Locking clip for a sign tensioning system
AssigneeFormetco, Inc.
InventorsRobert Lee Franklin, John Dove Gibb, Robert B. McMurray
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clip for use in a cable system for stretching a sheet across a surface and maintaining it under tension, the clip comprising a base plate and a top plate. The base plate has a pair of opposing retaining arms extending from the top surface and a recessed area defined in the base plate. The top plate has a hook protruding from the top surface having a channel defined therein. The top plate slides between the arms of the base plate and is removably retained therein and the plates engage the edge of a sheet. The hook removably engages a cable and the sheet is stretched when the cable is tensioned. The clip can be retained on the cable when a sheet is to be replaced by partially separating the two plates.
Claims13
A clip for use in a cable tensioning system, the clip comprising:
- a. a base plate comprising
- i. base plate having
- 1) a top surface
- 2) a bottom surface,
- 3) a front edge,
- 4) a rear edge,
- 5) a pair of opposing retaining arms extending from said top surface;
- and,
- 6) a recessed area defined in said base plate;
- and,
- b. a top plate comprising
- i. a top surface,
- ii. a bottom surface,
- iii. a front edge,
- iv. a rear edge,
- v. a hook protruding from said top surface having a channel defined therein,
- wherein said clip is adapted to secure an edge of a substantially flat medium between said base plate and the top plate when said top plate and said bottom plate are in an engaged relationship,
- wherein said hook can be removably attached to portion of a cable, and,
- wherein when said cable is engaged said clip will remain attached to the portion of said cable.
(canceled)
A clip for use in a cable tensioning system for engaging and removably retaining a portion of a sheet to be stretched and attached to a tensioned cable, the clip comprising:
- a. a base plate comprising
- i. a generally flat base member having
- 1) a top surface comprising a front portion having a gripping surface, a recessed middle portion, and a rear portion,
- 2) a pair of opposing first retaining arms extending upward from said top surface, each first arm having the bottom portion angled toward the back edge of the clip, said first retaining arms capable of engaging a portion of the top member;
- 3) a bottom surface, and,
- 4) a front edge and a rear edge;
- and
- b. a top member comprising
- i. a top surface having a hook extending upward therefrom, said hook and said top surface defining an open channel capable of receiving a portion of said cable,
- ii. a bottom surface, and,
- iii. a front portion and front edge and a rear portion and rear edge,
- whereby when said clip is attached to a cable and said cable is disposed between said front edge and said rear edge of said base plate and said top plate so as to substantially maintain the flatness of the portion of said sheet engaged by said clip and wherein said sheet can be attached and detached from the clip while said clip remains attached to the portion of cable running through said channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.