CLIP THE BOARD

Abstract

The invention relates to an edge clip (1) for gripping the edge of a panel (10). The clip (1) comprises a body (2), a pair of spaced legs (3) dependent on the body (2), a bridging strap (4) connecting the intermediate portions of the legs (3) to each other, and a locking means (5) for securing an intermediate portion of the bridging strap (4) to the body (2). The clip (1) is operational for pushing the bridging strap (4) against an edge (11) of the panel (10) received between the legs (3) such that the bridging strap (4) draws the free ends of the legs (3) towards each other in a clamping position in which the legs (3) engage the panel (10) between themselves, and the locking means (5) secures the bridging strap (4) to the body (2), so as to maintain the engagement between the legs (3) and the panel (10). Figure for the abstract: FIG. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: EDGE CLIP Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to an edge clip for gripping the edge of a panel. Technical background

[0002] Edge clips are known and normally comprise a pair of metal members which engage a panel between them. This can damage the panel. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to provide an edge clip less likely to damage the panel to which it is attached.

[0004] The invention relates to a clip, for example an edge clip for gripping the edge of a panel, the clip comprising a pair of spaced legs and a bridging strap connecting intermediate portions of the legs to each other, wherein the clip is operative to urge the bridging strap against a panel edge received between the legs such that the bridging strap attracts the free ends of the legs toward each other to a clamping position in which the legs engage the panel therebetween.

[0005] The clip may comprise a body. The legs may depend from the body. The clip may comprise locking means, for example for securing an intermediate portion of the bridging strap to the body. The locking means may secure the bridging strap to the body in the clamping position, for example so as to maintain engagement between the legs and the panel.

[0006] The invention also relates to an edge clip for gripping the edge of a panel, the clip comprising: a body; a pair of spaced legs depending from the body; a bridging strap connecting intermediate portions of the legs to each other; and locking means for securing an intermediate portion of the bridging strap to the body; wherein the clip is operative to urge the bridging strap against a panel edge received between the legs such that the bridging strap attracts the free ends of the legs towards each other to a clamping position in which the legs engage the panel therebetween and the locking means secures the bridging strap to the body, so as to maintain the engagement between the legs and the panel.

[0007] The legs may be connected to the body by hinges or living hinges.

[0008] More specifically, the legs may be connected to the body by living hinges.

[0009] Each leg may comprise a foot. The foot may engage in the panel. The foot may be connected, for example pivotally, to the leg or to its free end.

[0010] More specifically, each leg may include a foot pivotally connected at its free end which engages in the panel.

[0011] Each leg may extend from the pivoting connection toward the body.

[0012] The feet may be connected to the legs by hinges or living hinges.

[0013] More specifically, the feet can be connected to the legs by living hinges.

[0014] The body and / or the bridging strap and / or the legs and / or the feet may be formed integrally and / or from a common material.

[0015] More specifically, the body, the bridging strap, the legs and the feet are formed integrally of a common material.

[0016] Each leg may comprise a resilient material, for example for engaging the panel. The resilient material may be overmolded onto the common material.

[0017] More specifically, each leg may comprise a resilient material for engaging the panel, the resilient material being overmolded onto the common material.

[0018] The foot may include one or more engagement features, such as one or more recesses, grooves, or keys. The resilient material may include one or more engagement features, such as one or more projections, keys, or grooves, that may cooperate with the or each engagement feature of the foot.

[0019] The locking means may comprise a ratchet mechanism.

[0020] The locking means may comprise a pawl. The pawl may project from the bridging strap. The body may include a rack, which engages the rack of the body.

[0021] More specifically, the locking means may comprise a pawl projecting from the bridging strap which engages in a rack of the body.

[0022] The rack may be part of a pair of racks, for example a pair of opposing racks. At least one rack, for example each of the racks, may include teeth. The teeth of the pair of racks may project toward each other. The pawl may have a T-shape, for example, which allows the racks to be engaged simultaneously.

[0023] More specifically, the rack may be one of a pair of opposing racks each having teeth projecting toward each other, the pawl having a T-shape allowing the racks to be engaged simultaneously.

[0024] The racks may be cantilevered, for example so as to resiliently engage the pawl. The teeth of the racks may be shaped to allow the pawl to be pushed toward the body while preventing its retraction therefrom.

[0025] More specifically, the racks may be cantilevered so as to resiliently engage the pawl, the teeth of the racks being shaped to allow the pawl to be pushed toward the body while preventing its retraction therefrom.

[0026] The bridging strap may include a slot for receiving the edge of the panel.

[0027] The slot may be stepped, for example to accommodate any one of several panels having different widths.

[0028] More specifically, the slot may be stepped to accommodate any one of several panels having different widths.

[0029] The bridging strap may include a central portion, which may include the slot. The bridging strap may include a pair of end portions, which may be resilient and / or more resilient than the central portion. The central portion may be thicker than the end portions.

[0030] The bridging strap may have at least one corrugation.

[0031] The bridging strap may have several undulations. At least one or each end portion may include at least one corrugation. At least one or each end portion may include multiple corrugations.

[0032] The body may be substantially U-shaped.

[0033] The body may include a pair of flanks, which may extend at an angle to each other. At least one or each flank may include a plate. The flanks may be connected by a transverse beam. The transverse beam may be narrower than the flanks. The transverse beam may be thicker than the flanks.

[0034] At least one or each leg may comprise a plate. At least one or each leg may be connected to the or one of the flanks along one of its edges. An edge of each leg may be connected to an edge of one of the flanks, for example by a hinge or a living hinge.

[0035] At least one or each leg may comprise a plate. The resilient material may be overmolded onto the leg plate. Each leg may be connected to one of the legs along one of its edges. An edge of each leg may be connected to an edge of one of the legs, for example by a hinge or a living hinge.

[0036] For the avoidance of doubt, all features described herein apply equally to any aspect of the invention.

[0037] For the avoidance of doubt, the terms "may", "and / or", "for example", and any other similar terms used herein shall be construed as not limiting, so that any characteristic so described need not necessarily be present. Brief description of the figures

[0038] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

[0039] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] illustrates a perspective view of an edge clip according to one embodiment of the invention placed on the edge of a panel but before it is engaged in the panel; and

[0040] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] illustrates a side view of the edge clip and panel arrangement shown in [Fig.l]. Detailed description of the invention

[0041] Referring now to the figures, there can be seen an edge clip 1 according to one embodiment of the invention for gripping the edge of a panel 10. The clip 1 comprises a body 2, a pair of spaced legs 3 which depend from the body 2, a bridging strap 4 connecting intermediate portions of the legs 3 to each other and locking means 5 for securing an intermediate portion of the bridging strap 4 to the body 2.

[0042] The body 2 is substantially U-shaped and comprises a pair of flanks 20 which extend at an angle to each other. The flanks 20 each comprise a plate 21 connected by a transverse beam 22. The transverse beam 22 is narrower, but thicker, than the flanks 20.

[0043] Each leg 3 comprises a plate 30 connected to one of the flanks 20 along one of its edges by a living hinge 31. Each leg 3 comprises a foot 6 pivotally connected at its free end which engages in the panel 10. Each foot 6 extends from the pivotal connection towards the body 2. Each foot 6 also comprises a plate 60 connected to the plate 30 of one of the legs 3 along one of its edges by a living hinge 61.

[0044] The bridging strap 4 comprises a central portion 40 and a pair of end portions 4L. The central portion 40 comprises a substantially triangular portion 42 which gives the central portion 40 an effective thickness greater than that of the end portions 41, so that the end portions 41 are more resilient than the central portion 40.

[0045] The central portion 40 also includes a slot 43 formed in the triangular portion 42, which is intended to receive the edge 11 of the panel 10. The slot 43 is stepped to accommodate any one of several panels 10 having different widths. Each end portion 41 includes several corrugations 44, which further contributes to their resilience or elasticity.

[0046] In this example, the body 2, the bridging strap 4, the legs 3 and the feet 6 are formed integrally of a common material. However, each foot 6 includes a resilient material 62 for engaging the panel 10. The resilient material 62 is overmolded onto the common material in this example.

[0047] More specifically, the resilient material 62 is overmolded onto the plate 60 of the foot 6. The plate 60 of the foot 6 comprises two recesses 63 in the common material and the resilient material 62 comprises a projection 64 which cooperates with each recess 63 in the common material. Those skilled in the art will understand that this improves the adhesion between the two materials.

[0048] The locking means 5 comprises a ratchet mechanism 50. More specifically, the locking means 5 comprises a ratchet 51 projecting from the central portion 40 of the bridging strap 4 which engages in a pair of opposing racks 52 of the body 2. The racks 52 each have teeth 53 which project towards each other. The ratchet 51 has a T-shape allowing the racks 52 to be engaged simultaneously.

[0049] The racks 52 are cantilevered, so as to engage the pawl 51 elastically. The teeth 53 of the racks 52 are formed to allow the pawl 51 to be pushed towards the body 2 while preventing its retraction therefrom.

[0050] In use, a user pushes the clip 1 onto the edge of a panel 10. The edge 11 of the panel 10 is received between the legs 3 and enters the slot 43 and pushes the central portion 40 of the bridging strap toward the body 2. The bridging strap 4 then attracts the free ends of the legs 3 toward each other to a clamping position in which the feet 6 of the legs 3 engage the panel 10.

[0051] By continuing to push, the pawl 51 enters the space between the racks 52 and engages their teeth 53. As explained above, the teeth 53 of the racks 52 are formed to allow the pawl 51 to be pushed towards the body 2 while preventing its retraction therefrom.

[0052] As such, the locking means 5 secures the bridging strap 4 to the body 2, so as to maintain the engagement between the feet 6 of the legs 3 and the panel 10.

[0053] Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described above may vary in many ways, provided that they are consistent with the scope of the claims. List of reference signs

[0054] 1 edge clip

[0055] 2 bodies

[0056] 20 flank

[0057] 21 plate

[0058] 22 transverse beam

[0059] 3 leg

[0060] 30 plate

[0061] 31 living hinge

[0062] 4 bridging straps

[0063] 40 central portion

[0064] 41 end portion

[0065] 42 triangular part

[0066] 43 slot

[0067] 44 ripple

[0068] 5 locking means

[0069] 50 ratchet mechanism

[0070] 51 ratchet [0071 ] 52 rack

[0072] 53 teeth

[0073] 6 foot

[0074] 60 plate

[0075] 61 living hinge

[0076] 62 resilient material

[0077] 63 recess

[0078] 64 projection

Claims

Claims

1. An edge clip (1) for gripping the edge of a panel (10), the clip (1) comprising: a body (2); a pair of spaced legs (3) depending from the body (2); a bridging strap (4) connecting intermediate portions of the legs (3) to each other; and locking means (5) for securing an intermediate portion of the bridging strap (4) to the body (2); wherein the clip (1) is operative to urge the bridging strap (4) against an edge (11) of the panel (10) received between the legs (3) such that the bridging strap (4) attracts the free ends of the legs (3) toward each other to a clamping position in which the legs (3) engage the panel (10) therebetween and the locking means (5) secures the bridging strap (4) to the body (2), so as to maintain the engagement between the legs (3) and the panel (10).

2. An edge clip (1) according to claim 1, wherein the legs (3) are connected to the body (2) by living hinges (31).

3. An edge clip (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each leg (3) comprises a foot (6) pivotally connected at its free end which engages the panel (10).

4. An edge clip (1) according to claim 3, wherein each leg (6) extends from the pivoting connection towards the body (2).

5. An edge clip (1) according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the feet (6) are connected to the legs (3) by living hinges (61).

6. An edge clip (1) according to claim 5, wherein the body (2), the bridging strap (4), the legs (3) and the feet (6) are integrally formed of a common material.

7. An edge clip (1) according to claim 6, wherein each leg (6) comprises a resilient material (62) for engaging the panel (10), the resilient material (62) being overmolded onto the common material.

8. An edge clip (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the locking means (5) comprises a ratchet mechanism (50).

9. An edge clip (1) according to claim 8, wherein the locking means (5) comprises a pawl (51) projecting from the bridging strap (4) which engages in a rack (52) of the body (2).

10. An edge clip (1) according to claim 9, wherein the rack (52) is one of a pair of opposing racks (52) each having teeth (53) projecting towards each other and the pawl (51) has a T-shape for engaging the racks (52) simultaneously.

11. An edge clip (1) according to claim 10, wherein the racks (52) are cantilevered so as to resiliently engage the pawl (51), the teeth (53) of the racks (52) being formed to allow the pawl (51) to be urged towards the body (2) while preventing its retraction therefrom.

12. An edge clip (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the bridging strap (4) comprises a slot (43) for receiving the edge (11) of the panel (10).

13. An edge clip (1) according to claim 12, wherein the slot (43) is stepped to accommodate any one of several panels (10) having different widths.

14. An edge clip (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the bridging strap (4) has at least one corrugation (44).

15. An edge clip (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the body (2) is substantially U-shaped.

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