FLEXIBLE LINE SUPPORT DEVICE

This invention relates generally to a support device for flexible lines and more particularly though not exclusively to a support device for electric power leads.

During the construction of buildings for example, and in many other situations, electric power cords are temporarily required throughout the site for power tools and the like. The temporary use of electric power leads can present serious safety hazards, hi the past it has been proposed to provide hooks which can be fitted to suitable apertures in a structure and over which the electric power lead can be strung. Such hooks suffer from the disadvantage that they require a structure suitable for handling the hook and further the power lead can become dislodged from the hook relatively simply. In another currently known arrangement bollards are provided having a post extending therefrom the power lead being mountable to the post. The problem with bollards is that they are bulky, can interfere with through way on the site, are prone to being knocked over and are difficult to transport because of their bulky nature.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved support device which alleviates one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a support device for a flexible line the support device including a main body which includes a permanent magnet for enabling the main body to be mounted to a metal structure, a support arm which includes a substantially resilient or flexible section, the support arm being operatively connected to and extending from the main body, and a line holder operatively connected to the support arm and spaced from the main body.

The main body may include a casing to which the permanent magnet is mounted. The casing may include an end wall and peripheral side wall forming a recess to one side of the end wall within which the permanent magnet is adapted to be mounted. The casing can be

formed from any suitable material such as, for example, metal, plastics or the like.

The support arm may include a helical spring which extends from one side of the end wall of the casing. The support arm may include a post extending from the end wall, the spring being mounted to the post and extending beyond the free end thereof. The post may include a threaded section at the end portion remote from the free end for receiving a complementary threaded fastening thereon, the post extending through an aperture in the end wall of the casing. Preferably the post is threaded along its entire length and the helical spring can be wound onto the post thread. Preferably the post extends from the casing end wall and terminates at a position spaced from the outer end of the spring. It will be readily appreciated that the helical spring portion beyond the post can flex if a force is applied to it. The support arm could take other forms. For example it may be in the form of an elastomeric, plastic or metal element which is at least in part substantially resilient in nature.

The line holder may be a hook shaped member operatively mounted to the free end of the support arm which in one form includes the spring, the line holder remote from the casing, hi one embodiment the hook shaped member include a resilient finger which closes the mouth of the hook. The flexible line is adapted to be received by the hook shaped member and held in place by the resilient finger. The hook shaped element may be formed of plastics material or any other suitable material.

In one embodiment the device may further include a metal mounting plate which can be mounted to a structure, the magnet being adapted to be attached to the mounting plate. In this embodiment the device can be used with non-metallic structures.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings and in those drawings:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a support device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the support device shown;

Figure 3 is an isometric view of the support device shown in Figures 1 and 2 when in use; Figure 4 is an isometric view of a support device according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of support devices according to the invention when in use in one application; and

Figure 6 is a similar view to that of Figure 2 illustrating the arrangement of the post and spring.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a support device for an electric power lead 60. The support device generally indicated at 10 includes a main body 12 having a casing 13 with an end wall 14 and a peripheral skirt 15 defining a cavity between the end wall and the skirt. A permanent magnet 20 is mounted within the cavity and arranged so that the casing 13 can be attached to a metal structure 50 as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The support device 10 further includes a post 25 which is mounted to and extends from the end wall 14. As best illustrated in Figure 6 the post 25 has a thread (not shown) along its entire length and the inner end portion 26 thereof receives a fastening 27 thereon. The post extends through an aperture in the end wall 14. A spring 32 is fitted to the post and extends beyond its free end. The pitch of the thread on the post cooperates with the helical pitch of the spring so that the spring can be wound on to the post. The inner end of the spring abuts against end wall 14.

A line holder 30 which in the form shown is a hook like member 35 mounted to the outer or free end of the spring 32 and includes a resilient finger 37 which closes the mouth of the hook.

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As shown in Figure 3, in another embodiment the device may further include a metal plate 38 which is adapted to be secured to a structure 55 such as a wooden frame or concrete structure.

The magnet enables the main body of the device to be mounted to any suitable metal structure. In the embodiment of Figure 3 metal plate 38 can be secured to a non-metal structure 55 and the main body of the device mounted to the plate. The electric power lead 60 can then be securely held by the line holder. The flexible nature of the spring allows for some movement of the power lead however if the movement is excessive the magnet will release from the metal support structure thus alleviating the problem of excessive loading on the power lead.

As shown in Figure 5 a plurality of devices 10 may be used on a structure to hold the power lead 60.

Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.