US 6,178,611 B2Granted

Apparatus for installing a clip

AssigneeMicron Electronics, Inc.

InventorCraig L. Boe

Life of this patent

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Abstract

An apparatus for installing and removing a retaining clip. The retaining clip has first and second spaced apart and opposing securing members and each securing member is connected to and movable relative to an intermediate member. The apparatus comprises a first engaging member having an engaging portion sized and shaped to releasably engage a tab portion of the first securing member and a second engaging member having an engaging portion sized and shaped to releasably engage a tab portion of the second securing member. The engaging portions of the first and second engaging members are movable toward and away from each other. A guide structure is coupled to the first and second engaging members to allow at least one of the engaging members to move along a motion path toward and away from the other of the first and second engaging members. The apparatus may accordingly be used to spread apart the securing members of the clip, engage the clip with a pair of components, and release the clip so as to couple the components together.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A tool for installing and removing a retaining clip, the retaining clip having first and second spaced apart and opposing securing members, each securing member being connected to and movable relative to an intermediate member and having a tab portion projecting away therefrom, the tool comprising:

a first engaging member having a first engaging portion sized and shaped to releasably engage the first securing member, the first engaging portion having a first aperture therein facing away from the first engaging member and being sized and shaped to releasably engage the tab portion of the first securing member and a first handle portion having a first terminal end;
a second engaging member having a second engaging portion spaced apart form the first engaging portion and being sized and shaped to releasably engage the second securing member, the second engaging portion having a second aperture therein facing away from the second engaging member and being sized and shaped to releasably engage the tab portion of the second securing member and a second handle portion having a second terminal end, wherein the first and second terminal ends of the said first and second handle portions are movable towards and away from each other;
and
a guide structure coupled to the first and second engaging members and spaced apart from the engaging portions such that the first and second apertures face away from the guide structure and at least a portion of the first securing member of the retaining clip projects away from the first engaging member when the first securing member is engaged by the first engaging member, the guide structure allowing the engaging portion of at least one of the first and second engaging members to move along a motion path toward and away from the engaging portion of the other of the first and second engaging members between a first position with the engaging portions engaging the securing members and being spaced apart to install the retaining clip and a second position with the engaging portions engaging the securing members and being spaced apart to remove the retaining clip.

1 more element

a first engaging member having a first engaging portion sized and shaped to releasably engage the first receiving member, the first engaging portion having a first aperture therein facing away from the first engaging member and being sized and shaped to engage the tab portion of the first securing member and a first handle portion having a first terminal end;
a second engaging member spaced apart from the first engaging member having a second engaging portion sized and shaped to releasably engage the second securing member, the second engaging portion having a second aperture therein facing away from the second engaging member and being sized and shaped to receive the tab portion of the second securing member and a second handle portion having a second terminal end, wherein the first and second terminal ends of the said first and second handle portions are movable towards and away from each other;
a pivot member positioned intermediate the first and second engaging members such that the first aperture faces away from the pivot member and at least a portion of the first securing member of the retaining clip projects away from the first engaging member when the first securing member is engaged by the first engaging member, the first engaging member being pivotally connected to the pivot member and being pivotable about a first pivot axis relative to the pivot member, the second engaging member being pivotally connected to the pivot member and being pivotable about a second pivot axis relative to the pivot member, the second axis being spaced apart from the first pivot axis, the engaging portion of at least one of the first and second engaging members being pivotable toward and away from the engaging portion of the other of the first and second engaging members along a motion path extending between and beyond the engaging portions between a first position with the engaging portions engaging the securing members and being spaced apart to install the retaining clip and a second position with the engaging portions engaging the securing members and being spaced apart to remove the retaining clip.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.