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US 9,803,669 B2Granted
Bidirectional modular assembly clip
OwnerGregory Comptoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention includes a multiuse clip assembly which can be employed to secure objects or panels to one another. It incorporates both the male and female features into each clip for greater versatility and durability over conventional clip systems. The unique universal and expandable mating system does not limit the orientation, position, or number of objects or panels that may be secured to one another.
Claims19
A clip assembly for securing two or more objects together, comprising:
- two or more unitary clips that when operably engaged can secure two or more objects together;
- each unitary clip comprising:
- a clip body, comprising:
- i) at least one first side;
- ii) at least one second side;
- iii) at least one protruding load bearing interface;
- and
- iv) at least one recessive load bearing interface;
- a) wherein said first side and said second side are comprised of two opposing symmetric orthogonal planar structures which meet at the midline of said clip body and form two sides of a triangle;
- b) further wherein said protruding load bearing interface and said recessive load bearing interface are located on said two opposing symmetric orthogonal planar structures of said clip body, comprising;
- i) at least two planar structures on said first side of said clip body which form said protruding load-bearing interface;
- ii) at least two planar structures on said second side of said clip body which form said recessive load-bearing interface to operably engage said protruding load-bearing interface from a separate unitary clip body;
- iii) wherein said planar structures which form said protruding load bearing interface are distinct structures from said planar structures which form said recessive load bearing interface;
- iv) wherein the shape of said protruding load-bearing interface and the shape of said recessive load-bearing interface are triangular, and
- v) further wherein the proportions of said triangular protruding load-bearing interface are complementary to the proportions of said triangular recessive load-bearing interface so as to operably engage each other;
- c) further wherein at least one first securing mechanism and at least one second complimentary securing mechanism are located within said clip body, with said second securing mechanism complimentary to said first securing mechanism so as to operably engage said first securing mechanism from a separate unitary clip body, comprising;
- i) said first securing mechanism comprising a single extended T-shaped beam, and said second complimentary securing mechanism comprising two or more parallel beams that extend from said clip body to operably engage said T-shaped beam from a separate unitary clip body, or;
- ii) said first securing mechanism comprising a catch or a pin, and said second complimentary securing mechanism comprising a moveable latch or a lever to operably engage said catch or a pin from a separate unitary clip body, or;
- iii) said first securing mechanism comprising a screw, a bolt, or a cam-style fastener;
- and said second complimentary securing mechanism comprising threads or a cam-lock to operably engage said screw, bolt, or cam-style fastener from a separate unitary clip body;
- d) further wherein two or more unitary clips can operably engage each other by way of:
- i) said protruding load bearing interface operably engaging said recessive load bearing interface;
- ii) said first securing mechanism operably engaging said second complimentary securing mechanism;
- or
- iii) a combination thereof;
- e) further wherein said clip body comprises at least one structure to secure said unitary clip to a first object or a second object of said two or more objects, comprising;
- at least one protrusion extending from said clip body which can be used to fasten, bond, clamp, or otherwise attach said unitary clip to said first object or said second object;
- and
- f) further wherein said clip assembly can secure two or more objects together.
26 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.