AU780667B2

AU780667B2 - Retaining clip

Info

Publication number: AU780667B2
Application number: AU54187/01A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Christopher Lee Healy
Original assignee: Stramit Corp Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Stramit Corp Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2000-07-03
Filing date: 2001-07-03
Publication date: 2005-04-07
Anticipated expiration: 2021-07-03
Also published as: AU5418701A

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority Related Art: Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: STRAMIT CORPORATION LIMITED CHATSWOOD NSW 2067 AUSTRALIA L Je\ 5, C

F

CHRISTOPHER LEE HEALY PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 AUSTRALIA Attorney Code: PO Invention Title: RETAINING CLIP Our Ref: IRN 647013 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant: -1- 6006q RETAINING CLIP The present invention relates to a retaining clip for use in concealed fixing of roofing or other cladding means, and to a clip device incorporating the clip.

In a first aspect the present invention provides a clip for concealed fixing of a cladding sheet to an underlying structure, the cladding sheet being of a type including a plurality of ribs extending along the sheet in a longitudinal direction with each rib having re-entrant portions on opposing inner sides of the rib; wherein the clip includes a retaining formation having a base which is disposed generally in a first plane and by which the clip is mountable to the underlying structure, and at least one tab which is upstanding from the base and which extends in a second plane; wherein the tab includes two shoulders which face towards the first plane and extend in the second plane, and two flanges including respective major parts which extend transversely with respect to the first plane and away from the second plane and are inclined upwardly toward each other, with a respective one of .the shoulders and of the flanges disposed on each of opposite sides of the tab; wherein the tab is shaped for snap-fit engagement with the two re- 20 entrant portions of a said rib of the sheet whereby the second plane is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rib, each shoulder is opposed to a respective one of the re-entrant portions of the rib and each flange faces a respective one of the opposing inner sides of the rib; and wherein at least one flange, along an edge thereof nearest to the first plane, has an edge 25 margin which is turned from the major part of that flange towards the first plane so as to provide a curved surface which is operative to bear against the re-entrant portion as the rib is snap-fitted into engagement with the clip.

The clip of the first aspect of the invention preferably is such that, when a rib of a decking sheet is in snap fitted engagement therewith, an edge of the at least one margin turned towards the first plane extends along and bears against a respective re-entrant portion of the rib to secure the decking. In being provided with a turned margin, each flange is curved along N:\IRN\647013\complete030701 .doc a line at which it bears against the re-entrant portion as a rib is snap-fitted, thereby minimising risk of the metal of the rib being bruised or deformed.

The shoulder at the same side of the tab as an edge margin may extend substantially parallel to the first plane and substantially in line with the margin edge nearest to the first plane. Alternatively, the shoulder may be inclined away from the first plane in a direction towards its flange. In each case, the shoulder is opposed to the re-entrant portion against which the margin bears, and the shoulder preferably also bears against the same reentrant portion as the margin.

The clip may have an opposed pair of tabs, with the pair of tabs preferably substantially parallel. The or each tab preferably is substantially perpendicular to the base. The base preferably is of generally rectangular or square form and, where there is a pair of tabs, each preferably is at a respective one of opposed sides of the base.

15 The two flanges of the or each tab may extend from their tab in opposite directions. However, they preferably extend in the same direction and, most preferably, they extend over the base rather than outwardly with respect to the base. Apart from a turned margin, each flange preferably has a body portion which is substantially planar.

20 In one form of the invention, each flange of the or each tab has a turned margin. However, in another form, only one flange of the or each tab has a turned margin. In the latter case, where there are two tabs, each flange having a turned margin is to a side of the respective tab such that each margin is able to bear against the same re-entrant portion.

25 Where only one flange of a tab is provided with a turned margin, a corner of the tab adjacent to the other flange and remote from the base preferably is cut away. The cut-away preferably is such that the flange defines a tang which projects away from the base, beyond an edge of the tab formed by the cut-away. Where there are two tabs, the corner of each adjacent to the respective other flange may be cut away. In the latter case, each flange may define such tang. However, it is preferred that only one of the flanges defines a tang, and that the other flange does not project beyond the edge defined by the cut-away of its tab.

N:\1RN\647013\complete030701 .doc In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clip device for concealed fixing of a cladding sheet to an underlying structure, the cladding sheet of a type including a plurality of ribs extending along the sheet in a longitudinal direction with each rib having a respective re-entrant portion on each of opposing inner sides of the rib; wherein the clip device includes an elongate strap and, at each of a plurality of locations spaced along the strap, a respective clip according to the first aspect of the invention; and wherein each clip is secured to the strap with its base substantially parallel to and against a major surface of the strap, and the at least one tab upstanding from the major surface with said second plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal extent of the strap; and wherein the spacing between successive locations corresponds to spacing between successive ribs of the cladding whereby the tab of each clip is positioned for snap-fit engagement, as specified in the first aspect of the invention, in relation to a respective one of the ribs.

In a preferred form of clip device according to the second aspect of the invention, each clip has a pair of tabs. In such case, for a purpose detailed later herein, it is preferred that for a clip at or adjacent to one end of the device, only one of the two longitudinally outermost flanges is provided with a tang as detailed above. Each other clip of the device most preferably has an edge margin, as detailed above, provided on each of its flanges.

In order that the present invention may more readily be understood, reference now is directed to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a clip according to the present invention; 25 Figure 2 is an end elevation of the clip of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top plan view of the clip of Figure 1; Figures 4 to 6 correspond to Figures 1 to 3, but show a modified form of clip according to the present invention; Figure 7 is an end elevation of the clip of Figures 4 to 6, but from the opposite end to Figure Figure 8 is a side elevation of a clip device according to the present invention; Figure 9 is a sectional view on line A-A of Figure 8; and N:\IRN\647013\complete030701 .doc Figures 10 and 11 are schematic representations illustrating the concealed fixing of cladding using the device of Figures 8 and 9.

With reference to Figures 1 to 3, the clip 10 shown therein is integrally formed of stiff sheet steel. The clip 10 has a rectangular base 12 which has longitudinally spaced end edges 12a and laterally spaced sides 12b. As shown, base 12 is upwardly dished at a central region 14 for added strength.

Formed in base 12 there is a central opening 13 which is intermediate a longitudinally spaced pair of holes 15 formed to provide depending skirts The purpose of opening 13 and holes 15 will be described later herein with reference to Figures 7 and 8.

At each side of base 12, there is a respective upturned tab 16. Each tab 16 is substantially perpendicular to base 12. As shown, each tab 16 is strengthened by being provided with a central stiffening rib 17 which is substantially perpendicular to base 12.

Extending upwardly from base 12, the end edges 18 of tab 16 taper inwardly from a major portion of its height. Above this portion, tab 16 defines a respective longitudinally extending wing 20 which projects longitudinally upwardly in the plane of its tab 16. The lower edge of each wing 20 nearer to the general plane of base 12 defines a shoulder 22 for a purpose explained 20 later herein with reference to Figures 10 and 11.

Folded laterally from the outer end of each wing 20, clip 10 has a respective flange 24. In the arrangement shown, the flanges 24 for each tab 16 extend in the same lateral direction, inwardly towards the other tab 16.

The flanges could extend laterally outwardly, or each could extend in a 25 respective one of those directions. However, the illustrated arrangement adds to overall strength and is preferred.

The fold line between each wing 20 and its flange 24 extends similarly to the adjacent edge 18 of the respective tab 16. As a consequence, each flange 24 has its major part disposed in a plane which is inclined with respect of the plane of base 12. The arrangement is such that the flanges 24 for each tab 16 are in planes which are inclined upwardly towards each other.

As shown most clearly in Figure 1, each flange 24 along a lower lateral edge 25, nearer to the plane of base 12, has a margin 26 which N 1RMN647013\complete030701 .doc depends free of the respective wing 20. Also, each margin 26 is turned out of the plane of the major part of its flange 24 towards the plane of base 12.

Each margin may be approximately perpendicular to the plane of base 12, but preferably is turned slightly beyond this relationship, such as by about to 100. In any event, the provision of margin 26 is such that the longitudinally outer face 28 of each flange 24 curves smoothly at the transition from its major part to its margin 26.

The alternative arrangement of Figures 4 to 7 is similar in most respects to clip 10 of Figures 1 to 3. To the extent that this is the case, the same parts have the same reference numeral primed. Modified parts of clip where relevant, have the same numeral as in Figures 1 to 3, plus 100.

Description of clip 10' will be limited to matters of difference. To emphasise this, it is to be noted that clip 10 of Figures 1 to 3 is symmetrical relative to a lateral medial plane perpendicular to its base 12. In contrast, clip 10' of Figures 4 to 7 is asymmetrical relative to a medial lateral plane perpendicular to its base 12'. The half to the right of such plane, in the view of Figure 4, is o the same as clip 10 of Figures 1 to 3, and it is in the other half that differences arise. This results from the wings 120 and flanges 124 at one longitudinal end of clip 10' being of modified form.

20 As shown most clearly in Figures 4 and 7, each wing 120 at that one end of clip 10' is cut away at 50, at its upper corner, such that each wing 120 terminates below the other wing 20' of its tab 16'. The arrangement is similar for each wing 120 at that one end. Also, the shoulder 122 of each wing 120 is disposed substantially parallel to the plane of base 12' (rather than 25 longitudinally upwardly in the case of shoulders 22' of wings 20' and shoulders 22 of wings 20 in Figures 1 to 3).

In addition to the modified form of wings 120, their flanges 124 also are modified from the form of flanges 24' of wings 20'. Also, as flanges 124 differ from each other, they are distinguished as flange 124a and flange 124b. In the case of flange 124a, it will be noted that it is cut away at its upper extent, substantially in line with the upper extent of its wing 120. In contrast to this, flange 124b has substantially the same height as flanges 24', and it therefore projects beyond the upper extent of its wing 120. However, N:\I RN\647013\complete030701 .doc at its laterally outer corner, flange 124b is diagonally truncated at 54 to define a resilient upwardly projecting tang 56. Moreover, as shown most clearly in Figure 7, each of flanges 124a and 124b differs from the flanges 24' in not including a turned margin corresponding to margin 26. Rather, each of flanges 124a and 124b has a lower edge 52 spaced slightly further from the plane of base 12' than shoulders 122.

Figures 8 and 9 show a clip device 60 according to the present invention. Device 60 includes an elongate metal strap 62 to which is secured two clips 10 as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, and a single clip 10' as illustrated in Figures 4 to 7. As shown, the clip 10' is at one end (in use the leading end) of strap 62, with its wings 120 extending to, and its flanges facing longitudinally outwardly beyond, that one end. The strap 62 is shaped for most of its length as a shallow downwardly open channel 62a. At transverse region 64, the channel inverts to define a short upwardly facing channel section 62b at its trailing end.

The spacing between centres for clip 10' and the nearer clip 10, and e for the two clips 10, corresponds to the spacing between centres for °'successive ribs of decking to be secured to an underlying structure by clip device 60. The clip 10' and each clip 10 is secured to strap 62 by locating 20 the depending skirt 15a and 15a' of each hole 15 and 15' in preformed holes in strap 62 and then deforming the skirts.

The device 60 is secured to an underlying structure by inserting a respective suitable fastener into the structure through opening 13' and each opening 13 and through strap 62. As shown in Figure 9, device 60 can be fitted with preloaded fasteners 66 by locating the leading end of each fastener in a retainer sleeve 68 fitted tightly in each respective one of openings 13' and 13. The fastener 66, as shown, preferably is a self-drilling and thread-cutting screw.

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate use of the device 60 of Figures 8 and 9, but with devices 10 and 10' schematically represented and simplified. In Figures 10 and 11, there is shown an underlying structure, such as a roof structure having steel purlins 70, on which one decking sheet 72 has been secured by devices 60 which are not visible. The decking sheet 72 has N :\IRN\64 7013\complete03O070 .doc longitudinal ribs 74 each having a re-entrant formation on each of its opposing inner sides. While such formations are not visible for a complete rib 74, each is similar to formation 76a shown for the part rib 76 extending along the trailing edge of sheet 72.

To enable securement of the next sheet 72, a respective device 60 is secured to suitable ones of successive purlins 70. For this, the leading end of each device is presented at an angle to trailing edge of the secured sheet 72, to hook the tang 56 of the clip 10' under the downturned lip 78 of part rib 76. The device 60 then is lowered onto its purlin and secured thereon by fasteners 66. With the appropriate number of devices 60 secured in relation to sheet 72 and respective purlins 70, a next sheet 72 (not shown) then is able to be secured.

A rib 74 at the leading edge of a next sheet 72 is presented over the part rib 76 and over the clip 10' of each device 60 having its tang 56 hooked under lip 78. The leading edge rib 74 then is snapped down over the part rib 76 and each of the clips 70', to thereby locate a leading one of its re-entrant formations under the shoulder 122 of each wing 120 of each clip 10' (with formation 76a between the leading rib formation and the shoulders 122). The snapping down also locates the trailing formation of the leading rib under the lower edge of each margin 26' of each flange 24' and under each shoulder 22' of each wing 20', of the clip 10' of each of the devices 60. The successive ribs 76 of the sheet then are similarly snapped down onto a respective clip 10 of each device 60, in each case to locate a respective reentrant formation under the respective margins 26 and shoulders 22 at the 25 adjacent end of each clip As will be appreciated, clip device 60 has a length corresponding substantially to the width of the cladding sheet 72 it is to secure. In addition to a clip 10' to secure the leading rib 76, it has a respective clip 10 for each other successive complete rib 76 of the sheet.

Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

N:\I RN\647013\completeO3O7OI .doc

Claims

1. A clip for concealed fixing of a cladding sheet to an underlying structure, the cladding sheet being of a type including a plurality of ribs extending along the sheet in a longitudinal direction with each rib having re- entrant portions on opposing inner sides of the rib; wherein the clip includes a retaining formation having a base which is disposed generally in a first plane and by which the clip is mountable to the underlying structure, and at least one tab which is upstanding from the base and which extends in a second plane; wherein the tab includes two shoulders which face towards the first plane and extend in the second plane, and two flanges including respective major parts which extend transversely with respect to the first plane and away from the second plane and are inclined inwardly towards each other, with a respective one of the shoulders and of the flanges disposed on each of opposite sides of the tab; wherein the tab is shaped for snap-fitting 15 engagement with the two re-entrant portions of a said rib of the sheet whereby the second plane is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rib, each shoulder is opposed to a respective one of the re-entrant portions of the rib and each flange faces a respective one of the opposing inner sides of the rib; and wherein at least one flange, along an edge thereof nearest to the first 20 plane, has an edge margin which is turned from the major part of that flange towards the first plane so as to provide a curved surface which is operative to bear against the re-entrant portion as the rib is snap-fitted into engagement "with the clip.

2. A clip according to claim 1, wherein the turned margin of the or each 25 flange projects downwardly from the respective shoulder disposed on the same side of the tab as that flange.

3. A clip according to either claim 1 or 2, wherein the shoulder disposed on the same side of the tab as a said flange having a turned margin, is inclined away from the first plane in a direction of that flange.

4. A clip according to any preceding claim, including a pair of opposed said tabs which extend upwardly from the base and which are substantially parallel, and wherein each tab includes at least one said flange having a N:\IRN\647013\compclete030701 .doc turned margin and wherein the turned margin of one tab is opposite the turned margin of the other tab.

A clip according to any preceding claim, wherein the two flanges of the or each tab extend in the same direction over the base.

6. A clip according to any preceding claim, wherein each flange of the or each tab has a turned margin.

7. A clip according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein only one flange of the or each tab has a turned margin.

8. A clip according to claim 7, wherein a corner of the tab adjacent to the other flange and remote from its base is cut-away such that the flange defines a tang which projects away from the base beyond an edge of the tab formed by the cut-away.

9. A clip according to claim 8 when dependent on claim 4, wherein in respect of the flanges of the two tabs which do not include a turned margin, only one of those flanges defines a tang whereas the other flange does not project beyond the edge defined by the cut-away of the tab.

A clip device for concealed fixing of a cladding sheet to an underlying structure, the cladding sheet being of a type including a plurality of ribs extending along the sheet in a longitudinal direction with each rib having a 20 respective re-entrant portion on each of opposing inner sides of the rib; wherein the clip device includes an elongate strap and, at each of a plurality of locations spaced along the strap, a respective clip according to any one of claims 1 to 5; and wherein each clip is secured to the strap with its base substantially parallel to and against a major surface of the strap, and the at 25 least one tab upstanding from the major surface with said second plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal extent of the strap; and wherein the spacing between successive locations corresponds to spacing between successive ribs of the cladding whereby the tab of each clip is positioned for snap-fit engagement in relation to a respective one of the ribs.

11. A clip device according to claim 9, wherein the strap has spaced apart first and second ends and wherein a said clip according to either claim 8 or 9 is disposed on said strap adjacent said first end, and wherein the flange N:\IRN\647013\complete030701 .doc defining said tang is disposed on the side of the clip which faces towards said first end.

12. A clip device according to claim 11, wherein at least one clip according to claim 6 is disposed intermediate said first and second ends such that said strap forms a tail portion which extends beyond that clip to said second end.

13. A clip substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A clip device substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 8 and 9 of the accompanying drawings. DATED: 3 July 2001 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Patent Attorneys for: STRAMIT CORPORATION LIMITED N:\IRN\647013\complete030701 .doc