COMPOSITE THREADED STANDOFF UNIT

Abstract

A composite standoff unit for attaching on a mounting surface includes a bottom platform, a standoff column, and threaded portion formed within the standoff column. The bottom platform includes a bonding surface configured to be attached with the mounting surface. The bonding surface includes a plurality of nubs of predefined dimension disposed in a spaced apart manner. The nubs define a bond-line thickness between the bonding surface and the mounting surface. The standoff column extends vertically from bottom platform. The standoff column is formed with an inner cavity that has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is formed adjacent to the bottom platform, and the threaded portion is disposed adjacent to the distal end on the inner cavity.

Claims

1. A composite standoff unit for attaching on a mounting surface, wherein said composite standoff unit comprises: a bottom platform comprising a bonding surface configured to be attached with said mounting surface, said bonding surface comprises a plurality of nubs of predefined dimension disposed in a spaced apart manner whereby said nubs define a bond-line thickness between said bonding surface and said mounting surface; and a standoff column extending vertically from bottom platform, said standoff column is formed with an inner cavity having: a proximal end formed adjacent to said bottom platform, a distal end, and a threaded portion disposed adjacent to said distal end on said inner cavity.

2. The composite standoff unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of nubs of predefined dimension are placed in a symmetrical manner on the said bonding surface.

3. The composite standoff unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said standoff column comprises an outer surface having a plurality of longitudinally extending slotted channels defining a non-circular outer periphery of said standoff column.

4. The composite standoff unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said threaded portion is molded together with said inner cavity of said standoff column as a single piece.

5. The composite standoff unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein said standoff column comprises an outer surface having a plurality of longitudinally extending slotted channels defining a non-circular outer periphery of said standoff column.

6. The composite standoff unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein said threaded portion is molded together with said inner cavity of said standoff column as a single piece.

7. The composite standoff unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein said threaded portion is molded together with said inner cavity of said standoff column as a single piece.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] For better understanding, an illustrative embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will however be appreciated that the embodiment exemplified in the drawings is merely illustrative and not limitative to the scope of the invention, because it is quite possible, indeed often desirable, to introduce a number of variations in the embodiment that have been shown in the drawings. In the accompanying drawings:

[0020] FIG. 1 depicts a top perspective view of a composite threaded standoff unit according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 2 is cut-away sectional view of the threaded standoff unit illustrating the threaded portion molded at its inner cavity, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the threaded standoff unit turned upside down showing its bonding surface, according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] In the following, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough description of exemplary embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize and appreciate that, despite of the detailed nature of the exemplary embodiment provided here; changes and modifications may be applied to said embodiments without limiting or departing from the generally intended scope. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0024] FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings depicts a perspective view of a standoff unit (100) showing the structural feature thereof. The standoff unit (100) has a bonding surface (106) which is to be attached with a mounting surface using a bonding agent such as adhesive and thereby supporting conduits, cables, etc. With reference to figures, the standoff unit (100) comprises a bottom platform (104), a standoff column (102), and threaded portion (116) formed within said standoff column (102).

[0025] According to a suitable application of the standoff unit (100), various supporting structures such as screwable clamps are attached with a distal end (114) of said standoff column (102). For the sake of brevity, the description of engagement of clamps with the standoff column (102), and thereupon insertion of one or more wiring cables and conduits within said clamp is not provided herein. More specifically, the clamps are screwed with said threaded portion (116). Depending on the type of application, various types of clamps can be used at least having a screwing portion that gets attached with said threaded portion (116).

[0026] As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, the threaded portion (116) is internally molded with the standoff column (102), more specifically, to an inner cavity (110) of the standoff column (102). This composite molding eliminates the need for additional nut or threading means to be inserted within the standoff column (102). The standoff column (102), according the preferred embodiment is extending from the bottom platform (104), in a vertical direction. The proximal end (112) of the standoff column (102) is formed as continuous part with the bottom platform (104).

[0027] The outer surface of the standoff column (102) comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending slotted channels (108). The channels result in reduction of molding material and reduction of overall weight of said standoff unit (100). The slotted channels (108), are preferably disposed in a symmetrical spaced apart manner, defining a non-circular outer periphery of said standoff column (102). The inner cavity (110) of the standoff column (102) has a smooth cylindrical profile having said threaded portion (116) formed adjacent to the distal end (114) of the standoff column (102).

[0028] With reference to FIG. 3 of the accompanying drawings, the bottom platform (104) comprises a bonding surface (106) provided with plurality of nubs (118) that are disposed in a spaced apart manner. In the present embodiment, three nubs (118) are provided on the bonding surface (106) of said bottom platform (104) in a symmetrical manner. The shape of said nubs (118), according to one embodiment is hemispherical. A person skilled in the art would appreciate the fact that the functionality of said buds are not limitative to their shape, number, placement or dimension. The dimension or extension of these nubs (118) are selected based on the requirement of the installation site depending upon the requirement of thickness of adhesive.

[0029] In order to attach said standoff unit (100) to a mounting surface, first an adhesive is put on the bonding surface (106). Then the standoff unit (100) is pressed against the mounting surface until an optimum bond-line thickness or gap is created between the mounting surface and the bonding surface (106) having the adhesive in between. The gap is defined by the dimension of said buds, which in turns also defines the optimum thickness of adhesive layer between the mounting surface and said bonding surface (106). For the purpose of attaching said standoff unit (100) with glass bead type adhesive, the dimension of said buds can also the chosen in-line with the dimension of the glass beads.

[0030] As already mentioned, the foregoing description is illustrative of the invention and not limitative to its scope, because it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art to devise other alternative embodiments without departing from the broad ambit of the disclosures made herein.

[0031] It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the number and positions of the various components described herein are intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and are merely exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms including and in which are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms comprising and wherein. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms first, second, and third, etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. ? 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase means for followed by a statement of function void of further structure.