Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02832893 2013-11-07
,
,
TITLE: GUTTER HANGER
FIELD
[0001] The field of the present disclosure relates to gutter
hangers for securing a
gutter to a fascia of a roof.
INTRODUCTION
[0002] The lower periphery of many roofs is lined by lengths of
gutters (also known
as eaves troughs). A gutter is typically formed as a narrow channel, and is
normally a
component of a rain water diversion system, which collects and diverts
rainwater that falls
from a roof. A gutter may be fastened to the upper portion of an exterior wall
of the building
(also known as the fascia of the roof). A series of hanging brackets (also
known as gutter
hangers), may be positioned intermittently along the length of the gutter to
fasten the rear
wall of the gutter to the fascia of the roof.
SUMMARY
[0003] In a first aspect, there is a gutter hanger for securing a
gutter to a fascia of a
roof, the gutter having a front wall and a rear wall. The gutter hanger may
comprise an
elongate fastener, and a bracket including a front end longitudinally opposite
to a rear end,
two transversely opposite sides, each side extending from the front end to the
rear end, a
front attachment portion proximate the front end including an upwardly turned
hook which in
use abuts the front wall of the gutter, a rear attachment portion proximate
the rear end
which in use abuts the rear wall of the gutter, an intermediate portion
extending
longitudinally from the front attachment portion to the rear attachment
portion, each of the
front, rear and intermediate portions including a central region, and two
transversely
opposite side regions, each side region being transversely outward of the
central region,
and at least one arm, each arm being bent downwardly and transversely inwardly
from one
of the side regions of the intermediate portion to under the central region of
the
intermediate portion, the at least one arm urging the fastener against the
central region of
the intermediate portion.
[0004] In some embodiments, the at least one arm may include at
least one pair of
two arms, and within each of the at least one pair of two arms, each arm may
be bent
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downwardly and transversely inwardly from a different of the two side regions
of the
intermediate portion, and the two arms are transversely aligned.
[0005] In some embodiments each of the at least one arm may include a
distal end
under the central region of the intermediate portion, and within each of the
at least one pair
of two arms, the distal ends of the two arms may be spaced apart.
[0006] In some embodiments, the at least one pair of two arms may
include at least
two pairs of two arms, each of the at least two pairs of two arms may be
longitudinally
spaced from each other of the at least two pairs of two arms.
[0007] In some embodiments, the fastener may include first and second
fastener
ends, the first fastener end may be proximate to the front attachment portion,
and the
second fastener end may be longitudinally inwardly spaced from the rear
attachment end.
[0008] In some embodiments, an underside of the central region of the
intermediate
portion may define a longitudinally extending channel, the fastener may be
longitudinally
aligned with the channel, and the fastener may extend longitudinally inside
the channel.
[0009] In some embodiments, at least some of the central region of the
intermediate
portion may bow transversely upwardly to define the channel.
[0010] In some embodiments, the at least one arm may hold the
fastener in the
channel.
[0011] In some embodiments, the bracket may be formed from a single
sheet of
metal.
[0012] In some embodiments, the intermediate portion may further
include two
transversely opposite flanges, and each flange may be transversely outward of
and bent
downwardly from a different one of the transversely opposite side regions of
the
intermediate portion.
[0013] In some embodiments, the rear attachment portion may include a
downwardly
extending end panel having an opening sized to receive the fastener, the
opening being
aligned with the fastener, and two transversely opposite tabs spaced
longitudinally inward
from the end panel, and extending transversely inward, and the panel and the
two tabs may
define a slot sized to receive the front wall of the gutter.
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[0014] In some embodiments, the intermediate portion may further
include two
transversely opposite flanges, each flange may be transversely outward of and
bent
downwardly from a different one of the transversely opposite side regions of
the
intermediate portion, and each of the two tabs may extend from and is bent
transversely
inwardly from a different one of the two flanges.
[0015] In some embodiments, the front attachment portion may include
two
longitudinally extending transversely spaced apart ribs.
[0016] In some embodiments, at least some of each of the two side
regions of the
front attachment portion may bow upwardly to define the two ribs.
[0017] In some embodiments, a first portion of the hook which may be
immediately
adjacent the front end is without ribs, and a second portion of the hook which
may be
spaced from the front end includes the two ribs.
[0018] In some embodiments, the first portion of the hook may overly
the second
portion of the hook.
[0019] In some embodiments, in the second portion, each of the two ribs may
protrude inwardly with respect to a curvature of the hook.
[0020] In another aspect there is a method of manufacturing a gutter
hanger. The
method may comprise providing an elongate fastener; providing a sheet of
material, the
sheet of material including a front end longitudinally opposite to a rear end,
two
transversely opposite sides, each side extending from the front end to the
rear end; a front
attachment portion proximate the front end, a rear attachment portion
proximate the rear
end, and an intermediate portion extending longitudinally from the front
attachment portion
to the rear attachment portion, each of the front, rear and intermediate
portions including
[0021] a central region, and two transversely opposite side regions,
each side region
being transversely outward of the central region; bending the front attachment
portion
upwardly and longitudinally inwardly to form a hook; for each of at least one
arm,
perforating one of the side regions of the intermediate portion to define the
arm; positioning
the elongate fastener under the central region of the intermediate portion;
and bending
each of the at least one arm downwardly and transversely inwardly to extend
under the
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fastener and the central region of the intermediate portion, to urge the
fastener against the
central region of the intermediate portion.
[0022] In some embodiments the at least one arm may include at least
one pair of
two arms, and for each pair of two arms, the perforating may include
perforating each of the
two side regions of the intermediate portion to define two transversely
opposite and
transversely aligned arms.
[0023] In some embodiments the bending of each of the at least one
arm may
include, for each pair of two arms, bending each of the two arms downwardly
and
transversely inwardly toward each other.
[0024] In some embodiments the at least one pair of two arms may include at
least
two pairs of two arms, and the perforating may include perforating the two
side regions of
the intermediate portion at longitudinally spaced positions to define the at
least two pairs of
two arms, where each of the at least two pairs of two arms is longitudinally
spaced from
each other of the at least two pairs of two arms.
[0025] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise deforming the
central region of the intermediate portion upwardly to define a longitudinal
channel, wherein
the positioning includes positioning the fastener to extend longitudinally
inside the channel
and longitudinally aligned with the channel.
[0026] In another aspect, there is a gutter hanger for holding a
gutter front wall and
rear wall, and for holding an elongate fastener to be driven into a fascia to
connect the
gutter to the fascia. The gutter hanger may comprise a body having an
attachment hook at
a front end which in use holds the front wall, a fascia attachment at a rear
end which in use
holds the rear wall, and a raised arcuate channel in portion of the body
between the front
and rear ends, the channel open at both channel ends, the channel slidably
receiving the
elongate fastener therein; and at least one arcuate arm extending away from
the channel,
the at least one arm and the channel forming at least one continuous strip
that substantially
encircles and grips a circumference of a portion of the elongate fastener
providing
resistance against sliding of the elongate fastener; in use the fastener is
slidably drivable,
against the resistance from the at least one continuous strip, guided by the
channel away
from the attachment hook, through the fascia attachment and into the fascia.
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DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of a gutter hanger, in
accordance with at
least one embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 2 shows a bottom perspective view of the gutter hanger of
FIG. 1, in
accordance with at least one embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 3 shows a bottom plan view of the gutter hanger of FIG.
1, in accordance
with at least one embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view taken through line 4-4 in
FIG. 1, in
accordance with at least one embodiment;
[0031] FIG. 5 shows a side elevation view of the gutter hanger of FIG. 1,
positioned
on a gutter;
[0032] FIG. 6 shows a side elevation view of the gutter hanger of
FIG. 1, mounting a
gutter to a fascia of a roof; and
[0033] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart illustrating a method of
manufacturing a gutter
hanger.
DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
[0034] Numerous embodiments are described in this application, and
are presented
for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not intended to
be limiting in
any sense. The invention is widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as is
readily
apparent from the disclosure herein. Those skilled in the art will recognize
that the present
invention may be practiced with modification and alteration without departing
from the
teachings disclosed herein. Although particular features of the present
invention may be
described with reference to one or more particular embodiments or figures, it
should be
understood that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more
particular
embodiments or figures with reference to which they are described.
[0035] The terms "an embodiment," "embodiment," "embodiments," "the
embodiment," "the embodiments," "one or more embodiments," "some embodiments,"
and
"one embodiment" mean "one or more (but not all) embodiments of the present
invention(s)," unless expressly specified otherwise.
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[0036] The terms "including," "comprising" and variations thereof
mean "including but
not limited to," unless expressly specified otherwise. A listing of items does
not imply that
any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified
otherwise. The
terms "a," "an" and "the" mean "one or more," unless expressly specified
otherwise.
[0037] Mounting a gutter may include positioning a hanging bracket about
every 24"
along the length of the gutter. A typical residential home may require about
100 or more
gutter hangers to mount gutters along the entire lower periphery of the roof.
Accordingly, it
may be advantageous to provide a gutter hanger that can be quickly and easily
installed.
[0038] Reference is made to FIGS. 1 to 3, 5 and 6. FIG. 1 shows a top
perspective
view of a gutter hanger 100, in accordance with at least one embodiment. FIG.
2 shows a
bottom perspective view of gutter hanger 100, in accordance with at least one
embodiment.
FIG. 3 shows a bottom plan view of gutter hanger 100, in accordance with at
least one
embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a side elevation view of gutter hanger 100 positioned
on a
gutter 200. FIG. 6 shows a side elevation view of gutter hanger 100 mounting
gutter 200 to
a fascia 300.
[0039] Gutter hanger 100 is a hanging bracket for securing a gutter
200 to a fascia
300 of a roof. For clarity of illustration, gutter hanger 100 is described
with reference to a
front end 102, a longitudinally opposite rear end 104, and two transversely
opposite sides
106 and 108 each of which extends from front end 102 to rear end 104.
[0040] Gutter 200 is shown including an upstanding front wall 202, an
upstanding
rear wall 204, and a lower wall 206 which extends from front wall 202 to rear
wall 204. In
combination, front wall 202, rear wall 204, and lower wall 206 for a generally
U-shaped
channel for carrying rain water.
[0041] In the example shown, gutter hanger 100 includes a front
attachment portion
110 proximate front end 102, a rear attachment portion 112 proximate rear end
104, and an
intermediate portion 114 between front and rear ends 102 and 104. In some
embodiments,
front attachment portion 110 is configured to hold front wall 202 of gutter
200, rear
attachment portion 112 is configured to hold rear wall 204 of gutter 200, and
intermediate
portion 114 is configured to hold a fastener 116 for driving through front
wall 202 into fascia
300.
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[0042]
Rear attachment portion 112 is configured to abut rear wall 204 of
gutter 200.
This may permit rear attachment portion 112 to define the interface between
gutter hanger
100 and gutter 200 when fastener 116 is driven through fascia 300. In the
example shown,
gutter hanger 100 includes two transversely opposite flanges 118 and 120. Each
flange
118 and 120 is shown extending downwardly and positioned proximate a different
one of
sides 106 and 108. As shown, each flange 118 and 120 extends longitudinally
between
front and rear ends 102 and 104. The rear end of each flange 118 and 120 is
bent inwardly
to define a tab 122 or 124. In some examples, tabs 122 and 124 define at least
part of rear
attachment portion 112 and are configured to abut rear wall 204 of gutter 200.
In some
cases, tabs 122 and 124 may provide an interface between gutter hanger 100 and
gutter
200 having a greater surface area. This may better a better distribution of
forces which
gutter hanger 100 applies to gutter 200 when fastener 116 is driven into
fascia 300. As a
result, gutter hanger 100 may be less likely to puncture rear wall 204 of
gutter 200 if
fastener 116 is over tightened when fastened to fascia 300.
Still, in alternative
embodiments, gutter hanger 100 does not include tabs 122 and 124.
[0043]
In some embodiments, rear attachment portion 112 is configured to hold
rear
wall 204 of gutter 200. This may permit gutter hanger 100 to cantilever self-
supportedly
from rear wall 204 while fastener 116 is driven through gutter 200 and fascia
300. In the
example shown, rear attachment portion 112 includes an end panel 126. As
shown, end
panel 126 is configured to lie between fascia 300 and rear wall 204 of gutter
200, and abut
both of fascia 300 and rear wall 204. This may permit end panel 126 to provide
a rigid
interface between gutter 200 and fascia 300. End panel 126 may also provide a
large
surface area for distributing the force of gutter 200 as it is urged toward
fascia 300 when
fastener 116 is driven through fascia 300. As shown, end panel 126 and tabs
122 and 124
define a slot 128 sized to receive rear wall 202 of gutter 200. In some
embodiments, slot
128 includes a closed end 130 configured to abut an upper end 212 of rear wall
206 when
rear wall 206 extends through the full height of slot 128. Slot 128 in some
examples is
configured to provide a closed end 130 at a height which, in combination with
intermediate
portion 114, aligns fastener 116 at an appropriate distance D from upper end
212 of rear
wall 206. This may simplify positioning gutter hanger 100 relative to gutter
200, and reduce
the probability of gutter hanger 100 being installed too high or too low
relative to rear wall
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204. Still, in alternative examples rear attachment portion 112 does not
include an end
panel 126, does not define a slot 128, and is not configured to hold rear wall
204.
[0044] In some cases, gutter hanger 100 is provided in combination
with a fastener
116 positioned as shown. In various examples, fastener 116 is a screw, a bolt,
or a nail.
As best seen in FIG. 3, tip 132 of fastener 116 is preferably positioned
longitudinally
inwardly of rear attachment portion 112. This may prevent fastener 116 from
obstructing,
e.g. slot 128 of rear attachment portion 112. However, it has been observed
that if fastener
116 is not tightly held in place, it may shift, during shipping and handling,
into rear
attachment portion 112 and e.g. obstruct slot 128. If that happens, fastener
116 may need
to be repositioned before use, which may be a nuisance when installing, e.g.
100+ gutter
hangers for a residential gutter installation.
[0045] Gutter hanger 100 is shown including an intermediate portion
114 configured
to grip a fastener 116. In the example shown, intermediate portion 114
includes a plurality
of arms 134, 136, 138, and 140 which are configured to at least partially
encircle and grip a
circumference of fastener 116. As shown, each arm 134, 136, 138, and 140
includes a free
end 142. This may permit arms 134, 136, 138, and 140 to be tightened around
fastener
116 to grip and provide resistance against sliding of fastener 116 (e.g.
during shipping and
handling).
[0046] For clarity of illustration, gutter hanger 100 is described
with reference to a
central region 144 and two transversely opposed side regions 146 and 148 each
of which is
transversely outward of central region 144. In some examples, central region
144 is
aligned with a transverse center of gutter hanger 100. In alternative
examples, central
region 144 is transversely offset from the transverse center of gutter hanger
100. Referring
now to FIGS. 1-4, FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view taken through line 4-4
in FIG. 1. As
shown, each arm 134, 136, 138, and 140 is bent downwardly and transversely
inwardly
from a side region 146 or 148 of intermediate portion 114 to under the central
region 144 of
intermediate portion 114. This may permit arms 134, 136, 138, and 140 to urge
fastener
116 upwardly against the central region 144 of intermediate portion 114.
[0047] In some embodiments, intermediate portion 114 includes one or
more pairs of
arms. In the example shown, intermediate portion 114 includes a first pair of
arms 134 and
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136, which is longitudinally spaced from a second pair of arms 138 and 140. As
shown, in
each pair of arms, each arm is bent downwardly from a different one of the
side regions
106 and 108, and the two arms are transversely aligned. In some embodiments, a
pair of
arms may be configured such that there is a gap 133 between their free ends
142 when
they are tightened around a fastener 116. In one example, in a pair of arms,
the combined
transverse length of the two arms and the intervening central portion
(measured in a
flattened condition) is equal to or less than a circumference of fastener 116.
This may
permit the pair of arms to be tightened and grip tightly onto fastener 116.
[0048] In some embodiments (not shown), there may be one longer arm
in place of
two shorter arms. The longer arm may be similarly configured to produce a gap,
this time
between its free end and the intermediate portion 114, when the arm is
tightened around
the circumference of the fastener 116. In some embodiments (not shown), there
may be a
plurality of shorter arms arranged in longitudinally staggered relationship
rather than being
transversely aligned as in the example shown.
[0049] As most clearly seen in FIG. 4, a pair of two arms 138 and 140 (or
alternatively one longer arm as described above) in combination with central
region 144 of
intermediate portion 114 may form a continuous strip of material that
substantially encircles
and grips a circumference of the elongate fastener. As used herein and in the
claims, to
substantially encircle a circumference means to surround greater than one half
of the
circumference.
[0050] Referring again to FIGS. 1 to 6, in the example shown, central
region 144 of
intermediate portion 114 defines a channel 150. As shown, channel 150 is a
longitudinally
extending raised arcuate channel having an open front end 152, and an open
rear end 154
(see FIG.3). In alternative embodiments, channel 150 has a different cross-
section that is
not arcuate, such as triangular, or square for example. Generally, channel 150
may
slidingly receive fastener 116 therein. As shown, fastener 116 is
longitudinally aligned with
channel 150 and positioned inside channel 150. As illustrated by FIGS. 5 and
6, fastener
116 is slideably drivable against the resistance from arms 134, 136, 138, and
140, guided
by channel 150 away from front attachment portion 110 through rear attachment
portion
112 and into fascia 300. In some cases, where fastener 116 is a rotary-type
fastener (e.g.
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a screw or a bolt), rotating fastener 116 may reduce the friction between
fastener 116 and
arms 134, 136, 138, and 140 to allow fastener 116 to slide more easily as it
is driven into
fascia 300.
[0051]
In some embodiments, end panel 126 provides a through passage (e.g. an
opening, or slot 129) size to receive fastener 116 and which is aligned with
fastener 116
when fastener 116 is held by intermediate portion 114. This may permit
fastener 116 to
pass easily through end panel 126 without having to bore a hole. Still, in
alternative
embodiments, end panel 126 does not include a through passage for fastener
116.
[0052]
Generally, a typical gutter 200 is configured to collect rain water
which falls
from a roof, and divert the rain water to one or more downward spouts. When
gutter 200 is
filled with water, the water may apply significant outward pressure to front
wall 202 and
lower wall 206. Some gutters 200 may not be robust enough to withstand such
pressures
without additional support.
In some embodiments, front attachment portion 110 is
configured to support front wall 202 in its upstanding position. This may
permit a water-
filled gutter 200 to support the weight of the water. In the example shown,
front attachment
portion 110 includes an attachment hook 156 that is configured to hook into a
receiving
member 208 of front wall 202. As shown, receiving member 208 is a curled
flange.
[0053]
Gutter hanger 100 may include one or more reinforcing elements for
enhancing the structural strength and rigidity of gutter hanger 100. In some
embodiments,
gutter hanger 100 includes one or more ribs. In the example shown, front
attachment
portion 110 includes a pair of ribs 158. As shown, each rib 158 extends
longitudinally along
front attachment portion 110, and the two ribs 158 are transversely spaced
from each
other. In alternative embodiments, gutter hanger 100 includes fewer or greater
than two
ribs (e.g. 0, 1, 3, or 4 ribs). In some embodiments, ribs 158 extend into
intermediate
portion 114, and/or rear attachment portion 112. Ribs 158 may protrude
downwardly or
upwardly. In the example shown, at least some of each side region 146 and 148
of front
attachment portion 110 bows upwardly to define ribs 158.
[0054]
In the example shown, front attachment portion 110 is sized to insert
into
receiving member 208 without interfering with or having to deform receiving
member 208 or
front wall 202. As shown, ribs 158 protrude inwardly with respect to the
curvature of hook
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156. In some cases, an outwardly protruding rib may enlarge the overall size
of hook 156
and bend front wall 202 outwardly when front hook 156 is inserted into
receiving member
208. Thus, a hook 156 including inwardly ribs 158 may provide a better fit
with receiving
member 208. Still, in some embodiment, front attachment portion 110 includes
one or
more outwardly protruding ribs. For example, hook 156 may be reduced in size
to
compensate for the protrusion of the outwardly protruding ribs.
[0055] Some gutters 200 include a receiving member 208 having a
curled end which
defines a channel 210. Optionally, hook 156 is sized for insertion onto
channel 210. In the
example shown, hook 156 includes a first portion 160 immediately adjacent
front end 102,
and a second portion 162 spaced from front end 102. As shown, first portion
160 is at least
partially inverted to at least partially overly second portion 162. Also,
first portion 160 is
shown positioned inside channel 210 of receiving member 208. In some
embodiments, ribs
158 do not extend to the end of first portion 160. For example, first portion
160 is shown
without ribs 158. In some cases, ribs 158 may enlarge a thickness of first
portion 160 such
that first portion 160 cannot be inserted into channel 210 without deforming
channel 210.
Thus, hook 156 including a first portion 160 without ribs 158 may be more
easily inserted
into channel 210 of receiving member 208. Still, in some embodiments first
portion 160
includes ribs 158 which extend through to the end of first portion 160. For
example, some
gutters 200 include a receiving member 208 defining a channel 210 which is
deformable to
allow channel 210 to expand when inserting a first portion 160 having an
enlarged
thickness (e.g. on account of ribs 158). Further, some gutters 200 do not
include a
receiving member 208 which defining a channel 208, and some gutters 200 do not
include
receiving member 208 at all.
[0056] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 700 of
manufacturing a gutter
hanger. For clarity of illustration, method 700 is described with reference to
gutter hanger
200. However, in some embodiments, a different gutter hanger may be
manufactured by
practicing method 700. In the example of method 700 described, gutter hanger
100 is
manufactured from a single sheet of material (e.g. metal). However, in
alternative
embodiments, gutter hanger 100 is formed from a plurality of discrete pieces
that are joined
together.
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[0057]
At 702, an elongate fastener 116 is provided. Fastener 116 can be any
suitable elongate fastener, including without limitation, a screw, a nail, or
a bolt.
[0058]
At 704, a sheet of material is provided. In one example, the material
is metal.
In alternative embodiments, the material is plastic or wood. For clarity of
illustration, the
sheet of material is described with reference to a front end 102, a
longitudinally opposite
rear end 104, and two transversely opposite sides 106 and 108 each of which
extend from
the front end 102 to the rear end 104.
Longitudinally, the sheet of material may be
described as having a front attachment portion 110 proximate the front end
102, a rear
attachment portion 112 proximate the rear end 104, and an intermediate portion
114 which
extends from the front attachment portion 110 to the rear attachment portion
112.
Transversely, each of the front, intermediate, and rear attachment portions
110, 114, and
112 may be described as having a central region 144, and two side regions 146
and 148
each of which is transversely outward of and adjacent to central region 144.
[0059]
At 706, the front attachment portion 110 is bent upwardly and
longitudinally
inwardly to form a hook 156. In some examples, the hook 156 is arcuate. In
other
examples, hook 156 is generally polygonal having three or four sides for
example.
[0060]
At 708, one or more of side regions 146 and 148 of intermediate portion
112
is perforated to define one or more arms. In some embodiments, each arm is
generally
identical in size and shape to each other arm. In alternative embodiments, one
or more
arms is sized or shaped differently than one or more other arms. In various
embodiments,
one or more arms has a profile that is one of rectangular, triangular, semi-
circular, or any
other suitable shape. In some embodiments, both side regions 146 and 148 of
the
intermediate portion 112 are perforated to define one or more pairs of two
transversely
opposite arms. Each pair of two arms may be longitudinally spaced from each
other pair
of two arms.
[0061]
At 710, central region 144 of intermediate portion 112 is deformed
upwardly
to define a longitudinal channel 150. In some example, the sheet of material
is perforated
at one or both ends 152 and 154 of channel 150 to provide an open ended
channel 150.
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[0062] At 712, fastener 116 is positioned under the central region
144 of the
intermediate portion 112. In some examples, this includes positioning fastener
116 such
that it extends longitudinally inside channel 150 and longitudinally aligned
with channel 150.
[0063] At 714, each of the arm(s) is bent downwardly and transversely
inwardly to
extend under fastener 116 and central region 144 of intermediate portion 114.
In the case
of a pair of two transversely opposite arms, each of the two arms is bent
downwardly and
transversely inwardly toward the other of the two arms. In some examples, the
arm(s) are
bent such that the fastener 116 is urged upwardly against the central region
144 of
intermediate portion 114. The arm(s) and channel 150 may form one or more
continuous
strips, each of which substantially encircles and grips a circumference of a
portion of
fastener 116.
[0064] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 700 including
certain acts
performed in a certain order. However, in alternative embodiments, method 700
omits
certain acts shown and/or includes certain other acts not shown. Further, in
some
embodiments, one or more acts of method 700 is performed in a different order
than
shown, and/or two or more acts of method 700 are performed simultaneously. For
example, bending front attachment portion at 706, perforating side region(s)
to define
arm(s) at 708, and deforming the central region to define a channel at 710 may
be
performed by a single impact of a die upon the sheet of material.
[0065] While the above description provides examples of the embodiments, it
will be
appreciated that some features and/or functions of the described embodiments
are
susceptible to modification without departing from the spirit and principles
of operation of
the described embodiments. Accordingly, what has been described above has been
intended to be illustrative of the invention and non-limiting and it will be
understood by
persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be made
without
departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended
hereto. The
scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments and
examples, but
should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as
a whole.
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