GB2263933A - A clip - Google Patents

Abstract

A spring steel U-shape clip 20 is designed for insertion in the restricted openings of plates, struts, or the downwardly opening dovetail channels of metal decking 43. The clip includes a base 21 with a vertical axis 25, and a pair of legs 22, 23, each of which includes a distal enlargement 30, 31 which may be formed by a neck near the end of each leg. The enlargement may be in the form of a semi-circle forming circular shoulders which permit the clip to extend plumb from an asymmetrical channel or strut, or at a slant if desired. In other embodiments, the shape of the enlargement may be tailored to fit a particular strut or structure. The legs of the clip may be pressed together to enable insertion through the restricted opening. With the neck aligned with the restriction the clip is rotated 90 DEG about the axis of the base and the legs are released to spring apart. The shoulders of the enlargement engage behind the restriction to preclude withdrawal. The base at its axis may be provided with a thread impression or hole 24 to enable attachment of threaded rod, wire, or a wide variety of other fasteners with, for example, a rivet. <IMAGE>

Description

A CLIP This invention relates generally as indicated to a clip, and more particularly to a construction industry clip for hanging items from a metal deck or olhe structure with a restricted opening.

Sheet metal decking is widely used in the construction industry. In niulti- story buildings the decking is supported on the building frame and concrete is poured over the top to form the floor slab. The metal decking remains and becomes the permanent structural ceiling of the floor below. The metal decking is Usually designed with ribs or dovetails for added strength. From the structural ceilin~ thcre is supported services such as wiring conduit, plumbing, air ducts, and other like services.In office buildings, these services are above a suspended acoustical ceiling, also suspended from the metal decicing. The services are most often suspen:leii with threaded rod or wire.

The problem facing the contractor is to obtain a strong fixing point or anchorage for the threaded rod. wire or other fastener from which to hang both the senices and ceiling. One practice has been to drill through the metal deck and concrete to provide a hole into which an appropriate concrete anchor is inserted. This process usually requires two drill bits, is time consuming, dirty, and the result may well be less than adequate requiring a larger number of fixing points. The use of power operated or shot actuated fasteners may cause hair-line fractures in the concrete which are of course hidden by the metal deck. To obtain a fixing point with a dovetail groove, a custom made wedge-shape nut matching the groove is sometimes employed. The nut usually has a tapped hole for a threaded rod.The configuration of the dovetail groove limits the size of the hole and rod. The rod is difficult to insert because the nut is hard to hold and loose, and if the rod is lightened against the bottom (top) of the groove, it cannot thereat,er be adjusted.

Accordingly there is a need for an easily installed, convenient, simple and low cost connection for restricted opening grooves, struts or holes, which can be Installed without tools and which has great flexibility. ~~~~~ According to the invention, there is provided a clip comprising a horizontal base having an axis and a pair of upstanding spring legs, the distal end of each leg being laterally enlarged, whereby when said legs are pressed toward each other the distal ends will fit through a restricted opening in a structure and, when rotated about the axis of the base and the legs released, the lateral enlargements will preclude withdrawal from the opening.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, to which the following paragraph relates, a spring steel U.shape clip is designed for insertion in the restricted openings of plates, struts, or the downwardly opening dovetail channels of metal decking. The clip includes a base with a vertical axis, and a pair of legs, each of which includes a distal enlargement which may be formed by a neck near the end of each leg The enlargement may be in the form of a semi-circle forming circular shoulders which permit the clip to extend plumb from an asymmetrical channel or strut, or at a slant if desired. In other embodiments, the shape of the enlargement may be tailored to fit a particular strut or structure. The legs of the clip may be pressed together to enable insertion through the restricted opening.

With the neck aligned with the restriction the clip is rotated 900 about the axis of the base and the legs are released to spring apart. The shoulders of the enlargemetit engage behind the restriction to preclude withdrawal by load and by rotation. The base at its axis may be provided with a thread impression or hole to enable attachment of threaded rod, wire, or a wide variety of other fasteners with, for example, a rivet. The legs of the clip may also include holes so that other types of hanging fastener may be hung therefrom.In one form the legs of the clip may each inchlde an offset extending toward each other so that a threaded rod or other obstruction may be positioned between the offsets so that the legs cannot be pressed together thus preventing the clip from being removed until the rod or obstruction is removed. The threaded rod is also useful to prevent any movement of the clip once installed.

There now follows a description of preferred embodiments of the invention, by way of example, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical section through metal decking with a dovetail groove illustrating one form of clip of the present invention in place and supporting conduit; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the clip of the present invention and three forms of restricted opening strut or dovetail into which the clip may be positioued; Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 but illustrating the clip properly s'#ported in a misformed or odd dovetail groove;; Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 but illustrating how the clip may be positioned at a slant to plumb; Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2 but illustrating a somewhat modified head on the legs of the clip better to fit the restricted openings of the structures illustrated; Figure 6 is a perspective view of another form of clip and shallow dovetail groove the leg enlargements being designed to wedge into the groove when the clip is ins#rt#C .sd released; Figi.ire 7 is an illustration of the clip of Figure 6 being positioned into the groove after having been inserted and turned 90'; ; Figure 8 is an illustration of the clip released and wedged into the groove; Figure 9 illustrates another form of clip for a dovetail groove, the legs being pressed together prior to insertion; Figure 10 is a view sirnilar to Figure 9 after the clip has been inserted, rotated 90 , released and a threaded rod inserted; Figure 11 illustrates how the rod in place prevents the legs of the clip from being pressed together, thus preventing removal; Figure 12 is a perspective view illustrating a variety of application connections which may be employed with the present invention; Figure 13 is an edge elevation illustrating the rod hanging clip seen in Figure 12 in place;; Figure 14 is an elevation illustrating a conduit clamp secured to the clip by a rivet, Figure 15 is a similar elevation illustrating another type of conduit clamp secured to the clip; and Figure 16 is a similar elevation illustrating a plastic strap cable tie secured to the clip.

Referring Initially to Figures 1 and 2 there is illustrated a clip shown generally at 20 which is made of spring steel and which includes a relatively short horizontal base 21 from which extend upwardly legs 22 and 23 generally parallel to each other, yet somewhat divergent to each other The base has a hole or thread impression in the center thereof as seen at 24 which is on the vertically extending axis 25 of the base with the legs being generally syelmetrlcal about such axis.

The form of the clip seen in Figures 1-4 is of uniform width throughout the base and legs except for a neck portion indicated generally at 27 and 28. The outer end of each neck portion terminates in sex circular lateral enlargements as seen at 30 and 31, respectively, each of which provides rounded shoulders indicated at 33 and 34 adjacent the respective neck portion.

Referring back to Figure 1 there is illustrated a metal decking showy generally at 40 on which the concrete 41 is poured to form the building slab or ceiling-floor slab of the structure. The metal decking is not a removable form and becomes a permanent part of the structure. Such metal decking is customarily provided with corrugations or channels indicated at 42 which may in turn be provided with dovetail grooves seen at 43, The narrow or restricted opening of the dovetail groove opens to the bottom of the metal decking providing a typical reinforcing channel which has in the past been utilized with threaded nuts for suspending services.

the clip of the present invention is inserted in the dovetail groove 43 simply by pressing the legs 22 and 23 toward each other, inserting the leg end enlargements 30 and 31 into the dovetail groove, and the rotating the clip 90 about the base axis 25, and finally releasing the legs to spread apart with the enlargements within the dovetail groove.

Figure 1 illustrates the clip in place and an IBRICOW "M" conduit clamp mounted on the underside of the base as shown at 46 by rivet 47 extending through the hole 24, such clamp being locked about conduit 48 which is thus firmly supported from the structural ceiling.

Referring now to Figure 3 there is illustrated the clip 23 of the present invention secured in a dovetail 50 which is slightly askew. Nonetheless the rounded shoulders firmly support the clip on the interior walls of the dovetail even though they be at different angles. Thus a rectangular alignment with the clip of the present invention is achievable even though the dovetail dimensions or confiation may vary, as is often the case in the construction industry.

Figure 4 indicates that the clip 20 of the present invention uith the rounded shoulders may extend at a significant slant or angle to plumb which may be desirable in some instances where the installer is trying to avoid an obstruction or cannot achicse the alignment sought.

lieferring back to Figure 2 it will be seen that the clip 20 of the present invention may be mounted in a varies of restricted opening struts or grooves and that such grooves need not be formed directly in metal decking. Figure 2 illustrates a tubular strut 54 having a restricted longitudinal opening 55, into which the clip 20 may readily be inserted simply by pressing the legs together, inserting the enlarged ends into the tubular strut, and rotating the clip about the axis of its base. Upon release of the legs the clip is secured into the strut. Figure 2 also illustrates a dovetail groove strut 57 having a restricted opening 58, between laterally extending flanges 59 and 60.The dovetail strut 52 is similar in configuration to the dovetail configuration of the metal decking of Figure 1 but includes a restricted opening 62 and flanges 63 and 64. The struts seen in Figures 2, 3 and 4 may be suspended, for example, in trapeze fashion with conduit piping or other services secured to the struts with the fasteners of the present invention Also, the struts may be secured to removable concrete forms so that when the concrete is poured over the forms, the narrow opening of the strut will be exposed wheu the forrn is removed.

Referring now to Figure 5 there is illustrated a somewhat modified form of clip 66 in accordance with the present invention. The clip comprises a base 67, generally parallel spring legs 68 and 69 extending generally parallel yet somewhat divergent and symmetrical to the axis 70 of the base, The legs include necked portIons 71 and 72, which terminate in laterally enlarged rectangular heads 73 and 74. The heads may interfit with and be supported by the struts illustrated at 76, 77 and 78 in Figure 5, or may be supported by the rectangular hole 79 in plate 80. Each of the struts 76, 77 and 78 have a narrow or restricted opening with an enlarged interior.The clip 66 of Figure 5 may be inserted in the struts or the rectangular opening in exactly the sane way by pressing the legs toward each other and inserting the heads into the narrow or restricted opening, followed by rotation 900 about the axis of the base and release of the legs.

Referring now to Figures 6-8, there is illustrated a clip 82 which is designed to fit into a rather shallow dovetail strut 83. The clip 82 includes a base 84, generally divergent syrmmetrical legs 85 and 86 which are necked as indicated at 87 and 88 which terminate in laterally enlarged heads O9 and 90, respectively.

The heads have the general profile configuration of the interior 91 of the strut 83.

However, the heads 89 and 90 are bent or angled toward each other at the top of the neck portion as indicated at 92 and 93 so that the more the legs are pressed together, the more the extent along the vertical ads of the clip is foreshortened. Thus when the legs are pressed together and inserted into the restricted opening of the dovetail groove, rotated 900 about the axis of the base and then released, the top and shoulder edges of the enlarged heads will physically engage the bottom and sides of the interior of the dovetail groove wedging the heads into the grooves under the spring pressure of the legs. The installed clip as seen in Figure 8 is still under tension since the legs have not spread outwardly to the extent possible, thus preventing movement by such wedging engagement between.the enlarged heads and the interior of the dovetail groove, which locks and clenches the clip in place.

Referring now to Figures 9, 10 and 11 there is illustrated a clip 96 which includes a base 97, upstanding spring legs 98 and 99, and a thread impression 100 at the axis of the base 101. Each leg is provided with a neck indicated at 103 and a dovetail enlargement seen at 104. The clip is designed to fit within the dovetail groove 106 of the metal decking 107 supporting the concrete slab 108.

In addition to the neck and dovetail configuration of the distal end of each leg, each leg is bent inwardly to form opposed inwardly extending offsets seen at 110 and 111. Each offset is formed by bending the leg inwardly as indicated at 112, rebent outwardly at 113, and then wain at 114 near the distal end of the leg.

The clip 96 is installed as indicated in Figure 9 simply by pressing the two spring legs toward each other and inserting the clip into the dovetail groove, rotation. the clip 90 about its axis 101 and then releasing the legs. As seen in Figures 10 and 11, a threaded rod 116 may then be inserted through the thread impression 100 to extend upwardly between the offsets 110 and ill and to bear against the bottom (top) of the dovetail groove 106. In this manner the clip is locked in place against any movement and the clip cannot be removed until the threaded rod is removed because of the interference the threaded rod creates between L'te t'.vo opposed offsets.It wifi be appreciated that a threaded rod interposed between a restricted space between the legs may be used with the other embodiments illustrated herein, as well as other forms of shoulders and grooves or chancels Referring now to Figure 12 there is illustrated the clip 20 seen in Figures 1-4 but with the addition of square or rectangular holes in the respective legs.

The leg 22 is provided with two holes 120 and 121, one over the top of the other.

Similarly the leg 23 is provided with holes 122 and 123. The rectangular holes on each leg are designed to engage hooks 125 and 126 projecting from the vertical leg 127 of .Rcvit plain rod hanger clip 128. As can be seen the rod 129 projects through the rectangular holes in the angled spring section of the clip with the edges of those holes biting into and supporting the rod. As seen in Figure 13 the rod may project upwardly through the hole or thread impression 34 in the base.

The rod is released simply by squeezing the two angled portions of the clip toward each other.

Also, as seen in Figure 12, the thread impression.24 may accommodate threaded rod 116 or the hole or thread impression may accommodate the hook 132 on the end of wire or rod 133. Also, the rivet 47 may be employed with the hole 24 to secure a variety of fasteners to the bottom of the clip as seen in Figures 14-16. In Figure 14 there is illustrated the "Ml' conduit or pipe clamp, the clamp being shown in its open position. In Figure 15 there is illustrated a somewhat different type of conduit clamp as indicated at 136 held to the bottom of the clip by the rivet 47. The clip 136 may be a "P" conduit or pipe clamp which engages the conduit simply by forcing it between the legs 137 and 138.In Figure 16 the rivet 47 is holding a "CT' buckle or clip 139 to the base with a pl xstir cable tie 140 threaded therethrough.

The "M", .RCV'1, and #F#' fasteners, and "Clt' and cable ties may be obtained from Erico Europa Ltd., 52 Milford Road, Reading, Berkshire ROl 8U United Kingdom. These fasteners are simply typical of the çide variety of connections which can be made with the clip of the present invention.

As indicated, the clip of the present invention is made of flat spring steel and will have legs of an appropriate length to assure that the legs can be pressed together by hand as seen in Figure 7, but also of sufficient strength to obtain a secure fit. It will also be appreciated that legs can be pressed together and the cHp rotated by a pole mounted tool so that the installed need not necessarily work from a scaffold or ladder.

Typically, the clip of the present invention may be made of 0.94mum spring steel, having a width of about 15 to 25mm, with the legs approximately 55 to 66mm in length. However, the legs may be considerably longer and of course the longer legs allow additional connections at a useful distance from the metal decking or ceiling so that there is not an interference with profile walls, conduit or pipes. The neck under the distal ends of the legs needs to be smaller than the access opening of the groove or strut to enable the 900 rotation but is preferably not so small as to make the clip seem overly loose even though secured in the groove: nor so small as to come out of the slot or groove when moved to a slant as in Figure 4.

It can now be seen that there is provided a low cost connection or fixation for semi-open grooves, profiles or even rectangular holes, which do not require tooling for installation. The clip of the present invention permits loading basically in a direction perpendicular to the connecting plane and consists essentially of only a single part. The clip allows wide tolerances in the connecting groove, profile or hole and utilizes the spring elastic qualities of the component. The clip can easily and quickly be mounted by hand, simply pressing the legs together, turning the clip 90", and then releasing the pressure on the legs. The clip can similarly be repositioned and detached. The clip does not leave marks on the underside of the coiling and in some respects can be self-adjustable. In one form the clip locks into the restricted opening groove under the spring pressure of the legs excluding movement. In another form the threaded rod prevents movement.

In any event the clip is compatible with a wide variety of additional connections ,I!l of which cas bz installed without tooling.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a preferred embodiment, it is obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification. The present invention includes all such equivalent alterations and modifications.

Claims (20)

1. A clip comprising a horizontal base having an axis and a pair of upstanding spring legs, the distal end of each leg being laterally enlarged, whereby when said legs are pressed toward each other the distal ends will fit through a restricted opening in a structure and, when rotated about the axis of the base and the legs released, the lateral enlargements will preclude withdrawal from the opening.

2. A clip as set forth in Claim 1 wherein the base includes a hole or thread impression.

3. A clip according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the lateral enlargement of each leg is formed by a neck.

4. A clip according to any preceding claim wherein said lateral enlargements are semi-circular, forming circular shoulders for engaging the interior of the restricted opening.

5. A clip according to any of Claims 1 to 3 wherein said lateral enlargements are generally rectangular.

6. A clip according to any of Claims 1 to 3 wherein said lateral enlargements are in the form of a dovetail.

7. A clip according to any preceding claim wherein said legs include hole means whereby additional clips may be hung from said legs.

8. A clip according to any preceding claim wherein said lateral enlargements are dimensioned to interfere with the structure when the legs are released whereby the spring pressure of the legs locks and clenches the clip to the structure.

9. A clip according to any preceding claim including in combination the structure.

10. A clip as set forth in Claim 9 wherein the structure is a dovetail groove in metal decking.

11. A clip as set forth in Claim 9 wherein said structure is a strut.

12. A clip comprising a horizontal base having an axis and a pair of upstanding spring legs, each leg having a neck spaced from its distal end whereby when the legs are pressed toward each other they will fit through a restricted opening of a structure, and with the necks aligned with the restriction, rotated 900 and released so that that portion of the legs beyond the neck engages behind the restriction to preclude withdrawal from the opening.

13. A clip as set forth in Claim 12 including in combination the structure.

14. A clip as set forth in Claim 13 wherein the structure is a dovetail groove in metal decking.

15. A clip as set forth in Claim 13 wherein said structure is a strut.

16. A clip according to Claim 12 or Claim 13 wherein said lateral enlargements are dimensioned to interfere with the structure when the legs are released whereby the spring pressure of the legs locks and clenches the clip to the structure.

17. A clip according to any of Claims 12 to 16 wherein said legs include hole means whereby additional clips may be hung from said legs.

18. A clip according to any of Claims 12 to 17 wherein said lateral enlargements are semi-circular, forming circular shoulders for engaging the interior of the restricted opening.

19. A clip generally as herein described, with reference to or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

20. Any novel combination or sub-combination disclosed and/or illustrated herein.