Panel Retention Clip

Abstract

A clip operable to secure panels of sheet material includes a generally H-shaped unit having pair of opposed arms separated by a central beam forming a pair of aligned receptacles, each operable to receive a panel therein. At least one of the arms includes biasing members operable to apply pressure to the panels inserted into the receptacles. The clip secures adjacent panels together in edge-to-edge orientation such that the panels are coplanar. Panels utilized with the clip include sheets of building material such as plywood, drywall, and roofing materials.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/051,419, filed 8 May 2008 and entitled “Clip Device,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a clip device that connects adjacent panels of sheet material together.

BACKGROUND

The roof of a structure is typically formed by mounting panels onto a truss and then applying a set of shingles to the panels. The panels used—plywood, particle board, etc., are subject to warping; consequently, roofing clips are utilized to limit the movement of the panels. Specifically, clips are positioned between the adjacent panels to align the panels and maintain them in a planar relationship. Conventional clips are small, fixed structures formed from metal or wood. The clips typically include a planar base and U-shaped portions extending from each surface of the base. In use, adjacent panels are slid into each U-shaped portion, securing the panels together. Conventional clips, however, suffer from several disadvantages. First, the clips have fixed dimensions and thus only accommodate panels of a corresponding thickness. If other sheet thicknesses are desired, the operator must either utilize appropriately-sized clips, or use ill-fitting clips, which invites shifting between the panels. Second, the clips do not accommodate the expansion and contraction panels during the change of the seasons. Therefore, over time, fixed clips may not adequately secure adjacent panels together during the lifetime of the structure.

It is desirable to provide a clip that securely connects adjacent sheets of material together, adjusts to fit between building materials of varying thicknesses, accommodates for sheet expansion and contraction, and installs easily.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The clip of the present invention has a generally H-shaped configuration configured to secure together two panels of sheet material in edge-to-edge orientation. The clip includes a pair of opposed generally parallel arms secured to and separated by a central beam. This structure forms a pair of open receptacles or cavities, each operable to receive a panel therein. At least one of the arms includes resilient biasing members operable to apply pressure to retain the panels inserted into the receptacles. The clip serves as a connector securing successive or adjacent panels such that the retained panels are generally coplanar. The biasing members, moreover, resiliently flex to accommodate panels of various sizes, as well as to accommodate expansion and contraction of the panels. Opposing surfaces of each biasing member and the opposite arm may include raised ribs which are urged against the retained panel to increase the local applied pressure and thereby enhance non-slip panel engagement. The panels typically utilized with the clip include sheets of building material such as plywood, drywall, and other roofing materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a clip device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front plan view of the clip of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the clip device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the clip device shown to FIG. 1

FIG. 5 illustrates a top perspective view of a clip device in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top perspective view of a clip device in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention

FIG. 7 illustrates a front plan view of the clip device shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates a top perspective view in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side elevation view of a portion of the embodiment of FIG. 8.

Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate views of a clip device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown, the clip device 10 includes a beam or brace 100 extending from a first or lower arm 105 to a second or upper arm 110. The beam 100 may be in the form of a rod centrally disposed on and perpendicular to each of the arms 105, 110. The ends of the beam 100 terminate at respective arms 105 and 110 so as to position the arms in spaced, generally parallel relation. With this configuration, a structure defining a first or left panel receptacle 115 and a second or right panel receptacle 120 is formed. Each receptacle 115, 120 is contoured to receive the edge of a respective panel of building material such as drywall, plywood, etc. In this manner the panels are engaged substantially edge-to-edge, separated by beam 100.

Beam 100 may possess any dimensions suitable for its described purposed. For example, the height of the beam 100 may be selected to provide the desired height for each receptacle 115, 120. The beam 100, furthermore, may possess any thickness operable to provide a desired level of lateral spacing between adjacent panels of sheet material. By way of example, the beam 100 may possess a width of ⅛ inch to provide an expansion gap between the aligned pieces sheet material. The beam 100, moreover, may taper inward proximate its lower and upper ends (i.e., toward the first 105 and second 110 arms) to create a central bow or bulge 125. Providing this bow 125, where the beam is wider at its center than at its edges, assists in air circulation between the adjacent panels of building material.

Arms 105, 110 are configured to capture the edge portion of a panel within each receptacle 115, 120. The first arm 105 may include a generally planar element or plate oriented generally transverse to the beam 100 and having a first terminal end 130 and a second terminal end 135. The beam 100 may be centrally disposed along on the first arm 105 such that it divides the arm into left and right portions which are mirror images of each other. The first arm 105 may possess a generally uniform thickness; alternatively, as illustrated, each end 130, 135 of the first arm 105 may taper downward, away from the second arm 110. For example, the ends 130, 135 may taper at an angle of approximately 3° to provide a greater receptacle opening, as well as to provide a ramp operable to guide/direct the edge of a panel into a receptacle 115, 120.

Similarly, the second arm 110 may include a generally planar element or plate oriented generally transverse to the beam 100. The second arm 110, furthermore, includes a third terminal end 140 and a fourth terminal end 145. The beam 100 may intersect the second arm 110 at its center, creating left and right mirrored portions. With this configuration, the first and third ends 130, 140 define the mouth of the first receptacle 115, while the second and fourth ends 135, 145 define the mouth of the second receptacle 120. As with the first arm 105, the second arm 110 may have a consistent thickness, or may taper at its ends 140, 145 (e.g., at a 3° angle) to provide a wider receptacle opening, as well as a ramp that guides the sheet toward the receptacle 115, 120 as it is inserted therein.

One of the arms 105, 110 may further include a resilient biasing member operable to apply a biasing force onto the panel inserted into a receptacle 115, 120. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the second arm 105 includes a first resilient biasing member 150 and a second resilient biasing member 155. Each biasing member 150, 155 may be in the form of a tongue or paddle resiliently movable with respect to the second support arm. Specifically, each biasing member 150, 155 may be in form of a generally planar paddle having a proximal end 160 serving as a pivot edge and a distal end 165. Each biasing member 150, 155 may further include a notch or groove 167 at its proximal end 160 configured to enhance the flexing/pivoting ability of the biasing member. By way of example, the notch may have a depth equally to no more than about half the thickness of the biasing member 150, 155.

The proximal end 160 of the biasing member 150, 155 may be coupled to second arm 110 at a point inset from its respective end 140, 145. That is, each biasing member 150, 155 may be set inboard along the second arm 110 (and not at the ends of the arm). The biasing member 150, 155 may incline in the direction of beam 100, positioning the distal end 160 of the tongue within the receptacle 115, 120. The proximal end 160 of each biasing member 150, 155, moreover, pivotably flexes from its normal position (indicated by arrow R (FIG. 2)) when a force is applied thereto. For example, the biasing member 150, 155 may be pivoted from its normal position to a position in which the paddle is generally coplanar with an aperture 175A, 175B formed into the second arm 110. Once released, the resilient nature of the biasing member causes it to return to its normal position.

Referring specifically to FIG. 2, the distal end 165 of each biasing member 150, 155 may further include a hub 210 defining a generally flat shoulder 220 operable to contact the sheet material. When the biasing member 150, 155 is in its normal position, the shoulder 220 may be generally parallel to the surface of the first arm 105. The shoulder 220 provides an area of increased surface, increasing the frictional force the biasing members 150, 155 apply to the panels.

The dimensions of the clip device 10 may be any suitable for its described purpose. It is important to note that the first arm 105 may possess dimensions that differ from that of the second arm 110. By way of example, the first arm 105 may have a length greater than that of the second arm 110 (best seen in FIG. 5).

The operation of the device is as follows. A first panel of sheet material (e.g., a piece of plywood, roofing material, etc.) is axially inserted into the first receptacle 115 (between first 130 and third 140 ends). As the first panel is inserted, it drives the first biasing member 150 resiliently upward from its normal position, toward the second arm 110. The first panel is inserted into the first receptacle 115 until it contacts the beam 100. The resilient biasing member 150 attempts to return to its normal position, engaging the first panel and applying pressure thereto, securing it within the receptacle.

Then, a second panel of sheet material is axially inserted into the second receptacle 120 (between second 135 and fourth 145 ends). As the second panel is inserted, it drives the second biasing member 155 upward from it normal position, toward the second arm 110. The second panel material is inserted into the second receptacle 120 until it contacts the beam 100. As with the first biasing member 150, the resilient second biasing member 155 attempts to return to its normal position, applying pressure to the second panel.

Once both panels of sheet material are inserted, the adjacent panels are aligned such that they are generally coplanar. The clip device 10, moreover, secures the panels such that relative movement of the panels is prevented. The biasing members 150, 155, in addition to applying a frictional force to each panel, accommodate panels having varying thickness. That is, panels having a thickness substantially smaller than the height of the receptacle 115, 120 may be securely contained by the clip device 10 because the biasing members 150, 155 extend a predetermined distance within the receptacles 115, 120 to secure the panel therein. By way of example, a panel of sheet material having a range of thicknesses of 7/16 of an inch, 15/32 of an inch, and ½ of an inch may be secured utilizing a single clip device 10. This avoids the need to coordinate the size of the clip with the thickness of the panel, as is the case with conventional clips.

In addition, the biasing members 150, 155 accommodate the expansion and contraction of the sheet material. That is, as the panels contracts/expands (with temperature changes, for example), the angle of inclination of the biasing members 150, 155 changes, maintaining contact with the panels throughout the expansion/contraction.

FIG. 5 illustrates a clip device 50 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. As illustrated, the grooves 167 have been omitted.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a clip 60 in accordance with still another embodiment of the invention. As illustrated, the arms 105, 110 are no longer oriented parallel to each other. Instead, each end of the second arm 110 slants downward from the beam 100. In addition, the hub 210 formed along at the distal end of each biasing member has been omitted.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate another embodiment of the invention in which an array of several raised ribs 300 is formed on the interiorly facing surface of arm 105. Ribs 300 are longitudinally spaced from one another and each extends along the entire width of arm 105. Another array of several raised ribs 310 is defined on the interiorly facing surface of each of biasing members 150, 155. Ribs 310 are longitudinally spaced from one another and each extends along the entire width of its biasing member. The mutually facing arrays of ribs serve an anti-slip or friction producing function to minimize inadvertent relative movement between the retained panels and inadvertent removal of a retained panel from the clip. The ribs, as shown, have a sawtooth transverse cross-section with one side oriented substantially perpendicular to the surface from which it is raised, and the other side oriented at an angle to that surface so as to converge at an apex intersection edge with the perpendicular side of the rib. The apex edge configuration concentrates the compression force acting to retain the panels in the receptacle. It should be noted, however, that the rib cross-sectional configuration need not be sawtooth and may, in some instances, may have a rounded edge so as to minimize penetration into the surface of the retained panel.

The material forming the clip device 10 is not particularly limited. By way of example, the material may be a thermoplastic resin including, but not limited to acrylonitrile butadiene styrene; polyvinyl chloride; polypropylene (e.g., polypropylene, talc-filled polypropylene, calcium filled polypropylene, and polypropylene copolymers); polyethylene (low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)); polyamide, polyester; and polycarbonate. The clip 10 may be formed utilizing injection molding, co-injection molding, profile extrusion, ram extrusion versus injection molding or co-injection molding, or computer controller cutting or building process such as machines using computer numerical control (CNC), and selective laser sintering (SLS), stereolithography (SLA). The clip device 10 is preferably a unitary (one-piece) structure requiring no assembly after being unitarily formed.

While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. It is to be understood that terms such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “side”, “height”, “length”, “width”, “upper”, “lower”, “interior”, “exterior”, and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration.

Claims

1. A clip for securing adjacent panels of building material, the clip comprising:

a first arm;

a second arm oriented generally parallel to the first arm;

a beam oriented transverse to and extending from the first arm to the second arm, the beam disposed inboard from each of the first and second arms to form a first receptacle and a second receptacle, wherein each receptacle is operable to receive a panel of sheet material and orient the panels adjacent each other,

wherein the second arm comprises a biasing member operable to apply a continuous pressure to the panels of sheet material inserted into the clip.

2. The clip of claim 1, wherein the dimensions of the second arm differ from the dimensions of the first arm.

3. The clip of claim 1, wherein the biasing member is disposed inboard of the second arm.

4. The clip of claim 3, wherein the biasing member comprises a generally elongated paddle extending distally from the second arm at a predetermined angle.

5. The clip of claim 1 further comprising plural raised ribs provided on a surface of at least one of said first arm and said biasing member in at least one of said receptacles to frictionally engage a panel of sheet material inserted into said at least one receptacle.

6. The clip of claim 1 further comprising plural raised ribs provided on each of mutually facing surfaces of said first and second arms to frictionally engage a panel of sheet material inserted into the receptacle defined therebetween,

7. The clip of claim 1 wherein said first and second arms, said beam and said bias means are all part of a unitarily molded structure.

8. A method of securing panels of building materials together, the method comprising:

(a) providing a clip comprising: a first arm; a second arm oriented generally parallel to the first arm; a beam oriented transverse to and extending from the first arm to the second arm, the beam disposed inboard from each of the first and second arms to form a first receptacle and a second receptacle, wherein each receptacle is operable to receive a panel of sheet material and orient the panels adjacent each other, wherein the second arm comprises a biasing member operable to apply a continuous pressure to the panels of sheet material inserted into the clip; and

(b) inserting a first panel into the first receptacle.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising (c) inserting a second panel into the second receptacle.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein step (a) includes forming said clip as a unitarily injection molded member.

11. A panel retention clip comprising a unitary generally H-shaped member having first and second generally parallel arms connected to and spaced by a beam such that first and second panel-receiving receptacles are defined between said arms on respective opposite sides of said beam, said second arm including first and second resiliently pivotable biasing members depending into said first and second receptacles, respectively, to resiliently guide edge first insertion of a panel into that receptacle and apply force to enhance retention of the inserted panel in that receptacle.