NL2008100C2 - Buckle element and hanger assembly including a buckle element. - Google Patents

Description

P30984N LOO/C H O

Title: Buckle element and hanger assembly including a buckle element.

The present invention relates to a buckle element for fastening two ends of a loop of a hanger for hanging pipes, ducts, or other equipment, which hanger loop comprises a perforated strip, which loop in use is positioned around a pipe or other object to be suspended, the buckle element comprising a main body with at least one passage for 5 inserting end portions of the loop, wherein the buckle element has a first retainer pin at the passage and extending such that it can be received in a perforation of the loop end portion extending through the passage.

The document US 3 049 778 discloses a buckle used for holding together in an adjusted position a perforated strapping. The perforated strapping, which is made of nylon, 10 may be used to secure wires, cables, rods, tubing and pipes or any combination thereof into a compact bundle. The buckle can be used to adjust the tightness of the strap. The buckle has a body portion having a longitudinally extending passage formed therethrough. The buckle has one ratchet pin, which intersects the passage so as to be inserted through the perforations of the strap. The buckle of US 3 049 778 is typically adapted to cooperate with 15 a nylon strapping which is readily bended so as to pass it through the buckle.

The present invention has for an object to provide an improved buckle element such that it is more suitable for a metal perforated strip.

This object is achieved by a buckle element according to the preamble of claim 1, wherein the fastener element has a second retainer pin at the passage and extending such 20 that it can be received in a perforation of the loop end portion.

The buckle element according to the invention has two retainer pins, which can each engage one or both of the end portions of the loop. This allows for an easier insertion of the loop end portions through the passage and thus for an easier mounting of the hanger around a pipe or other object to be suspended.

25 In one possible embodiment the first retainer pin is a fixed pin and the second retainer pin is pivotably arranged on the main body.

In another possible embodiment the first retainer pin and the second retainer pin are both pivotably arranged on the main body.

The pivotable retainer pin or pins have a pivot axis which extends substantially in the 30 width direction of the passage for the perforated strip, and thus in use substantially in the width direction of the perforated strip.

The buckle element may comprise biasing means to bias the pivotable retainer pin or pins to a position in which the retainer can extend through the perforations of the loop.

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The main body may have one passage through which, in a mounted state, both loop end portions extend in an overlapping manner. Alternatively, the main body may have two separate passages, one for each loop end portion, each of said passages being provided with one of said first and second retainer pins. In the case where the main body has two 5 separate passages, the passages may be arranged on top of each other, or, alternatively next to each other.

In a preferred embodiment the main body of the buckle element is made of metal.

The main body may for example comprise a housing folded of a metal strip, wherein, preferably, the main body has at least a bottom wall and two lateral walls, the lateral walls 10 being provided with passage openings forming part of the passage for passing through the perforated strip end portions. The housing may have open opposite ends in such an embodiment.

In a possible embodiment a female fastening element, preferably a nut with an inner thread, is provided on the main body for attaching the main body to a male fastening 15 element, such as a threaded rod or a bolt.

In a particular embodiment the female fastening element is mounted in the main body by means of a support element, which support element is preferably made of a vibration isolating material.

In an alternative embodiment a male fastening element, e.g. a screw with an outer 20 thread, is arranged to the main body, which may for example be screwed in a plug in a ceiling.

According to the invention the buckle element may be a component which is an assembly of separate parts. The separate parts may comprise a main body, one or more (pivotable) retainer pins, a female or male fastening element and possibly a support element 25 for the female fastening element.

The invention furthermore relates to a hanger assembly comprising a metal perforated strip and a buckle element according to any one of the claims 1-16.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a buckle element for fastening two ends of a loop of a hanger for hanging pipes, ducts, or other equipment, which hanger loop 30 comprises a perforated strip, which loop in use is positioned around a pipe or other object to be suspended, the buckle element comprising a main body with at least one passage for inserting end portions of the loop, wherein the buckle element has a retainer pin at the passage and extending such that it can be received in a perforation of the loop end portion extending through the passage, wherein the buckle element furthermore is provided with an 35 attachment means to attach the buckle element to a male fastening element.

In a possible embodiment the attachment means comprises a female fastening element, preferably a nut with an inner thread, which is associated with the main body for -3- attaching the main body to a male fastening element, such as a threaded rod or a bolt. The female fastening element may be mounted in the main body by means of a support element, which support element is preferably made of a vibration isolating material.

Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a buckle element for fastening two 5 ends of a loop of a hanger for hanging pipes, ducts, or other equipment, which hanger loop comprises a perforated strip, which loop in use is positioned around a pipe or other object to be suspended, the buckle element comprising a main body with at least one passage for inserting end portions of the loop, wherein the buckle element has a retainer pin at the passage and extending such that it can be received in a perforation of the loop end portion 10 extending through the passage, wherein the retainer pin for engaging a loop end portion is arranged at an exit opening of the associated passage. Hence, the loop end portion is inserted into the passage on one end and is engaged by the retainer pin at the other end of the passage when it exits the passage. This is particularly advantageous when the buckle element is used with a metal strapping, which may have a thickness of 0,5 mm or more, 15 which is not easily bended like the nylon strapping known from US 3 049 778. According to this aspect of the invention the strapping will not engage an obstruction in the passage, which prevents that bending and fumbling is necessary to get the loop end portion through. The end portion can be guided in a substantially flat state through the passage and will only engage a retainer pin at the exit where a fitter at least can reach the loop end to guide it 20 past the retainer pin. When the retainer pin is pivotable it will be even more easy to move it beyond the retainer pin.

If the main body has one passage for both of the loop end portions, both end openings of the passage form an exit and are provided with a retainer pin. If the main body has two separate passages, one for each loop end portion, there is provided a retainer pin 25 at the exit of each of the passages.

The invention will be described in further detail in the following description of possible embodiments with reference to the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a view in perspective of a hanger assembly with a first possible embodiment of a buckle element according to the invention, 30 Fig. 2 illustrates the hanger assembly of Fig. 1 during insertion of one end of the hanger strip into the passage through the buckle element,

Fig. 3 illustrates the hanger assembly of Fig. 1 during insertion of another end of the hanger strip into the passage through the buckle element,

Fig. 4 shows a view in perspective of a second possible embodiment of a buckle 35 element according to the invention,

Fig. 5 shows the buckle element of Fig. 5 during assembly with a perforated strip to form a hanger loop, -4-

Fig. 6 shows a view in perspective of a third possible embodiment of a buckle element according to the invention,

Fig. 7 shows the buckle element of Fig. 6 during assembly with a perforated strip to form a hanger loop, 5 Fig. 8 shows a view in perspective of a fourth possible embodiment of a buckle element according to the invention,

Fig. 9 shows the buckle of Fig. 8 in a partly disassembled state,

Fig. 10 shows a view in perspective of a fifth possible embodiment of a buckle element according to the invention, 10 Fig. 11 shows the buckle element of Fig. 10 in a partly disassembled state, and

Fig. 12a - 12d show in a view in perspective four possible embodiments of a retainer pin that can be arranged pivotably in a buckle element according to the invention.

In Fig. 1 is disclosed a hanger assembly 1 comprising a hanger loop 2 made of a 15 perforated metal strip 3 and a buckle element 10 that engages both end portions 3a and 3b of the metal strip 3 to keep the loop 2 closed around an object to be suspended, for example a pipe, a duct or even a device like an air conditioning apparatus.

The buckle element 10 has a main body 11 preferably made of metal. The main body 11 is in this embodiment formed of a metal plate or strip that is provided with the necessary 20 cutouts and is folded to a housing with a substantially rectangular shape. The body 11 has a bottom side 12, a top side 13 opposite said bottom side 12 and two transverse walls 14 extending between the bottom side 12 and the top side 13. The top side 13 is provided with a through hole 15. As can be seen the body 11 has an open front end and an open rear end. The top side 13 is in this specific embodiment constituted by two overlapping end 25 portions of the metal strip from which the body 11 is formed. It is also possible to have the overlapping end portions on the bottom side of the buckle element.

Inside the housing on the inner side of the top 13 a nut 16 with an inner screw thread is arranged. In use a male fastening member such as a threaded rod (not shown) can be inserted through the through hole 15 and can cooperate with the nut 16 inside the housing 30 so as to couple the buckle element 10 to the threaded rod. In this way the hanger assembly 1 can be suspended from a support structure, e.g. a ceiling. In the embodiment of Fig. 1 the nut may be attached to the inner side of the top side 13 by means of for example welding or glue. Instead of welding also other means are possible to fix the nut on the buckle element. Three alternative ways to arrange a female fastening element to the body 11 will be 35 described further below. Instead of arranging the nut on the inner side, it would also be conceivable to arrange the nut 16 on top of the top side 13.

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It is also conceivable to fix the body 11 to a support surface like a ceiling without the use of a female fastening element. It is for example possible to have a screw attached to the housing which is directly screwed into a wall plug in for example a ceiling. It would for example be possible to provide the bottom side 12 of the body 11 shown in Fig. 1 with a 5 hole through which a screw head can pass. The hole 15 in the top side has a smaller diameter than the screw head. The body can thus be placed against a ceiling and the screw can pass through the hole in the bottom, and its shank can screwed into a plug through the hole 15 in the top side.

The lateral wall 14 on the left in the Figs 1-3 is provided at the region adjacent the 10 bottom 12 with a cutout 17a. The opposite lateral wall, on the right in the Figs 1-3, is provided at the region adjacent the bottom with a cutout 17b. Above the cutout 17b a further cutout 17c is provided. The cutouts 17b and 17c are separated by a bridge part 14a. The cutouts 17a and 17b, 17c define a passage for the perforated strip through the main body 11. In use the perforated strip 3 can be inserted first with its end 3a through the opening 15 17b, as is indicated by the arrow 19a in Fig. 2, and passed through the main body 11 towards the opening 17a on the opposite side, where the strip exits the main body 11.

At the opening 17a a fixed retainer pin 18 extends upwardly from the bottom 12. The end portion 3a of the perforated strip is arranged such that the retainer pin 18 extends through one of the perforations and thus retains the strip.

20 At the opposite lateral wall 14 of the main body 11 a pivotable retainer pin 20 is arranged. This pivotable retainer pin 20 is a separate part which is arranged with its pivot portion above the opening 17c and extends downwardly on the outer side of the lateral wall 14 concerned such that its free end can move beyond the level of the opening 17c.

When the perforated strip 3 is passed through the main body 11 and the one end 25 portion 3a is in the retained state as it is shown in Fig. 2, the strip 3 can be passed around an object such as a pipe and the loop 2 can be closed by inserting the other end portion 3b of the strip 3 into the opening 17a and further through the opening 17c in the opposite transverse wall 14, indicated by arrow 19b in Fig. 3. When the end portion 3b is moved towards the outside of the main body 11 through the opening 17c, it pushes against the 30 pivotable retainer pin 20 which pivots away such that the end portion 3b is allowed to pass as is shown in Fig. 3. It is noted here that in Fig. 3 the other end portion 3a is not depicted for the sake of clarity. It must be understood though that when the end 3b is passed through the body 11, the end 3a is already in the state as is depicted in Fig. 2. When the loop 2 has the desired loop size around the object to be suspended, the pivotable retainer pin 20 can 35 swivel downwards and engage in one of the perforations of the strip end portion 3b as is shown in Fig. 1, thereby locking the end portion 3b in position. Both end portions 3a and 3b -6- are now retained by the respective retainer pins 18 and 20 and extend through the passage in an overlapping manner.

The bridge part 14a can function as a stop member for the pivotable retainer pin 20 when it is in use. The bridge part 14 prevents that the pin 20 swivels or deforms beyond the 5 wall 14 towards the inside of the main body 11, by which the pin 20 could get disengaged from the perforated end portion 3b and the loop could get released.

The pivotable retainer pin 20 has side wings 300 (see also Fig. 12d) with which the user can operate the retainer pin 20 to pivot it to a locked or unlocked position. This makes it even more easy to guide the loop end portion through the passage, or the pin can be 10 released from the perforated loop end portion.

In Fig. 4 another embodiment of a buckle element according to the invention is shown. In this embodiment two passages are arranged above each other in the buckle element 110.

The buckle element 110 has a main body 111 made of metal. The main body 111 is 15 in this embodiment formed of a metal plate or strip that is provided with the necessary cutouts and is folded to a housing with a substantially rectangular shape.

The body 111 has a bottom side 112, a top side 113 opposite said bottom side 112 and two transverse walls 114 extending between the bottom side 112 and the top side 113. The top 113 is provided with a through hole 115.

20 Through the hole 115 a bushing with a collar flange (not visible) at one end is arranged as a female fastening element. The bushing 116 may be provided with an inner screw thread such that it can be coupled to a threaded rod for example. In this way the hanger assembly 1 can be suspended from a support structure, e.g. a ceiling.

The lateral wall 114 on the left in the Figs 4 and 5 is provided at the region 25 adjacent the bottom 112 with a cutout 117a. The opposite lateral wall 114, on the right in the Figs 4 and 5, is provided at the region adjacent the bottom 112 with a cutout 117b. Above the cutout 117a a further cutout 117c is provided and above the cutout 117b a further cutout 117d is arranged. The cutouts 117a and 117b define a lower passage for the perforated strip 3. The cutouts 117c and 117d define an upper passage for the perforated strip 3.

30 On the lower portion of the lateral wall 114 on the right in Fig. 4, above the passage 117b, but beneath the passage 117d a pivotable retainer pin 120 is mounted. The retainer pin 120 is a separate part which on an upper end is pivotably mounted on the main body 111. This pivotable retainer pin 120 is arranged with its pivot portion above the opening 117b and extends downwardly on the outer side of the lateral wall 114 concerned such that 35 its free end can move beyond the level of the opening 117b.

On the opposite side of the main body 111, a pivotable retainer pin 118 is arranged in the upper portion of the lateral wall 114. This pivotable retainer pin 118 is mounted with its -7- pivot portion above the opening 117c and extends downwardly on the outer side of the lateral wall 14 concerned such that its free end can move beyond the level of the opening 117c.

In use a first end portion 3a of the perforated strip 3 is inserted through the upper 5 passage, thus through the openings 117d and 117c. When the end portion 3a is moved towards the outside of the main body 111 through the opening 117c, it pushes against the pivotable retainer pin 118 which pivots away such that the end portion 3a is allowed to pass. When the end portion 3a is passed through the passage to a desired extent, the pivotable retainer pin 118 can swivel downwards and engage in one of the perforations of the strip 10 end portion 3a as is shown in Fig. 5, thereby locking the end portion 3a in position.

The second end portion 3b is passed through the lower passage, thus through the openings 117a and 117b, as is illustrated in Fig. 5. When the end portion 3b is moved towards the outside of the main body 111 through the opening 117b, it pushes against the pivotable retainer pin 120 which pivots away such that the end portion 3b is allowed to pass. 15 When the end portion 3b is passed through the passage to a desired extent, the pivotable retainer pin 120 can swivel downwards and engage in one of the perforations of the strip end portion 3b as is shown in Fig. 5, thereby locking the end portion 3b in position. Both end portions 3a and 3b are now retained by the respective retainer pins 118 and 120. It is of course also possible to start with the insertion of the end portion 3b and then insert the end 20 portion 3a. It is also possible to insert both end portions 3a and 3b simultaneously.

In Fig. 6 yet another possible embodiment of a buckle according to the invention is shown. In this embodiment two passages are arranged next to each other in a buckle element 210.

The buckle element 210 has a main body 211 which is formed from a metal plate.

25 This metal plate is provided with cutouts 217a, 217b, 217c and 217d, after which the plate can be bended to a sort of channel with a substantially U-shaped cross section as can be clearly seen in Fig. 6. The main body thus has a bottom 212 and two opposite upright lateral walls 214.

The bottom 212 is provided with a through hole 215. Through the hole 215 a bushing 30 216 with a collar flange (not visible) at one end is arranged as a female fastening element. The bushing 216 may be provided with an inner screw thread such that it can be coupled to a threaded rod for example. In this way the hanger assembly 1 can be suspended from a support structure, e.g. a ceiling.

The lateral wall 214 on the left in the Figs 6 and 7 is provided at the region adjacent 35 the bottom 212 with a cutout 217a and spaced apart therefrom a cutout 217c. The opposite lateral wall 214, on the right in the Figs 6 and 7, is provided at the region adjacent the bottom 212 with a cutout 117b which is located opposite the cutout 217a. A further cutout -8- 217d is arranged in the wall 214 at some distance from cutout 217b and opposite cutout 217c. The cutouts 217a and 217b define a first passage for the perforated strip 3. The cutouts 217c and 217d define a second passage for the perforated strip 3.

At the cutout 217b a retainer pin 220 is arranged. The retainer pin 220 is resilient 5 such that when the perforated strip 3 is moved through the corresponding passage, from the cutout 217a towards 217b as indicated by the arrow 219a in Fig. 7, the retainer pin 220 will move such that the strip can pass. The retainer pin 220 will engage in each perforation of the strip 3, but with will also slide over the edge of the perforation as long as the strip is moved in the direction 219a. At the end of the retainer pin 220, a hook portion 220a is 10 present, which prevents that, when the strip 3 is pushed in a direction opposite the direction 219a, the retainer pin can slide over the edge of the perforation. Thus the movement of the strip 3 is blocked in that direction.

At the cutout 217c a retainer pin 218, identical to retainer pin 220, is arranged in the same manner as the retainer pin 220 at the cutout 217b. This retainer pin 218 allows the 15 movement of the perforated strip 3 in a direction 219b, through the passage defined by cutouts 217c and 217d, as is indicated in Fig. 7. The direction 219b is the opposite of direction 219a.

When the end portions 3a and 3b of the strip 3 forming the hanger loop 2 are passed through the respective passages to a desired extent, the resiliently pivotable retainer pins 20 218 and 220 engage in one of the perforations of the strip end portions 3a and 3b, thereby locking the end portions 3a and 3b in position.

It must be noted that in the embodiment of Figs 6 and 7 a different embodiment of a pivotable retainer pin is used than in the embodiments shown in Figs 1-3 and 5-6. It is however also possible to combine the pivotable retainer pin 20, or 118, 120 as shown in 25 Figs 1-5 with a main body 211 shown in Figs 6 and 7. It is also possible to combine a main body 11 or 111 as shown in Figs 1-3 and in 5-6 respectively, with one or more retainer pins 218, 220 of the type shown in Figs 6 and 7.

In this regard Figs 12a-12d show different possible embodiments of retainer pins that can be used with either one of the main bodies 11, 111,211 described in the above. The 30 retainer pin in Fig 12d is the one shown in Figs 1-5. The retainer pins in Figs 12a and 12b have a bend 302 near its upper end which is located in the assembled state on the outside of the main body of the buckle. This bend 302 creates a cavity in which a fitter can insert a tip of a screwdriver or the like to swivel the pin outwardly such that a loop end portion can more easily pass, or to release the pin from the perforated loop end portion. The retainer pin 35 shown in Fig 12c is similar to the one shown in Figs 6 and 7. These retainer pins are preferably formed out of metal, e.g. spring steel or another spring metal.

-9- ln Figs 8 and 9 an alternative embodiment of the buckle element 10 of Fig.1-3 is shown. In this buckle element indicated with reference numeral 10’, the main body 11 is the same as in Fig. 1-3 and for its description is referred to the description above relating to Figs 1-3. The retainer pin 20’ is similar to the on in Figs 1-3, but does not have the side wings 5 300 (see Fig. 12d) with which the user can operate the retainer pin 20 to pivot it to a locked or unlocked position.

The buckle element 10’ has a nut 16, preferably made of metal but possibly also from plastic or another suitable material, arranged inside the main body 11 in line with the hole 15 in the top side 13 of the main body 11. The nut 16 is received in a support element 401 10 which is preferably a moulded part, preferably made of an elastomeric material like rubber. It is also conceivable to make the support element 401 from plastic material. The part 401 is preferably vibration isolating.

The support element 401 has a housing 402 in which the nut 16 is received. The housing 402 has an open end 403 such that the nut 16 can be inserted in the housing 402 15 during assembly. The housing has a top wall 404 in which a hole is provided. On the top wall 404 a tubular portion 405 is arranged in line with the hole in the top wall such that a passage for a male fastening element, like a threaded rod from above towards the inside of the housing 402 is provided. The nut 16 is arranged in the housing 402 such that it is coaxial with said passage defined by the tubular portion 405 and the hole in the top wall 404. During 20 assembly of the buckle element 10’, the support element 401 with the nut 16 received in it, can be slided into the main body 11 via one of the open ends of said body 11 until the tubular portion 405 is in line with the hole 15 in the top 13 of the main body 11. Next, the support 401 can be pushed upwards such that the tubular portion 405 extends through the hole 15.

25 The tubular portion 405 is preferably resilient and of such a dimension that it tightly fits through the hole 15 and is fixed in the hole by the clamping force between the resilient material of the tubular portion 405 and the edge of the hole 15.

It is also conceivable to provide a circumferential ring on the outer side of the tubular portion 405 which deforms radially inward when it is pushed through the opening but which 30 extends radially outward again when it has passed the upper edge of the hole 15, thereby securing the support element 401 to the main body 11.

It is also conceivable that a counter part is clicked on the tubular portion from above to prevent that the tubular portion can be withdrawn from the opening 15.

Another alternative embodiment of the buckle element 10 of Fig. 1-3 is shown in Figs 35 10 and 11. In this buckle element indicated with reference numeral 10”, the main body 11 and the retainer pin are the same as in Fig. 1-3 and for its description is referred to the description above relating to Figs 1-3.

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The embodiment of Figs 10 and 11 is similar to the embodiment of Figs 9 and 10, in that it also has a support element for the nut. The nut in this specific embodiment is a rectangular nut with a central threaded hole. The nut is indicated by reference numeral 16’ and is preferably made of metal, but may also be made of another suitable material, e.g.

5 plastic.

The nut 16’ is received in a support element 501 which is preferably a moulded part, preferably made of an elastomeric material like rubber. It is also conceivable to make the support element 501 from plastic material. The part 501 is preferably vibration isolating.

The support element 501 has a housing 502 in which the nut 16’ is received. The 10 housing 502 has an opening 503 such that the nut 16’ can be inserted in the housing 502 during assembly. The housing 502 has a top wall 504 in which a hole is provided. On the top wall 504 a tubular portion 505 is arranged in line with the hole in the top wall such that a passage for a male fastening element, like a threaded rod, from above towards the inside of the housing 502 is provided. The nut 16’ is arranged in the housing 502 such that its central 15 hole is coaxial with said passage defined by the tubular portion 505 and the hole in the top wall 504. During assembly of the buckle element 10”, the support element 501 with the nut 16” received in it, can be slided into the main body 11 via one of the open ends of said body 11 until the tubular portion 505 is in line with the hole 15 in the top 13 of the main body 11. Next, the support element 501 can be pushed upwards such that the tubular portion 505 20 extends through the hole 15. The tubular portion 505 is provided with a circumferential ring 506 on the outer side of the tubular portion 505 which resiliently deforms radially inward when it is pushed through the hole 15 but which extends radially outward again when it has passed the upper edge of the hole 15, thereby securing the support element 501 to the main body 11 as is shown in Fig. 10.

25 The support elements 401 and 501 are, as mentioned, preferably made of a vibration isolating material such as rubber or another elastomer. The support elements 401, 501 furthermore avoid that the nut 16, 16’ is in direct contact with the main body 11. In this way the suspended object such as a pipe, duct or for example an air conditioning apparatus, which may cause or transfer vibrations, can be effectively isolated with regard to vibrations 30 from the nut 16 or 16’, the threaded rod connected to the nut 16, 16’ and the support structure from which the rod is suspended.

The support element 501 has on one of the lateral end portions, the one on the right in the Fig 11, a substantially V-shaped groove 507 formed in it. In the mounted state the transverse upper portion 301 (see Fig. 12d) of the pivotable retainer pin 20 is received in the 35 V-groove 507 and lies against a cushion 508 integrally formed on the support element 501. The resiliency of the material of the support element 501 results in that the retainer pin 20 will be biased towards a holding position in which the retainer pin 20 extends substantially -11 - perpendicular with regard to the perforated strip 3, such that the retainer pin 20 passes to a maximum extent through the perforations of the strip 3. If the retainer pin 20 is swivelled with regard to the holding position, for example when a strip end portion 3b is passed through the passage in the main body 11 and passed beyond the retainer pin 20, the resilient material at 5 the cushion 508 will be compressed by the transverse portion 301 of the pin 20. The resilient cushion 508 will then induce a biasing force which will force the retainer pin 20 towards the holding position into one of the perforations.

It should be clear to a person skilled in the art that the support elements 401 and 501 could also be used with a differently shaped main body than is shown in Figs 8-11. In 10 particular vibration isolating support elements are advantageous to use. It is for example conceivable to use a support element 401, 501 with a main body 111 as is shown in Figs 5 and 6. Also in combination with the main body 211 of Figs 6 and 7 use of a support element for a nut is conceivable.

Claims (20)

Clamping element for attaching two ends of a loop of a hanger for suspending pipes, conduits, or other equipment, which hanger loop comprises a perforated strip, which loop in use is positioned around a pipe or other object to be suspended the game element comprising a base body with at least one passage for inserting end portions of the loop, the game element having a first retaining pin at the passage extending such that it can be received in a perforation of the end portion of the loop loop extending through the passage, characterized in that the game element has a second retaining pin at the passage, and which extends such that it can be received in a perforation of the end portion of the loop. The buckle element of claim 1, wherein the first retaining pin is a fixed pin and the second retaining pin is pivotally mounted on the base body. The buckle element of claim 1, wherein the first retaining pin and the second retaining pin are both hingedly mounted on the base body. 4. Buckle element according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the game element comprises biasing means for biasing the pivotable holding pin or pins to a position in which the holding pin can extend through the perforations of the loop. Buckle element according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the basic body has a passage through which both end portions of the loop extend in an overlapping manner in an assembled state. 25 The buckle element of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the base body has two separate passages, one for each loop end portion, each of the passages being provided with one of the first and second retaining pins. 7. Buckle element according to claim 6, wherein the passages are arranged one above the other. 8. Buckle element according to claim 6, wherein the passages are arranged next to each other. 35 - 13- 9. Buckle element as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the basic body is made of metal. 10. Buckle element according to claim 9, wherein the basic body comprises a housing that is folded out of a metal strip. 11. Buckle element as claimed in any of the claims 1-9, wherein the basic body is made of plastic material. 12. Buckle element as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the basic body has at least one bottom wall and two side walls, the side walls being provided with passage openings forming part of the passage for piercing the end portions of the perforated strip. 13. Buckle element as claimed in claims 5 and 12, wherein one of the side walls is provided with a passage opening and the opposite side wall is provided with a passage opening, through which passage openings the end portions of the loop can protrude. 14. Buckle element as claimed in claims 5 and 12, wherein one of the side walls is provided with a passage opening and the opposite side wall is provided with two passage openings, which are located above each other and are separated by a bridge part, so that one end portion of the loop is connected by one passage opening is inserted in one side wall and is inserted through the lower of the two passage opening in the opposite side wall and the other end part of the loop through the one passage opening in the one side wall and through the upper of the two passage openings in the opposite side wall. 15. Buckle element as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein a female fixing element is provided on the basic body for attaching the basic body to a male fixing element. The buckle element of claim 15, wherein the female fastening element is a nut with an internal thread. 35 17. Buckle element according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the female fastening element is mounted in the basic body by means of a support element. - 14- 18. Buckle element according to claim 17, wherein the support element is made of a vibration-insulating material. 19. Pendant assembly comprising a metal perforated strip and a game element according to one of the preceding claims. The hanger assembly of claim 19, wherein the perforated strip is made of steel with a thickness of at least 0.5 mm. 10