base can be located such that the 3mm increment that is provided can be reduced by movement of the second end of the spacer member to the second positon of connection, so that, for example, an increment of 1 .5mm or even 1 mm is provided.

[0029] In an alternative to the ratchet and pawl arrangement discussed above, the base can include a plurality of connection positions to which the first end of the spacer member can be connected and the extent to which the spacer member projects from the base is dependent on which of the plurality of connection positions the first end of the spacer is connected to. The base for example can connect to the first end of the spacer member by snap connection, or by a pin connection. In this latter arrangement, the first end of the spacer member could include a pin and the base could include a plurality of openings which could be aligned lengthwise of the base, and insertion of the pin into one of the openings would secure the first end of the spacer member relative to the base. The pin could be a snap-fit, or a friction fit within the opening to ensure the security of the connection.

[0030] Further, the base could include a plurality of openings as discussed above and the first end of the spacer member could also include an opening which could be aligned with one of the openings of the base. The spacer device could also include a pin which could be inserted through a pair of aligned openings in order to position the first end of the spacer member relative to the base.

[0031 ] It will thus be appreciated that the manner in which the first end of the spacer member connects with the base can take various forms. Preferably the connection is releasable, and importantly, the connection should be secure.

[0032] The connection between the first end of the spacer member and the base can incorporate an intermediate member to which each of the first end of the spacer member and the base connect. This advantageously facilitates the use of spacer members of different lengths with a single base. Different length spacer members can accommodate a wider range of spacing without necessarily requiring a different base. Thus, a single base could be used with two or more spacer members of different length depending on the spacing requirements to be accommodated. [0033] The intermediate member can connect to the base in the same way as discussed above in relation to a connection between the first end of the spacer member and the base. Likewise, the first end of the spacer member can connect to the intermediate member in any suitable manner. The connection could be by simple insertion of a protrusion of the spacer member into an opening of the intermediate member, or by a pin connection, or a snap-fit connection. The connection could even be a simple abutment connection, whereby the configuration of the abutment connection between the first end of the spacer member and the intermediate member provides a secure connection between them. For example, a facing surface of the intermediate member could be formed in a wedge shape and the abutment surface of the first end of the spacer member could be likewise shaped for mating wedge engagement between them, so that as the two surfaces are brought together, they wedge together in firm and secure abutting engagement.

[0034] The connection between the spacer member and the intermediate member is preferably releasable to facilitate connection of different length spacer members to the intermediate member, and likewise, the connection between the intermediate member and the base member is also preferably releasable. The intermediate member and the base member can form a pawl and ratchet connection of the same kind as discussed above and the base can have exit and entry sections again as discussed above to facilitate release and re-engagement of the intermediate member with the base.

[0035] By having the spacer member in releasable connection with the intermediate member, the arrangement also advantageously permits the intermediate member to be shifted to the correct position on the base member prior to connection of the spacer member with the intermediate member. [0036] A spacer device according to the invention can have the second end of the spacer member connected at a fixed position to the base and have an adjustable connection between the first end of the spacer member and the base. This can be a direct connection between the first end and the base, or an indirect connection through an intermediate member. The advantage of adjustable connection between the spacer member and the base has been discussed above as facilitating a greater range of use of a particular form of spacer device, as well as contributing to more convenient installation of spacer devices by permitting on- site adjustment as might be required.

[0037] While the second end of the spacer member can have a fixed point of connection to the base, it is also within the scope of the present invention to have the second end of the spacer member in adjustable connection with the base. [0038] That adjustable connection can be any of the connections of the kinds described above in relation to the first end of the spacer member and the base.

[0039] The second end of the spacer member can also be in releasable connection with the base and this facilitates both the separate production of bases and spacer members for their connection either at the site of manufacture or the site of installation, as well as the use of different length spacer members. The second end of the spacer member can be releasably connected to the base such as by a snap connection. As indicated above, different length spacer members can be provided and the correct length spacer member can be selected for use on site, or when the spacer devices are ordered from a manufacturer.

[0040] The spacer device of the present invention is intended to be connected to the outside surface of a component, normally the outside surface of a pipe, by any suitable arrangement. Suitable fasteners can be employed that extend through the wall of the pipe but only in circumstances where that penetration through the wall is acceptable for the pipe operation. In most cases, penetration through the pipe wall will not be acceptable as it could compromise the structural integrity of the pipe and provide a point for leakage. Thus, the present invention provides for an underside surface of the base to have an adhesive connector applied for connecting the spacer device to the surface of the component to which it is to be applied. The adhesive connection can be any suitable glue connection and can for example, be provided by a double sided adhesive tape.

[0041 ] Alternatively, the underside of the base surface can provide a surface to which an adhesive can be applied on-site for adhesively connecting the base to outside surface of the relevant component. Still further, hook and loop connectors can be employed, whereby one part of the hook and loop connector can be applied to the outside surface of the component and the other to the underside surface of the base.

[0042] At present, the use of double sided adhesive tape is preferred and the particular form of tape is a 3M double coated urethane foam tape. This type of tape has been tested and has been found to be acceptable for use with PVC drainage and sewage pipes, which is the type of pipes that the invention has been developed for. However, the pipe can also be polyethylene, polypropylene, steel, glass reinforced pipe (GRP) or concrete.

[0043] The adhesive connector can alternatively form part of a connector assembly that is separate from the base of the spacer device but which can be connected to the base. Such a connector assembly can be connectable to the base such as by snap fit or suitable fastener or fasteners. The connector assembly can alternatively be permanently connected to the base once a first connection is made to the base and for this, the connector assembly can be adhesively fixed to the base. The connector assembly can include a lateral extension that extends beyond the periphery of the base and the lateral extension can have an adhesive applied to a surface thereof that faces a pipe to which the spacer device of the present invention is to be applied, in order for the lateral extension to provide an increased surface engagement with the surface of the pipe than the earlier arrangement discussed above. That increased surface engagement can more firmly connect the base and thus the spacer device of the present invention to the pipe.

[0044] A connector assembly as described above can be applied to one or each end of the base and while the connection can be a releasable connection, it is not expected that the connector assembly will be need to disconnected from the base other than very rarely. The releasable connection of the connector assembly to the base is therefore mainly for allowing the connector assembly to be formed separately from the base of the spacer device and to be connected to the base when required. This separate formation of the connector assembly from other parts of the spacer device allows for the connector assembly to be formed to a particular shape that would be very difficult if the connector assembly were to be formed as part of the base.

[0045] In one form of a connector assembly, the base includes an opening into which snap connectors of the adhesive connector can be inserted for mating snap connection. This type of opening can be provided at each end of the base for connection of a connector assembly to each end of the base. The lateral extension of the connector assembly described above can extend to each side of the base, or to one side only.

[0046] The base can have any suitable configuration and in some forms, it is an elongate base. In these forms of the invention, the lateral extension can extend to one or either side of the long sides of the base at one or each end of the base. With this form of elongate base, the spacer can overlie the base between its first and second ends.

[0047] The present invention extends to pipe installations comprising an internal pipe positioned within a bore. The pipe installation includes at least one spacer device of the kind discussed above connected to the outer surface of the internal pipe to space the internal pipe from a facing surface of the bore.

[0048] In a pipe installation of the above kind, a pair of spacer devices can be employed at different positions on the external surface of the internal pipe so that the pipe is supported in two positions to be spaced away from the facing surface of the bore. Preferably however, at each point of spacing of the pipe from the internal surface of the bore, three spacer devices are employed and these can be spaced apart at about a maximum of 120° to each other.

[0049] In the pipe installation described above, the bore can be formed within an outer pipe within which the internal pipe is positioned, or the bore can be formed in a body of earth, such as by drilling.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0050] The present invention will now be described with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings that illustrate particular preferred embodiments of the present invention, in which: [0051 ] Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a spacer device according to the invention.

[0052] Figure 2 is an underneath perspective view of the spacer device of Figure 1 . [0053] Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of an installation incorporating a spacer device according to the invention.

[0054] Figure 4 is an exploded view of the spacer device of Figure 1 .

[0055] Figure 5 illustrates a quick adjustment tool applied to the base of a spacer device according to the invention.

Detailed Description

[0056] The figures illustrate a spacer device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. With reference first to Figures 1 and 2, the spacer device

10 includes an elongate base 1 1 and an elongate and flexible or semi rigid spacer member 12. The spacer member 12 has opposite first and second ends 13 and

14. The ends 13 and 14 are connected to the base 1 1 at spaced apart positions so that the spacer member 12 projects outwardly from the base. In Figures 1 and 2, it can be seen that the spacer member 12 forms a bow or loop above the base

1 1 of generally constant radius. It will be appreciated that different length spacer members 12 can be attached to the base 1 1 to accommodate different spacing requirements.

[0057] The spacer device 10 can be applied to the outside surface of a pipe in a manner shown in Figure 3. In that figure, a bore 15 has been drilled in a body of earth and pipe 16 has been inserted within the bore 15. In order to maintain pipe 16 spaced from the facing surface of the bore 15, a plurality of spacer devices 10 have been attached to the outside surface of the pipe 16 to maintain the pipe 16 centrally within the bore 16. The spacer device 10 can be used within an earth bore 15 as illustrated in Figure 3, or can be used within a pipe within which the pipe 16 has been inserted. [0058] Figure 3 is a side view of the pipe 16 and illustrates a pair of spacer devices 10 that have been connected to the outer surface of the pipe 16. Alternatively, three or four spacer devices 10 (or more) could be connected to the pipe 16 as required to properly support and space the pipe 16 away from the facing surface of the bore 15. The number of spacer devices 10 employed can be depend on different factors including the diameter and weight of the pipe 15.

[0059] Returning to Figures 1 and 2, the position of the first end 13 of the spacer member 12 is adjustable along the base 1 1 towards the end 14. By shifting the end 13 towards the end 14, the maximum spacing P of the member 12 from the base 1 1 is increased. Thus, the spacer device 10 can take up a greater space between the component to which it is attached (a pipe for example) and a facing component (the wall of a bore for example) by shifting the end 13 towards the end 14. [0060] The end 14 of the spacer member 12 includes a pair of arms 17 that each include a snap-fit opening 18 (which is only slightly visible in Figures 1 and 2). The opening 18 of each of the arms 17 is arranged to snap-fit onto a cylindrical bar 19 (see Figure 4) that extends outwardly from each side 20 of the base 1 1 .

[0061 ] The connection of the end 14 of the spacer member 12 is thus a push fit connection of the arms 17 onto the bars 19 and that connection allows the end 14 of the spacer member 12 to rotate about the bars 19 as is required as the end 13 of the spacer member 12 is shifted towards the end 14 from the position shown in Figures 1 and 2. That is, the end 14 of the spacer member 12 rotates about the bars 19 to allow the spacer member 12 to reduce in radius and to increase the distance P shown in Figure 1 towards the end 14

[0062] In the illustrated spacer device 10, the end 14 of the spacer member 12 is fixed in positon on the base 1 1 once the arms 17 have connected to the bars 19. However, the first end 13 can be adjusted as discussed above by movement from the position shown in Figure 1 towards the second end 14. That movement in the Figure 1 embodiment of the spacer device 10 is sliding movement of the end 13 along the base 1 1 .

[0063] The connection between the first end 13 of the spacer member 12 and the base 1 1 incorporates an intermediate member 22. The first end 13 connects to intermediate member 22 and the intermediate member 22 connects to the base 1 1 . This arrangement is more evident in relation to Figure 4 which is an exploded view of the spacer device 10. With reference to Figure 4, this shows each of the same components that are illustrated in the assembled views of Figures 1 and 2.

[0064] Figure 4 illustrates in better detail, the arms 17 of the spacer member 12, the openings 18 of the arms 17 and the bar 19 that projects from the side wall 20 of the base 1 1 . For structural rigidity, it can be seen that the bar 19 extends from the side wall 20 to a support member 23.

[0065] The arms 17 and openings 18 of the spacer member 12 can be substantially repeated at the opposite and first end 13 of the member 12 so that the end 13 also includes a pair of arms 25 which each include an opening 26. The intermediate member 22 likewise includes a bar 27 on each side for engagement by the openings 26 of the arms 25. The intermediate member 22 further includes a pair of side walls 28 and a return base 29 (see Figure 2) that are arranged to wrap around to the underside of the flanges 30 of the base 1 1 so as to be able to track alongside the flanges 30. The side walls 28 and return bases 29 are configured to be a tight but sliding fit along the side flanges 30.

[0066] The top surface 33 includes a ratchet surface 34 over which the intermediate member 22 can slide. The intermediate member 22 includes a pair of pawls 35 that engage the ratchet surface or formation 34 and that locate the intermediate member 22 on the ratchet surface 34 against reverse movement over that surface, in use, the first end 13 of the spacer member 12 is thus located at a particular selected position along the ratchet surface 34. That position can be anywhere between the entry end 36 and the exit end 37. Clearly as the intermediate member 22 and the end 13 of the spacer member 12 are shifted from the entry end 36 towards the exit end 37, the distance P shown in Figure 1 increases.

[0067] The semi rigid nature of the spacer member 12 generates a bias tending to urge the intermediate member 22 towards the entry end 36, so that the intermediate member 22 is securely held in position once the selected position along the ratchet surface 34 has been reached. The sliding connection between the intermediate member 22 and the ratchet surface 34 can be made to be tight or resistant to sliding movement so that the intermediate member 22 must be forced to slide along the ratchet surface 34 and so that it will not shift inadvertently on that surface.

[0068] The entry end 36 at the leading end of the ratchet surface 34 enables the intermediate member 22 to be positioned to engage the ratchet surface 34. Thus, the side walls 28 and the return base 29 are placed at the entry end 36 and are shifted so that the walls 28 and the base 29 can extend about the side flanges 30 of the base 1 1 . In other words, the side walls 28 and the return base 29 are inserted through the entry end 36 and thereafter, the intermediate member 22 can be shifted into engagement with the ratchet surface 34. The pawls 35 immediately commence engagement of the ratchet surface 34 and retain the intermediate member 22 in a selected positon along the ratchet surface 34. If the intermediate member 22 is pushed too far along the ratchet surface 34 so that the distance or projection P of the spacer member 12 is to great, the intermediate member 22 can continue to be slid along the ratchet surface 34 to the exit end 37 and once disconnected from the ratchet surface 34, the intermediate member 22 can be returned to the entry end 36 to reengage with the ratchet surface 34. This mechanism for locating the end 13 of the spacer member along the ratchet surface 34 is simple and effective.

[0069] Moreover, the end 13 of the spacer member 12 is releasably connectable to the intermediate member 22, so that if necessary, the intermediate member 22 can be slid to the desired position along the ratchet surface 34 prior to connecting the first end 13 to the intermediate member 22. This method might be selected if the exact correct position of the intermediate member 22 on the ratchet surface 34 is known so that the intermediate member can be slid to that position without the resistance that the spacer member 12 imposes on sliding movement of the intermediate member 22.

[0070] Alternatively, the intermediate member 22 can be slid to the correct position in connection with the end 13 of the spacer member 12, as it might be that the correct position for the intermediate member 22 on the ratchet surface 34 is not known until during installation whereby when the spacer member 12 takes up the space it is required to take up further sliding of the intermediate member 22 can cease.

[0071 ] Figure 2 illustrates the underneath surface of the base 1 1 and shows a pair of lateral extensions 40 at each end of the base 1 1 . These lateral extensions 40 extend laterally from either side 20 of the base 1 1 and are provided to accept a section of double sided adhesive tape for adhesively connecting the base 1 1 to the outside surface of a pipe. Alternatively, the lateral extensions 40 can form appropriate faces to accept a liquid adhesive which might be applied on site. The advantage of double sided tape is that it can be applied to the lateral extensions 40 at the point of manufacture and so the use of separate liquid adhesive is not required.

[0072] The lateral extensions 40 form part of a connector assembly 45 that is separate from the base 1 1 of the spacer device 10 but which can be connected to the base 1 1 . Such a connector assembly 45 can be connectable to the base 1 1 by snap fit as shown in the figures. For this, the connector assembly 45 includes a pair of upstanding snap connectors 46 that are arranged for mating snap connection within openings 47 provided in each end of the base 1 1 . The openings 47 are formed with internal walls with which the connectors 46 can matingly connect, so that one of the internal walls and the connectors 46 has a recess, and the other has a projection and mating connection between the respective recess and projection connects the connectors 46 within the openings 47. To facilitate mating connection, the connectors 46 resiliently flex or bend inwardly as they enter the opening 47 and then resiliently flex or bend outwardly when the respective projection enters a recess so make the snap connection. [0073] To prevent or at least resist disconnection between the snap connectors 46 and the walls of the openings 47, clips 48 are inserted into and through openings 49 in the base 1 1 to engage with the snap connectors 46 by extension through openings 50 in the connectors 46. The clips are intended to prevent the connectors 46 from bending inwardly towards each other and thus away from the walls of the openings 47. The clips 48 include spring arms 51 that have a barb 52 at the distal ends thereof. As the clips 48 are inserted into the openings 49 and 50, the spring arms 51 resiliently flex or bend inwardly and once the barbs 52 are fully through the openings 49 and 50, the spring arms 51 resiliently flex or bend outwardly to bring the barbs 52 into a position overlying and engaging against a face 53 of the connectors 46. The connectors 46 are thus prevented from moving towards each other and so the connector assemblies 45 are secured against release from the base 1 1 .

[0074] It will be appreciated from the figures, that the components illustrated in Figure 4 can easily be connected together, while the base 1 1 itself can be easily connected to the outer surface of pipe. Additionally, increasing the projecting dimension P of Figure 1 is easily completed by sliding the intermediate member 22 in the direction towards the end 14 of the spacer member 12. Ratchet engagement between the ratchet surface 34 and the pawls 35 securely locates the intermediate member 22 in the final position selected.

[0075] Also, if a greater projection distance P is required than is available from the spacer member 12 a longer spacer member 12 can be attached to the intermediate member 22 and the base 1 1 .

[0076] Figure 5 is a view of a quick adjustment tool 55 applied to the base 1 1 of the spacer device 10 according to the invention. The tool 55 operates to accurately position the intermediate member 22 on the ratchet surface 34 and removes operator error from that assembly step. The tool 55 employs a U-bolt for example, to extend through a selected pair of openings selected from the rows of openings 57 and 58 whereby the selected pair are laterally aligned. With the U- bolt inserted, the tool 55 can be pushed via the base 56 to push the intermediate member 22 along the ratchet surface 34 until the inserted U-bolt abuts against the end of the base 1 1 . The advantage of using the tool 55 is that the position of the intermediate member 22 on different bases 1 1 can be repeated over and over.

[0077] By the adjustability provided by the spacer device 10, that device provides advantages over prior art arrangements and is nevertheless simple and easy to use. [0078] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.