GB2344374A

GB2344374A - Cable clip

Info

Publication number: GB2344374A
Application number: GB9826601A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Benedict Chaplin Spencer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-12-04
Filing date: 1998-12-04
Publication date: 2000-06-07
Also published as: GB9826601D0

Abstract

An improved cable clip comprising means 2 for securing the clip to a supporting surface and means 1 for securing a cable or cables to the clip either before or alternatively after the clip has been secured to the supporting surface.

Description

Improved Cable Clip This invention relates to an improved cable clip.

Cable clips are well known devices used for holding cables (for example telephone, television, computer network, lighting and mains wiring) in a fixed position against a supporting surface (for example masonry, skirting boards and timber floor joists).

Examples of existing cable clips are shown in Figure 1. The clip 1 is made from a plastic material and has a masonry nail 2 located towards one end of the clip that is used to fix the clip to the supporting surface 3 and thus hold firm the cable 4.

However mounting cables using existing cable clips is not easy as both the cable or cables and the clip must be held in position with one hand whilst the other hand is used together with a hammer to drive the nail into the supporting surface. In confined spaces such as under floor boards or whilst balancing on a ladder this can be quite difficult especially if the dangling cables are lengthy and therefore heavy. If stuck by the hammer this can result in damage to the cable. Or personal injury to the installer if he is struck by the hammer or falls off the ladder.

If the masonry nail is not normal to the supporting surface when driven into the supporting surface then the cable clip will not be properly fixed and the cables will not be properly held in place. If the cables travel horizontally they may come out all the clip whereas if the cables travel vertically there may be vertical slippage of the cables.

Typical incorrect mounting of an existing cable clip is shown in Figure 2.

According to the present invention there is provided an improved cable clip comprising means for securing the clip to a supporting surface and means for securing a cable or cables to the clip either before or after the clip has been secured to the supporting surface.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 3 shows the improved cable clip, suitable for one cable, in isolation; Figure 4 shows the improved cable clip, suitable for one cable fixed to a supporting surface; Figure 5 shows the improved cable clip, suitable for two cables in isolation; Figure 6 shows the improved cable clip, suitable for two cables fixed to a supporting surface; Referring to the drawing the improved cable clip comprises a shaped component 1 made of a material capable of elastic deformation so formed that a cable 4 of appropriate materials and dimensions may, under force, cause the shaped component 1 to undergo elastic deformation thereby enabling the cable 4 to be inserted into the shaped component 1 and thereafter be held firmly and the means for securing the shaped component 1 to a supporting surface 3, for example, by a masonry nail 2 or by an adhesive pad (not shown) or other means (not shown).

The improved cable clip can be first fixed to the supporting surface 3 and thereafter the cable 4 inserted or alternatively the cable 4 can first be inserted and thereafter the improved cable clip fixed to the supporting surface 3.

In order to secure more than one cable 4 the shaped component 1 may be so formed that it may hold firm two or more cables 4 as illustrated in Figure 5 and Figure 6, such cables 4 not necessarily being of the same type or size (not shown).

In order to provide a greater degree of security the inner surface of the shaped component 1, may be provided with a non-smooth surface (not shown), for example bumps or ridges, to give a better grip on the outer sheath of the cable 4 or coated with an appropriate adhesive (not shown) The shaped component 1 may be made from different coloured materials to provide a means of circuit identification.

Claims

Claims 1. An improved cable clip comprising means for securing the clip to a supporting surface and means for securing a cable or cables to the clip either before or alternatively after the clip has been secured to the supporting surface.
2. An improved cable clip as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the cable clip is so formed as to hold firm two or more cables.
3. An improved cable clip as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the cable clip is so formed as to hold firm two or more cables that are not necessarily of the same size or type.
4. An improved cable clip as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the inner surface of the cable clip is provided with a non-smooth surface or bumps or ridges to provide increased grip on the cable.
5. An improved cable clip as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the inner surface of the cable clip is coated with an adhesive surface to provide increased grip on the cable.
6. An improved cable clip as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the clip may be made from different coloured materials to provide a means of circuit identification.