Arcuate clip assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9475525-B2
Application number	US-201314391173-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 5, 2013
Priority date	Apr 9, 2012
Publication date	Oct 25, 2016
Grant date	Oct 25, 2016

Abstract

A clip assembly is configured to securely connect a first structural component to a second structural component. The clip assembly may include an arc attachment member and an arc-receiving member. The arc attachment member may include a securing arc having a semi-circular rim. The arc attachment member is configured to be secured to one of the first or second structural components. The arc-receiving member may include an arc-receiving portion configured to receive the securing arc through multiple directions. The arc-receiving member is configured to be secured to the other of the first or second structural components. The securing arc is configured to be pivotally adjusted with respect to the arc-receiving portion.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A clip assembly configured to securely connect a first structural component to a second structural component, the clip assembly comprising:
an arc attachment member including: (a) a base, (b) a securing arc having a semi-circular rim extending from a lower surface of the base, wherein the semi-circular rim directly connects to first and second ends of the base at the lower surface, and (c) an internal fin integrally connected to and extending from an internal ledge of the semi-circular rim to the lower surface of the base between the first and second ends, wherein the internal fin is recessed with respect to the semi-circular rim, wherein the internal fin has a length extending between the first and second ends of the base, a height extending between the lower surface of the base to the internal ledge of the semi-circular rim, and a thickness extending between a first side of the internal fin to an opposite second side of the internal fin, wherein the thickness of the internal fin is less than a respective thickness of the semi-circular rim, wherein the arc attachment member is configured to be secured to one of the first or second structural components; and
an arc-receiving member including an arc-receiving portion configured to receive the securing arc through multiple directions, wherein the arc-receiving member is configured to be secured to the other of the first or second structural components, and wherein the securing arc is configured to be pivotally adjusted with respect to the arc-receiving portion.

2. The clip assembly of claim 1 , wherein the arc-receiving portion comprises opposed arc-retaining members, wherein each of the opposed arc-retaining members comprises an extension beam and an expanded head, wherein an arc-receiving channel is defined between the opposed arc-retaining members, and wherein a portion of the securing arc is slidably retained within the arc-receiving channel.

3. The clip assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the arc attachment member and the arc-receiving member further comprises a panel-securing portion, wherein the panel-securing portion of each of the arc member and the arc-receiving member is configured to securely connect to a portion of the first component or the second structural component.

4. The clip assembly of claim 3 , wherein the panel-securing portion of at least one of the arc member and the arc-receiving member comprises one or more of a connection stud, a recessed neck, connection beams, or a beveled tip.

5. The clip assembly of claim 3 , wherein the panel-securing portion comprises one or more securing wedges extending from a base.

6. The clip assembly of claim 5 , wherein the one or more securing wedges are configured to selectively secure the arc-receiving member to an internal or outer portion of the first or second structural component.

7. The clip assembly of claim 1 , wherein the arc-receiving portion of the arc-receiving member further comprises one or more straps configured to conform to a shape of the rim.

8. The clip assembly of claim 1 , wherein the semi-circular rim extends through a sweeping arc of 180 degrees from the first end of the base to the second end of the base.

9. A structural assembly comprising:
a first structural component;
a second structural component; and
a clip sub-assembly that adjustably connects the first structural component to the second structural component, the clip sub-assembly comprising:
an arc attachment member including: (a) a base, (b) a securing arc having a semi-circular rim extending from a lower surface of the base, wherein the semi-circular rim directly connects to first and second ends of the base at the lower surface, and (c) an internal fin integrally connected to and extending from an internal ledge of the semi-circular rim to the lower surface of the base between the first and second ends, wherein the internal fin is recessed with respect to the semi-circular rim, wherein the internal fin has a length extending between the first and second ends of the base, a height extending between the lower surface of the base to the internal ledge of the semi-circular rim, and a thickness extending between a first side of the internal fin to an opposite second side of the internal fin, wherein the thickness of the internal fin is less than a respective thickness of the semi-circular rim, wherein the arc attachment member is secured to the first structural component; and
an arc-receiving member including an arc-receiving portion configured to receive the securing arc through multiple directions, wherein the arc-receiving member is secured to the second structural component, and wherein the securing arc is configured to be pivotally adjusted with respect to the arc-receiving portion in order to adjustably connect the first structural component to the second structural component.

10. The structural assembly of claim 9 , wherein the arc-receiving portion comprises opposed arc-retaining members, wherein each of the opposed arc-retaining members comprises an extension beam and an expanded head, wherein an arc-receiving channel is defined between the opposed arc-retaining members, and wherein a portion of the securing arc is slidably retained within the arc-receiving channel.

11. The structural assembly of claim 9 , wherein each of the arc attachment member and the arc-receiving member further comprises a panel-securing portion configured to securely connect to a portion of the first or second structural component.

12. The structural assembly of claim 11 , wherein the panel-securing portion of at least one of the arc attachment member and the arc-receiving member comprises one or more of a connection stud, a recessed neck, connection beams, or a beveled tip.

13. The structural assembly of claim 11 , wherein the panel-securing portion of at least one of the arc attachment member and the arc-receiving member comprises one or more securing wedges extending from a base.

14. The structural assembly of claim 13 , wherein the one or more securing wedges are configured to selectively secure the arc-receiving member to an internal or outer portion of the first or second structural component.

15. The structural assembly of claim 9 , wherein the arc-receiving portion of the arc-receiving member further comprises one or more straps configured to conform to a shape of the rim.

16. The structural assembly of claim 9 , wherein the semi-circular rim extends through a sweeping arc of 180 degrees from the first end of the base to the second end of the base.

17. A clip assembly configured to securely connect a first structural component to a second structural component, the clip assembly comprising:
an arc attachment member including: (a) a base, (b) a securing arc having a semi-circular rim extending from a lower surface of the base, wherein the semi-circular rim directly connects to first and second ends of the base at the lower surface, wherein the semi-circular rim extends through a sweeping arc of 180 degrees from the first end of the base to the second end of the base, and (c) an internal fin integrally connected to and extending from an internal ledge of the semi-circular rim to the lower surface of the base between the first and second ends, wherein the internal fin is recessed with respect to the semi-circular rim, wherein the internal fin has a length extending between the first and second ends of the base, a height extending between the lower surface of the base to the internal ledge of the semi-circular rim, and a thickness extending between a first side of the internal fin to an op

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Lepper Mark O
• Edland David W
• Siragusa George
• Flynn Gregory
• Steltz Jeffrey
• Pearson Timothy D
• Sprague Wes

Classifications

• B60Q1/2615

  mounted on the vehicle body, e.g. with magnets · CPC title

• B62D24/00

  Connections between vehicle body and vehicle frame (B62D23/00, B62D33/077 take precedence) · CPC title

• B60Q1/0483 Primary

  mounted on a bracket, e.g. details concerning the mouting of the lamps on the vehicle body · CPC title

• F16B5/065

  the plates being one on top of the other and distanced from each other, e.g. by using protrusions to keep contact and distance · CPC title

• F16B5/0216

  the position of the plates to be connected being adjustable · CPC title