Back to results
US 8,997,315 B2Granted
Self-locking clip systems and methods
AssigneeNite Ize, Inc.
InventorMark LeBeau
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-locking clip includes a clip body and a rotating cam gripper, the rotating cam gripper pivotally mounted on the clip body. The self-locking clip further includes a spring arm, the spring arm integrated into the clip body, the spring arm configured to provide tension to the rotating cam gripper such that the rotating cam gripper is held against a first gripping surface on the clip body.
Claims14
A self-locking clip comprising:
- a clip body;
- a rotating cam gripper, the rotating cam gripper pivotally mounted on the clip body;
- and
- a spring arm, the spring arm integrated into the clip body, the spring arm configured to provide tension to the rotating cam gripper such that the rotating cam gripper is held against a first gripping surface on the clip body wherein the rotating cam gripper is asymmetrically mounted, the rotating cam gripper configured such that, when the rotating cam gripper rotates in a first direction, the rotating cam gripper extends towards the spring arm, flexing the spring arm, the rotating cam gripper has a first channel, the first channel contacting the spring arm, the first channel terminates in a stop, the stop configured to prevent over-rotation of the rotating cam gripper, and the self-locking clip includes a catch lip on the spring arm, the catch lip sized to fit in the first channel and resides in the first channel, the catch lip configured to extend perpendicular to the rotating cam gripper and a direction of rotation of the rotating cam gripper, such that the rotating cam gripper cannot be removed from the clip body without pulling the spring arm away from the rotating cam gripper, the rotating cam gripper is asymmetrically mounted, the rotating cam gripper configured such that, when the rotating cam gripper rotates in a first direction, the rotating cam gripper extends towards the spring arm, flexing the spring arm.
1 more element
A self-locking clip, comprising:
- a clip body;
- a rotating cam gripper, the rotating cam gripper pivotally mounted on the clip body;
- a spring arm, the spring arm integrated into the clip body, the spring arm configured to provide tension to the rotating cam gripper such that the rotating cam gripper is held against a first gripping surface on the clip body, wherein the rotating cam gripper is asymmetrically mounted, the rotating cam gripper configured such that, when the rotating cam gripper rotates in a first direction, the rotating cam gripper extends towards the spring arm, flexing the spring arm;
- and
- a notch located in an aperture of the clip body,
- wherein the self-locking clip includes a catch lip on the spring arm, the catch lip sized to fit in the first channel and resides in the first channel, the catch lip configured to extend perpendicular to the rotating cam gripper and a direction of rotation of the rotating cam gripper, such that the rotating cam gripper cannot be removed from the clip body without pulling the spring arm away from the rotating cam gripper;
- the rotating cam gripper includes an axle-receiving aperture, asymmetrically located in the rotating cam gripper, configured to receive an axle extending from the clip body.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.