Spring clip

Abstract

Described herein is a spring clip for securing sorter slats comprising, each spring clip including a clip body, a snap ring disposed at a first end of clip body, a pin slot disposed at a second end of clip body, and a stiffening rib extending along the clip body from the snap ring to the pin slot.

Description

SPRING CLIPTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to sorter hardware and, in some embodiments, to a spring clip for securing sorter slats to each other on a shoe sorter that is sorting and transporting boxes or packages.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] Shoe sorters are configured to divert packages or boxes to various locations while the package or box is traveling on the sorter. In order to effectively divert the boxes or packages, sorter slats on the sorter typically hold shoes that move across the sorter slat to push and divert boxes off of the sorter and into a designated location. These sorter slats are secured to each other using sorter hardware, or a spring clip.

[0003] The boxes that get diverted off of the sorter after being pushed by the shoe on the sorter slat commonly snag on conventional spring clips holding the sorter slats together. This can cause damage to the boxes and decrease efficiency of the operation. Therefore, there is a need to provide a spring clip configured to prevent or at least reduce the risk of interference with boxes or packages being diverted by a shoe sorter.SUMMARY

[0004] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a spring clip for securing a sorter slat comprising a clip body, a snap ring disposed at a first end of clip body, a pin slot disposed at a second end of clip body, and a stiffening rib extending along the clip body from the snap ring to the pin slot.

[0005] In some embodiments, the spring clip further comprises a wing extending from the stiffening rib. In some embodiments, the snap ring includes a circumferential wall having a wall thickness of at least 0.65 mm, 0.66 mm, 0.67 mm, 0.68 mm, 0.69 mm, 0.70 mm, 0.71 mm, 0.72 mm, 0.73 mm, 0.74 mm, 0.75 mm, 0.76 mm, 0.77 mm, 0.78 mm, 0.79 mm, 0.80 mm, 0.81 mm, 0.82 mm, 0.83 mm, 0.84 mm, or 0.85 mm. In some embodiments, the snap ring includes a cross sectional area extending from the stiffening rib of at least 1.50 mm2, 2.00 mm2, 2.50 mm2, or 3.00 mm2. In some embodiments, the snap ring further has a generally circular profile with an outer diameter and a minimum wall thickness that is approximately 5%, approximately 10%, approximately 15%, approximately 20%, or approximately 25% of the outer diameter. In some embodiments, the winghas a wing height of approximately 2.00 mm, 2.10 mm, 2.20 mm, 2.30 mm, 2.40 mm, 2.50 mm, 2.60 mm, 2.70 mm, 2.80 mm, 2.90 mm, or 3.00 mm. In some embodiments, the stiffening rib has a rib width of approximately 3.00 mm, 3.10 mm, 3.20 mm, 3.30 mm, 3.40 mm, 3.50 mm, 3.60 mm, 3.70 mm, 3.80 mm, 3.90 mm, or 4.00 mm. In some embodiments, the wing has a wing height and the stiffening rib has a rib width and wing height is approximately 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, or 70% of the rib width. In some embodiments, an overall length of the stiffening rib is greater than an overall length of the wing. In some embodiments, the spring clip further comprises a snap notch 106 extending into the stiffening rib and defined in part by an outer surface of the snap ring and the clip body. In some embodiments, the spring clip comprises a rigid material. In some embodiments, the spring clip comprises stainless steel. In some embodiments, the spring clip the snap ring is configured to cooperate with a first slat pin groove in a snap fit engagement and the pin slot is configured to cooperate with a second slat pin grove in a pivotable orientation relative to a slat pin.

[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a method for securing sorter slats to each other on a shoe sorter that is sorting and transporting boxes or packages, the method comprising snapping the spring clip as described in any of the embodiments above onto two consecutive sorter slats on the shoe sorter. In some embodiments, the spring clip is snapped onto the sorter slat without deforming. In some embodiments, the spring clip that is securing two consecutive sorter slats does not interfere with a box or package that is diverted off of the sorter slat.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The following detailed description of embodiments of the spring clip, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings of an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

[0008] In the drawings:

[0009] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a spring clip in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] Figure 2 is a rear perspective view thereof;

[0011] Figure 3 is a front plan view thereof;

[0012] Figure 4 is a rear plan view thereof;

[0013] Figure 5 is a left-side elevational view thereof;

[0014] Figure 6 is a right-side elevational view thereof;

[0015] Figure 7 is a top elevational view thereof; and

[0010] Figure 8 is a bottom elevational view thereof.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Described herein is a spring clip configured to securely hold sorter slats into place, and configured to reduce damage to boxes that are diverted from a conveyer belt by the sorter slats and increase the snap strength compared to conventional spring clips.

[0017] Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in Figures 1 and 2 a spring clip, generally designated 100, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Referring to Figures 1-8, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a spring clip 100 for securing a sorter slat comprising a clip body 110, a snap ring 104 (e.g., an E-ring) disposed at a first end of clip body 110, a pin slot 102 disposed at a second end of clip body 110, and a stiffening rib 120 extending along the clip body 110 from the snap ring 104 to the pin slot 102. In some embodiments, the pin slot 102 has a diameter inner slot width 111 of about 3.5 mm, about 3.6 mm, about 3.7 mm, about 3.8 mm, about 3.9 mm, about 4.0 mm, about 4.1 mm, about 4.2 mm, about 4.3 mm, about 4.4 mm, or about 4.5 mm. In some embodiments, the pin slot 102 includes a substantially round face. Slot width 111 may be a diameter defined by the substantially round face.

[0019] In some embodiments, the snap ring 104 can be an E clip ring, a snap ring, an internal retaining ring, a push on ring, or another type of snap-fit ring known in the art. In some embodiments, the snap ring 104 includes a circumferential wall 108 having a wall thickness 109 of at least 0.65 mm, 0.66 mm, 0.67 mm, 0.68 mm, 0.69 mm, 0.70 mm, 0.71 mm, 0.72 mm, 0.73 mm, 0.74 mm, 0.75 mm, 0.76 mm, 0.77 mm, 0.78 mm, 0.79 mm, 0.80 mm, 0.81 mm, 0.82 mm, 0.83 mm, 0.84 mm, or 0.85 mm.

[0020] Stiffening rib 120 may provide structural integrity sufficient to snap the spring clip 100 to pins on a sorter slat without the spring clip 100 deforming. The stiffening rib 120 may eliminate the need for a lip extending from a top surface 112 of the spring clip 100 as commonly included in conventional spring clips that tend to catch on boxes or packages and cause damage thereto. In some embodiments, the stiffening rib 120 is spaced from the top surface 112 and a bottom surface 113 of the spring clip 100. In some embodiments, the stiffening rib 120 includes a rounded surface extending outwardly away from a front face 114 of the spring clip 100. In some embodiments, the stiffening rib 120 is barrel- shaped, which provides the structural integrity of the spring clip 100. Insome embodiments, the stiffening rib 120 is square-shaped, triangularly-shaped, or rectangularshaped, these shapes also provides structural integrity to the spring clip 100.

[0021] In some embodiments, the snap ring 104 includes a cross sectional area extending from the stiffening rib 120 of at least 1.50 mm2, 2.00 mm2, 2.50 mm2, or 3.00 mm2. In some embodiments, the snap ring 104 further has a generally circular profile with an outer diameter 107 and a minimum wall thickness 109. In some embodiments, outer diameter 107 is about 15.00 mm, about 15.50 mm, about 16.00 mm, about 16.50 mm, about 17.00 mm, about 17.50 mm, or about 18.00 mm. In some embodiments, the minimum wall thickness 109 of the snap ring 104 between an outer surface and inner surface thereof is approximately 5%, approximately 10%, approximately 15%, approximately 20%, or approximately 25% of the outer diameter 107.

[0022] In some embodiments, the spring clip 100 includes a wing 130 extending from the stiffening rib 120. In some embodiments, the wing 130 is generally flush with a front planar surface of the spring clip 100. In some embodiments, the wing 130 has a wing height 132. In some embodiments, the wing height 132 is approximately 2.00 mm, 2.10 mm, 2.20 mm, 2.30 mm, 2.40 mm, 2.50 mm, 2.60 mm, 2.70 mm, 2.80 mm, 2.90 mm, or 3.00 mm. In some embodiments, the stiffening rib 120 has a rib width 122. In some embodiments, the rib width 122 is approximately 3.00 mm, 3.10 mm, 3.20 mm, 3.30 mm, 3.40 mm, 3.50 mm, 3.60 mm, 3.70 mm, 3.80 mm, 3.90 mm, or 4.00 mm. In some embodiments, the wing height 132 is approximately 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, or 70% of the rib width 122. In some embodiments the wing height 132 is about equal to the rib width 122. In some embodiments, the overall length of the stiffening rib 120 is greater than an overall length of the wing 130. In some embodiments, the overall length of the stiffening rib 120 is equal to an overall length of the wing 130. In some embodiments, the overall length of the stiffening rib 120 is about, 65.00 mm, 66.00 mm, 67.00 mm, 68.00 mm, 68.85 mm, 69.00 mm, or 70.00 mm. In some embodiments, the overall length of the spring clip 100 is greater than an overall length of the stiffening rib 120.

[0023] In some embodiments, the spring clip 100 includes a snap notch 106. Snap notch 106 may extend into the stiffening rib 120. Snap notch 106 is shown to be defined in part by an outer surface of the snap ring 104 and the clip body 110.

[0024] In some embodiments, the spring clip 100 is comprised of a rigid material. In some embodiments, the spring clip 100 is comprised of a metal or metal alloy such as, but not limited to, stainless steel, aluminum, lead, tin, copper, zinc, bronze, brass or pewter.

[0025] In some embodiments, the snap ring 104 is configured to cooperate with a first slat pin groove in a snap fit engagement. For example, the snap ring 104 may be snap fit to a first slat pingroove in a sorter slat. The pin slot 102 may be configured to cooperate with a second slat pin grove in a pivotable orientation relative to a slat pin. For example, the pin slot 102 may engage with a second slat pin groove and a corresponding slat pin such that the spring clip 100 may be rotated relative to the slat pin while the pin slot 102 remains engaged with the second slat pin groove. In some embodiments, the spring clip 100 is able to snap onto the slat pins without deforming.

[0026] The term “about” or “approximately” is used herein to provide literal support for the exact number that it precedes, as well as a number that is near to or approximately the number that the term precedes. In determining whether a number is near to or approximately a specifically recited number, the near or approximating unrecited number may be a number, which, in the context in which it is presented, provides the substantial equivalent of the specifically recited number. It should be appreciated that all numerical values and ranges disclosed herein are approximate values and ranges, whether “about” is used in conjunction therewith. It should also be appreciated that the term “about,” as used herein, in conjunction with a numeral refers to a value that may be ±0.01% (inclusive), ±0.1% (inclusive), ±0.5% (inclusive), ±1% (inclusive) of that numeral, ±2% (inclusive) of that numeral, ±3% (inclusive) of that numeral, ±5% (inclusive) of that numeral, ±10% (inclusive) of that numeral, or ±15% (inclusive) of that numeral. It should further be appreciated that when a numerical range is disclosed herein, any numerical value falling within the range is also specifically disclosed.

[0027] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the exemplary embodiments shown and described above without departing from the broad inventive concepts thereof. It is to be understood that the embodiments and claims disclosed herein are not limited in their application to the details of construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the description and illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the description and the drawings provide examples of the embodiments envisioned. The embodiments and claims disclosed herein are further capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Specific features of the exemplary embodiments may or may not be part of the claimed invention and various features of the disclosed embodiments may be combined. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” are not limited to one element but instead should be read as meaning “at least one”. Finally, unless specifically set forth herein, a disclosed or claimed method should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the steps may be performed in any practical order.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A spring clip for securing a sorter slat comprising: a clip body; a snap ring disposed at a first end of clip body; a pin slot disposed at a second end of clip body; and a stiffening rib extending along the clip body from the snap ring to the pin slot.

2. The spring clip of claim 1 further comprising: a wing extending from the stiffening rib.

3. The spring clip of claim 1, wherein the snap ring includes a circumferential wall having a wall thickness of at least 0.65 mm, 0.66 mm, 0.67 mm, 0.68 mm, 0.69 mm, 0.70 mm, 0.71 mm, 0.72 mm, 0.73 mm, 0.74 mm, 0.75 mm, 0.76 mm, 0.77 mm, 0.78 mm, 0.79 mm, 0.80 mm, 0.81 mm, 0.82 mm, 0.83 mm, 0.84 mm, or 0.85 mm.

4. The spring clip of claim 1, wherein the snap ring includes a cross sectional area extending from the stiffening rib of at least 1 .50 mm2, 2.00 mm2, 2.50 mm2, or 3.00 mm2.

5. The spring clip of claim 1, wherein the snap ring further has a generally circular profile with an outer diameter and a minimum wall thickness that is approximately 5%, approximately 10%, approximately 15%, approximately 20%, or approximately 25% of the outer diameter.

6. The spring clip of claim 2, wherein the wing has a wing height of approximately 2.00 mm, 2.10 mm, 2.20 mm, 2.30 mm, 2.40 mm, 2.50 mm, 2.60 mm, 2.70 mm, 2.80 mm, 2.90 mm, or 3.00 mm.

7. The spring clip of claim 1, wherein the stiffening rib has a rib width of approximately 3.00 mm, 3.10 mm, 3.20 mm, 3.30 mm, 3.40 mm, 3.50 mm, 3.60 mm, 3.70 mm, 3.80 mm, 3.90 mm, or 4.00 mm.

8. The spring clip of claim 2, wherein the wing has a wing height and the stiffening rib has a rib width and wing height is approximately 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, or 70% of the rib width.

9. The spring clip of claim 2, wherein an overall length of the stiffening rib is greater than an overall length of the wing.

10. The spring clip of claim 1 further comprising a snap notch 106 extending into the stiffening rib and defined in part by an outer surface of the snap ring and the clip body.

11. The spring clip of claim 1 comprising a rigid material.

12. The spring clip of claim 1 comprising stainless steel.

13. The spring clip of claim 1, wherein the snap ring is configured to cooperate with a first slat pin groove in a snap fit engagement and the pin slot is configured to cooperate with a second slat pin grove in a pivotable orientation relative to a slat pin.

14. A method for securing sorter slats to each other on a shoe sorter that is sorting and transporting boxes or packages, the method comprising snapping the spring clip of any one of claims 1 -12 onto two consecutive sorter slats on the shoe sorter.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the spring clip is snapped onto the sorter slat without deforming.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the spring clip that is securing two consecutive sorter slats does not interfere with a box or package that is diverted off of the sorter slat.

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