Multi-rung supporting means for elongated building services supply means

Abstract

A multi-tier support means for supporting service supply means is provided including a first tier having a first tier bearer element. The first tier bearer element has a clip fixedly associated therewith. The clip is adapted for attaching the first tier bearer element to a spine. Each clip includes two, upright spaced apart resilient tongues adapted to clasp the spine between themselves and each has a barb formation at or near a free end of the tongues adapted to overlie a respective one of the margins. The multi-tier support means further includes a second tier having a second tier bearer element. The second tier is located underneath the first tier and the two tiers are connected to one another via a connection between the first tier bearer element and the second tier bearer element.

1 . A multi-tier support for supporting service supply means comprising: 
 a first tier having a first tier bearer element, said first tier bearer element having a clip fixedly associated therewith, wherein said clip is adapted for attaching said first tier bearer element to a spine, wherein said clip comprises two, upright spaced apart resilient tongues adapted to clasp the spine between the tongues; and    a second tier located underneath said first tier and connected to said first tier, said second tier having a second tier bearer element, wherein said first tier and second tier are connected to one another by a connection between said first tier bearer element and said second tier bearer element, wherein said first bearer element, said second bearer element and said clip are comprised of an integrally formed one-piece member.    
   
   
       2 . The multi-tier support according to  claim 1 , wherein said first tier bearer element comprises at least two first tier cantilevered arms extending from the clip in general opposite directions.  
   
   
       3 . The multi-tier support according to  claim 2 , wherein each cantilevered arm comprises an upturned free end.  
   
   
       4 . The multi-tier support according to  claim 3 , wherein each of said tongues comprises a barb formation with an inclined upper face serving to guide the spine into position between the tongues of during the assembly of said first bearer element to the spine.  
   
   
       5 . The multi-tier support according to  claim 3 , wherein said connection between said first tier bearer element and said second tier bearer element is achieved by an integral connector element located vertically between said first tier bearer element and said second tier bearer element, wherein said connector element connects said first tier bearer element to said second tier bearer element.  
   
   
       6 . The multi-tier support according to  claim 5 , wherein said second tier bearer element comprises at least two second tier cantilevered arms extending from a base of the connector element in general opposite directions.  
   
   
       7 . The multi-tier support according to  claim 6 , wherein each of second tier cantilevered arms comprises an upturned free end.  
   
   
       8 . The multi-tier support according to  claim 1 , further comprising a third tier underneath said second tier and connected to said second tier, said third tier having a third tier bearer element, wherein said second tier and third tier are connected to one another by a second connector element located vertically between said second tier bearer element and said third tier bearer element.  
   
   
       9 . The multi-tier support according to  claim 8 , wherein said third tier bearer element comprise at least two, third tier cantilevered arms extending from a base of the second connector element in general opposite directions.  
   
   
       10 . A multi-tier support for supporting service supply means from a spine, comprising: 
 a clip adapted to snap-lock connect to the spine, wherein said clip comprises two, upright spaced apart resilient tongues adapted to clasp the spine between the tongues and each having a barb formation at or near a free end of the tongues adapted to overlie a margin of the spine;    a first tier having a first tier bearer element connected to said clip, said first tier bearer element comprising at least two first tier cantilevered arms extending from said clip in general opposite directions, wherein each of said first tier cantilevered arms comprises an upturned free end, wherein said clip is adapted for connecting said first tier bearer element to the spine, and    a second tier underneath said first tier and connected to said first tier, said second tier having a second tier bearer element, said second tier bearer element comprising at least two second tier cantilevered arms extending in general opposite directions from one another and wherein each of said second tier cantilevered arms comprises an upturned free end, wherein said first tier and second tier are connected to one another by a connection between said first tier bearer element and said second tier bearer element which connects to a bottom side of the first bearer element.    
   
   
       11 . The multi-tier support system according to  claim 10 , wherein said connection between said first tier bearer element and said second tier bearer element is achieved by a connector element located vertically between said first tier bearer element and said second tier bearer element.  
   
   
       12 . The multi-tier support system according to  claim 11 , wherein said connector element is integrally molded with second tier bearer element.  
   
   
       13 . The multi-tier support system according to  claim 11 , wherein said first tier and said second tier are attachable and detachable from one another at said connector element.  
   
   
       14 . The multi-tier support system according to  claim 10 , wherein each said barb formation has an inclined upper face serving to guide the spine into position between the tongues during the assembly of said first bearer element to the spine.  
   
   
       15 . A method for installing a multi-tier support system having a multi-tier support and a spine, comprising: 
 providing the multi-tier support with a first tier having a first bearer element, a second tier having a second bearer element, and a snap-lock clip, wherein the snap-lock clip is located on a top side of the first bearer element, and wherein the second bearer element is located beneath the first bearer element; and    attaching the snap-lock clip to the spine to thereby attach the first fearer element to the spine.    
   
   
       16 . A method as in  claim 15  wherein said first bearer element is molded integrally with said second bearer element.  
   
   
       17 . A method as in  claim 15  further comprising suspending said second bearer element from said first bearer element at a bottom side of said first bearer element.  
   
   
       18 . A method as in  claim 17  wherein a connection between the first and second bearer elements comprises a detachable connection.  
   
   
       19 . A method as in  claim 17  wherein a connection between the first and second bearer elements comprises a snap-lock connection.  
   
   
       20 . A method as in  claim 15  further comprising suspending a third bearer element from a bottom side of the second bearer element by a spacing connector.  
   
   
       21 . A method as in  claim 15  wherein the first bearer element is connected to the spine by the clip and the second bearer element is subsequently connected to the first bearer element.