AU9138098A - Improvements in and relating to retaining clips - Google Patents

Description

7

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE

SPECIFICATION

STANDARD

PATENT

"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO RETAINING

CLIPS"

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: ii i I :i it; i rg I II r e i t *4|L e IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO RETAINING CLIPS This invention concerns the construction and use of retaining clips of the form which in use assemble to form a loop that can be used to hold articles together.

Many forms of retaining clips which form a loop to hold articles together have been to proposed and used. Most involve either a spring biasing of two components of the clip towards each other. such as in the common metal key ring, or a positive locking or latching arrangement between components of the clip, such as in the cable ties commonly used by electricians to hold wiring looms together, whereby the clip needs to be cut to release the contents.

There is a particular need for an improved form of clip to attach to steel posts of the form generally known as Star posts. but more correctly generically referred to as Y-bar steel posts. These are widely used in farming, mining and construction industries.

Especially needed is a clip which safely and conveniently attaches visual safety mesh to Y-bar posts. This mesh is brightly coloured, usually plastic, and intended to be highly visible and thus provide warning to pedestrians and vehicles of dangerous situations or non-trafficable locations. In its use it is widely attached to Y-bar posts and is commonly affixed by way of wire, string and electricians cable ties, all of which commonly cut through the mesh and, in the case of using wire, the protruding ends often cause injuries 25 or damage from catching on passers by or equipment. The above means of attachment are all- somewhat difficult to remove and discourage recovery of the mesh for reuse.

Often visual safety mesh is simply looped onto a post without any fixing and this soon falls to the ground where it loses much of its intended visual warning effect and is easily damaged. All these factors contribute to the widely practiced habit in Australia of simply burying any used mesh at a construction site because it is too difficult to recover or is so damaged from incorrect installation that it is not worth recovering.

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The present invention seeks to overcome these difficulties and provide a clip which is reusable many times. provides a broad hanging contact surface to resist cutting and is easily attachable and detachable. particularly to a Y-bar post. by hand.

The present invention provides an elongate clip moulded integrally from plastics material and having a portion comprising a pin and. distanced therefrom, a portion comprising a bore. adapted such that in use of the clip the pin is inserted into the bore and retained therein to fom a loop of the plastics material.

0 The present invention also rovides an elongate clip moulded integrally from plastics material and adapted to have its two ends inter-engaged to form a loop. the clip having at one end a male portion comprising a pin and at the other end a female portion comprising a bore. and adapted such that in use of the clip the pin is retained in the bore.

Preferably the pin and the bore are sized so that the pin is retained in the bore by frictional engagement therebetween.

S: Preferably the bore passes through a boss upstanding from a generally planar boss base which extends from the boss at right angles to the axis of the bore. Preferably the boss is cylindrical and the planar boss base has a generally flattened oval shape elongated transversely to the loop such that it forms a tab to either side of the boss and provides means for application of digital force to disengage the pin from the bore. Preferably the boss extends from the boss base at least 9 mm in the direction of the axis of the bore and 25 more preferably extends from 10 to 13 mm.

Preferably the pin is cylindrical and the bore is coaxially stepped with two diameters so S that the pin is a loose fit towards the free end of the boss but is a firm fit towards the base end of the boss.

Preferably the pin extends from a planar pin base and the pin base extends radially of the pin and provides means for digital application of force to disengage the pin from the 4 bore. Preferably the pin base has a generally flattened oval shape elongated transversely to the loop such that it forms a tab to either side of the pin. Preferably the pin extends at least 15 mm from the pin base and more preferably extends from 20 to 40 mm.

Preferably the portion of the clip between the pin and the bore has the general form of a strap having its length extending along a line between the pin and the bore and its thickness extending in the direction of the axis of the bore. Preferably the width of the strap extends at right angles to the pin and to the longitudinal axis of the bore.

Preferably the strap has a raised edge beading along its length so there is a thickening at o0 each edge. Preferably the strap extends from the planar pin base to the planar boss base and at each end is moulded so that it follows the plane of the respective base.

The invention also provides a method of attaching an object to a post of the type made from Y-bar. the method comprising protruding a pin portion of a clip through a hole in a flange of the post and pressing said protruding pin portion into a bore in a female I portion of the clip such that the clip forms a loop by which the object is retained, said female portion having tab means for manually disengaging the pin and female portions, 'and said female portion providing a spacer for distancing said tab means from the flange.

The invention also provides a safety mesh barrier comprising posts and a safety mesh fabric attached to the posts by use of a clip as described above.

Examples of the invention will now be described with reference to the attached 25 drawings.

Figure 1 is a view of a clip according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a view looking in direction A identified in Figure 1.

Figure 3 details cross section X-X identified in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the clip in Figure 1 assembled in place on a steel fence post.

Figure 5 is a side view of the assembly shown in Figure 4 with the clip shown in partial cross section. Figure 6 shows a steel fence post carrying a safety hood prior to connection with the clip shown in Figure 1.

As shown in Figures 1. 2 and 3. the elongate clip 1 comprises a male end portion 2 joined by a strap portion 3 to a female end portion 4. The clip is about 12 cm long and made of plastic as a single injection moulded component. The male end 2 has a pin 6 extending from a planar base 7 to its tip which carries a bevel 9. The female end 4 has a cylindrical boss 11 pierced by a bore 12 and upstanding from a planar base 14. The pin base 7 and the boss base 14 each have the general form of a flattened oval the ends of which comprise a pair of tabs 8 and 15 respectively.

The clip is used by inserting the pin tip 9 into the front 17 of the bore 12 and pushing it through until it protrudes from the rear 18. This causes the strap 3 to produce a loop closed by the interengagement of the pin 6 and boss 11. The pin is sized to create an interference fit in the bore such that it is easily inserted and removed by manual pressure but is not dislodged by normal handling. The pin is retained in the bore by its frictional engagement with the boss. There is no barbing or ratcheting mechanism between the Spin and boss and the resistance to penetration by the pin is essentially the same as its resistance to removal. An insertion and removal force of about 40 to 50 Newton is 20 appropriate.

The pushing in of the pin is most easily accomplished by pressing with the thumb on the rear 19 of the pin base while pressing with the index and second fingers on the rear 18 S of the boss tabs 15. This can proceed for as far as required up to the limit of when the pin base 7 contacts the front 17 of the boss.

Other than the bevel 9 at the tip, the pin 6 is not tapered to assist its penetration.

t Instead the bore is coaxially stepped as illustrated in Figure 3. The boss 11 has a clearance bore 22 entering from the front 17 and an interference bore 23 entering from the rear 18. These meet about half way through the boss at a step 16. The two diameters are chosen so that the pin is a loose fit in the clearance bore but is a firm fit in the interference bore. The difference between the diameters of the clearance bore 22 and 6 the interference bore 23 is about 0.5 mm. thus making the step about 0.25 mm.

Extending from the step 16 into the clearance bore are three guide ribs 24 equally spaced around the step. Only one such rib can be seen in Figure 3. Each rib 24 stands proud of the wall of the clearance bore 22 by the same distance as the height of the step 16, so the top of each rib continues the line of the wall of the interference bore 23. Each rib extends for about half the distance between the step 16 and the front 17 of the boss where it is blended into the clearance bore wall.

The combination of the stepped bore and the bevel 10 on the tip of the pin, allows easier to feeding of the pin into the bore. The ribs 24 centralise the pin in the bore for easy alignment and enhance the fit of the pin in the bore.

Although the above described bore having three guide ribs 24 would work well, this quantity was chosen for simplicity of illustration. It is in fact preferred to have from four to six such ribs.

S. The length of the boss is set to allow sufficient distance between the facing pin tabs 8 and boss tabs 15 to get a purchase with fingers even when the pin is pressed fully home such that the pin base 7 abuts the front 17 of the boss. This means that preferably the boss extends at least 9 mm axially from the boss base and more preferably extends from to 13 mm.

The length of the pin may be varied at the time of moulding to suit the particular application. It would preferably extend at least 15 mm in order to give sufficient length S 25 to satisfactorily engage the bore. For simple attachment to a Y-bar post as shown in Figures 4 and 5 a length of about 24 mm would be appropriate while for attachment using the safety hood as shown in Figure 6 a length of about 37 mm would be most suitable. Thus the pin preferably extends at least 15 mm from the pin base and more preferably extends from 20 to 40 mm for these applications.

The strap 3 is flat and quite thin (about 0.4 mm) over its central portion 20 but carries a raised edge beading 21 forming a thickening at each edge. This serves to strengthen strap from failure that could be initiated by nicking of the edges and also serves to reduce the possibility of a sharp edge damaging an item. such as a fabric, while it is being held by the clip. The pin base and boss base could alternatively have a generally semicircular shape extending the length of the clip. However the shapes possible for these bases are limited if they are to be used with Y-bar fence posts as discussed later in this specification.

The clip is preferably made of a LV stabilised. linear low density polyethylene which provides an appropriate degree of strength. flexibility and resistance to degradation by to UV light.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate how the clip may be used to attach something to a common type of fence post made from Y-bar. Steel posts of this configuration are marketed widely in Australia by BHP under the trade mark Star. Posts of almost identical configuration but made of plastics material are also available. These posts have three flanges 26. 27 and 28 and holes are spaced along the length of the widest flange 26. To attach, for example. safety protection mesh to the post, the pin 6 of a clip is first pushed into one of the holes in the post and the female portion passed through the mesh before pushing the boss 11 onto the pin as described above. The mesh would then be retained by the strap portion 3 of the clip.

For the purposes of clarity in the illustrations. Figures 4 and 5 show the connection not S pushed fully home. When pushed home, the pin base 7 with its tabs 8 would be in contact with one face 29 of flange 26 and the front 17 of boss 11 would be in contact with the opposite face 30- The clip would function just as well in the position illustrated as it would if pushed fully home.

It should be noted that the downward load supportable by the clip is not limited to the force required to remove the pin from the boss but rather is a function of the force required to break a component of the clip.

8 Removal of the clip is facilitated by having the boss tabs 15 spaced from face 30 of the flange 26 because of the intervening boss 11 This allows the easy insertion of fingers between the tabs 15 and flange 26. Simply pushing the tip of the pin 6 while pulling on the tabs 15 releases the connection.

We turn now to Figure 6 which illustrates a steel fence post carrying a safety hood prior to connection with a clip in accordance with the present invention. The hood 31 is moulded from plastics material and shaped to fit neatly over the top of a Y-bar post 32.

The hood 31 has a closed top 33. three major side faces 34. 35. and 36 (hidden) with to intermediate minGr edge faces 38. 39 and 40. The hood's open bottom allows it to be slid onto the top of a post and the holes 41 and 42 are provided at a position which corresponds to the top hole in the post. Covering the tops of posts with hoods of this form is a significant safety improvement, particularly on a building site or road works site.

A clip of the present invention may be utilised with a hooded post as described above by passing the pin 6 through holes 41 and 42 together with the corresponding hole in the steel post within the hood. In this situation it is desirable to use a pin length of at least 30 mm length and preferably about 35 mm. The clip serves to prevent dislodgement of the hood 31 from the post. At the same time the looped strap provides a means by which mesh may be attached to the posts.

Clips of the present invention can quickly be used to hold tubing or power leads off the ground to prevent damage and then just as quickly removed and reused. In the case of 25 holding rigid tubing horizontally, twisting the pin in the bore by 90° produces an appropriately shaped loop.

The clips are also convenient for affixing woven mesh of the type used as shade cloth fabric to Y-bar posts. For this purpose the pin 6 is pushed first through the mesh, then through a hole in the post, then through the mesh again and finally into the boss. A similar procedure may be used for affixing bird mesh, which has a coarser weave than shade cloth. Clips of the present invention are also suited to applications of bird mesh P P- 9 where Y-bar posts are not involved. Multiple folds or gatherings of the fabric are easily penetrated by the pins of the clips so allowing the mesh to be easily temporarily fixed into a required position. The clip's ease of removal and reuse allows for more convenient worker and equipment access to meshed crop areas.

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise". and variations such as "comprises" and "-comprising". will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations. modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

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Claims (16)

1. An elongate clip moulded integrally from plastics material and having a portion comprising a pin and. distanced therefrom. a portion comprising a bore. adapted such that in use of the clip the pin is inserted into the bore and retained therein to form a loop of the plastics material.

2. An elongate clip moulded integrally from plastics material and adapted to have it; two ends inter-engaged to form a loop. the clip having at one end a male portion comprising a pin and at the other end a female portion comprising a bore, and adapted such that in use of the clip the pin is retained in the bore.

3. A clip according to claim I or 2 wherein the pin and the bore arc sized so that the pin is retained in the bore by frictional engagement therebetween.

4. A clip according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bore passes Sthrough a boss upstanding from a generally planar boss base which extends from the S. boss at right angles to the axis of the bore.

5. A clip according to claim 4 wherein the boss is cylindrical and the planar boss base has a generally flattened oval shape elongated transversely to the loop such that it forms a tab to either side of the boss and provides means for application of digital force Sto disengage the pin from the bore. 25 6. A clip according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the boss extends from the boss base at least 9 mm in the direction of the axis of the bore_

7. A clip according to claim 6 wherein the boss base extends from 10 to 13 mm in the direction of the axis of the bore. S0 -r I

8. A clip according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the pin is cylindrical and the bore is coaxially stepped with two diameters so that the pin is a loose fit towards the free end of the boss but is a firm fit towards the base end of the boss.

9. A clip according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the pin extends from a planar pin base and the pin base extends radially of the pin and provides means for digital application of force to disengage the pin from the bore. A clip according to claim 9 wherein the pin base has a generally flattened oval shape elongated transversely to the loop such that it forms a tab to either side of the pin. S11. A clip according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the pin extends at least 15 mm from the pin base.

12. A clip according to claim 11 wherein the pin extends between 20 and 40 mm from the pin base. 1" 3. A clip according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the portion of the clip between the pin and the bore has the general form of a strap having its length extending along a line between the pin and the bore and its thickness extending in the direction of the axis of the bore.

14. A clip according to claim 13 wherein the width of the strap extends at right angles to the pin and to the longitudinal axis of the bore.

15. A clip according to claim 13 or 14 wherein the strap has a raised edge beading along its length so there is a thickening at each edge.

16. A clip according to any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein the strap extends from the planar pin base to the planar boss base and at each end is moulded so that it follows the plane of the respective base. G- ~dtt:i 12

17. A safety mesh barrier comprising posts and a safety mesh fabric attached to the posts by use of a clip according to any one of the preceding claims.

18. A method of attaching an object to a post of the type made from Y-bar, the method comprising protruding a pin portion of a clip through a hole in a flange of the post and pressing said protruding pin portion into a bore in a female portion of the clip such that the clip forms a loop by which the object is retained, said female portion having tab means for manually disengaging the pin and female portions, and said female to portion providing a spacci for distancing said tab means from the flange.

19. A clip as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to S r I t i A method of attaching an object to a post as herein described with reference to Figures 4 and

21. A safety mesh barrier fence as herein described with reference to Figures 4 and 20 22. An assembly of a Y-bar post, a hood and a clip for retaining the hood on the post as herein described with reference to Figure 6. Dated this sixth day of November 1998 25 Patsy Maree Sealey and Michael Privan by their patent attorney Norman B Morcom 4