GB2565110A

GB2565110A - Improved apparatus and method for attaching sheet material to a structural member

Info

Publication number: GB2565110A
Application number: GB1712419.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Attwood Michael; Vincent Travis Philip
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-08-02
Filing date: 2017-08-02
Publication date: 2019-02-06
Also published as: GB201712419D0

Abstract

A clip 301 for attaching sheet material, such as fire resistant boards, to a structural member, such as a girder, comprises at least one mounting portion 303. A fixing assembly 305 for attaching the clip to the structural member comprises an outer engagement portion 306, 307 and an inner engagement portion 308. The outer engagement portion comprises at least a first engagement member configured to lie flush against a surface of the structural member. The engagement member may slidably engage with the structural member, and may comprise an elongate arm. The engagement portions may be resilient to grip the structural member, and a pair or engagement portions may engage the same surface of the structural member. The mounting portion may comprise a planar surface having holes or indents 310 for fixings such as screws. A method of making a clip includes the step of creating one or more slits to distinguish two or more engagement portions.

Description

IMPROVED APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ATTACHING SHEET MATERIAL TO A STRUCTURAL MEMBER

Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of attaching sheet material to structural members, such as in relation to covering girders in order to provide a required degree of protection from fire or for decorative purposes. More specifically, although not exclusively, the invention relates to covering a structural member with some form of cladding such as fire resistant boards in order to protect the structural member from excessive heat in the event that a fire arises in the vicinity of where the structural member is deployed in a given application such as, for example, a high rise building.

Background of the Invention [0002] A girder is a large beam, especially made of steel, used in the construction of buildings, bridges etc. As those skilled in the art will appreciate structural members such as girders and the like as are used in the construction industry are, in accordance with predefined safety standards/requirements, required to be protected from fire and the heat associated with fires. Thus, for example, in the United Kingdom there exist so-called ‘building regulations’ that require steel girders as are used in the construction of buildings and the like to be protected from fire. Such girders, as used as structural elements in buildings and other large structures of various kinds, are frequently referred to as ‘RSJ’s’ in view of the structural element typically being of the rolled steel joist (RSJ) type. Typical girders comprise an T shape in cross section and are thus referred to as T beams. In the UK domestic house market a common type of girder is 6 inches (15cm) high by 3 1/2 inches (8.9cm) wide. Traditionally such girders are protected by ‘fireproofing’ through boxing the girder in and which thus comprises encasing a given girder with boards of various types that are mounted on a wooden frame that is built, in situ, around the girder as is present in a particular building or other structural application. Such boards are typically referred to as ‘fireboards’ and are generally in the form of rectilinear elongate planar members. However, as those

-2skilied in the art will understand, this approach to attaching sheet material such as fireboards on a structural member is very costly in view of the amount of the materials required and because it is a relatively skilled job that frequently takes a reasonable amount of time to do to the required regulated standard. The same applies for situations where cladding of structural members for decorative purposes is required.

[0003] An improved approach to attaching sheet material, such as cladding of various types, to a structural member is also described in US patent no. US 3748815 as is dated 31 July 1973 in the name of Alvin S. Parker and which is entitled ‘Plasterboard to column clip’. This reference discloses, as is shown in Fig. 1 of the present application, a clip 101 that is configured to be fixed directly to a structural member of a building or the like and which comprises a box section receiver assembly 102 and a spring flap 103 formed integrally therewith, the latter configured to affix to a flange of a structural member, such as a steel T beam, in order to facilitate fireproofing thereof. Clip 101 is considered to be primarily aimed for use on vertical beams because, when attached to a given T beam such that flap 103 (or assembly 102) is located against an outward facing surface of the beam, the spring flap 103 (or assembly 102) substantially protrudes from the surface thereof such that the clip would not be suitable for affixing to an T beam that is disposed horizontally where there is material such as masonry (e.g. brickwork) located immediately adjacent to that outer surface of the T beam. This situation would arise, for example, where masonry is located immediately adjacent to and on top of or below, a given T beam to be covered.

[0004] Another improved approach to attaching sheet material, such as cladding of various types, to a structural member is described in international patent application publication number WO 99/57391 filed on 05 May 1999 as application no. PCT/US99/09785 in the name of the applicant Column & Beam Inc. [US] with named inventor ‘Jeffrey Feltman’ and entitled ‘An adjustable clip for attaching sheet material to structural members’. This reference refers to and improves upon the disclosure of US 3748815. As is shown in Fig. 2 of the present

-3application this reference discloses a clip 201 having (i) a body portion 202 comprising a plurality of body panels that define a substantially rectangular cross section and (ii) an adjustable spring arm portion 203 projecting from the clip body and which, advantageously, enables the clip to be readily adjusted to fit on structural beams of different sizes. However the configuration of the clip disclosed is similar to that of Parker and such that when the clip is fitted to a given structural member, notably a flange of an T beam, a substantial part of the body of the clip protrudes beyond a level of the outer surface of the structural member which thereby unduly restricts the use of such clip to certain specific applications whilst denying use thereof in other applications. Notably, as was the case for a clip configured in accordance with US patent no. US 3748815, the disclosed clip would not be able to be directly used in certain situations where a given girder/ T beam is already fitted in a structure, such as a building. As already indicated above, such a situation arises where adjacent masonry (e.g. brickwork) is present along the length of a girder because the clip body portion (or, depending on how the clip is disposed relative to the girder, the spring arm portion) would be prevented/hindered from directly fitting to a flange of such a girder by virtue of the masonry as abuts against the outer surface of the flange. This kind of situation is frequently found in domestic buildings wherein the owner of a house or home may, during a phase of DIY for example, wish to cover a given girder as is present next to brickwork or the like. In addition, it is noted that the clip disclosed in WO 99/5739 is relatively complex which may contribute to its lack of versatility as just described.

[0005] A further notable approach to mounting cladding on a structural member is described in international patent application publication number WO 99/35352 as filed on 31 December 1998 as application no. PCT/GB98/03922 in the name of the applicant and inventor ‘David Marriott’ and as is entitled ‘Clip for mounting cladding on a structural member’. This patent application provides a good description of the problem addressed therein as centers on overcoming the need to use skilled tradespeople in order to provide an effective result as regards various prior existing cladding approaches. However WO 99/35352 discloses a

-4clip that is specifically configured for use with a ‘support member’ as comprises an elongate member that is received and held in place by such clips and which, in turn, is such that cladding is attached thereto rather than directly to the clips. In other words, in relation to a given structural member to be covered, the disclosure of WO 99/35352 teaches the construction of a clip/support member assembly in order to then affix cladding to the support member and this is a time consuming exercise that requires a reasonable degree of skill to put together. In this regard, the clip disclosed by Marriott cannot be considered to comprise a mounting portion having a surface that is specifically configured with means to directly affix a sheet of material thereto. In contrast the clips of Feltman and Parker each comprise a plurality of such attaching surfaces that a screw or other suitable fixing may engage with.

[0006] In view of the above there is a need to provide an improved approach to applying sheet material such as cladding of various kinds to structural members such as steel T beams/girders and the like. More particularly, but not exclusively, there is a need to provide a simple and effective apparatus and method in order to solve the problem of affixing cladding to structural members in order to more quickly and at a lower cost than existing approaches provide a required and/or regulated degree of protection from fire. More particularly there is a need to provide a clip that improves upon the aforementioned clips disclosed in US 3748815, WO 99/5739 and WO 99/35352 so that a wider sphere of application is permitted in order to enable horizontally disposed structural members, notably steel T beams when adjacent to masonry, to be fireproofed or otherwise covered.

Summary of the Invention [0007] Traditional methods of attaching sheet material to a structural member, such as, for example in connection with buildings and other structures, either on land or elsewhere, is time consuming, uses a significant amount of materials, notably wood, for enabling required sheet material/cladding to be

-5attached thereto and constitutes a relatively skilled job. With many situations, such as in relation to fire-proofing girders in buildings, safety of the public is paramount and thus anything that provides a significant safety benefit is highly desirable as is any reduction of the overall costs of installation.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clip apparatus (301; 1101) configured for use in attaching sheet material to a structural member, such as a flange of a girder, said clip apparatus comprising:

at least one mounting portion (303; 1102) having a surface that is specifically configured with means to directly affix a sheet of material thereto; and a fixing assembly (305; 1103) configured to affix said clip apparatus to a structural member, said fixing assembly comprising an outer engagement portion (306, 307; 1104, 1105) and an inner engagement portion (308; 1106) for respectively cooperating in order to thereby resiliently engage with respective first and second oppositely facing surfaces of a structural member;

said clip apparatus characterised in that:

said outer engagement portion of said fixing assembly comprises at least a first substantially two-dimensional and thus planar engagement member (306, 307; 1104, 1105) that is thereby configured to abut substantially flush against an associated engaged surface of a structural member.

[0009] Preferably said inner engagement portion comprises a substantially two-dimensional and thus planar engagement member such that said at least one outer engagement member and said inner engagement member are substantially parallel to each other extending in planes relative to each other at an angle in the range of 0° to 10°.

[0010] Preferably said inner engagement portion comprises a substantially two-dimensional and thus planar engagement member such that

-6said at least one outer engagement member and said inner engagement member are disposed such that the angular separation there-between is 20° or less.

[0011] Preferably said inner engagement portion comprises a substantially two-dimensional and thus planar engagement member such that said at least one outer engagement member and said inner engagement member are disposed such that the angular separation there-between is approximately 10° or less.

[0012] Preferably a said substantially two-dimensional and thus planar engagement member is configured to slidably engage with a given surface substantially without a part thereof protruding beyond a level of the surface so engaged.

[0013] Preferably a said substantially two-dimensional and thus planar engagement member comprises an elongate arm.

[0014] Preferably at least one of said inner and said second outer engagement portions is resilient and configured such that, during use, it works to oppose the other in order to thereby grip a given surface that they engage.

[0015] Suitably both of said inner and said second outer engagement portions are resilient and configured such that, during use, they oppose each other in order to thereby grip a given surface that they engage.

[0016] Preferably both of said inner and said outer engagement portions are elongate with one being shorter than the other.

[0017] Preferably said clip comprises a slit that extends substantially along corresponding edges of and in- between said first and said second engagement portions.

-7[0018] Preferably there is provided a third engagement portion that is configured to engage with the same surface as either of said first or said second engagement portions.

[0019] Preferably said first, second and third engagement portions are arranged such that said pair of engagement portions that engage with the same surface are substantially located in a plane that is further away from a central point of the space occupied by the clip than is the plane occupied by the remaining engagement portion.

[0020] Preferably said first, second and third engagement portions are arranged such that said pair of engagement portions that are configured to engage the same surface of a structural member are formed as outermost edge portions of a side of said clip with the remaining engagement portion being located there-between and nearer to the central point of the space occupied by the clip.

[0021] Preferably said clip comprises three face bearing sides and three substantially open sides.

[0022] Preferably a said mounting portion having a surface that is specifically configured with means to directly affix a sheet of material thereto substantially comprises a planar area of material that presents a surface that a fixing such as a screw may engage with in order to thereby secure a sheet of material thereto.

[0023] Suitably a said means to directly affix a sheet of material thereto comprises a surface bearing one or more predefined holes or indents.

[0024] Suitably said clip apparatus is formed from a single blank work piece rather than two or more adjoined pieces.

-8[0025] Preferably said clip apparatus comprises at least three bends as are formed about three different axes.

[0026] Preferably said clip apparatus is substantially rectangular or square in cross section in view of its internal angles as are formed by said bends all being substantially right angles.

[0027] Preferably said clip apparatus is made of a metal or a metal alloy such as aluminium or spring steel.

[0028] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of making a clip apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said method comprises the steps of:

selecting a work piece material and cutting it to the desired size;

creating one or more required slits to distinguish two or more engagement portions of a fixing assembly as each respectively comprise a substantially twodimensional and thus planar member;

bending said workpiece along a first axis by approximately 90° in order to thereby form a planar member of a first engagement portion as configured to engage with a first surface of a structural member;

bending said work piece by approximately 90° along a second axis, in order to provide two face bearing sides such that at least one comprises a first mounting portion having a surface that is specifically configured with means to directly affix a sheet of material thereto and wherein the other surface comprises a second planar member of a second engagement portion that is configured to engage with a second surface of a structural member that is substantially opposite to the first surface.

-9[0029] Preferably said method additionally comprises the step of bending said work piece along a third axis in order to create a second mounting portion that comprises a surface that is substantially at 90° to said surface of said first mounting portion.

[0030] According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of attaching sheet material to a structural member as is present in a structure, such as a building, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a clip of the type claimed in any of appended claims 1 to 20; and attaching a sheet of material to said clip.

[0031] Preferably said sheet of material comprises a fire resistant board having a predetermined resistance rating to fire.

[0032] Preferably said structural member is located in-situ in a domestic house.

[0033] Other aspects are as set out in the claims herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0034] For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0035] Fig. 3 schematically illustrates, in perspective view, a preferred embodiment of a clip as configured in accordance with the best mode contemplated of the present invention;

[0036] Fig. 4 schematically illustrates the clip of Fig. 3 looking along the direction of arrow ‘A’ and thus represents a side elevation view of the clip;

-10[0037] Fig. 5 schematically illustrates a view along the direction of arrow ‘B’ of Fig. 3 and thus represents a front elevation view in order to show the front outer face of the clip as viewed straight on;

[0038] Fig. 6 schematically illustrates a view along the direction of arrow ‘C’ of Fig. 3 and thus represents a rear elevation view as shows the inside of the clip and thus the rear side of the mounting portion 303;

[0039] Fig. 7 schematically illustrates a view along the direction of arrow ‘D’ of Fig. 3 and thus represents a plan view of the clip from above;

[0040] Fig. 8 schematically illustrates in cross section a free section of a structural member that comprises flange portions and which is thus substantially T shaped as is typically found in ceilings and elsewhere in buildings in the UK and which is shown with clips of the type depicted in Figs. 3 to 7 attached thereto for use in affixing a sheet of material, such as fireboard, thereto;

[0041] Fig. 9, in contrast to the environment depicted in Fig. 8, schematically illustrates the same T-shaped structural member of Fig. 8 in-situ in a building with masonry located immediately above the structural beam and thus with clips of the present invention positioned accordingly.

[0042] Fig. 10 further schematically illustrates, in perspective view, the use of clips as configured in accordance with the present invention as used on an insitu flange of a horizontally disposed T-shaped beam of the type depicted in Fig. 9, but wherein a fireproofing board has been attached to a clip as is itself affixed to the upper flange portion of the beam;

[0043] Fig. 11 schematically illustrates a further preferred embodiment of a clip as is configured in accordance with the present invention; and [0044] Fig. 12 schematically illustrates the main steps involved in the manufacture of a clip of the type depicted in Figs. 3 to 10 or of the simplified single mounting portion type as is depicted in Fig. 11.

-11Detailed Description of the Embodiments [0045] There will now be described by way of example a specific mode contemplated by the inventors. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the description.

[0046] Fig. 3 schematically illustrates, in perspective view, a preferred embodiment of a clip apparatus 301 that is substantially U-shaped and as is configured in accordance with the best mode contemplated of the present invention. Clip apparatus 301 comprises a main body 302 that comprises a first mounting portion such as surface 303 that is specifically configured with means to directly affix a sheet of material thereto and a second mounting portion 304 that likewise has a surface that is specifically configured with means to directly affix a sheet of material thereto. Mounting portions 303 and 304 are substantially planar portions and thus effectively present a planar face in a direction away from the clip. Clip main body 302 additionally comprises a fixing assembly as is generally indicated at 305 which is configured to affix the clip apparatus to a structural member. The whole clip is assembled such that mounting portion 303 is substantially centrally located with mounting portion 304 being disposed at one side thereof and fixing assembly 305 being provided at the opposite side. Mounting portion 304 extends in a plane that is substantially at 90° to the plane occupied by mounting portion 303 by virtue of a right angle bend being present along the interface between the two.

[0047] The fixing assembly 305 comprises an outer engagement portion which in the example comprises elongate arms 306 and 307 which are configured to resiliently oppose an inner engagement portion 308 which in the example comprises an elongate arm. The outer engagement portion comprising respective

-12outer arms 306 and 307 is configured to engage a surface of a structural member that is opposite to another surface of the structural member that inner arm 308 is configured to engage with. Thus, for example, outer arms 306 and 307 may engage with an outer surface of a flange of an T beam whereas inner arm 308 may engage with an inner surface of same flange of such a girder. Alternatively, depending on the specific requirements with respect to a given application in hand, clip 301 may be attached to such a flange the opposite way around such that outer arms 306, 307 engage with an inner surface of a given flange and inner arm 308 engages with the opposite surface (the outer surface) of the flange. In the example shown, as mentioned above, mounting face 303 is substantially perpendicular to mounting face 304. Respective arms 306, 307 and 308 are substantially perpendicular to central mounting face 303 and thus substantially parallel to the second mounting face 304 that is formed as the other side of the clip main body 302. In the example shown all the angular relationships are thus substantially 90°. Importantly the outer engagement portion as per the example of Fig. 3 and which comprises respective outer arms 306 and 307 is configured such that each respective arm substantially comprises of a two-dimensional and thus planer engagement member that is substantially finger-like. The fact that outer arms 306 and 307 are substantially two-dimensional and thus planar is specifically required in to ensure that they may sit substantially flush against an associated engaged surface of a structural member to which the clip is to be attached.

[0048] In the example shown in Fig. 3 the inner arm 308 is also substantially two-dimensional and thus planar in form although this is not to be considered necessary as such. In other words the structure of inner arm 308 may be other than substantially planar. Nevertheless, in terms of the best mode contemplated both outer portion arms 306, 307 and inner portion arm 308 are substantially two-dimensional and thus planar because this arrangement is (i) particularly versatile in terms of the variety of applications that the clip may be used work best and (ii) of low cost in terms of manufacture because the clip illustrated may be manufactured merely through slitting and bending a given work

-13piece that is required to be transformed into such a clip from a substantially flat ‘blank’.

[0049] Additional features may be incorporated on each respective mounting surface 303, 304 such as, in the example shown, an array of predefined holes 309, 310 on surface 303 and an array of holes 311, 312 on surface 304. Such holes are preferable because they facilitate attachment of a given sheet of material to clip 301 by using fixing means such as screws or nails or bolts. In the preferred use of the clip in fireproofing girders such as T beams screws are considered most suitable. Although such holes are preferable the inventors contemplate that a clip without such holes may find application because screws of the type used in the building industry and the like may readily penetrate a given clip body if it is made of a suitable material such as, for example, aluminum. Thus rather than holes a surface may merely be planer without any pattern or ornament of any kind. Alternatively it may comprise an array of holes (as described above) or some other similar feature (e.g. dimples) to provide a pleasing aesthetic affect that may also assist in positioning a given screw that comes into contact with the surface of the clip during the matter of affixing a sheet of material thereto.

[0050] In terms of the best mode contemplated a clip is configured in accordance with the invention may be made of a suitable metal or metal alloy. In the best mode contemplated the clip body 302 is made of a sheet of aluminum which is preferably around 1-2mm thick. Nevertheless, other thicknesses may find application depending upon the exact circumstances in which a given clip is to be used. In the domestic market a clip made of aluminum of approximately 12mm thickness is deemed to be ideal for most applications. As those skilled in the art will appreciate other materials may be used to make the body of clip 301 such as, for example, stainless steel, spring steel or a suitable plastics base material or a suitable carbon composite type material. The exact material used may vary depending on given applications, but, as already indicated aluminum is considered to be suitable for many applications. The fact that there is provided two mounting portion surfaces 303 and 304 is highly desirable because this

-14provides the clip with enhanced versatility in terms of its uses. Thus once clip 301 is affixed to a given structural member such as a flange of an T beam boards, such as for fireproofing, may be affixed to surface 303 and to surface 304 thus covering adjacent, but perpendicular disposed sides of a given T beam. It also means that clip 301 may be used in a variety of positional arrangements around a given girder. For example, arms 306, 307 may engage with an outer surface of a flange of an T beam and inner arm 308 may engage with the inner surface of the beam. However, the clip may be used the other way around such that inner arm 308 engages with the outer surface of an T beam and arm 306, 307 engage with the inner surface. In the latter case this can be advantageous because it effectively renders surface 304 to lay substantially above an outer surface of the flange of the T beam leaving a gap between it and the outer surface of the T beam which provides an extra layer of insulation from, for example, an external fire.

[0051] Substantially U-shaped clip 301 is manufactured using relatively simple and costs effective processing steps that comprise bending and slitting a blank work piece that has been cut to a required size. Thus, the engagement assembly as is configured to engage a given structural member comprises respective outer arms 306 and 307 that are respectively formed on either side of inner arm 308 through first slitting to create and distinguish each respective arm and then bending in order to bring the portions that form the arms into a position that extends substantially at right angles to the plane occupied by mounting portion 303. Thus the respective bends are illustrated in Fig. 3 as follows: bend 313 in respect of left hand side outer arm 306; bend 314 in respect of right hand side outer arm 307 and bend 315 in respect of inner arm 308. Likewise a bend 316 is present along the junction/interface of mounting portion 303 and mounting portion 304 in view of these two mounting portions having, as per the example shown, been effectively made merely by bending the original blank work piece across the appropriate region along its main longitudinal axis. The positions of the manufacturing slits as introduced to enable formation of the respective outer and

-15inner arms are generally indicated at 317 as an inner edge of outer arm 306 and at 318 as an inner edge of outer arm 307.

[0052] Fig. 4 schematically illustrates the clip of Fig. 3 looking along the direction of arrow ‘A’ and thus represents a side elevation view of clip 301. Fig. 4 more clearly illustrates that inner arm 308 is preferably not exactly parallel to the outer arms 306 (shown) and 308 (not shown in view of the side elevation nature of Fig. 4). In this regard either the outer arms and/or the inner arm may be configured in a manner such that they are not exactly parallel to each other, but instead are such that an angle less than 90° (90°) exists. In Fig. 4 an angle Θ is shown subtending between inner arm 308 and the first mounting portion wall 303 such that Θ < 90°. In the best mode contemplated it is inner arm 308 that is configured (or configurable) to be displaced from the perpendicular in order to provide a resilient and thus spring-like gripping effect as between an outer arm such as member 306 and an inner arm such as arm 308. However the same effect may be achieved by displacing an outer arm from perpendicular or by displacing both an inner and an outer arm in a complimentary manner. Nevertheless the inventors of the present invention have found through relevant research trials that the easiest and most cost effective way of creating the required resilience is by way of displacing inner arm 308 by a desired amount not least because this approach means that the outer arms remain substantially perpendicular to plane of first mounting portion 303 with the consequence that they sit more closely adjacent and parallel to a flange of a structural member than if they themselves embody the displacement that creates the required resilience.

[0053] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a clip exhibiting the required resilience may be created at the point of manufacture of the clip or may be introduced (or modified) subsequently as it depends on the exact nature of the material used for the clip and on the thickness thereof. Thus, for example, a relatively thin strip of aluminium sheet of 1 -2mm thickness as may form the blank material from which a preferred clip is made, may result in a manufactured and retailed clip that comprises essentially parallel inner and outer arms, but which

-16may subsequently be displaced appropriately/as required by hand by an end user of the clip. Figs. 5 to 7 as are appended hereto and as briefly described below further detail the nature of the slits introduced during manufacturing.

[0054] Fig. 5 schematically illustrates a view along the direction of arrow ‘B’ of Fig. 3 and thus represents a front elevation view in order to show the front outer face of the clip as viewed straight on. Clip 301 is of a form that is box like with two open sides. For domestic applications and the associated DIY market where girders of 6 inches (15cm) high by 3.5 inches (8.9cm) wide are typical in the UK, a clip size of approximately 4 to 5cm in terms of the length of each of its edges is found to be suitable, thus giving an overall volume of such a clip of around 64cm³to 125cm³. Referring to the clip depicted in Fig. 3, suitably for DIY applications in the UK and the girders associated therewith, the outermost end of the inner arm 308 is suitably located about 7mm below the corresponding level of the outer arms at the same distance along from the mounting face 303. This distance may be referred to as the Offset’. In contrast, at the mounting face 303 end of the respective arms, the offset between inner arm 303 and an outer arms 306, 307 is greater and suitably equates to 8mm. This exemplary offset arrangement follows because for a domestic UK 6 inch (15cm) by 3.5 inch (8.9 cm) girder the flange thickness is % inch (8mm) and thus a 7mm offset effectively provides the required degree of resilience of said inner and outer arms in order to ensure that they effectively grip the respective sides of a flange of such an I-beam that they are engaged within a given application. Of course for larger (or smaller) structural beams the relevant thickness of their flanges (or other relevant parts) will determine the exact or preferred sizes of the clips of the present invention as may be configured and manufactured to affix thereto.

[0055] Fig. 6 schematically illustrates a view along the direction of arrow ‘C’ of Fig. 3 and thus represents a rear elevation view as shows the inside of the clip and thus the rear side of the mounting portion 303.

-17[0056] Fig. 7 schematically illustrates a view along the direction of arrow ‘D’ of Fig. 3 and thus represents a plan view of the clip from above.

[0057] Fig. 8 schematically illustrates in cross section a ‘free’ section of a structural member that comprises flange portions and which is thus substantially T shaped as is typically found in ceilings and elsewhere in buildings in the UK and which is shown with clips of the type depicted in Figs. 3 to 7 attached thereto for use in affixing a sheet of material, such as fireboard, thereto. By ‘free’ it is meant a portion of a structural member where the outer surface is not abutting other material such as masonry. Thus T beam 801 is shown as free at the point that the cross section is taken. T beam 801 comprises a central stem portion 802 that is typically disposed, as shown in the figure, vertically in an application wherein the beam itself is disposed such that its longitudinal axis is horizontal in a given building or other structure such as a tunnel, bridge, hull of a ship or aircraft etc. At the respective upper and lower ends of stem portion 802 the beam comprises flange portions, generally indicated at 803, 804, as substantially extend horizontally from the stem with reference to the stem when in a vertical position. Each flange portion comprises a portion that extends away on each side of the stem such that upper flange 803 comprises respective left and right side portions 805 and 806 and lower flange 804 comprises respective left and right side portions 807 and 808. In this example of a ‘free’ T beam respective clips of the type described above in relation to Figs. 3 to 7 are shown affixed to each respective flange portion as follows: clip 809 affixed to left upper portion 805; clip 810 affixed to right upper portion 806, clip 811 affixed to right lower portion 808 and clip 812 affixed to left lower portion 807. In this example each respective clip is shown as affixed to a given flange portion such that in each case the second mounting portion (the equivalent of feature 304 of corresponding clip 301) is located on the outside of a given flange portion whilst the fixing assembly of each clip (the equivalent of feature 305 of corresponding clip 301) is arranged with outer arms located and abutting on the underside of a given flange portion and the inner arm abutting against the upper (top) surface of each respective flange portion. In this way a gap 813 is formed above flange 803 in order to leave a layer of

-18insulating air between the top surface of flange 803 and a fireboard as may be affixed to the outer edges of clips 809, 810 as are present above. A similar air gap 814 is shown in relation to lower flange 804 with the respective clips 811 and 812 disposed accordingly to create the gap.

[0058] Those skilled in the art will note that the general arrangement depicted in Fig. 8 may, as regards the effect of providing an air gap to enhance insulation from an external fire, be similarly accomplished by using clips of the type disclosed in US 3748815 (Parker) or WO 99/5739 (Feltman) albeit with these prior art clips being more complex and thus costly to produce.

[0059] Fig. 9, in contrast to the environment depicted in Fig. 8, schematically illustrates the same T-shaped structural member 801 of Fig. 8, but that is in-situ in a building with masonry located immediately above the structural beam and thus with clips of the present invention positioned accordingly. In other words the upper flange 803 is such that its upper surface is adjacent to masonry such as brickwork 901. In this example, masonry 901 thus creates a problem in that respective clips 809, 810 as are shown in Fig. 8 as present on the upper flange of T beam 801 may not be readily and directly affixed in the same relative disposition to the in-situ beam because the brickwork is in the way. The same hindrance is true for the prior art clips of Feltman and Parker discussed hereinabove. The present invention overcomes this serious problem and thus, in Fig. 9, it will be seen that respective clips 902, 903 (as are identical to those of Figs. 3-8) are nevertheless affixed to upper flange 803 because they do not comprise a portion that prevents or otherwise severely hinders use with immediately adjacent masonry/brickwork. This problem is overcome by the present invention primarily by the provision of an outer engagement portion of a given clip’s fixing assembly comprising at least a first substantially twodimensional and thus planar engagement member that is thereby configured to abut substantially flush against an associated engaged surface of a structural member. Because the lower end of beam 801 is effectively free respective lower

-19end clips 904 and 905 are disposed in the same way as in relation to respective lower flange clips 811 and 812 shown in Fig. 8.

[0060] Beam 1001 is in-situ in, for example, the ceiling of a house with masonry 1004 located immediately above upper flange 1003. Masonry 1004 is shown, for illustrative purposes, broken away at 1005 in order to reveal outer arm engagement portions 1006, 1007 of a clip generally indicated at 1008 (of the type depicted in Fig. 3) as is thereby affixed to the outer surface of upper flange portion 1003 of the beam. Fireproofing board 1002 of a suitable type and as per appropriate regulations that are in place is provided and affixed to clip 1008 by a suitable fixing arrangement such as, for example by way of respective screws 1008 and 1009 as affix the left hand side of the clip to board 1002 and by way of respective screws 1010 and 1011 as affix the right hand side of the clip to board 1002. As per Fig. 9, in view of the fact that masonry is present immediately above the upper flange of the T beam the outer engagement arms of clip 1008 are configured to abut against the upper surface of the flange without protruding as such so that their own from does not hinder their use in such an application. As indicates previously screws are preferred, but more generally any suitable fixing may be used such as screws, nails or bolts.

[0061] In addition to clip 1008, Fig. 10 illustrates the use of further identical clips, such as further along to the left of the figure, clip 1012 located on the upper flangel 003 and clip 1013 located on the lower flange of beam 1001 as are each in place to receive a further fireboard to be fitted next to board 1002. In relation to board 1002 a further clip 1014 associated with the lower flange of beam 1001 is generally indicated by the presence of four screw heads 1015 to 1018 as affix board 1002 thereto. Clip 1014 is located behind and is thus hidden by board 1002, but is affixed to beam 1001 in a similar fashion to that of clip 1013 to the left. Thus clip 1014 is such that (i) board 1002 (as is disposed in a vertical plane) is affixed to one mounting surface (equivalent to surface 303 of clip 301 of Fig. 3) to cover the side of beam 1001 that is in view and (ii) another board 1019 (as is disposed in a

-20horizontal plane) is affixed to another mounting surface of the clip (equivalent to surface 304 of clip 301 of Fig. 3).

[0062] The preferred embodiment of Figs. 3 to 10 may be described in general terms as a clip apparatus configured for use in attaching sheet material to a structural member, such as a flange of a girder, said clip apparatus comprising:

at least one mounting portion having a surface that is specifically configured with means to directly affix a sheet of material thereto; and a fixing assembly configured to affix said clip apparatus to a structural member, said fixing assembly comprising at least a first engagement member and a second engagement member for respectively engaging with respective first and second oppositely facing surfaces of a structural member;

said clip apparatus characterised in that:

said first engagement portion of said fixing assembly comprises a first substantially two-dimensional and thus planar engagement member and said second engagement portion comprises a second substantially two-dimensional and thus planar engagement member such that said engagement members are substantially parallel in order to thereby enable them to each rest substantially flush against each respective surface.

[0063] Fig. 11 schematically illustrates a further preferred embodiment of a clip 1101 as is configured in accordance with the present invention. Clip 1101 is simpler in construction and thus of lower cost to manufacture than the preferred embodiment of the clip depicted and described in relation to Figs. 3 to 10. Thus clip 1101 is substantially identical to clip 301 except that it only comprises a single mounting portion 1102 and therefore is substantially L-shaped rather than being substantially U-shaped. In contrast, clip 301 comprises a first substantially planar mounting portion 303 that is substantially identical to that of mounting portion 1101 and a second substantially planar mounting portion 304 that is disposed at right

-21angles to portion 303. In view of this difference, less material is required to make clip 1101 than clip 301 such that a given blank is considerably shorter with consequent cost savings in terms of the costs of the materials involved in making a batch of such clips. Although cheaper to make, clip 1101 is more restrictive than clip 301 in terms of its inherent versatility in that clip 301 enables a sheet of material to be attached to a first side of the clip 303 that bears a mounting surface and another sheet to be attached to the other side of the clip 304 that bears a second mounting surface. In contrast in certain situations two clips of the type depicted at 1101 may be required in order to perform the same function. In practice a clip of the type depicted in Fig. 11 is found, in some circumstances, to be optimized in terms of its usability by extending the length of its sole mounting surface by a certain amount. Thus, for example, for the domestic DIY market, a clip of the type depicted in Fig. 3 at 301 having an edge length of 4 to 5cm is found to be suitable for most application whereas, in comparison, a clip configured as per that of clip 1101 with a sole mounting portion surface is found to be optimized by extending its length by around 15mm.

[0064] The preferred embodiments of clip 301 of Fig. 3 and clip 1101 of Fig. 11 differ in terms of the provision of the number of mounting portions, but in either case there is at least one such mounting portion having a surface that is specifically configured with means to directly affix a sheet of material thereto. The fact that such a mounting portion is considered as specifically configured with means to directly affix a sheet of material thereto stems from the fact that it comprises a surface or any other suitable structural feature or modified surface that a screw (or any other suitable fixing) may engage with in order to securely hold a sheet of material thereto.

[0065] Bearing in mind that certain structural members comprise a corner with the possibility of three sides thereof requiring boarding to be attached it is at least to be noted that a three mounting surface clip may find use/application and thus a clip comprising at least one mounting portion is to be construed as

-22potentially covering any appropriate number of such surfaces and in particular one to three.

[0066] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention the various different embodiments described and referred to above may, in order to summarize, conveniently be generalized as the provision a clip apparatus (301; 1101) that is configured for use in attaching sheet material to a structural member, such as a flange of a girder, the clip apparatus comprising:

said clip apparatus characterised in that:

[0067] Fig. 12 schematically illustrates the main steps involved in the manufacture of a clip of the type depicted in Figs. 3 to 10 or of the simplified single mounting portion type as is depicted in Fig. 11. Manufacture of a clip such as clip 301 or 1101 is initiated at step 1201 (‘Start’). At step 1202 the required material for a given work piece being made is selected and the blank work piece is cut to the required size in terms of its length and width. Following step 1202, at step 1203 first and second slits are created in order to thereby enable a fixing

-23assembly comprising inner and outer arms to be made subsequently. Thus, at step 1204, the outer regions of the slits are each respectively and preferably simultaneously bent through substantially 90° in order to create a required pair of outer arms. Thus, in relation to Fig. 3, for example, the referred to Outer regions’ are those that result in and thus constitute (i) arm 306 to the left of its inner edge 317 and (ii) arm 307 to the right of its inner edge 318. In other words, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, the positions of the manufacturing slits, as are introduced to enable formation of the respective outer and inner arms, are generally indicated at 317 as an inner edge of outer arm 306 and at 318 as an inner edge of outer arm 307.

[0068] Following step 1204, at step 1205 the inner region of the slit portion of the work piece (that portion that in the finished clip of, for example, Fig. 3 lies between respective inner edges 317 and 318), is bent through 90° so as to create a central tongue. This bend corresponds to that of 315 of Fig. 3 as subsists at the junction region of inner arm 308 and the first mounting portion panel 303. Following step 1205, at step 1206 the inner tongue is cut to the required length. By ‘required length’ it is meant that this portion is cut so as to take into account the fact that when the clip is attached to a given T beam the central stem of the beam dictates that the inner arm must be shorter than the respective outer arms in order to allow the resulting fixing assembly of the given clip being made to fit flush against the flange of an T beam of the type to which it is intended to be applied.

[0069] Once the tongue has been cut to the required length to thereby form the body of the inner arm (308 in Fig. 3) , at step 1207 a question is asked as to whether the clip being made is of the two mounting surface type (as per Fig.’s 310) or of the single mounting surface type (as per Fig. 11). If the question asked at step 1207 is answered in the affirmative then a substantially 90° full body bend is created at step 1208. By ‘full body bend’ it is meant a bend of the type that equates to that, for example, shown in Figure 3 as bend 316 which extends right the way across the work piece at the interface of respective mounting portions 303 and 304. On the other hand if the question asked at step 1207 is answered in the

-24negative such that a single mounting clip is to be produced then step 1208 is omitted and a further question is asked at step 1209 as to whether any surface or ornamentation or special features of any kind are required. Thus, for example, if any such pattern or ornamentation or special features of any kind are required then the question is answered in the affirmative and process control is passed to step 1210 wherein any required pattern or ornamentation or special features are thus imposed upon the work piece. Thus, for example, an array of orifices/holes may be imposed upon the or each mounting surface or, in the alternative, an array of dimples may be introduced or some other suitable special features may be introduced as may be desirable in order to facilitate the fixing of the clip about a structural member such as an T beam. Following step 1210 and the introduction of any pattern/ornamentation or special features control is then passed to step 1211 wherein the process is terminated. In a similar manner, if the question asked at step 1209 is in the negative then control proceeds such that step 1210 is omitted with the process being then terminated at step 1211 (‘End’) without any pattern/ornamentation or other special features being introduced. As those skilled in the art will appreciate steps 1201 to 1211 may be repeated as required in accordance with the requirements of a given commercial production line and a given form of clip that it is required to be produced.

[0070] In the preferred method of making a clip as is configured in accordance with the present invention as described in relation to Fig. 12 the clip is made from a single blank work piece that has been or which is to be cut to a desired length and such that there is no requirement to adjoin two or more different pieces. Thus the otherwise expensive requirement to adjoin two or more work pieces or blanks is avoided as no welding or brazing or otherwise fixing together of two or more such pieces is required.

[0071] As those skilled in the art will appreciate and as the inventors of the present invention have noted, the traditional approach of cladding a standard building type girder of the type used in the United Kingdom domestic housing market may typically take around two to three hours. In contrast, using clips as are

-25configured in accordance with the present invention substantially reduces the time required to board out such a girder to around 15 minutes or less. It is also much cleaner as there is no cutting of wooden planks to create a frame and thus no wood dust/mess and waste to dispose of, as well as much less use of associated power tools and thus electrical power and thus a potential reduction in accidents as may arise from use of power tools such as, amongst others, circular saws and jigsaws.

[0072] Use of a clip as configured in accordance with the present invention provides substantial advantages over the traditional approach of cladding structural members in that it enables a sheet of material such as a cladding board to be readily mounted by a person who need not be skilled in joinery as such because a given cladding board merely has to be affixed to a clip as is first inserted onto a given structural member such as a girder of a building. This negates the need to first build a wooden frame around the structural member which with existing methods is required in order to attach such a sheet of material thereto. The present invention thus substantially eliminates or wholly eliminates the use of wood as a frame to attach boards to by using a clip instead which has the additional advantage when made of a suitable metal or metal alloy of being able to withstand heat and flames much better than wood and to a far higher temperature. The approach of the present invention may thus be seen to constitute a ‘green’ and sustainable solution in that less or no wood is used with a metal or alloy based clip being used instead which is thus inherently safer in the event of a fire arising and which has the added benefit of being much quicker and much simpler to use as compared with traditional method of first building a wooden frame and then affixing cladding boards thereto. Furthermore, as compared with prior art clips the present invention provides a clip that may be used in a greater number of situations and in particular in applications that comprise horizontally disposed T beams wherein there is frequently building material such as masonry adjacent to the beam. Thus, using of a clip as configured in accordance with the present invention provides substantial advantages over the prior art clips of WO 99/57391 (Feltman) and US 3748815

-26(Parker) as discussed earlier such as, notably, such a clip being of a much simpler construction with consequent cheaper manufacturing costs, using less material overall to form the clip and in that it may be directly used in applications where horizontal structural members such as T beams are required to be covered and wherein an outer surface of such a beam is adjacent to masonry or some other abutting material that would thus substantially prevent the clips of Feltman or Parker from being directly applied.

[0073] Thus, a substantially planar engagement member of a clip as configured in accordance with the present invention is advantageously able to rest directly adjacent to and parallel to a given surface of a structural member in a wider variety of circumstances as compared with the clips disclosed in WO 99/57391 (Feltman) and US3748815 (Parker) wherein one such engagement arm of a given pair is configured to rest directly adjacent to a given surface and the other arm comprises a spring arm that is not planar in form (Parker) or not substantially parallel to the other (Feltman). Thus such prior art clips, although ideal in certain circumstances, are not as such directly usable in situations, such as, for example, where masonry is present directly adjacent to a given flange of an T beam because either the protruding spring arm or the protruding box-like clip body portion of the clip (depending on which way around the clip is desired to be affixed to such a beam) are prohibitive.

[0074] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of attaching sheet material to a structural member as is present in a structure, such as a building, such that the method comprises the steps of: providing a clip of the type depicted and described in relation to any of Figs 3 to 12 and attaching a sheet of material to the clip so provided. Suitably and preferably the sheet of material comprises a fire resistant board having a predetermined resistance rating to fire. Although a wide variety of potential applications for a clip as configured in accordance with the present invention are envisaged the method that is thus hereby provided of attaching a sheet of material to a given structural member is particularly, although not exclusively, considered

-27to be suited to cladding structural members, notably I-beams, that are in-situ in a domestic house. Such cladding material, may, in the preferred embodiment comprise fireboards that have a predetermined resistance to fire. Similarly, for certain, applications such fireboards may be required to be of a type that are 5 certified to be fire resistant in accordance with particular building regulations/legal requirements and the like.

Claims

1. A clip apparatus (301; 1101) configured for use in attaching sheet material to a structural member, such as a flange of a girder, said clip apparatus comprising:

said clip apparatus characterised in that:

2. A clip apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inner engagement portion comprises a substantially two-dimensional and thus planar engagement member such that said at least one outer engagement member and said inner engagement member are substantially parallel to each other extending in planes relative to each other at an angle in the range of 0° to 10°.

3. A clip apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inner engagement portion comprises a substantially two-dimensional and thus planar engagement member such that said at least one outer engagement member and said inner engagement member are disposed such that the angular separation there-between is 20° or less.

4. A clip apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inner engagement portion comprises a substantially two-dimensional and thus planar engagement member such that said at least one outer engagement member and said inner engagement member are disposed such that the angular separation there-between is approximately 10° or less.

5. A clip apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a said substantially two-dimensional and thus planar engagement member is configured to slidably engage with a given surface substantially without a part thereof protruding beyond a level of the surface so engaged.

6. A clip apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a said substantially two-dimensional and thus planar engagement member comprises an elongate arm.

7. A clip apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one of said inner and said second outer engagement portions is resilient and configured such that, during use, it works to oppose the other in order to thereby grip a given surface that they engage.

8. A clip apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein both of said inner and said second outer engagement portions are resilient and configured such that, during use, they oppose each other in order to thereby grip a given surface that they engage.

9. A clip apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein both of said inner and said outer engagement portions are elongate with one being shorter than the other.

10. A clip apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said clip comprises a slit that extends substantially along corresponding edges of and inbetween said first and said second engagement portions.

11. A clip apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there is provided a third engagement portion that is configured to engage with the same surface as either of said first or said second engagement portions.

12. A clip apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said first, second and third engagement portions are arranged such that said pair of engagement portions that engage with the same surface are substantially located in a plane that is further away from a central point of the space occupied by the clip than is the plane occupied by the remaining engagement portion.

13. A clip apparatus as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12 wherein said first, second and third engagement portions are arranged such that said pair of engagement portions that are configured to engage the same surface of a structural member are formed as outermost edge portions of a side of said clip with the remaining engagement portion being located there-between and nearer to the central point of the space occupied by the clip.

14. A clip apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said clip comprises three face bearing sides and three substantially open sides.

15. A clip apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a said mounting portion having a surface that is specifically configured with means to directly affix a sheet of material thereto substantially comprises a planar area of material that presents a surface that a fixing such as a screw may engage with in order to thereby secure a sheet of material thereto.

16. A clip apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a said means to directly affix a sheet of material thereto comprises a surface bearing one or more predefined holes or indents.

17. A clip apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said clip apparatus is formed from a single blank work piece rather than two or more adjoined pieces.

18. A clip apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said apparatus comprises at least three bends as are formed about three different axes.

19. A clip apparatus as claimed in claim 18 that is substantially rectangular or square in cross section in view of its internal angles as are formed by said bends all being substantially right angles.

20. A clip apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim that is made of a metal or a metal alloy such as aluminium or spring steel.

21. A method of making a clip apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said method comprises the steps of:

selecting a work piece material and cutting it to the desired size;

bending said work piece by approximately 90° along a second axis, in order to provide two face bearing sides such that at least one comprises a first mounting portion having a surface that is specifically configured with means to directly affix a sheet of material thereto and wherein the other surface comprises a second planar member of a second engagement portion that is configured to engage with

-32a second surface of a structural member that is substantially opposite to the first surface.

22. A method of making a clip apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein said method additionally comprises the step of bending said work piece along a third axis in order to create a second mounting portion that comprises a surface that is substantially at 90° to said surface of said first mounting portion.

23. A method of attaching sheet material to a structural member as is present in a structure, such as a building, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a clip of the type claimed in any of claims 1 to 20; and attaching a sheet of material to said clip.

24. The method as claimed in claim 23 wherein said sheet of material comprises a fire resistant board having a predetermined resistance rating to fire.

25. The method as claimed in claim 23 wherein said structural member is located in-situ in a domestic house.