Joints and connections – Rod side to plate or side – Resilient clip
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-02
2001-07-17
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Rod side to plate or side
Resilient clip
C403S065000, C016S252000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06261026
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to mounting devices and, more specifically, to a clip that is resiliently secured to an indexed pole for securely mounting a panel to the indexed pole.
2. Description of the Related Art
A desirable feature of closet organizing systems and other shelf systems for the home or office is their ease of assembly. One way to facilitate assembly is to provide components that can be assembled with little or no use of tools. Another desirable feature of these systems is their adjustability. For example, an increasingly popular organizing system includes shelf members that are mounted at selected locations along indexed poles. Each pole includes annular grooves at spaced intervals along the pole's entire length. At each corner of the shelf members, a generally circular pole interface member is provided. Each of the circular pole interface members has an integral, inwardly-directed ridge that is received in a desired one of the annular grooves to secure the shelf member at a desired height along the indexed pole.
In order to increase the versatility of such organizing systems that utilize indexed poles, it would be desirable to provide a means for securing wall and door panels to the indexed poles. It would be further desirable for such panels to be easy to install or remove without the need for any tools. The manner in which these and other objects of the present invention are achieved is explained in the following Brief Summary of the Invention, the Drawings, and the Detailed Description of the Invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The resilient clip of the present invention utilizes a generally C-shaped pole receiving member formed of a resilient material that clips to an indexed pole having annular grooves at spaced intervals thereof. The C-shaped pole receiving member of the resilient clip has an interior and an exterior, with an interiorly-directed ridge centrally located therein extending along the inner perimeter of the C-shaped pole receiving member. When the C-shaped pole receiving member is clipped to an indexed pole, the inwardly-directed ridge is received in one of the annular grooves along the indexed pole, thereby desirably preventing axial movement of the resilient clip along the indexed pole.
The C-shaped pole receiving member is integral with a pair of generally parallel panel interface members that extend in one direction from the exterior of the pole receiving member. These panel interface members are spaced a short distance from one another and are provided with means for securing a panel therebetween.
In a preferred embodiment, the panel securement means takes the form of a raised button or projection extending from a first of the panel interface members toward the second panel interface member. A corresponding recess is provided in the second panel interface member to receive the projection. Each portion of the panel mounted to an indexed pole using the clip is preferably adapted with a hole spaced from an outer edge of the panel and sized to securely receive the projection. By sliding the panel between the panel interface members, the projection rides along one surface of the panel until the hole allows the projection to pass through the panel, thereby securing the panel between the two panel interface members.
Although the inwardly-directed ridge of the C-shaped pole receiving member, when received in one of the annular grooves, prevents axial movement of the clip, the clip can still be rotated about the indexed pole. Thus, by providing clips of the present invention along only a single edge of a panel, each of the resilient clips advantageously serves as a hinge and the panel can serve as a door. Alternatively, to prevent hinged movement of a panel about an indexed pole, clips of the present invention can be provided along more than one edge of the panel and can be used to secure the panel to, for example, two parallel indexed poles. The clips can readily increase the versatility of organizing systems or various other contemporary furniture assemblies that utilize indexed poles.
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Conley Christopher V.
Ternovits Scott A.
Browne Lynne H.
Gravity Tank, Inc.
Marshall O'Toole Gerstein Murray & Borun
Walsh John B.
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