Method and apparatus for retaining model structural members
AssigneePitsco, Inc.
InventorRonald D. Moran
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for retaining model structural members during construction includes a base member having a plurality of recesses therein, at least one and preferably a plurality of retainers, and advantageously at least one clip having a plurality of edges and at least one arm for holding model structural members between the arm and a corresponding edge. The retainers are releasably received in the recesses and preferably include a lobe with a surface which is eccentric relative to the peg received in the recess. By turning the retainer, a biasing force may be exerted against a model structural member. The clips help to maintain the model structural members in desired orientation while bonds therebetween are cured during assembly.
Claims23
An apparatus for retaining model structural members in position during construction of a model structure, comprising:
- a base member having a plurality of recesses therein;
- and
- at least one one-piece retainer having an integrally connected peg, flange, lobe and handle, said peg having a first transverse dimension complementally sized with said recesses for removable receipt therein, said flange having a second transverse dimension greater than the first transverse dimension and sized for holding a model structural member between the base member and the flange, said lobe positioned between the flange and the peg, said lobe having a greater cross-sectional area than the peg to resist entry into a recess of the base member and having a transverse dimension which is smaller than the second transverse dimension of the flange whereby a model structural member may be held between the flange and the base member by the retainer, and said handle extending from the flange opposite said peg, wherein said peg is sized and configured for pivoting within said recesses and for frictional engagement with the base member surrounding said recesses, said retainer being formed as a unitary member whereby turning of the handle causes the retainer to pivot about the peg as a whole when the peg is received within one of said recesses and the frictional engagement with the base member resists such pivoting when the handle is not turned;
- said apparatus further including at least one model structural member having a thickness, said engagement surface of said lobe having a height between the flange and the peg substantially corresponding to the thickness of the model structural member.
An apparatus for retaining model structural members in position during construction of a model structure, comprising:
- a base member having a plurality of recesses therein;
- at least one retainer having a peg having a first transverse dimension complementally sized with said recesses for removable receipt therein and a flange having a second transverse dimension greater than the first transverse dimension and sized for holding a model structural member between the base member and the flange;
- and
- a clip having a frame including a plurality of edges and including an arm on the frame sized for holding a model structural member against the edge, wherein said arm includes a shoulder extending outwardly from said frame and a finger spaced from one of said edges for receiving and holding a model structural member in a space located between the said one of said edges and said finger.
A method of retaining model structural members during construction of a model structure, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a base member having a plurality of recesses therein, at least one retainer having a peg of a first transverse dimension complementally sized for receipt in said recesses, a flange having a second transverse dimension substantially greater than said first transverse dimension, a lobe positioned between the flange and, the peg, said lobe having a greater cross-sectional area than the peg to resist entry into a recess of the base member and having a transverse dimension which is smaller than the second transverse dimension of the flange, and a handle extending from the flange opposite said peg, said retainer being formed as a unitary member whereby turning of the handle causes the retainer to pivot about the peg when the peg is received within one of said recesses, and a plurality of model structural members;
- holding a first of said plurality of model structural members in contact with said base member using said at least one retainer by inserting said peg of said at least one retainer into a recess proximate said model structural member with at least a portion of said model structural member held by said flange against said base member;
- and
- bonding a second one of said plurality of model structural members to said first of said plurality of model structural members;
- and
- curing the bond between the first and second structural members.
A one-piece retainer for holding model structural members to a member having a recess therein, said retainer having an integrally connected peg, flange, lobe and handle, said peg having a first transverse dimension, said flange having a second transverse dimension larger than said first transverse dimension, said handle extending from said flange opposite from said peg, and said lobe positioned intermediate said peg and said flange and having a third transverse dimension greater than said first transverse dimension and less than said second transverse dimension, said lobe including a circumscribing engagement surface which is positioned in eccentric relationship to said peg, wherein said retainer is molded of synthetic resin and of a unitary construction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.