Back to results
US 11,566,653 B2Granted
Footman loop clip
AssigneeNetworks Enterprises, Inc.
InventorKenneth J. Ross
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A footman loop clip includes a body and a bend formed in the body such that an end of the body is inboard of the bend, the body having an aperture. A pin passes through the aperture and has a pin head on one end, and a pull feature on the other end. A spring biases the pull feature toward the body. The pull feature is biased toward the body and when the pull feature is pulled a gap is formed and increased between the pin head and the end of the body.
Claims21
A clip for a footman loop, comprising:
- a body having a first portion and a second portion, and a bend formed between the first portion and the second portion such that an end of the second portion is inboard of the bend, the end of the second portion having a cutaway that includes a curved unenclosed surface, the first portion having an aperture passing therethrough;
- a pin passing through the aperture and having a pin head on one end and on one side of the first portion, and having a pull feature on an other end and on the other side of the first portion, the pin head positioned to contact the curved unenclosed surface of the cutaway about only a portion of an outer circumference of the pin head, the pin head having an outer diameter that is larger than a diameter of the aperture;
- and
- a spring in contact with the pin head, wherein the spring biases the pull feature toward the second portion, the spring positioned such that when the pin is at a first position, the pull feature is biased at a first bias force toward the first portion;
- wherein when the pull feature is pulled away from the first portion such that the pin is at a second position, the pull feature is biased at a second bias force that is greater than the first bias force and a gap formed between the pin head and the end of the second portion is increased.
2 more elements
A method of fabricating a clip, comprising:
- providing a body having a first portion and a second portion, the body having a bend formed between the first portion and the second portion such that an end of the second portion is inboard of the bend, the end having a cutaway that includes a curved unenclosed surface, the first portion having an aperture passing therethrough;
- passing a pin through the aperture, the pin having a pin head on one end and on one side of the first portion, the pin head positioned to contact the curved unenclosed surface of the cutaway about only a portion of an outer circumference of the pin head, the pin head having an outer diameter that is larger than a diameter of the aperture;
- positioning a spring that against the first portion and in contact with the pin head, wherein the spring biases the pull feature toward the second portion such that when the pin is at a first position, the pull feature is biased at a first bias force toward the first portion;
- and
- attaching a pull feature on an other end and on the other side of the first portion;
- wherein when the pull feature is pulled away from the first portion such that the pin is at a second position, the pull feature is biased at a second bias force that is greater than the first bias force and a gap formed between the pin head and the end of the end of the second portion is increased.
3 more elements
A system for attaching equipment to a vehicle, the system comprising:
- a vehicle having a footman loop;
- and
- a clip that includes:
- a body having a first portion and a second portion, and a bend formed between the first portion and the second portion such that an end of the second portion is inboard of the bend, the end having a cutaway that includes a curved unenclosed surface, the first portion having an aperture passing therethrough;
- a pin passing through the aperture and having a pin head on one end and on one side of the first portion, and having a pull feature on an other end and on the other side of the first portion, the pin head positioned to contact the curved unenclosed surface of the cutaway about only a portion of an outer circumference of the pin head, the pin head having an outer diameter that is larger than a diameter of the aperture;
- and
- a spring in contact with the pin head, wherein the spring biases the pull feature toward the second portion, the spring positioned such that when the pin is at a first position, the pull feature is biased at a first bias toward the first portion;
- wherein when the pull feature is pulled away from the first portion such that the pin is at a second position, the pull feature is biased at a second bias force that is greater than the first bias force, and a gap formed between the pin head and the end of the second portion is increased.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.