Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
EXPANDABLE BULB HOLDING CLIP
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to clips and fasteners for
maintaining
decorations, such as holiday lights, on gutters, shingles, or other
structures. Specifically, the
present disclosure relates to clips and fasteners capable of being mated to a
bulb or other
decoration.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to attaching linear systems,
decorative holiday
lighting displays, ornamental light strings, misting systems, or the like to
surfaces, such as
gutters and other structural surfaces. Embodiments disclosed herein may be
used for
attaching strands of lights and the like on the exterior of homes, buildings
or other structures
using an enclosed gutter clip. Depending on the particular clip design, a bulb
may be
positioned at different angles with respect to a roofline, gutter or other
support surface. Gutter
clips are typically designed to accommodate a bulb of a particular size and
shape (e.g., 07,
09, mini bulbs, and/or other bulb sizes).
[0003] In existing gutter clip designs, a portion of the clip is positioned
between a bulb and its
socket, such that preparing to hang a strand of holiday lights typically
involves the removal of
bulbs from their sockets, positioning clips in alignment with the sockets, and
screwing the
bulbs back into place. Such arrangements may advantageously provide a strong
mechanical
connection between the decorative light strand and the clips, reducing the
chance that a bulb
and clip become accidentally disengaged. The strong mechanical connection
between the
strand and gutter clips may, in some cases, enable a user to remove an entire
strand of lights
from a gutter or shingles by pulling on the strand itself with sufficient
force. However, in order
to attain these benefits with typical gutter clip designs, the tedious and
time-consuming bulb
removal process must first be completed.
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[0004] It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide a gutter
clip that
substantially maintains the advantage of a mechanically-secure connection,
while obviating
the need to perform the bulb removal process.
SUMMARY
[0005] It has become increasingly popular to decorate the outside of
buildings, homes and
other structures with lights. These lights are generally arranged as a string
of lights along a
powered cord. Each individual light may be attached to a clip according to the
present
disclosure, which itself is adapted to mount to a gutter, shingle, or other
structure. The clips of
the present application may be designed to maintain a bulb at a particular
angle and/or
orientation, so as to provide a pleasing appearance.
[0006] Decorative lighting clips, such as gutter or shingle clips, are often
sold as aftermarket
products separately from strands of lights. An installer may then mate the
clips with the strand
at desired intervals, and then attach the clips to a gutter, shingle, or other
structure. The
process of joining clips to a light strand can be tedious and time-consuming.
For instance,
.. joining existing clips to strands with larger bulbs, such as 07 or 09
bulbs, typically involves
removing each bulb from its socket, positioning the clip in between the socket
and the bulb,
and screwing the bulb into place. Depending on the number of decorative lights
being
installed, this process can take a substantial amount of time. Moreover, for
installers that
provide home decoration services, the typical clip installation process may
limit the number of
homes that can be decorated over some period of time.
[0007] The present disclosure includes the realization that some decorative
lighting bulbs
(e.g., 07 and 09 bulbs, among other types of bulbs) have an asymmetric
ellipsoidal shape
(e.g., an ovoid or egg-like shape). Moving from the "front" end of such bulbs
toward the "rear"
end (the end having a metallic screw threading that engages with a socket),
the diameter of
.. the bulbs gradually increases until a maximum diameter portion is reached.
Then, from the
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maximum-diameter portion to the rear end of the bulb, the diameter decreases
more
drastically, leading to an asymmetric shape.
[0008] Embodiments of the present disclosure leverage this bulb asymmetry in
order to
provide a clip capable of widening to accommodate passage of a bulb in one
direction (e.g.,
pushing the front end of the bulb through the rear of the clip), but resists
passage of the bulb in
the reverse direction (e.g., pulling the back end of the bulb through the
front of the clip). As a
result, clips of the present application may be installed with relative ease
by pushing the clips
over the front of the bulbs, without having to unscrew the bulbs from their
sockets. In addition,
due in part to the asymmetric shape of the bulbs, the clips may be difficult
to pull off the bulbs
once installed, enabling more efficient removal of lighting strands from their
attached structure
(e.g., by pulling the entire strand, rather than carefully removing each clip
individually).
[0009] An example clip of the present disclosure includes a substantially
circular bulb holder,
which has a resting diameter that is smaller than the maximum diameter of a
bulb. The clip
may be made of any type of suitable plastic that is substantially rigid, but
able to flex or deform
to a limited degree. The clip includes a slot extending from the bulb holder,
which enables the
bulb holder to expand, such that its diameter can increase beyond its resting
diameter. The
clip, when pressed against a bulb having a maximum diameter that is larger
than the resting
diameter of the bulb holder, may expand or otherwise deform as the bulb passes
through the
bulb holder. The slot may extend along portions of the clip, such that a
substantial portion of
the clip is capable of flexing outwardly.
[0010] In addition to the example described above, other designs or structures
may be used
to impart a similar functionality onto the clips. For example, a bulb holder
may include one or
more cutouts that similarly enables the bulb holder to flex or otherwise
accommodate passage
of an object therethrough that is larger than its resting diameter.
Additionally, the size and
shape of the slot may vary, depending on the particular material used to
construct the clip, a
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desired amount of flexibility, and/or other factors. Regardless of the
particular implementation,
one of ordinary skill would appreciate that various aspects of the clips
described herein may
be modified to suit a variety of purposes, while still providing a clip that
is capable of being
installed without the need to unscrew bulbs from their sockets.
[0011] In a first aspect of the present application, a clip includes an
elongated body, a strut, a
cantilever, a substantially circular bulb holder, and a slot. The elongated
body has a first end
and a second end. The strut has a first end and a second end. The first end of
the strut is
rigidly connected to the second end of the elongated body. The cantilever has
a first end and
a second end. The first end of the cantilever is rigidly connected to the
second end of the
strut. The substantially circular bulb holder is rigidly connected to and
extends from the first
end of the cantilever in a direction substantially opposite the second end of
the cantilever. The
bulb holder includes a hole having a first diameter that is configured to
receive at least a
portion of a bulb. The slot extends from the hole of the bulb holder and
toward the second end
of the cantilever. The slot and the hole of the bulb holder form a continuous
space to enable
the hole to temporarily deform and permit passage of the at least a portion of
a bulb, with the
bulb having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter of the
hole. The second
end of the cantilever is resiliently capable of being pulled away from the
elongated body to
accommodate the positioning of a structure between the elongated body and the
cantilever.
The clip is made from a substantially resilient material having a memory that
causes the
second end of the cantilever to return toward a relaxed position when not
subject to an
external force. When the structure is situated between the elongated body and
the cantilever,
the memory causes the second end of the cantilever to return toward the
relaxed position,
such that the cantilever and the elongated body exert pressure on the
structure, to thereby
maintain the position of the clip about the structure.
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[0012] In a second aspect of the present application, a clip includes a
gripping section, a
substantially circular bulb holder, and a cutout. The gripping section
includes at least a body
and a cantilever rigidly coupled to the body, with the cantilever being
resiliently capable of
being pulled away from the elongated body to accommodate the positioning of a
structure
between the body and the cantilever. The gripping section is made from a
substantially
resilient material having a memory that causes the cantilever to return toward
a relaxed
position when not subject to a force. The substantially circular bulb holder
is rigidly connected
to and extends from the gripping portion. The bulb holder includes a hole
having a first
diameter and is adapted to receive at least a portion of a bulb. The cutout
extends from the
hole and through at least a portion of the gripping section, and enables the
hole to expand and
permit passage of a bulb having a second diameter that is larger than the
first diameter.
[0013] In a third aspect of the present application, a clip for mounting
decorative light bulbs
includes a first gripping section, a second gripping section, and a bulb
holder. The first
gripping section includes a first body section and a second cantilever
section. The second
gripping section includes a second body section and a second cantilever
section. The bulb
holder is coupled to the first gripping section and the second gripping
section, and includes a
hole having a resting diameter. The clip is formed from a substantially
resilient material
capable of temporary deformation. The first gripping section and the second
gripping section
are adapted to expand away from each other to, in turn, cause the hole of the
bulb holder to
expand, such that the bulb holder is adapted to permit passage of an object
thereth rough
having a diameter that is larger than the resting diameter of the hole of the
bulb holder.
[0014] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in
any way limiting.
In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described
above, further
aspects, embodiments and features will become apparent by reference to the
drawing figures,
the following detailed description, and the claims.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-06
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] To assist in understanding the disclosure, and to show how embodiments
of the
present application may be implemented, there will now be described by way of
example
specific embodiments, apparatuses, systems, and methods with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an example gutter clip, according
to an
embodiment of the present application;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the example gutter clip, according
to an
embodiment of the present application;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the example gutter clip,
according to an
embodiment of the present application;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the example gutter clip, according
to an
embodiment of the present application;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a side elevated view of the example gutter clip, according to
an embodiment
of the present application;
[0021] FIG.6 is a side elevated view of the example gutter clip, according to
an embodiment
of the present application;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a front elevated view of the example gutter clip, according
to an embodiment
of the present application;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a rear elevated view of the example gutter clip, according to
an embodiment
of the present application;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the example gutter clip, according to an
embodiment of the
present application;
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[0025] FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the example gutter clip, according to
an embodiment
of the present application;
[0026] FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 110 illustrate an example installation process for
a bulb relative
to the example gutter clip, according to an embodiment of the present
application;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of an alternative example gutter
clip, according to
an embodiment of the present application; and
[0028] FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of an alternative example gutter
clip, according to
an embodiment of the present application.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0029] There will now be described, by way of example, several embodiments of
the present
application as contemplated by the inventor. In the following description,
specific details are
set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It
will be apparent,
however, that the embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced
without limitation to
these specific details. The specific embodiments disclosed herein are not
intended to limit the
scope of the present application.
[0030] FIGS. 1-10 illustrate various views of a clip 1 according to an
embodiment of the
present application. The clip 1 includes an elongated body 2, a strut formed
from strut
sections 7a and 7b, a cantilever 8, and a bulb holder collectively formed from
outer flange 10,
hole 11, and socket guide ridge 12. The strut extends between and rigidly
couples the body 2
and the cantilever 8, such that the body 2, the strut, and the cantilever
(collectively referred to
herein as a "gripping section" or "attachment section") form a substantially
"U-shaped" or "C-
shaped" structure.
[0031] In some implementations, such as the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-10,
the angles
between the body 2 and the strut, and between the strut and the cantilever 8
may be less than
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-06
180 degrees, such that the end of the cantilever 8 opposite to its point of
attachment with the
strut converges toward the body 2. In these implementations, the cantilever 8
may be
movable with respect to the body 2 to accommodate the positioning of a gutter,
shingle, or
other structure in between the cantilever 8 and the body 2. When installed
onto a gutter,
shingle, or other structure, the cantilever 8 applies a force toward the body
2, which serves to
hold the clip 1 firmly in place.
[0032] In some embodiments, the cantilever 8 includes a lobe 9 extending
toward the body 2.
Additionally, and/or alternatively, the body 2 may include one or more
protrusions 4 extending
toward the cantilever 8. The lobe 9 and/or the one or more protrusions 4 may
increase the
effective gripping force between the cantilever 8 and the body 2 when
positioned about a
structure. The shapes and sizes of the lobe 9 and the one or more protrusions
4 may vary,
depending on a desired amount of gripping force, the particular structure
about which the clip
1 is designed to attach, and/or various other factors.
[0033] The clip 1 also includes a substantially circular bulb holder, which is
formed from an
outer flange 10, a socket guide ridge 12, and a hole 11 having a resting
diameter 19. The bulb
holder is adapted to receive a bulb (e.g., a 07 or 09 bulb) oriented with its
major axis (e.g., the
axis extending from the front tip of the bulb through the electrical contacts
at the rear end of
the bulb) extending through the hole 11.
[0034] The clip 1 further includes a slot 17 extending from the hole 11 and
through portions of
the cantilever 8, strut, and body 2. For example, a portion 17a of the slot 17
may extend
through at least some of the length of the cantilever 8. In addition, a
portion 17b of the slot 17
may extend across some or all of the strut, dividing the strut into strut
sections 7a and 7b.
Furthermore, a portion 3 of the slot 17 may effectively extend through a
portion of the body 2,
forming body sections 2a and 2b.
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[0035] The slot 17 (including portion 17a, portion 17b, and/or portion 3),
which may bisect a
portion of the clip 1, enables the hole 11 to expand beyond its resting
diameter 19. Example
illustrations of this expansion process is shown and described in more detail
with respect to
FIGS. 11A-11C. As an object with a larger diameter than the resting diameter
19 of the hole
11 is pressed against the socket guide ridge 12 of the bulb holder, the
opposing portions of the
clip 1 (e.g., a first portion formed from part of cantilever 8, strut section
7a, and body section
2a, and a second portion formed from part of cantilever 8, strut section 7b
and body section
2b) are able to move apart from each other, which in turn causes the hole 11
to expand in
diameter. In this manner, a bulb or other object may pass through the hole 11
of the bulb
holder, without having to remove the bulb from its socket or otherwise perform
any
disassembly steps.
[0036] Although the slot 17 is shown in FIGS. 1-10 as having a particular size
and shape, it
will be appreciated that the particular dimensions and design of slot 17 may
vary among
different implementations. For example, different materials, such as plastics
or synthetic
resins, may exhibit different levels of flexibility (e.g., the ability to
temporarily deform when
subjected to a force and return to an original form-factor when no forces are
applied to the
material). It will be appreciated that the size, shape, and extent of the slot
17 may vary based
on the material used to construct the clip 1. For instance, the size and
extent to which the slot
17 extends through the clip 1 may be diminished relative to the dimensions
shown in FIGS. 1-
10 for clips constructed from plastics that exhibit high levels of
flexibility.
[0037] The embodiments according to the present disclosure may be described as
including a
bisected "gripping structure" that is separated into two gripping structure
sections. For
instance, the "left" side of the clip 1 may include the left side of the
cantilever 8, the strut
section 7a, and the body section 2a. Likewise, the "right" side of the clip 1
may include a right
side of the cantilever 8, the strut section 7b, and the body section 2b. The
opposing "left" and
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"right" gripping structure sections may be rigidly coupled to each other at
one or more
locations of the clip 1, such as near the bottom of the body 2 and/or near the
tip of the
cantilever 8. The left and right gripping structure sections may be pulled
apart from each other
to some degree, which in turn causes the hole 11 of the bulb holder to expand
in diameter.
[0038] The clip 1 may further include a neck formed from neck sections 16a and
16b, which
are separated by slot 17. The neck may be a portion of material that extends
between the
outer flange 10 and the socket guide ridge 12 of the bulb holder and the
cantilever 8 and/or the
strut sections 7a and 7b. In addition, the clip 1 may include one more
triangularly-shaped
gussets or reinforcement structures at various locations along the clip (e.g.,
between the strut
sections 7a and 7b and the neck sections 16a and 16b, respectively, and/or
between the strut
sections 7a and 7b and the body portions 2a and 2b, respectively), which may
strengthen
particular aspects of the clip 1.
[0039] Some optional aspects of the clip 1 are shown in FIGS. 1-10, which may
be included
or excluded depending on the particular implementation. An opening 15 may be
included
toward the end of the cantilever 8 near the lobe 9, which may reduce the
amount of material
used in constructing the clip 1, and/or may reduce the likelihood of the
material clotting as it
flows through a die tool. In some use cases, a hinge 18 may be included in
clip 1, which may
be foldable along the crease between the body 2 and the hinge 18. The hinge 18
may be
used to assist in mounting the clip 1 to certain structures, such as shingles.
[0040] FIGS. 11A-110 depict an example installation process for the clip 1,
according to an
example embodiment of the present application. As described above, the hole 11
of the clip 1
has a resting diameter 19. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 11A-11C, a bulb
20 has a
maximum diameter 21 that is larger than the resting diameter 19. For typical
clips, the bulb 20
would not be able to pass through the bulb holder. However, the clips
according to the
present disclosure are designed to deform, expand, or otherwise flex to
accommodate
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-06
passage of the bulb 20, despite its maximum diameter 21 being larger than the
resting
diameter 19 of the hole 11 of the bulb holder of clip 1.
[0041] In FIG. 11A, the clip 1 is pressed against bulb 20, such that the front
end of the bulb 20
passes through the hole 11 from the rear side of the bulb holder toward the
front end of the
bulb holder. At the stage shown in FIG. 11A, the bulb 20 has partially passed
through the hole
11, up until the diameter of the bulb 20 is approximately the same as the
resting diameter 19
of the hole 11. With a typical clip, the bulb 20 might not be able to extend
much farther
through the bulb hole.
[0042] Between FIGS. 11A and 11B, the clip 1 is pressed against the bulb 20.
The gradual
increase in diameter of the bulb 20 may cause the bulb holder to expand, and
may also cause
the opposing sections of the cantilever 8, the strut sections 7a and 7b, and
the body sections
2a and 2b to flex away from each other. In this manner, the diameter of the
bulb holder
expands to at least the maximum diameter 21 of the bulb 20, thereby enabling
passage of the
bulb 20 through the bulb holder, as shown in FIG. 11B.
[0043] After the maximum diameter 21 portion of the bulb 20 has passed through
the bulb
holder, the diameter of the bulb 20 more rapidly decreases (due to the
asymmetric ovoid
shape of the bulb), allowing the clip 1 to return to its resting position, as
shown in FIG. 110.
As shown in FIGS. 11A-11C, the clip designs of the present disclosure can be
installed
without the tedious and time-consuming steps of disengaging and re-engaging
the bulbs from
their electrical contacts or sockets.
[0044] FIGS. 12 and 13 depict example alternative embodiments of the present
disclosure.
Referring now to FIG. 12, a clip 31 includes a cutout 33 that is similar to
the slot 17 in FIGS. 1-
10. In this example, however, the cutout 33 terminates at the neck 34, and
does not
continuously extend through to the cantilever, strut, or body portions of the
clip 31. Depending
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on the particular implementation, the cutout 33 may enable a satisfactory
amount of expansion
to bulb hole 32, without extending through the other sections of the clip 31.
[0045] Referring now to FIG. 13, a clip 41 includes one or more cutouts 43
around the outer
perimeter of hole 42. In this example, multiple triangular cutouts 43 may be
formed about the
hole 42, effectively forming an inner diameter (defined by the inner diameter
of the hole 42)
and an outer diameter (defined by the tips of the cutouts 43). Similar in
function to the
example described above with respect to FIGS. 1-10, the embodiment according
to FIG. 13
may allow for passage of bulbs having a maximum diameter that is larger than
the inner
diameter of the hole 42, as portions of material around the perimeter of hole
42 may be
temporarily deformed or flexed when subjected to a force.
[0046] Although FIGS. 12 and 13 depict particular alternative embodiments, it
will be
appreciated that a variety of alternative designs may be implemented based on
the teachings
of the present disclosure. One or more aspects of a clip, such as the
dimensions of its
components, the dimensions of its cutouts or holes, the material used to
construct the clip,
and/or other aspects may lead to different designs not explicitly shown and
described herein.
The specific examples shown and described herein are not intended to limit the
scope of the
present application in any way.
[0047] As described herein, a "slot" or "cutout" may generally refer to a
feature, combination of
features, or space that extends along one or more elements of a clip and
enables the bulb
holder to expand beyond its resting diameter. Neither term is intended to
limit the shape or
size of the feature, combination of features, or spaces.
[0048] The clips according to the present disclosure may be formed from a
synthetic resin,
and may be integrally formed as a one-piece construction. The clips may be
made from a
resin which may be an acrylic, a polycarbonate, a nylon, a polyethylene or
polypropylene or
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-06
mixtures thereof. The resin material used to construct the clips of the
present disclosure may
be able to withstand cold temperatures to reduce the chance that the clips
breaks.
[0049] Regardless of the specific material used to construct the clips of the
present
disclosure, the material may be "resilient," flexible, or exhibit elastic
qualities. As described
herein, a "resilient material" may refer to a material that is able to be
deformed, at least to
some extent, when subjected to a force, and returns to an original form factor
when not
subjected to an external force. A structure formed from a resilient material
may have a
"memory" of its resting or relaxed state, in that the structure may resist
deformation, bending,
or stretching with a tendency to return to its relaxed state. In addition,
aspects of a clip
described as "rigidly coupled" herein may refer to a rigid connection between
structural
elements formed from a resilient material, such that the rigid connection
permits some amount
of flexibility and/or deformation.
[0050] Although certain example methods and apparatus have been described
herein, the
scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this
patent covers all
methods, apparatuses, and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the
scope of the
appended claims, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.
Accordingly, this patent
specification is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications and
variations of the present
invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall
within the spirit
and scope of the above described invention.
[0051] It should be understood that arrangements described herein are for
purposes of
example only. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other
arrangements and
other elements (e.g. machines, interfaces, operations, orders, and groupings
of operations,
etc.) can be used instead, and that some elements may be omitted altogether,
according to
the desired results. Further, many of the elements that are described are
functional entities
that may be implemented as discrete or distributed components or in
conjunction with other
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components, in any suitable combination and location, or as other structural
elements
described as independent structures may be combined.
[0052] While various aspects and implementations have been disclosed herein,
other aspects
and implementations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various
aspects and
implementations disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not
intended to be
limiting, with the true scope being indicated by the following claims, along
with the full scope of
equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is also to be understood
that the terminology
used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only,
and is not
intended to be limiting.
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