US2338031A - Conduit fastener - Google Patents

Description

Dec'. 28, 1943. l H. R. ELLlNwooD- 2,338,031

CONDUIT FASTENER Filed Sp'b.' 25, 1940 Patented Dec. 28, 1943 CONDUIT FASTENER Herman Ray Ellinwood, Burbank, Calif., assignor to Adel Precision Products Corp., Burbank, Calif., a corporation of California Application September 25, 1940, Serial No. 358,366 Claims. (Cl. 174-40) The present invention relates to an improved conduit fastener or clip of the type shown in the patent of Paul W. Adler, No. 2,215,283, issued September 1'1, 1940, and also disclosed in my Patent Nos. 2.291,88? and 2,279,866 issued on August 4, 1942 and April 14, 1942, respectively.

The primary purpose of the present invention is to provide a clip or fastener of the character described in which a metallic conduit embracing strap, a rubber or similar cushion, and a metallic grounding strip are so constructed and relatively arranged that the cushion and grounding strip will be securely held at all times in position to maintain an effective cushioning action and insure a positive electrical grounding of the conduit to the metallic structure to which the strap is attached, regardless of the imposition of vibratory and other stresses on the conduit, strap, cushion and strip and the resultant tendency of the conduit to move relative to the strap and thereby dislodge the cushion and strip from proper position.

A further and more specific purpose hereof is to provide a clip of the character described in which the conduit embracing portion or the metallic strap is of channelled cross section and the cushion is-either made to lie and be held in the channel of such portion or itselt` formed with a channel for receiving the conduit embracing portion of the strap whereby in either case the flanges or sides of the channelled portion will retain the cushion strap and grounding strip in a predetermined overlapping relation regardless of the aforesaid. relative movement and dislodgement tendency resulting from vibratory and other stresses.

Another purpose of this invention is to provide a conduit anchorage device of the character described in which the full cushioning action of a cushioning member arranged between the strap and the conduit is afforded While said member is compressed between the strap and conduit and without causing the dislodgment of the cushion from predetermined position relative to the strap and conduit or interfering with an ef fective electrical contact of the grounding strip with the conduit and strap.

A further purpose of this invention is to pro# vide a conduit clip of the character` described wherein the metallic grounding strip is associated with the cushion as by being carried in non-tensioned condition thereon and is presented thereby so as to maintain electrical contact of the maximum portion thereof with the strap and conduit, and thereby insure a reliable grounding of the conduit and at the same time provide adequate cushioning of the latter, said strip and cushion being capable of relative movement without impairment of their respective functions, due to manner of constructing the strip andl cushion and the relative arrangement thereof.

' Another purpose of this invention is the provision of a clip such as described in which the 'metallic grounding strip is mounted on the rubber or like cushion member in such manner that considerable saving in time and labor is effected in assembling the cushion strip unit.

With the foregoing objects in view, together with such other objects and advantages as may subsequently appear, the invention is carried into effect as illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing, in which: l

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a clip embodying my invention, as when in use;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the clip as when not in use;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 o Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertica1 section of the clip, as when in use, showing also a part of the conduit;

Fig. 5 is a 4fragmentary perspective view of a modied form of clip as when in use;

Fig. 6 is a'vertical section of the clip of Fig. 5 as when not in use;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line l-l ol' Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the :lip of Fig. 5 as when in use;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of another modified form of the invention as when 1n use; I

Fig. 10 is a vertical section of the clip of Fig. 9

as when not in use;

Fig. 11 is a cross section on the line lI l-ll of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a cross section on the line l2-l2 of Fig. 10.

to be secured by means ofa screw 3 or other fastening to and electrically contacted with a metallic structure (Fig. 1) which for example is a structural part C of an airplane or the like.

On the inner periphery of the loop portion l is anelongated soft rubber 0r similar resilient cushion member 4 which substantially surrounds and affords a cushioned support for the conduit, and has associated therewith in the particular manner of this invention a metallic grounding strip 5 arranged to contact the conduit and the strap respectively whereby the conduit will be grounded to the structure C through the strap to prevent dangerous static discharges.

In accordance with the present invention, the loop or line embracing portion I is of channel cross section with its concave side and flanges 6 outermost and the flat or inner side thereof supporting the cushion 4. This cushion is considerably wider than the portion I of the strap and is formed of channelled cross section so that the portion I may be fitted in the channel thereof with its sides or flanges 6 abutting the inner faces of the flanges 1 on the cushion as shown in Fig. 3. In this manner the loop portion I is effectively encompassed by and substantially embedded in the cushion and the interlock of these parts provided by seating the portion I in a channel in the cushion as aforesaid prevents relative movement thereof and insures that the cushion Will not be dislodged or displaced from the strap incident to vibratory and other stresses which tend to effect a relative movement of the clip and conduit line. Moreover the relatively Wide cushion insures a better cushioning support for the line in that it absorbs all vibratory and other stresses in such manner as to provide a permanently secure and reliable vibrationproof and static proof anchorage of the line.

In order to present large areas of the metallic grounding strip for electrical contact with the line embracing portion I of the strap and the conduit line B respectively, the cushion 4 may be i formed with a longitudinal series of spaced openings or slots 8 therein. Through these openings a plurality of folded, looped or doubled back portions 9 of the strip 5 are extended so as to lie folded back on the outer surface of the cushion for contact with the loop portion I of the strap,

while the remainder ofthe strip in form of a longitudinal series of segments l0 provides a nearly continuous portion (see Figs. 1, 2 and 4)V lying upon the inner surface of the cushion for contact with the conduit. Thus it is seen that a plurality of slightly spaced portions or segments of the strip are disposed on the inner and outer faces of the cushion substantially throughout the length thereof, for contact with the conduit B and loop portion I respectively, whereby to insure a good electrical contact with such parts and an effective grounding of the conduit to the structure C'. The ends I I of the grounding strip 5 are bent around the ends of the cushion 4 and lie between the cushion and the strap in contact with the latter as shown in- Figs. 2 and 4.

It should be noted that lthe strip 5 is non-tensioned and is supported by the cushion in such manner that the resilience and cushioning action of the cushion are not impaired. Moreover, the strip 5 may be moved relative to the cushion and yet afford an effective ground connection between the line and thestrap regardless of distortion thereof and stresses placed on the strip as when and also due to vibration and other stresses irnparted to the line.

It should-also be noted that if desired the cushion 4 `may be cemented, glued or similarly securedto the loop I.

Inadditionto providing for an intertting and interlocking of the strap and cushion to prevent tightly clampingv the" clip on the-conduit line,v

dislodgment thereof, the channelled formation of these parts materially reinforces and strengthens them. l

A modified form of clip embodying the present invention, as shown in Figs, 5 to 8, inclusive, follows the same Ageneral construction as the form shown in Figs., 1 to 4, inclusive, as to the bendable and resilient metal strap I2 apertured ends I3, fastening I4, rubber or similar cushion I5 and metallic grounding strip I6, except that the strap is channelled so that the concave side and flanges I1 thereof are innermost and encompass the cushion. This cushion is rectangular in cross section and fits in the channel of the strap between the flanges I1 for contact with the conduit line I8. The strip I6 is wound helically around the cushion and therefore presents a plurality of portions on opposite sides of the cushion for contact with the conduit and strap to ground the latter to the metallic structure I9 as shown in Fig. 5.

In this form as in the one first described, the strip is non-tensioned and supported on and by the cushion so as to be movable relative thereto and compressed thereon without interfering with a reliableelectrical connection thereof between the strap and conduit line.

It should be noted that in this form the portions of the strip I6 crossing the longitudinal edges of the cushion will contact the flanges I'I of the strap as an added electrical connection between the strip and the strap. In this connection it should also be noted that the rubber cushion is compressed when fitted between the flanges I1 whereby itis tensioned and thereby frictionally heldin the channel of the strap. This condition also obtains Iin the form of clip shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, since the cushion 4 is stretched and thereby tensioned when the loop portion I is fitted between the flanges 1.

Thel helical winding of the metallic strip I6 around the cushion from end to end of the latter makes for a quick and easy 'assembly of the cushion strip unit and affords a maximum of contacting surfaces between the strip and the conduit line and strap. In this form of clip the cushion may be cemented or otherwise secured on the strap if desired.v

Another modified form of clip embodying the invention hereof is shown in Figs; 9 to 12, inclusive, and includes a bendable, resilient metal strap 20 for embracing a. conduit line 2 I, a resilient cushion member 22 of soft rubber or the like supported on the strap, a metallic groundingstrip 23 carried by the cushion, aperture ears or terminals24 on the strap and a fastening 25 forsecuring the strap to and in electrical contact with a metallic structure 26. In this form of clip the line embracing portion 21 of the strap is of channeled form but is arcuate or semicircular'in cross section with its concave side innermost. |The cushion member 22 is of circular cross sectionand fits in and conforms to the channel formed by the concave side of the line embracing portion 21 of the strap. 'I'he metallic strip 23 is wound helically around the cushion from end to end thereof, is non-tensioned and-'free to' move relative. thereto, and like the other forms of the invention affords a plurality of segments orv portions which contact thestrap and conduit line to insure a reliable grounding I of the line through the strap'to the structure 26.

compressible resilient in -place against dislodgment tendencies caused by vibratory and other stresses on the conduit line. However, as in the other forms of clips hereinbefore described the cushion 2,2v hereof may be cemented or otherwise secured in the concave side or channel of the strap, if desired.

As shown in Fig. 11, the cushion 22 may be compressed so that the conduit engaging portion is flattened when the strap is tightly secured around the line and to the supporting structure 26. This cushion in being of circular cross section affords a full and effective cushioning action and facilitates vthe incorporation of the grounding strip therewith.

1. In a clip for supporting a metallic conduit line on and electrically grounding it to a metallic support, a metallic line embracing strap member having terminals adapted to be secured to the metallic support, a compressible resilient line embracing and cushioning member of insulation vmaterial carried on the strap member, and a metallic flexible grounding strip lying upon one' face of the cushioning member and having doubled portions which extend through the cushioning member and lie upon the other face thereof whereby the portions of said strip on said faces will contact the strap member and the line respectively.

2. In a clip for supporting a metallic conduit line, a bendable resilient metallic strap member for embracing a metallic conduit line and having terminals for attachment to a support, and a line embracing and cushioning member of insulation material carried by saidy strap member, opposed and contacting flanges on the margins of said members for holding said members assembled, and means on the cushioning member for electrically connecting the line with the strap member.

3. In a' clip for supporting a metallic conduit line, a bendable. resilient metallic strap member for embracing a metallic conduit line and Vhaving terminals for attachment to a support, and a compressible resilient line embracing and cushioning member of insulation material carried by said support, and marginal anges on both of` said members contacting to hold said members against relative movement axially of the clip.

4. In a clip for supporting a metallic'conduit line, a bendable resilient metallic strap member for embracing a metallic conduit line and having terminals for attachment to a support, a compressible resilient lline embracing and cushioning member of insulation material having opposed marginal anges defining a channel'vin which said strap member is mounted, opposed marginal flanges on said strap member abutting inner faces of the flanges on the cushioning member, and means associated with said members for establishing an electrical ground connection between the strap member and said line.

5. In a clip for supporting a metallic conduit line on and electrically grounding it to a metallic support, a metallic line embracing strap member having terminals for attachment to the support, marginal flanges on said strap member, a resilient line embracing cushioning member of insulation material mounted on said strap member so that margins thereof -will engage the anges and are retained thereby, said cushioning member having openings therein, and a metallic grounding strip associated with the said members and carried by one thereof for effecting and maintaining an electrical ground connection between the line and said strap member, said grounding strip having double portions extended through said openings and vbent back to lie on one side of the cushion member for contact with the strap member while other portions of the strip lie on the other side of said cushioning member for contact with a conduit line.

HERMAN RAY ELLINWOOD.

Images