GB2497986A

GB2497986A - A clip

Info

Publication number: GB2497986A
Application number: GB1122401.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin Patterson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-12-23
Filing date: 2011-12-23
Publication date: 2013-07-03
Also published as: GB201122401D0

Abstract

A clip for securing an elongate article to a support comprises: a substantially U-shaped securing portion having an end wall and two side walls and an opening for receiving the article; and a fixing portion for fixing the clip to the support. The fixing portion is a pin and the pin extends from one of the side walls of the securing portion at an angle of substantially 90 degrees to the side wall. A method of securing an elongate article to a support using the clip is also provided.

Description

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a dip for use in securing articles such as cables, wires and pipes to a support

Background of the Invention

Clips currently used for securing cables to walls or floors are typically of the style described in GB2099905. Clips of this type comprise a substantiafly Uflshaped securing portion for receiving the cable, and a pin for fthng the securing portion to the wall or floor, In these prior art clips the pitt is substantially aligned with the opening of the securing portion and must be tapped into pLace using a hammer. This can be time consuming and the top of the pin can be seen after installation, which may not be desirable.

ft would be desirable to provide an improved clip which removes the requirement for use of additional tools.

Summary of the Invention

One aspect of the invention provides a clip for securing an elongate article to a support comptsng: a substantially U-shaped securing portion having an end wall and two side walls, and an opening for receiving the article; and a fixing portion for fixing the clip to the support; wherein the fixing portion is a pin and the pin extends from one of the side walls of the securing portion at an angle of substantially 90 degrees to the side wall.

Favourably, the elongate article is seLected from the group comprising a cable, a wire and a pipe.

Favourably, the pin extends from a substantially central position on one of the side walls. The position of the pin is substantially perpendicular to the side wall of the securing portion.

The securing portion and the pin may both be made of metal, with the pin joined to the securing portion by welding. Alternatively the pin may be formed by stamping out a section of the side wall of the securing portion.

Alternatively, the securing portion may be made of plastic and the pin may be set into the securing portion during mouiding.

A further aspect of the invention provides a method 0f securing an elongate article to a support using a clip as described in any preceding c'aim, the method comprising the steps of: (a) inserting the elongate article into the opening of the securing portion; and b) pushing the pin into the support, applying force to the side wall of the securing portion and through the elongate attick The dip of the invention provides improved means of securing wires, cables or pipes to a support quickly and easily without the requirement for additional tools.

Brief Description of the Dsawings

In the drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention by way of example: Figure lisa perspective view of a clip according to an aspect of the invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional iew of the clip of Figure 1 with electrical cable inserted into the support portion; Figure 3 illustrates the clip of Figure tin use, securing a wire to a floor board; Figure 4 illustrates the clip of Figure tin use, securing a wire to a skirting board; and Figure 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a clip.

Detailed Description of the Prekrted Embodiments

With reference to Figures 1 and 2 a rEp according to an embodiment of the invention is shown generally at 1. The clip comprises a support portion 2 which is generally U-shaped. The opening 3 of the U-shaped support ponion 2 is for receiving a cabk, wire or pipe as shown in Figure 2.

Although generally U-shaped the support portion 2 could be described as comprising two side walls 4, 5 and an end wall 6, the opening 3 being opposite the end wall 6. The clip I also comprises a fixing portion in the form of a pin 4. The pin is located on one side wall of the support portion 2, at an angle of substantially 90 degrees to the opening 3 of the support portion 2. Preferably, the pin 4 is located in a substanthUy cenua position on the side wall 4, as illustrated in the figures. The pin 4 is used to fix the clip 1 to a support such as a wall, floor board, ceiling or skirting board. In this example both the support portion 2 and the pin 4 are made of metal, with the pin 4}oined to the support portion by welding.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the clip I in use. To use the clip I the cable or wire or pipe to be supported is inserted into the U-shaped support portion 2 through the opening 3. Figure 3 S illustrates the fixing of the clip I to a floorboard 6. The opening 3 of the clip i is aligned with the skirting board 8 such that the pin 4 is pointing towards the carpet or other floor covering 7.

The user then simply applies a downward pushing force, using for example their thumb, through both sides of the support portion 2, pushing on the wire, cable or pipe 5 being supported therein.

The direction of the pushing force is illustrated by arrow A in Figure 2, and is similar to the tO acdon of pushing a drawing pin into a surface. This pushes the pin 4 through the carpet 7 and into the Uoorboard 6 located underneath.

Alternatively, as shown in Figure 4, the clip 1 may be fixed to the skirting board 8. Again, the cable or wire or pipe to be supported is inserted into the U-shaped support portion 2 through the opening 3. The opening 3 of the clip I is then aligned with the carpet 7 such that the pin 4 is pointing towards the skirting board 8. The user then simply applies a sideways pushing force, using for example their thumb, through both sides of the support portion 2, pushing on the wire, cable or pipe 5 being supported therein. This pushes the pin 4 into the skirting boardS.

The support portion 2 of the clip I may be any size in order to accommodate different diameters of pipe, wire or cable.

Whilst Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the use of the clip I to secure a wire or cable on top of existing flooring material 7, the clip could equally be used to secure wiring cable or pipework to floorboards prior to fitting flooring; underneath floorboards; or within wall partitions for

example.

An alternative embodiment of the clip is illustrated generally at 20 in Figure 5. In this enthodiment both the securing portion 22 and the pin 23 are made of metal, but the pin 23 is fo-ned by punching out a section of the side wall 24 of the securing portion 22. The punched section is bent outwards by approximately 90 degrees to form the pin 23, leaving behind a hole 21 in the side wall 24.