Abstract:
A mounting clip for retaining a cable against a mounting surface includes a mounting flange configured to be mounted to a mounting structure, a first cable retainer, and a second cable retainer. The first cable retainer extends from the mounting flange and defines a first passage configured to receive a length of a cable therethrough. The second cable retainer extends from the mounting flange and defines a second passage configured to receive the length of cable therethrough. The second cable retainer is resiliently movable between a rest position and a loaded position. In the rest position, the second cable retainer extends into the first passage and defines the second passage smaller than the first passage. In the loaded position, the second cable retainer is moved in a direction away from the mounting structure by the length of the cable received in the first passage and is configured to apply a force to an outer surface of the length of the cable to hold the length of the cable against the mounting structure.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional application that claims the benefits of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/049,460, filed on Sep. 12, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates generally to mounting clips and, more particularly, mounting clips that attach cables, such as electrical wires, coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, and the like, to a mounting surface, such as a floor, wall, or ceiling, using a mechanical fastener. The mounting clips of this disclosure are “universal” clips that can secure cables of various sizes against a variety of surfaces. 
         [0004]    2. Background 
         [0005]    Wire cables carry audio and/or video signals for radios, televisions, and telecommunications devices. Such signals are carried using, for example, Coaxial (Coax), High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), Digital Video Interface (DGI), Video Graphics Array/Adapter (VGA), and Separation Video (S-Video) cables. 
         [0006]    A signal carrying cable generally refers to a collection of two or more wires or conductors including a “hot” line to carry the current/signal, a “neutral” line to complete the signal carrying loop, and a “ground” line. Classified according to the number of wires and gauge, cables are marked by a series of letters followed by a number, a dash and another number. The letters indicate the type of insulation, the subsequent number indicates the resistance of the wires in the cable, and the final number following the dash indicates the number of individual conductors in the cable. If a designator “G” is found in the series, it means that the cable is equipped with a non-current-carrying ground wire. 
         [0007]    TABLE A below defines the size of the outer diameter in both inches (in) and millimeters (mm) for certain exemplary types of Coaxial (Coax) cables. To achieve the desired electrical properties, the outer diameter of the jacket is also a function of the core dielectric and core diameter. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE A 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Coax 
                 impedance 
                   
                   
                 OD 
               
               
                 Cable 
                 (ohms) 
                 Core 
                 OD (in) 
                 (mm) 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 RG-6/U 
                 75 
                 1.0 
                 mm 
                 0.270 
                 6.86 
               
               
                 RG-6/UQ 
                 75 
                 1.15 
                 mm 
                 0.298 
                 7.57 
               
               
                 RG-7 
                 75 
                 1.30 
                 mm 
                 0.320 
                 8.13 
               
               
                 RG-8/U 
                 50 
                 2.17 
                 mm 
                 0.405 
                 10.3 
               
               
                 RG-8X 
                 50 
                 1.0 
                 mm 
                 0.242 
                 6.1 
               
               
                 RG-9/U 
                 51 
                 1.58 
                 mm 
                 0.420 
                 10.7 
               
               
                 RG-11/U 
                 75 
                 1.63 
                 mm 
                 0.412 
                 10.5 
               
               
                 RG-56/U 
                 48 
                 1.4859 
                 mm 
                 0.308 
                 7.82 
               
               
                 RG-58/U 
                 50 
                 0.81 
                 mm 
                 0.195 
                 5.0 
               
               
                 RG-59/U 
                 75 
                 0.64 
                 mm 
                 0.242 
                 6.1 
               
               
                 RG-59A/ 
                 75 
                 0.762 
                 mm 
                 0.242 
                 6.1 
               
               
                 U 
               
               
                 3C-2V 
                 75 
                 0.50 
                 mm 
                 0.211 
                 5.4 
               
               
                 5C-2V 
                 75 
                 0.80 
                 mm 
                 0.256 
                 6.5 
               
               
                 RG-60/U 
                 50 
                 1.024 
                 mm 
                 0.425 
                 10.8 
               
               
                 RG-62/U 
                 92 
                 1.024 
                 mm 
                 0.242 
                 6.1 
               
               
                 RG-62A 
                 93 
                 1.024 
                 mm 
                 0.242 
                 6.1 
               
               
                 RG-63 
                 125 
                 1.2 
                 mm 
                 0.405 
                 10.29 
               
               
                 RG-142/U 
                 50 
                 0.94 
                 mm 
                 0.195 
                 4.95 
               
               
                 RG-174/U 
                 50 
                 7 × 0.16 
                 mm 
                 0.100 
                 2.55 
               
               
                 RG-178/U 
                 50 
                 7 × 0.1 
                 mm 
                 0.071 
                 1.8 
               
               
                 RG-179/U 
                 75 
                 7 × 0.1 
                 mm 
                 0.098 
                 2.5 
               
               
                 RG-180B/ 
                 95 
                 0.0120 
                 in 
                 0.145 
                 3.68 
               
               
                 U 
               
               
                 RG-188A/ 
                 50 
                 7 × 0.16 
                 mm 
                 0.1 
                 2.54 
               
               
                 U 
               
               
                 RG-213/U 
                 50 
                 7 × 0.0296 
                 in Cu 
                 0.405 
                 10.3 
               
               
                 RG-214/U 
                 50 
                 7 × 0.0296 
                 in 
                 0.425 
                 10.8 
               
               
                 RG-218 
                 50 
                 0.195 
                 in Cu 
                 0.870 
                 22 
               
               
                 RG-223/U 
                 50 
                 0.88 
                 mm 
                 0.212 
                 5.4 
               
               
                 RG-316/U 
                 50 
                 7 × 0.0067 
                 in 
                 0.098 
                 2.6 
               
               
                 RG-400/U 
                 50 
                 19 × 0.20 
                 mm 
                   
                 4.95 
               
               
                 RG-402/U 
                 50 
                 0.93 
                 mm 
                 0.1409 
                 3.58 
               
               
                 RG-405/U 
                 50 
                 0.51 
                 mm 
                 0.0865 
                 2.20 
               
               
                 H155 
                 50 
                 19 × 0.28 
                 mm 
                 0.205 
                 5.4 
               
               
                 LMR-195 
                 50 
                 1.12 
                 mm Cu 
                 0.195 
                 4.95 
               
               
                 LMR-200 
                 50 
                 1.12 
                 mm Cu 
                 0.195 
                 4.95 
               
               
                 LMR-240 
                 50 
                 1.42 
                 mm Cu 
                 0.240 
                 6.1 
               
               
                 LMR-400 
                 50 
                 2.74 
                 mm (Cu-clad Al) 
                 0.405 
                 10.29 
               
               
                 LMR-600 
                 50 
                 4.47 
                 mm (Cu-clad Al) 
                 0.590 
                 14.99 
               
               
                 LMR-900 
                 50 
                 6.65 
                 mm (BC tube) 
                 0.870 
                 22.10 
               
               
                 LMR- 
                 50 
                 8.86 
                 mm(BC tube) 
                 1.200 
                 30.48 
               
               
                 1200 
               
               
                 LMR- 
                 50 
                 13.39 
                 mm (BC tube) 
                 1.670 
                 42.42 
               
               
                 1700 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0008]    In view of the number and variety of cables, it will be appreciated that mounting such cables to and/or alongside towers and/or building structures requires a significant number and variety of mounting clips or other mounting devices. Consequently, an operator/technician must carry, in inventory, a large number of suitable mounting clips and be skilled in the selection and use thereof to secure cables to a corresponding support structure. The need to maintain such inventory mounting clips and time required to select/install a correct mounting clip (taking into consideration the time to rework an improperly installed clip) is fiscally burdensome for a service provider. 
         [0009]    Therefore, in the world of cable installers, it may be desirable to provide a cable clip that can fit several sizes of cable and effectively secure different sizes of cable to a variety of surfaces. It may be desirable to provide a mounting clip that can grip to the cable itself while the installer secures the mounting clip to the surface to which the cable is to be mounted by, for example, driving a fastener through the mounting clip and into the surface. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, a mounting clip for retaining a cable against a mounting surface includes a mounting flange configured to be mounted to a mounting structure, a first cable retainer, and a second cable retainer. The first cable retainer extends from the mounting flange and defines a first passage configured to receive a length of a cable therethrough. The second cable retainer extends from the mounting flange and defines a second passage configured to receive the length of cable therethrough. The second cable retainer is resiliently movable between a rest position and a loaded position. In the rest position, the second cable retainer extends into the first passage and defines the second passage smaller than the first passage. In the loaded position, the second cable retainer is moved in a direction away from the mounting structure by the length of the cable received in the first passage and is configured to apply a force to an outer surface of the length of the cable to hold the length of the cable against the mounting structure. 
         [0011]    According to various aspects of the disclosure, a mounting clip for retaining a cable against a mounting surface includes a mounting flange configured to be mounted to a mounting structure, a cable retainer, and a cantilever spring. The cable retainer extends from the mounting flange and defines a first passage configured to receive a length of a cable therethrough. The cantilever spring extends from the mounting flange into the first passage in a rest position to define a second passage configured to receive the length of cable therethrough. The second passage is smaller than the first passage. The cantilever spring is resiliently movable between the rest position and a loaded position in a direction away from the mounting structure relative to the rest position. The cantilever spring is configured, in the loaded position, to apply a force to an outer surface of the length of the cable received in the first passage to hold the length of the cable against the mounting structure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Features and advantages of the present disclosure are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Brief Description of the Drawings and Detailed Description. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is an isometric, broken-away, view of an exemplary mounting clip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the mounting clip illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a profile view of the mounting clip illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is an isometric, broken-away, view of an exemplary mounting clip according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the mounting clip illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a profile view of the mounting clip illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]      FIGS. 1-3  illustrate an exemplary mounting clip  100  according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The mounting clip  100  is configured to affix one of a plurality of coaxial cables  4 A,  4 B, (the cables having a different diameter dimensions) to a mounting structure  110 . More specifically, the mounting clip  100  comprises a mounting flange  120 , a first cable retainer  140 , and a second cable retainer  150 . 
         [0020]    The mounting flange  120  is configured to be fastened to the mounting structure  110 . For example, the mounting flange  120  may include a first surface  122  that faces the mounting structure  110  when the mounting clip  100  is fastened to the mounting structure  110 , and a second surface  124  that faces in a first direction X away from the mounting structure  110 . The first and second surfaces  122 ,  124  extend in a second direction Y from a first end  126  of the mounting flange  120  to an opposite second end  128 . The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. 
         [0021]    According to various aspects, the mounting flange  120  may include an aperture  130  for receiving a fastener, for example, a mechanical fastener (not shown), operative to couple the mounting flange  120  to the mounting structure  110 . The mounting flange  120  also includes a side  132  extending from the first end  126  to the second end in the second direction Y. The first cable retainer  140  and the second cable retainer  150  extend from the side  132  of the mounting flange  120 , as will be described in more detail below. 
         [0022]    The first cable retainer  140  extends from the side  132  of the mounting flange  120  in the first direction X and in a third direction Z away from the mounting flange  120 . The third direction Z is orthogonal to the first and second directions X, Y. The first cable retainer  140  includes a curved wall  142  that defines a passage  144  for receiving a cable  4 A,  4 B having a longitudinal axis L 1 , L 2  extending in the second direction Y. The passage  144  has a dimension D 1  in the first direction X selected to receive a cable  4 A having a similar dimension in a cross-section transverse to the longitudinal axis L 1 . Of course, the passage  144  can receive any cable having a cross-sectional dimension less than the dimension D 1 . 
         [0023]    It some aspects, the first cable retainer  140  may include a second curved wall  146  similar to the curved wall  142 , but spaced apart from the curved wall  142  in the second direction Y. The second curved wall  146  cooperates with the curved wall  142  to define the passage  144  for receiving the cable  4 A. It should be appreciated that the mounting clip  100  may have more than two curved walls spaced apart in the second direction Y. In some aspects, the first cable retainer  140  may include base walls  148  for joining the two or more curved walls  142 ,  146 . 
         [0024]    The second cable retainer  150  also extends away from the side  132  of the mounting flange  120  in the first direction X and the third direction Z. The second cable retainer  150  is configured as a cantilever spring  152  having a rest position as best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . In its rest position, the second cable retainer  150  defines a passage  154  having a smaller dimension D 2  in the first direction X than the dimension D 1  of the passage  144  defined by the first cable retainer  140 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , in its rest position, the second cable retainer  150  can receive a cable  4 B having a dimension similar to D 2  in a cross-section transverse to the longitudinal axis L 2 . 
         [0025]    The cantilever spring  152  of the second cable retainer  150  can also be resiliently urged outward from its rest position, as indicated by arrow A in  FIG. 3 , to receive a cable having a cross-sectional dimension greater than D 2  and as large as the dimension D 1  of the first passage  144 . Thus, when receiving a cable having a cross-sectional dimension from D 1  to D 2 , the spring force of the cantilever spring  152  of the second cable retainer  150  applies a biasing force F to the cable, thereby forcibly holding the cable against the mounting structure  110  and preventing movement of cable relative to the mounting clip  100 . Of course, the passage  154  can receive any cable having a cross-sectional dimension less than the dimension D 2 , but neither the first cable retainer  140  nor the second cable retainer  150  will forcibly hold the cable against the mounting structure  110  and, thus, the cable will be free to move within the passages  144 ,  154  of the mounting clip  100 . It should be understood that if the mounting clip is used to hold a cable having a cross-sectional dimension greater than the dimension D 1  of the first passage, the first cable retainer will apply an additional force to hold the cable against the mounting structure  110 . 
         [0026]    In some aspects of the disclosure, the first cable retainer  140  and/or the second cable retainer  150  may be arcuate shaped to substantially conform to the shape and size of a cylindrical outer wire/coaxial cable. However, it should be appreciated that the first and second cable retainers  140 ,  150  may have any shape that can cooperate with the mounting flange  120  to hold a cable against the mounting structure  110 . In some aspects, the first cable retainer  140 , the second cable retainer  150 , and the mounting flange  120  of the mounting clip  100  may be integrally formed as a single monolithic (i.e., one-piece) structure. The mounting clip  100  may be formed, for example, from plastic, aluminum, steel, or any other material that can provide a relatively rigid first cable retainer  140  and mounting flange  120  while providing a second cable retainer  150  configured as a cantilever spring  152 . It should be appreciated that a plurality of first and second cable retainers  140 ,  150  may be used in series, or in parallel, to engage and secure cables of various sizes and shapes. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 12-14 , another embodiment of a mounting clip  200  is provided for affixing one of a plurality of coaxial cables  4 A,  4 B, (the cables having a different diameter dimensions) to a mounting structure  110 . The mounting clip  200  comprises a mounting flange  220 , a first cable retainer  240 , and a second cable retainer  250 . 
         [0028]    The mounting flange  220  is configured to be fastened to the mounting structure  210 . For example, the mounting flange  220  may include a first surface  222  that faces the mounting structure  210  when the mounting clip  200  is fastened to the mounting structure  210 , and a second surface  224  that faces in a first direction X away from the mounting structure  210 . The first and second surfaces  222 ,  224  extend in a second direction Y from a first end  226  of the mounting flange  220  to an opposite second end  228 . The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. 
         [0029]    According to various aspects, the mounting flange  220  may include an aperture  130  for receiving a fastener, for example, a mechanical fastener (not shown), operative to couple the mounting flange  220  to the mounting structure  210 . The mounting flange  220  also includes a side  232  extending from the first end  226  to the second end in the second direction Y. The first cable retainer  240  and the second cable retainer  250  extend from the side  232  of the mounting flange  220 , as will be described in more detail below. 
         [0030]    The first cable retainer  240  extends from the side  232  of the mounting flange  220  in the first direction X and in a third direction Z away from the mounting flange  220 . The third direction Z is orthogonal to the first and second directions X, Y. The first cable retainer  240  includes a curved wall  242  that defines a passage  244  for receiving a cable  4 A,  4 B having a longitudinal axis L 1 , L 2  extending in the second direction Y. The passage  244  has a dimension D 1  in the first direction X selected to receive a cable  4 A having a similar dimension in a cross-section transverse to the longitudinal axis L 1 . Of course, the passage  244  can receive any cable having a cross-sectional dimension less than the dimension D 1 . 
         [0031]    It some aspects, the first cable retainer  240  may include a second curved wall  246  similar to the curved wall  242 , but spaced apart from the curved wall  242  in the second direction Y. The second curved wall  246  cooperates with the curved wall  242  to define the passage  244  for receiving the cable  4 A. It should be appreciated that the mounting clip  200  may have more than two curved walls spaced apart in the second direction Y. In some aspects, the first cable retainer  240  may include base walls  248  for joining the two or more curved walls  242 ,  246 . 
         [0032]    The second cable retainer  250  includes a pair of linear cantilever springs  252   a ,  252   b  projecting into the passage  144  and forming a V-shaped or X-shaped retainer to engage the outer cylindrical surface of a cable. For example, a first one  252   a  of the cantilever springs extends away from the side  232  of the mounting flange  220  in the first direction X and the third direction Z, while the second one  252   b  of the cantilever springs extends from a base wall toward the side  232  of the mounting flange  220  in the first direction X and the third direction Z. The cantilever springs  252   a ,  252   b  have a rest position as best illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 6 . In their rest position, the cantilever springs  252   a ,  252   b  define a passage  254  having a smaller dimension D 2  in the first direction X than the dimension D 1  of the passage  244  defined by the first cable retainer  240 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , in their rest position, the cantilever springs  252   a ,  252   b  can receive a cable  4 B having a dimension similar to D 2  in a cross-section transverse to the longitudinal axis L 2 . 
         [0033]    The cantilever springs  252   a ,  252   b  of the second cable retainer  250  can also be resiliently urged outward from their rest position, as indicated by arrows B in  FIG. 6 , to receive a cable having a cross-sectional dimension greater than D 2  and as large as the dimension D 1  of the first passage  244 . Thus, when receiving a cable having a cross-sectional dimension from D 1  to D 2 , the spring forces of the cantilever springs  252   a ,  252   b  of the second cable retainer  250  apply a biasing force F to the cable, thereby forcibly holding the cable against the mounting structure  210  and preventing movement of cable relative to the mounting clip  200 . Of course, the passage  254  can receive any cable having a cross-sectional dimension less than the dimension D 2 , but neither the first cable retainer  240  nor the second cable retainer  250  will forcibly hold the cable against the mounting structure  210  and, thus, the cable will be free to move within the passages  244 ,  254  of the mounting clip  200 . It should be understood that if the mounting clip is used to hold a cable having a cross-sectional dimension greater than the dimension D 1  of the first passage, the first cable retainer will apply an additional force to hold the cable against the mounting structure  210 . 
         [0034]    In some aspects of the disclosure, the first cable retainer  240  and/or the second cable retainer  250  may be non-linear. However, it should be appreciated that the first and second cable retainers  240 ,  250  may have any shape that can cooperate with the mounting flange  220  to hold a cable against the mounting structure  210 . In some aspects, the first cable retainer  240 , the second cable retainer  250  (including cantilever springs  252   a ,  252   b ), and the mounting flange  220  of the mounting clip  200  may be integrally formed as a single monolithic (i.e., one-piece) structure. The mounting clip  200  may be formed, for example, from plastic, aluminum, steel, or any other material that can provide a relatively rigid first cable retainer  240  and mounting flange  220  while providing a second cable retainer  250  configured as cantilever springs  252   a ,  252   b . It should be appreciated that a plurality of first and second cable retainers  240 ,  250  may be used in series, or in parallel, to engage and secure cables of various sizes and shapes. 
         [0035]    Additional embodiments include any one of the embodiments described above, where one or more of its components, functionalities or structures is interchanged with, replaced by or augmented by one or more of the components, functionalities or structures of a different embodiment described above. 
         [0036]    It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims. 
         [0037]    Although several embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed in the foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure will come to mind to which the disclosure pertains, having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It is thus understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein above, and that many modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims which follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the present disclosure, nor the claims which follow.