Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02665535 2009-05-07
PANEL RETENTION CLIP
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a clip device that connects adjacent panels
of
sheet material together.
BACKGROUND
The roof of a structure is typically formed by mounting panels onto a truss
and
then applying a set of shingles to the panels. The panels used-plywood,
particle board,
etc., are subject to warping; consequently, roofing clips are utilized to
limit the movement
of the panels. Specifically, clips are positioned between the adjacent panels
to align the
panels and maintain them in a planar relationship. Conventional clips are
small, fixed
structures formed from metal or wood. The clips typically include a planar
base and U-
shaped portions extending from each surface of the base. In use, adjacent
panels are slid
into each U-shaped portion, securing the panels together. Conventional clips,
however,
suffer from several disadvantages. First, the clips have fixed dimensions and
thus only
accommodate panels of a corresponding thickness. If other sheet thicknesses
are desired,
the operator must either utilize appropriately-sized clips, or use ill-fitting
clips, which
invites shifting between the panels. Second, the clips do not accommodate the
expansion
and contraction panels during the change of the seasons. Therefore, over time,
fixed clips
may not adequately secure adjacent panels together during the lifetime of the
structure.
It is desirable to provide a clip that securely connects adjacent sheets of
material
together, adjusts to fit between building materials of varying thicknesses,
accommodates
for sheet expansion and contraction, and installs easily.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The clip of the present invention has a generally H-shaped configuration
configured to secure together two panels of sheet material in edge-to-edge
orientation.
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The clip includes a pair of opposed generally parallel arms secured to and
separated by a
central beam. This structure forms a pair of open receptacles or cavities,
each operable to
receive a panel therein. At least one of the arms includes resilient biasing
members
operable to apply pressure to retain the panels inserted into the receptacles.
The clip
serves as a connector securing successive or adjacent panels such that the
retained panels
are generally coplanar. The biasing members, moreover, resiliently flex to
accommodate
panels of various sizes, as well as to accommodate expansion and contraction
of the
panels. Opposing surfaces of each biasing member and the opposite arm may
include
raised ribs which are urged against the retained panel to increase the local
applied
pressure and thereby enhance non-slip panel engagement. The panels typically
utilized
with the clip include sheets of building material such as plywood, drywall,
and other
roofing materials.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a clip device in accordance with
an
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a front plan view of the clip of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the clip device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the clip device shown to FIG. 1
FIG. 5 illustrates a top perspective view of a clip device in accordance with
another
embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates a top perspective view of a clip device in accordance with
yet another
embodiment of the invention
FIG. 7 illustrates a front plan view of the clip device shown in FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 illustrates a top perspective view in accordance with a further
embodiment of the
invention.
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Fig. 9 illustrates a side elevation view of a portion of the embodiment of
FIG. 8.
Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout
this disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIGS. 1- 4 illustrate views of a clip device in accordance with an embodiment
of the invention. As shown, the clip device 10 includes a beam or brace 100
extending
from a first or lower arm 105 to a second or upper arm 110. The beam 100 may
be in the
form of a rod centrally disposed on and perpendicular to each of the arms 105,
110. The
ends of the beam 100 terminate at respective arms 105 and 110 so as to
position the arms
in spaced, generally parallel relation. With this configuration, a structure
defining a first
or left panel receptacle 115 and a second or right panel receptacle 120 is
formed. Each
receptacle 115, 120 is contoured to receive the edge of a respective panel of
building
material such as drywall, plywood, etc. In this manner the panels are engaged
substantially edge-to-edge, separated by beam 100.
Beam 100 may possess any dimensions suitable for its described purposed. For
example, the height of the beam 100 may be selected to provide the desired
height for
each receptacle 115, 120. The beam 100, furthermore, may possess any thickness
operable to provide a desired level of lateral spacing between adjacent panels
of sheet
material. By way of example, the beam 100 may possess a width of 1/8 inch to
provide
an expansion gap between the aligned pieces sheet material. The beam 100,
moreover,
may taper inward proximate its lower and upper ends (i.e., toward the first
105 and
second 110 arms) to create a central bow or bulge 125. Providing this bow 125,
where
the beam is wider at its center than at its edges, assists in air circulation
between the
adjacent panels of building material.
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Arms 105, 110 are configured to capture the edge portion of a panel within
each
receptacle 115, 120. The first arm 105 may include a generally planar element
or plate
oriented generally transverse to the beam 100 and having a first terminal end
130 and a
second terminal end 135. The beam 100 may be centrally disposed along on the
first arm
105 such that it divides the arm into left and right portions which are mirror
images of
each other. The first arm 105 may possess a generally uniform thickness;
alternatively, as
illustrated, each end 130, 135 of the first arm 105 may taper downward, away
from the
second arm 110. For example, the ends 130, 135 may taper at an angle of
approximately
3 to provide a greater receptacle opening, as well as to provide a ramp
operable to
guide/direct the edge of a panel into a receptacle 115, 120.
Similarly, the second arm 110 may include a generally planar element or plate
oriented generally transverse to the beam 100. The second arm 110,
furthermore,
includes a third terminal end 140 and a fourth terminal end 145. The beam 100
may
intersect the second arm 110 at its center, creating left and right mirrored
portions. With
this configuration, the first and third ends 130, 140 define the mouth of the
first receptacle
115, while the second and fourth ends 135, 145 define the mouth of the second
receptacle
120. As with the first arm 105, the second arm 110 may have a consistent
thickness, or
may taper at its ends 140, 145 (e.g., at a 3 angle) to provide a wider
receptacle opening,
as well as a ramp that guides the sheet toward the receptacle 115, 120 as it
is inserted
therein.
One of the arms 105, 110 may further include a resilient biasing member
operable to apply a biasing force onto the panel inserted into a receptacle
115, 120. In the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 1- 4, the second arm 105 includes a first resilient
biasing
member 150 and a second resilient biasing member 155. Each biasing member 150,
155
may be in the form of a tongue or paddle resiliently movable with respect to
the second
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support arm. Specifically, each biasing member 150, 155 may be in form of a
generally
planar paddle having a proximal end 160 serving as a pivot edge and a distal
end 165.
Each biasing member 150, 155 may further include a notch or groove 167 at its
proximal
end 160 configured to enhance the flexing/pivoting ability of the biasing
member. By
way of example, the notch may have a depth equally to no more than about half
the
thickness of the biasing member 150, 155.
The proximal end 160 of the biasing member 150, 155 may be coupled to
second arm 110 at a point inset from its respective end 140, 145. That is,
each biasing
member 150, 155 may be set inboard along the second arm 110 (and not at the
ends of the
arm). The biasing member 150, 155 may incline in the direction of beam 100,
positioning
the distal end 160 of the tongue within the receptacle 115, 120. The proximal
end 160 of
each biasing member 150, 155, moreover, pivotably flexes from its normal
position
(indicated by arrow R (FIG. 2)) when a force is applied thereto. For example,
the biasing
member 150, 155 may be pivoted from its normal position to a position in which
the
paddle is generally coplanar with an aperture 175A, 175B formed into the
second arm
110. Once released, the resilient nature of the biasing member causes it to
return to its
normal position.
Referring specifically to FIG. 2, the distal end 165 of each biasing member
150,
155 may further include a hub 210 defining a generally flat shoulder 220
operable to
contact the sheet material. When the biasing member 150, 155 is in its normal
position,
the shoulder 220 may be generally parallel to the surface of the first arm
105. The
shoulder 220 provides an area of increased surface, increasing the frictional
force the
biasing members 150, 155 apply to the panels.
The dimensions of the clip device 10 may be any suitable for its described
purpose. It is important to note that the first arm 105 may possess dimensions
that differ
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from that of the second arm 110. By way of example, the first arm 105 may have
a length
greater than that of the second arm 110 (best seen in FIG. 5).
The operation of the device is as follows. A first panel of sheet material
(e.g., a
piece of plywood, roofing material, etc.) is axially inserted into the first
receptacle 115
(between first 130 and third 140 ends). As the first panel is inserted, it
drives the first
biasing member 150 resiliently upward from its normal position, toward the
second arm
110. The first panel is inserted into the first receptacle 115 until it
contacts the beam 100.
The resilient biasing member 150 attempts to return to its normal position,
engaging the
first panel and applying pressure thereto, securing it within the receptacle.
Then, a second panel of sheet material is axially inserted into the second
receptacle 120 (between second 135 and fourth 145 ends). As the second panel
is
inserted, it drives the second biasing member 155 upward from it normal
position, toward
the second arm 110. The second panel material is inserted into the second
receptacle 120
until it contacts the beam 100. As with the first biasing member 150, the
resilient second
biasing member 155 attempts to return to its normal position, applying
pressure to the
second panel.
Once both panels of sheet material are inserted, the adjacent panels are
aligned
such that they are generally coplanar. The clip device 10, moreover, secures
the panels
such that relative movement of the panels is prevented. The biasing members
150, 155,
in addition to applying a frictional force to each panel, accommodate panels
having
varying thickness. That is, panels having a thickness substantially smaller
than the height
of the receptacle 115, 120 may be securely contained by the clip device 10
because the
biasing members 150, 155 extend a predetermined distance within the
receptacles 115,
120 to secure the panel therein. By way of example, a panel of sheet material
having a
range of thicknesses of 7/16 of an inch, 15/32 of an inch, and 1/2 of an inch
may be
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secured utilizing a single clip device 10. This avoids the need to coordinate
the size of
the clip with the thickness of the panel, as is the case with conventional
clips.
In addition, the biasing members 150, 155 accommodate the expansion and
contraction of the sheet material. That is, as the panels contracts/expands
(with
temperature changes, for example), the angle of inclination of the biasing
members 150,
155 changes, maintaining contact with the panels throughout the
expansion/contraction.
FIG. 5 illustrates a clip device 50 in accordance with another embodiment of
the
invention. As illustrated, the grooves 167 have been omitted.
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a clip 60 in accordance with still another embodiment
of
the invention. As illustrated, the arms 105, 110 are no longer oriented
parallel to each
other. Instead, each end of the second arm 110 slants downward from the beam
100. In
addition, the hub 210 formed along at the distal end of each biasing member
has been
omitted.
FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate another embodiment of the invention in which an array
of several raised ribs 300 is formed on the interiorly facing surface of arm
105. Ribs 300
are longitudinally spaced from one another and each extends along the entire
width of
arm 105. Another array of several raised ribs 310 is defined on the interiorly
facing
surface of each of biasing members 150, 155. Ribs 310 are longitudinally
spaced from
one another and each extends along the entire width of its biasing member. The
mutually
facing arrays of ribs serve an anti-slip or friction producing function to
minimize
inadvertent relative movement between the retained panels and inadvertent
removal of a
retained panel from the clip. The ribs, as shown, have a sawtooth transverse
cross-section
with one side oriented substantially perpendicular to the surface from which
it is raised,
and the other side oriented at an angle to that surface so as to converge at
an apex
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intersection edge with the perpendicular side of the rib. The apex edge
configuration
concentrates the compression force acting to retain the panels in the
receptacle. It should
be noted, however, that the rib cross-sectional configuration need not be
sawtooth and
may, in some instances, may have a rounded edge so as to minimize penetration
into the
surface of the retained panel.
The material forming the clip device 10 is not particularly limited. By way of
example, the material may be a thermoplastic resin including, but not limited
to
acrylonitrile butadiene styrene; polyvinyl chloride; polypropylene (e.g.,
polypropylene,
talc-filled polypropylene, calcium filled polypropylene, and polypropylene
copolymers);
polyethylene (low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene
(LLDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), ultra high molecular weight
polyethylene
(UHMWPE)); polyamide, polyester; and polycarbonate. The clip 10 may be formed
utilizing injection molding, co-injection molding, profile extrusion, ram
extrusion versus
injection molding or co-injection molding, or computer controller cutting or
building
process such as machines using computer numerical control (CNC), and selective
laser
sintering (SLS), stereolithography (SLA). The clip device 10 is preferably a
unitary (one-
piece) structure requiring no assembly after being unitarily formed.
While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to
specific
embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that
various changes and
modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope
thereof. It
is to be understood that terms such as "top", "bottom", "front", "rear",
"side", "height",
"length", "width", "upper", "lower", "interior", "exterior", and the like as
may be used
herein, merely describe points of reference and do not limit the present
invention to any
particular orientation or configuration.
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