AU2005100484A4 - A clip - Google Patents

Description

09/06/2005 18:21 0733421292 WYNNES PAGE 05/17 0 A CLIP FIELD OF INVENTION 0 The present invention relates to a clip. The present invention has particular 5 but not exclusive application for mounting top cross rails, top cross rails, furring

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o channels or similar sections to structural members. The present invention may be used to mount any suitable C, U or box section to a support surface.

0 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Plasterboard ceilings are currently fastened to support members in the roof or cavity space by the use of top cross rails, furring channels attached to the plasterboard ceiling and joined to top cross rails, furring channels or transverse top cross rails, top cross rails, furring channels. The top cross rails, furring channels are attached by clips to joists, other structural members, or support surfaces. Top cross rails, furring channels are used to provide spacing, attachment sites and maintain the ceiling integrity.

Current clips often require complex fixing arrangements and do not provide for do not provide for easy length adjustments to accommodate different heights between the ceiling and support surface within a single structure. As well, current clips do not appear to provide any torsional movement to accommodate differences in alignment between ceilings and support surfaces.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative clip that address one or more of the above mentioned disadvantages.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01292294 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:23 Date 2005-06-09 09/06/2005 18:21 0733421292 WYNNES PAGE 06/17 0 0 ci ;Z SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect the present invention broadly resides in a clip for mounting a 0 section relative to a support surface including O 5 a mounting portion for mounting to the support surface; oan engagement portion for engaging with said section, said engagement portion includes two legs spaced apart from each other and having opposed locating o recesses relative to each other, said engagement portion has a centrally positioned slit between the base of the legs and the mounting portion, wherein the slit allows lateral and torsional movement of the legs to accommodate engagement of the section; and retainer means for retaining engagement of the section within the engagement portion.

The clip is preferably elongate but may have a laterally extending flange for positioning adjacent a structural surface that is at an angle relative to the elongate portion. The mounting portion may include a flange extending laterally from a free end. The mounting portion may include a laterally extending flange with one or more apertures. As well or alternatively the mounting portion may form part of the elongate section having one or more apertures for mounting purposes.

In another aspect the present invention broadly resides in a clip for mounting a section relative to a support surface including a mounting portion for mounting to the support surface; a spacer portion adjacent the mounting portion; an engagement portion for engaging with said section, said engagement portion is adjacent the mounting portion and includes two legs spaced apart from COMS ID No: SBMI-01292294 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:23 Date 2005-06-09 09/06/2005 10:21 0733421292 WYNNES PAGE 07/17 -3-

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0 Ceach other and having opposed locating recesses relative to each other, said engagement portion has a centrally positioned slit between the base of the legs and 1 the spacer portion, wherein the slit allows lateral and torsional movement of the legs

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to accommodate engagement of the section; and retainer means for retaining oc" 5 engagement of the section within the engagement portion.

00 o The mounting portion may include a flange extending laterally from a free end.

0 The mounting portion may include a laterally extending flange with one or more o apertures. The size of one or more of the apertures is preferably sized to accommodate a sound proofing acoustic mount and fastener mechanism. As well or alternatively the mounting portion may form part of the elongate section having one or more apertures for mounting purposes.

Where there is a laterally extending flange, the position of the flange is preferably supported by one or more ribs at the flange junction.

The spacer portion may be of any suitable length to provide an appropriate length between the support surface and section. In one preferred embodiment there may be a range of clips of different lengths where the spacer portion is of different lengths. The clips may range in length between 100 and 800 mm.

The spacer portion preferably includes one or more longitudinal ribs to stiffen and strengthen the spacer portion. With one rib, it is preferably centrally located.

With two ribs they are preferably spaced apart and positioned between the centre and outer edge of the spacer portion.

The spacer portion may also have one or more apertures to facilitate fastening of the spacer portion of the clip.

The engagement portion preferably has two spaced apart legs with the inner edge of each leg having a plurality of adjacent recesses to provide a saw-tooth or COMS ID No: SBMI-01292294 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:23 Date 2005-06-09 09/O6/2005 18:21 0733421292 WYNNES PAGE 08/17 -4-

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0 rack like profile. The saw-tooth or rack like profile preferably extends the length of the inner edge of the leg. The legs are preferably spaced apart to accommodate the C* positioning and engagement of a section within the recesses.

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Between the legs at their base there is preferably a longitudinally extending centrally located slit. The slit extends longitudinally preferably producing a gap 00 owhereby either side does not contact the other side and ending in a substantially 0 circular aperture to prevent tearing of the clip resulting from leg movement.

oThe section is preferably positioned by lateral and torsional movement of the legs in order to accommodate the positioning and engagement of the section between the legs. In this way, the legs may be spaced apart the same distance or less than the diameter of the section and the separation of the legs allows the section to be positioned. Where the spacing is less than the diameter of the section, the legs are biased towards each other thereby assisting to keep the section positioned between the legs. With a plurality of recesses the section may be placed at a position between the legs at a height to provide a consistent section height.

The retainer means preferably includes a retainer that is positionable about the legs and when the legs are engaged with the section, the retainer is positioned above the engaged section about the legs thereby preventing the legs from further lateral and torsional movement that may cause disengagement of the section. Prior to use the retainer may be maintained above the legs in readiness for use. The retainer is preferably maintained by positioning in a recess on an outer edge of the clip allowing gravity to keep the retainer in the recess.

The retainer is preferably a member with a slot to accommodate the legs.

Alternately the retainer may be a member with a C section or any shaped member that serves to retainer the legs from further lateral and torsional movement.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01292294 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:23 Date 2005-06-09 09/06/2005 18:21 0733421292 WYNNES PAGE 09/17 n ;Z BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the present invention can be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings 00 5 wherein: 00 Figure 1 is a perspective side view of the preferred embodiment of the clip; Figure 2 is another perspective side view of the preferred embodiment of the clip; Figure 3 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of the clip; Figure 4 is an end view preferred embodiment of the clip; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of the retainer for the clip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED

EMBODIMENT

With reference to figures 1 to 4, there is shown clip 10 having a flange 11 substantially at right angles with elongate section 12. The elongate section 12 includes two legs 13 extending from approximately midway along the elongate member 12 to one end 14. The flange 11 forms the other end 15. The legs 13 are spaced apart from each other to accommodate a section such as a top cross rail, furring channel or similar section. The spacing may be approximately the same as the diameter of the section. In other situations the spacing is slightly less than the diameter of the section_ The inner edge of each leg 13 has a rack-like profile with a series of recesses 16 for accommodation of the section. The section typically has a bulbous profile to fit within the recesses.

From midway along the elongate section 12, there is a slot 17 extending towards end 15. The slot 17 has a width that prevents either side 18, 19 from COMS ID No: SBMI-01292294 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:23 Date 2005-06-09 09/06/2005- 18:21 0733421292 WYNNES PAGE 10/17 n -6- Scontacting each other. The slot 17 ends with a circular aperture 20. The circular Z aperture 20 serves to assist flexibility and to prevent tearing around the end of the \slot 17 when the legs 13 are moved laterally and torsionally.

0 The elongate section 12 has two longitudinal ribs 21 adjacent either side of 6 the elongate section 12. The longitudinal ribs 21 serve to stiffen and strengthen the 00 0 elongate section 12. There are also two apertures 23 centrally located in the 0 elongate section 12 near end 15. The apertures 23 provide the option of securing o the elongate section 12 to a support surface with fasteners.

The flange 11 is substantially at right angles to the elongate section 12 and is supported and maintained at that angle by ribs 24 formed at the flange junction The flange 11 has an aperture 26 to provide a means for fastening the clip 10 to a support surface such as a joist or purlin. The aperture 26 can large enough to accommodate a sound-proofing fastener thereby preventing sound from traveling along the clip 10 to another level.

With reference to Figures 2 and 5 there is shown a retainer 28 which is a brace with an internal slot 29 that allows the retainer 28 to move along the elongate section 12. When not in use the retainer 28 is held within recess 30 on the outer edge of the elongate section 12 by the effect of gravity. To use the retainer 28, it is moved out of recess 30 and allowed to fall until it is positioned above the engaged section within the legs 13.

The clips are suitably made of sheet or flat steel or similar material and pressed or formed in lengths ranging between 100 and 800 mm. For example the clips may include in the range 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600mm.

In use the clip 10 is used to attach a section to a support surface. By way of example the clip 10 is used to attach a top cross rail, furring channel or similar COMS ID No: SBMI-01292294 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:23 Date 2005-06-09 09/06/2005 18:21 0733421292 WYNNES PAGE 11/17 -7- 0 0 csection which is fixed to the ceiling material and then to a joist or purlin in the roof ;space or ceiling cavity or to a support surface such as a reinforced concrete floor on C0 the next level in a multi-storey building. A sound-proofing separation mount 0 including fastener with a rubber insert is used to provide acoustic separation and to 5 fix the clip 10 to an upper support surface with passage through aperture 26, The O0 o legs 13 of clip 10 are separated and placed about the furring channel. The top cross rail, furring channel or similar section has a bulbous profile which engages recesses kn o 16. The separation of the legs 13 is facilitated by the movement afforded by the slot 17. Where the width of the spacing between the legs 13 is narrower than the diameter of the top cross rail, furring channel or similar section, the legs 13 are biased towards each other when they have engaged the furring channel. The section is placed at a position between the legs at a height to provide a consistent section and ceiling height. The length of the clip and therefore the height of the clip can also be modified by cutting part of the legs 13 off thereby shortening the clip The retainer 28 is then moved out of recess 30 and slipped down to rest on the engaged top cross rail, furring channel or similar section. The retainer 28 prevents any further separation of the legs 13 and secures the engagement of the top cross rail, furring channel or similar section. In this way a ceiling may be suspended from loists or an upper concrete floor. Because the clip 10 allows for some torsional movement, the clips 10 can be used in the situation where the top cross rail, furring channel or similar section and the upper support surface is not aligned.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01292294 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:23 Date 2005-06-09 09/06/2005 18:21 0733421292 WYNNES PAGE 12/17 In 8- 0 0 ADVANTAGES An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes C0 having a clip that can accommodate and engage a section while being fastened to a 0 support surface. The clip can be used in some cases where the section and support 00 5 surface are not aligned. The clip is also able to be fixed to a surface with a sound o proofing acoustic mount including fastener thereby substantially preventing sound from traveling through the clip to the next substrate above. The distance between o the section and the supporting surface may vary but the clip can accommodate different lengths with different positioning of the section within the clip. The clip also provides a means for keeping the retainer associated with the clip when not in use.

The clip provides for fastening along its elongate section to the support surface.

VARIATIONS

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

Throughout the description and claims this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01292294 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:23 Date 2005-06-09

Claims (2)

1. 2. A clip for mounting a section relative to a support surface including a mounting portion for mounting to the support surface; a spacer portion adjacent the mounting portion; an engagement portion for engaging with said section, said engagement portion is adjacent the mounting portion and includes two legs spaced apart from each other and having opposed locating recesses relative to each other, said engagement portion has a centrally positioned slit between the base of the legs and the spacer portion, wherein the slit allows lateral and torsional movement of the legs to accommodate engagement of the section; and retainer means for retaining engagement of the section within the engagement portion. COMS ID No: SBMI-01292294 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:23 Date 2005-06-09 09/06/2005 18:21 0733421292 WYNNES PAGE 14/17 n 0 S3. A clip as claimed in any one of the above mentioned claims wherein the clip is §elongate with a flange extending laterally from a free end, said laterally extending 0C flange is positionable adjacent said structural surface. 1 5 4. A clip as claimed in any one of the above mentioned claims wherein the 00 Smounting portion includes a flange extending laterally from a free end, said flange has one or more apertures, said flange is supported by one or more ribs at the flange o junction; wherein there is a longitudinally extending centrally located slit, said slit extends longitudinally producing a gap whereby either side does not contact the other side and ending in a substantially circular aperture to prevent tearing of the clip resulting from leg movement; said legs have lateral and torsional movement in order to accommodate the positioning and engagement of the section between the legs; wherein the retainer means includes a retainer that is positionable about the legs and when the legs are engaged with the section, the retainer is positioned above the engaged section about the legs thereby preventing the legs from further lateral and torsional movement that may cause disengagement of the section; said retainer means includes a substantially C-shaped member or member with a slot positionable about the legs to substantially prevent movement of the legs.
2. 5. A clip as substantially described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS NINTH DAY OF JUNE 2005 Metal Building Systems Holdings Pty Ltd by their Patent Attorneys Wynnes Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys COMS ID No: SBMI-01292294 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:23 Date 2005-06-09