It is one object of the invention to provide such a device which is easy to install and provides a reliable fixing.

According to the invention in one aspect there is provided a support clip for holding an elongate element in engagement with a support member, the clip comprising a strap member comprising an arm to surround and engage the elongate element, the strap member being secured or securable to a base member adapted to engage the support member by a part rotational movement.

In a more specific aspect there is provided a support clip for holding one or more elongate elements in engagement with a support member, the support member comprising a channel section profile having opposed side walls which have inturned ledges, the base member being adapted to straddle the profile of the support member and having depending feet to engage the outside of the side walls of the profile, a key hole being present in the base member; the strap member comprising a circlip portion having a bottom arm and a top arm which are joined together at one side by a hinge portion and at the other side by releasable engagement means, the arms being releasable to allow reception of the elongate element, the strap member also having a foot portion depending from the bottom part which is adapted to pass through the key hole in the base member, and being arranged on rotation of the strap member to securely engage the underside of the inturned ledges of the support member.

Preferably the releasable engagement means comprise a series of grooves present in the free end of one arm of the strap member, and at least one complementary tooth present on the free end of the other arm, which, when urged together form a secure engagement.

Preferably supplementary means are present to hold the ends of both arms of the strap members in an engaged condition. Preferably, the supplementary means comprise a finger overlying the area of engagement of the arms on the outside of the clip and which is rooted to one arm at a location remote from the area of engagement. Preferably the supplementary means is reinforced with a rib extending along the outer face of the finger. In a preferred feature the supplementary means is narrower in width than the arm portion to which it is rooted.

In another aspect the invention provides a method of mounting a support clip onto a support member, the support member comprising a channel section profile having opposed side walls which have inturned ledges, the clip comprising a base member for attaching the clip to the support member, and a strap member to encircle and hold at least one elongate element, the base member being adapted to straddle the profile of the support member and having depending feet to engage the outside of the side walls of the profile, a key hole being present in the base member, the strap member comprising a circlip portion having a bottom arm and a top arm which are joined together at one side by a hinge portion and at the other side by releasable engagement means, the arms being releasable to allow reception of the elongate element, the strap member also having a foot portion depending from the bottom arm which is adapted to pass through the key hole in the base member, the method comprising the steps of : * placing the base member over the mouth of the profile of the support member; adding the strap member to the base portion by inserting the foot portion of the strap member into the key hole of the base member; * rotating the strap member through 90° to engage the base of the foot portion with the inturned ledges of the profile of the support member to engage and lock the clip to the profile; * inserting the elongate element into the open strap portion; and engaging the free ends of the arms of the strap member to encircle the elongate element.

Preferably the base member is placed over the mouth of the profile by sliding the base member along the support member from one end, or by pivoting the base member about one wall of the profile to latchingly engage the opposite side wall of the profile.

Preferably the free ends of the arms of the strap member are engaged by urging the free end of a first arm having a series of grooves over the free end of a second arm which has at least one complementary tooth, and which is securely engaged in one of the grooves in the first arm.

In another aspect the invention provides a support clip for holding one or more elongate element in engagement with a support member, the support member comprising a threaded bar, the strap member comprising a circlip portion having a bottom arm and a top arm which are joined together at one side by a hinge portion and at the other side by releasable engagement means, the arms being releasable to allow reception of the elongate element; the base member having a wall extending generally tangentially to the base of the bottom arm of the circlip portion and having two end portions, each incorporating a threaded portion for engagement with the threaded support member, the threaded portions being diametrically opposite.

Preferably the releasable engagement means of the clip just defined comprise a series of grooves present in the free end of one arm of the strap member, and at least one complementary tooth present on the free end of the other arm, which, when urged together form a secure engagement.

In yet another aspect the invention provides a method of mounting a support slip onto a support member, the support member comprising a threaded bar, the clip comprising a strap member to encircle and hold at least one elongate element, and a base member for attaching the clip to the support member, the strap comprising a circlip portion having a bottom arm and a top arm which are joined together at one side by a hinge portion and at the other side by releasable engagement means, the arms being releasable to allow reception of the elongate element; the base member having a wall extending generally tangentially to the base of the bottom arm of the circlip portion and having two end portions, each incorporating a threaded portion for engagement with the threaded support member, the threaded portions being diametrically opposite; the method comprising advancing the clip to be threaded with the base portion at an angle to the major axis of the threaded support, and then rotating the clip until the end portions lie parallel to the major axis and engage the thread of the threaded support member.

Preferably, the free ends of the arms of the strap member are engaged.

Preferably the support member is located adjacent a ceiling and at least one elongate element is threaded therefrom using the clip.

In yet another aspect the invention provides a support clip for holding one or more elongate element in engagement with a support member, the support member comprising a channel section profile having opposed side walls which have inturned ledges, the strap member comprising a bottom part and a top part which, when together, define at least two generally parallel sockets to receive elongate elements, the bottom part and the top part being joined together at one side by a hinge portion, and at the other side by releasable engagement means, the arms being releasable to allow reception of the elongate elements, the strap member also comprising a foot portion depending from the bottom part; the base member being adapted to straddle the profile of the support member and having depending feet to engage the outside of the side walls of the profile, a key hole also being present in the base member; the foot portion of the strap member being adapted to pass through the key hole in the base member, and being arranged on rotation of the strap member to securely engage the underside of the inturned ledges of the support member.

Preferably the releasable engagement means comprise a series of grooves present in the free end of one arm of the strap member, and at least one complementary tooth present on the free end of the other arm, which, when urged together form a secure engagement.

Preferably the upper edge of the top part of the strap member is generally flat and inclined towards the engagement means.

Preferably the sockets are of different diameters. Most preferably the diameter of the socket adjacent the hinge portion is the smaller or smallest.

In yet another aspect the invention provides a method of mounting a support clip onto a support member, the support member comprising a channel section profile having opposed side walls which have inturned ledges, the clip comprising a base member for attaching the clip to the support member, and a strap member to encircle and hold at least one elongate element, the base member being adapted to straddle the profile of the support member and having depending feet to engage the outside of the side walls of the profile, a key hole being present in the base member; the strap member comprising a bottom part and a top part which, when together, define at least two generally parallel sockets to receive elongate elements, the bottom part and the top part being joined together at one side by a hinge portion and at the other side by releasable engagement means, the arms being releasable to allow reception of the elongate element, the strap member also having a foot portion which is adapted to pass through the key hole in the base member, the method comprising the steps of : * placing the base member over the mouth of the profile of the support member; * adding the strap member to the base portion by inserting the foot portion of the strap member into the key hole of the member; 'rotating the strap member through 90° to engage the base of the foot portion with the inturned ledges of the profile of the support member to engage and lock the clip to the profile; * inserting at least two elongate elements into the open strap portion; and * engaging the free ends of the arms of the strap member to encircle at least two elongate elements.

Preferably the base member is placed over the mouth of the profile by sliding the base member along the support member from one end, or by pivoting the base member about one wall of the profile to latchingly engage the opposite side wall of the profile.

Preferably wherein the free ends of the arms of the strap member are engaged ,,- by urging the free end of a first arm having a series of grooves over the free end of a second arm which has at least one complementary tooth which is securely engaged in one of the grooves in the first arm In yet another aspect the invention provides a support clip for holding one or more elongate element in engagement with a support member, the support member comprising a threaded bar, the clip comprising a strap member and a base member, the base member comprising a bottom part and a top part which, when together, define at least two generally parallel sockets to receive elongate elements, the bottom part and the top part being joined together at one side by a hinge portion, and at the other side by releasable engagement means, the arms being releasable to allow reception of the elongate elements; the base member having a wall extending generally tangentially to the base of the bottom part of the strap member, and having two end portions, each incorporating a threaded portion for engagement with the threaded support member, the threaded portions being diametrically opposite.

In yet another aspect the invention provides a method of mounting a support clip onto a support member, the support member comprising a threaded bar; the clip comprising a strap member and a base member, the trap member comprising a bottom part and a top part which, when together, define at least two parallel sockets to receive elongate elements, the bottom part and the top part being joined at one side by a hinge portion, and at the other side by releasable engagement means, the arms being releasable to allow reception of the elongate elements; the base member having a wall extending generally tangentially to the base of the bottom part of the strap member and having two end portions, each incorporating a threaded portion for engagement with the threaded support member, the threaded portions being diametrically opposite; the method comprising advancing the clip to be threaded with the base portion at an angle to the major axis of the threaded support, and then rotating the clip until the end portions lie parallel to the major axis and engage the thread of the threaded support member.

The invention further includes each and every feature variation and modification applied to one clip described herein when applied to each and every other clip disclosed herein.

In order that the invention may be well understood it will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of the base member of one clip of the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line II-II on Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the strap member of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective of the clip of Figures 1 to 3, assembled to a length of profile; Figure 5 is a perspective view from one side of a support clip of a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is an elevation of the strap member of the support clip of Figure 5 in the open condition; Figure 7 is a partial elevation of one arm of the strap member of the support clip of Figure 5 drawn to an enlarged scale; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the support clip of Figure 5 connected to a profile taken from a side opposite that of Figure 5; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the support clip of the invention in the open condition; Figure 10 is an elevation of the support clip shown in Figure 9; Figure 11 is an elevation as in Figure 10 but in the closed condition; Figure 12 is a plan view of the base member of Figure 10; Figure 13 is an elevation of the base member of Figure 10; Figure 14 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the clip of the invention; Figure 15 is an elevation of the support clip of Figure 14; Figure 16 is a side elevation of the support clip of Figure 14; Figure 17 is an underside view of support clip of Figure 14; Figure 18 is a sectional view along the line A-A on Figure 15; Figure 19 is an enlarged sectional view along line A-A of Figure 15, also showing the threaded support member in a first position; Figure 20 is an enlarged sectional view along the line A-A of Figure 15, showing the threaded support member in a second position; Figures 21 and 22 are respectively a perspective view and a side elevation showing a fifth embodiment of support clip of the invention; Figure 23 is an elevation of the sixth embodiment of the support clip of the invention.

The support clip 1 shown in Figures 1 to 4 comprises a base member 2 and a strap member 3. The base member 2 comprises a rectangular top 4 having two feet 5 depending from the shorter sides along slightly converging planes.

A keyhole slot 6 is present as are two shoulders 7 on the sides thereof.

The strap member 3 comprises a base 8 on top of which there is a circlip 9.

The circlip 9 comprises two arms 10a, 10b, which are connected at one side by a hinge portion 14 and at the other side by releasable engagement means l la, l lb. The circlip 9 is shaped to surround an elongate pipe, not shown. A shank 15 depends from the base 8 of the strap member 3 and ends in a leg portion 16 shaped to pass through the keyhole slot 6. The leg portion 16 has diametrial side feet 17.

As shown in Figure 4, the support 18 is a channel section metal profile having a floor 19 and two upstanding side walls 20. The inner edges of the side walls 20 are turned inward to define ledge portions 21. The profile is usually connected to a wall, not shown, by bolts or the like passed through the floor of the profile 19.

In use, the base member 2 is placed over the mouth 22 of the profile, either being slid on from the end or by being pivoted about one side wall 20 latchingly to engage the other. This action draws the two side walls 20 together to ensure accurate mutual alignment; and the engagement of the base member 2 with the side walls 20 will stop the clip 1 sliding along the profile at this stage. The strap member 3 is then added, the shank 15 being inserted into the keyhole 6 and rotated through 90° to engage the feet 5 with the underside of the ledges 21. This engages and locks the clip 1 to the profile.

The shoulders 7 help lock the strap member 3 in the keyhole 6. A secure connection has been formed. Because the base member 2 is first connected to the profile of the support member 18 there is no risk that in making the connection an undue force which would tend to pull the profile away from the underlying wall, will be applied.

The support clip 101 shown in Figures 5 to 8 comprises a base member 102 and a strap member 103. The base member 102 comprises a rectangular base 104 having two feet 105 depending from the shorter sides along slightly converging planes. A keyhole slot 106 is present in the base member 102.

The strap member 103 comprises a base 108, on the top of which there is a circlip 109 having two arms 110a, 110b which are connected by a hinge portion 114 at one side and by releasable engagement means 11 la, l l lb at the other side to permit the insertion of an elongate element. The free engageable end llla of one armllOa includes a series of grooves 112 and the other free engageable end lllb has one complementary tooth 113. When the arms 110a, lllb are urged together the tooth 113 is received in one of the grooves 112. A generally L-shaped finger 123 is rooted to the arm 1 10b of the circlip 109 a short distance away from the tooth 113. The finger 123 extends generally parallel and is spaced a short distance outwardly away from the arm 1 lOb. The finger 123 is relatively rigid so that the free end 11 la of the second arm 110a must be urged forcibly into the space between the arm 110b and finger 123 for engagement of the free ends 11 la and lllb. A reinforcing rib 124 is present on the outside of the finger 123 along its longitudinal axis to further rigidify the finger 123. When engaged the tooth 113 of the end portion 11 lb is received in one of the grooves 112 of end portion 11 la. The particular groove 112 selected is determined by the diameter of the pipe or other elongate element. A shank 115 depends from the base 108 of the strap member 103 and ends in a leg portion 116 shaped to pass through the keyhole slot 106.

The leg portion 116 has diametrial side feet 117.

In use, the base member 102 is placed over the mouth 122 of a channel section profile either being slid on from the end or by being pivoted about one side wall 120 latchingly to engage the other side wall 120. The profile has inturned ledges 121. This action draws the two side walls 120 together to ensure accurate mutual alignment. The engagement of the base member 102 with side walls 120 will stop the clip 101 from sliding along the profile at this stage. The strap member 103 is then added, the shank 115 being inserted into the keyhole 106 and rotated through 90° to engage the feet 105 with the underside of the ledges 121. This engages and locks the clip 101 to the profile.

Because the base member 102 is first connected to the profile of the support member 118 there is no risk that in making the connection an undue force, which would tend to pull the profile away from the underlying wall, will be applied.

The (pipe or other long element) is inserted in the strap portion 103 when the circlip 109 is open. The ends llla, lllb are engaged to circle the pipe. To do this the end llla must be inserted in the gap between the end 111 b and the overlying underneath surface of the finger 123. (The finger 123 may be urged away for this purpose). The connection is secure, and the finger 123 reinforces it to prevent accidental release, even if an insulating foam sleeve present on the pipe exerts a strong radially outward force.

If the need arises to remove the pipe it is necessary to prise away the free end of the finger 123 enough distance to raise the end llla off the tooth 113.

Because the arms 110a, 110b are flexible one can push the arm 110a to the side of the end lllb until it is beyond the perimeter of the finger 123 after which the arm 110a can be lifted away.

The support clip 201 shown in Figures 9 to 13 comprises a base member 202 and a strap member 203. The base member 202 comprises a rectangular base 204 having two feet 205 depending from the shorter sides along slightly converging planes. A keyhole slot 206 is present in the rectangular base 204 of the base member 202.

The strap member 203 comprises a top arm 210a and a bottom arm 210b.

The inner edges of the top arm 210a and the bottom arm 210b are formed into three sets of ridges 225 and furrows 226 which, when the top arm 210a and bottom arm 210b are closed together as in Figure 11, define three sockets 227a, 227b and 227c. The top arm 210a and bottom arm 210b of the strap member 203 are connected at one side by a hinge portion 214, and at the other side by releasable engagement means 211a, 211b. The free engageable end 211A of the top arm 210a includes a groove 212 and the other free engageable end 211b has one complementary tooth 213. When the arms 210a, 210b are urged together the tooth 213 is received in the groove 212. A shank 215 depends from the base 208 of the strap member 203 and ends in a leg portion 216 shaped to pass through the keyhole slot 206. The leg portion 216 has diametrial side feet 217.

The sockets 227a, 227b and 227c are of different diameter, the smallest 227a, being located adjacent to the hinge portion 214, the diameter of the sockets 227a, 227b, 227c increasing towards the engagement means 21 la, 221b.

In use, the base member 202 is placed over the mouth 222 of a channel section profile either being slid on from the end or by being pivoted about one side wall 220 latchingly to engage the other side wall 220. The profile has inturned ledges 221. This action draws the two side walls 220 together to ensure accurate mutual alignment. The engagement of the base member 202 with side walls 220 will stop the clip 201 from sliding along the profile at this stage. The strap member 203 is then added, the shank 215 being inserted into the keyhole 206 and rotated through 90° to engage the feet 205 with the underside of the ledges 221. This engages and locks the clip 201 to the profile.

Because the base member 202 is first connected to the profile of the support member 118 there is no risk that in making the connection an undue force, which will tend to pull the profile away from the underlying wall, will be applied.

The support clip 301 shown in Figures 14 to 20 comprises a base member 302 and a strap member 303. The base member is shown in greater detail in Figures 15 to 18. A wall 328 extends tangentially to part of the base 308 of the strap member 303. A tubular socket shown in Figure 16 extends from the wall 328 and comprises two generally U-section portions 329a and 329b at the ends of the wall 328 with a gap in between. The U-section end portions 329a and 329b are in opposite rotation relative to each other, and lie on a common axis as shown in Figures 17 and 18. The internal bight of the U-section of both end portions 329a and 329b is partially threaded 330 to engage a threaded support element 331 e. g. a bar to be passed therethrough. The threaded sections 330 of end portions 329a and 320b are diametrically opposite each other, as clearly shown in Figure 18.

The strap member 303 comprises a circlip 309 having two arms 310a and 310b connected at one side by a hinge portion 314 and at the other side by releasable engagement means 311a, 311b. The free engageable end 31 la of one arm 310a includes a series of grooves 312 and the other free engageable end 311b has one complementary tooth 313. When the arms 310a, 310b are urged together the tooth 313 is received in one of the grooves 312. When engaged the tooth 313 of the end portion 311b is received in one of the grooves 312 of end portion 311a. The particular groove 312 selected is determined by the diameter of the pipe or other elongate element. A shank 315 depends from the base 308 of the strap member 303 and ends in a leg portion 316 shaped to pass through the keyhole slot 306. The leg portion 316 has diametrial side feet 317.

A generally L-shaped finger 323 is rooted to the arm 310b of the circlip 309 a short distance away from the tooth 313. The finger 323 extends generally parallel to arm 310b and is spaced a short distance outwardly away from the arm 310b. The finger 323 is relatively rigid so that the free end 311a of the second arm 310a must be urged forcibly into the space between the arm 310b and finger 323 for engagement of the free ends 31 la and 311b. A reinforcing rib 324 is present on the outside of the finger 323 along its longitudinal axis to further rigidify the finger 323.

The circlip 309 and base portion 302 are connected by a bridge portion made up of two narrow bridging arms 332a, 332b. The arms 332a, 332b are spaced a short distance apart to provide a degree of flexibility between the circlip 309 and the base portion 302 for easy installation. In use, and shown in Figures 19 and 20, the support clip 301 is advanced towards a threaded bar 331 with the base portion 302 held at an angle to the major axis of the bar 331 to cause the bar 331 to be received in the gap between the two U-shaped end portions 329a and 329b.

The support clip 301 then is rotated in an anticlockwise direction (as shown in Figure 20) to align the base portion 302 with the longitudinal axis of the bar 331, which brings the threaded faces 330 of the two U-section end portions 329a and 329b into engagement with the threads of the bar 331. The engagement is secure because it is on both sides of the bar 331 and longitudinally spaced apart.

Generally the support clip 301 is formed as one integral unit, usually by moulding of plastics material.

The support clip 401 shown in Figures 21 and 22 comprises a base member 402 and a strap member 403. The strap member comprises a circlip 409 having two arms 410a and 410b which are connected at one side by a hinge portion 414 and at the other side by releasable engagement means 411a, 411b to permit the insertion of an elongate element. The free engageable end 41 la of one arm 410a includes a series of grooves 412 and the other free engageable end 411b has one complementary tooth 413. When the arms 410a, 410b are urged together the tooth 413 is received in one of the grooves 412. A generally L-shaped finger 423 is rooted to the arm 410b of the circlip 409 a short distance away from the tooth 413. The finger 423 extends generally parallel to arm 410b and is spaced a short distance outwardly away from the arm 410b.

The finger 423 is relatively rigid so that the free end 411 a of the second arm 410a must be urged forcibly into the space between the arm 410b and finger 423 for engagement of the free ends 41 la and 411b. A reinforcing rib 424 is present on the outside of the finger 423 along its longitudinal axis to further rigidify the finger 423. When engaged the tooth 413 of the end portion 41 lb is received in one of the grooves 412 of end portion 411a. The particular groove 412 selected is determined by the diameter of the pipe or other elongate element. A shank 415 depends from the base 408 of the strap member 403 and ends in a leg portion 416 shaped to pass through the keyhole slot 406.

The leg portion 416 has diametrial side feet 417. The support clip operates in the manner described in the embodiments of Figures 14 to 20 and Figures 21 and 22.

A sixth embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 23. The base portion 502 comprises a wall 528 which extends generally tangentially to part of the lower surface of the strap member 503, and a tubular socket extends from the wall 528 comprising two generally U-section portions 529a and 529b. The U- section portions 529a and 529b are in opposite rotation relative to each other, and lie on a common axis. The internal bight of the U-section of both portions 529a and 529b is partially threaded 530 to engage a threaded support member 531 e. g. a bar to be passed therethrough. The threaded sections 530 of the U-section portions 529a and 529b are diametrically opposite each other.

In use, the support clip 501 is advanced towards a threaded bar 531 with the base member 502 held at an angle to the major axis of the bar 531, to cause the bar 531 to be received in a gap between the U-section portions 529a and 529b. The support clip 501 is then rotated to align the base member 502 with the longitudinal axis of the bar 531, which brings the threaded faces 520 of the U-section portions 529a and 529b into engagement with the threads of the bar 531. The engagement is secure because it is on both sides of the bar 531 and longitudinally spaced.

The support clips 301 and 501 are generally formed as one integral unit, usually by moulding of plastics material.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. The materials used and attachment of the strap member may be varied. The base member may be adapted for attachment to support members of different cross sections. The strap member may not be hinged and the ends of the strap may be fastened in ways different from that shown.

This invention is particularly useful in making connections in difficult locations, e. g. in high ceilings or the like.