Patent ID: 9494258
Filing Date: 2016-11-15
CPC Classification: F16L

Claim Text:
1. A clip assembly configured to securely connect at least one tubular member to a structure, the clip assembly comprising: a base connected to one or more lateral walls; at least one tube cradle connected to one or both of the base and the one or more lateral walls, wherein the at least one tube cradle defines a tube-receiving channel configured to receive the at least one tubular member; and at least one tube-retaining locking arm configured to securely retain the at least one tubular member within the tube-receiving channel, wherein the at least one tube-retaining locking arm is configured to flex toward the one or more lateral walls as the at least one tubular member is inserted into the tube-receiving channel, wherein the at least one tube-retaining locking arm securely connects to the one or more lateral walls when the at least one tubular member is received within the tube-receiving channel to securely retain the at least one tubular member within the tube-receiving channel, wherein the at least one tube-retaining locking arm forms a triangular retainer with respect to the one or more lateral walls when the at least one tubular member is received within the tube-receiving channel, wherein the at least one tube-retaining locking arm includes a catch at a distal end, wherein the catch moves from a disconnected state in relation to the one or more lateral walls into a connected state with the one or more lateral walls when the at least one tubular member is received within the tube-receiving channel, wherein the at least one tube-retaining locking arm comprises: (a) an apex directly connected to and directly extending from the one or more lateral walls, (b) a canted extension beam that downwardly angles from the apex toward a central axial plane of the clip assembly without user intervention when the at least one tubular member is outside of the tube-receiving channel; and (c) a tube-contacting beam extending back from the canted extension beam toward the one or more lateral walls without user intervention, wherein the tube-receiving channel is configured to receive the at least one tubular member when the canted extension beam downwardly angles from the apex toward the central plane of the clip assembly and the tube-contacting beam extends back from the canted extension beam toward the one or more lateral walls when the at least one tubular member is outside of the tube-receiving channel.