OR FRAMEWORK STRUCTURE

:iiCϋMCALELELQ

The present invention relates to an arrangement and method for securing sheet material to a support or framework structure without the need of sowing, gluing or otherwise fixing it to the frame using troublesome methods such as stapling ^"' and so forth.

BACKGROUND ART

Various applications call for a means of extending sheet material such as cloth, netting, liners,.films or plastic between at least two points; examples include applications where the sheet material is used for the purposes of providing shade from the sun or protection from the rain.

Or more particularly sheeting is often used in the horticultural and building industries, where it is desirable to cover a large area with a sheet material quickly and relatively cheaply such as In vineyards, where It is desirable to cover and uncover the vines as necessary, quickly and cheaply, or indeed in the construction of pergolas, shade sails or even poo! or dam covers.

Generally, a framework is required in order to ensure that the sheet material is adequately secured; furthermore, the sheet material must often be adapted to accept the framework, for example by sowing, gluing or otherwise fixing it to the frame using staples for instance.

•It is an object of the present invention to provide a means and method for securing a sheet material to a conduit using a clip.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the. present invention is disclosed,

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In one- embodiment of the invention there is provided a clip arrangement for retaining a length of flexible sheet material, said arrangement including:

a clip member having a cross-sectional shape including a discontinuous, yet substantially, ring shaped body, with two free ends that shoulder out to provide hook shaped portions extending from each of the free ends;

a conduit having a continuous slot along said conduit length to define a pair of oppositely positioned edges;

wherein the body of the clip member is sized and adapted to fit inside of the conduit such that the ring shaped body securely nests against an inner wall of the conduit, and the hook shaped portions of the clip member engage and apply pressure against at least a portion of both of the conduit slot edges so that the clip, member can secure a sheet of material between the clip member and the edges of the slot in the wall of the conduit.

In preference the sheet of material is placed over the slot in the conduit, and the body of the clip member is insertable through the slot in the conduit by simultaneously compressing the body of the clip member and expanding the slot in the conduit wherein this insertion pulls the sheet material into the conduit with the clip member until the circular body of the clip member has been accepted within the conduit and the hooked shaped portions of the clip member, have captured the sheet material by retaining the sheet material to the .edges of the conduit on either side of the slot in the conduit.

In a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a clip arrangement for retaining a length of flexible sheet material, said arrangement including; a said clip member having a cross-sectional shape that is continuous, and substantially circular, having a continuous slot along said clip member length to define a pair of oppositely positioned edges which is sized arid adapted to so as to nest therein said clip member a conduit such that the outer ^■ 5; surface of the conduit rests securely against an inner wall of the clip member, so as to capture a sheet of material there-between.

In preference the clip member has two sheets of material overlapping within the clip member secured against the outer length of the conduit that securely rests within the clip member so that the dip member maybe used as a joiner of the0 sheet material.

In preference a wire is placed between the .overlapping material wherein an electric charge is passable through said wire so as melt a portion of the clip member and/or conduct to as to effectively heat treat the overlapping sheeting together. 5 In a further aspect, the disclosure may be said to lie in a retention system for a sheet of material including a conduit having at least one aperture passing through a wall thereof so as to define an edge, a sheet of material, and a clip including a portion adapted to apply a pressure against at least a portion of the edge of the aperture so that it can secure a sheet of material between the clip0 and the edge of the aperture in the conduit wall.

. In a further aspect, the disclosure may be said to lie in a clip-adapted to fit inside of a. conduit, the conduit having a slot passing through a wail thereof so as to define a pair of oppositely positioned edges, the clip including a portion adapted to apply a pressure against at least a portion of both of the edges so5 that it can secure a sheet of material between the clip and the edges of the slot in the conduit wall. In a further aspect, the disclosure may be said to lie in a retention system for a sheet of material including a conduit having at least one slot passing through a . wall thereof so as to define a pair of oppositely positioned edges, and a clip including a portion adapted to apply a pressure against at least a portion of both 5 of the edges of the slot so that it can secure a sheet of material between the clip and the edge of the aperture in the conduit wall.

In a further form, the disclosure may be said to lie in a method of securing a sheet of material to a conduit as described above, using a clip as described ■ above, including the steps of inserting the sheet material into the conduit 10 through the aperture or slot in the wall of the conduit, and then inserting the clip into the aperture or slot so as to capture the sheet material between a portion of the clip and the edge or edges of the slot or aperture.

Preferably, the conduit and/or the clip member is circular in cross-section.

Preferably, the conduit and/or clip member is plastic irrigation pipe made of high 15 density polyethylene.

Preferably, the sheet material is a cloth, netting high density polyethylene liner or plastic.

Preferably, the clip has a cross-sectional shape including a body shaped like a discontinuous, substantially circular ring, with two free ends on the body,

•"> 0 Preferably, the clip has a cross-sectional shape including a body shaped like a , discontinuous, substantially circular ring, with two free ends on the body, there being two hook shaped portions extending from the free ends on the body.

Preferably, the ring shaped body is sized so as to nest securely against the inner wall of the conduit. Preferably, the hook shaped portions on the clip are adapted to project through the slot in the wall of the conduit and capture and retain the respective edges of the conduit on. either side of the slot.

Preferably, the clip is made from a plastic material.

Preferably, the hooked shaped portions apply an outward pressure against the edges of the.slot.

In a further aspect, the clip has a cross-sectional shape including a substantially v shaped body with two legs joined at a common vertex at the legs respective first ends, there being a grooved portion in the outer side of each teg, at or toward a second end ^' of each leg.

Preferably, the legs of the clip are adapted to project through the slot in the wall of the conduit, the grooved portion in the outer side of each leg, being adapted to capture and retain the conduit on either side of the slot.

Preferably ^ the legs provided a pressure against the edges of the slot.

Preferably, the clip is produced as an extruded length of material of constant cross-section.

Preferably, the clip is extruded from a suitable pfastic materia!.

Preferably, the conduit is extruded with a continuous slot formed into it.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the. invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawing. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, It Is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for ^• the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate certain embodiments of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, to recognize that the claims should. be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION QF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understand ing ^" of this disclosure it will now be described with respect to a preferred embodiment which shall be described herein with the assistance of drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a clip arrangement according to first aspect of the invention;

Figure 2a is a cross-sectional view of the clip arrangement in Figure 1, showing the arrangement in normal use securing a sheet of material to an external conduit;

Figures 2b, 2c and 2d are cross-sectionai views of a clip arrangement according to a further aspect of the invention, showing the arrangement in normal use securing a sheet of material to a conduit; Figure 3a is a schematic view of the clip arrangement of Figure 1 , showing the arrangement being used in an application securing a sheet of material to a conduit;

Figure 3b is a part exploded view .taken from figure 3a;

& Figure 4 is a perspective view of a clip arrangement according to a further aspect of the invention; and

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the clip arrangement in Figure 4, showing the clip arrangement in normal use securing a sheet of material to a conduit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION- 0 Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, wherein Figure 1 iilustrates a clip shown generally as 4, having a cross-sectional shape including a discontinuous,.yet substantially ring shaped body 2, with two free ends at 6 and 8. There are hook shaped portion extending from each of the free ends 6 and 8 on the body shown at 10 and 12. 5 As seen in figure 2a there is a conduit 14, of the type that is commonly used for irrigation purposes. It is preferable that for use according to this embodiment of the present invention and others discussed hereafter, that the conduit be of High Density (HDPE) piping be extruded with a continuous slot 16 in it, so as to define a pair of oppositely positioned edges 16a and 16b. 0 The clip 4 cross-section may be extruded into lengths also.

In use, the body 2 of the clip 4 is sized and adapted to fit inside of the conduit 14, as best illustrated in Figure 2a, such that the ring 2 securely nests against the inner wall of the conduit, and the hook shaped portions then engage and apply pressure against at least a portion of both of the edges 16a and 16b of the slot 1 Q ₁ so that the clip 4 can secure a sheet of material .20 between itself and the edges 16a and 16b of the slot 16 in the wall 18 of the conduit 14.

Prior to attachment, the sheet of material 20 is placed over the slot 16 in the conduit,' and the body 2 of the clip 4 is then passed through the slot 16 in the S- conduit 14 by simultaneously compressing the body 2 of the clip 4 and expanding th.e slot 16 in the conduit. This insertion operation pulls the sheet material 20 into the conduit with it until the circular body 2 of the ciip 4 has been accepted within the conduit 14, and the hooked ends 10 and 1.2 on the body of the clip have captured the sheet materia! 20 and retained the edges 16a and K ⁾ 16b of the conduit on either side of the slot 16 in the conduit. Once insertion has been completed, the clip 4 will have secured the sheeting 20 between it and the inner wall of the conduit 14.

When inserted into the conduit 14 In this fashion, the clip 4 retains the sheet material 20 between-its hooked ends 10 and 12 and the edges 16a and.16b of 15 the slot 16 of the conduit, but it also retains the^heet 20 between its ring shaped body 2, and the inner surface of the conduit 14, as* ring shaped body 2 exerts an outward pressure against the inner wall of the conduit 14,

Referring now to Figure 5b, where there is illustrated a clip 13 according to a further aspect, said clip 13 a having a cross-sectional shape that is continuous, 0 and substantially circular. This dip 13 is sized and adapted to so as to nest therein itself a conduit 27 such that the outer surface of the conduit 27 rests securely against the inner wall of the clip 13, so as to capture the sheet 11 of material there-between. 15a and 15b edge of the clip 13 can be of any varying shape and the gap 21 can be of any size according to job application. 5 . Referring now to Figure 2c, where there is illustrated a clip 37 similar to the one in Figure 2b. The clip 37 has a cross-sectional shape that is continuous, and substantially circular. This clip 37 is sized and adapted to so as to nest inside of a conduit 40 such that the outer surface of the conduit 40 securely nests against the inner wall of the clip 37,so as to capture sheet 22 and sheet 23 to allow joining of two sheets. Edges 17 and 19 of the clip can be of any varying shape and the gap 41 can be of any size according to job application

Referring now to Figure 2d where the clip 37 has the sheets of material 22 ^■ S- overlapping within the clip 37 but as shown are still secured against the length of conduit 40. The clip 37 is essentially being used as a joiner.

As an adjunct to this wire 55 can be placed between material 22 and material 23 and a electric charge passed through the wire so as melt HDPE material ^• with the sheeting together. Edges 17 and 17 of the clip 37 can be of any varying 10 shape and the gap 41 can be of any size according to job application

Referring now to Figure 3a, where an exemplary application for the clip 4 described in figures 1 and 2a is illustrated. Here the clips are shown securing a sheet of plastic material 20 to the fengths of conduit 14, and the piastic 20 is being used to protect a grape vine 50 in this case, from birds, sun damage 15 and/or frost damage.

The clips have been used to retain the plastic sheet 20 to lengths of conduit 14 on either side of the vine. The lengths of conduit 14 in turn have been secured to lengths oi steel wire 30 running between upright posts 38 by wire catches 32. These wire catches 32 include a cupped portion 34 adapted to nest and engage 20 the conduit 14, and an elongate tail portion 36 that extends downwardly, and which can then be looped around the length of wire .30 so as to secure the conduit 14 and sheet 20 in turn to the wire 30.

There may be a further conduit 14 secured to a wire 30 suspended above the vine 50, this conduit being secured to the wire in the same fashion as above.

25 The plastic sheeting 20 may then be extended between the three conduits 14, providing an economical means of protecting the vines. In a further aspect, the lengths of wire and the wooden posts may be replaced by a series of fiberglass or plastic rods that are bent into an arch shape, with each end inserted into the ground. Further still, they may be replaced with a series of star posts that are driven, into the ground such that the conduit can then be placed over the star post and bent into an arch shape.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, where a further exemplary aspect of the clip is illustrated. Just as before, this clip 100 is adapted to secure a sheet 130 of material to length of a HDPE conduit 114 of the type that is commonly used for irrigation purposes. The HDPE conduit 114 has been extruded with a ^' continuous slot 116 in it, so as to define a pair of oppositely positioned edges 1 16a and 1 16b.

The cliplOO has a cross-sectional shape including a v shaped body with two legs 102 and 104 joined at a common vertex at the legs respective first ends, each leg having a grooved portion 106 in the outer side of the leg, proximate to the second end of the leg. The sheet of plastic 130 is placed over the slot in the conduit, and the body of the clip is then passed through the slot 116 in the conduit by simultaneously forcing the legs 102 and 104 of the clip 100 together, and expanding the slot 116 in the conduit 114. This insertion operation pulls the sheet materials 30 into the conduit 114 with it until the v~shaped body of the clip has been accepted within the conduit, and the grooved ends 106 on the legs of the clip have captured and retained the open ends 116a and b of the conduit on either side of the slot 116 in the conduit Once insertion has been completed, ^• ■ the clip will have secured the sheeting between its grooved portions 106 and the edges 1 16a and 1 16b of the slot 116.

It -is considered that the clip and retention system according to the present invention would be of considerable use to those in the horticultural and building industries, where it is desirable to cover a large area with a sheet material quickly and relatively cheaply. More specifically, it is considered that it will be of particular use in vineyards, where it is desirable to cover and uncover the vines ii as necessary, quickly and cheaply, or indeed in the construction of pergolas, shade sails or even pool or dam covers.

Throughout this specification the purpose has been to illustrate the invention and not to limit this.