U-clip and assembly system

• US 20040108767A1
• Filed: 12/06/2002
• Published: 06/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Foremost Groups, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Foremost Groups, Inc.
• Inventors: Zhao, Quan You
• Application Number:
  US10/313,627
• Publication Number:
  US 20040108767A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/440.22
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 12/26 using snap-action elements
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 7/0486 forming an abutting connection of at least one tube

Abstract

A clip fastener includes a first side wall, a second side wall, and a U-shaped recess between the first side wall and second side wall. The first side wall is higher than the second side wall. The recess is at least partially defined by a surface including a first portion having relatively greater radius of curvature in the vicinity of the second side wall, a second portion having a relatively lesser radius of curvature in the vicinity of the first side wall, and an inwardly projecting ridge, said second portion and ridge at least partially defining a pocket region.

Claims

1. A clip fastener comprising:

a first side wall, a second side wall, and a U-shaped recess between the first side wall and second side wall, wherein the first side wall is higher than the second side wall, and wherein the recess is at least partially defined by a surface including a first portion having relatively greater radius of curvature in the vicinity of the second side wall, a second portion having a relatively lesser radius of curvature in the vicinity of the first side wall, and an inwardly projecting ridge, said second portion and ridge at least partially defining a pocket region.

2. The clip fastener of claim 1 wherein the clip fastener is a monolithic, single piece member fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, aluminum-magnesium alloy, stainless steel, brass, polycarbonate nylon, polyvinyl chloride, acetal, (meth)acrylate polymer and polysulfone.

3. The clip fastener of claim 1 wherein the first side wall and second side wall are substantially parallel to each other and on opposite sides of the clip fastener.

4. The clip fastener of claim 3 wherein the first side wall has a height H₁ and the second side wall has a height H₂ and the ratio H₁/H₂ ranges from about 0.85 to 0.95.

5. The clip fastener of claim 1 wherein the first portion of the recess surface has a radius of curvature R₁ and the second portion of the recess surface has a radius of curvature R₂ wherein the ratio R₁/R₂ ranges from about 3.0 to about 4.0.

6. The clip fastener of claim 1 wherein the clip fastener has a width W, and the clip fastener further includes at least a lengthwise extending first hole having a diameter D wherein the ratio of D/W ranges from about 0.25 to about 0.27.

7. The clip fastener of claim 6 further including a second hole parallel to the first hole and having the same diameter as the first hole, said second hole being laterally spaced apart from the first hole.

8. The clip fastener of claim 1 further including a bottom surface having a lengthwise extending concavity.

9. The clip fastener of claim 1 wherein the first side wall has a height H₁ and the clip fastener has a width W, wherein the ratio of H₁/W ranges from about 1.2 to about 1.3.

10. A structure comprising:

a) at least one frame and at least first and second linear members;

b) at least one U-clip fastener fixedly attached to the first linear member, the U-clip fastener being configured and dimensioned so as to engage the second linear member, said U-clip fastener including,

a first side wall, a second side wall, and a U-shaped recess between the first side wall and second side wall, wherein the first side wall is higher than the second side wall, and wherein the recess is at least partially defined by a surface including a first portion having relatively greater radius of curvature in the vicinity of the second side wall, a second portion having a relatively lesser radius of curvature in the vicinity of the first side wall, and an inwardly projecting ridge, said second portion and ridge at least partially defining a pocket region for receiving the second linear member.

11. The structure of claim 10 wherein said structure comprises a chair.

12. The structure of claim 11 wherein the chair has a support frame and a seat member, the seat member including a seat frame and a body support, wherein the support frame includes at least first and second lateral support frame crosspieces and the seat frame includes at least first and second seat frame crosspieces, each of the first and second support frame crosspieces having attached thereto at least one said U-clip fastener for engaging a respective seat frame crosspiece.

13. The structure of claim 10 wherein the U-clip fastener is a monolithic, single piece member fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, aluminum-magnesium alloy, stainless steel, brass, polycarbonate nylon, polyvinyl chloride, acetal, (meth)acrylate polymer and polysulfone.

14. The structure of claim 10 wherein the first side wall and second side wall of the U-clip fastener are substantially parallel to each other and on opposite sides of the clip fastener.

15. The structure of claim 14 wherein the first side wall has a height H₁ and the second side wall has a height H₂ and the ratio H₁/H₂ ranges from about 0.85 to 0.95.

16. The structure of claim 10 wherein the first portion of the recess surface of the U-clip fastener has a radius of curvature R₁ and the second portion of the recess surface has a radius of curvature R₂ wherein the ratio R₁/R₂ ranges from about 3.0 to about 4.0.

17. The structure of claim 10 wherein the U-clip fastener has a width W, and the U-clip fastener further includes at least a lengthwise extending first hole having a diameter D wherein the ratio of D/W ranges from about 0.25 to about 0.27.

18. The structure of claim 17 wherein the U-clip fastener further includes a second hole parallel to the first hole and having the same diameter as the first hole, said second hole being laterally spaced apart from the first hole.

19. The structure of claim 10 wherein the U-clip fastener further includes a bottom surface having a lengthwise extending concavity dimensioned and configured to engage the first linear member.

20. The structure of claim 10 wherein the first side wall of the U-clip fastener has a height H₁ and the U-clip fastener has a width W, wherein the ratio of H₁/W ranges from about 1.2 to about 1.3.