GB2467861A

GB2467861A - Insulation rafter clip

Info

Publication number: GB2467861A
Application number: GB1006066A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Perry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-01-13
Filing date: 2009-09-21
Publication date: 2010-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 2029-09-21
Also published as: GB201006066D0; GB2467861B

Abstract

A rafter clip for retaining, compressing or fastening insulation materials between rafters or partition wall studwork comprises a main body 10 that is flat, finger-like and preferably elongated. The main body comprises at least one retaining tooth 39 and a hole 33 for fastening means. An end portion of the body can be attached to the rafter or studwork, allowing the remaining portion to extend outwards and overlay the insulation. The retaining tooth is formed from material of the clip, cut and bent out of alignment with the remainder of the clip. The clip may be used with insulation materials in the form of rolls, slabs or boards. The main body preferably comprises apertures 14 and/or perforations 42. A flange (17, figure 10) with a hole (33) may also be provided anywhere around the main body.

Description

Insulation Rafter ClipfFixipg This invention relates to an Insulation Rafter Clip/Fixing.

Insulation is widely used for many different purposes and this particular invention relates to insulation used within the construction industry.

There are many types of insulation, many brands, many thicknesses, many different materials used to produce it. There are rigid forms of insulation, for example fibreglass insulation board and flexible forms, for example wool insulation. When insulation is used within construction it is generally used to insulate cavities, floors, lofts, roofs and pipes etc and must reach particular building and thermal efficiency standards.

Over the last decade, the world has awakened to the effects of global warming and people have become much more environmentally friendly. We recycle waste, we try to reduce our carbon footprint and in general we are more interested in supporting a greener' planet. These green issues have now found their way into the construction industry and we are both demanding environmentally friendly products and also being regulated to use such products. Recently, building regulations have been changed so that insulation must be recyclable and where possible produced from a renewable resource and, must attain a certain level of thermal efficiency. Manufacturers are being deterred from producing fibreglass or mineral wool and are encouraged to use other materials such as recycled plastic bottles.

Sheep's wool has crept onto the market place on a very small scale and whilst this insulation is extremely effective, (in fact more effective than most other types), nobody uses it because nobody has commercialised it. So the point of all this is that sheep's wool insulation is very light, usually more flexible than other insulation types and, because it is effectively made from strands of hair it is also harder to cut and install. This is where the invention is relevant: Sheep's wool, glass fibre and recycled plastic bottle wool is often used between rafters to insulate roofs. There are many different types of roof structures and many different widths of the gaps between the rafters. Insulation is usually produced in large sheets, lengthy rolls or slabs and must be cut to fit and fill the gaps between the rafters. The problem with flexible types of insulation is that the very nature of this flexibility makes it extremely difficult to keep the material in place between the rafters.

It tends to bow and sag in the middle where the weight is concentrated through pressures of unseen forces and weight distribution, therefore, combined with the effects of gravity, falls out. Rigid forms of insulation tend to stay in place as it can be cut slightly larger than the gap between the rafters and pressure alone will hold it in place; not so with sheep's wool. So difficulty with the installation of flexible material such as sheep's wool is that it is usually only one person installing it themselves, usually into a pitched roof where space is limited and without the use of some sort of fixing or retaining device the insulation will inevitably fall out as soon as one lets go of the last section worked on/in due to opposing forces of gravity. The way the insulation is installed between rafters is: the user usually inserts the insulation at the bottom or lowest point of the rafters or framework section being insulated and using both hands simultaneously pushes the material between the rafters whilst keeping hold of it and working the material in up the length of the insulation and rafters towards the apex of the roof or the higher point.

Trouble begins when needing to move along to insulate the next gap -unless there is some means of retaining the last section of insulation worked on, the user will watch with annoyance as the material falls out due to forces of weight and gravity and his work will be undone before him.

Load is also very important on a roof structure and the invention should be light enough that it has a minimal weight effect on the roof when used in large quantities as it is highly likely that more than one unit of the invention will be used on any one project at any one time.

Therefore what is needed is a fixing that will adequately hold or retain the insulation in place but which is light enough to avoid overloading the roof structure and which must have strength in its design and also some flexibility. As there is very little space and room for manoeuvrability in the common loft, the clip must be able to be securely fastened in a quick and effortless manner using as little space as possible to do so; even detail such as angles of screw holes is crucial, due to awkward ranges and limitation of movement of a user using a tool to insert the nails or screws through the body into the rafters due to space.

According to the present invention there is provided a clip/fixing that retains or holds back the insulation between the rafters, that may incorporate gripping teeth, which is light enough to avoid overloading the structure, strong enough to retain the weight of the insulation and simple enough in design so that it can be used by one person who can fit the clip whilst simultaneously installing the insulation, said invention may be formed in many different shapes and may incorporate holes for fastening it and/or flanges and/or perforated areas and/or apertured areas and/or recessed or hollow areas and so on all of or a combination of which will make the invention more effective in use.

The invention will now be described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 show in perspective the invention in various features Figures 5 and 5A show perspective views of the invention incorporating retaining teeth Figures 6 and 6A demonstrate differences between straight and curved teeth Figures 7 and 7A show and describe alternative types of fastening holes Figure 8 shows how the invention is used in conjunction with insulation and rafters Figures 9 and 9A illustrate effects of gravity upon hung insulation and how retaining teeth counter act Figures 10, 1 OA and lOB show alternative shapes formed by using the flange Figure 11 illustrates how the clip may be bent to follow the contour of the rafter for a better fix Figure 12 shows how the invention is used in a plurality within a roof structure.

The invention will now be described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings where Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 on page 1/5 show four perspective views of the invention formed in an elongated finger-like flat shape.

Figure 1 shows the main body 10 is flat and incorporates one hole 33 and a retaining tooth 39. The hole 33 is used for the purpose of securely fastening the invention to a third member such as a rafter by a nail or screw or other means not mentioned. The retaining tooth is for the purpose of penetrating and gripping insulation to prevent it falling out from between rafters when hung. Figure 2 on page 1/5 shows another version as in figure 1 but with the addition of an aperture 14 for the purpose of weight reduction of the overall body 10 so that when used in a plurality as shown in Figure 12 on page 5/5 the roof structure is not overloaded. There may be one or more apertures within the body. Figure 3 on page 1/5 shows the invention with the same features as in figures 1 and 2 but with the addition of a channel or lip 11 that may be recessed for the purpose of strengthening the overall body and preventing it from bending allowing a thinner material to be used in the inventions manufacture. The drawing shows the channel running around the perimeter of the body but there may be several channels (not shown) allowing the body to be formed in different shapes and to allow holes to be repositioned if necessary. Figure 4 shows the body having all the same features as in Figures 1-3 but with two retaining teeth spaced apart for better retaining ability.

The flat finger-like shape is very important as the end portion of the shaft is fastened to the rafter through the hole with a nail or screw or other means so that the remaining portion extends away from the rafter which effectively allows the invention to overlie and retain a larger area of the flexible insulation material. This therefore vastly reduces sagging of the material around the invention and with the added retention strength and ability provided by the retaining tooth, stops the material from falling out from the rafters; not only when being installed but when it is finally left to hang between the rafters and insulate the house. The retaining teeth grip, spread and restrict the load of the insulation where it is most opposing gravity -they act as hands with fingers holding back the mass of the insulation and without the tooth or teeth, the insulation would eventually win the battle of forces unless dozens of fastenings were used -which defeats the objective of the invention to begin with. This invention is a small fixing that does not extend from rafter to rafter but merely extends several inches out from a rafter. The teeth add tremendous strength and support to the main body that transforms the clip into a new and useful fastening as insulation wouldn't just slip over and off of it.

Figure 5 on page 2/5 shows the invention 10 having a plurality of retaining teeth 39 incorporated within the interior of the body and around the exterior of the body providing increased retaining grip due to having more angles from which to penetrate and retain the insulation and counter act gravitational forces. The teeth are bent out of alignment with the main body and generally protrude below and underneath the body but may be formed anywhere in any position on or around the body.

Figure 5A on page 2/5 shows a side perspective of the teeth extending below the body.

Figure 6 on page 2/5 shows the invention 10 having a retaining tooth 39 that is bent and pointing straight down from the main body. This formation is good for penetrating and gripping flat rigid insulation boards where there may be less gravitational pull and only some sideways movement caused by wind or slight building movements. Figure 6A on page 2/5 shows the invention 10 having curved teeth 39 like a snake. A snake's teeth are curved to catch and penetrate its victim's skin which in the example of a mouse is its fur. The curved formation acts like a hook and prevents the mouse wriggling free as it cannot just slip off the hook. The snake's curved teeth can puncture and retain the mouse until it gives up its struggle; similar to the teeth of the invention hooking into a flexible, wool type insulation that may be blown around by slight winds in different directions but which cannot become free of the grip.

Figure 7 on page 5/5 shows the hole 33 for fastening the body 10 to the rafter having an extension slot so that the body can be fixed but also has the means of being repositioned to overlie the rafter a lesser or greater distance by moving the body around the nail using the slot as a means of adjustment. Figure 7A on page 2/5 shows the hole 33 being encased by a angled dome shape 57 so that the nail can be inserted and fastened at an angle, creating a housing for the screw to be able to exert force against this casing to tighten fasten the screw with a greater pressure. This is particularly useful for when the invention has to be fastened or mounted on the inner face of the rafter as opposed to the outer face.

The encasement gives further strength which would otherwise be provided by the flat face of the rafter if the invention is lying and fastened straight over the top of the rafter as the body of the rafter itself provides the support strength rather than the body and encasement of the screw within the invention.

Angled holes and their relevance to this invention: Roof structures are built in all shapes and sizes but one thing they all usually have in common is that there is very little space and/or height to manoeuvre when trying to work in or on it (I'm referring to pitched roofs not necessarily flat roofs). The common small home building commonly has a loft (open area inside the roof between the uppermost floor and the inside of the roof) where insulation is installed. These spaces are usually reasonably small and it is very difficult to work in the loft as the user will have a minimal range of movement and manoeuvrability. We have established that the invention requires a nail or screw to be forced into the rafter through the main body of the invention therefore securely fastening the body to the rafter. This is usually done by using a tool such as a hammer, a screwdriver or a motorised tool such as a battery powered hand drill etc. These items all require the user to have a good range of motion to be able to push some weight behind the implements to ensure the nail or screw is inserted with enough force, or obviously it will just fall out. This is easily done when one is in larger open areas but in a loft of a pitched roof structure, the user has to work under the limitations of the pitch of the roof itself, as the rafters will usually run up towards a ridge plate or the apex of the roof at between 19 degrees and 45 degrees (some roof pitches fall either side of these figures). This means the user will generally have to crouch and look up towards the underside of the rafter running at a 45 degree angle to his head. So if the hole 33 on the main body 10 of the invention is formed as a straight through zero degree angled hole, the user has to contort his body at all sorts of angles to be able to give his arm a large enough range of motion to be able to use a tool such as a hammer to exert enough force upon the nail or screw at a zero degree angle that will be sufficient to force the nail or screw into the rafter and fasten the clip.

The angled hole may also be partially countersunk so that the countersunk portion of the hole acts as a slipway or channel for the nail or screw to follow and help stay on course towards and into the rafter at the desired angle. This is only necessary when fastening the invention to an angled or out of true' clamp member -a straight through hole would suffice for all other applications so therefore maybe a few alternative versions could be manufactured for different purposes.

Figures 8 on page 3/5 illustrates how the invention is used between rafters 18 to overlie and retain insulation 24. Figures 9 and 9A on page 3/5 show cross section sketches that illustrate how the retaining teeth resist and counter act gravitational pull of hung insulation. Figure 9 shows a rigid insulation board 24 held between two rafters 18 by the invention 10 with said teeth 39 penetrating the board and holding it in place. There is not a great deal of gravitational pull with rigid board as it's very rigidness spreads the gravitational force over the entire area of the board as compared to Figure 9A where flexible insulation succumbs to these forces and the weight is transferred to towards the middle of the material where the gravitational pull marked G' on the drawing is greatest. This would make the insulation fall out without the retaining teeth 39. The invention has an element of flexibility so it can adapt to take these matters into account and still remain effective for the purpose. The body 10 can be bent to add greater resistance to forces as shown in Figure 9A.

Figures 10, 1 OA and 1 OB on page 4/5 illustrate how the addition of a flange 17 having a hole 33 positioned anywhere around the body 10 can add greater support and fastening ability allowing the body 10 to be used in different fixing positions. The flange's hole means the clip can be fastened with twice as much strength using two nails as opposed to one and the body can then be used in a T' shape, L' shape or extended out further across the insulation as shown in the drawings. Remarkable! Figure 11 on page 5/5 shows the invention 10 fixed to the rafter 18 overlying the insulation 24/25 where the insulation is hung in a positioned inwards of the rafter. A modified version of the clip may have one or more perforations 42 allowing the body 10 to bend and follow the contours or one or more sides of the rafter for a better fit.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A rafter clip for retaining, compressing or fastening insulation materials between rafters and/or partition wall studwork; wherein said rafter clip comprises a main body which is substantially flat and formed in a finger-like shape having at least one retaining tooth and a hole for fastening means where said body in finger-like shape allows an end portion to be attached to the rafter/studwork whilst the remaining portion of the body extends from the rafter/studwork overlaying the insulation said retaining tooth is formed from material of the clip, cut and bent out of alignment with the remainder of the clip.
2. A rafter clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clip is for retaining, compressing or fastening insulation materials in the form of rolls, slabs or boards.
3. A rafter clip as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein shape of the body is elongated 4. A rafter clip as claimed in any one of claims I to 3, wherein the at least one hole is wholly or partially countersunk.5. A rafter clip as claimed in any one of claims ito 4, wherein the at least one hole is angled up to 45 degrees from the surface of the main body.6. A rafter clip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one hole is encased, surrounded, supported or strengthened by having a higher density, or thicker portion of material formed around the hole and/or having a raised portion.7. A rafter clip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body comprises one or more apertured areas.8. A rafter clip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body comprises formed areas which are recessed hollow or ridged or channelled.9. A rafter clip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body comprises one or more perforated areas.10. A rafter clip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body comprises a flange that has a least one hole; wherein said flange may be positioned anywhere around the main body.ii. A rafter clip as claimed in claim 10, wherein the retaining at least one retaining tooth extends from a periphery of the clip.12. A rafter clip as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least one retaining tooth extends from an interior of the clip.13. A rafter clip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clip is made from metals, plastics, rubber, wood or paper materials or a combination of any of these materials.14. A rafter clip substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows:CLAIMSL A rafter clip for retaining, compressing and/or fastening insulation materials between rafters and/or partition wall studwork; wherein said rafter clip� comprises a main body which is substantially flat and formed in a finger-like shape having at least one insulation-retaining tooth formed from a part of the body that extends from the rafter/studwork and a hole for fastening means where said body in finger-like shape allows an end portion to be attached to the rafter/studwork via the hole whilst the remaining portion of the body extends from the rafter/studwork overlaying the insulation said insulation-retaining tooth is formed from material of the clip, cut and bent out of alignment with the remainder of the clip.2. A rafter clip as claimed in claim I, wherein shape of the body is elongated 3. A rafter clip as claimed in any one of claims I and 2, wherein at least one hole is wholly or partially countersunk.
4. A rafter clip as claimed in any one of claims 1-3 where the hole for fastening means may incorporate or be formed having a slot extending from the periphery of the hole to allow the clip to be adjusted or re-positioned.
5. A rafter clip as claimed in any one of claims Ito 4, wherein the at least one hole is angled up to 45 degrees from the surface of the main body.
6. A rafter clip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one hole is encased, surrounded, supported or strengthened by having a higher density, or thicker portion of material formed around the hole and/or having a raised portion.
7. A rafter clip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body comprises one or more apertured areas.
8. A rafter clip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body comprises formed areas which are recessed hollow or ridged or channelled.
9. A rafter clip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body comprises one or more perforated areas.
10. A rafter clip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body comprises a flange that has a least one hole; wherein said flange may be positioned and extend from anywhere around or within the *, main body. ***S*.:
ii. A rafter clip as claimed in claim 10, wherein the retaining at least one insulation-retaining tooth extends from a periphery of the clip.
12. A rafter clip as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least one insulation-retaining tooth extends from an * interior of the clip.I13. A rafter clip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims where said insulation-retaining tooth may be *** curved or bent for a better retaining grip of the insulation. ** * * * . * ** 4 ITrouble begins when needing to move along to insulate the next gap -unless there is some means of retaining the last section of insulation worked on, the user will watch with annoyance as the material falls out due to forces of weight and gravity and his work will be undone before him.Load is also very important on a roof structure and the invention should be light enough that it has a minimal weight effect on the roof when used in large quantities as it is highly likely that more than one unit of the invention will be used on any one project at any one time.Therefore what is needed is a fixing that will adequately hold or retain the insulation in place but which is light enough to avoid overloading the roof structure and which must have strength in its design and also some flexibility. As there is very little space and room for manoeuvrability in the common loft, the clip must be able to be securely fastened in a quick and effortless manner using as little space as possible to do so; even detail such as angles of screw holes is crucial, due to awkward ranges and limitation of movement of a user using a tool to insert the nails or screws through the body into the rafters due to space.According to the present invention there is provided a clip/fixing that retains or holds back the insulation between the rafters, that may incorporate gripping teeth, which is light enough to avoid overloading the structure, strong enough to retain the weight of the insulation and simple enough in design so that it can be used by one person who can fit the clip whilst simultaneously installing the insulation and may incorporate holes for fastening it and/or flanges and/or perforated areas and/or apertured areas and/or recessed or hollow areas and so on all of or a combination of which will make the invention more effective in use.The invention will now be described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 show in perspective the invention in various features Figures 5 and 5A show perspective views of the invention incorporating retaining teeth Figures 6 and 6A demonstrate differences between straight and curved teeth Figures 7 and 7A show and describe alternative types of fastening holes * Figure 8 shows how the invention is used in conjunction with insulation and rafters *.*** Figures 9 and 9A illustrate effects of gravity upon hung insulation and how retaining teeth counter act *** Figures 10, 1 OA and lOB show alternative shapes formed by using the flange ** * Figure II illustrates how the clip may be bent to follow the contour of the rafter for a better fix * Figure 12 shows how the invention is used in a plurality within a roof structure.