Tube support device
First Claim
1. A tube support device comprising a channel shaped portion and a cap portion, the channel shaped portion having a bottom wall, a first sidewall and a second sidewall, each sidewall having an upper end and a lower end and extending upwardly from opposite sides of the bottom wall to define a channel,the cap portion latching across the upper ends of the first sidewall and the second sidewall to form, in combination with the channel shaped portion, a tunnel for receiving a tube, said tunnel having a longitudinal axis,the channel shaped portion having at least one bottom leaf spring portion extending angularly toward the longitudinal axis of the tunnel for biasing a tube against movement toward the bottom wall of the channel shaped portion, at least one first side leaf spring portion extending angularly toward the longitudinal axis of the tunnel for biasing a tube against lateral movement toward the first sidewall, and at least one second side leaf spring portion extending angularly toward the longitudinal axis of the tunnel for biasing a tube against lateral movement toward second sidewall, and wherein the cap portion, when in the latched position, has at least one upper leaf spring portion extending angularly toward the longitudinal axis of the tunnel for biasing a tube away from the cap portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tube support device particularly well suited for neon tubing comprises a channel shaped portion and a cap portion. The channel shaped portion has at least one bottom leaf spring portion extending angularly toward the longitudinal axis of the tunnel for biasing a tube against movement toward the bottom wall, at least one first side leaf spring portion extending angularly toward the longitudinal axis of the tunnel for biasing a tube against lateral movement toward the first sidewall, and at least one second side leaf spring portion extending angularly toward the longitudinal axis of the tunnel for biasing a tube against lateral movement toward second sidewall. The cap portion, when in the latched position, has at least one upper leaf spring portion extending angularly toward the longitudinal axis of the tunnel for biasing a tube away from the cap portion. The device is preferably unitary thermoplastic construction for low cost and to provide cushioned and electrically insulated support for the tube.
24 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A tube support device comprising a channel shaped portion and a cap portion, the channel shaped portion having a bottom wall, a first sidewall and a second sidewall, each sidewall having an upper end and a lower end and extending upwardly from opposite sides of the bottom wall to define a channel,
the cap portion latching across the upper ends of the first sidewall and the second sidewall to form, in combination with the channel shaped portion, a tunnel for receiving a tube, said tunnel having a longitudinal axis, the channel shaped portion having at least one bottom leaf spring portion extending angularly toward the longitudinal axis of the tunnel for biasing a tube against movement toward the bottom wall of the channel shaped portion, at least one first side leaf spring portion extending angularly toward the longitudinal axis of the tunnel for biasing a tube against lateral movement toward the first sidewall, and at least one second side leaf spring portion extending angularly toward the longitudinal axis of the tunnel for biasing a tube against lateral movement toward second sidewall, and wherein the cap portion, when in the latched position, has at least one upper leaf spring portion extending angularly toward the longitudinal axis of the tunnel for biasing a tube away from the cap portion.
Specification