AU2018101274A4 - An elevated pipe clip device - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract There is provided herein an elevated pipe clip device preferably of unitary construction comprising a planar base, a stem extending orthogonally from the planar base and wherein the stem terminates in a press fit engagement type clip. In this way, the planar base may be either fastened or adhered to planar surfaces (such as wooden, metallic surfaces of the like) or alternatively wedged between overlapping portions (such as between roof tiles). As such, this particular configuration provides a convenient manner of engagement for a variety of applications.

Description

An elevated pipe clip device

Field of the Invention [1] This invention relates generally to pipe fasteners. More particularly, this invention relates to an elevated pipe clip device.

Background of the Invention [2] Certain plumbing, electrical applications and the like require securement of pipes offset from adjoining surfaces, including planar and irregular surfaces such as such as roof tiles and the like.

[3] A need exists for a simple and convenient way in which to provide such securement in a manner which overcomes or at least ameliorates problems of conventional arrangements or at least provide an alternative thereto.

[4] The present invention seeks to provide an elevated pipe clip device, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[5] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Disclosure [6] There is provided herein an elevated pipe clip device preferably of unitary construction comprising a planar base, a stem extending orthogonally from the planar base and wherein the stem terminates in a press fit engagement type clip.

[7] In this way, the planar base may be either fastened or adhered to planar surfaces (such as wooden, metallic surfaces of the like) or alternatively wedged between overlapping portions (such as between roof tiles). As such, this particular configuration provides a convenient manner of engagement for a variety of applications.

[8] Furthermore, the clip may comprise an opening in line with the lengthwise axis of the stem so as to allow the stable pressing of piping into the clip along the elongate axis of the stem.

[9] Furthermore, in embodiments, the planar base may comprise frictionally engaging enhancements which may enhance frictional engagement when wedged between surfaces. In embodiments, the frictionally engaging enhancements may comprise raised ribbing.

[10] The planar base is preferably circular so as to allow for the fastening and wedging of the base so as to orientate the clip in differing orientations, including orthogonal orientations so as to allow for the orthogonal reticulation of piping, accommodation of elbow bends and the like.

[11] In embodiments, the ribbing may be orthogonally arranged so as to engage at four orthogonal orientations of the device, including with reference to the elongate axis of the clip. Similarly, fastener apertures may be provided through the planar base which may similarly be orthogonally arranged so as to allow the orientation of the clip at orthogonal orientations.

[12] In embodiments, the stem may comprise a length less than that of the diameter of the base so as to provide a stable construction. In embodiments, the stem may comprise a length of approximately 50 mm and the base may comprise a diameter of approximately 80 mm.

[13] As such, with the foregoing in mind, in accordance with one aspect, there is provided an elevated pipe clip device of unitary construction and comprising: a planar base; a stem extending orthogonally from the planar base at a proximal end of the stem; and a press fit engagement type clip at an opposite distal end of the stem, the clip defining an opening in line with an elongate axis of the stem.

[14] The press fit engagement type clip may be semicylindrical.

[15] The planar base may comprise a circular cross-section.

[16] The device may further comprise a plurality of fastener apertures through the base.

[17] The plurality of fastener apertures may be arranged around a peripheral ring.

[18] The peripheral ring may be a diameter of approximately 65 mm.

[19] The plurality of fastener apertures may comprise four apertures.

[20] The four apertures may be orthogonally located.

[21] The four apertures may be orthogonally with respect to an elongate axis of the clip.

[22] The base may comprise frictional engagement enhancements.

[23] The frictional engagement enhancements comprise ribbing.

[24] The ribbing may be located on an upper surface of the planar base.

[25] The ribbing may comprise a plurality of ribs and wherein each rib may be substantially straight.

[26] Each rib may comprise a length of approximately 20 mm.

[27] Each rib may comprise a width of approximately .5 mm.

[28] Each rib may comprise a height of approximately .5 mm.

[29] The ribs may be orientated orthogonally.

[30] The plurality of ribs may be arranged at four orthogonal orientations.

[31] The four orthogonal orientations may be orthogonal with respect to an elongate axis of the clip.

[32] The stem may comprise a height and wherein the base may comprise a diameter and wherein the diameter may be greater than the height.

[33] The stem may comprise a height of approximately 50 mm.

[34] The base may comprise a diameter of approximately 80 mm.

[35] The stem may comprise a width of approximately 10 mm.

[36] The clip may comprise an inner radius of approximately 12.5 mm.

[37] The clip may comprise a mouth of approximately 20 mm across.

[38] The clip may be flexibly resilient for press fit tolerance.

[39] The device may comprise plastic.

[40] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings [41] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [42] Figure 1 shows a top perspective view of an elevated pipe clip device in accordance with an embodiment; [43] Figure 2 shows a side elevation view of the device; [44] Figure 3 shows a top plan view of the device; [45] Figure 4 shows a further side elevation view of the device; and [46] Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary application wherein the device is wedged between roof tiles for piping reticulation along an offset from a roof surface.

Description of Embodiments [47] Figure 1 shows a top perspective view of an elevated pipe clip device 1 in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

[48] The device 1 is preferably of unitary construction and may, in embodiments, be manufactured from a suitably resilient plastic, such as one made integrally from an injection moulding process.

[49] The device 1 comprises a planar base 6. In the embodiment shown, the base 6 has a circular cross-section.

[50] A stem 2 extends orthogonally from the planar base at a proximal end of the stem 2.

[51] Furthermore, a press fit engagement type clip 3 terminates the opposite distal end of the stem 2. As can be seen, the clip 3 defines an opening in line with an elongate axis of the stem 2. The clip 3 is preferably semicylindrical.

[52] In embodiments, the planar base 6 comprises fastener apertures 5.

[53] Furthermore, in embodiments, the base 6 may comprise frictional engagement enhancements. In embodiment shown, the upper surface of the planar base 6 comprises raised ribbing 4 for frictional engagement and securement of the planar base 6 in the manner described herein.

[54] As such, having such configurations, as can be appreciated, the device 1 may be conveniently and simply utilised for elevated pipe securement.

[55] Specifically, the planar base 6 may be engaged by or fastened to an appropriate surface whereafter a pipe would be pressed into the opening of the 3 along the elongate axis of the stem so as to be selectively engaged thereby. The pipe may be readily removed from the clip 3 if required by pulling the pipe in the opposite direction along the elongate axis of the stem 2.

[56] In this way, the device 1 may be utilised in many differing applications.

[57] In a first application, the device 1 may be utilised for holding a pipe away from a planar surface, such as a metal or wooden surface. For example, for running a pipe along and offset from the wooden beam, a plurality of devices 1 would be spaced along the wooden beam and secured thereto utilising nails, screws or the like driven through the fastener apertures 5 so as to secure the planar base 6 to the wooden beam.

[58] As can be appreciated, the planar base 6 has sufficient diameter for rigidly supporting the stem 2. In embodiments, the stem 2 has a length less than that of the diameter of the base 6 offering a stable construction. Thereafter, piping is reticulated along the wooden beam and pressed into the opening of each clip 3 of each device 1.

[59] The base 6 is further advantageous in allowing securement by wedging.

[60] Specifically, figure 5 shows an embodiment wherein the device is utilised for securing an elevated pipe 7 across and offset from a roof surface.

[61] As can be seen, the roof surface comprises a plurality of overlapping tiles 8.

[62] A plurality of devices 1 may be easily slid under lower edges of respective tiles 8 so as to be wedged between adjacent tiles.

[63] As can be appreciated, the frictional enhancing ribbing 4 may enhance the securement of the planar base 6 between the tiles.

[64] Once a plurality of devices 1 have been secured in this manner, the pipe 7 may be pressed into the open ends of each clip 3 so as to be secured thereby.

[65] As can be appreciated in this embodiment, fasteners are not required to secure the planar base 6 to the roof surface.

[66] As can be further appreciated, the press fit type clip 3 provides angular tolerance in the event that the stem 2 is not exactly orthogonal to the elongate axis of the pipe 7.

[67] Furthermore, on account of the planar base 6 having a circular cross-section in accordance with a preferred embodiment, the device 1 may be rotated along the elongate axis of the stem 2 so as to configure the orientation of the clip 3 at differing angles accordingly so as to allow for running of piping in differing directions, including orthogonal directions allowing for elbow joints and the like.

[68] In embodiments, the fastener apertures 5 and the ribbing 4 may be arranged orthogonally with respect to the elongate axis of the clip 3 so as to aid in the securement or wedging thereof at appropriate orthogonal angles. For example, the orthogonal orientation of the ribbing 4 shown in figure 1 assists in firstly setting the base 6 at an appropriate angle when, for example, when being inserted under roof tiles and when, when wedged between the roof tiles, acts orthogonally to the edges of the roof tiles so as to prevent inadvertent pulling therefrom.

[69] In a similar manner, the device 1 may be utilised within gutter spouting (other secured by way of fasteners, undersurface adhesive, or wedging between overlapping portions) for securement of elevated piping and other applications.

[70] Figure 2-4 show exemplary dimensions of the device 1 in accordance with one embodiment.

[71] As can be seen from figure 2, the planar base 6 may comprise a thickness of approximately 1.5 mm and the stem 2 may comprise a width of approximately 10 mm.

[72] The clip 3 may comprise an inner radius of approximately 12.5 mm and be approximately 2 mm thick.

[73] The opening of the clip 3 may be approximately 20 mm across. It should be noted that devices lhaving differing clip 3 dimensions may be provided for piping of differing diameters.

[74] As can be seen from figure 3, the planar base 6 may comprise a diameter of approximately 80 mm. Furthermore, the fastener apertures 5 may be arranged around a ring having a diameter of approximately 65 mm. Each aperture may comprise a diameter of approximately 5 mm.

[75] As is further shown, each rib 4 may comprise a length of approximately 20 mm and a width of approximately .5 mm.

[76] As can be further seen from figure 4, the clip 3 may comprise a length of approximately 20 mm and the stem 2 may comprise a height of approximately 50 mm. As is further shown in figure 4, the ribbing 4 may comprise a height of approximately .5 mm.

[77] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed; obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, they thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

Claims (27)

1. Claims

   1. An elevated pipe clip device of unitary construction and comprising: a planar base; a stem extending orthogonally from the planar base at a proximal end of the stem; and a press fit engagement type clip at an opposite distal end of the stem, the clip defining an opening in line with an elongate axis of the stem.
2. 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the press fit engagement type clip is semicylindrical.
3. 3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the planar base comprises a circular cross-section.
4. 4. A device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a plurality of fastener apertures through the base.
5. 5. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the plurality of fastener apertures are arranged around a peripheral ring.
6. 6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the peripheral ring is a diameter of approximately 65 mm.
7. 7. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the plurality of fastener apertures comprise four apertures.
8. 8. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the four apertures are orthogonally located.
9. 9. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the four apertures are orthogonally with respect to an elongate axis of the clip.
10. 10. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base comprises frictional engagement enhancements.
11. 11. A device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the frictional engagement enhancements comprise ribbing.
12. 12. A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the ribbing is located on an upper surface of the planar base.
13. 13. A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the ribbing comprises a plurality of ribs and wherein each rib is substantially straight.
14. 14. A device as claimed in claim 13, wherein each rib comprises a length of approximately 20 mm.
15. 15. A device as claimed in claim 13, wherein each rib comprises a width of approximately .5 mm.
16. 16. A device as claimed in claim 13, wherein each rib comprises a height of approximately .5 mm.
17. 17. A device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the ribs are orientated orthogonally.
18. 18. A device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the plurality of ribs are arranged at four orthogonal orientations.
19. 19. A device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the four orthogonal orientations are orthogonal with respect to an elongate axis of the clip.
20. 20. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stem comprises a height and wherein the base comprises a diameter and wherein the diameter is greater than the height.
21. 21. A device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the stem comprises a height of approximately 50 mm.
22. 22. A device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the base comprises a diameter of approximately 80 mm.
23. 23. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stem comprises a width of approximately 10 mm.
24. 24. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clip comprises an inner radius of approximately 12.5 mm.
25. 25. A device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the clip comprises a mouth of approximately 20 mm across.
26. 26. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clip is flexibly resilient for press fit tolerance.
27. 27. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device comprises plastic.