AU4890000A - Hanging clip - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: HANGING CLIP Applicant: ROBERT BAIRD WATSON and GEOFFREY MATHERS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 DocumentS 2 HANGING CLIP This invention relates generally to hanging articles from support structures and, in particular, to a hanging clip for hanging elongate members in position beneath an overlying support structure. The hanging clip is applicable to hanging main support members, such as sheet metal support channels, in a generally horizontal orientation beneath a building support structure to provide a framework for attaching cladding to form a suspended ceiling. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to that exemplary application, although it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto.

The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge in Australia as at the priority date of the application.

Concealed suspended plasterboard ceiling systems have been installed in buildings, including multi storey buildings having concrete slabs forming transitional roof/floor structures between adjacent storeys. The ceiling system is suspended beneath the slab to define a ceiling space for containing building services, and also present an aesthetically pleasing decorative finish to the building space ceiling.

One such suspended ceiling system provides a generally horizontally extending grid of support members, including a series of elongate main support members arranged beneath the building support structure in generally spaced apart relation, at for example 1200 mm centres, and a series of elongate furring members mounted to the main support members so that they extend perpendicular to the main support members and are spaced apart, at for example 600 mm centres. The main support members and furring members have been manufactured as sheet metal channels, and the furring channels are typically mounted to the support channels by way of mounting clips. Plasterboard is attached to the furring members, for example by means of adhesives or with fasteners such as screws or nails, to provide the suspended ceiling system.

In one arrangement, the main support channels are suspended from the overlying concrete slab or other support structure by way of an array of W:\katelPROV\WATSON.DOC suspension members, such as rods, depending from the structure and connected to the support members with hanging clips. One such clip has an elongate body with a channel connecting portion at one end thereof including a pair of spaced apart, resilient clipping legs for clipping about opposed side portions of a support channel to connect the clip to the channel. The connected clip extends upwardly from the channel to a suspension connecting portion located above the support channel. The rod suspension portion includes a pair of resilient arms arranged in spaced apart relation one above the other, with each having a hole therethrough for receiving a lower end of the suspension rod. The arms are relatively arranged, and the holes sized and positioned, so that the arms are required to be resiliently deflected to align the holes for receipt of a rod end therethrough. Upon receipt of a rod through the holes, and release of the arms, those arms tend to o return toward their undeflected position so that the rod is firmly engaged by peripheral edges of the holes to be positively retained thereby.

15 The clips can be slid along their respective rods into selected positions in order to adjust the suspended position of the grid of main support and furring channels. However, the extent of that adjustment is somewhat limited by the Sspacing of the suspension connecting portion above the main support channel.

As the rod is slid increasingly through the arm holes, the rod end moves toward and eventually strikes the underlying main support channel. If continued movement of the clip along the rod is required, then it is necessary to either try and bend the end region of the rod out of the path of the main support channel or remove that rod end region. Those options are not entirely satisfactory if, during subsequent repositioning, the clip is required to be returned to a lower position where the rod has been bent, or worse still, removed. In any event, the deformation of the rods can often distort or otherwise upset the grid arrangement, whilst removal of rod end regions is time and labour intensive adding to overall ceiling system installation costs.

The need to deform or remove rod end regions could be reduced by increasing the spacing of the rod connecting portion above the main support channel. However, a consequence of that is the increased ceiling space height required to accommodate the longer clip. That increased height, in turn, would add to the overall building costs.

W:AkateXPROVMWATSON DOC A further problem with this clip arrangement concerns the channel connecting portion. The clipping legs are quite flexible to enable them to be easily deflected for fitting onto a support channel. Whilst the clip will remain connected when correctly positioned over the channel, they can be easily distorted, such as by twisting about their longitudinal axis, thereby reducing their connection capacity. That can particularly arise where clips are not reasonably correctly aligned with their respective hanging rods, and where the clips are also used for supporting building services such as electrical cable. In those cases the clips can be easily distorted to accommodate the hanging rods or secure the building services thereto. If several adjacent clips are disturbed then there is some danger that the suspended support members and attached plaster board will collapse.

o*oo **An object of the present invention is to provide an alternative hanging clip for support members of a suspended ceiling system which may alleviate one or 15 more of the above problems.

With this object in mind, the present invention provides a hanging clip for hanging an elongate support member in position beneath an overlying support structure, the clip including: a support connecting portion for connecting the clip to the support member; and, a suspension connecting portion for connecting the clip to a suspension *.member depending from the support structure, the suspension connecting portion :being arranged for positioning laterally of the support member, in clip use, so that the depending suspension member connected to the clip extends to one side of the support member.

This invention is described and defined herein with reference to the clip hanging an elongate support member in a horizontal orientation, and terms such as "upper" and "lower" should be construed in the light of this orientation.

However, it is to be appreciated that other orientations may be equally possible and that consequential changes in terms such as those above may be required in the light of those other orientations for a proper and complete understanding of the invention.

W;:ate\PROV\WATSON.DOC The support connecting portion preferably includes a plurality of spaced apart connecting legs. The support member extends between those legs for connection of the clip thereto. Preferably, at least one connecting leg is connectable to a lower region of the support member and at least one other connecting leg is connectable to an upper region of the support member. The connecting legs are preferably connectable to the support member at opposite sides thereof. In at least one preferred embodiment, the support member has diametrically spaced apart connecting regions. In that embodiment, the connecting legs are relatively arranged so that at least one connecting leg is connectable to one connecting region and at least one other connecting leg is connectable to the other connecting region.

Preferably, the connecting legs are removably clippingly engageable with the support member to removably connect the clip thereto.

Preferably, the at least one connecting leg and the at least one other 15 connecting leg extend generally perpendicular to one another.

The hanging clip preferably further includes a body portion. In clip use, that body portion is positioned at the one side of the support member. The connecting legs preferably extend from the body portion.

Preferably, the connecting legs have an inherent resilience and are sized relative to the support member so that the connecting legs are required to resiliently deform in order to connectingly engage with the support member. In at least one preferred embodiment the connecting legs snap engage about the S. support member to ensure a rigid connection therewith.

Preferably, one or more of the connecting legs includes a release portion to facilitate removal of the clip from the support member. In at least one preferred embodiment, the or each release portion includes a release tab projecting from the or each other connecting leg so as to be contactable by a finger or thumb to apply a deflecting force.

In at least one preferred embodiment, the connecting legs include a pair of the one connecting legs and a pair of the other connecting legs. The connecting legs of each pair are preferably spaced apart from one another. In this way, the legs are spaced apart along the elongate support member when connected W:Mate\PROV\WATSON.DOC 6 thereto. Preferably, the pair of one connecting legs are spaced closer together and lie between the pair of other connecting legs.

Preferably, the connecting arms extend from the body portion. With this arrangement, the connecting arms, in clip use, project away from the one side of the support member. In at least one preferred embodiment, each connecting arm has one end attached to or integral with the body portion and extends therefrom to a free end remote from the body portion.

The following description refers to a preferred embodiment of the hanging clip of the present invention. To facilitate an understanding of the invention, reference is made in the description to the accompanying drawings where the clip is illustrated in that preferred embodiment. It is to be understood that the clip is not limited to the preferred embodiment as hereinafter described and as o illustrated in the drawings.

In the drawings: 15 Fig. 1 is one perspective view of a hanging clip according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is another perspective view of the hanging clip of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the clip of Fig. 1 installed as part of a suspended ceiling system.

20 Referring to the drawings, and in particular Fig. 3, there is generally 9• illustrated a hanging clip 1 for hanging elongate support channels C (only one of which is shown) in a generally horizontal orientation beneath a building support :structure (not shown). The support channels C provide a framework for attaching cladding such as plasterboard P to form a suspended ceiling system S. In that regard, the support channels C will be arranged in generally spaced apart relation, at for example 1200mm centres, and a series of elongate furring members F (only one of which is shown) mounted to the support channels C so that they extend perpendicular to the support channels C and are spaced apart, at for example 600 mm centres. The plasterboard P is attached to the furring members F, for example by means of adhesives or with fasteners.

The support channel C has a generally square U-shaped cross sectional profile. That channel C is of one piece construction, and has a back wall B and a pair of side walls W, and W 2 outstanding therefrom. The side walls W 1 and W 2 W:Aate*PROAWATSON.DOC 7 terminate in longitudinal edge regions E 1 and E 2 respectively which are stepped laterally outwardly of the main side wall region, with the free edges F being inwardly returned. In use, the channel C will extend generally horizontally, with the back wall uppermost and the side walls W 1 and W 2 depending therefrom, although as previously indicated other orientations are possible.

The channel C also has a pair of longitudinal rib portions T 1 and T 2 extending one each along a respective corner region formed between the back wall B and side walls W 1 and W 2 Those rib portions T, and T 2 project laterally from the side walls W, and W 2 respectively.

The profiled edge regions E, and E 2 and rib portions T, and T 2 increase the rigidity and strength of the channel C, and also assist in the assembly of the suspended ceiling system S as will be apparent to those skilled in this art.

o **It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the hanging clip 1 with reference to this particular support channel C. However, as will be appreciated by 15 those skilled in this art, the hanging clip 1 is not limited to use with such a channel C, and that other support members may be equally suited for use with the clip 1 of the present invention.

The hanging clip 1 is illustrated in greater detail in Figs. 1 and 2, and includes a support connecting portion 2 for connecting the clip to the support channel C, the connecting portion 2 including a plurality of connecting legs 3,4.

The legs 3 are configured for extending to and engaging about a rib portion T 2 whilst the legs 4 are configured for extending to and engaging about an edge region E, of the channel C. In clip use, the legs 3,4 engage about the rib portion

T

2 and edge region E, which are located on relatively opposite sides of the channel C, so as to grip the channel C therebetween and positively secure the clip 1 thereto.

The legs extend, in clip use, over the back wall B and about the rib portion

T

2 to clippingly engage therewith, whilst the legs 4 extend down the side wall W 1 remote from the rib portion T 2 and about the edge region E, to clippingly engage therewith. The legs 3,4 extend generally perpendicular to one another from or adjacent the rib portion T, in clip use.

The clip 1 also includes a body portion 5 from which the connecting legs 3,4 extend. The body portion 5, in clip use, is positioned adjacent the rib portion W:'kate\PROV\WATSON.DOC

T

1 to one side of the support channel C, and the legs 3,4 extend therefrom over their respective walls B, W, and about the rib portion T 2 and edge region El, respectively.

The connecting legs 3,4 have an inherent resilience. Moreover, the legs 3,4 are sized relative to the support channel C so that they are required to resiliently deform in order to engage with the rib portion T 2 and edge region El. In this way, the legs 3,4 tend to snap engage about the channel C, and with the rib portion T 2 and edge region El, so as to ensure a rigid connection therewith.

Each connecting leg 3,4, extends to a free end region 6 providing a connecting hook 7 for engaging about the one rib portion T 2 and edge region El, respectively. Each connecting hook 7 turns inwardly from the general extend of the legs 3,4, and is shaped to complement the shape of the rib portion T 2 or edge oooo region E, to enable a close gripping engagement therewith.

The connecting legs 3 each include a release portion 8 to facilitate removal 15 of the clip 1 from a support channel C. In particular, the release portions 8 enables a manual force t be applied to the respective leg 3 to cause resilient deflection of the leg 3 sufficient to disengage it from the rib portion T 2 Each *ilS release portion 8 is in the form of a release tab 9 projecting from the leg 3 at the free end region 6 so as to be contactable by a finger or thumb to apply sufficient force (upward having regard to the clip orientation in Fig. 3) to the leg 3 to *b S disengage the connecting hook 7 from the rib portion T 2 The release tabs 9 are conveniently extensions of the connecting hooks 7, projecting laterally outwardly S. therefrom for each finger or thumb contact.

The free end regions 6 of the connecting legs 3 are shaped to facilitate clip connection to a channel C in a manner which will be described hereinafter. That facility is provided by rounding the free end regions 6 in transitional zones adjacent the connecting hooks 7 so that the hooks 7 will ride smoothly over the channel back wall B during clip connection. Each zone 10 can be achieved by forming a rounded fold or bend between the connecting hook 7 and release tab 9.

The channel connecting portion 2 has a pair of connecting legs 3 for engaging with the rib portion T 2 and also a pair of connecting legs 4 for engaging with the edge region El. The legs 3,4 of each pair extend parallel to one another in a spaced apart relation. In use, those legs 3,4 are spaced apart from one W:AkatePROV\WATSON.DOC 9 another along the channel C, with the legs 4 being spaced closer together so as to lie between the legs 3.

The connecting legs 3 are configured to engage an upper surface U of the back wall B in face-to-face contact. The connecting legs 4 are configured to engage a lateral stepped surface L of the edge region E 1 in face-to-face contact.

The legs 3,4 preferably have bearing faces 11 at which that contact occurs. The bearing faces 11 have an extent whereby the face-to-face contact, together with the lateral spacing of the legs 3,4, facilitates stable mounting of the clip 1 on the channel C.

The clip 1 also includes a suspension connecting portion 12 for connecting the clip 1 to an elongate suspension member, such as a suspension rod D, depending from the building support structure.

The suspension connecting portion 12 includes a pair of connecting arms 13,14 which connect to the rod D in the same general manner as the arms in the 15 above outlined prior clip arrangement. Thus, the connecting arms 13,14 are .:oo arranged in spaced apart relation one above the other, and each arm 13,14 has a hole 15 therethrough for receiving an end of a suspension rod D. The arms 13,14 are manually, resiliently reflectable toward one another for alignment of the holes in order to allow free passage of the rod D therethrough. Upon removal of a g 20 deflecting force, the arms 13,14 tend to return toward their relative undeflected position (as shown in Figs. 1 and 2) causing peripheral edges of the holes 15 to interferingly engage with the rod D extending therethrough and so secure the clip 1 and rod D in fixed relation.

The connecting arms 13,14 are configured so that, in clip use, they extend away from the channel C with the holes 15 located to one side of that channel C.

In this way, a rod D passing through the holes 15 bypasses the channel C. The connecting arms 13,14 extend away from the connecting legs 3,4 so that, in clip use, the arms 13,14 are located to that side of the channel C remote from the rib portion T 2 The connecting arms 13,14 extend from the body portion 5. Thus, each arm 13,14 extends form one end 16 attached to or formed integral with the body portion 5, away from the body portion 5, to a remote free end 17.

W:VteXPROVWATSON.DOC The connecting arm 13 is at a level above the connecting legs 3,4, whilst the connecting arm 14 is at a level below the connecting legs 3. As shown the connecting arm 14 is at a level between the connecting legs 3,4. With this arrangement, in clip use, the holes 15 are respectively located at levels above the level of the channel back wall B, and adjacent the level of the edge region El.

The connecting arms 13,14 diverge from one another away from the body portion 5, and are resiliently deflectable toward one another in order to align the holes 15. That deflection is achieved by applying a manual force to the free ends 17 of the arms 13,14. The arms 13,14 extend from the body portion 5 between pairs of connecting legs 3,4, respectively.

The hanging clip 1 is constructed in any suitable manner from any appropriate material, having regard to its intended application. In this preferred embodiment of the clip 1 intended for the exemplary application, the clip 1 is formed in one piece from sheet metal, such as sheet sheet. The clip is stamped, 15 cut and folded into shape as necessary.

Use of the hanging clip 1, in connecting a support channel C to a ***suspension rod D, will now be outlined.

Initially, suspension rods D are attached to a suspended ceiling support structure so as to depend therefrom in an array well known to those skilled in the S20 relevant art.

go Hanging clips 1 are then connected to main support channels C at selected locations therealong which will correspond to the suspension rod D locations when the channels C are raised into position. Since the support channel C is symmetrical about its central vertical plane, the hanging clip 1 can be connected to either side of that channel C.

Each clip connection is achieved by initially orientating the clip 1 so that the connecting legs 3,4 extend toward a selected side of the channel C. The clip 1 is then manoeuvred so as to position the connecting hooks 7 of the legs 4 into engagement with the edge region E 1 of the rear side wall At this stage, the legs 4 are angled upwardly and away from the near side wall W 1 with the connecting hooks 7 of the legs 3 extending toward the rib portion T 1 adjacent the same near side wall W 1 W:\atePROVkWATSON.DOC 11 Upon pivoting of the clip 1 about the connecting hooks 7 engaging the edge region the unengaged connecting hooks 7 of the legs 4 engage upon and slide over the back wall B of the channel C toward the rib portion T 2 adjacent the far side wall W 2 As the connecting hooks 7 approach that rib portion T 2 increased manual force is required to be applied to the clip 1 to resiliently deflect the legs 3,4 and maintain clip pivot. That force is applied to the body portion until eventually the connecting hooks 7 ride over and pass the rib portion T 2 whereupon the deflecting force is overcome and the inherent resilience in the connecting legs 3 cause them to return toward their original position. As a consequence, the connecting hooks 7 snap engage about the rib portion T 2 Connection of the clip 1 to the support channel C is then complete.

However, if it is later determined that the clip is not correctly located relative to its corresponding suspension rod D, then it can be removed and relocated. That relocation can include simply moving the clip 1 to the other side of the channel C.

15 To remove the clip 1, manual force is applied to the release tabs 9 to reverse move the connecting hooks 7 out of engagement with the rib portion T 2 The applied force resiliently deforms the connecting legs 3 to cause the connecting hooks 7 to move back over and clear the rib portion T 2 As soon as that occurs the inherent resilience in the legs 3,4 rapidly causes the clip 1 to reverse pivot about the edge region E 1 away from the channel C and so disconnect therefrom.

With clips 1 connected, a support channel C can be lifted into a position S. where the suspension rods D can be connected to corresponding connecting arms 13,14. Each connection proceeds in a similar manner to that adopted with the prior clip arrangement. With the present clip, however, the rod D can pass through the holes 15 to one side of the channel C rather than directly down onto the back wall B as in the prior clip arrangement. This enables greater adjustment in positioning the channel C without the need to bend or remove part of the suspension rod D.

The ability to connect the clip 1 to either side of the channel C provides some adjustability to accommodate misalignment between the channel C and suspension rod D without the need to disturb the integrity of the clip connection with the channel C.

W:AkatePROV\WATSON.DOC 12 The hanging clip 1 of the present invention is both simple and effective in use. In particular, the clip 1 provides a very rigid, positive connection to a main support channel C. That connection cannot be readily disturbed as a result of clip manipulation when connecting to a suspension rod D, or when fixing building services thereto. Moreover, the clip 1 ensures a rigid connection between the channel C and suspension rods D.

The hanging clip 1 of the present invention projects a minimal distance above the channel C to which it is connected. As a consequence, a reduced ceiling space height can be achieved with that clip 1 compared with the prior clip arrangement.

Finally, it is to be appreciated that various modifications and/or additions may be made to the hanging clip without departing from the ambit of the present invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.

*I

1 *Fo ooe *oo e *go o* oo* go• W:AkatePROVWATSON.DOC

Claims (32)

1. A hanging clip for hanging an elongate support member in position beneath an overlying support structure, the clip including: a support connecting portion for connecting the clip to the support member; and, a suspension connecting portion for connecting the clip to a suspension member depending from the support structure, the suspension connecting portion being arranged for positioning laterally of the support member, in clip use, so that the depending suspension member connected to the clip extends to one side of the support member.

2. A hanging clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support connecting portion includes a plurality of spaced apart connecting legs between which the support member extends for connection of the clip thereto.

3. A hanging clip as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one connecting leg is connectable to a lower region of the support member and at least one other to°•e, connecting leg is connectable to an upper region of the support member.

4. A hanging clip as claimed in claims 2 or 3, wherein the connecting legs are connectable to the support member at opposite sides thereof. .ol.

A hanging clip as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the support member has diametrically spaced apart connecting regions and the connecting legs are relatively arranged so that at least one connecting leg is connectable to *one connecting region and at least one other connecting leg is connectable to the Sother connecting region.

6. A hanging clip as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the connecting legs are removably clippingly engageable with the support member to removably connect the clip thereto.

7. A hanging clip as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the support member has a back wall and a pair of side walls outstanding therefrom, and at least one connecting leg is connectable to a free edge region of one side wall of the support channel and at least one other connecting leg is connectable to a corner region formed between the back wall and the other side wall. W:tkae\PROAWATSON.DOC 14

8. A hanging clip as claimed in claim 7, wherein the support channel has a rib portion extending along the corner region, and the at least one other connecting leg is configured for extending to and engaging about the rib portion.

9. A hanging clip as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one other connecting leg extends, in clip use, across the back wall and about the rib portion to clippingly engage therewith.

A hanging clip as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the at least one connecting leg is configured for extending to and engaging about the free edge region.

11. A hanging clip as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the at least one connecting leg extends, in clip use, across the side wall remote from the rib portion and about the free edge region to clippingly engage therewith.

12. A hanging clip as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein the at least one connecting leg and the at least one other connecting leg extend generally perpendicular to one another.

13. A hanging clip as claimed in any preceding claim, and further including a body portion which, in clip use, is positioned at the one side of the support member.

14. A hanging clip as claimed in claim 13 when appended to claim 2 or any claim appended thereto, wherein the connecting legs extend from the body portion.

A hanging clip as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 14, wherein the *connecting legs have an inherent resilience and are sized relative to the support member so that the connecting legs are required to resiliently deform in order to connectingly engage with the support member.

16. A hanging clip as claimed in claim 3 or 5 or 7 or any claim appended thereto, wherein the connecting legs snap engage about the support member, and with the regions thereof, to ensure a rigid connection therewith.

17. A hanging clip as claimed in claim 3 or 5 or 7 or any claim appended thereto, wherein each connecting leg extends to a free end region providing a connecting hook for hook engaging about the regions of the support member for connection thereto. W:\kate\PROAWATSON.DOC

18. A hanging clip as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 17, wherein one or more of the connecting legs includes a release portion to facilitate removal of the clip from the support member.

19. A hanging clip as claimed in claim 18 when appended to claim 3 or 5 or 7 or any claim appended thereto, wherein the or each other connecting leg for engaging with the respective support member portion has a release portion, application of a force to the release portion causing resilient deflection of the connecting leg sufficient to achieve disengagement from the support member portion.

20. A hanging clip as claimed in claim 19, wherein the or each release portion includes a release tab projecting from the or each other connecting leg so as to be contactable by a finger or thumb to apply a deflecting force.

21. A hanging clip as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 20, wherein the connecting legs include a pair of the one connecting legs and a pair of the other 15 connecting legs.

22. A hanging clip as claimed in claim 21, wherein the connecting legs of each ***pair are spaced apart from one another so as to be spaced apart along the o.-*oelongate support member when connected thereto.

23. A hanging clip as claimed in claim 22, wherein the pair of one connecting legs are spaced closer together and lie between the pair of other connecting legs. bo.

24. A hanging clip as claimed in claim 7 or any claim appended thereto, wherein the or each one connecting leg connectable to the free edge region of the support member is configured to engage a surface of the one side wall in face-to-face contact.

25. A hanging clip as claimed in claim 7 or any claim appended thereto, wherein the or each one other connecting leg connectable to the corner region is configured to engage an upper surface of the back wall in face-to-face contact.

26. A hanging clip as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the suspension connecting portion includes a pair of connecting arms arranged in spaced apart relation.

27. A hanging clip as claimed in claim 26 when appended to claim 13 or any claim appended thereto, wherein the connecting arms extend from the body W:\Rate\PROV\WATSON.DOC 16 portion so that, in clip use, the connecting arms project away from the one side of the support member.

28. A hanging clip as claimed in claim 27, wherein each connecting arm has one end attached to or integral with the body portion and extends therefrom to a free end remote from the body portion.

29. A hanging clip as claimed in claim 27 or 28, wherein each connecting arm has a hole therethrough for receiving the suspension member, the connecting arms are resiliently deformable relative to one another in order to align the holes for passage of the rod therethrough, release of a deforming force allowing the connecting arms to return more toward their underformed position so that the suspension member is firmly engaged by peripheral edges of the holes to be e~g. positively retained thereby.

A hanging clip as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 29 when appended to claim 7 or any claim appended thereto, wherein one of the connecting arms is at 15 a level above the connecting legs and the other connecting arm is at a level below the at least one other connecting leg connectable to the corner region of the support channel.

31. A hanging clip as claimed in claim 30, wherein the other connecting arm is at a level between the connecting legs that connect the clip to the corner region and free edge region of the support member.

32. A hanging clip for hanging an elongate support member in position beneath an overlying support structure, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to what is shown in the accompanying drawings. DATED: 28 July 2000 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: ROBERT BAIRD WATSON and GEOFFREY MATHERS W:*zteXPROVkWATSON.D0C