Spring clip

• US 4,722,120 A
• Filed: 06/23/1987
• Issued: 02/02/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James Lu
• Original Assignee: James Lu
• Inventors: Lu, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Sakran, Victor N.
• Application Number:
  US07/065,373
• Time in Patent Office: 224 Days
• Field of Search: 24/489, 24/499, 24/490, 24/536, 24/562, 24/564
• US Class Current: 24/489
• CPC Class Codes: B42F 1/10 non-metallic
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 55/02 with pivoted independent clamping members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44291 including pivoted gripping member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44376 Spring or resiliently biased about pivot
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44932 having specific surface material or irregularity on or along engaging face

Abstract

A spring clip includes bosses and pivot holes on flanges at two opposite sides of each of two clamping members for connecting pivotally the clamping members wherein the flange bearing the boss at each side is sandwiched between two other flanges bearing the pivot holes, thereby preventing the bosses from being released easily from the pivot holes. A torsion spring is mounted conveniently on the clamping members by engaging it with retaining members disposed on the clamping members.

Claims

1. A clip comprising,

a first clamping member having a first clamping portion, a first press plate portion, and a first inner surface extending from said first clamping portion to said first press plate portion,

a second clamping member having a second clamping portion, a second press plate portion, and a second inner surface facing said first inner surface and extending from said second clamping portion to said second press plate portion,

said first and second press plate portions being connected pivotally to one another to turn about a pivot axis so as to cause said first and second clamping portions to move towards one another or to move away from one another,

each of said first and second plate portions including at one side thereof a first flange extending inwardly and perpendicular to said pivot axis and having a boss of circular cross-section extending perpendicularly from said first flange, and at the opposite side thereof a second flange being parallel to said first flange and having a pivot hole, said boss of said first or second press plate portion being inserted into said pivot hole of said second or first press plate portion,

each of said first and second press plate portions further having a third flange parallel to and spaced apart from said second flange to create a gap between said second and third flanges so as to sandwich said first flange when said boss is inserted into said pivot hole, each of said bosses having an end face slanted relative to a plane perpendicular to said pivot axis to enable said first flange to wedge in between respective said second and third flanges,

a torsion spring disposed between said first and second press plate portions and having a coiled portion, a first arm at one side of said coiled portion extending toward said first press plate portion and having an inwardly bent end parallel to said pivot axis, and a second arm at another side of said coiled portion extending toward said second press plate portion and having an inwardly bent end parallel to said pivot axis, and

a spring retaining means including at said second inner surface a transverse ridge which is parallel to said pivot axis and engages with said bent end of said second arm, and a longitudinal projection on said second inner surface between said first and third flanges, having a curved engaging surface with a gradually increasing height from one end near said transverse ridge to the opposite other end, said curved engaging surface serving as a seat for said coiled portion.

2. A spring clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first press plate portion has at said first inner surface a transverse ridge parallel to said pivot axis to engage with said bent end of said first arm.

3. A spring clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second clamping portions are provided with pads at said first and second inner surfaces.