Patent ID: 12196397

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to illustrative embodiments, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings which may or may not be drawn to scale. Like components and/or items in the various drawings are identified by the same reference number, and each example is provided by way of explanation only and thus does not limit the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and/or variations can be made without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the invention. For example, in many cases features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

In general, and for the purpose of introducing concepts of embodiments of the present invention, a unitary mounting clip and methods for installation of same is described herein. Specifically, disclosed embodiments of the unitary mounting clip may first be mounted to a building structure, for example, a strut channel, pipe, wire or any elongated (or extruded) structure. Next, an object, such as an LED batten, may then be affixed thereto. In some embodiments, the mounting clip is a unitary mounting clip configured for installation by a user without the need to use any tools and without the need to use a separate fastener. In implementations, the unitary mounting clip may be connected to a strut channel by simply positioning the mounting clip within a channel (elongated slot) of the strut channel and turning it (or rotating it) a quarter-turn (¼ turn) or ninety-degrees (90°). Such a unitary mounting clip is then held in place by friction forces, but may be re-positioned by applying a force sufficient to slide it along the channel as will be explained in more detail below. Accordingly, disclosed embodiments of the unitary mounting clip facilitate the installation and/or positioning and/or re-positioning and/or replacement of LED lighting assemblies (such as linear LED luminaires) or other objects. In summary, embodiments of the unitary mounting clip are of unitary design, do not require any tools for installation or re-positioning, do not require fasteners to install, and advantageously improve the speed and ease of installation of luminaires or other objects which results in lower installation costs.

FIG.1Ais a top perspective view of a mounting clip100, andFIG.1Bis a bottom perspective view of the same mounting clip100shown inFIG.1Ain accordance with an embodiment. The unitary mounting clip100may be a one-piece unit made of, for example, a polycarbonate material, a fiberglass material, plastic, metal and/or a composite material, any and all of which have sufficient strength to support an object to be connected thereto, such as an LED luminaire. In some implementations the mounting clip is manufactured using an injection molding process wherein a heated, liquid plastic is injected via a nozzle into a mold that includes the features of the mounting clip disclosed herein.

Referring again toFIG.1A, in some embodiments the mounting clip100includes a generally rectangular base102having a top base surface104. In the embodiment ofFIGS.1A and1B, four elastic arms106A,106B,106C and106D are shown located near the corners or outside edges of the generally rectangular base102. Each of the elastic arms106A-106D includes a friction feature which in the illustrated embodiment is a raised dimple structure108A,108B,108C and108D, respectively, which function will be explained below. The elastic arms106A-106D, which may also be thought of as flex levers, and their associated raised dimple structures108A-108D project slightly upwards from the top base surface104, as shown. The elastic arms106A-106D or flex levers bias the raised dimple structures108A-108D to contact a mounting component (not shown) and to apply pressure and/or a friction force which holds the mounting clip100in place which will be discussed in more detail below.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS.1A and1B, the mounting clip100also includes a central mounting structure110protruding from the top base surface104that is composed of a boss112and a tab114. In some embodiments, the boss112has a generally circular base and the tab114has a generally rectangular shape. In some implementations, the tab114may include truncated corners116A,116B,116C and116D. As shown inFIG.1Aand in some of the following figures, in some embodiments when viewed in profile the mounting structure110including the boss112and the rectangular tab114is a generally “T-shaped” structure which is used for attachment to a strut channel (not shown), which mounting process will be explained in more detail below.

Referring again toFIG.1A, in some embodiments the unitary mounting clip100includes a first wire channel118A on a first side wall117A of the base102, and second wire channel118B located on an opposite, second side wall117B. The first wire channel118A is associated with a first wire mount unit receptacle120A whereas the second wire channel118B is associated with a second wire mount unit receptacle120B. The wire channels118A,118B and associated wire mount unit receptacles120A,120B are provided for implementations that include a wire mount unit (shown inFIG.9) which can be attached to the mounting clip100during installation, which will be explained in more detail below.

FIG.1Bshows a bottom perspective view of the mounting clip100that includes a snap holder that includes a first snap holder portion121A located opposite a second snap holder portion121B. As shown, the first and second snap holder portions121A,121B extend downwards from a bottom base surface105of the unitary mounting clip. Also shown is a middle biasing member122that is hook-shaped or J-shaped and that protrudes downwardly from the bottom base surface105, which function(s) will also be explained below. In the embodiment shown inFIG.1B, the width “W” between the inner walls of the first snap holder120A and the second snap holder120B may be equal to the width of an LED luminaire that is to be installed thereto. But it should be understood that other types of snap holder embodiments are contemplated, for example, a snap holder embodiment wherein the width W is different (longer or shorter) in order to easily attach to a different object and/or other equipment, or for example a snap holder that includes outwardly facing snap holder portions (as opposed to the inwardly facing snap holder portions121A,121B shown inFIG.1B) In addition, it should be understood that other types of quick-mounting snap holders could be used as known in the field.

FIG.2is an exploded perspective view200of a strut channel202, such as a “Unistrut,” and a mounting clip100in accordance with an embodiment. The strut channel202may be a standardized formed structural system commonly used in the construction and electrical industries for light weight structural support, and often used for supporting items or components such as wiring, plumbing, mechanical devices and/or electronic devices. A basic strut channel in profile forms a box measuring about forty-one millimeters (41 mm) by forty-one millimeters or 41 mm×41 mm (1⅝ inch×1⅝ inch). Manufactures also make additional sizes that may also include combined shapes, and examples of strut channels include various products that are available from the Atkore International Company of Harvey, Illinois under the trade designations POWER-STRUT™ and UNISTRUT™, and strut channels are also available from other manufacturers such as the McMaster-Carr Company.

The strut channel202shown inFIG.2has a generally rectangular shape, and may be formed from sheet metal folded over into the open channel shape as shown, which includes inwards-curving lips that may provide additional stiffness and mounting locations. The strut channel202may be used to mount interconnecting components in a specific location. In particular, as shown inFIG.2the strut channel202includes holes or slots205in the base204to facilitate interconnection or fastening of the strut channel to the ceiling or other underlying building structure(s). Strut channels may be made from many different types of material(s) that are suitable for a particular purpose, for example, galvanized or painted steel, or a lightweight metal such as aluminum, or an organic polymeric resin (e.g. a molded, extruded, or pultruded thermoplastic or thermoset material). Some implementations of a strut channel may be made of an organic polymeric resin that is reinforced with inorganic fibers, such as polyester resins, vinyl esters, or epoxies which may be reinforced with fiberglass.

Referring again toFIG.2, the mounting clip100is shown oriented or positioned such that a shorter side of the generally rectangular tab114(seeFIG.1A) of the boss110is aligned with an opening214of the strut channel202. Thus, the boss110of the mounting clip100is configured (sized and shaped) to be fitted through the opening214of the strut channel for attachment thereto. The embodiment of the strut channel202shown inFIG.2includes a base204having through holes205, a first side wall206and a second side wall208having a length that is shorter than the length of the base (and thus the strut channel202shown inFIG.2is generally rectangular in shape; however, it should be understood that other strut channels may include first and second side walls that are the same length as, or nearly the same length as, the base so that the strut channel is square or generally square in shape). As shown inFIG.2, the first side wall206includes a first J-shaped flange210and the second side wall208includes a second J-shaped flange212that define the opening214therebetween which has a width of W′ as shown. Such a strut channel is often mounted to a ceiling or suspended from a ceiling, for example in a warehouse or greenhouse, with the base204oriented upwards (as inFIG.2) and with the opening214facing downward. In such a mounted position the long axis of the strut channel202extends in a generally horizontal direction along the ceiling.

As shown inFIG.2, the J-shaped flanges210,212are structures that curve interiorly and have upwardly-extending lips216,218that define elongated slots220,222or channels along the entire length of the strut channel202. Embodiments of the mounting clip100disclosed herein may be used with such a strut channel regardless of the specific design and/or dimensions of the J-shaped flanges of the strut channel. In addition, a strut channel202need not have any particular elongated length as long as the boss112and the tab114that form the T-shaped structure110of the mounting clip100can fit through the opening214formed between the J-shaped flanges. Thus, during installation of the unitary mounting clip100to the strut channel202the tab114of the T-shaped mounting structure is first inserted through the elongated slot and next rotated into place, which will be explained below. Thus, a strut channel for use with a unitary mounting clip100shown inFIG.2may take the form of any suitable fixture that includes such J-shaped flanges.

Referring again toFIG.2, the opening214of the strut channel202between the J-shaped flanges210,212has a width W′ whereas the interior of the strut channel202has a width W″ that is wider than the opening214(wider than the width W′). In some embodiments, the strut channel202may be a nominal 1⅝-inch-wide strut channel, which measurement refers to the overall external width of the strut channel and may have an interior width W″ of 1.41 inch. The strut channel may also have a vertical height V of 1⅝ inch (or another measurement, such as 1⅜ inch). In some implementations, the opening214between the J-shaped flanges has an opening width W′ of 0.81 inches. In addition, the base204and/or sidewalls of the strut channel202may be a of continuous length, for example of two feet or four feet in length, or may be periodically interrupted by holes, slots, knockouts, and so on, as desired. As mentioned earlier, strut channels are available in many different configurations, shapes and sizes, and thus it will be appreciated that implementations of the mounting clip100and its' features (such as the boss110) will be sized accordingly for compatibility of use with any particular strut channel.

FIG.3Ais a perspective side view300of strut channel202and mounting clip100ofFIG.2shown in an initial mounting position and/or first step of mounting the unitary mounting clip100to the strut channel202in accordance with some embodiments. In particular, the longer length of the tab114has been aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongated slot of the strut channel202so that the tab114and the boss112of the T-shaped structure110have been fully inserted through the opening214(seeFIG.2) of the strut channel202such that the tab114is above the upwardly-extending lips216,218of the J-shaped flanges210,212. Thus, when the unitary mounting clip100is next rotated by an installer (as explained below) the extended wing portions of the tab114will be seated on the top surfaces of the he upwardly-extending lips216,218.

FIG.3Bis a top view350of the same strut channel202in phantom and the unitary mounting clip100ofFIG.3A. As shown inFIG.3B, the elastic arms106A-106D, which include the raised dimple structures108A-108D, are physically positioned outside the area of the J-shaped flanges210,212. The arrow230illustrates a direction of rotation that an installer could use to rotate the mounting clip100a quarter-turn or ninety degrees (90°) to engage the elastic arms106A-106D having the raised dimple structures108A-108D with the bottom surfaces of the J-shaped flanges210,212of the strut channel202, which will be explained in more detail below. This also serves to create pressure on the J-shaped flanges210,212between the tab114and the elastic arms106A-106D of the unitary mounting clip. In some embodiments, when the installer turns the mounting clip100the elastic arms106A-106D and associated raised dimple structures108A-108D emit an audible “snap” or “click” sound as these features engage with the top and bottom surfaces of the J-shaped structures220,212of the strut channel.

FIG.4Ais a perspective side view400of the strut channel202and mounting clip100ofFIGS.2to3Bwherein the mounting clip100has been turned ninety-degrees (90°) by an installer in accordance with some embodiments. In particular, the T-shaped structure110of the mounting clip100has been inserted through the opening214(seeFIG.2) in the strut channel202and the entire mounting clip100has been turned 90° so that the mounting clip100is in a mounted position. Specifically, bottom wing portions of the generally rectangular tab114contact the top surfaces402and404of the upwardly extending lips216,218of the J-shaped flanges210,212within the strut channel202. In addition, the elastic arms106A-106D of the mounting clip100are now biased towards, and the dimples108A-108D are contacting, the downward facing surfaces of the J-shaped flanges210,212of the strut channel202. Moreover, as shown an inner edge of each of the raised dimple structures108A-108D contacts a bottom outside wall portion of the strut channel202which serves to align the mounting clip100in place along the length of the strut channel. Thus, a friction force or pressure is being exerted which holds or locks the unitary mounting clip100in place at a particular location along the length of the strut channel202.

FIG.4Bis a top view450of the unitary mounting clip100ofFIG.4Aconnected to the strut channel202which shows that an inside portion of each or the raised dimple structures108A-108D is engaged with a lower portion of the outside walls of the strut channel202, whereas the elastic arms106A-106D contact and apply a friction force to the bottom facing surface of the J-shaped flanges210,212. Such engagement effectively locks the unitary mounting clip100to the strut channel202at the current position unless sufficient force is applied by an installer to overcome the friction force and slide or move the mounting clip100to another position (repositioning) along the length of the strut channel202.

FIG.5is an enlarged side view500of a unitary mounting clip100installed or affixed to a strut channel202according to embodiments described herein. As shown, the unitary mounting clip100has already been rotated 90° such that bottom portions of the wings117,119of the rectangular tab114contact the top surfaces of the upwardly extending lips of the J-shaped flanges210,212. In addition, the elastic arms106A and106B are biased against a lower wall portion of the J-shaped flanges210,212whereas inner wall portions of the raised dimples108A and108B are engaged with the outside bottom walls of the J-shaped flanges220,212. Also in this embodiment, as shown inFIG.5, the T-shaped structure110includes a generally circular boss having a width W′″ that is substantially the same as the opening214(seeFIG.2) between the J-shaped flanges of the channel strut202.

In some embodiments, when the mounting clip100is installed on the strut channel202as shown inFIGS.4A,4B and5, the elastic arms106A-106D are designed to apply pressure amounting to about one to two pounds of force to effectively lock the mounting clip in place to the strut channel. However, this friction force can be overcome by a person or installer to reposition the mounting clip by sliding it along the length of the channel strut if desired or required. In addition, an installer may remove the mounting clip from the strut channel by using approximately the same amount of force to initially rotate the mounting clip ninety degrees (90°) so that the bottom portion of the wing portions117,119of the generally rectangular tab114are removed from contacting the top surfaces402and404of the upwardly extending lips216,218of the J-shaped flanges210,212. This also removes the friction forces applied by the elastic arms106A-106D to the top surfaces402and404of the upwardly extending lips216,218of the J-shaped flanges210,212, and aligns the long edges of the rectangular tab114with the opening214of the strut channel202so that the mounting clip100can be pulled downward and removed from the elongated slot of the strut channel202. The installer can then reposition the mounting clip on that strut channel or attach it to a different strut channel.

FIG.6Ais an enlarged side view of another embodiment of a unitary mounting clip600installed or affixed to a strut channel202in accordance with embodiments described herein. The unitary mounting clip600includes a generally rectangular base601having a top base surface603and a J-shaped structure610that comprises a generally rectangular tab on a distal end of a boss612that extends upwardly from the top base surface603. In embodiments, the unitary mounting clip600may be a one-piece unit made of, for example, a polycarbonate material, a fiberglass material, plastic, metal and/or a composite material, any and all of which have sufficient strength to support an object to be connected thereto, such as an LED luminaire. As with the mounting clip100, the unitary mounting clip600may be manufactured using an injection molding process wherein a heated, liquid plastic is injected via a nozzle into a mold that includes the features of the mounting clip disclosed herein.

FIG.6Bis a cutaway bottom view625of the tab614ofFIG.6Ato illustrate the four elastic arms611,613,615and617according to an embodiment. As shown, each of the elastic arms611-617is located near the corners or outside edges of the generally rectangular tab614and each elastic arm includes a respective downwardly facing friction feature or dimple602,604,606and608. The friction features602-608function in the same manner as the friction features108A-108D described above with respect to unitary mounting clip100. Thus, the elastic arms611-617may be thought of as flex levers, and in the embodiment ofFIG.6Btheir associated raised dimple structures602-608project downwardly from the bottom surface605of the tab614, as shown. During installation of the unitary mounting clip600, the elastic arms611-617(flex levers) bias the raised dimple structures602-608to contact the upwardly extending lips216,218of the J-shaped flanges210,212of the strut channel202(seeFIG.6A) and thus apply pressure and/or a friction force which holds the mounting clip600in place between the top and bottom portions of the J-shaped flanges.

FIG.6Cis a top and side perspective view630of the unitary mounting clip600attached to a strut channel202which is shown in phantom so as to depict the installation in accordance with an embodiment. InFIG.6C, the unitary mounting clip600has been rotated 90° by an installer such that the dimples (not shown) of the elastic arms611,613,615and617of the rectangular tab614contact the top surfaces of the upwardly extending lips of the J-shaped flanges (not shown). The elastic arms611-617and associated dimples apply a bias or pressure to the upper wall portion of the J-shaped flanges to draw a portion of the top base surface603of the unitary mounting clip600to contact a bottom wall portion of the J-shaped flanges which effectively locks the unitary mounting clip600in place in between the upper wall portion and the lower wall portion of the J-shaped flanges.

FIG.7Ais a top perspective view700of two mounting clips100A and100B that have been affixed or attached to two strut channels202A and202B by an installer rotating each of the unitary mounting clips by a quarter-turn into position, respectively, in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. These two mounting clips100A,100B have been positioned or aligned such that an object or component, such as an LED batten, may be suspended therebetween at a desired location or may be positioned at a particular spot along the lengths of the strut channels202A,202B.

FIG.7Bis a bottom perspective view750of the two mounting clips100A and100B ofFIG.7Aaffixed to the two strut channels202A and202B and now also including an LED luminaire702connected thereto. Specifically, a rim portion704of the LED luminaire has been snapped into place between the first and second snap holders121A,121B (which rim portion is shown inFIG.8B) of both mounting clip100A and mounting clip100B. If an installer wishes to move the location of the LED luminaire702to another position between the strut channels202A,202B then he or she may first remove the LED luminaire from each unitary mounting clip by rotating it to disengage from the snap holders121A,121B, and then the installer may use a force sufficient overcome the friction force(s) that are holding the unitary mounting clips100A and/or100B in place to push and/or slide one or both of them to another desired location along the length of the strut channels202A and202B.

FIG.8Ais an enlarged side view800of the mounting clip100shown inFIG.5now affixed to a strut channel202and to an LED luminaire801in accordance with some embodiments. As shown, the mounting clip100has been rotated 90° such that bottom portions of the wings117,119of the tab114(of the T-shaped structure110) are contacting the top surfaces of the upwardly extending lips of the J-shaped flanges210,212as discussed above. In addition, the elastic arms106A and106B are biased against or applying pressure to the lower wall portions of the J-shaped flanges210,212, and as shown the inner wall portions of the raised dimples108A and108B are engaged with the outside bottom walls of the J-shaped flanges. Also shown inFIG.8is the first snap holder121engaged with a rim portion802of the LED luminaire801.

FIG.8Bis a simplified cross-sectional side view850of a lower portion of the unitary mounting clip100and LED luminaire801ofFIG.8Bto illustrate connection to the snap holder that includes the first snap holder portion121A and second snap holder portion121B which extend downwards from the bottom base surface105of the base102of the unitary mounting clip. As shown, the snap holder portions121A,121B capture the first rim portion802A and second rim portion802B of the LED luminaire801when the installer snaps the LED luminaire into the unitary mounting clip100which is already installed on the strut channel202(shown inFIG.8A).

FIG.9Aillustrates a wire mount unit according to some embodiments. The wire mount unit900includes a central notch portion902, a first side shoulder904A, a second side shoulder904B, a first side portion906A, a second side portion906B, first and second inwardly facing notch portions908A,908B, and generally J-shaped engagement portions910A,910B which terminate with connecting pins912A,912B. Such a wire mount unit900is sized and shaped to attach to a mounting clip100in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein and may be made of a lightweight metal or composite material which permits some flexing between the first and second side portions906A,906B to permit attachment to a mounting clip.

FIG.9Bis a top perspective view920of the wire mount unit900ofFIG.9Awhich an installer has connected to a unitary mounting clip100in accordance with some embodiments. Specifically, the J-shaped engagement portions910A,910B (seeFIG.9A) have been inserted into the wire channels118A,118B of the unitary mounting clip100such that the connecting pins912A,912B have been seated in the first and second wire mount unit receptacles120A,120B (seeFIG.1A). An LED luminaire801is also shown connected to a snap holder (not shown) underneath the unitary counting clip100. Accordingly, such a wire mount unit900permits a vast amount of flexibility for using the unitary mounting clip100and LED luminaire801(or other object) to be affixed to and/or or hung from a variety of fixtures or building materials, such as ropes, chains, pipes, strut channels, wires, cables, beams and the like in various configurations as will be illustrated byFIGS.10-12below.

FIG.10illustrates a suspension layout1000utilizing two wire mount units of the type shown inFIG.9and two mounting clips of the type shown inFIGS.1A and1Bto mount or suspend an LED luminaire801to/from a wire1002in accordance with some embodiments. As shown, an LED luminaire801has been connected to a first mounting clip100A and a second mounting clip100B which in turn have been connected to a first wire mount unit900A and a second mounting clip900B. The first and second wire mount units900A and900B were first suspended via their central notch portions902A,902B to a wire1002, which in turn may be connected, for example, between walls of a warehouse or other building near the ceiling of a room. To change the position of the LED luminaire801along the length of the wire1002an installer would merely slide the LED luminaire and affixed first and second mounting clips100A,100B and first and second wire mount units900A,900B along the length of the wire1002to the desired location.

Referring again toFIG.9, when utilized the wire mount unit900an installer first hangs it from a structure such as the wire1002shown inFIG.10and then attaches the mounting clip100thereto. Specifically, after hanging the wire mount unit from the wire1002the installer pulls the first side portion906A and the second side portion906B away from each other so that the J-shaped engagement portions910A,910B can be fitted through the wire channels118A,118B (SeeFIGS.1A and1B) of the mounting clip100. In addition, the installer aligns and inserts the connecting pins912A,912B into the wire mount unit receptacles120A,120B (SeeFIGS.1A and1B) found in the top base surface104of the mounting clip100.

FIG.11shows an alternate suspension layout1100using two wire mount units of the type shown inFIG.9and two mounting clips of the type shown inFIGS.1A and1Bto mount or suspend an LED luminaire to/from two wires in accordance with some embodiments. In this embodiment, an LED luminaire801has been suspended at a first end portion via the first mounting clip100A and the first wire mount unit900A to a first wire1002A, and suspended at a second end portion via the second mounting clip100B and the second wire mount unit900B to a second wire1002B. In this implementation, if an installer wishes to change the position of the LED luminaire801between the length of the wires1002A,1002B then the installer would merely slide the LED luminaire801along the lengths of the wires to the desired location.

FIG.12shows another alternate suspension layout1200using two wire mount units of the type shown inFIG.9and two mounting clips of the type shown inFIGS.1A and1Bto mount or suspend an LED luminaire801to a strut channel1202in accordance with some embodiments. In this embodiment, an LED luminaire801has been suspended at a first end portion via the first mounting clip100A and the first wire mount unit900A to a strut channel1202and is suspended at a second end portion via the second mounting clip100B and the second wire mount unit900B to the same strut channel. Specifically, a first side shoulder904A and second side shoulder904B of the first wire mount unit900A and a first side shoulder904C and second side shoulder904D of the second wire mount unit900B contact the base portion1204of the strut channel1202which has been suspended, for example, between two wall portions of a room via end contact points (not shown). This, in this implementation, if an installer wishes to change the position of the LED luminaire801along the length of the strut channel1202then the installer could merely slide the LED luminaire801along the length of the strut channel1202to the desired location.

Thus, then disclosed mounting clip solves the technical problem of how to provide a mounting clip that is inexpensive to manufacture and that facilitates the quick installation and/or positioning and/or re-positioning and/or replacement of a component, such as an LED luminaire, from a mounting component such as a strut channel. Embodiments of the mounting clip disclosed herein achieve these goals by being of a unitary design which is not only inexpensive to manufacture, but also provides integrated mounting features which do not require the use of any additional fasteners to affix devices, such as LED luminaires, to a mounting component such as a strut channel or wire. In particular, since installers need only insert the mounting clip into a channel of a strut channel and twist the mounting clip ninety degrees to affix it thereto, the speed and ease of installation of components such as LED luminaires is greatly improved which results in lower installation costs. In addition, embodiments of mounting clips disclosed herein also permit the use of wire mount units for the quick and easy connection to wires which may be, for example, strung between walls of a room near the ceiling.

It should be understood that, although installation methods for an embodiment of the unitary mounting clip100have been described herein with regard to installing and/or affixing an LED luminaire to a strut assembly or mounting wire, embodiments of the unitary mounting clip are contemplated that could be used for connection to other types of mounting apparatus. In addition, different embodiments of the unitary mounting clip are contemplated that could be modified for attachment to other types of devices or objects that could then be mounted to a strut channel or hung from a wire, or wires, or other elongated structures. For example, a unitary mounting clip of the type disclosed herein, or a modification thereof, could be utilized to hang or suspend plant growing trays, temperature sensors or other types of sensors, video cameras and/or still cameras, fans and/or blowers, ducts, water pipes, sprinklers, transportation rails, pots, gutters, cables, and other types of objects, equipment, components and/or devices from a strut channel or strut channels, or from other types of elongated structures, or from one or more wires.

The above descriptions and/or the accompanying drawings are not meant to imply a fixed order or fixed sequence of steps for any method of connection and/or process or method of manufacture referred to herein. Thus, any disclosed process may be performed in any order that is practicable, including but not limited to simultaneous performance of one or more steps that are indicated as sequential.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with specific exemplary embodiments, various changes, substitutions, modifications and/or alterations apparent to those skilled in the art can be made to the disclosed mounting clip and/or wire mount unit without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.