Abstract:
A securement clip device for adjustably securing a first diameter conduit and a second diameter conduit to one another in a parallel, spaced-apart, vibration free relationship. The devices comprises a web of material formed into a first diameter conduit enclosing enclosure and a second diameter conduit enclosing enclosure. The web of material has a first transverse edge and a second transverse edge. The first transverse edge has a lip thereon and the second transverse edge has a plurality of radially inwardly directed lip engaging members thereon to permit size adjustment of the clip device with respect to the first and second conduits.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Background of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates to adjustable clamps and more particularly to clamp devices for attaching a small diameter line to one or more larger diameter lines, conduits or pipes in close proximity thereto.  
         [0003]     2. Prior Art  
         [0004]     Fluid containing lines are used everywhere for conduits in residential and industrial installations. Adjacent lines or conduits are often of different diameters from one another. Adjacent lines, for example those utilized in refrigeration systems connecting a condensing unit and an evaporator coil may run side by side. These lines, however, may vibrate due to their internal pressure, fluid flow or connectivity to a pump or motor source. Securement of these lines is often necessary after those lines have been installed. There is a need, therefore, for clamping devices which are openable to receive any of a plurality of diameter pipes, lines or conduits, and which clamps may be adjustably tightened and then secured to a frame or building support.  
         [0005]     Universal adaptability and a wide range of adjustability is necessary when securing these lines or conduits together and to their surroundings.  
         [0006]     It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.  
         [0007]     It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a clamping arrangement which is adjustable to provide securement between conduits or lines of differing diameters and of different materials to eliminate corrosion therebetween.  
         [0008]     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a clamping arrangement for multiple conduits as well as for adjacent electrical wiring securement.  
         [0009]     It is still yet a further object of the present invention to provide a clamping arrangement which will hold a pair of lines touchingly adjacent to one another for ease of installation and securement, while still providing resistance to corrosion and relative movement therebetween.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     The present invention relates to an adjustable clip or fastener device for securing together a plurality of generally parallel conduits of different diameters and material, to prevent them from interfering with and damaging one another. The clip of the present invention in a first embodiment comprises a generally cylindrically shaped web of material preferably formed from a sheet of flat metallic stock and rolled or formed into that generally cylindrical shape. The web of material has a first transverse edge extending generally longitudinally with respect to the generally cylindrical shape, the first transverse edge having an outwardly directed reverse lip thereon. The reverse lip of the first transverse edge extends generally tangentially to the generally annular periphery of the device. The reverse lip, thus is disposed at an angle of about 15 to 20 degrees with respect to the body of the web.  
         [0011]     An elongated, axially disposed enclosure, of “omega” shape in cross-section, is unitarily formed on a generally mid-portion of the web of the device, at a location thereon preferably generally diametrically across from the reverse lip on the first transverse edge. The omega shaped enclosure has a generally longitudinal axis which is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the securement device. The omega shaped enclosure has a peripheral contour which is greater than 180 degrees about its longitudinal axis to insure captivity of a conduit within that omega shaped enclosure. The omega enclosure is arranged to at least partially wrap around (by more than 180 degrees) a small diameter conduit or collection of small conduits.  
         [0012]     The second transverse edge of the securement device is disposed radially outwardly of the reverse lip of the first transverse edge. The second transverse edge may in a first preferred embodiment, be comprised of a plurality of spaced-apart, longitudinally aligned, inwardly directed folds arranged to function as a selectable flange to engage the outwardly directed lip on the first transverse edge of the securement device. Once the proper fold is anchored under the lip of the first transverse edge, the remaining distal folds (or flanges if the securement device is made from extruded plastic material) may be cut off as necessary.  
         [0013]     In a second preferred embodiment, the second transverse edge may be comprised of a plurality of axially aligned stamped openings, preferably rows of three sided perforations thereon. Those three sided perforations create and define generally radially inwardly directed tangs which provide an array of adjustment securement means for the securement clip. Tangentially directed movement of the second transverse end of the securement clip provides adjustment as to the diameter of the clip as it has been placed about a first or large diameter conduit and a second or smaller diameter conduit which fits within the omega shaped enclosure unitary therewith. The generally radially directed tangs are angled so as to slip behind the reverse lip of the first transverse edge of the securement device to function as a locking and gripping means between the first transverse edge and the second transverse edge.  
         [0014]     In operation of the present embodiment, a small diameter conduit such as a liquid line may be disposed within the omega shaped enclosure and the large diameter conduit such as a gas line, may then be disposed within the larger enclosure portion of the securement device. The second transverse edge would then be pulled tightly around the two adjacent conduits to the necessary set of axially aligned tangs would engage behind the reverse lip on the first transverse edge of the securement device. The omega shaped enclosure would pinchably enclose the small diameter conduit around its circumference by greater than 180 degrees, thus maintaining a separation and hence non-wearing relationship between the large diameter conduit and the small diameter conduit.  
         [0015]     A short length eyelet may be securely attached to an outer peripheral portion of the web of the securement device for passage of an electrical wire therethrough, or for attachment of the securement device to a stationary building support.  
         [0016]     A further embodiment of the securement clip comprises a planar web of flexible material shaped into a generally T-shaped configuration. The T-shaped configuration has a first transverse edge with a reverse lip thereon. The first segment of the transverse edge is formed into a first upper side channel having an adjacent elongated planar backing surface. The elongated planar backing surface extends to a second side thereof, which is formed into a second upper side channel defining a second flip portion of the securement device. The planar web of the securement device extends in a curvilinear matter to form an “omega” shaped conduit enclosure having a longitudinal axis generally in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the securement device. The web on the securement device reverse curves to define a large diameter conduit enclosure having a curvilinear portion extending to a second transverse edge. The second transverse edge in one preferred embodiment has a plurality of axially aligned rows of tangs thereon, which tangs are preferably formed by three sided perforations punched therethrough. Any desired axially aligned row of inwardly directed tangs will, when pulled toward the back portion of the securement device, engage the reversed lip on the first transverse edge of the securement device. In a further preferred embodiment, the tangs are longer than the tangs in the perforation embodiment, but are instead formed from longitudinally spaced apart, longitudinally directed folds, extending the full longitudinal length of the securement device.  
         [0017]     Openings disposed through the first and second side portions or channels will permit a fastener to be disposed through those openings of the securement device and onto a stationary wall or joist or the like. Such securement by a fastener through the side portions will also cause the bending of the first and second sides or channel sections closer towards that wall joist or stationary member to further secure a large diameter conduit within the securement device. Use of the attachment fasteners at the first and second side portions or channels of the fastener device will also pinch the omega shaped conduit around its smaller diameter conduit therein.  
         [0018]     Thus such a securement device is arranged to be adjusted by attachment fasteners as well as by a second transverse edge portion making engagement between inwardly directed tangs of an outwardly curved second transverse edge against an inwardly curved reverse lip on a first transverse portion of the web.  
         [0019]     The invention thus comprises a securement clip device for adjustably securing a first diameter conduit and a second diameter conduit to one another in a parallel, spaced-apart, vibration free relationship. The device comprises a web of material formed into a first diameter conduit enclosing enclosure and a second diameter conduit enclosing enclosure. The web of material has a first transverse edge and a second transverse edge, wherein the first transverse edge has a lip thereon and the second transverse edge has a plurality of lip engaging members thereon to permit size adjustment of the clip device with respect to the first and the second conduits. The lip on the first transverse edge is a reverse flange. The lip on the first transverse edge is arranged generally tangentially thereon with respect to the web. The lip engaging members preferably comprise a plurality of rows of tangs arranged generally radially inwardly. Each of the tangs are preferably a flap formed from a three sided perforation or from a plurality of parallel, spaced apart full length folds of the web. The first diameter conduit enclosing enclosure is preferably of omega shape. The omega shape enclosure preferably wraps around a conduit disposed therein by more than 180 degrees. The web is preferably of generally cylindrical shape in cross-section in a first embodiment thereof.  
         [0020]     The web is generally of T-shape in cross-section in a second embodiment thereof, to permit multiple adjustment capabilities on multiple conduits therein. The second transverse edge in the second embodiment, is curved radially away from the first transverse edge to permit manual adjustment therebetween.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]     The objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent, when viewed in conjunction with the following drawings in which:  
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is an end view of a multi-sized conduit securement device constructed according to the principles of the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the multi-conduit securement device shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of the securement device of the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is a view taken along the lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ; and  
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the multi-sized conduit securement device shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0027]     Referring now to the drawings in detail, and particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown the present invention which comprises an adjustable clip or fastener device  10  for securing together a plurality of generally parallel conduits (C 1  and C 2 ) of different diameters, to prevent them from interfering with and damaging one another.  
         [0028]     The clip device  10  of the present invention in a first embodiment comprises a generally cylindrically shaped web of material  12  preferably formed from a sheet of flat metallic stock and rolled or formed into that generally cylindrical shape, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The web  12  has a first transverse edge  14  extending generally longitudinally with respect to said generally cylindrical shape of the clip device  10 , the first transverse edge  14  having a reverse flange or lip  16  thereon. The reverse lip  16  of the first transverse edge  14  extends generally tangentially to the generally annular periphery of the clip device  10 , as is represented in  FIG. 1 . The reverse lip  14 , thus is disposed at an angle of about 15 to 20 degrees with respect to the body of the web  12 .  
         [0029]     At least on elongated, axially disposed enclosure  18 , of “omega” shape in cross-section, is unitarily formed on the web  12  of the clip device,  10  at a location thereon preferably generally diametrically across from the reverse lip  16  on the first transverse edge  14 , as represented in  FIG. 1 . The omega shaped enclosure  18  has a generally longitudinal axis L 1  which is parallel with the longitudinal axis L 2  of the securement clip device  10 . The omega shaped enclosure  18  has a peripheral contour which is greater than 180 degrees about its longitudinal axis L 1  to insure captivity of a conduit C 1  within that omega shaped enclosure  18 .  
         [0030]     A second transverse edge  20  of the securement clip device  10  is disposed radially outwardly of the reverse lip  16  of the first transverse edge  14 , as is shown in  FIG. 1 . The second transverse edge  20  may in a first preferred embodiment, be comprised of a plurality of full web-width spaced-apart, longitudinally aligned, inwardly directed folds, preferably about ⅛ th  to ¼ th  of an inch in height, arranged to function as a selectable flange  24  to engage the outwardly directed lip  16  on the first transverse edge  14  of the securement device  10 . Once the proper fold  24 , as may be seen in  FIG. 1 , is anchored under the lip  16  of the first transverse edge  14 , the remaining distal folds (or flanges if the securement device is made for example, from an extruded plastic material) may be cut off as necessary.  
         [0031]     A second preferred embodiment of the present invention may comprise the second transverse edge  20  having a plurality of axially aligned stamped openings  22 , preferably rows of three sided perforations thereon. Those three sided openings  22  create and define generally radially inwardly directed flaps or tangs  24  which provide an array of adjustment securement means for the securement clip device  10 . Tangentially directed movement of the second transverse end  20  of the securement clip device  10  permits adjustment as to the diameter of the clip device  10  as it has been placed about a first or large diameter conduit C 2  and also about a second or smaller diameter conduit C 1  which fits within the omega shaped enclosure  18  unitary therewith. The generally radially directed tangs  24  are angled so as to slip radially behind the reverse lip  16  of the first transverse edge  14  of the securement clip device  10  to function as a locking and gripping means between the first transverse edge  14  and the second transverse edge  20 .  
         [0032]     In operation of the present embodiment, a small diameter conduit C 1  such as a liquid line may be disposed within the omega shaped enclosure  18  and the large diameter conduit C 2  such as a gas line, may then be disposed within the larger enclosure portion of the securement clip device  10 , as represented in  FIG. 1 . The second transverse edge  20  would then be pulled tightly around the two adjacent conduits C 1  and C 2  to engage the necessary set of axially aligned row of tangs  24  would engage behind the reverse lip  16  on the first transverse edge  14  of the securement clip device  10 . The omega shaped enclosure  18  would pinchably enclose the small diameter conduit C 1  around its circumference by greater than 180 degrees, (the angle A being greater than 180 degrees) thus maintaining a separation and hence non-wearing relationship between the large diameter conduit C 2  and the small diameter conduit C 1 . A layer of insulation “I”, such as a rubberized tape or silicon painted or sprayed on the inner side of the device  10  as represented in  FIG. 1 , may be utilized to minimize Galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals.  
         [0033]     A short length eyelet  30  may be securely attached to an outer peripheral portion of the web  12  of the securement clip device  10  for passage of an electrical wire therethrough, or for attachment of the securement device  10  to a stationary building support  32 .  
         [0034]     A further embodiment of the securement clip  10  comprises a planar web  38  of flexible material shaped into a generally T-shaped configured clip  40 , as may be seen most clearly in  FIG. 3 . The T-shaped clip  40  has a first transverse edge  42  with a reverse flange or lip  44  formed thereon. The first segment  46  of the web  38  adjacent the first transverse edge  42  is formed into a first upper side channel  48  having an adjacent elongated planar backing surface  50 . The elongated planar backing surface  50  extends to a second side  52  thereof, which is formed into a second upper side channel  54  defining a second flip portion of the securement clip device  10 . The planar web  38  of the securement device  10  extends in a curvilinear manner to form an “omega” shaped conduit enclosure  56  having a longitudinal axis L 3  generally in parallel with the centrally disposed longitudinal axis L 4  of the securement clip device  10 , as may be seen in  FIG. 5 . It is to be noted that the centrally disposed longitudinal axis L 4  is displaceable as the device is adjusted about a conduit therein (not shown for clarity). The web  38  on the securement device  10  reverse curves (at # 60 ) to define a large diameter conduit enclosure  62  having a curvilinear portion  64  extending to a second transverse edge  66 . The second transverse edge  66  may have in one preferred embodiment, a plurality of axially aligned rows of tangs  68  thereon, which are preferably formed by three sided perforations  69  punched therethrough, as may be seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . ThoseAny desired axially aligned row of inwardly directed tangs  68  will, when pulled toward the back portion of the securement device  10 , engage the reversed lip  44  on the first transverse edge  42  of the securement device  10 .  
         [0035]     An arrangement of openings  70  disposed through the first and second side portions or channels  52  and  48  will permit a fastener  72  to be disposed through those openings  70  of the securement device  10  and onto a stationary wall or joist  74  or the like, as represented in  FIG. 3 . Such securement by a fastener  72  through the side portions  52  and  48  will also cause the bending of the first and second sides or channel sections  52  and  48  closer towards that wall joist or stationary member  74 , as represented by dashed lines  76  in  FIG. 3 , to further secure a large diameter conduit  62  within the securement device  10 . Use of the attachment fasteners  72  at the first and second side portions or channels  52  and  48  of the fastener device  10  will also pinch the omega shaped conduit  56  around its smaller diameter conduit therein.  
         [0036]     Thus such a securement device  10  is arranged to be adjusted by attachment fasteners  72  as well as by a second transverse edge portion  66  making engagement between inwardly directed tangs  68  of an outwardly curved second transverse edge  68  against an inwardly curved reverse lip  44  on a first transverse portion  42  of the web  38 .