GB2212180A

GB2212180A - Clip for supporting a channel section member

Info

Publication number: GB2212180A
Application number: GB8726421A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Willem Rijnders
Original assignee: Hunter Douglas Industries BV
Current assignee: Hunter Douglas Industries BV
Priority date: 1987-11-11
Filing date: 1987-11-11
Publication date: 1989-07-19
Also published as: AU2453288A; GB8726421D0

Abstract

A panel clip 10 for supporting a channel section member 32 having a web 34, side walls 36, 38 and beads 40, 42 on a carrier 44 having lateral support flanges 48, 50, the clip 10 being in the form of a flat strip bent into a generally sinuous shape to form two oppositely laterally extending peaks 12, 13 engagable under the beads 40, 42, and hooks 16, 10 formed adjacent the free ends of the clip 10 to extend upwardly between the beads 40, 42 and dimensioned to engage the two support flanges 48, 50. <IMAGE>

Description

PANEL CLIP FOR SUPPORTING A CHANNEL SECTION PANEL The present invention relates to a panel clip for supporting a channel section panel, for example as used in a ceiling structure.

Various forms of panel clip have been proposed, eg in UK Patent 1272015 for supporting such channel section panels in a ceiling structure with the panels either extending strictly parallel to one another or at a slight fanned-out angle. Conventionally such panels have been of the order of 70mm wide or more and the panel clips have been of a relatively complex structure. It has been found that scaling down of conventional panel clips for use with small panels, for example, 30mm wide panels, does not give satisfactory results which will allow a secure easy fixing and yet allow a certain degree of relative angular disposition of the panels.

It is now proposed, according to the present invention, to provide a panel clip for supporting a channel section panel, having a web, two side walls and inturned beads at the free ends of the side walls, on a carrier having two body portions positioned at a mutual distance in a plane parallel to the plane through the panels in the mounted position, said panel clip being in the form of a flat strip bent into a generally sinuous shape, to form two oppositely laterally extending peaks engagable under the rims of the panel, and engaging means formed adjacent the free ends of the clip to extend upwardly between the rims, said engaging means being shaped and dimensioned to fixedly engage the two body positions of the carrier.

Such a structure can be made very inexpensively, can be readily and quickly fitted into the panel yet securely hold the panel in a manner which will allow adjustment which may be as much as 15 degrees, for example, in either direction.

The ability to adjust the angle will be greatly facilitated if the peaks are fully rounded but it is also contemplated that the peaks could have flatter tops.

While it is possible to have the clips for use with carriers having support flanges directed towards one another, so that the hooks are "open" outwardly, in a preferred construction, the hooks are directed inwardly of the length of the clip towards one another and are intended for use with two laterally outwardly extending support flanges on the carrier, eg the form of a top-hat or T-sections. Alternative arrangements include the possibility of the carrier being provided with slots or apertures into which the engaging means can fit. For example the carrier may be a U-shaped channel with a web and two side walls, the slots or apertures being formed in the side walls.

Advantageously the portions of the flat strips forming the two hook are disposed in substantially the same plane, this facilitating adjustment between either angular sense.

Preferably the upper edges of the strip material on each side of each peak are lowered to form two steps which can abut the laterally inner parts of the bead under which the peak engages, thereby more securely holding the clips in the panels.

The upper edges of each peak are advantageously outwardly chamfered to facilitate location under the curved surface of the bead under which the peak engages, thereby preventing unncessary difficulty in positioning and wear on the panel.

In order that the present invention may more readily be understood, the following description is given, merely by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure la, lb and lc are a side elevation, an end elevation and a plan of one embodiment of the construction according to the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view showing the clip together with a panel and a carrier; and Figure 3 is a plan view showing the clip in position in a panel and angled to one side.

Referring to Figures la, lb and lc, the clip 10 can be seen to be stamped out of flat sheet spring metal and to be formed into a sinuous shape to have two oppositely directed peaks 12, 13. The end parts 14, 15 of the clip are shown angled approximately 30 degrees to the adjacent sinuous part of the clip and are formed as hooks, 16, 18 which are directed inwardly towards one another.

The upper edges of the peaks 12, 13 are provided with outwardly directed chamfers 20, 22 and the strip material on each side of each peak 12, 13 includes lowered portions 24, 26, each defining two steps 28, 30.

The clip is used, as shown in Figure 2, in conjunction with a channel section panel 32 having a web 34, two side walls 36, 38 and two inwardly directed beads 40, 42. The clip can be inserted into the panel with the peaks engaging under the beads 40, 42 so as to be retained thereby. The height of the lowered portion conforms to the height of the side wall so that the beads hold the clip firmly.

The clip of the invention is used to support the panel on a carrier 44 having a body 46 and two laterally outwardly extending flanges 48, 50. With the clip in position in the panel, the panel can be offered up to the carrier and the hooks engaged over the lateral flanges to hold the clips and thus the panels in position. The hooks extend upwardly between the beads and because of the relatively narrow thickness of the strip material, in particular the end parts 14, 15, these end parts have an ability to move, allowing the panel to be inclined 15 degrees or so in either direction. One of these extreme positions is illustrated in Figure 3. Alternatively the clip can be fitted onto the carrier first, and the panel thereafter mounted on the clip.

It will be appreciated that the structure of the present invention is very simple and inexpensive both to manufacture and to fit.

Claims

1. A panel clip for supporting a channel section panel, having a web, two side walls and inturned beads at the free ends of the side walls, on a carrier having two body portions positioned at a mutual distance in a plane parallel to the plane through the panels in the mounted position, said panel clip being in the form of a flat strip bent into a generally sinuous shape, to form two oppositely laterally extending peaks engagable under the rims of the panel, and engaging means formed adjacent the free ends of the clip to extend upwardly between the rims, said engaging means being shaped and dimensioned to fixedly engage the two body positions of the carrier.

2. A panel clip according to claim 1, wherein the engaging means is formed by hooks.

3. A panel clip according to claim 2, wherein the hooks are directed inwardly of the length of the clip towards one another.

4. A panel clip according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the portions of the flat strip forming the two engaging means are disposed in substantially the same plane.

5. A panel clip according to any preceding claim, wherein the clip is made of material with an elasticity that in combination with the sinuous shape allows the engaging means mutual distance to be changed by hand force to engage with the carrier.

6. A panel clip according to any preceding claim, wherein the upper edges of the strip material on each side of each peak are lowered to form two steps which can abut the laterally inner parts of the bead under which the peak engages.

7. A panel clip according to any preceding claim, wherein the upper edge of each peak is outwardly chamfered to facilitate location under a curved transition of the rim into a sidewall under which rim the peak engages.

8. A panel clip for supporting a channel section panel, said panel clip being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.