A Panel Attachment Clip

Field of the invention

[001] This invention relates to support brackets such as furring channel clips and the like.

[002] Furring channels and furring channels clips are used to attach panels to structural walls and ceilings. In some instances brackets or panel channels can be used to carry the panels.

Background of the invention

[003] Decorative wall and ceiling panels such as fibre board or plasterboard etc., are fixed to the concrete structural wall or ceiling by the use of clips and frames formed of metal channels or rails. However the structural wall may not provide a level surface, so the decorative panels may not present a smooth, continuous surface because the clips are of fixed lengths and a compromise is required in selecting a clip for a specific location. Furthermore, the design specifications of different buildings may call for the panels to be spaced at different distances from the structural wall. Thus a builder needs to access a supply of different length clips.

Summary of the invention

[004] According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a an adjustable panel support clip adapted to accommodate varying support surface depths.

[005] The adjustable panel support clip can include a channel attachment means and a support means, wherein the support means is adjustable in relation to the attachment means.

[006] Accordingly, the invention provides a panel attachment clip including a rail attachment member and a panel engagement member, the panel engagement member and the rail attachment member being relatively movable to adjust the distance between the panel and the rail.

[007] The panel engagement member can include a panel connexion portion and at least one adjustment post.

[008] The or each adjustment post can include an adjustment slot.

[009] The post can have a roughened surface to increase friction between the panel engagement member and the fastening means.

[010] The panel engagement member can include a substantially planar attachment portion adapted to facilitate attachment to a panel, and a pair of elongate adjustment posts substantially transverse to the attachment portion.

[011] The panel attachment clip can include fastening means to fasten the panel engagement member and the rail attachment member.

[012] The fastening means can include a screw fastener.

[013] The rail attachment member can include a pair of opposed recesses adapted to engage corresponding flanges on a rail.

[014] The recesses can be spaced to form a resilient engagement with the flanges.

[015] The rail attachment member and the panel engagement member can be adapted to form a rail capture enclosure.

[016] The rail attachment member can include one or more slide stabilizing means adapted to limit skewing between the rail attachment member and the panel engagement member.

[017] Each slide stabilizing means can cooperate with a corresponding adjustment post.

[018] A levelling device such as a string level or laser leveller can be used to set the correct position of the connexion member.

[019] The furring channel clip can be made in various sizes to suit channels of differing dimensions. In particular, the width of the clip and/or the length of the adjustment limbs can be varied to suit different channel sizes.

Brief description of the drawings

[020] An embodiment or embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[021] Figure 1 shows a section of a furring channel;

[022] Figure 2 shows a furring channel clip;

[023] Figure 3 shows a cross-runner;

[024] Figure 4 shows a cross-runner clip;

[025] Figure 5 shows a cross-runner and a furring channel.;

[026] Figure 6 illustrates an arrangement including an alternative form of adjustment post;

[027] Figure 7 illustrates a further alternative adjustment post.

Detailed description of the embodiment or embodiments

[028] The invention will be described with reference to a Figure 1 shows a furring channel 100 in the form of a "U" shaped channel having a base 102, and side walls 104, 106. The free ends of the side walls terminate in outwardly extending flanges 108, 110. The ends of the flanges can be folded to provide strength. An attachment clip 111 from a furring channel clip is shown in dashed outline.

[029] Figure 2 shows a furring channel clip 200 having a channel attachment cliρ.211 adjustably connectable to a panel connexion member 201. The connexion member 201 has a connexion base 220 with attachment holes 226 for attachment of a panel. The panel can be screwed and/or glued to the channel.

[030] The attachment clip 211 has a pair of opposed end portions 212 joined by cross-member 216. Each of the end portions 212 includes a threaded hole 214 and an engagement recess 228. The engagement recess 228 is adapted to slidably receive a corresponding flange 108, 110 of the furring channel 100. hi addition, each end portion 212 includes a slide stabilizing extension 213 which is adapted to engage against the slide "pillars" 218 of the panel connexion 201.

[031] The furring channel may be several metres long and its ends may not be accessible to a worker attaching the furring channel clips. However, the furring channel can be made of formed sheet material which has sufficient flexibility to enable the free ends to be pressed inwardly under hand pressure as indicated by arrows 118 so the flanges 108, 110 can engage with the engagement recesses 228.

[032] The panel connexion member 201 has a pair of slide grooves 222 formed in pillars 218. The slide grooves are adapted to align with the screw holes 214 and the clip 211 and connexion member 220 can be fixed together by screws as illustrated by 215.

[033] In operation, the connexion member 201 and the clip member 211 are loosely connected by screws 215 to permit relative movement between the connexion member and the clip. The clip 211 is attached to the furring channel by manually compressing the free ends of the furring channel and forcing the clip 211 over the flanges 108, 110 so the flanges engage with the recesses 228. When the manual force is removed the free ends of the furring channel wall expand and the flanges 108, 110 resiliently engage in the recesses 228. Then the connexion member 201 is sild to the required gap location and the screws 215 are tightened to hold the connexion member and clip in place.

[034] Typically, the furring channel clip adjustment slot may provide adjustment of the order of 20 mm.

[035] A reinforcing ridge 224 can be pressed into the base 220 to improve strength.

[036] Where the support rail is mounted directly on the structural wall, the height of the slide pillars is limited by the depth of the support channel from the wall if the clip is to be set at the minimum distance.

[037] Figure 3 shows a section of a top cross runner 300 in the form of a "U" shaped channel having a base 302 and side walls 304, 306. The free ends of the side walls terminate in flanges 308. The junction of the walls and the base is formed into a projection 310.

[038] Figure 4 illustrates a cross runner clip 400 with a cross runner section .

402 shown in dotted outline. The cross runner clip includes a runner engaging clip 411 slidably engagable with a panel attachment member 401. The engaging clip 411 has apair of opposed end portions 412 with screw holes 414 joined by a cross element 416. One or both the end portions 412 can include a slide stabilizing extension 413 which acts to reduce skewing of the elements 401, 411 while they are being adjusted.

[039] The runner engaging clip 411 includes a trapezoidal projection 429 adapted to engage in the concavity formed between flange 308 and projection 310 of the runner 300. A recess 428 can be provided to engage a flange 308.

[040] The panel engaging member 401 includes a pair of slide "pillars" 418 carrying slots 422, the slots being adapted to align with the threaded holes 414 of the runner clip 411. The base 420 of the panel engaging member 401 is adapted to enable connection of a panel. It includes holes 426. Reinforcing is provided by pressed groove 426.

[041] As shown in Figure 4, the runner clip 400 can be used to enclose the runner 402. The rail attachment member and the panel engagement member are adapted to form a rail capture enclosure.

[042] The adjustment pillars can be longer than the depth of the cross runner.

This applies where the cross runner is mounted on further rails such as furring channels.

[043] Typically, the cross runner clip adjustment slot may provide of the order of 50 mm adjustment.

[044] As shown in Figure 5, the cross runners 540 can be arranged transversely to the furring channels 560. Suitable attachment keys (not shown) can be used to connect the cross runners and the furring channels. The cross runner may be formed of heavier gauge metal than the furring channel.

[045] Figure 6 illustrates an arrangement including an alternative form of connexion between the rail attachment member 662 and the panel engagement member 668. The slide posts 666 are of circular section, and the rail attachment

member 662 includes post loops 664 adapted to fit around at least a portion of the corresponding posts 666 and to be fastened thereto by a screw 670.

[046] While the rail attachment member 662 is shown as a straight member with looped ends, the dashed lines indicate that it can also have the connexion arrangements of the engagement members 211 or 411.

[047] The posts 666 can be affixed to the base 620 by any suitable means such as screw attachment, welding, or other suitable means.

[048] Other shapes can be used for the adjustment posts. For example, Figure

7 illustrates an adjustment post 770 having an angle section which can be formed integrally with the base (not shown) by stamping, pressing, etc. A surface of the post can be roughened as shown at 772. The

[049] Where ever it is used, the word "comprising" is to be understood in its

"open" sense, that, is, in the sense of "including", and thus not limited to its "closed" sense, that is the sense of "consisting only of. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words "comprise", "comprised" and "comprises" where they appear.

[050] It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

[051 ] While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all modifications which would be obvious to those skilled in the art are therefore intended to be embraced therein.