Compression post with retainer clip
OwnerCharles J. MacKarvichinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A retainer clip for a compression post includes a retainer body defining a first lateral body end, a second lateral body end opposite the first lateral end, a retainer opening formed through the retainer body and positioned between the first and second lateral body ends, and a retainer tab extending into the retainer opening; and a substantially J-shaped ledge grip extending from the first lateral body end, the ledge grip defining a curved portion and a planar portion, the curved portion coupled to the first lateral body end, the planar portion extending from the curved portion distal to the first lateral body end, the planar portion extending beneath the retainer body.
Claims21
A retainer clip for a compression post comprising:
- a retainer body defining a first lateral body end, a second lateral body end opposite the first lateral end, a retainer opening formed through the retainer body and positioned between the first and second lateral body ends, and a retainer tab extending into the retainer opening;
- and
- a substantially J-shaped ledge grip extending from the first lateral body end, the ledge grip defining a curved portion and a planar portion, the curved portion coupled to the first lateral body end, the planar portion extending from the curved portion distal to the first lateral body end, the planar portion extending beneath the retainer body.
An assembly for a compression post, the assembly comprising:
- a retainer clip comprising a retainer body, the retainer body defining a first lateral body end, a second lateral body end opposite the first lateral end, a retainer opening formed through the retainer body, and a fastener slot formed through the retainer body and positioned between the retainer opening and the first lateral body end;
- a fastener ledge defining a ledge opening aligned with the retainer opening, the retainer clip mounted on the fastener ledge;
- and
- a fastener extending through the fastener slot and engaging the fastener ledge to secure the retainer clip to the fastener ledge.
A compression post assembly comprising:
- an upper fastener ledge defining an upper ledge opening;
- a lower fastener ledge defining a lower ledge opening;
- a retainer clip slidably mounted on the upper fastener ledge and defining a retainer opening, a retainer tab extending into the retainer opening;
- a compression post extending through the upper ledge opening, the lower ledge opening, and the retainer opening, the compression post defining a retainer slot, the retainer tab engaging the retainer slot;
- and
- a fastener extending through the lower fastener ledge and abutting the upper fastener ledge.
A method of adjusting a length of a compression post, the method comprising:
- mounting an upper fastener ledge on an inner post of a compression post and mounting a lower fastener ledge on a post outer shell of the compression post, the inner post slidably engaged with the post outer shell, the inner post defining a plurality of retainer slots, a fastener extending through the lower fastener ledge;
- engaging a retainer tab of a retainer clip with one of the retainer slots to position the retainer clip at a desired location along the inner post, the retainer clip coupled to the upper fastener ledge;
- and
- tightening the fastener against the upper fastener ledge to bias the upper fastener ledge away from the lower fastener ledge.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.