Clip

Abstract

A clip for mounting a furring channel to a support structure, the clip having a body portion attachable relative to the support structure, at least one connection portion extending transversely from the body portion, each of the at least one connection portion has two opposed connection positions adapted to connect to the furring channel, at least one leg portion extending transversely from the body portion away from the at least one connection portion, and a foot portion extending transversely from each of the at least one leg portion, wherein in use, when the body portion is attached relative to the support structure, each foot portion is proximal to the support structure and each of the at least one connection portion is distal to the support structure.

Claims

1. A clip for mounting a furring channel to a support structure, the clip comprising: a body plate attachable relative to the support structure; at least one connection portion extending substantially transversely from the body plate, each of the at least one connection portion has two opposed connection positions adapted to connect to the furring channel, the two opposed connection positions are facing each other; two leg portions extending substantially transversely from opposing sides of the body plate away from the at least one connection portion; and a foot portion extending substantially transversely from each leg portion and toward the opposing leg portion so as to be substantially coplanar with one another and substantially parallel to the body plate, wherein in use, when the body plate is attached relative to the support structure, each foot portion is proximal to the support structure and each of the at least one connection portion is distal to the support structure, wherein the body plate has an aperture to receive a fastener to attach the body plate relative to the support structure, and wherein the connection portion extends in a plane at substantially 90 degrees relative to the leg portions such that the connection portion and the leg portions extend at opposite directions.

2. A clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clip is made from pressed metal.

3. A clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body plate is substantially planar.

4. A clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one connection portion is two connection portions.

5. A clip as claimed in claim 4, wherein the two connection portions are opposed to one another and the two opposed connection portions extend from two opposed sides of the body plate.

6. An insulation member for a clip assembly, the insulation member comprising: a substantially planar bed portion having two opposed ends; two flank portions, each extending from an opposed end of the bed portion at substantially 90 to the bed portion; and a support portion extends at substantially 90 from each of the flank portions, each of the support portions including a plurality of projections extending therefrom in a direction away from the bed portion; and skirt portions at the ends of the support portions configured to snap fit to a respective foot of a clip of the clip assembly.

7. A clip assembly for mounting a furring channel to a support structure, the clip assembly comprising: a clip comprising: a body plate attachable relative to the support structure; at least one connection portion extending substantially transversely from the body plate, each of the at least one connection portion has two opposed connection positions adapted to connect to the furring channel, the two opposed connection positions are facing each other; two leg portions extending substantially transversely from opposing sides of the body plate away from the at least one connection portion; a foot portion extending substantially transversely from each leg portion and toward an opposing leg portion so as to be substantially coplanar with one another and substantially parallel to the body plate; and an insulation member adapted to at least cover a portion of an outer surface of the body plate, a portion of an outer surface of each leg portion and a portion of an outer surface of each foot portion; wherein in use, when the body plate is attached relative to the support structure, each foot portion is proximal to the support structure and each of the at least one connection portion is distal to the support structure, and a portion of the insulation member is located between each foot portion and the support structure, wherein the body plate has an aperture to receive a fastener to attach the body plate relative to the support structure, and wherein the connection portion extends in a plane at substantially 90 degrees relative to the leg portions such that the connection portion and the leg portions extend at opposite directions.

8. A clip assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the insulation member has a bed portion adapted to at least cover a portion of the outer surface of the body plate of the clip, one or more flank portions extending from the bed portion, each of the one or more flank portions adapted to at least cover a portion of the outer surface of a corresponding one of the leg portions, and a support portion extending from each of the one or more flank portions, each support portion adapted to at least cover a portion of the outer surface of a corresponding foot portion of the clip.

9. A clip assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the bed portion includes an aperture adapted to align with the aperture of the body plate of the clip in use.

10. A clip assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the insulation member includes a grommet extending from the bed portion, the grommet is adapted to be at least partially inserted into the aperture of the body plate of the clip.

11. A clip assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein each support portion has a plurality of projections extending therefrom.

12. A clip assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the plurality of projections are ribs.

13. A clip assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the insulation member includes a rubber material to inhibit or reduce vibrations from passing therethrough.

14. A clip assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the clip is made from pressed metal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clip assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the clip assembly of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a side view of the clip assembly of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 is a top view of the clip assembly of FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the clip assembly of FIG. 1;

(7) FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the clip assembly of FIG. 1;

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the clip of the clip assembly of FIG. 1;

(9) FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the clip of the clip assembly of FIG. 1;

(10) FIG. 9 is a side view of the clip of the clip assembly of FIG. 1;

(11) FIG. 10 is a side view of a clip according to another embodiment of the present invention;

(12) FIG. 11 is a side view of a clip according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

(13) FIG. 12 is a top view of the clip of the clip assembly of FIG. 1 prior to being bent into shape;

(14) FIG. 13 is a perspective bottom view of the insulation of the clip assembly of FIG. 1;

(15) FIG. 14 is a perspective top view of the insulation of the clip assembly of FIG. 1; and

(16) FIG. 15 is a side view of the insulation of the clip assembly of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(17) With reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, there is shown a clip assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The clip assembly 10 includes a clip 12. The clip assembly includes an insulation member 112 to partially cover the clip. The clip assembly 10 includes a ferrule 212.

(18) The clip 12 has a body portion 14. The body portion 14 is planar and substantially rectangular. The body portion has an aperture 16 located therethrough. The aperture 16 is adapted to attach the clip assembly 10 to a support structure (not shown) via a fastener (not shown) as will be explained in more detail below.

(19) Two opposed connection portions 18,20 extend at 90 from sides of the body portion 14. Each of the two connection portions 18,20 has two opposed connection positions in the form of recesses 22,24. The recesses 22,24 are adapted to connect to a furring channel (not shown).

(20) Two opposed leg portions 26,28 extend at 90 from ends of the body portion 14.

(21) A foot portion 30,32 extends at 90 from each of the two leg portions 26,28. The foot portions 30,32 are substantially parallel to the body portion 14.

(22) The insulation member 112 is made from rubber to inhibit vibrations from passing therethrough.

(23) The insulation member 112 has a bed portion 114. The bed portion 114 is adapted to at least cover a portion of the outer surface of the body portion 14 of the clip 12. The bed portion 114 includes an aperture 116.

(24) Preferably the insulation member 112 includes a grommet 118 extending from the bed portion 114. The aperture 16 extends through the grommet 118. In use, the grommet 118 is adapted to be at least partially inserted into the aperture 16 of the body portion 14 of the clip 12.

(25) The insulation member 112 has two flank portions 120,122 adapted to at least cover a portion of the outer surface of the corresponding leg portions 26,28.

(26) The insulation member 112 has support portions 124,126. The support portions 124,126 extend from the flank portions 120,122 and are adapted to at least cover a portion of the outer surface of a corresponding foot portion 30,32 of the clip 12.

(27) Each support portion 124,126 has a plurality of projections in the form of ribs 130 extending therefrom.

(28) Each support portion 124,126 has a corresponding skirt portion 132,134. Each skirt portion 132,134 is adapted to attach to an end of the corresponding foot portion of the clip to hold the insulation member in place on the clip.

(29) In use, when the body portion 14 of the clip is attached relative to a support structure (not shown), each support portion 124,126 is located between a corresponding foot portion 30,32 and the support structure, inhibit vibration from traveling from the support structure through the clip 12 into the furring channel and into wall or ceiling cladding (not shown) attached to the furring channel.

(30) The ferrule 212 is adapted to be inserted into the aperture 16. The ferrule 212 includes a rim portion 214 adapted to prevent the ferrule from passing all the way through apertures 16,116. The ferrule 212 is adapted to accept a fastener such as a screw to fasten the clip assembly 10 to a support structure (not shown). In one embodiment (not shown) the ferrule extends at least between the body portion and the support structure to prevent a fastener (not shown) from damaging the clip if the fastener is overtightened.

(31) With reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, there is shown the clip 12 of the clip assembly 10 of FIGS. 1 to 6 in more detail. The two opposed leg portions 26,28 have a length of 25 mm between the body portion 14 and the corresponding foot portion 30,32

(32) With reference to FIG. 10, there is shown a clip 312 according to another embodiment of the invention. The two opposed leg portions 326,328 have a length of 15 mm between the body portion 314 and the corresponding foot portion 330,332.

(33) With reference to FIG. 11, there is shown a clip 412 according to a further embodiment of the invention. The two opposed leg portions 426,428 have a length of 10 mm between the body portion 414 and the corresponding foot portion 430,432.

(34) With reference to FIG. 12, there is shown the clip 12 of FIGS. 7 to 9 prior to being bent into shape. The clip 12 is a single piece that is punched out of sheet metal before being bent into shape.

(35) With reference to FIGS. 13 to 15, there is shown the insulation member 112 of the clip assembly 10 of FIGS. 1 to 6 in more detail.

Advantages

(36) An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the clip includes the ability to further distance a furring channel from a support structure. Another advantage of the preferred embodiment of the clip assembly includes the ability to inhibit vibrations from traveling from a support structure to a furring channel. A further advantage of the preferred embodiment of the clip assembly includes preventing direct contact between the clip and a fastener securing the clip to a support structure.

Variations

(37) While the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

(38) Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word comprise and variations of that word such as comprises and comprising, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.