Linearly-adjustable clip assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11078944-B2
Application number	US-201816081098-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 22, 2018
Priority date	Mar 23, 2017
Publication date	Aug 3, 2021
Grant date	Aug 3, 2021

Abstract

A clip assembly is configured to adjustably secure to a first component and a second component. The clip assembly includes a rail member that is configured to connect to the first component, and an attachment member that is configured to connect to the second component. The rail member is linearly adjustable in relation to the attachment member.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A clip assembly that is configured to adjustably secure to a first component and a second component, the clip assembly comprising:
a rail member that is configured to connect to the first component; and
an attachment member that is configured to connect to the second component, the attachment member includes a base having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, wherein the attachment member further includes a component fastener outwardly extending directly from the second surface of the base, and wherein a rail coupler is unitary with the base and extends from the first surface,
wherein the rail member is linearly adjustable in relation to the attachment member.

2. The clip assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rail member comprises at least one component fastener that is configured to securely couple the rail member to the first component, and wherein the component fastener of the attachment member is configured to securely couple the attachment member to the second component.

3. The clip assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rail member is integrally formed with the first component.

4. The clip assembly of claim 1 , wherein the attachment member is integrally formed with the second component.

5. The clip assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rail member comprises a rail beam having end walls connected to a ledge extending between the end walls.

6. The clip assembly of claim 5 , wherein the ledge comprises an inwardly-stepped rectangular edge.

7. The clip assembly of claim 5 , wherein the end walls comprise stop barriers that prevent the rail member from dislodging from the attachment member.

8. The clip assembly of claim 5 , wherein the rail member further comprises one or more angled support ribs extending from a base of the rail member to a central fin.

9. The clip assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rail coupler comprises opposed coupling brackets separated by a central gap, wherein a portion of the rail member is slidably retained within the central gap between the coupling brackets.

10. The clip assembly of claim 9 , wherein each of the coupling brackets comprises:
end beams connected together by a spanning beam; and
a ledge-engaging arm extending from the spanning beam, wherein the ledge-engaging arm is configured to engage a ledge of the rail member.

11. The clip assembly of claim 10 , wherein the ledge-engaging arm comprises an outwardly-canted tip that conforms to a portion of the ledge.

12. The clip assembly of claim 1 , wherein the attachment member further comprises an outer collar connected at a reduced neck section, and wherein the outer collar is configured to connect to the second component.

13. A securing system comprising:
a first component;
a second component; and
a clip assembly adjustably secured to the first component and the second component, the clip assembly comprising:
a rail member connected to the first component; and
an attachment member connected to the second component, the attachment member having a base and further comprising a rail coupler having opposed coupling brackets separated by a central gap,
wherein a portion of the rail member is slidably retained within the central gap between the coupling brackets,
wherein each of the coupling brackets comprises a surface extending from the base and an upper surface connected at a corner with the surface, and wherein the upper surface of each of the coupling brackets is parallel with the base,
wherein the rail member is linearly adjustable in relation to the attachment member.

14. The securing system of claim 13 , wherein the rail member comprises at least one first component fastener that securely couples the rail member to the first component, and wherein the attachment member comprises at least one second component fastener that securely couples the attachment member to the second component.

15. The securing system of claim 13 , wherein the rail member comprises a rail beam having end walls connected to a ledge extending between the end walls.

16. The securing system of claim 13 , wherein each of the coupling brackets comprises:
end beams connected together by a spanning beam, wherein the surface forms a portion of the end beams and the upper surface forms a portion of the spanning beam, and wherein the corner is a rounded corner; and
a ledge-engaging arm extending from the spanning beam, wherein the ledge-engaging arm is configured to engage a ledge of the rail member.

17. The securing system of claim 16 , wherein the ledge-engaging arm comprises an outwardly-canted tip that conforms to a portion of the ledge.

18. A clip assembly that is configured to adjustably secure to a first component and a second component, the clip assembly comprising:
a rail member that is configured to connect to the first component and comprising a base, wherein the rail member comprises a rail beam having end walls connected to a ledge extending between the end walls, wherein the rail beam includes recessed areas on either side of the rail beam between the base, the end walls, and the ledge, wherein one or more angled support ribs extend from the base to the recessed areas, wherein the ledge comprises an inwardly-stepped rectangular edge, and wherein the end walls comprise stop barriers; and
an attachment member that is configured to connect to the second component, wherein the rail member is linearly adjustable in relation to the attachment member, wherein the attachment member comprises a rail coupler having opposed coupling brackets separated by a central gap, wherein the rail beam is slidably retained within the central gap between the coupling brackets, wherein each of the coupling brackets comprises end beams connected together by a spanning beam, and a ledge-engaging arm extending from the spanning beam, wherein the ledge-engaging arm is configured to engage the ledge of the rail member, and wherein the ledge-engaging arm comprises an outwardly-canted tip that conforms to a portion of the ledge.

19. The clip assembly of claim 18 , wherein the rail member comprises at least one first component fastener that is configured to securely couple the rail member to the first component, and wherein the attachment member comprises at least one second component fastener that is configured to securely couple the attachment member to the second component.

20. The clip assembly of claim 18 , wherein the rail member further includes a circumferential seal over the base.

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Lepper Mark Owen
• Kendall Eric David

Classifications

• F16B21/086 Primary

  the shank of the stud, pin or spigot having elevations, ribs, fins or prongs intended for deformation or tilting predominantly in a direction perpendicular to the direction of insertion · CPC title

• F16B5/0664

  at least one of the sheets or plates having integrally formed or integrally connected snap-in-features · CPC title

• F16B5/0628

  allowing for adjustment parallel or perpendicular to the plane of the sheets or plates · CPC title

• F16B21/088

  the stud, pin or spigot being integrally formed with the component to be fastened, e.g. forming part of the sheet, plate or strip · CPC title

• F16B21/073

  the socket having a resilient part on its inside · CPC title