One-piece wire retainer clip mountable on threaded stud

• US 4,842,237 A
• Filed: 11/23/1988
• Issued: 06/27/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Phillips Plastics Corporation (KOCH Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Wollar, Burnell J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Olson, Robert A.
• Application Number:
  US07/275,574
• Time in Patent Office: 216 Days
• Field of Search: 248/548, 248/49, 248/62, 248/65, 248/67.5, 248/68.1, 248/73, 248/74.1, 248/74.4, 248/74.5, 248/220.2, 248/224.3, 248/309.1, 248/313, 248/316.1, 248/316.6 , 248/500, 248/505, 248/507, 248/508, 248/510, 174/156, 174/157
• US Class Current: 248/548
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/26 Installations of cables, lines, or separate protective tubing therefor directly on or in walls, ceilings, or floors by means of insulators H02G3/24; supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing F16L3/00; hose-clips F16L33/02

Abstract

A one-piece wire retainer clip comprises a first tube axially slidable onto and frictionally engageable with a threaded stud on a structure. A pair of resiliently movable spaced-apart legs are connectd to the first tube and define a wire-receiving slot having an opening on one side through which wires are laterally insertable into the slot. A second tube is axially aligned with and slidable manually onto the first tube. A slot closure plate is connected to and movable with the second tube. Releasably interengageable latches are provided on the legs and on the slot closure plate. A frangible web connected between the tubes initially maintains the second tube in an open position wherein the closure plate is spaced from the slot opening. The web remains intact as manual force is axially exerted on the second tube to force the first tube onto the stud. Then, the web fractures, the second tube telescopes onto the first tube, the closure plate is moved to a closed position wherein it blocks the slot opening, the latches interengage to lock the closure plate in closed position. The latches are releasable to allow the closure plate to be returned to open positon for wire removal and to allow removal of the second tube so the first tube can be pulled off the stud.

Claims

1. A one-piece plastic retainer clip for supporting an elongated member, such as a wire or tube, and mountable on a stud on a structure comprising:

a first tubular member having a stud-receiving bore for frictionally engaging said stud;

retainer means connected to said first tubular member and defining a slot having a slot opening for receiving said elongated member laterally inserted thereinto;

a second tubular member axially movable relative to said first tubular member between open and closed positions and having a second bore for slidably receiving said first tubular member when in closed position;

a closure member connected to and movable with said second tubular member;

interengageable latch means on said retainer means and on said closure member;

and frangible means connected between said first tubular member and said second tubular member,

said frangible means being operable to initially maintain said second tubular member in axial alignment with and in open position relative to said first tubular member and to initially maintain said closure member in an open position spaced from said slot opening;

said frangible means being sufficiently strong to remain intact when axial force is exerted on said second tubular member sufficient to force said first tubular member onto said stud;

said web means being frangible, when axial force is exerted on said second tubular member after said stud is received in said first tubular member, to enable said second tubular member to be slid onto said first tubular member and thereby move said closure member to a closed position wherein it blocks said slot opening and wherein said latch means interengage to maintain said closure member and said second tubular member in closed position.

2. A clip according to claim 1 wherein each tubular member has a lower end and an upper end and wherein said frangible means is connected between the upper end of said first tubular member and the lower end of said second tubular member.

3. A clip according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said retainer means comprises at least one resilient leg having a free end and defining a side of said slot,

and wherein said interengageble latch means comprises a latch member on said free end of said leg and a latch member on said closure member.

4. A clip according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said retainer means comprises a pair of resilient legs having free ends, wherein said closure member comprises a recess for receiving the free ends of said legs, and wherein said latch means comprises latch members on the free ends of said legs and latch members on said closure member adjacent said recess.

5. A clip according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said stud-receiving bore in said first tubular member comprises axially extending splines for frictionally engaging said stud.

6. A one-piece plastic retainer clip for supporting an elongated member, such as a wire or tube, and mountable on a stud on a structure comprising:

a first tubular member having a stud-receiving bore for frictionally engaging said stud;

a pair of resiliently movable spaced apart legs connected to said first tubular member and defining a slot having a slot opening for receiving said elongated member laterally inserted thereinto;

a second tubular member axially movable relative to said first tubular member between open and closed positions and having a second bore for slidably receiving said first tubular member when in closed position;

a closure member connected to and movable with said second tubular member;

interengageable latch means on at least one of said resiliently movable legs and on said closure member;

and frangible web means connected between said first tubular member and said second tubular member,

said web means being operable to initially maintain said second tubular member in axial alignment with and in open position relative to said first tubular member and to initially maintain said closure member in an open position spaced from said slot opening;

said web means being sufficiently strong to remain intact when axial force is exerted on said second tubular member sufficient to force said first tubular member onto said stud;

said web means being frangible, when axial force is exerted on said second tubular member after said stud is received in said first tubular member, to enable said second tubular member to be slid onto said first tubular member and thereby move said closure member to a closed position wherein it blocks said slot opening and wherein said latch means interengage to maintain said closure member and said second tubular member in closed position.

7. A clip according to claim 6 wherein each tubular member has a lower end and an upper end and wherein said frangible means is connected between the upper end of said first tubular member and the lower end of said second tubular member.

8. A clip according to claim 6 or 7 wherein said closure member comprises a recess for receiving the free ends of said legs, and wherein said latch means comprises latch members on the free ends of said legs and latch members on said closure member adjacent said recess.

9. A clip according to claim 8 wherein said stud-receiving bore in said first tubular member comprises axially extending splines for frictionally engaging said stud.