Support clip and pilaster apparatus and method
AssigneeSPX Corporation
InventorJianhan Lin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clip is used with a pilaster assembly, where the clip is snap-fit into the slots of the pilaster, so that the clip is retained when inserted into the slots. This provides the advantage that the clips tend not to fall out due to bumps or vibrations such as those that can occur, for example, during transport of a cabinet having the pilasters and clips.
Claims20
A clip, for use with a pilaster having at least a pair of slots therein, the clip comprising:
- a body portion;
- a first finger portion projecting from said body portion and insertable through one of the slots, said first finger having a first planar portion;
- and
- a second finger projecting from said body portion and insertable in another of the slots, said second finger having a second planar portion at an angle to said first planar portion so that said first and second planar portions are non-coplanar with each other.
A system for supporting an item on a wall surface, comprising:
- a pilaster strip arranged generally along the wall surface and having at least two slots therein;
- and
- a clip having:
- a body portion:
- a first finger portion projecting from said body portion and insertable through one of the slots, said first finger having a first planar portion;
- and
- a second finger projecting from said body portion and insertable in another of the slots, said second finger having a second planar portion at an angle to said first planar portion so that said first and second planar portions are non-coplanar with each other.
A method for releasably affixing a clip having two fingers to a pilaster strip, comprising the steps of:
- inserting a first finger of the clip into a slot of the strip, so that the first finger extends into the slot, and a second finger is offset from a second slot;
- applying a force to flex the clip so that the second finger is inserted into the second slot;
- and
- releasing the force applied to the clip, so that the clip springs into a position where the second finger has a partial interference with the second slot and the first finger has a partial interference with the first slot, thereby retaining the clip in the slot.
A method of making a clip for a pilaster strip system, comprising the steps of:
- forming a clip having a body portion, a first finger portion, and a second finger portion;
- and
- bending at least one finger portion to be non-coplanar with the other finger portion.
A clip for use with a pilaster having at least a pair of slots therein, the clip comprising:
- a body portion;
- first engaging means projecting from said body portion for engaging one of the slots and having a first planar portion;
- and
- second engaging means projecting from said body portion and insertable in another of the slots and having a second planar portion at an angle to said first planar portion so that said first and second planar portions are non-coplanar with each other.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.