GB2585846A

GB2585846A - Apparatus and method for securing elongate objects

Info

Publication number: GB2585846A
Application number: GB1910195.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Walton Stephen
Original assignee: Ellis Patents Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Ellis Patents Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2019-07-16
Filing date: 2019-07-16
Publication date: 2021-01-27
Anticipated expiration: 2039-07-16
Also published as: WO2021009481A1; GB201910195D0; GB2585846B

Abstract

The present application describes apparatus (100) for securing a clamp member (200) to a channel strut, comprising a support portion (102 of Fig 1a) having an upper support surface (104 of Fig 1a) for supporting the clamp member and rotatable with respect to the clamp member; a retaining portion (108 of Fig 1a) extending from a lower surface (106 of Fig 1a) of the support portion for retaining a channel nut member (206) in a desired location and rotational orientation with respect to a channel strut (500 of Fig 4a); and a through hole (116 of Fig 1a) extending from the upper support surface to the retaining portion for receiving a bolt (204) engageable in use with the channel nut member (206) locatable in the retaining portion, wherein the through hole defines an axis of rotation of the apparatus with respect to the clamp member supported thereon in use. A method of securing an elongate object with respect to a channel strut is also described.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SECURING ELONGATE OBJECTS

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for securing one or more elongate objects, such as electrical cables or pipes, with respect to a surface, such as a floor, ceiling or wall. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for attaching cleats or clamps for securing electrical cables to an elongate support member, such as a channel strut.

Electrical cables or the like are often installed in buildings, tunnels or industrial structures by fixing the electrical cables in a desired location and orientation with respect to a support surface. For example, it is common to secure electrical cables in a cleat attached to a channel strut, using a channel nut. The channel nut must be inserted into a channel of the channel strut in one orientation, rotated and thereafter maintained within the channel strut in the correct orientation before securing the cleat to the channel strut using a bolt engaged with the channel nut.

Inserting a channel nut and maintaining it in the correct orientation can be fiddly and requires dexterity which can be difficult especially when there is limited light and/or space for a user to work or when conditions are wet and/or cold. Additionally, a user may be wearing gloves or other protective clothing that may reduce dexterity.

Conventionally, locating a cleat for securing cables or pipes, in a desired location with respect to a channel strut, requires the assembly of a number of parts on site. Firstly a channel nut needs to be located and maintained within the channel strut, secondly the cleat needs to be located on an outer surface of the channel strut above the channel nut and a bolt needs to be inserted into a through hole extending through a portion of the cleat and through a through hole of the channel nut. The bolt is then tightened to urge the channel nut into contact with two opposed downward facing hook like structures of the channel strut. The assembly of these parts can be difficult and time consuming as this involves a number of steps. These methods are also prone to user error due to the cleat being misaligned with the channel nut, leading to the cleat not being robustly secured when the bolt is inserted and tightened as well as causing cross threading of the bolt into the channel nut. There is also a disadvantage in that the parts must be shipped and assembled separately therefore increasing costs and risking the loss of one or more parts of the assembly.

Conventionally, certain channels nuts have been held in a channel strut by a channel nut retainer. The retainer and thus the channel nut must first be rotated before locating an object on the retainer, which then must be subsequently secured using a bolt. This offers the disadvantage that the process is slow and laborious as the object has to be carefully aligned laterally and rotationally with the retainer and channel nut.

A known device for solving one or more of the abovementioned problems is described in W02018/100367. This device is configured to support a cable cleat such that a rotation of the cable cleat is transferred to the device, and a channel nut retained therein, to secure the cable cleat to a channel strut. However, in some circumstances, it is not desirable to rotate the cable cleat to attach/remove the same to/from a channel strut, such as when one or more cables are located in the cable cleat or wherein space is limited. Furthermore, some cable cleats require a relatively long base portion and therefore require attaching to the channel strut at multiple attachment points along the strut. However, this known device is not suitable for attaching a cable cleat to a channel strut at multiple attachment points.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for securing a cable cleat to a channel strut at multiple attachment points along the strut in an easy and quick manner.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for securing a cable cleat to a channel strut at multiple attachment points along the strut wherein the apparatus is rotatable relative to the cable cleat to attach/detach the same from the strut.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for securing a clamp member to a channel strut, comprising: a support portion comprising an upper support surface for supporting a clamp member and rotatable with respect to the clamp member; a retaining portion extending from a lower surface of the support portion for retaining a channel nut member in a desired location and rotational orientation with respect to a channel support member; and a through hole extending from the upper support surface to the retaining portion for receiving a bolt engageable in use with a channel nut member locatable in the retaining portion, wherein the through hole defines an axis of rotation of the apparatus with respect to a clamp member supported thereon in use.

Optionally, the upper support surface is substantially flat.

Optionally, the support portion comprises at least one stop element configured to engage a clamp member in use and limit a rotation of the apparatus with respect to the clamp member.

Optionally, the at least one stop element is configured to engage the clamp member when in a locked position with respect to a channel strut.

Optionally, the at least one stop element extends upwardly from the upper support surface.

Optionally, the apparatus comprises a handle element for an operator to rotate the apparatus with respect to a clamp member.

Optionally, the handle element is configured to act as a stop element to limit a rotation of the apparatus with respect to the clamp member.

Optionally, the retaining portion comprises a pair of opposed openings for receiving and retaining a channel nut member in the desired location and rotational orientation.

Optionally, each opening has a length in the axial direction greater than a thickness of the channel nut member.

Optionally, the retaining portion comprises a base portion having a hole therein in axial alignment with the through hole.

Optionally, the through hole comprises at least one securing element extending from an inner surface thereof for engagement with the bolt in use.

Optionally, the at least one securing element is substantially resilient.

Optionally, the support portion comprising a lower surface configured to engage an upper surface of a channel strut in use.

Optionally, the support portion and retaining portion are integrally formed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an assembly for securing an elongate object with respect to a channel strut, comprising: a clamp member for receiving at least one elongate object; at least one apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention; a channel nut member located in the retaining portion of the or each apparatus; and at least one bolt located in the through hole of the or each apparatus and engaged with the respective channel nut member to couple the or each apparatus to 20 the clamp member.

Optionally, the at least one apparatus comprises a plurality of apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of securing an elongate object with respect to a channel strut, comprising: locating a channel nut member in a retaining portion of an apparatus, wherein the retaining portion extends from a lower surface of a support portion having an upper support surface for supporting a clamp member; supporting a clamp member on the upper support surface of the support portion; engaging a bolt with the channel nut member to couple the apparatus to the clamp member; inserting the channel nut member into a channel opening of a channel strut, wherein the channel nut member is substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the channel opening; and rotating the apparatus with respect to the clamp member to orient the channel nut member substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the channel opening.

Optionally, the method comprises: coupling a plurality of said apparatus to an elongate base portion of the clamp member; and rotating each apparatus with respect to the clamp member to orient each respective channel nut member substantially perpendicular to the channel opening.

Optionally, the method comprises: tightening the or each bolt with respect to the respective channel nut member to draw the same upwardly in the retaining portion and engage the channel strut proximal the channel opening.

Optionally, the method comprises: engaging a stop element of the or each apparatus with a base portion of the clamp member to confirm the channel nut member is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the channel opening.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of assembling a clamp assembly for securing an elongate object with respect to a channel strut, comprising: locating a channel nut member in a retaining portion of an apparatus, wherein the retaining portion extends from a lower surface of a support portion having an upper support surface for supporting a clamp member; supporting a clamp member on the upper support surface of the support portion; engaging a bolt with the channel nut member to couple the apparatus to the clamp member; inserting a spacer between an upper surface of the channel nut member and the lower surface of the support portion of the apparatus; and tightening the bolt with respect to the channel nut member to draw the same upwardly in the retaining portion and engage the spacer.

Optionally, a thickness of the spacer is slightly greater than a distance between an upper support surface of a channel strut to which the clamp member is to be secured and an under surface proximal a channel opening of the channel strut with which the channel nut member engages in use.

Optionally, the method comprises: rotating the apparatus with respect to the clamp member to orient the channel nut member substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of an elongate base portion of the clamp member.

Optionally, the method comprises: coupling a plurality of said apparatus to the elongate base portion of the clamp member; and rotating each apparatus with respect to the clamp member to orient each respective channel nut member substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the elongate base portion.

Optionally, the method comprises: aligning a portion of the or each apparatus with a reference on the spacer to confirm the respective channel nut member is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the elongate base portion of the clamp member.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a jig for assembling a clamp assembly for securing an elongate object with respect to a channel strut, comprising: a support portion having a substantially flat upper surface for supporting a plurality of apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, and a substantially flat lower surface for engagement with a channel nut member located in each of the apparatus; wherein a thickness of the support portion is slightly greater than the distance between an upper support surface of a channel strut and an under surface of overhangs defining a channel opening of the strut.

Optionally, the support portion comprises a pair of spaced apart slots for receiving/exiting each apparatus when coupled to the clamp member by bolts and said channel nut members.

Optionally, the thickness is around 8mm.

Optionally, the jig comprises an attachment portion for attaching the jig to a support surface.

Optionally, the jig comprises an indicator to allow an operator to confirm each channel nut member located in each apparatus is substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the support portion.

Description of the Drawings

Certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure la illustrates an upper isometric view of apparatus according to certain embodiments of the present invention; Figure 1 b illustrates a lower isometric view of the apparatus of Figure 1 a; Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of a clamp assembly according to certain embodiments of the present invention; Figure 3 illustrates the clamp assembly of Figure 2 in an assembled state and supported on a spacer jig according to certain embodiments of the present invention; Figure 4a illustrates the apparatus of the clamp assembly of Figure 3 in an unlocked rotational position with respect to a channel strut; and Figure 4b illustrates the apparatus of the clamp assembly shown in Figure 4a in a locked rotational position with respect to the channel strut.

Detailed Description

As illustrated in Figures la and 1 b, apparatus 100 according to certain embodiments of the present invention includes a support portion 102 having a substantially flat upper support surface 104 for supporting a clamp member, such as a cable cleat or the like, locatable thereon. Extending from a lower surface 106 of the support portion 102 is a retaining portion 108 configured to receive and retain a channel nut member in a desired position and orientation with respect to a channel strut in which is it is rotated in use to secure the apparatus and a clamp member supported thereon to the channel strut.

The retaining portion 108 is substantially cylindrical and hollow and includes a pair of diametrically opposed openings 110 for receiving a channel nut member in use. The retaining portion may alternatively be substantially square or the like in cross section and sized to locate and be rotatable in the channel opening of a channel strut. The openings 110 define a pair of diametrically opposed and curved wall portions 112 and a circular base portion 114 which act to radially and axially retain a channel nut member located in the retaining portion in the desired position and orientation with respect to a channel strut. Aptly, the channel nut member is oriented substantially perpendicularly to an axis of the retaining portion and the ends of the channel nut member extend from the openings 110 in the retaining portion. The retaining portion also rotationally retains the channel nut member when a bolt is engaged therein and tightened with respect thereto. The openings 110 have a length in the axial direction of the retaining portion 108 which is greater than a thickness of the channel nut member to allow the nut to be drawn axially upwardly along the openings 110 when the bolt is tightened in the nut, and vice versa.

A through hole 116 extends at least partially through the apparatus 100 from an opening 118 in the upper support surface 104, through the support portion 102 and into the interior space of the retaining portion 108. The through hole 116 is configured to receive a bolt for engagement with a channel nut located in the retaining portion 108. Aptly, one or more securing elements 120 extend inwardly from an inner surface of the through hole 116, preferably proximal the upper opening 118, for engagement with the thread of the bolt to thereby axially retain the same in the through hole 116 during storage, transit, installation and the like. The illustrated example includes four circumferentially equally spaced securing elements 120 in the form of resilient projections for engagement with the thread of the securing bolt.

Each projection 120 has a substantially tapered upper surface angled at around 28.5 degrees to the horizontal for corresponding engagement with the thread of a bolt received in the through hole 116. Optionally, as illustrated, the through hole 116 may extend through the base portion 114 of the retaining portion 108 to form an opening 122 therein for a shank end region of the bolt to extend through when engaged and tightened with respect to the channel nut member.

The upper support surface 104 is substantially planar and square having two diagonally opposed curved corner regions 124,125 and two diagonally opposed extension regions 126,127. The extension regions 126,127 provide an increased moment to be applied to the support portion 102 to rotate the same about its axis 129 when securing a clamp member supported on the apparatus 100 to a channel strut, as described further below. Each of the extension regions 126,127 has a stop element 128,130 extending upwardly therefrom configured to abut a base portion of the clamp member when in unlocked and locked positions relative thereto. One or both of the stop elements 128,130 may be used as a handle to efficiently rotate the apparatus between the unlocked and locked positions. A ridged grip surface 132 is aptly provided on a one 128 of the stop elements to aid an operator when rotating the apparatus. A visual indicator 134, such as a graphic of a padlock, is aptly provided on the support surface 104 to indicate to an operator when the apparatus is in the secure locked position with respect to the clamp member and channel strut.

The apparatus 100 is aptly a one-piece part in that the support portion 102 and the retaining portion 108 are integrally formed, e.g. by injection moulding or additive manufacturing. The apparatus is aptly formed from a polymer such as a low smoke and fume (LSF) NylonTM or the like. Alternatively, the apparatus may be formed from a metal material, such as aluminium or stainless steel, or a combination of plastics material and a metal material, such as a plastic outer body supported on a metal structure.

Aptly, the support portion 102 is around 60mm wide and around 70mm long between the ends of the extension regions 126,127. Aptly, the central through hole 116 is around 11mm in diameter to receive an M10 bolt. Aptly, each securing element 120 extends inwardly from the inner surface of the through hole by around 1.2mm, i.e. the distance between opposed securing elements is around 8.6mm for engagement with the threads of an M10 bolt. Aptly, the securing elements 120 are spaced from the upper support surface 104 by around 3mm. Aptly, the retaining portion 108 is around 18.5mm long from the lower surface 106 of the support portion 102 and has a diameter of around 22mm. Aptly, each opening 110 in the retaining portion 108 is around 19mm wide and around 11.5mm deep. Aptly, the wall portions 112 of the retaining portion 108 are around 9mm wide and the base portion 114 of the retaining portion 108 is around 2mm thick. The apparatus may however be configured differently in terms of shape and size for use with other sizes of securing element and/or clamp member subject to its intended technical application.

In use, as illustrated in Figure 2, a cable cleat 200 includes a pair of spaced apart holes (not shown) in its base portion 202 each for receiving a bolt 204. Each bolt 204 is loosely engaged with a corresponding channel nut 206 located in the retaining portion 108 of a respective apparatus 100. The assembly 300 thereby comprises a clamp member in the form of a cable cleat 200, and a pair of spaced apart apparatus 100 coupled thereto by respective bolts 204.

To aid assembly, as illustrated in Figure 3, the base portion 202 of the clamp member 200 may be located on an assembly jig 400 and the bolts 204 tightened in each channel nut 206 whilst still allowing the assembly to slide off the jig with only light resistance. The jig sets the desired gap between the upper surface of each channel nut 206 and the lower surface 106 of the support portion 102 of the respective apparatus 100 such that when the clamp assembly is unboxed by an installer and offered up to a channel strut, with the channel nuts located in their respective retaining portions, each apparatus can be rotated with respect to the clamp member and the respective channel nut members are in turn rotated under the overhang of the channel strut, before being drawn up against the overhang by tightening the respective bolt to secure the clamp member to the strut. No assembly is required on site and the clamp assembly is ready to be unboxed and secured to the channel strut in a quick and efficient manner requiring minimal tooling and installation steps.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the jig 400 comprises a support platform 401 having a substantially planar upper support surface 402 including a pair of spaced apart slots 403,404 for receiving/exiting the two apparatus 100 when coupled to the clamp member 200 by the bolts and channel nuts. The lower surface 106 of the support portion 102 of each apparatus 100 engages with the upper support surface 402 of the jig 400 and the upper surface of the channel nuts 206 engage with the lower surface of the jig. A thickness of the support platform 401 of the jig is slightly greater than the distance between the upper support surface of the channel strut and the under surface of the overhangs defining the channel opening of the strut. Aptly, the thickness of the support platform is around 8.3mm, wherein the typical distance between the upper support surface of the channel strut and the under surface of the overhangs defining the channel opening of the strut is around 7.1mm. The jig is aptly a relatively stiff plastics material, or alternatively may be metal, such as aluminium or stainless steel. The illustrated jig 400 includes an attachment portion 408 which may be attachable to a support surface, such as a wall or workbench, by suitable fixings, e.g. bolts. Alternatively, or additionally, the attachment portion 408 may be configured to be gripped in a vice mounted to a workbench. The attachment portion 408 is aptly fixed to the support platform 401 or may be integrally formed therewith. The attachment portion 408 is aptly oriented substantially perpendicularly to the support platform, or alternatively may be oriented at other desired angles to the support platform.

The jig 400 is also used to position each apparatus 100 in an unlocked position to allow the assembly 300 to be directly installed on a channel strut without any further set-up/modification to the assembly needed, other than to rotate each apparatus to the locked position and tighten the bolts. As illustrated, the jig may include an indicator which allows an operator to easily confirm the apparatus is in the unlocked position, such as by aligning one of the stop elements 130 with a visual reference 406 printed on or formed in the surface of the jig. The assembly 300 can be stored and transported with each apparatus in the unlocked position ready for installation on a channel strut.

On site, the pre-assembled clamp member 200 and apparatus 100, including the bolts and channel nuts, are offered up to the channel strut 500 on which they are to be secured. The apparatus 100 and channel nuts 206 are desirably in the unlocked position such that the channel nuts 206 are oriented substantially parallel with an axis of the channel opening 502 of the channel strut 500 allowing the same to be lowered into the channel opening 502 until the lower surface 106 of the support portion 102 of each apparatus 100 abuts the upper surface 504 of the channel strut 500, as illustrated in Figure 4a. The stop element 130 does not abut the base portion 202 of the clamp member 200 but the other stop/handle element 128 does abut the base portion 202 to prevent the apparatus from further rotation with respect to the clamp member and in turn undesirable misalignment of the channel nuts with respect to the channel opening. In other words, at least one of the stop elements ensures the apparatus remains in the unlocked position.

As indicated by the arrows in Figure 4a, each apparatus 100 is then rotated by the operator via the handle/stop element 128 until the other stop element 130 abuts the base portion 202 of the clamp member 200 which ensures the apparatus and the respective channel nut retained therein is now in the locked position with respect to the clamp member and channel strut. In the locked position, the channel nuts are oriented perpendicularly with the channel opening 502 of the channel strut 500 to prevent the assembly being lifted therefrom. The visual indicator 134 is visible to the operator to confirm the apparatus and respective channel nut is in the locked position. The bolts 204 are then tightened to draw the respective channel nut 206 upwardly in the openings of the respective retaining portion 108 and clamp the overhangs 506 of the channel strut between the channel nuts and the support portion 102 of each apparatus 100. The clamp member 200 is thereby secured attached to the channel strut in a quick and non-complex manner.

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus for efficiently securing a clamp member, such as a cable cleat, to a channel strut or the like. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an assembly comprising a plurality of such apparatus, a clamp member and any required fixings to enable the clamp member to be secured to a channel strut or the like (required fixings may include one or more of bolts, channel nuts and optionally washers). The apparatus is suitable for holding the required fixings in place during shipping, assembly and installation. The assembly can be assembled with the apparatus and required fixings in place, and in a desired position and orientation ready for installation, in a factory before shipping or sale to a user. The user may then unpack the assembly including the plurality of apparatus and required fixings, locate the assembly onto the channel strut such that the channel nuts are located within the channel opening of the channel strut, rotate each apparatus with respect to the clamp member, and tighten the bolts to secure the clamp member to the channel strut. The apparatus is desirably configured to allow multiple apparatus to secure a single clamp member to a channel strut and/or to allow a clamp member to remain in a desired position/orientation, e.g. if supporting cables and/or in a limited space environment, when being secured to a channel strut.

Claims

Claims 1. Apparatus for securing a clamp member to a channel strut, comprising: a support portion comprising an upper support surface for supporting a clamp member and rotatable with respect to the clamp member; a retaining portion extending from a lower surface of the support portion for retaining a channel nut member in a desired location and rotational orientation with respect to a channel support member; and a through hole extending from the upper support surface to the retaining portion for receiving a bolt engageable in use with a channel nut member locatable in the retaining portion, wherein the through hole defines an axis of rotation of the apparatus with respect to a clamp member supported thereon in use. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the upper support surface is substantially flat.
The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support portion comprises at least one stop element configured to engage a clamp member in use and limit a rotation of the apparatus with respect to the clamp member.
The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the at least one stop element is configured to engage the clamp member when in a locked position with respect to a channel strut.
The apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the at least one stop element extends upwardly from the upper support surface.
The apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a handle element for an operator to rotate the apparatus with respect to a clamp member.
The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the handle element is configured to act as a stop element to limit a rotation of the apparatus with respect to the clamp member.
8. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the retaining portion comprises a pair of opposed openings for receiving and retaining a channel nut member in the desired location and rotational orientation.
9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein each opening has a length in the axial direction greater than a thickness of the channel nut member.
10. The apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the retaining portion comprises a base portion having a hole therein in axial alignment with the through hole.
11. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the through hole comprises at least one securing element extending from an inner surface thereof for engagement with the bolt in use.
12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the at least one securing element is substantially resilient.
13. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the support portion comprising a lower surface configured to engage an upper surface of a channel strut in use.
14. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the support portion and retaining portion are integrally formed.
15. An assembly for securing an elongate object with respect to a channel strut, comprising: a clamp member for receiving at least one elongate object; so at least one apparatus according to any preceding claim; a channel nut member located in the retaining portion of the or each apparatus; and at least one bolt located in the through hole of the or each apparatus and engaged with the respective channel nut member to couple the or each apparatus to the clamp member.
16. The assembly according to claim 15, wherein the at least one apparatus comprises a plurality of apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 14.
17. A method of securing an elongate object with respect to a channel strut, comprising: locating a channel nut member in a retaining portion of an apparatus, wherein the retaining portion extends from a lower surface of a support portion having an upper support surface for supporting a clamp member; supporting a clamp member on the upper support surface of the support portion; engaging a bolt with the channel nut member to couple the apparatus to the clamp member; inserting the channel nut member into a channel opening of a channel strut, wherein the channel nut member is substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the channel opening; and rotating the apparatus with respect to the clamp member to orient the channel nut member substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the channel opening.
18. The method according to claim 17, comprising: coupling a plurality of said apparatus to an elongate base portion of the clamp member; and rotating each apparatus with respect to the clamp member to orient each respective channel nut member substantially perpendicular to the channel opening.
19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, comprising: tightening the or each bolt with respect to the respective channel nut member to draw the same upwardly in the retaining portion and engage the channel strut proximal the channel opening.
20. The method according to any of claims 17 to 19, comprising: engaging a stop element of the or each apparatus with a base portion of the clamp member to confirm the channel nut member is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the channel opening.
21. A method of assembling a clamp assembly for securing an elongate object with respect to a channel strut, comprising: locating a channel nut member in a retaining portion of an apparatus, wherein the retaining portion extends from a lower surface of a support portion having an upper support surface for supporting a clamp member; supporting a clamp member on the upper support surface of the support portion; engaging a bolt with the channel nut member to couple the apparatus to the clamp member; inserting a spacer between an upper surface of the channel nut member and the lower surface of the support portion of the apparatus; and tightening the bolt with respect to the channel nut member to draw the same upwardly in the retaining portion and engage the spacer.
22. The method according to claim 21, wherein a thickness of the spacer is slightly greater than a distance between an upper support surface of a channel strut to which the clamp member is to be secured and an under surface proximal a channel opening of the channel strut with which the channel nut member engages in use.
23. The method according to claim 21 or 22, comprising: rotating the apparatus with respect to the clamp member to orient the channel nut member substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of an elongate base portion of the clamp member.
24. The method according to claim 23, comprising: coupling a plurality of said apparatus to the elongate base portion of the clamp member; and rotating each apparatus with respect to the clamp member to orient each respective channel nut member substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the elongate base portion.
25. The method according to claim 23 or 24, comprising: aligning a portion of the or each apparatus with a reference on the spacer to confirm the respective channel nut member is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the elongate base portion of the clamp member.
26. A jig for assembling a clamp assembly for securing an elongate object with respect to a channel strut, comprising: a support portion having a substantially flat upper surface for supporting a plurality of apparatus according to any of claims -I to 14 and a substantially flat lower surface for engagement with a channel nut member located in each of the apparatus; wherein a thickness of the support portion is slightly greater than the distance between an upper support surface of a channel strut and an under surface of overhangs defining a channel opening of the strut.
27. The jig according to claim 26, wherein the support portion comprises a pair of spaced apart slots for receiving/exiting each apparatus when coupled to the clamp member by bolts and said channel nut members.
28. The jig according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the thickness is around 8mm.
29. The jig according to any of claims 26 to 28, comprising an attachment portion for attaching the jig to a support surface.
30. The jig according to any of claims 26 to 29, comprising an indicator to allow an operator to confirm each channel nut member located in each apparatus is substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the support portion.