Resilient clip fastener
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A resilient clip for engaging a structure, the resilient clip comprising:
- a clip structure for insertion into a hole formed into the structure, the clip structure including a body portion for engaging the structure to inhibit undesired removal of the clip structure from the hole, the clip structure also including a flange portion; and
a spacing structure having first and second flange members, the first flange member being coupled to the flange portion, the second flange member being coupled to an outer edge of the first flange member and tapering downwardly toward the body portion and outwardly from the flange portion.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A resilient clip for engaging a structure having a body portion and a spacing structure. The body portion includes a pair of flanges, a pair of wing members and a pair of abutting flanges and is configured to be partially inserted through a hole in the structure and engage the surfaces of the structure. The spacing structure has first and second flange members, with the first flange member being coupled to the flange portion of the body portion and the second flange member being coupled to an outer edge of the first flange member and tapering downwardly toward the body portion and outwardly from the flange portion.
20 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A resilient clip for engaging a structure, the resilient clip comprising:
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a clip structure for insertion into a hole formed into the structure, the clip structure including a body portion for engaging the structure to inhibit undesired removal of the clip structure from the hole, the clip structure also including a flange portion; and
a spacing structure having first and second flange members, the first flange member being coupled to the flange portion, the second flange member being coupled to an outer edge of the first flange member and tapering downwardly toward the body portion and outwardly from the flange portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A resilient clip for use in securing a first member to a second member, the resilient clip comprising:
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a flange portion having an aperture, the aperture adapted to receive a threaded fastener to couple the second member to the flange portion;
an insertion portion configured to be inserted into a hole formed into the first member, the insertion portion being coupled to the flange portion;
a retaining portion coupled to the insertion portion and having first and second wing members, the first wing member being twisted about a first axis in a first direction, the second wing member being twisted about a second axis in the first direction, each of the first and second wing members terminating at a tip portion that is adapted to engage the first member; and
a resilient spacing structure having first and second flange members, the first flange member being coupled to the flange portion, the second flange member being coupled to an outer edge of the first flange member and tapering downwardly toward the insertion portion and outwardly from the flange portion, the resilient spacing structure adapted to space the first and second structures apart from one another. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A resilient clip for engaging a structure, the resilient clip comprising:
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a body portion having a pair of flanges, a pair of wing members and a pair of abutting flanges, each of the wing members having a base portion coupled to an associated one of the flanges, a first one of the wing members being twisted about a first axis in a first direction, a second one of the wing members being twisted about a second axis in the first direction, each of the wing members terminating at a tip portion that is angled downwardly toward the base portion such that a portion of an associated one of the wing members nearest a central axis of the body portion extends above an associated portion of the wing member furthest from the central axis of the body portion, the tip portions being configured to engage a first side of the structure and position a second side of the structure against the abutting flanges; and
a resilient spacing structure having first and second flange members, the first flange member being coupled to the body portion, the second flange member being coupled to an outer edge of the first flange member and tapering downwardly toward and outwardly from the body portion. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A resilient clip for engaging a structure, the resilient clip comprising:
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a body portion for insertion downwardly into a hole formed in the first structure, the body portion including a plurality of wing members, each of the wing members terminating at an angled tip portion, each of the tip portions being twisted about an axis such that an inwardly twisted end of the tip portion is positioned above an outwardly twisted end of the tip portion, each of the plurality of wing members terminating at a generally flat and continuous edge for contacting an edge of the hole formed in the structure, wherein the flat edges engage the edge of the hole and inhibit relative movement between the resilient clip and the structure in a direction parallel a longitudinal axis of the hole; and
a resilient spacing structure having first and second flange members, the first flange member being coupled to the body portion, the second flange member being coupled to an outer edge of the first flange member and tapering downwardly toward and outwardly from the body portion. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. A resilient clip for engaging a structure, the resilient clip comprising:
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a body portion for insertion downwardly into a hole formed in the first structure, the body portion including a plurality of wing members, each of the wing members terminating at an angled tip portion, each of the tip portions being twisted about an axis such that an inwardly twisted end of the tip portion is positioned above an outwardly twisted end of the tip portion, each of the plurality of wing members including a plurality of teeth for engaging a surface of the structure; and
a resilient spacing structure having first and second flange members, the first flange member being coupled to the body portion, the second flange member being coupled to an outer edge of the first flange member and tapering downwardly toward and outwardly from the body portion. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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- 26. In combination, a resilient clip for engaging a structure, the resilient clip comprising a body portion and a resilient spacing structure, the body portion being configured for insertion downwardly into a hole formed in the first structure, the body portion including a plurality of wing members, each of the wing members terminating at an angled tip portion, each of the tip portions being twisted about an axis such that an inwardly twisted end of the tip portion is positioned above an outwardly twisted end of the tip portion, the plurality of wing members cooperating with the structure to provide the resilient clip with a ratio of insertion force to pull-out force of about 0.04 to about 0.12, the resilient spacing structure having first and second flange members, the first flange member being coupled to the body portion, the second flange member being coupled to an outer edge of the first flange member and tapering downwardly toward and outwardly from the body portion.
Specification