Locking clip
AssigneeDura Global Technologies, Inc.
InventorGregory James Andrigo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A locking clip for locking an elongate piece to a structure has a first portion forming an aperture in a first plane for receiving a rod, tube or other elongate workpiece. The first portion has a first lock portion and an attachment member. The locking clip also has a second portion having an inside surface and a free end. The second portion is connected to the first portion via a hinge for movement (i.e., movement of the second portion of the locking clip relative to the first portion) in a second plane from a closed position to an open position. The second portion also has a second lock portion and a positioning pin extending inwardly from the inside surface. The second portion is lockable in the closed position by engagement of the first and second lock portions with each other.
Claims22
A locking clip for holding an elongate piece to a structure, comprising in combination:
- a first portion comprising:
- a first aperture in a first plane for receiving an elongate piece, and
- a first lock portion;
- an attachment member, integral with the first portion;
- and
- a second portion comprising:
- an arm with an inside surface and a free end,
- a second lock portion, and
- a positioning pin extending inwardly from the inside surface of the arm, the arm being connected to the first portion via a hinge for movement in a second plane from an open position to a closed position, wherein the second portion is lockable in the closed position by engagement of the first and second lock portions with each other.
A locking clip assembly comprising, in combination:
- a support structure;
- an elongate piece;
- and
- a locking clip comprising:
- a first portion comprising:
- circumferentially closed apertures in spaced parallel planes, the elongate piece extending through the apertures, and
- a first lock portion;
- an attachment member extending from the first portion into the support structure;
- a second portion unitary with the first portion and comprising:
- an arm having an inside surface and a free end,
- a second lock portion, and
- a positioning pin extending inwardly from the inside surface;
- and
- a living hinge connecting the first portion to the second portion remote from the free end of the arm, for movement of the arm from an open position to a closed position in a plane parallel to the spaced parallel planes of the apertures,
- wherein the second portion is lockable in the closed position by engagement of the first and second lock portions with each other.
A locking clip for holding a towel bar to a seat track of an automobile seat, comprising:
- a plastic first portion comprising:
- first and second closed cylindrical apertures in spaced parallel planes for receiving an elongate piece, and
- a first lock portion;
- an attachment member unitary with the first portion and extending outwardly from the first portion for attachment to a seat track;
- a plastic second portion unitary with the first portion and comprising:
- an arcuate arm having an inside surface and a free end,
- a second lock portion located at the free end, and
- a positioning pin extending radially inwardly from the inside surface of the arm to be received by an opening in an elongate piece extending through the apertures of the first portion;
- and
- a living hinge connecting the first portion to the second portion remote from the free end, for movement of the second portion in a plane parallel to and between the first and second apertures of the first portion, from an open position to a closed position,
- wherein the second portion is lockable in the closed position by engagement of the first and second lock portions to each other.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.