Universal horizontal and vertical siding clip

A universal plastic siding clip for attaching cables and wires to the outside of a building. The siding clip includes cooperating cable retention mechanisms for both horizontal cable spans and vertical cable drops thereby permitting the use of a single fastener for either or both types of cable runs. The retention mechanisms are spaced to avoid cable interference where both cable types are utilized and, further, to position horizontal cables closer to the wall surface thus making use of the intrinsic protection offered by overlapping siding planks while the vertical runs are spaced sufficiently outwardly from the wall surface to avoid interference with such overlapping planks. Cable recesses are provided to permit multiple and widely varying cable cross-sections and diameters in a single clip model. Further, the clip may be injection molded using simplified tooling without movable core members, side actions and similar apparatus that otherwise increases manufacturing costs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to plastic clips for the retention of 
electrical wires and cabling against, generally, the exterior surface of a 
building. More specifically, the present clip falls within the family of 
fasteners intended to attach such wires and cables to a building surface 
without screws, nails or otherwise defacing the surface. 
One common form of exterior siding comprises plural aluminum sections or 
wood planks arranged horizontally and in overlapping fashion. The 
interlace between adjacent sections defines a recess or receptacle into 
which a flanged (or barbed) portion of a clip may be inserted by urging 
the clip perpendicularly into the recess thereby securing same to the wall 
surface. Although not as common, siding may also be arranged in vertical 
sections. Whether vertical or horizontal, the recesses defined between 
adjacent sections are unidirectional, i.e. parallel, as are the 
corresponding, although perpendicular, paths for clip insertion. Thus, for 
any given wall surface, all siding clips must be inserted in the same 
direction. 
It will be appreciated that this limitation restricts the placement of 
siding clips by forcing all siding clips to be oriented in a single, 
common direction. As most known clips are designed to receive wires or 
cables in a single orientation with respect thereto, multiple clip models 
are generally required--so-called horizontal and vertical clips--where 
both lateral as well as drop cable runs are contemplated. The present 
invention, on the other hand, pertains to a universal clip arrangement 
suitable for use on an aluminum or other planked siding having 
unidirectional, longitudinal interfaces therebetween while facilitating 
the retention of wires and cables oriented vertically, horizontally, or 
both. 
A further limitation of many known clip structures is the relatively 
limited range of wire and cable sizes that any given clip can accommodate. 
Thus, a family of clip sizes must be provided, and, for each mounting 
orientation. By contrast, the present clip incorporates conventional cable 
ties for wire attachment (to the clip body portion) which ties, in turn, 
permit retention of a wide range of cable cross-sections. And further 
flexibility can be realized by selecting cable tie sizes according to the 
number and diameter of cables requiring attachment. 
Clips employing cable ties for wire attachment are not unknown. One such 
clip, for example, is the anchor sold under the TAPIN trademark by 
Illinois Tool Works. This clip, however, is literally nailed to a wall 
surface thereby causing the associated problems of wall defacement and 
surface breach. The present clip does not, in the first instance, employ a 
surface-breach mounting arrangement. Further, the clip described herein 
permits retention of vertical as well as horizontal cable spans and, 
importantly, both spans may be accommodated with a single clip structure. 
The lower portion of the clip (i.e. the portion closest to the wall 
surface) advantageously provides the support and retention of cables 
oriented generally parallel to the longitudinal siding sections or planks. 
In most installations these will be horizontal cable `spans`. More 
specifically, a cantilever armature member facilitates the "side-loading" 
attachment of cables to the clip body (using, as previously noted, a cable 
tie around the cables and armature member) whereby the cable tie may be 
cut or slipped-off the armature thereby allowing the installation, 
removal, replacement, and/or repositioning of horizontal cable spans 
without the necessity for a corresponding replacement or repositioning of 
a previously installed clip or any vertical cables connected thereto. 
A further feature of the side-loading attachment is the orientation of the 
wire or cable adjacent the clip and immediately proximate the wall 
surface. In this manner the cable is positioned in the recessed region 
generally found at the interface between adjacent siding sections and 
protected by the raised portion of siding defined by the overlapping of 
one section on the other. 
A wholly different "top-loading" retention is proposed for the vertical or 
"drop" cables that, in the first instance, spaces apart the respective 
horizontal and vertical cables (where the present clip is employed to 
advantageously position and attach cables in both orientations) while, 
secondly, positioning the drop cable sufficiently above the wall surface 
to assure that such cable will clear the ridges created by the previously 
discussed overlapping of adjacent siding sections. It will again be 
appreciated that the vertical drop cables may be attached or reattached to 
an installed clip without need for clip or horizontal wire removal or 
repositioning. 
Both clip cable retention regions define contours or channels against or 
through which the respective span and drop cables are directed. These 
contours are importantly dimensioned and contoured to permit clip use with 
the widest possible range of cable and wire types and sizes. 
The present clip is further and advantageously designed to facilitate the 
greatest economy in manufacture. Specifically, the clip is preferably 
fabricated utilizing conventional plastic injection molding technology 
and, to the end of further economy, the present clip--although being of 
complex design by reason of its treatment of orthogonal cables (i.e. along 
"x" and "y" axes) and spacing of such cables in yet a third dimension 
(i.e. along the "z" axis)--is designed whereby the molds may be of the 
simple parting type, that is, where complex and expensive side actions, 
lifters, slide locks, or similar tooling systems are not required. In this 
manner the tool is not only cheaper in its original manufacture, but less 
expensive to maintain, less likely to fail or require maintenance, and may 
be cycled more rapidly. 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a siding clip 
for the retention of wires and cables against exterior wall surfaces that 
is economical to fabricate and effortless to install; that does not deface 
the wall surfaces on which it is mounted; provides for the retention of 
cables of multiple orientations, in particular horizontal and vertical; 
has the capability of retaining both such cables simultaneously; 
accommodates cables of widely varying cross-section and size; permits the 
attachment and reattachment of cables without a corresponding need to 
reposition or reattach the clip or other cables; positions cables close to 
the wall and in sheltered, protected relationship thereto, but spaces 
cables away from the wall as required to effect cable crossings and to 
avoid siding interferences for cables oriented transversely to the siding 
sections or planks; and, facilitates the manufacture thereof in an 
economical manner. 
These and other objects are more fully explicated in the drawings, 
specification, and claims that follow.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
FIG. 1 illustrates the universal siding clip 10 of the present invention 
installed between adjacent and adjoining aluminum, wood or similar 
horizontal planking members 12. Clip 10 is retained by sliding an 
appropriately dimensioned barbed tab member into the recess defined 
between adjacent siding planks 12. FIGS. 2 and 2a illustrate alternative 
short and long barbed flange or foot members 14 and 16, respectively, 
again, selected according to the requirements of the particular wall 
siding material employed. 
FIG. 1 further illustrates the universal character of the present clip 10 
wherein both a vertical or `drop` cable 18 and a horizontal or `span` 
cable 20 may be accommodated and attached to the wall surface utilizing a 
single retaining clip 10. 
Referring to FIG. 2, clip 10 is shown positioned on the outer wall surface 
with its integral foot member 14 captured within the recess 22 defined 
between the adjacent and overlapping upper and lower siding planks 12a and 
12b, respectively. As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the height of clip 
10--defined generally as the distance from the base or foot member 14,16 
of the clip to the end of the cradle portion 26--is advantageously 
selected to effect the `stand-off` of vertical `drop` cable 18, that is, 
to position cable 18 sufficiently outwardly of the wall surface (leftward 
as viewed in FIG. 2) such that mechanical interference between the 
vertically oriented cable 18 and the respective lateral upper planks 12a 
is thereby avoided. Note, in particular, the positioning of cable 18 with 
respect to the point of furthest outward extension 28 of plank 12a. 
Vertical drop cable 18 is top-mounted to clip 10 through the employment of 
a conventional cable tie 30 which, in turn, is threaded through a channel 
32 defined and integrally formed within clip 10 during the molding 
thereof. The curved outer surface 33 (FIG. 3) of cradle 26 serves to 
securely restrain and retain the cable 18 in the cradle while facilitating 
attachment of cables of widely varying diameters and cross-sectional 
contours. Cables 18 may be removed or additional or multiple cables may be 
positioned within the top cradle area, without need to replace or 
reinstall clip 10, by the simple replacement of the cable tie 30 
associated therewith. 
Cradle 26 is supported in its position above channel 32 by three support 
members including opposed support legs 27 on one side of the channel and 
by the third support leg 29 on the other side of channel 32. Although 
other support arrangements may be employed, for example the cantilever 
armature of the horizontal cable attachment described below, use of the 
three support legs 27,29 has been found to provide excellent strength 
characteristics while not interfering with the desired objective of 
inexpensive, simple-tool injection molding. It will be observed that the 
three legs are oriented and dimensioned such that a simple parting mold 
(i.e. without core members or side actions) may be employed with the mold 
halves retracted vertically outwardly (as viewed in FIG. 4) to release the 
clip part therein. Line 42 (FIG. 4) illustrates a preferred mold parting 
line to effect clip fabrication. 
It will be appreciated that clip 10 additionally functions in a 
stress-relief, load-bearing capacity by reason of the wedging of foot 
member 14,16 into recess 22 and the corresponding, intrinsic resistance of 
the clip, once so-wedged, to either torsional or lineal movement. 
Horizontal or `span` cables 20 are side-mounted to the lower region of the 
clip, i.e. the region in closer proximity to the clip foot member 14,16 
and the wall surface 12b (toward the right as viewed in FIG. 2). In this 
manner such horizontal cables 20 are inherently protected--generally less 
subjected to wind and precipitation--by the supertending plank 12a 
immediately above and adjacent thereto. 
Conventional cable ties 34 are also employed to secure the horizontal cable 
spans to the clip. More specifically, and as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, 
cable 20 is secured by tie 34 to an integral armature-like cantilever 
member 36 which extends laterally from the clip, in a direction parallel 
to that of the horizontal cable 20 being attached thereto. A raised 
portion or ridge 38 is formed on the distal end of armature 36 to preclude 
the axial movement and disengagement of tie 34 from the armature once 
excess cable tie slack has been removed. It will be appreciated that prior 
to such tightening, the open-ended character of the cantilever armature 36 
permits the removal and reinstallation of the horizontal cable or cable 
bundle onto the clip as required during cable installation. 
Alternatively, where additional strength may be required, a dual supported 
armature may be substituted for the cantilever armature 36 previously 
described. In this alternative arrangement the distal end of armature 36 
will be formed and integrally molded into the clip body in substantially 
the same manner as the proximal end of the clip shown in the figures. 
As best shown in FIG. 2, the horizontal cables 20 are side-mounted to the 
clip thereby facilitating the installation, alteration, and/or removal of 
the cables following insertion of the clip to the wall surface and whether 
or not vertical cable runs have already been installed. The clip is 
contoured and dimensioned in the horizontal cable retention region 40 
adjacent armature 36 (see FIGS. 2 and 2a) to permit retention of cables of 
widely varying cross-section and diameter and to rigidly retain such 
cables, as mentioned, in close proximity to the lower (inner) wall surface 
12b. Specifically, the sloped surface 41 serves to guide and retain plural 
cables and cables of virtually any cross-section and diameter in the cable 
receiving region 40 toward the lower portion of the clip, that is, near 
the wall surface as defined by flange 14,16. 
By reference to the several figures, in particular FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, it can 
be seen that the present clip is advantageously designed to facilitate 
injection molding fabrication without resort to expensive core inserts, 
side actions, slides and/or locks. Dotted line 42 is a preferred mold 
parting line that facilities the above-noted inexpensive mold design. 
Scrutiny of the several figures reveals the carefully developed topology 
of the present clip whereby none of the structural support or other 
members (e.g. legs 27,29 and armature 36) `overlap` in any manner whereby 
a simple, non-cored tool could not be used.