GB2478772A

GB2478772A - Pipe clips

Info

Publication number: GB2478772A
Application number: GB201004523A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony David Brown
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-03-18
Filing date: 2010-03-18
Publication date: 2011-09-21
Anticipated expiration: 2030-03-18
Also published as: GB201004523D0; GB2478772B

Abstract

A pipe clip assembly 1 comprises a large pipe clip 2 on which six small pipe clips 3 are detachably mounted. The large pipe clip 2 passes around a large diameter drainpipe 4 and is secured to a wall to fix in position both the large pipe clip 2 and the drainpipe 4 that passes through it. Smaller diameter pipes 5 are mounted in the smaller pipe clips 3 and are thereby supported by the large pipe clip 2. The smaller diameter pipes 5 may carry hot and cold water, gas, etc and their clips may be colour-coded to identify the type of pipe carried. A ring clip 13 is also engaged in the large pipe clip 2. Cables 133 are tied together with a cable tie 134, which engages in a ring 132 of the ting clip 13, to hold the cables 133 in place.

Description

PIPE CLIPS

The present invention relates to pipe clips and is concerned particularly, although not exclusively, with the securing of pipes in buildings.

When installing plumbing in a new multi-storey building, it is typically necessary to install drainage pipework that comprises relatively large diameter drainpipes, together with smaller diameter pipework to supply radiators, baths, showers, basins, etc. Typically, each set of pipework has its own set of fixing clips, each of which has to be secured to a mounting surface such as a wall, fascia, etc. This generally involves a large amount of work in driffing numerous 1 0 holes for securing bolts and screws for the various clips. Therefore, the operation can be time-consuming and expensive.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention aim to provide pipe clips and methods of using the same, which can be generally improved in the foregoing respects.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pipe clip assembly comprising a first pipe clip adapted to be secured to a first pipe and a plurality of second pipe clips adapted to hold respective second pipes, each of which has a diameter that is small relative to that of the first pipe, wherein the second pipe clips are provided on the outside of the first pipe clip 2 0 such that, in use, they are spaced around the periphery of the first pipe.

Said first pipe clip may be provided with securing means by which it may be secured to a supporting surface.

Such securing means may comprise lugs formed with apertures through which fixing screws or other fixing elements may pass.

Said first pipe clip may be provided with fastening means by which it may be secured around the first pipe such that the first pipe clip is supported by the first pipe.

Such fastening means may comprise opposing end members and a resilient member to fasten said end members together.

The fastening means may comprise opposing end members that snap-engage with one another.

The second pipe clips may comprise opposing end members that snap-engage with one another.

Preferably, said second pipe clips are detachably secured to said first pipe clip.

Said first and second pipe clips may comprise tapered spigots and slots that interengage.

Said first and second pipe clips may comprise spigots and slots that interengage with a twist-lock action.

The invention extends to use of a pipe clip assembly according to any of the preceding aspects of the invention to secure said first pipe clip to said first 2 0 pipe and secure said second pipes to said second pipe clips, thereby to form a pipe assembly.

Preferably, said pipes run generally from a higher level to a lower level of a building.

Preferably, said first pipe is a drainpipe and said second pipes comprise water or heating pipes.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a novel pipe clip assembly; 1 0 Figure 2 is a larger perspective view of a small pipe clip as used in the assembly of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows perspective views of a ring clip for electrical wires, Figure 4 is a perspective view of a drainpipe with a pipe clip assembly as shown in Figure 1, supporting a smaller diameter pipe and electrical wiring; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a modified clip assembly; and ri i:c 1 1:. 11 rrT: The pipe clip assembly 1 iliustrated in Figure 1 comprises a relatively large pipe clip 2 on which six relatively small pipe clips 3 are detachably mounted. A small pipe clip 3 is shown to a larger scale in Figure 2.

The large pipe clip 2 is formed at its ends with lugs 21 having holes 22 through which fixing screws or other fixing elements may pass, to secure the clip 2 to a supporting surface -for example, a wall.

Each of the small pipe clips 3 is formed with an elongate spigot 31 that is adapted to pass through a respective elongate slot 23 formed in the large pipe clip 2. The small pipe clip 3 is secured in position on the large pipe clip 2 by a 1 0 twist-lock action, in which the small pipe clip 3 is twisted through 900 after the spigot 31 has passed through the slot 23. Shoulders 24 formed on the inner side of the pipe clip 2 limit rotation of the spigots 31 in the slots 23.

Figure 1 shows one of the small pipe clips 3 detached from the large pipe clip 2, but in a position where it is ready to be engaged with, or has just been disengaged from, the large pipe clip 2. Each of the small pipe clips 3 is formed with opposing end members 32, 33 that resiliently snap-engage with one another, to secure the clip around a pipe, and a reduced thickness hinge portion 37 to facilitate opening and closing of the clip 3.

In use, the large pipe clip 2 is passed around a large diameter drainpipe - 2 0 for example, of a diameter of the order of 110 mm -and secured to a wall or other supporting surface by fixing screws or other fixing elements passing through the apertures 22 in the fixing lugs 21. This fixes in position both the large pipe clip 2 and the drainpipe that passes through it. The large pipe clip has sufficient inherent flexibility to allow it to be opened, passed around the drainpipe, and closed again.

Once the large pipe clip 2 is secured, smaller diameter pipes (e.g. 25 mm diameter) can be mounted in the smaller pipe clips 3 that are carried on the large pipe clip 2. For example, such smaller diameter pipes can carry hot and cold water, gas, etc. The respective clips may be colour-coded to identify the type of pipe carried.

One or more of the smaller clips may be replaced by a ring clip 13 as shown in Figure 3. Each of the ring clips 13 has a spigot similar to the spigots 31 of the small clips 3, by which the clip 13 may be engaged with a respective one of the slots 23 and retained on the large clip 2. Each ring clip 13 is further 1 0 formed with a ring or loop 132, through which electrical cables or other items may pass or be tied, and therefore be guided by the run of the drainpipe (for example) to which the large clip 2 is secured.

Figure 4 ifiustrates diagrammatically a large drainpipe 4 within the large pipe clip 2 and a small pipe 5 carried in one of the small pipe clips 3 around the periphery of the drainpipe 4. A ring clip 13 is also engaged in the large pipe clip 2. Cables 133 are tied together with a cable tie 134, which engages also in the ring 132 of the ring clip 13, to hold the cables 133 in place.

In Figure 5, the pipe clip assembly 16 is generally similar to that of Figure 1, except that it is not adapted to be secured directly to a supporting surface. In Figure 5, end portions 126 at opposite ends of the large pipe clip 2 are arranged to interengage in a resilient snap-engaging manner, similar to the small pipe clips 3 as shown in Figure 1. The pipe clip assembly 16 of Figure 5 may thus be fitted to an existing drainpipe 4, as shown in Figure 6, the inherent flexibility of the large pipe clip 2 allowing it to be opened and closed around the drainpipe 4.

In a modification, smaller pipe dllps such as the dllps 3 may have opposing resilient arms with an opening therebetween into which a pipe may be pushed such that the resilient arms engage around the pipe to hold it in position.

In another modification, smaller pipe clips such as the clips 3 may each be formed with a tapered spigot that engages in a correspondingly tapered slot or recess formed in a large pipe clip such as the clip 2. The small pipe clips can then simply be slid in and out of the slots, the spigots and slots interengaging firmly with a wedging action. Preferably, the interengagement is such as to restrict downward movement of the small pipe clips when carrying upright pipes.

1 0 In another variation, lugs at the end of a large pipe clip may face one another with respective holes in register. A bolt may pass through the holes to engage a nut. Such an assembly is suitable for use in securing small pipes to a larger drainpipe that is already secured in position. The large pipe clip is passed around the drainpipe and clamped in position by the bolt and nut. Smaller pipes can then be secured to small pipe clips that are carried on the large pipe clip -for example, as shown in Figure 4.

In another variation that is suitable for use in securing small pipes to a larger drainpipe that is already secured in position, opposing end lugs on a large pipe clip such as the clip 2 define grooves in which an elastic band or other 2 0 resilient member engages, to urge the end lugs together. A large pipe clip such as the clip 2 may be provided with a reduced diameter hinge portion, similar to the hinge portion 37 on the small pipe clip 3, as shown in Figure 2.

In a modification of the illustrated embodiments, spigots may be provided on the periphery of the large pipe clip 2, whilst corresponding slots are provided on the small pipe clips 3 and ring clips 13.

Advantages of the ifiustrated embodiments over prior proposals may include the following.

* Less time is required for drffling and fixing smaller pipe clips, thus using less energy and saving on labour and costs.

* The resulting pipe assembly may be neater in appearance.

* Boxing in of pipework may be easier, as the various services wifi be localised and fastened to the larger pipe.

* Smaller pipe clips can be colour-coded to denote different services such as, for example, red for hot water, blue for cold water, yellow 1 0 for gas, etc. * The large clip may be removable and also the smaller clips which, if needed, can be changed to accommodate different sizes of pipe.

* On an uneven wall (such as granite, for example), it may be easier to secure a larger pipe clip and then, once the larger pipe is secured, various smaller pipes can be fixed to it, for better uniformity.

Embodiments of the present invention may be used with particular advantage with upright pipes.

Although illustrated embodiments are for use with pipes etc of circular section, other embodiments may be used with pipes of rectangular or square 2 0 section -often called box section'.

Pipe clip assemblies as illustrated and described above may be adapted for other uses such as, for example, supporting conduits for aerial cables, etc. The inner surfaces of pipe clips 2 and/or 3 may be stippled to provide improved grip. This may be done by a plastics moulding process.

In this specification, the verb "comprise" has its normal dictionary meaning, to denote non-exclusive inclusion. That is, use of the word "comprise" (or any of its derivatives) to include one feature or more, does not exclude the possibility of also including further features.

The reader's attention is directed to all and any priority documents identified in connection with this application and to all and any papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving 2 0 the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying rlidnis, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

-10 -CLAIMS1. A pipe clip assembly comprising a first pipe clip adapted to be secured to a first pipe and a plurality of second pipe clips adapted to hold respective second pipes, each of which has a diameter that is small relative to that of the first pipe, wherein the second pipe clips are provided on the outside of the first pipe clip such that, in use, they are spaced around the periphery of the first pipe.
2. A pipe clip assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first pipe clip is provided with securing means by which it may be secured to a supporting surface.

1 0
3. A pipe clip assembly according to claim 2, wherein said securing means comprises lugs formed with apertures through which fixing screws or other fixing elements may pass.
4. A pipe clip assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first pipe clip is provided with fastening means by which it may be secured around the first pipe such that the first pipe clip is supported by the first pipe.
5. A pipe clip assembly according to claim 4, wherein said fastening means comprises opposing end members and a resilient member to fasten said end members together.
6. A pipe clip assembly according to claim 4, wherein said fastening means 2 0 comprises opposing end members that snap-engage with one another.
7. A pipe clip assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said second pipe clips comprise opposing end members that snap-engage with one another.

-11 -
8. A pipe clip assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said second pipe clips are detachably secured to said first pipe clip.
9. A pipe clip assembly according to claim 8, wherein said first and second pipe clips comprise tapered spigots and slots that interengage.
10. A pipe clip assembly according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said first and second pipe clips comprise spigots and slots that interengage with a twist-lock action.
11. Use of a pipe clip assembly according to any of the preceding claims to secure said first pipe clip to said first pipe and secure said second pipes to said 1 0 second pipe clips, thereby to form a pipe assembly.
12. Use of a pipe clip assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein said pipes run generally from a higher level to a lower level of a building.
13. Use of a pipe clip assembly as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein said first pipe is a drainpipe and said second pipes comprise water or heating pipes.
14. A pipe clip assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
15. A method of securing a plurality of pipes, the method being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.