Connecting apparatus and suspension assembly
A connecting apparatus comprises a support member and a fastening arrangement to secure the support member to an elongate member. The fastening arrangement comprises a holding component which receives the elongate member. The through hole has a holding region and a release region. The holding component has cooperating formations at the holding region to cooperate with corresponding formations on the elongate member. The holding component is movable relative to the support member. In a holding position, the elongate member can be received in the holding region, and the cooperating formations of the holding component cooperate with the corresponding formations of the elongate member to fasten the elongate member to the holding component. In a released position, the elongate member can be received in the release region, thereby allowing the elongate member to be released.
1 . A connector comprising:
a support; and
a cartridge mounted on the support, the cartridge comprising a fastener for fastening an elongate suspension member to the connecting apparatus;
wherein the fastener comprises a holder for holding the elongate member, the holder defining a through hole for receiving the elongate member through the holder, the through hole having a holding region and a release region, the holder having cooperating formations at the holding region to cooperate with corresponding formations on the elongate member;
wherein the holder is movable relative to the support between a holding position and a released position;
whereby, in the holding position, the elongate member can be received in the holding region, and the cooperating formations of the holder cooperate with the corresponding formations of the elongate member to fasten the elongate member to the holder, and in the released position, the elongate member can be received in the release region, thereby allowing the elongate member to be released from the holder;
wherein the fastener further comprises a tilting arrangement for tilting the holder between the holding and released positions; and
wherein the fastener further includes a spring to urge the holder to the holding position, and wherein the tilting arrangement comprises a conveying component to convey the holder between the holding and released positions, the spring engaging the conveying component.
2 . A connecting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the holder is pivotally movable relative to the support between the holding and released positions.
3 . A connecting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the fastener further includes an urging member to urge the holder to the holding position.
4 . A connecting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the holding region and the release region of the through hole extend obliquely relative to each other, the holding region having a first main axis along which the elongate member can extends when the holder is in the holding position.
5 . A connecting apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the through hole has a further holding region, the release region being arranged between the holding region and the further holding region, the first main axis of the holding region being the main axis of the further holding region, the holder comprising cooperating formations at the further holding region.
6 . A connecting apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the release region has a second main axis along which the elongate member extends when the holder is in the released position, the first main axis and the second main axis extending obliquely relative to each other.
7 . A connecting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the conveying component is movable along the support to effect tilting of the holder, the conveying component being slidable along the support to effect tilting of the holder.
8 . A connecting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the conveying component comprises a first engaging region for receiving the holder in the holding position and a second engaging region for receiving the holder in the released position.
9 . A connecting apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the conveying component is movable between a first position in which the first engaging region of the movable member receives the holder, and a second position in which the second engaging region of the conveying component receives the holder.
10 . A connecting apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the first and second engaging regions are arranged obliquely relative to each other.
11 . A connecting apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the first engaging region has a first surface for engaging the holder, and the second engaging region has a second surface for engaging the holder.
12 . A connecting apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the first engaging region has two of the aforesaid first surfaces, the first surfaces being spaced from each other, and the first surfaces extending substantially parallel to each other, and wherein the second engaging region has two of the aforesaid second surfaces, the second surfaces being spaced from each other, and the second surfaces extending substantially parallel to each other.
13 . A connecting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the conveying component and the holder have cooperating guide formations for guiding the holder to the release position.
14 . A connecting apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the guide formations of the holder comprise sloping surfaces on the main part, the sloping surfaces being provided in recesses defined by the main part.
15 . A connecting apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the conveying component has opposite first and second end portions, and the guide formations of the conveying component comprise projecting members extending from the second end portion towards the first end portion.
16 . A connecting apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the guide formations of the holder and the conveying component comprise cooperating surfaces that slide across one another as the holder moves to the release position.
17 . A connecting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the holder is pivotally mounted on the support, the holder comprising a main part defining the through hole, and the holder comprising a pivot member extending from the main part, the pivot member being received in a pivot aperture defined by the support.
18 . A fastener comprising:
a holder defining a through hole for receiving an elongate member through the holder, the through hole having a holding region and a release region, the holder having cooperating formations at the holding region;
wherein the holder is movable between a holding position and a released position;
whereby, in the holding position, the elongate member can be received in the holding region, and the cooperating formations of the holder cooperate with corresponding formations of the elongate member to fasten the elongate member to the holder, and in the released position, the elongate member can be received in the release region, thereby allowing the elongate member to be released from the holder
wherein the fastener further comprises a tilting arrangement for tilting the holder between the holding and released positions; and
wherein the fastener further includes a spring to urge the holder to the holding position, and wherein the tilting arrangement comprises a conveying component to convey the holder between the holding and released positions, the spring engaging the conveying component.