SQUEEGEE RETAINER CLIP

• US 20140140762A1
• Filed: 05/06/2011
• Published: 05/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nilfisk A/S (Nilfisk Holding A/S)
• Original Assignee: Nilfisk-Advance Incorporated (Nilfisk Holding A/S)
• Inventors: Hall, Aaron T., Johnson, Kale R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,341,209 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 403/376
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4044 Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7075 including discrete retainer

Abstract

A retainer clip for a squeegee assembly comprises top and bottom clip members each having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior surface of the top clip member includes a first channel portion adjacent to a first end and a first interlocking feature adjacent to a second end. The interior surface of the bottom clip member includes a second channel portion adjacent to a first end and a second interlocking feature adjacent to a second end. Mating the first interlocking feature with the second interlocking feature positions the first channel portion adjacent to the second channel portion to form a pin receiving channel.

Claims

1. A retainer clip for a squeegee assembly comprising:

a top clip member having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface including a first channel portion adjacent to a first end; and

a bottom clip member having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface including a second channel portion adjacent to a first end;

wherein the first channel portion is structured to be positioned adjacent to the second channel portion to form a pin receiving channel.

2. The retainer clip of claim 1, wherein the first and second channel portions are each defined by a curved channel surface.

3. The retainer clip of claim 2, wherein the curved channel surfaces are semi-circular in shape such that the pin receiving channel has a generally circular cross-section.

4. The retainer clip of claim 3, further comprising:

a first interlocking feature adjacent to a second end of the top clip member; and

a second interlocking feature adjacent to a second end of the bottom clip member;

wherein mating the first interlocking feature with the second interlocking feature positions the first channel portion adjacent to the second channel portion.

5. The retainer clip of claim 1, wherein the first and second interlocking features each comprise one or more protrusions and one or more recesses.

6. The retainer clip of claim 5, wherein each of the protrusions in the first interlocking feature is structured to mate with a corresponding recess in the second interlocking feature, and wherein each of the protrusions in the second interlocking feature is structured to mate with a corresponding recess in the first interlocking feature.

7. The retainer clip of claim 6, wherein the top and bottom clip members each include an aperture that is structured to receive a post extending from a squeegee assembly.

8. The retainer clip of claim 7, wherein the apertures are substantially circular and define a pivot point to allow the retainer clip to rotate relative to a squeegee assembly.

9. The retainer clip of claim 1, further comprising a locking means that is structured to provide a predetermined amount of clamping force upon the top and bottom clip members.

10. The retainer clip of claim 9, wherein the locking means comprises a rotatable knob having a threaded inner channel that is structured to engage with an exteriorly threaded shaft that extends through apertures in the top and bottom clip members.

11. The retainer clip of claim 1, wherein the top and bottom clip members are formed from a glass reinforced nylon material.

12. The retainer clip of claim 1, wherein the top clip member and the bottom clip member are identical.

13. A retainer clip for a squeegee assembly comprising:

a first clip member having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface including a first curved channel portion adjacent to a first end and a first interlocking feature adjacent to a second end, the first interlocking feature comprising a first protrusion and a first recess; and

a second clip member having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface including a second curved channel portion adjacent to a first end and a second interlocking feature adjacent to a second end, the second interlocking feature comprising a second protrusion structured to be received within the first recess and a second recess structured to receive the first protrusion;

wherein mating the first interlocking feature with the second interlocking feature positions the first channel portion adjacent to the second channel portion to form a pin receiving channel.

14. The retainer clip of claim 13, wherein the interior surfaces of the first and second clip members are pitched between the first end and the second end.

15. The retainer clip of claim 13, wherein the pin receiving channel has a generally circular cross-section.

16. The retainer clip of claim 13, wherein the first ends of the first and second clip members are beveled.

17. The retainer clip of claim 13, further comprising a locking means that is structured to provide a predetermined amount of clamping force upon the first and second clip members.

18. The retainer clip of claim 17 wherein the locking means comprises a rotatable knob having a threaded inner channel that is structured to engage with an exteriorly threaded shaft that extends through apertures in the first and second clip members.

19. A retainer clip comprising:

a first clip member having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface including a first channel portion adjacent to a first end; and

a second clip member having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface including a second channel portion adjacent to a first end that together with the first channel portion defines a pin receiving channel;

wherein the first and second clip members are joined at respective second ends.

20. The retainer clip of claim 19, wherein the first and second clip members are formed integral with one another.

21. The retainer clip of claim 19, wherein the first and second clip members are separable from one another.