Peg board display fastener and connector

Abstract

A clip includes a head having a thumbscrew protrusion and a body with spaced apart threads. The clip is of various widths and lengths to accommodate, most preferably, different widths and depths of holes in peg board. Most preferably, the clip is sized to accommodate ¼ inch peg board, and is used to releasably secure items such as advertisements and promotional material to the peg board.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and incorporates by reference hereto, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/063,967 of the same title, filed Feb. 6, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a connector or fastener for use with a display board. In particular, the invention relates to a reusable fastener designed to secure material such as promotional posters, displays, and brackets to a peg board backing in a retail environment. Of course, a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the invention is not necessarily so limited.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In retail environments promotional and marketing display material is commonly affixed to open wall space near, or in anticipation of the arrival of, goods or services for sale. Conventionally, these materials, which can include posters, displays, product samples, or other materials, are affixed to a backing adapted for repeated display and removal of the items. A common type of backing is referred to as peg board, which consists of a durable material with a pattern of perforations located in a predetermined pattern. Connectors, fasteners, or brackets are designed to secure materials to the peg board in a secure manner. Also, do to the fact that these displays are frequently changed the connectors and fasteners must be reasonably capable of removal to allow for such updates.

Prior art connectors include devices that include a generally flat head connected to an extended body that is sized to be captured in the spaced apart holes of the peg board. The connectors pass through holes in the material to be displayed and then into the peg board and thereby provide a reasonably stable mounting mechanism. Such connectors include, so called “canoe clips.” These clips have a body that includes an elongated center gap and are sized slightly wider than the peg board holes, such that upon insertion the body is compressed about the gap to form sufficient tension to retain the clip. The head of the clip is flat without any indentations or grooves for removal. In fact, the clips do not include any particular structural elements to allow for removal. When the display is replaced the clips are pulled or pried out of place, normally in a destructive manner, thrown away and new clips are used for the next display. In this manner the clips are disposable and not suitable for reuse.

Another such device is the “Christmas tree” clip. These clips also contain a head and body, however, in this case the body includes a plurality of teeth disposed along the axis of the body, each tooth comprised of a circumferential flange angled to resist removal after insertion. Again, the clips do not include any convenient means of removal and are therefore designed for one-time disposable use.

While these prior art clips are generally inexpensive plastic articles, ultimately the cost of continued replacement of used clips becomes very significant. Furthermore, the environmental impact of disposable clips is detrimental. Additionally, because these clips are not designed to be removed easily overtime they damage the peg board requiring further costs and expense.

Accordingly, a need exists for a fastener or clop that overcomes the difficulties of the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of peg board with prior art clips securing an advertisement poster.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the portion of the peg board with clips of the present invention inserted therein.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the portion of the peg board with the clips of the present invention supporting a Plexiglas mounting bracket.

FIG. 4 is a side view of two prior art clips and the clip of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view of two prior art clips and the clip of the present invention.

FIG. 6 includes additional views of the clip of the present invention.

FIG. 7 includes views of a first alternative clop of the present invention.

FIG. 8 includes views of a second, third, and fourth alternative clip of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the Figures, various configurations of a fastener/connector clip 10 are shown. The clip 10 includes a head 12 having a thumbscrew protrusion 14, and a body 16 with spaced apart threads 18. The clip 10 is of various widths and lengths to accommodate, most preferably, different width and depth of holes 20 in peg board 22. Most preferably, the clip 10 is sized to accommodate ¼ inch peg board. Of course, variations of size, orientation, and application of the clips 10 are within the scope of the present invention. In particular, the clips 10 are not necessarily limited to use with peg board.

As seen best in FIGS. 1 and 6, a conventional peg board 22 is shown which is used to display advertising and promotional material such as the poster 24 shown in FIG. 1. Prior art clips, such as canoe clips 26 or Christmas tree clips 28, as described in the Background are shown securing two corners of the poster 24. As described, the prior art clips 26, 28 are generally effective at securing display materials to peg board, however, they do not include any means for removal that does not result in damage to the clip or the underlying peg board. In particular, the clips 26, 28 can be removed using with a flathead screw diver or similar pry type device, but as stated this usually results in damage.

FIG. 2 shows the peg board 22 with the clips 10 of the present invention in place securing two of the corners of the poster 24. The clips are easily threaded into the holes 20 of the peg board 22 using the thumbscrew 14 of the head 12 of the clips 10. Similarly, the clips 10 can be easily removed in a non-destructive manner, and reused as many times as desired.

FIG. 3 shows the clips 10 used to secure a Plexiglas bracket 30 to the peg board 22. The bracket 30 is of a type commonly used in the retail display environment to affix products and further display items to the peg board 22. As can be seen, the clips 10 are easily adapted to releasable securement in this application as well.

FIG. 4 shows in a side by side manner a side view of the clips 10, 26, 28. The widely spaced apart threads 18 are clearly visible in contrast to the teeth of the Christmas tree clip 28 and the compressible gap design of the canoe clip 26. The advantage being that the clips 10 releasably securely engage the peg board 22 with the threads 18 and are easily withdrawn. Shown also is the thumbscrew 14 of the head 12, which provides an easily accessible surface to grasp when inserting or removing the clips 10 from the peg board 22.

FIG. 5 shows in side-by-side manner the tops of the clips 10, 26, 28. Only the clips 10 are adapted for removal and reuse. The prior art clips 26, 28 have planer top surfaces that do not allow for easy grasp and removal, and must be destructively pried out of the peg board 22

In the foregoing manner the clips 10 substantially overcome the problems of the prior art by providing a clip 10 that is designed for releasable but yet secure attachment of display items to peg board surfaces 22. The clips, therefore, are subject to reuse which saves time, money, effort, and addresses environmental issues associated with the waste of prior art clips.

FIG. 6 shows the clip 10 having ribs 11 in the thumbscrew protrusion 14 of the head 12. The ribs 11 enhance the ability to grip the protrusion 14 of the head 12 of the clip 10 during insertion and removal of the clip 10 from the holes 20 in the peg board 22.

FIG. 7 shows a first alternative clip 32 of the present invention. The clip 32 is comprised of a pin 34 and body 36. The pin 34 has opposing extending shoulders 38, which fit within the keyed slot 40 of the body 36. The body 36 includes a plurality of teeth 42, or threads, which will assist in retaining the clip 32 when deployed.

After inserting the pin 34 in the keyed slot 40 of the body 36, the shoulders 38 fit into flanges 44 located in the body 36. Next, a screwdriver or “quarter” can be used to turn the pin 34 such that the shoulders 38 no longer rest in the flanges 44 of the body 36, but apply outward pressure to the body 36 that will further assist in retaining the clips 32. This comprises the deployed position, wherein the teeth 42 are pressed against the retaining surface, or form a lock on the backside of the retaining surface, such that the clip 32 cannot be easily removed. Reversing the process will allow the shoulders 38 to return to the non-deployed position and the clip 32 can be easily removed and reused without damage to the retaining surface.

Similarly, FIG. 8 shows three further alternative embodiments. In one embodiment, clips 44 include a head 48 with a handle 50, and have a V-shaped open body 52. Upon insertion, the V-shaped body 52 is compressed which create retention tension, along with grooves 54. The handle 50 is shaped to receive the end of a standard screw driver to remove the clip 44. In this manner, the clip 44 is releaseably engageable with a display mounting surface such as peg board.

In yet another embodiment, a clip 54 is shown having a hinged head 56, along with a body 58 having teeth 60. The hinged head 56 folds down upon insertion, and can be hinged upward to provide a grasping handle for removal of the clip 54. In this manner, the clip 44 is also releaseably engageable with a display mounting surface such as peg board.

In a still further embodiment, a clip 62 includes a head 64 and body 66 comprised of two scissor portions 68. The scissor portions 68 have a central pivot point and retaining grooves 70. After the clip 62 is inserted the head 64 can be toggled to deploy the grooves 70 into or behind the display mounting surface in order to provide for releasable retention. The clip 62 can be removed by toggling the head 64 back into the position where the scissor portions 68 are aligned. In this manner, the clip 64 is also releaseably engageable with a display mounting surface such as peg board.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art that have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A fastener clip for use in securing materials such as displays, poster, or brackets to receiving medium such as peg board, said clip comprising:

a head; and

a body connected to said head.

2. The clip of claim 1 wherein said body further comprises widely spaced apart threads.

3. The clip of claim 1 wherein said head further comprises a thumbscrew protrusion.

4. The clip of claim 1 wherein the clip is adapted for releasable securement to holes in the receiving medium.

5. The clip of claim 4 wherein the clip is adapted for releasable securement of display materials to the receiving medium.

6. The clip of claim 4 wherein the clip is adapted for releasable securement of brackets to the receiving medium.

7. The clip of claim 4 wherein the receiving medium is peg board.

8. The clip of claim 3 wherein said thumbscrew protrusion comprises ribs.

9. A fastener clip for use in securing materials such as displays, poster, or brackets to receiving medium such as peg board, said clip comprising:

a head;

a pin secured to said head; and

a body having for receiving said pin.

10. The clip of claim 9 wherein said pin further comprises at least one shoulder adapted for releasable securement within said body.

11. The clip of claim 10 wherein said pin has at least two opposing shoulders adapted for releasable securement within said body in a deployed position.

12. The clip of claim 11 wherein said body further comprises a slot.

13. The clip of claim 12 wherein said slot receives said shoulders for releasable securement within said body, upon turning said pin.

14. The clip of claim 9 wherein said body has a plurality of teeth adapted for releasable securement to holes in the receiving medium.

15. The clip of claim 1 wherein said body has an open V-shape to create retention pressure upon insertion into the receiving medium.

16. The clip of claim 1 wherein said head is hinged to move between an insertion and retention position.

17. The clip of claim 16 wherein said head and said body have teeth for retention in the receiving medium.

18. The clip of claim 1 wherein said head folds between a flat position and a upright position.