The present invention relates to a method for affixing of an on two sides adhesive tape onto an electrical conduit or other conduit for the purpose of attaching the conduit to a surface as defined in the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a means for the execution of the method as defined in more detail in the preamble of the first device claim. In addition the invention relates to a tape holder or dispenser for an on two sides adhesive tape intended to be used together with said device. Finally the invention relates to a use of the method and the device for the attachment of a conduit to a surface.

It is known to attach an adhesive layer and a protective paper onto conduits already during the manufacture of the conduits. When used the protective paper is removed and the conduit is pasted on. However, this results in unnecessary additional costs and adhesion problems at those times when an adhesive attachment is not wanted, for instance when the conduit is drawn through a pipe.

DE 827 372 discloses a procedure using a storage drum with a glue-covered electrical conduit together with a pressure roll exhibiting a handle. hen using the device the conduit is rolled off against the surface below and is immediately atta¬ ched to it by pressing with the pressure roll. Furthermore, the international patent application WO 9520834 describes a handle with a roller for pressure attachment of a conduit coated with glue or tape on a surface or pressure attachment of a conduit onto a surface covered with glue. However, none of these devices can be used for the affixing of an on two sides adhesive tape onto the conduit directly in connection with the mounting of the conduit.

DE 33 39 143 has earlier proposed a device for the affixing of an on two sides adhesive tape onto a conduit. Then the

conduit is attached to a surface which first has been provi¬ ded with a coating of contact glue. It comprises a back-pack device for a"flat band conduit" with a cable drum and a roll holder for an on two sides adhesive tape. They are simultane- ously fed out between two rolls, one of these being driven by a motor.

This device has the drawback that it is unnecessary heavy because the entire cable roll must be carried on the back. Furthermore, it is not possible to discontinue the tape affixment for instance when passing through a wall or fitting the conduit in a pipe. Neither it is possible to switch the device between different conduits, for instance between different dimensions or between different conduits when several conduits are installed at the same time, without having several devices which results in increased costs.

Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to set aside the drawbacks of the Prior Art with a method which makes it possible to affix an on two sides adhesive tape also on the middle of a conduit, which is easily switched between different conduits, which does not require any heavy lifting and which is easy to perform in various environments and narrow spaces. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide a device intended for the performance of the method which is easy to change-over between different conduit sizes and/or different tape widths, which has a low weight, which is simple and uncomplicated in construction as well as exhibits few moving parts and which has low manufacturing costs. A further object of the invention is to provide a device by which a conduit can directly be attached to a surface. More¬ over, the object of the invention is to provide a tape holder, specially a disposable tape dispenser, intended to be used together with said device. A further object of the in- vention is to provide a use of the inventive method and de¬ vice for the installation of specially electrical conduits.

These objects are achieved with the invention having the characteristic features set forth in the followinσ Claims.

A device for the performance of the inventive method com¬ prises a body and a channel carrier exhibiting at least one channel intended for a conduit. Together with an opposite or facing side this channel is forming a through passage for said conduit, the channel carrier being removable and/or tur- nable for the purpose of releasing and receiving, respec¬ tively, of said conduit. The facing side exhibits an inlet opening for an on two sides adhesive tape. The facing side or an elevation therein or in the channel constitutes a press implement for fixedly pressing of the tape onto the conduit.

One or several channel carriers belongs to the device, each of them containing one or more channels suited for occurring conduit dimensions. In certain cases it can be an advantage that the housing and the channel carrier does not have round surface profiles, one variant is that the surface profile consists of a symmetrical, equilateral unit or of an unit which is mounted in a slot on the base portion of the body. In this case no housing is needed.

At another embodiment of the invention the device is designed with a channel consisting of a top part and a bottom part which are interlocking with each other. In this way the sur- face profile of the channel can be varied depending on the requirements of the user by pressing the parts more or less far against each other, and locking them in the chosen posi¬ tion. By lifting off the top part of the device the conduit is uncovered when this is required for insertion and removal.

The inventive device is used in the following way: Before the mounting of the conduit is started a holder with an on two sides adhesive tape is mounted on the body of the device. After that the operator choses a channel in a channel carrier appropriate for the application and installs it in the per¬ manent housing of the device unless this is not already done. The channel is tried out for size by inserting a piece of the conduit in question in the various channels of the channel carrier. The channel carrier is inserted in the housing with

the chosen channel proximate to the part of the housing close to the base portion of the body. The chosen channel and its facing side in the housing forms a through passage for the conduit.

At a device in which the housing and the channel carrier have round characteristics the channel carrier can be turned around, for instance with the aid of a channel selector pin. The channel carrier is fixed in right position with the aid of guide pins on the channel carrier and recesses on the out¬ let end of the housing and is locked by means of a stop. Then the end of the tape is inserted through a slot opening in the housing of the device. The conduit in question is inserted in the chosen channel which can be easily done even if the chan- nel carrier is shorter than the housing. The housing has an release opening and through this the conduit can be inserted in the channel and be turned forward to working position.

When using non-round channel carriers and variable channel carriers the conduit is first put in position in the housing and then the channel carrier is put in position with the chosen channel in working position or with the wanted depth adjustment thereof.

The channel straightens up the conduit before it reaches the tape and provides a guiding of the conduit surface which shall be covered with tape. The tape is located centrally in a tape holder and is guided towards said conduit with the aid of the walls cf the tape holder and slot opening in the hou- sing of the device. The tape is pasted onto the conduit immediately after the passage through the slot opening of the housing and the pasting is strengthened when the taped con¬ duit continues through the outlet end of the channel because the conduit and the tape passes a contraction. The slot opening is positioned close to the outlet end of the device such that the pasting occurs just before the taped conduit leaves the device. If the tape is attached at the inlet end of the channel the operator has no control of any twisting of the taoe that, mav occur in the channel. Moreover, it is

important that the conduit enters the device in a favourable way such that the twisting is as small as possible.

As the conduit is introduced in the channel of the device the tape is applied to the that surface of the conduit which is intended for mounting. The mounting can be done by pressing the conduit against the intended substructure by hand as the conduit with its on two sides adhesive tape leaves the device.

By pressing a tool, for instance the roller described in WO 9520834, against the conduit the pressure against the tape is increased at the same time as the contact surface is increa¬ sed. In this way the adhesive bond will be stronger and the mounting of the conduit neater.

According to a specially favourable embodiment of the inven¬ tion the device can comprise or be provided with means for the pressing of the conduit against a substructure directly when leaving the device. Such means may be a mouth piece or a roller mounted on the device. In particular the channel carrier of the device may exhibit a conical extension which works as pressing means.

It is easy to remove the protective paper from the tape since the tape and the protective paper or tape has been bent during the feeding through the slot and when it was pressed against the conduit. According to a favourable embodiment of the invention the protective paper is gradually removed with the aid of a paper removal means arranged on the device immediately before the conduit is pressed fixedly onto the intended place.

When a conduit in a building is passed through a ceiling, a floor, a wall and the like the device must be disengaged from the conduit since the conduit will continue in another room. This can favourably be accomplished with the invention, either by extracting the channel carrier from its housing such that the conduit is released from the open channel

through the release opening of the housing, or by liberating the conduit by turning the channel of the channel carrier to a position facing the release opening and bring the conduit out through it. The width of the release opening must be at least as big as greatest width of the channel, i. e. the cross section of the greatest conduit. Furthermore, the conduit can favourably be introduced again in the device through said release opening, when the. wiring job continues in another room. If the conduit is connected to an apparatus, a box or the like before the conduit is attached to the substructure the conduit can also in this case be be introduced in the device through the release opening.

The tape holder of the device may be stationary or separately connectable to the device. A separately connectable tape holder exhibits a foot in the shape of a connecting part intended to fit in an attachment means on the device. In the latter case it is easy to change to a different tape width by changing to another tape holder, for instance a disposable dispenser, which contains the wanted tape width. Furthermore, it should be possible to mount the tape holder at an inlet with the right slot opening with the right approach angle and lock it with a bolt or the like.

The tape holder may also be independent from the device, for example if you temporarily want to change over to use another tape width on a conduit with another dimension, or when the device is stationary mounted on a workbench.

In the exit end of the device an exit mouthpiece may be con¬ nected in order to facilitate the wiring work. The mouthpiece exhibits a pressing on means with the aid of which a conduit can be attached to a substructure. The exit mouthpiece is open in the direction of the tape side of the conduit and to- wards the release opening of the housing. Instead of a mouth¬ piece a roller with a shaft may be attached to the device for pressing the conduit onto a substructure. The exit end of the channel carrier may also have the shape of a pressing on means.

In order to get a more steady hold a handle may be attached to the device. The handle has openings for receiving a mounting means so the device can be mounted on a table, a bench, a ladder or the like. Furthermore, the handle may be extended so that it is possible to stand on the floor and mount a conduit in the ceiling.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplifying, non-limiting embodiments thereof and also with reference to the accompanying, schematic drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a first embodiment of the inventive tape applying device comprising a housing and a channel carrier with round cross-section and a tape holder;

Figure 2 is a section through the housing of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section through the channel carrier of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a frontal view of the base part of the tape holder shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a side elevation view seen against the inside of the base part shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a frontal view of the tape holder lid for the tape holder shown in Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a side elevation view of the outside of the lid shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a partially sectioned view of the tape holder foot and its fastening on the housing shown in Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a principal view showing how a tape is attached to a conduit with the aid of the inventive device;

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view being taken on the line

X - X in Figure 9; Figure 11 is a second embodiment of the invention in which the housing and the channel carrier exhibit a square cross- section;

Figure 12 is a side elevation view of an exit mouth piece for the inventive tape applying device;

Figure 13 is a tape applying device comprising a pressure roller;

Figure 14 is a detail view of a ring-shaped rear part of the tape applying device shown in Figure 13; Figure 15 is a handle intended for the tape applying device;

Figure 16 is a third embodiment of the tape applying device with adjustable channel size;

Figure 17 is an end view of the device shown in Figure 16;

Figure 18 is a view of the top part of the channel shown in Figure 16 seen from below;

Figure 19 is a view of the bottom part of the channel shown in Figure 16 seen from above;

Figure 20 is an alternative embodiment of a handle with a shaft connection; Figure 21 is a schematic view showing an electrical conduit being attached to a ceiling surface with the aid of the invention;

Figure 22 is a side elevation view of a fourth embodiment of the invention in which the channel carrier is shaped as a pressing means;

Figure 23 is a view of the device in Figure 22 seen from the side of the tape holder, the tape holder being removed;

Figure 24 is a detail section of Figure 22 with a paper removal means in open and closed position; Figure 25 is a perspective view of the device in Figure 22 being used for cable mounting and

Figure 26 is a cross sectional view through the device in

Figure 22 through its tape holder.

A first embodiment of the inventive tape applying device is shown in the Figures 1 - 10. Figure 1 is an exploded view of the device which consists of a body A comprising a round housing 1 and a base portion 7 carrying a tape holder 6 as well as a channel carrier 2 with channels 3 matching the housing. The channel carrier 2 is turnable and can be turned around, for instance with the aid of a channel selector pin 33, in order to get the wanted channel in working position. The channel carrier is arrested there with a stop 5 which is arranged in a hole 4 in the wall of the housing 1. The stop 5

engages a hole 26 in the channel carrier 2 and arrests it, such that the chosen channel is fixed in its working posi¬ tion. In this respect applies that the angle v between imagi¬ nary planes 27 from the axis of the channel carrier to the centre line of each channel and planes 42 through each hole 26 shall be the same as the angle v between the longitudinal symmetry plane 29 of the device and an imaginary plane through the axis 28 of the housing and the stop hole 4.

In order to get a round channel carrier 2 in right position in the housing 1 in a simple way, the housing can be provided with in relation to the working positions of the channels symmetrically positioned recesses 52 and the channel carrier be provided with a corresponding protrusion 53 which is intended to engage one of the recesses 52 for an initial locating before locking with the stop 5. The stop 5 can be a simple bolt, but it can also be a spring loaded ball or a spring loaded pin. Such elements are well known in the Art for similar applications and are therefore not described in detail. As alternative to the recesses 52 and the protrusions 53 the channel carrier may comprise longitudinal grooves 54 through the holes 26 as shown with dashed lines in Figure 1.

The base portion 7 substantially consists of an attachment means 8 for the tape holder 6 and connecting parts towards the housing 1 extending from the attachment means. The tape holder attachment means consists of longitudinal grooves 8a and surrounding flanges 8b intended to enclose fastening flanges 9 on the foot 6a of the tape holder.

The Figures 4 - 7 illustrates a preferred tape holder for re¬ peated use. It consists of a wall 11 connected to the faste¬ ning flanges 9 of the holder. The wall 11 constitutes a base for a tape carrying means or spool 21 for a tape roll 13, said means at the same time being an attachment for a remova¬ ble wall or tape holder lid 10. The lid 10 exhibits semi-cir¬ cular locking means 12 separated by slit openings 14. The locking means are squeezed together when they are inserted in the tape carrying means 21 of the holder. In this way a

certain retaining resistance will occur such that the lid will be kept in position. The lid is brought to correct posi¬ tion by causing its edge 15 to bear against a shoulder 16 on the foot of the tape holder. The outer portion of the lids edge 15 will then together with the opposite fastening flange 9 form a groove 9a which surrounds the flange 8b. In the same way the edge of the wall 11 and the flange 9 form a groove 9a.

The wall 10 exhibit a handle or knob 18 with the aid of which the lid easily can be removed for the exchange of the tape roll 13.

That channel 3 on the channel carrier 2 which is in working position defines together with an opposite or facing wall 3' on the inside of the housing 1 a through passage 22 for an electrical conduit or an other elongated object C. Close to the outlet end of the device there is arranged an opening 20 or several openings 20.1, 20.2 of different size in the opposite side 3'. Through such an opening an on two sides adhesive tape 19 is intended to be inserted with its exposed glue-covered side 23 facing the conduit C. During passage through the channel the tape is pasted in centred position onto the conduit c On the opposite side of the tape the glue surface is covered by a protective paper 24 which prevents the tape from sticking to the opposite side 3 ' . By chosing an inlet opening 20 with marginally greater width than the tape it will get support from the sides of the opening, and you avoid that it is attached askew on the conduit and possibly sticks to the wall of the channel 3. As an additional protection against that the tape should get stuck in the channel the outer part thereof exhibits a recess or step 56 in outward direction as shown in Figure 10.

In order to give the tape an appropriate entering angle into the opening 20, the tape holder is slidably arranged in the tape holder attachment means 8 in the longitudinal direction of the device. In this way it is possible to compensate for which of the inlet openings 20.1, 20.2 which is chosen and

for how much tape which is left on the roll 13. in order to lock the tape holder in wanted position the tape holder attachment means 8 exhibit a locking means 38 consisting of a bolt or the like which abuts the fastening flange 9 of the tape holder. So as to get a more secure locking of the position the flange 9 may exhibit recesses 57 defining the position.

The opposite side 3 ' constitutes an abutment and forces the tape 19 against the conduit C. Advantageously the side 3' may exhibit an elevation 45 which provides a constriction of the through passage 22. in this way a good fastening by pressure of the tape against the conduit is achieved, but the conduit does not need to be squeezed and slowed down for the entire length of the passage. The elevation 45 can for instance be a plain elevation in the opposite side 3', a biased plate spring or a spring loaded ball.

To be able to release the tape applying device from the conduit then this is necessary because of the layout of the installation, the conduit is removable through a longitudinal release opening 17 in the housing 1. The conduit can be released by removing the channel carrier 2 from the housing such that the release opening 17 is exposed. A round channel carrier can also be turned in the housing 1 such that the channel 3 containing the conduit will be situated straight opposite the opening 17.

Conversely, a conduit C can be inserted in the device through the release opening 17 when the channel is pulled out. A round channel carrier can also be located with the appropri¬ ate channel 3 facing the release opening. Then the channel carrier is turned around so that the engaged channel gets in working position for the applying of the en two sides ad- hesive tape 19.

Before the removal of the conduit from the tape applying de¬ vice the tape must first be cut off between the tape roll 13 and the slot opening 20. If possible, the cut off point is

chosen so that the desired length of the conduit will be tape covered. In the same way it applies, when starting a tape ap¬ plying operation, that the conduit is brought forward in the passage until its desired tape cover starting point arrives to the opening 20, then the tape 19 is introduced through the opening and brought up against and attached to the conduit.

Figure 12 illustrates an exit mouthpiece 39 which is con¬ nected to the exit end of the housing 1 with the aid of a locking screw 40. The mouthpiece 39 can be used for the guiding of a conduit C at its mounting on a substructure B. Advantageously, the mouthpiece 39 can exhibit an overlaying pressing on means 49 at its exit end. In order to permit the removal of the conduits out of the mouthpiece 39 it exhibits an open side 41 which is connected to the release opening 17. With the aid of the pressing on means you can directly when feeding out the conduit press it on in the desired position and thus the mounting is done by means of the tape applying device. Close to coupling boxes and places with difficult accessibility you still have to mount the conduit by hand or with the aid of a separate pressing on means.

In order to remove the protective paper 24 from the tape covered conduit already when the tape is affixed, a paper remover in the shape of a wire or a band 46 can be arranged at the conduit outlet from the tape applying device, for in¬ stance in the beginning of the exit mouthpiece 39. in order to get an extra fast mounting with the aid of the mouthpiece 39 this can be provided with a deflector underneath, for in- stance a bent plate or the like 47 which moves the protective paper side-ways as it is liberated from the tape pasted to the conduit.

Figure 13 illustrates a tape applying device which is provi- ded with a conduit pressing on means in the shape of a roller wheel 32 which through a shaft 31 is mounted directly on the inventive tape applying device. In a first embodiment the shaft is arranged in a central hole 28' in the channel car¬ rier. In order to assume a stable operating position and pre-

vent pivoting of the roller wheel, its connecting arm 31 is provided with a pin 31a. This is entered in a slot in the outlet end of the channel carrier. To prevent the roller from disengagement it is fastened by means of a locking ring 55 at the inlet end of the channel carrier. According to an alter¬ native embodiment shown in dashed lines the roller arm 31 can be mounted in a connecting attachment 51 on the outside of the housing 1. The connecting attachment is of the same type as the tape holder attachment means 8.

At the device in Figure 13 the channel carrier is designed shorter than the housing 1 in order to diminish the weight. To make sure that the conduit C shall not slip into the release slot 17 and get stuck, there is arranged an inlet ring 50 in the rear end of the housing. The ring 50 exhibits an opening 17' shown in Figure 14 corresponding to the release slot 17 and is turnable between a releasing and a closed position.

A handle 34 shown in Figure 15 can be mounted on the device as support when the inventive device is used for a direct mounting of a conduit onto a substructure. The handle exhi¬ bits two shanks 43 which on their ends carries clamps 44 with the same shape as the housing 1 and intended to surround it. The shanks are squeezed together with a screw 35. The free ends of the clamps exhibit an opening 48 which is at least as big as the release opening 17. In the other end of the handle there are holes 36 in which a cramp can be fitted to clamp the device onto a table. This can be used if you wish to cover a substantial length of cable with an on two sides ad¬ hesive tape in order to attach it to a substructure later on.

Figure 20 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a handle 34 which connects to a ring 60 arranged on the housing 1 which ring is open at the release opening 17. The ring exhibits fastening flanges 62 and beneath them recesses 64 which are surrounded by gripping flanges 66 on the clamps 44 of the handle. During mounting the clamps 44 are introduced in the opening 48 of the ring and are then traversed on the

fastening flanges 62 to the desired position and are secured with the screw 35. In its other end the hollow handle 34 exhibits holes 36 and a coupling pin 37 with the aid of which an extension rod 68 with coupling notches 70 can be connected to the handle. The rod 68 may exhibit one or more transverse handles 72. The rod 68 makes it possible to stand on the floor and attach a conduit to the ceiling or high up on a wall without any aid of a ladder except at coupling boxes and other connection points as schematically shown in Figure 21.

Figure 11 illustrates a side elevation view of an embodiment with symmetrical, equilateral cross section, in this case a device with a square housing 1 and a channel carrier 2 matching the housing. The channel carrier can be mounted by introducing it into the housing 1 in various selected posi¬ tions such that the desired channel 3 will be turned against a facing side 3 ' in the lower part of the housing, thus forming a through passage 22. Into this the conduit will be fed and be applied with an on two sides adhesive tape through an opening in the facing side 3'. in other respects this embodiment coincides with the first described embodiment.

Figures 16 - 19 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention with variable channel size. It consists of a body or bottom part A and a top part comprising a cover 101 with a channel carrier 102. The body A consist of a bottom portion 107 and on its underside there is arranged a tape holder attachment means 108 corresponding to the tape holder attach¬ ment means 8 described above. The channel carrier 102 carries an angle shaped plate 110 which has an central portion bent in an obtuse angle to form a channel 103. The flanks of the plate is divided into tongues 112. The outer parts 114 of the tongues are bent downwards parallel to the centre plane 29 of the device. The plate 110 is secured to the channel carrier 102 by soldering, glueing or in some other way depending upon what materials the plate and the channel carrier are made of. It can also be made in one piece with the channel carrier in which case the tongues 112 are offset and interlocking with

each other. The plate 110 can be made of sheet metal, plastic or some other material.

The bottom portion 107 consists of a massive body which on its top side exhibits a V-shaped notch 116 with rounded bottom which is situated opposite the channel 103 and forms a facing surface 103'. Together they surround a through passage 122. An inclined passage 120 extends through the bottom portion 107. An on two sides adhesive tape 19 can be passed through this passage to the through channel 122 in order to be pressed against and affixed to an electrical conduit c which is passing therethrough. In the flanks of the V-shaped notch there are arranged holes or wells 124 in which the outer parts 114 of the tongues are lowered.

This tape applying device can be adapted for an arbitrary conduit thickness by moving the channel carrier 102 verti¬ cally. In order to retain the channel carrier at the desired height level the sides of the cover 101 exhibits inwards di- rected flanges 128 at the bottom which engages rifles 130 on the sides of the bottom portion. For a more fine adjustment the flanges can be introduced in rifles at different levels on each side. The cover is easily disengaged for height adjustment with the aid of screw driver tracks 132, 134 in the flanges 128 and the rifles 130, respectively.

Figures 21-26 illustrates a further embodiment of the inven¬ tive tape applying device in which the channel carrier 2 is designed with a point 80. With the aid of this point a tape covered conduit can be directly attached to a substructure. In this case the tape inlet 20 is continuing forwardly as an open slot 82. Over this slot a paper remover 84 and a tape pressing means 86 are arranged on a hinge 91 so they can be lifted up. They are kept in closed position by hooks 85 and 87, respectively, which engages in corresponding recesses on the housing 1.

The paper remover exhibits an edge 88 which with a relief ex¬ tends down towards the tape web. The protective paper is then

deflected by a point 89. In order to prevent the tape from sticking to the paper remover a roller 90 made from non-ad¬ hering material be arranged on in the paper remover straight across the tape web.

The tape pressing means 86 exhibits a press pad 45 which for¬ ces the tape down against a conduit c when passing. Its inlet side is stepped with ledges 20.1, 20.2 and 20.3 to suit different tape widths in order to guide tapes of different width centred against the conduit. In this case the pressing means can not be resilient, any possible springy press means must be arranged in the channel 3. Alternatively, the channel 3 may be designed with a constriction. Advantageously, a finger stop 92 is arranged in front of the tape inlet 20 to prevent the hand from gliding forward towards the tape during mounting of conduits.

The tape holding means is in this case designed as a slot 8 in the wall of housing 1 itself. The edges of the slot con- stitutes the fastening flanges 8b. In the rear part of the slot there is an enlargement 94 constituting an inlet for the foot 6a of the tape holder. The tape holder can be positioned differently far up in the slot, possibly with the aid of pro¬ trusions and recesses in the tape holder foot and the flanges 8b, respectively, in order to get a suitable entering angle for the tape 19. Expediently, the tape holder could be of simple disposable dispenser type with a foot 6a, 9 which is specially adapted to fit the tape holder seat 8.

Figures 22 and 23 illustrates how the retaining ring 50 is arranged in the rear portion of the housing. The ring exhi¬ bits a flange 50' which abuts the rear end of the housing 1. The ring also exhibits a retaining screw or a guide pin 96 which is running in a track 98 which is limiting the rota- tion. The ring is seized in the guide pin 96 or the flange 50 ' and is brought between a closed position and an open position where the slot 17' of the ring lines up with the slot 17 in the housing.

It will be understood that the invention is not restricted to the illustrated and described exemplifying embodiments there¬ of, and that variations and modifications can be made within the scope of the inventive concept as defined in the follow¬ ing claims. For instance, the channels may be designed with a track for two parallel conduits. The device may also have several exchangeable channel carriers with different channel sizes or with one single channel in which case the channel carrier is not turned around.

A round channel carrier may either be easily extractable or more permanently mounted, so that it is only removed for ser¬ vice and repair. A housing for the embodiment according to the Figures 16 - 19 may be mounted on a hinge on one side and be closed more or less far, in order to achieve through pas¬ sages 22 of different size, instead of being removable in its entirety.

Furthermore, the base unit A may be fitted with an attachment means corresponding to the attachment means 8 and its grooves 8a to receive a channel carrier similar to the one in Figure 11 which is mounted with flanges engaging in the grooves instead of in a square housing 1. By providing such a channel carrier 2 with a V-shaped channel 3 and several parallel flanges, it is possible to use the same channel carrier for many different conduit sizes in the same way as the in the embodiment of Figures 16 - 19.

Furthermore, the tape holder 6 may be made in one piece with the base portion 7 only the lid 10 being removable, in addi¬ tion the lid may even be completely excluded and the tape roll 13 be mounted on the spool 21.