Construction clip

A clip for securing metal plates in walls constructed using masonry blocks. The clip includes a plate portion and a block portion. The block portion has members that form an opening that fits over a member of a masonry block. The plate portion also has members that form an opening that receives and secures a metal plate. When the block portion is placed on the member of a masonry block, the clip holds a metal plate in a fixed position relative to the masonry block. The clip can include notches on an edge of one of the members to more securely hold the clip on the masonry block.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. The Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to construction. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to a construction clip used in the construction of concrete block structures.

2. The Relevant Technology

Cinder or concrete blocks are examples of materials that are frequently used in various construction projects. When a wall, for example, is constructed using concrete blocks, it is often necessary to insert metal plates into the wall at various locations. After the metal plates are inserted into the wall, an angle iron may be welded to the metal plates and used to support another structure such as a ceiling or an overhang.

Inserting the metal plates into the concrete block wall, however, presents several difficulties to construction workers and has an economic cost at least in terms of time. As a basic rule, the metal plates should be flush with the wall surface such that the angle iron can be successfully welded to the metal plates. This requires the metal plates to be properly positioned. The issue faced by construction workers, is ensuring that the metal plates can be properly positioned and then kept in that position until the plates can be permanently secured in place. In other words, the initial insertion of the metal plates is not permanent until other steps are completed. There is therefore a need to temporarily hold the metal plates in the proper position until they are permanently secured in position.

For example, securing the metal plates often requires the use of grout, but the plates need to be held in place until the grout can be added and cured. The concrete blocks may be filled with grout that is used to permanently secure the metal plates in the wall. When the grout is added, however, a vibrator is often used to remove air pockets and the like. The vibrations often have the detrimental effect of knocking out the metal plates. In addition, the pressure of the grout alone can cause the metal plates to become displaced.

Conventionally, wooden wedges are used to secure the metal plates in the concrete block wall while the grout is added and vibrated and often until the grout cures. Wooden wedges, however, are not efficient for many reasons. First, inserting the wooden wedges takes a substantial amount of time in order to insure that the metal plate is properly secured. Even then, the vibrator or the pressure of the grout can cause the metal plates to dislodge. Second, the time it takes to secure the metal plates with conventional wedges has an economic cost as it slows the masonry effort. There is therefore a need for systems and methods that for inserting metal plates into concrete block walls.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other limitations are overcome by embodiments of the invention, which relate to a clip. The clip can be used in construction projects, by way of example, that use masonry blocks such as cinder blocks or concrete blocks to build walls. In certain portions of these walls, metal plates are inserted and used to support another structure.

Each clip can be used to hold a metal plate in a fixed position or location relative to a masonry block until the metal plate is permanently attached. The clip includes a block portion that fits onto a member of the masonry block. The members of the block portion have a width that is substantially equal to a width of the member of the masonry block.

At least one of the members may have an edge with notches, which represent curves protrusions and the like, that enable the block portion to prevent the block portion from slipping on the block or to more securely grasp the block. In addition, the members of the block portion can be expanded or contracted to alter a width between the two members. Thus, one or both members may be flexible yet still retain a sufficient rigidity such that the metal plate is held in a fixed location.

The plate portion also has a pair of members that form an opening that receives a metal plate. These width separated these members can also be expanded or retracted by bending or flexing the members as needed to hold the metal plate securely. Each metal plate can be held in position using, for example a clip on the bottom of the plate and a clip on the top of the plate.

One member of the plate portion and one member of the block portion form a substantially flat surface that is usually flat against the wall. The plate is typically held in a fixed location such that a surface of the plate is flush with the surface of the wall. This enables an angle iron or other metal to be securely fixed to the metal plates that are inserted into the walls using one or more clips.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to construction clips and more particularly to construction clips used to hold metal plates in a fixed location relative to masonry blocks used in construction situations. Typically, the clips hold the metal plates in position until the metal plates are permanently fixed in position. The principles of the present invention are described with reference to the attached drawings to illustrate the structure and operation of example embodiments used to implement the present invention. Using the diagrams and description in this manner to present the invention should not be construed as limiting its scope. Additional features and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious from the description, including the claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. Detailed descriptions of well-known components and other construction techniques are omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the invention in detail. Further, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

FIG. 1illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a construction clip100. The clip100can be used in construction to hold a metal plate in a particular location relative to other masonry blocks in a wall, for example, as the wall is constructed. In this example, the clip100and in particular the block portion102can fit over a portion or a member of a masonry block (such as a cinder block, a concrete block, or other masonry block or brick). A plate portion104receives bottom of a metal plate. As the next few rows of the wall are built, another clip may be used to hold the other member of the metal plate relative to another masonry block. In this manner, the plate is held in place by a pair of clips100and the need to used wedges to hold the metal plate in position is eliminated. Further, the construction of the wall can be performed at a faster pace as the use of a clip takes seconds while using wedges can consume significantly more time. Also, the metal plate is less likely to become displaced from the wall when the grout is added, or when a vibrator is used to settle the grout, for example.

In this example, the clip100includes a block portion102and a plate portion104. The block portion102and the plate portion104can be made of metal and then bonded or welded together at location110. Alternatively, the block portion102and the plate portion104can be molded from another material such as plastic. One of skill in the art can appreciate other adequate materials and other adequate methods of securing the block portion102to the plate portion104.

The block portion102includes a member106, a base116, and a member108. The members106and108along with the base116form a U shaped opening that has a width111between the members106and108. The plate portion104includes a member112, base118and a member114. The members112and114along with the base118also form a U shaped opening that has a width113between the members112and114. The widths111and113can be contracted or expanded by moving one or both members. Typically, the member114of the plate portion104and the member108of the block portion102should present a substantially flush surface or be substantially flat. Thus, the members112and106are usually adjusted to accommodate plates and blocks of varying widths.

In this example, the member106and the member112have some flexibility without losing the ability to securely hold a metal plate. In other words, even after adjusting one or both of the members112and106, these members still have sufficient rigidity to insure that the metal plate is held in a fixed position relative to a masonry block. For example, the members106and/or112may be flexible and can be bent inwards or outwards to accommodate varying sized of concrete blocks and metal plates. Further, the ability to bend a member can enhance the ability of the clip100to secure a metal plate. The members of the plate portion and of the block portion can each create a friction fit. This can secure the clip to both the masonry block and the metal plate. In some instances, a tight fit of the metal plate in the opening of the plate portion is not required and the plate can fit loosely. This is because the members of the clip will prevent the plate from being displaced from the wall after subsequent rows are constructed. Advantageously, the clip100can hold the metal plate in position quickly and efficiently until the metal plate is permanently secured with grout.

The dimensions of the clip100can vary and may be related to a particular construction need. The block portion102and the plate portion114may each have a length109between ⅛ inch to 9 inches. The width113of the plate portion104may be, by way of example, ¾ inches and the width111of the block portion102may be 1 and ¾ inches. The thickness119of the block portion102and the plate portion104can be, by way of example, ⅛ inch. One of skill in the art can appreciate that the clip100is not limited to these dimensions and that they are provided by way of example only. Further, the dimensions of the plate portion104do not have to be the same as the dimensions of the block portion102. For example, the length of the plate portion104can be shorter or longer than a length of the block portion102.

FIG. 2illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a construction clip200. In this example, the clip includes a plate portion216that is securely connected with the block portion214. The surface212is substantially flat as previously described and, when the clip is used in constructing a wall, the surface212is typically flat against the surface of the wall. The surface212is considered to be substantially flat even when the corresponding members on the block portion and the plate portion are not perfectly aligned. In other words, the members of the block portion and the plate portion that make up the surface212may be offset. In certain situations, it may be desirable to have an offset. In some embodiments, these members do not form a substantially flat surface, but are offset. The offset can be determined by particular use. In this case, an edge204of the member205has notches202formed therein. The notches202enable the block portion214to more securely grasp a concrete block as illustrated inFIG. 5, for example. The notches can be pointed or rounded. The notches202are intended to represent any type of protrusion, rib, or ridge that can be formed to provide an edge that more securely grasps a masonry block. The notches202can enhance the ability of the clip100to connect with a masonry block when the clip is placed onto a member of the masonry block.

The edges208,210, and206do not include notches202in this example, but these edges are not precluded from having notches. In one embodiment, the edges210and206do not have notches in order to ensure that the surface212is substantially flat. This enables a front surface of the metal plate to be substantially flush with the wall surface. Notches or ridges on the edge210can result in the metal plate being inset from a surface of the wall. An inset plate cannot be easily secured to an angle iron, as discussed below with reference toFIG. 6.

FIG. 3illustrates a construction clip304that is mounted on a masonry block such as the cinder block300. A cinder block300often has openings302formed therein. The block portion306of the clip304fits over the edge308of a member of the cinder block300. When the clip304is placed in this position, the plate portion310is ready to receive a metal plate in the U shaped opening formed by the members of the plate portion. When the clip304is placed on the side or edge308of the cinder block300, the member of the block portion within the opening302can be moved to more securely attach the clip304to the block300. Alternatively, the width between the members of the block portion306of the clip304can be adjusted such that some force is required to push the clip304onto the side or edge308of the block300. As previously discussed, an edge of the member inside the opening302may have notches to provide a firmer grasp on the block300.

As the wall is built using cinder blocks, and as illustrated inFIG. 4, the metal plates404and402can then be securely held in a wall400in a fixed location relative to surrounding masonry blocks. In this example, the plate404is held by the clips410and412in a fixed location relative to surrounding masonry blocks while the plate402is held by the clips406and408in a fixed location relative to surrounding masonry blocks.

During construction of the wall400, the row410is built and the clips410and408are placed respectively on sides or edges of the blocks416and418as illustrated inFIG. 3. Next, the row412is constructed and a space is left open for the plates404and402. This can be achieved by cutting the masonry blocks or by leaving a space for the metal plates.

Next, the row414is built on top of the row412. At this point, the metal plates are inserted into the plate portions of the clips410and408. Then the plate portions of the clips412and406are placed on the top members of the metal plates404and402. Finally, the blocks420and422are placed and received into the U shaped openings of the block portions of the clips420and422. Once this is done, the plates404and402are held in place. The clips typically hold the metal plates in a manner such that the metal plates are flush with the wall400.

FIG. 5illustrates a member view of a wall that includes a metal plate secured with construction clips.FIG. 5illustrates three blocks526,524, and522that are part of a wall. The plate514has been inserted into the wall and part of the block524has been removed to accommodate the plate514. In this example, the clip518is used to secure a bottom portion of the plate514. The plate portion516receives the bottom of the plate514while the block portion518of the clip508is placed over the member502of the block522.

The clip506is similarly positioned. The plate portion512is placed onto the top portion of the plate514and the block portion504of the clip506receives the member504of the block526. Once the block526is in position, the plate514is unlikely to move and is held in place by the clips506and508.

The clips506and508also hold the plate514in the correct position with respect to the wall. Thus, the front surface of the plate514is properly positioned in the wall and is, in one example, flush with the surface of the wall. The clips can improve the speed with which the wall is constructed because placing the clips onto the blocks requires a minimal amount of time, as opposed to trying to properly position the plate514using wedges.

In this example, the interior space501may be filled, for example, grout. The plate extensions520are then surrounded by the grout. When the grout cures, the plate514is permanently inserted into the wall. As previously stated, a vibrator may be used to eliminate air bubbles from the grout. The clips508and506, however, prevent the plate514from being displaced during vibration or by the pressure exerted by the grout.

In many situations, there is no need to remove the clips. As illustrated inFIG. 6, an angle iron606or other metal may be welded to the metal plates608that are in the row600of cinder or concrete blocks. The clips604and602do not interfere with the ability to weld the iron606to the plates608. In situations where the iron606covers the clips604, the clips604typically burn away during the welding process. In this example, the clips602and604have properly positioned the plates608such that the iron606can be mounted against the row600.

FIG. 7illustrates another example of a construction project. This project includes a wall700that includes multiple plates702inserted or included in the wall700. The plates702are secured by the clips704.