Joints and connections – Including ancillary means blocking disconnection of joint – Blocker for assembled joint retainer
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-28
2003-11-11
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3679)
Joints and connections
Including ancillary means blocking disconnection of joint
Blocker for assembled joint retainer
C049S394000, C049S248000, C403S315000, C403S316000, C403S319000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06644884
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to removable connecting clips for connecting a male component to a female component. More specifically, the present invention relates to a clip used to connect a rotational pivot pin to another, female component.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the art of casement windows, it is known to use a quick release attachment component to allow the arms of the casement operator to be disconnected from the moveable sash. A conventional quick release component is illustrated in
FIGS. 1A and 1B
in the form of the spring clip
10
. Specifically, the spring clip
10
is slidably attached to the operator arm
11
by the bolt
12
which is slidably received in the slot
13
. The arm
11
includes a hole
14
for receiving the male pivot pin
15
which is riveted to the bracket
16
. The bracket
16
is mounted to the underside of the sash
17
(see FIG.
2
). The pivot pin
15
includes a distal end
18
having a circumferential groove
19
that results in the formation of a flange
21
.
As shown in
FIG. 1B
, the hole
14
of the arm
11
is slid over the pivot pin
15
so that the distal end
18
, the flange
21
and the groove
19
of the pin
15
are exposed. The clip
10
is then slid forward so that the open mouth
22
of the clip
10
that is formed by the legs
23
,
24
is received in the groove
19
of the pivot pin
15
. To disconnect the arm
11
, a tool is inserted into the opening
25
in the clip
10
which provides a grip so that the clip
10
can be moved from the connected position shown in
FIG. 1B
to the right thereby removing the open mouth
22
of the clip
10
from the pivot pin
15
.
As shown in
FIG. 2
, such a quick disconnect mechanism can be utilized in a variety of ways in the field of casement windows. Specifically, a spring clip can be used to connect the arm
26
to the sash
11
or to connect the arm
27
to the bracket
28
. A clip may also be used to connect the arm
26
to the bracket
29
. The operator
31
shown in
FIG. 2
is but one of many different styles of casement window operators. Hence, the application of the present invention is not limited to any specific type or style of casement window hardware. Further, the improved spring clip of the present invention is also not limited to casement window hardware. In fact, the present invention has applications to all areas where rotational pivot pins need to be secured to another, female component.
Numerous problems are associated with the use of the conventional spring clip
10
illustrated in
FIGS. 1A and 1B
. First, the fabrication of the clip
10
is expensive and involves a complex production and complex assembly tooling. Specifically, the clip
10
needs to be wrapped around the arm
11
or manufactured with a rectangular cross section to enable the clip
10
to slide onto the arm
11
. Thus, the use of the clip
10
is limited by its shape and, accordingly, it can only be used on a single style or size of arm
11
.
For window installers, a tool is required to engage the clip
10
at the slot or opening
25
or at the bolt
12
. For window fabricators, this increases the difficulty of assembly and slows down the manufacturing process. Homeowners also dislike these components as they are prone to scratching the visible surface of the arm
11
.
Accordingly, there is a need for a more versatile quick disconnect clip which will enable a component with a male member or pivot pin to be releasably secured to another, female component which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art as discussed above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention satisfies the aforenoted need by providing a clip for detachably connecting a male component to a female component wherein the female component has a hole and the male component has a male member that is pivotally received in the hole of the female component. The male member has a distal end with a flange. The male member extends through the hole in the female component so that the distal end of the male member and the flange are disposed beyond the female component. The clip is pivotally connected to one of the male or female components. The clip comprises two spaced apart legs that form an open mouth for receiving the distal end of the male member so that the legs of the clip are disposed between the flange of the male member and the female component thereby pivotally securing the male member, and therefore the male component to the female component.
In a first refinement of the present invention, the legs of the clip frictionally engage the flange of the male member and the female component.
In another refinement of the present invention, each leg of the clip further comprises a distal end and a base end. The distal ends of the legs define the open mouth. The base end of each leg comprises an inwardly extending land. The lands of the legs extend towards each other and define a slot disposed between the two lands. The base ends of the legs are connected to each and further define an elongated channel disposed transversely to the slot.
In another refinement of the present invention, the clip comprises a body. The body has two halves, both of the legs being connected to a first half and the first half of the body being connected to a second half of the body by a connecting section. The second half of the body is pivotally connected to one of the male and female components.
In still a further refinement of the present invention, the second half of the clip body is pivotally connected to the female component.
In another refinement of the present invention, the second half of the clip body is riveted to the female component.
In yet another refinement of the present invention, the connecting section comprises a vertically extending push tab which facilitates movement of the clip from a position where the legs and open mouth of the clip are not engaged with the male member or pivot pin to a position where the legs and open mouth of the clip are received between the flange of the pivot pin and the female component.
REFERENCES:
patent: 868082 (1907-10-01), Freschl
patent: 1217640 (1917-02-01), Roebuck
patent: 3920147 (1975-11-01), Hiatt
patent: 3984191 (1976-10-01), Doty
patent: 5323568 (1994-06-01), Blomqvist
patent: 5964011 (1999-10-01), Ruston et al.
patent: 6112371 (2000-09-01), Trmblay
patent: 2225377 (1990-05-01), None
Browne Lynne H.
Ferguson Michael P.
Marshall Gerstein & Borun
Roro Frank of America, Inc.
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