Retaining clip for drainage pipe and method of using same

Abstract

A retaining clip is used to locate and secure a downspout lateral extension without the use of any tools or fastening hardware. The clip has a pair of free legs that are joined by a coil section. The coil section has an aperture through which the downspout extension can be matingly received. The legs are inserted into the ground, or other base material, to retain the clip and extension in place. Preferably the legs are splayed outwardly from each other at a neutral position and can be resiliently compressed towards each other to narrow the aperture and create a compression force that securely grips and holds the extension. Preferably the clip is formed from a unitary material that is rust and corrosion resistant, durable, and paintable, such as cold-rolled brass, copper, or stainless steel wire.

1 . An anchor for retaining a drainage tube in a desired position, the anchor comprising: 
 a coil portion, the coil portion forming an aperture for mating engagement around the drainage tube; and    a pair of legs extending from said coil portion, each of said legs having a free end for insertion into a base material to retain the drainage tube in place in the desired position.    
   
   
       2 . The anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein said coil portion and said pair of legs are all formed from a single piece of metal wire.  
   
   
       3 . The anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein said coil portion comprises a first top span, a first vertical span, a bottom span, a second vertical span, and a second top span; and further wherein each one of said pair of legs has a proximal end opposite from its free end, and wherein said first top span is connected to said proximal end of a first one of said legs and said second top span is connected to said proximal end of a second one of said legs.  
   
   
       4 . The anchor according to  claim 1  wherein the said pair of legs comprises a first leg and a second leg, and wherein said first and second legs are splayed outwardly away from each other at their free ends when in an unbiased neutral position.  
   
   
       5 . The anchor according to  claim 4 , wherein when said first and second legs are moved inwards towards each other out of their unbiased neutral position, they make said aperture smaller in at least one dimension.  
   
   
       6 . The anchor according to  claim 5 , wherein when said first and second legs are moved outwards away from each out of their unbiased neutral position, they make said aperture larger in at least one dimension.  
   
   
       7 . The anchor according to  claim 2 , wherein said metal wire is a piece of stainless steel having a generally circular cross section.  
   
   
       8 . A device for retaining a downspout extension in place, the device comprising: 
 a wire loop forming a enclosed aperture for mating engagement with the downspout extension; and    a first leg member attached to said wire loop at a proximal end of said first leg member, said first leg member having a free end opposite from said proximal end for insertion into a base material to retain the downspout extension in place on the downspout.    
   
   
       9 . The device for retaining a downspout extension in place according to  claim 8 , further comprising a second leg member attached to said wire loop at a proximal end of said second leg member, said second leg member having a free end opposite from said proximal end of said second leg member for insertion into the base material to retain the downspout extension in place.  
   
   
       10 . The device for retaining a downspout extension in place according to  claim 9 , wherein said wire loop and said first and second leg members are all formed from a single piece of material.  
   
   
       11 . The device according to  claim 10  wherein said material is a metal wire having a generally circular cross section.  
   
   
       12 . The device according to  claim 10  further comprising a coating covering at least a portion of said wire loop.  
   
   
       13 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein said coating is paint.  
   
   
       14 . A method of retaining a drainage pipe in a working position comprising: 
 providing a drainage pipe;    providing a retaining clip, said retaining clip comprising a loop forming an enclosed aperture for mating engagement with said drainage pipe, said retaining clip further comprising a pair of legs, each of said legs having a free end;    placing said drainage pipe in mated engagement with said enclosed aperture of said retaining clip and sliding said retaining clip along said drainage pipe to a desired position on said drainage pipe; and    inserting said free ends of said legs into a base material to retain said drainage pipe in the working position.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said loop and said legs are all formed from a single piece of metal wire.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said metal wire comprises stainless steel having a circular cross section.  
   
   
       17 . The anchor according to  claim 14  wherein the said pair of legs comprises a first leg and a second leg, and wherein said first and second legs are splayed outwardly away from each other at their free ends when in an unbiased neutral position.  
   
   
       18 . The anchor according to  claim 17 , wherein when said first and second legs are moved inwards towards each other out of their unbiased neutral position, they make said aperture smaller in at least one dimension.  
   
   
       19 . The anchor according to  claim 18 , wherein when said first and second legs are moved outwards away from each other out of their unbiased neutral position, they make said aperture larger in at least one dimension.