CN102733549B - Clip - Google Patents

Abstract

A concealed fixing and retaining clip for fixing a cover plate to an underlying supporting structure, comprising a base, a pair of side walls protruding from the base and approaching each other, the side walls and the base are straight sides, when When viewed from the side of the clip, the side walls and base form a triangular structure; and a pair of flanges forming retainers for engaging with recesses in the sides of the cover plate ribs, one of which A flange protrudes from the upper end of one side wall away from the other side wall, another flange protrudes from the upper end of the other side wall Each side wall of the clip exerts an outwardly directed force in response to said side walls being forced closer together when the panel is positioned on the clip, each side wall including one or more ribs to improve The hardness of the sidewall. The clip structure improves its overall strength and stiffness, ie the triangular structure improves the clip's ability to withstand the clip's downward load.

Description

clip

This application is a divisional application of an invention patent application whose applicant is BlueScope Steel Co., Ltd., whose application date is August 4, 2003, application number 03821115.7, and the invention name is "clip".

technical field

The present invention relates to a clip for securing a roof or other cladding sheet to an underlying support structure.

In particular, although not exclusively, the present invention relates to a clip for securing a roof cladding sheet to an underlying roof support structure.

Background technique

Typically, roof cladding panels are rollformed from painted or unpainted steel strip and comprise one or more parallel ribs with oppositely positioned side portions, planar portions, and A side configuration that enables the roof covering panels to be positioned side-by-side overlapping each other.

It is known to secure cladding panels to the underlying structure by nailing them directly to the underlying structure using fasteners such as roofnails and screws that pierce the cladding panels and pass through the underlying structure on roof support structures such as roof stringers.

It is also known to secure cover panels to the underlying structure by means of clips nailed to the structure by fasteners, the clips being formed to extend into the ribs, and the clips comprising A retainer or tab capable of engaging a re-entrant portion of said rib, thereby retaining the cover plate on the clip. Clip assemblies are often preferred over nails because they discreetly secure the cladding board to the underlying structure.

In use, the concealed fixed retaining clips are secured to the underlying structure at spatial intervals, wherein the intervals are related to the spacing between the ribs of the cladding panels. Thereafter, the cover plate is positioned on the clip in an overlapping manner by continuously pressing the cover plate down onto the clip so that the sides of the rib are first forced outwardly to allow the recess of the rib to clear the retainer and then outwardly. Pops in and engages the retainer.

There are a variety of known concealed fixed retention clips. The clips include a series of clips as disclosed in International Application PCT/GB91/00450 (WO91/12392) by the applicant of Stramit Industries Limited, in Australian Patent 685102 and other Australian Patents and Australian Patent Applications by the Applicant of Stramit Corporation , and the clip disclosed in the Applicant's International Application PCT/AU01/00818 (WO01/02666). In Australia, the clip disclosed in International Application PCT/AU01/00818 is marketed under the KLIPLOK trademark.

Contents of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a concealed fixed retention clip that is different from the above-mentioned clips and that is superior to one or more of the above-mentioned clips.

The applicant has developed a new type of concealed fixed and holding clip. Compared with the above-mentioned clips, the structure of the clip is relatively simple, and its performance is at least comparable to one or more of the above-mentioned clips.

The present invention provides a concealed fastening retainer clip for securing roof panels or other sheathing panels to an underlying support structure of common form, the clip comprising:

(a) a base;

(b) a pair of side walls projecting from the base and coming together; and

(c) a pair of flanges defining retainers for engaging recesses in the sides of the cover plate ribs, one of the flanges protruding from the upper end of one side wall and the other A flange protrudes from the upper end of the other side wall.

The clip of the present invention has a number of features, described below, which improve the performance of the clip in a number of important ways.

One aspect is the ability to resist upward forces acting on the cover plate.

Lifting forces on the installed cover plate can cause the cover plate to loosen from the concealed fixed retention clips. Due to environmental factors, lift forces can arise from:

(a) the sides of the ribs of the cover plate are rotated outward so as to disengage from the flanges of the clips; and/or

(b) The flange of the clip is bent upward, thereby releasing the cover plate from the clip.

Another aspect is the possible damage to the cover plate when it is positioned on the concealed fixed retention clips.

In particular, it has been found that cover plates used with known clips, especially clips having relatively short and stiff retainers, are prone to dent problems when pressed onto the clips. When the cover plate is pressed onto the clips, an indentation is formed in the part of the cover plate that contacts and slides over the clips. Dents do not affect the mechanical properties of the cover plate. However, dents can affect the aesthetics of the overlay panels, which is a noticeable problem.

Another aspect is that damage to the cover plate may occur when it has to be removed from the concealed fixed retaining clips.

In particular, it has been found that it is difficult to remove the cover panel from known clips, especially from clips having relatively short and stiff retaining members, without damaging the cover panel. This is a compelling issue because it is often the case, for example, when installing an air conditioner on a roof, that it must be possible to remove the covering panels to gain access to the roof space and then put the removed covering panels back on in place.

With regard to the above, the clip of the present invention includes the following features.

Preferably, the side walls of the clip of the present invention are formed so that they do not touch each other in the as-manufactured form of the clip, but in use when the cover plate is positioned on the clip said side walls are forced towards moving toward each other or touching each other. This feature makes it easier to mount the clip to the underlying structure because there is a gap between the side walls of the clip for insertion of a screwdriver to help secure the clip to the underlying structure.

Preferably the clip is formed from a resilient material so that when the cover panel is positioned on the clip in use, each side wall of the clip exerts an outwardly directed force in response to the side walls being forced together. This feature helps to secure the engagement of the flanges with the recesses of the cover plate ribs. In particular, the resulting outward force presses the flange against the cover plate.

Preferably, said flanges are mirror images of each other with respect to a centerline plane perpendicular to the base of the clip.

Preferably, the side walls and base are straight-sided so that when viewed from the side of the clip, the side walls and base form a triangular configuration. This construction improves the overall strength and rigidity of the clip. More specifically, the triangular configuration improves the clip's ability to withstand downward loads of the clip, for example, when someone presses down on the ribs of the cover panel to press the ribs onto the clip. Additionally, the triangular configuration accommodates off-centre downward loads experienced by the cover panel when it is pressed down onto the clips. Specifically, the sidewalls of the clip are able to slide relative to each other and return to the original profile in response to an off-center downward load. Furthermore, the triangular structure helps to prevent the side walls from moving outwards beyond their as-manufactured positions and thus is a factor in the clip being able to overcome the upward force acting on the cover plate.

Preferably, each side wall includes one or more stiffening ribs to improve the strength and rigidity of the side wall.

Preferably, at least one edge of each side wall includes an inwardly bent flange to improve the strength and rigidity of the side wall.

Preferably, said flange forms at least part of an arcuate configuration when in use the cover panel is positioned on the clip as the side walls are forced closer together. This feature improves the clip's ability to overcome lift forces acting on the cover plate. In particular, this feature has the advantage of an arcuate structure, which is a structure capable of converting upward force into an outward force.

Preferably, when the cover panel is positioned on the clip and the side walls are forced together in use, the side walls contact or approach each other at or near the upper end of the clip. This feature ensures that the material of the clip is as close as possible to the apex of the arch, thus helping to concentrate as much clip material as possible in the upper part of the clip, thereby optimizing the strength of this part of the clip.

Preferably, said flanges extend outwardly and downwardly relative to each other when the clip is seen to be positioned with the clip base in a horizontal plane.

The flange may form a relatively steep approach angle with respect to the rib of the cover panel so that when the cover panel is pressed down onto the clip in use to position the cover panel on the clip, the sides of the rib of the cover panel are Gradual rather than sudden outward deflection. This feature helps minimize cover plate sinking.

For this configuration, the flange is preferably relatively long, preferably at least 25% of the height of the clip.

The approach angle formed by each flange and base of the clip is preferably between 40° and 75°.

Alternatively, the flange may form a relatively gentle approach angle relative to the cover plate rib so that when in use the cover plate is pressed down onto the clip to position the cover plate on the clip, the sides of the cover plate rib A sudden rather than a gradual outward deflection.

For this configuration, the flange is preferably relatively short, preferably less than 25% of the height of the clip.

The approach angle formed by the flanges and the base of the clip is preferably less than 40°.

Each flange preferably has a sharpened outer end which contacts and thereby securely engages the recess of one of the cover plate ribs when in use the cover plate is positioned on the clip.

The outer end of each flange preferably extends outwardly. In other words, the outer ends of the flanges preferably do not bend inwardly towards the side walls of the clip.

Preferably, each flange includes two corners which are bent inwardly and form a surface extending transversely to the outer end of the flange, said surface being in contact with and supported by the cover plate in use when it is positioned on the clip. This engages with a recess in one of the cover plate ribs. This feature increases the contact surface area between the flange and the recess, thereby minimizing damage to the cover panel when it must be removed from the clip.

The transition between the side wall and the flange is preferably curved with a tight radius in order to concentrate as much clip material as possible in the upper part of the clip, thereby optimizing the strength and stiffness of this part of the clip.

Preferably, in the shaped clip, the upper end of the side wall forms a generally circular opening to facilitate insertion of a screwdriver to secure the clip to the underlying structure.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a clip assembly, which includes:

(a) a long strip; and

(b) a plurality of said concealed fixed retaining clips mounted on the upper surface of the strip.

Description of drawings

Below with reference to accompanying drawing, the present invention is further described by way of example, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a clip in as-manufactured form according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the clip shown in Fig. 1 along the direction of arrow "A" in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the clip shown in Fig. 1 along the direction of arrow "B" in Fig. 1;

Figure 4 is a top view of the clip shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a bottom view of the clip shown in Figure 1;

Figures 6a, 6b and 6c are schematic views showing the engagement of the cover plate with the clip shown in Figure 1;

Figures 7a and 7b are schematic views showing removal of the cover plate from the clip shown in Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a clip assembly according to the present invention comprising a strap and two clips mounted on the strap, said clips being similar to the clips in shaped configuration shown in Figures 1 to 7 ;

Figure 9 is a top view of the clip shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a side view of the clip shown in Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a bottom view of the clip shown in Figure 8;

Figure 12 is a right side end view of the clip shown in Figure 8 when viewed from Figure 8;

Fig. 13 is a left side end view of the clip shown in Fig. 8 as viewed from Fig. 8 .

detailed description

Figures 1 to 5 show a preferred embodiment of a clip 3 formed according to the invention. Figure 6 shows the interaction between the clip and the cover plate 29 when the cover plate is positioned on the clip. Figure 7 shows the interaction between the clip and the cover plate when the cover plate is removed from the clip.

The clip 3 is made by bending a blank of flat metal, preferably steel (but not limited to spring steel), into the configuration shown.

Clip 3 includes:

(a) base 5;

(b) a pair of side walls 7 protruding from the base and approaching each other; and

(c) A pair of flanges 9 forming a retainer for engagement with the recesses of the panel ribs, one flange 9 protruding from the upper end of one side wall 7 and the other flange 9 protruding from the other side wall The upper end of 7 stretches out.

The base 5 includes a pair of outwardly extending protrusions 15 to facilitate the positioning of the plurality of clips 3 on the strap (see Figure 8 for an embodiment).

Referring to FIG. 1, in addition, each side wall 7 includes: a relatively narrow strip portion 7a extending upward from the base 5; and a relatively wide upper portion 7b extending from the strip. Part 7a sticks out. The upper portion 7b is arranged symmetrically with respect to the strip portion 7a such that the side wall 7 has two shoulders 73 facing downwards. Said shoulder 73 further assists in positioning the clip 3 on the strap (see embodiment of FIG. 8 ).

The base 5 includes openings 63 to facilitate securing the clip 3 to the underlying roof structure, such as roof stringers (not shown).

The side walls 7 and the base 5 are straight walls and form a generally triangular structure, as shown in side view in FIG. 2 .

In the formed form shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 , the side walls 7 do not actually touch each other while coming close to each other, and the side walls 7 have a gap G at the upper ends of the side walls. However, as shown in Figure 6c, in use, when the cover panels are positioned on the side walls, the side walls 7 are forced to contact each other at their upper ends.

Each side wall 7 includes a reinforcing rib 11 to increase the rigidity of the side wall 7 .

The upper end of the side wall 7 defines a generally circular opening 13 which facilitates the insertion of a screwdriver (not shown) for mounting the clip to the underlying structure.

The flange 9 is formed to be at least partially arcuate.

The transition between the side wall 7 and the flange 9 is curved with a small radius in order to concentrate as much clip material as possible in the upper part of the clip 3, thereby optimizing the strength and stiffness of this part of the clip.

Each flange 9 has a relatively steep approach angle formed by the flange and base 5, ranging between 40° and 75°. Referring to FIG. 2 , the approach angle is formed by two dot-dash lines in the figure, and the angle between the two lines is marked as 40°.

Each flange 9 ends in a sharp outwardly facing (as opposed to inwardly curved) lower end forming a contact surface 25 for engaging a recess in one of the cover plate ribs.

Each flange 9 comprises in-turned sections 17 at the two corners of the lower end of the flange 9 . The corner portion 17 forms a contact surface 21 extending transversely with respect to a contact surface 25 at the outer end of the flange.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7, each cover panel 29 is cold-formed from steel plate and includes a leading edge (not shown), a trailing edge (not shown), a central longitudinally extending rib generally identified by reference numeral 31; and a On opposite sides of the rib 31 there is a longitudinally extending pan 51 .

Covering panels 29 may be of any suitable length and width, and may include any suitable number of ribs spaced apart by the floor.

The rib 31 of the cover plate 29 comprises two side portions, generally designated by the reference numeral 35 , separated by a flat upper portion 33 . Each side portion 35 includes a portion 41 extending outward and downward from the upper portion 33, a portion 43 extending downward and inward from the lower edge of the portion 41, a portion 45 extending downward and outward from the portion 43, and a The bottom plate 51 combines the downward and outward shoulders 45 .

A portion 43 of each upper retaining clip portion 15 forms an opposing recess of the rib 13 and is hereinafter referred to as "recess 43".

The leading and trailing edges (not shown) of the cover panels 29 are formed as partially integrated ribs to facilitate the interlocking of successive cover panels. The partially complete ribs are hereinafter referred to as "leading edge configuration" and "trailing edge configuration".

In use, screws are used to fasten a plurality of clips 3 on the stringer at certain space intervals along the length direction of the stringer.

The cover panels 29 are then placed continuously over the stringers in an overlapping manner.

Then, the cover panels 29 are sequentially engaged with the clips 3 as the cover panels are successively placed on the stringers.

This is done by continuously pressing the leading edge formation, ribs 31 and trailing edge formation of the cover plate 29 onto the clip 3, thereby deflecting the leading edge formation, ribs 31 and trailing edge formation outwardly and causing the flange 9 of the clip 3 to achieved by inward deflection.

This movement allows the leading edge formation 8, the rib 11 and the trailing edge formation 10 to be positioned on the clip 3 with the surface 25 at the lower end of the flange 9 and the surface 21 of the inturned corner 17 of the flange 9 and the recess 43 of the rib 31 , so that the cover plate 29 is fixed to the clip 3 .

This movement is illustrated in FIG. 6 , which shows the placement of a rib 31 of a cover plate 29 in relation to the clip 3 . It should be noted that the steep approach angle of the flange 9 and the inward movement of the side wall 7 as shown in the figure minimizes the possibility of dents in the part of the cover plate that contacts and slides on the flange 9 change. It should also be noted that in the installed position shown in Figure 6c, the upper ends of the side walls 7 are in contact with each other.

Figure 7 shows the necessary interaction between the clip 3 and the covering panel 29 when the covering panel is removed from the clip in order to be able to gain access to the roof space.

Referring to Figure 7a, the first step in detaching the cover plate 29 from the clip 3 includes: lifting the right side of the cover plate 29 outwards, as shown in the figure, so that the cover plate is disengaged from the flange 9 on the side of the clip 3, And make the portion 45 on the side of the rib 31 come into contact with and lean against the outer surface of the flange 9 on the side of the clip, as shown in FIG. 7b.

Referring to Fig. 7b, the second step of removing the cover plate 29 from the clip 3 includes: moving the left half of the cover plate 29 outwards, as shown in the figure, so that the cover plate is disengaged from the flange 9 on the side of the clip 3 . It should be understood that the contact surface 21 of the inwardly bent corner 17 of the flange 9 on the side of the clip prevents the contact surface 25 formed on the lower end of the flange 9 from piercing and damaging the recess of the cover plate on the side of the cover plate 43.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a clip assembly according to the present invention comprising a strip 81 and two clips 83, wherein the clip 83 is similar to the clip 3 in shaped form shown in Figures 1 to 7, and Mounted on strip 81.

As mentioned above, it is apparent from the drawings that the clip 3 and the clip 83 are similar, and the same reference numerals are used to describe the same structural features.

The straps 81 are a convenient means of fastening a plurality of clips 81 to the stringer (not shown) at desired spaced intervals along the length of the stringer.

Strap 81 includes a flat base 87, and raised sides 89 extending lengthwise. The side portion 89 is in the shape of a downwardly opening groove. The inwardly facing walls of the sides 89 (see FIG. 8 ) have spaced apart slots (not shown) for receiving the outwardly extending projections 15 on the base 5 of each clip 83 . In addition, the width of the flat base 87 and the height of the sides 89 of the strap 81 are selected such that the clip 83 fits snugly on the flat base 87 with the downward facing shoulder 73 of the clip 83 (see shoulder 73 ) rests on the top wall 93 of the side 89 of the strap 81 .

The main differences between Clip 3 and 83 are as follows.

1. Compared with the approach angle and flange length of the clip 3, the flange 9 of the clip 83 has a relatively steep approach angle, and the flange length is relatively short.

2. The flange of clip 83 has no inwardly bent corners.

3. The clip 83 has an inwardly bent flange 97 along the edge of the side wall 7 to improve the rigidity of the side wall.

Various modifications may be made to the preferred embodiment of the roof system described above without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (16)

1. for roofing board or other covering plate are fixed to the fixing retaining clip of the hidden in supporting structure under, comprising:

(a) base portion;

B sidewall that () a pair is stretched out from this base portion and mutually drawn close, described sidewall is formed as, under the manufactured form of the fixing retaining clip of this hidden, described sidewall does not contact with each other, and when covering plate in using and being positioned in the fixing retaining clip of this hidden, the described inside move toward one another of sidewall stress or contact with each other, wherein said sidewall and base portion are straight flange, thus when as viewed from when this hidden fixes the sidepiece of retaining clip, described sidewall and base portion form a triangular structure; With

(c) pair of flanges, described flange forms keeper, for engaging with the recess in the sidepiece covering rib of slab bar, wherein the fixing retaining clip of this hidden is made up of elastomeric material, thus when covering plate in using and being positioned in the fixing retaining clip of this hidden, the stress responding described sidewall is drawn close, and each sidewall of the fixing retaining clip of this hidden applies an outwardly directed power;

It is characterized in that, one flange extends downward one end of one flange from the upper end of a sidewall away from another sidewall, and another flange extends downward one end of another flange described from the upper end of another sidewall described away from one sidewall, the bottom of each described flange outwardly and forms the contact surface contacted with this covering plate, each sidewall includes one or more ribs, to improve the hardness of described sidewall.

2. the fixing retaining clip of hidden as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flange is mirror one another relative to the center line plane perpendicular through the fixing retaining clip base portion of this hidden.

3. the fixing retaining clip of hidden as claimed in claim 1, wherein when being positioned at by covering plate along with the stress of described sidewall is drawn close in using in the fixing retaining clip of this hidden, described flange forms at least one of bow-shaped structural.

4. the fixing retaining clip of hidden as claimed in claim 1, wherein it is installed in the fixing retaining clip of this hidden when covering plate in using, and when making described sidewall stress draw close, described sidewall contacts with each other or close to each other near the upper end of the fixing retaining clip of this hidden or the upper end of the fixing retaining clip of this hidden.

5. the fixing retaining clip of hidden as claimed in claim 1, wherein when looking the fixing retaining clip of this hidden to fix retaining clip base portion by this hidden being on horizontal plane and to be positioned, described flange outwardly and downwardly extends relative to one another.

6. the fixing retaining clip of hidden as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flange forms precipitous approach angle relative to the rib covering plate, thus when in using, this covering plate is pressed downwardly onto in the fixing retaining clip of this hidden to be positioned at by this covering plate in the fixing retaining clip of this hidden, the rib sidepiece of this covering plate produces mild rather than unexpected being deflected outward by.

7. the fixing retaining clip of hidden as claimed in claim 6, wherein said flange is at least the 25% of the fixing retaining clip height of this hidden.

8. the fixing retaining clip of hidden as claimed in claims 6 or 7, the approach angle wherein formed by each flange of the fixing retaining clip of this hidden and base portion is between 40 ° and 75 °.

9. the fixing retaining clip of hidden as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flange forms mild approach angle relative to the rib covering plate, thus when in using, this covering plate is pressed downwardly onto in the fixing retaining clip of this hidden to be positioned at by this covering plate in the fixing retaining clip of this hidden, the rib sidepiece of this covering plate produces unexpected rather than mild being deflected outward by.

10. the fixing retaining clip of hidden as claimed in claim 9, wherein said flange is less than the 25% of the fixing retaining clip height of this hidden.

11. the hidden as described in claim 9 or 10 fixes retaining clip, the approach angle wherein formed by each flange of the fixing retaining clip of this hidden and base portion is less than 40 °.

12. the fixing retaining clip of hidden as claimed in claim 1, wherein each flange has a sharp-pointed outer end outwardly, when covering plate in using and being positioned in the fixing retaining clip of this hidden, the contact of described outer end also thus reliably engages with the recess of one of this covering rib of slab bar.

13. the fixing retaining clip of hidden as claimed in claim 1, wherein each flange includes two corner parts bent inwards at described flange outer end, described corner part forms the surface relative to this flange outer end horizontal expansion, when covering plate in using and being positioned in the fixing retaining clip of this hidden, the contact of described surface also thus engages with the recess of one of this covering rib of slab bar.

14. the fixing retaining clip of hidden as claimed in claim 1, the upper end of wherein said sidewall is formed as being formed a rounded opening in the fixing retaining clip of hidden of manufactured form, fixing for this hidden retaining clip is fixed in structures below to contribute to inserting screwdriver.

15. the fixing retaining clip of hidden as claimed in claim 1, transition between wherein said sidewall and flange is the curved surface of minor radius, fixing for hidden as much as possible retaining clip material to be concentrated on the top of the fixing retaining clip of this hidden, thus optimizing intensity and the hardness of fixing this part of retaining clip of this hidden.

16. a clip assembly, including:

(a) long strip; With

B the hidden described in () multiple claim 1 fixes retaining clip, the fixing retaining clip of described hidden is arranged on the upper surface of this band.