GB2364094A - Threaded fixing clip - Google Patents
Threaded fixing clip Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2364094A GB2364094A GB0110196A GB0110196A GB2364094A GB 2364094 A GB2364094 A GB 2364094A GB 0110196 A GB0110196 A GB 0110196A GB 0110196 A GB0110196 A GB 0110196A GB 2364094 A GB2364094 A GB 2364094A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- fixing means
- curved portion
- elongate member
- aperture
- snap
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 241000237858 Gastropoda Species 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- WYTGDNHDOZPMIW-RCBQFDQVSA-N alstonine Natural products C1=CC2=C3C=CC=CC3=NC2=C2N1C[C@H]1[C@H](C)OC=C(C(=O)OC)[C@H]1C2 WYTGDNHDOZPMIW-RCBQFDQVSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
- F16B37/00—Nuts or like thread-engaging members
- F16B37/04—Devices for fastening nuts to surfaces, e.g. sheets, plates
- F16B37/041—Releasable devices
- F16B37/043—Releasable devices with snap action
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Connection Of Plates (AREA)
- Clamps And Clips (AREA)
Abstract
A fixing clip means (10) for use in data communications enclosures is provided. The fixing means is a clip comprising a connector portion with an integral securing portion, wherein the connector portion comprises a snap-fit connection means (12) and the securing portion comprises a threaded aperture (42), such that the fixing means (10) can be repeatedly engaged with and separated from an aperture on a metal frame. The threaded aperture (42) has a deformed flange (44) around at least part of its periphery, the deformed flange having a snail form.
Description
2364094 TITLE: Fixing Means
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a fixing means for use in securing articles to a frame, and in particular for use in securing components to frames in enclosures housing electrical equipment.
Background to the Invention
Enclosures housing electrical equipment use fixing means to secure racks, shelves, distribution panels and the like to apertured vertical struts within the enclosure A cage nut is typically used as the fixing means, the cage nut comprising a snap-fit portion with a retaining lip which holds and retains a loose nut with a screw thread The cage nuts are inserted into the apertures by means of a special tool, such that the resulting snap-fit connection is fairly permanent, and to disconnect the cage nut requires some time and use of an appropriate tool The nut is permanently retained within the lip, although the nut is loose, and bolts can be secured by screwing them into the nut.
The present invention aims to provide a fixing means for use in data communications enclosures which is easier to attach and detach to a frame than the cage nuts presently used.
Summary of the Invention
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a fixing means for use in data communications enclosures, the fixing means comprising a connector portion with an integral securing portion, wherein the connector portion comprises a snap- fit connection means, and the securing portion comprises a threaded aperture The snap- fit connection provided by the connector portion is such that the fixing means is repeatedly engageable with and separable from an aperture on a metal frame, such as is commonly found in cabinets housing data communications equipment and the like.
The connector portion is preferably substantially serpentine in shape, comprising a first curved portion and a second curved portion, and a first end of the first curved portion is provided with snap-fit connection means.
The second curved portion preferably incorporates at least part of the securing portion, so as to ensure that the snap-fit connection means does not block the securing portion.
A first end of the second curved portion is preferably connected to a second end of the first curved portion by a first elongate member, a second elongate member extending from a second end of the second curved portion, and the threaded aperture extending through the first elongate member and the second elongate member, thereby to provide first and second aperture elements in overlying relationship.
The second elongate member preferably further comprises a deformed flange, having a snail form, around the second aperture element, so as to provide a one-twist thread for fixing bolts and screws into the securing portion.
Thus, in use, typically one urges the snap-fit connection means through an aperture incorporated in a strut, until it snaps to secure to the strut and items such as racks, shelves and the like are supported by placing them within a holding region or area defined by the first elongate member, second curved portion and second elongate member For more secure fixing, the racks etc are secured to the fixing means by a bolt passing through the rack and engaging with the threaded aperture.
The fixing means thus provides two-part fixing for items, firstly by the items being held against gravity when supported in the holding area, and secondly by use of a bolt, screw or the like passing through the item and engaging with the threaded portion.
Typically, the fixing means is formed from one-piece sheet metal, with typical dimensions of the clip being approximately 15 mmn x 12 mm, with the depth of the clip being approximately 5 mm.
As will be appreciated, the clip may be used in a variety of situations where secure semi- permanent fixing is required, and is not limited to the field of data communications equipment cabinets as such, although it is particularly applicable and useful for this field.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a side view of a fixing means in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a vertical section through the fixing means shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a view along line A in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a view along line B in Figure 1; and Figure 5 shows various views of a fixing means in accordance with the present invention when used to connect a rack to apertured uprights.
Description
A fixing means 10, or clip, is shown in Figure 1 in side view The metal spring clip is substantially serpentine in shape, and comprises a snap-fit portion 12 for engaging with apertures on struts and the like, and a threaded aperture 14 for engaging with and securing bolts and screws Typically, the clip 10 is used in cabinets housing data communications equipment, where the cabinets include a number of vertical apertured struts to which racks, distribution panels and other mounting equipment need to be secured The snap-fit portion 12 is made from resiliently biased metal so that the snap-fit portion 12 is repeatedly engageable with and detachable from a strut Thus the clip readily snaps in to and out of apertures on such struts and is easily inserted and detached for repositioning without the need for any special tools.
The clip 10 comprises a first curved portion 16 and a second curved portion 18, wherein a first end 20 of the first curved portion 16 extends into the snap-fit connector 12 A second end 22 of the first curved portion 16 joins with a first straight elongate portion 24 which itself joins with a first end 26 of the second curved portion 18 A second end 30 of the second curved portion 18 leads into a second elongate portion 32 which is angled towards the first elongate portion 24 and has an outward return 34 at its far end A receiving space 36 is defined by the elongate portions 24, 32 and the second curved portion 18.
A sectional view of the clip 10 is shown in Figure 2 and as will be seen a first circular aperture 40 is provided in the first elongate portion 24 and a second circular aperture 42 is provided in the second elongate portion 32 The apertures 40, 42 overlie one another to form a composite aperture, and the second aperture 42 has a deformed flange 44 around at least part of its periphery, the deformed flange 44 providing a twist-thread for engaging with and securing a bolt or screw The deformed flange 44 has a snail form providing one twist thread.
A front view of the clip is shown in Figure 4, with a rear view of the clip being shown in Figure 3 Corresponding reference numerals to those used in connection with Figures 1 and 2 have been used where appropriate.
The clip 10 can be used to hold and retain mounted equipment, with the snap-fit connector 12 engaging an aperture in an upright and the mounting ranks etc being held in the receiving space 36 defined by the first elongate portion, the second curved portion and the second elongate portion A number of clips used in combination and inserted into spaced apart apertures are capable of holding relatively heavy equipment, particularly when compared to the size of the clip.
Figure 5 shows four clips 50, 52, 54, 56 used to secure a rack 60 to two vertical struts 62, 64.
A side view illustrating how the rack engages with the clip is shown as insert A As will be seen from Figure 5, some of the apertures in the struts may be designed to have a generally cruciform shape with two cut-out slots forming the cruciform having different widths so as to allow for fixing of components of different dimensions Typically, the width of one slot is around 5 mm, with the other slot having a width of around 9 5 mm, the two slots intersecting at their mid-point to form a generally cruciform shape.
C 882 00/S
Claims (8)
1 A fixing means for use in data communications enclosures, the fixing means comprising a connector portion with an integral securing portion, wherein the connector portion comprises a snap-fit connection means, and the securing portion comprises a threaded aperture.
2 A fixing means according to Claim 1, wherein the fixing means is substantially serpentine in shape, comprising a first curved portion and a second curved portion, and a first end of the first curved portion comprises the snap-fit connection means.
3 A fixing means according to Claim 2, wherein the second curved portion incorporates at least part of the securing portion.
4 A fixing means according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein a first end of the second curved portion is connected to a second end of the first curved portion by a first elongate member, a second elongate member extends from a second end of the second curved portion, and the threaded aperture extends through the first elongate member and the second elongate member, thereby to provide first and second aperture elements in overlying relationship.
A fixing means according to Claim 4, wherein the second elongate member further comprises a deformed flange, having a snail form, around the second aperture element, so as to provide a one-twist thread for fixing bolts and screws into the securing portion.
6 A fixing means according to any of the Claims 2 to 5, wherein a holding region is defined between the first curved portion and the second curved portion, the holding region being adapted to receive and support items.
7 A fixing means according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing means is formed from one-piece sheet metal.
8 A fixing means substantially as herein particularly described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0110196A GB2364094A (en) | 2000-06-26 | 2001-04-26 | Threaded fixing clip |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0015636A GB0015636D0 (en) | 2000-06-26 | 2000-06-26 | Fixing means |
| GB0110196A GB2364094A (en) | 2000-06-26 | 2001-04-26 | Threaded fixing clip |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0110196D0 GB0110196D0 (en) | 2001-06-20 |
| GB2364094A true GB2364094A (en) | 2002-01-16 |
Family
ID=26244546
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0110196A Withdrawn GB2364094A (en) | 2000-06-26 | 2001-04-26 | Threaded fixing clip |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2364094A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102010055554A1 (en) * | 2010-12-23 | 2012-06-28 | Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. | Caged nut with holding device and method for producing the same |
Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1125925A (en) * | 1966-07-07 | 1968-09-05 | Antler Ltd | Improvements relating to travel cases, trunks and the like |
| US3645311A (en) * | 1965-09-20 | 1972-02-29 | George A Tinnerman | Constant torque threaded fastener formation |
| US4243086A (en) * | 1978-06-27 | 1981-01-06 | A. Raymond | Clamp-like, sheet-metal, slip-on nut |
| GB1587388A (en) * | 1978-05-25 | 1981-04-01 | Gaukroger J | Clips |
| US4643610A (en) * | 1986-06-30 | 1987-02-17 | Chrysler Motors Corporation | Fastener mounting assembly |
| EP0778420A1 (en) * | 1995-12-04 | 1997-06-11 | Eaton Corporation | Clip-on fastening device |
-
2001
- 2001-04-26 GB GB0110196A patent/GB2364094A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3645311A (en) * | 1965-09-20 | 1972-02-29 | George A Tinnerman | Constant torque threaded fastener formation |
| GB1125925A (en) * | 1966-07-07 | 1968-09-05 | Antler Ltd | Improvements relating to travel cases, trunks and the like |
| GB1587388A (en) * | 1978-05-25 | 1981-04-01 | Gaukroger J | Clips |
| US4243086A (en) * | 1978-06-27 | 1981-01-06 | A. Raymond | Clamp-like, sheet-metal, slip-on nut |
| US4643610A (en) * | 1986-06-30 | 1987-02-17 | Chrysler Motors Corporation | Fastener mounting assembly |
| EP0778420A1 (en) * | 1995-12-04 | 1997-06-11 | Eaton Corporation | Clip-on fastening device |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102010055554A1 (en) * | 2010-12-23 | 2012-06-28 | Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. | Caged nut with holding device and method for producing the same |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0110196D0 (en) | 2001-06-20 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |