Retaining Clip

Abstract

A frame assembly for the display of holiday or seasonal decorations such as greeting cards, decorative lights, craft work, art objects and the like. The frame assembly includes a frame having a channel defined in a front surface of the frame along a margin thereof and a plurality of clips for securely retaining decorative items to the frame. The clip has a clip arm for securing the decorative items. The clip is attached to the frame by cooperative engagement of a finger and a latch arm extending from the clip, wherein the finger engages the frame channel and the latch arm engages a back surface of the frame.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to frames for the display of holiday or seasonal decorations such as greeting cards, decorative lights, craft work, art objects and the like. The present invention also relates to clips for securing the decorative items to a frame. More particularly, the invention relates to a clip that can be securely attached to a frame having a channel extending along the margins of a front surface of the frame.

2. Prior Art

Prior art seasonal display assemblies are known in which a plurality of specifically manufactured frame members are assembled to form a frame for the display of seasonal items. Frames for the display of stranded lights will typically have a plurality of bores or apertures to receive the bulbs, or bulb sockets of a stranded light set, and maintain the lights in a desired display configuration. The apertures of such display assemblies are limited in that they are defined at specific points in the display frame members and allow for a limited number of points for placing the bulbs along the frame. The apertures of such frames are also limited in that they do not permit the frame to secure other seasonal items, such as cards, garlands or items other than those that will fit within the apertures.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A decorative display assembly for securely holding decorative items for display such as holiday and seasonal decorations, including greeting cards, decorative lights, craft work, art objects and the like. The decorative display assembly includes a frame and a plurality of clips attached to the frame for securing the decorative item to the frame. Another aspect of the invention is that the clips are adapted to securely attach to the frame, and in particular a frame having a channel or groove defined in the margin of the frame, such as a screen window frame. According to this aspect of the invention, the clip has a finger and a latch arm extending from a back surface of the clip for cooperative engagement with the frame to secure the clip thereto. The finger engages with the channel in the frame and the latch arm has a latching tab for engagement with a back surface of the frame. In certain embodiments of the invention, the clip engages with an adjacent wall of the frame channel, while in other embodiments of the invention, the finger engages both walls of the channel, and in a preferred embodiment the finger engages the channel with an interference fit.

According to other aspects of the invention, a decorative frame assembly can be manufactured to a selection of standard sizes for retail sales, while in other aspects of the invention, the frame assembly can be custom ordered to a desired dimension. Because the frame members can be obtained from readily available sources, special tooling to manufacture the frame components for a seasonal display can be avoided. The display frame be readily assembled to support the display of items, while having the ability to be disassembled for storage when there is no need to display seasonal items.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL DRAWINGS

The invention will be further understood with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a cross sectional view of a frame member.

FIG. 2 depicts a cross sectional view of a clip according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a cross sectional view of the clip of FIG. 2 attached to the frame member of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 depicts a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a clip attached to a frame member.

FIG. 5 depicts a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a clip having a latch arm at a distal end of the clip.

FIG. 6 depicts a cross sectional view of the clip of FIG. 5 attached to a frame member.

FIG. 7 depicts a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a clip attached to a frame member.

FIG. 8 is a frontal view of a decorative display assembly with a rectangular frame.

FIG. 9 depicts a round decorative display assembly with an item of decoration.

FIG. 10 depicts a frontal view of a corner section for assembling frame members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the display of items 50 such as holiday and seasonal decorations, including greeting cards, decorative lights, craft work, art objects and the like. The decorative display assembly 5 of invention includes a frame member 10 and a plurality of clips 20 adapted to be securely attached to the frame 10 for retaining and securely holding items to the frame 10. The decorative display assembly 5 with the decorative items can be positioned in a window of a residence, office building or be placed at any other location to display the decorations. The clip 20 of the present invention is adapted to be secured to a frame 10, and is particularly suited for attachment to a standard screen window frame 10. The clip 20 can be formed from plastics, metals, composites or any suitable material. According to a method of the present invention, the decorative display assembly 5 may be custom ordered to fit any desired dimension, such as a doorway or window opening.

A typical screen window frame member 10 is depicted in cross section in FIG. 1, in which the frame member 10 has a front surface 11, a back surface 12 and at least one side surface 13. It will be understood that the designations of front and back are relative designations based on the orientation of the frame member 10. Such frames are generally constructed of extruded aluminum, plastics, wood, composites or other suitable materials. The decorative display assembly 5 may be formed to virtually any desired shape such as a rectangle, as seen in reference to FIG. 4, or the round display assembly 5 depicted in FIG. 5. Frame member 10 has a channel 14 defined in the front surface 11 of the frame along the margins of the frame. In a typical screen window frame member, the channel 14 is usually utilized to receive a bead of resilient material to secure and retain a porous screen material in the window frame. The frame member 10 may be generally rectangular in cross section but may also include a ledge 15 defined around the inner margins of the back surface 12, or similar functional and decorative aspects, such as rounded or contoured side surfaces 13, and the like. Similarly, the frame 10 may also include a flange 16 extending from the outer margins of the frame 10 for added structural strength or for engagement of the frame with a mount installed in the window opening.

The frame 10 may be manufactured according to any known manufacturing method, however, because the frame 10 is intended for the display of seasonal items 50, it is desirable that the frame 10 be capable of being disassembled for storage purposes at the conclusion of the season. Accordingly, as seen in reference to FIG. 8, a plurality of elongate members 30 can be assembled with a joining piece 40 to form a frame 10 and be capable of easy disassembly for storage. The elongate members 30 can be cut to standard lengths and sold with the joining piece 40 and clips 20 for retail sales as a frame kit. Alternatively, a homeowner could have a frame 10 custom fit for a desired window opening such that the elongate members 30 can be cut to custom order.

Joining piece 40 comprises a base plate 41 and a pair of legs 42 that extend outwardly from the base plate 41, preferably in a planar relation to one another. In the embodiment shown, legs 42 are disposed at right angles, however, legs 42 may be disposed at any desired angle corresponding to the final shape of the frame 10, such as a triangle, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, and the like. Moreover, additional legs 42 can be included to form frames 10 with a more complex design. The legs 42 are inserted into the internal cavity 19 of the extruded elongate members 30. Preferably legs 42 are dimensioned to engage the walls of the internal cavity 19 with an interference fit sufficient to maintain the frame 10 in an assembled condition while permitting removal of the joining piece 40 from the elongate members 30 during disassembly. This can be facilitated by providing a lobe 43 at the ends and base portions of the legs 42 so as to reduce the frictional contact area between the legs 42 and the internal cavity 19.

As may be seen in reference to FIGS. 2-4, wherein like elements are indicated by the same reference numbers, the clip 20 of the present invention has a proximal end 21 and a distal end 22 and includes a base element 23 that has a first surface 24 that faces outwardly from the frame 10 when the clip 20 is attached thereto, and a second surface 25 that will abut with and face the front surface 11 of the frame when the clip 20 is attached to the frame 10. The clip 20 further includes a flexible clip arm 26 that extends from a proximal end 21 of the base 23, which could within the scope of the invention, easily be reversed in its orientation. While the clip arm 26 can have any shape suitable for securely holding item 50, preferably, the clip arm 26 will have a curved portion 27 that extends at first outwardly from and then inwardly towards the base 23, terminating at a constriction 28 between the clip arm 26 and the base element 23. The width of the constriction 28 is based on the thickness of the intended item of display. To facilitate the insertion of item 50 into the clip 20, the clip arm 26 will preferably have an outwardly turned end portion 29 to define an opening that is substantially wider than the constriction 28 such that the outwardly turned portion will guide the article towards and into constriction 28, where the flexibility of the clip arm 26 will permit the item to be secured by the clip 20. Item 50 secured by the clip 20, such as a wire for a stranded light set, may be completely received within the area between the constriction 28 and the proximal end of the clip 21 and retained therein by the flexure of the clip arm 26 towards the base element 23. Alternatively, item 50, such as a card, may be impinged against the base element 23 by resilient flexure of the clip arm 28 against the item.

The clip 20 of the present invention is adapted to be securely and easily attached to the frame 10 without the need for tools or adhesives and the like. It is also readily adaptable to a range of existing window screen frame structures. The attachment elements of the clip 20 include a finger 31 that extends from the second surface 25 of the base element 23 intermediate the proximate end 21 and the distal end 22 and a latch arm 32 that extends outwardly from the second surface 25 and has a length corresponding to the thickness of the frame 10. Latch arm 32 should be sufficiently resilient to permit the latch arm 32 to flex in order to facilitate attachment of the clip 20 to frame 10. A latch tab 33 extends outwardly from the latch arm 32 towards the finger 31. The latch tab 10 engages with the back surface 12 of the frame 10 while the second surface 25 of the base element 23 is in abutment with the front surface 11 of the frame 10. It is also preferable that an inner surface 34 of the latch arm 32 be in abutment with a side surface 13 of the frame 10.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the back surface 12 of the frame is essentially flat and the latch tab 33 engages the back surface 12. Alternatively, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the back surface 12 further includes a ledge 15. In this instance, the latch tab 33 engages the back surface 12 at the ledge 15. In practical application, latch tab 33 can engage with any rearwardly facing surface relative to a surface 11 in abutment with the second surface 23 of the mounting clip 20. As shown by a comparison between FIGS. 3 and 4 latch arm 32 extends from the proximate end of the base element 23. It is preferable that the finger 31 is received within groove 14 such that it is at least in abutment with a proximate wall 17 of the channel 14, where the proximate wall 17 is located on the side of the channel 14 that closest to the latch arm 32. More preferably, finger 31 will be in abutment with the proximate wall 17 and a distal wall 18 of the channel 14. For the best results in securing the clip 20 to the frame, finger 31 has an interference fit within channel 14. According to a preferred embodiment, a slot 35 is defined between the inner surface 34 of the latch arm 32 and will have a width corresponding to the width between the side surface 13 of the frame 10 and the proximate wall 17 of the channel 14. The clip 20 may be installed at any desired position on the frame 10, and may be adjusted along the length of the frame by sliding the clip 20 laterally along the channel 14.

As may be seen in an alternative embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the clip 120 of the present invention has a proximate end 121 and a distal end 122 and includes a base element 123 that has a first surface 124 that faces outwardly from the frame 10 when the clip 120 is attached thereto and a second surface 125 that will abut with and face the front surface 11 of the frame when the clip 120 is attached to the frame 10. The clip 20 further includes a flexible clip arm 126 that extends from the proximate end 121 of the base 123. While the clip arm 126 can have any shape suitable for securely holding item 50, preferably, the clip arm 126 will have a curved portion 127 that extends at first outwardly from and then inwardly towards the base 123, terminating at a constriction 128 between the clip arm 126 and the base element 123. As with the earlier embodiment, the width of the constriction 128 can be chosen based on the thickness of the intended item of display.

In this embodiment, the attachment elements of the clip 120 include a finger 131 that extends from the second surface 125 of the base element 123 intermediate the proximate end 121 and the distal end 122 and a latch arm 132 that extends outwardly from the second surface 125, this time at the distal end 122. Latch arm 132 also has a length corresponding to the thickness of the frame 10. A latch tab 133 extends from the latch arm 132 towards the finger 131 for engagement with the back surface 12 of the frame 10 while the second surface 125 of the base element 123 is in abutment with the front surface 11 of the frame 10. As in the previous embodiment, an inner surface 134 of the latch arm 132 should preferably be in abutment with a side surface 13 of the frame 10. Latch arm 132 may further include a release tab 136 to assist with removing the clip 120 from the frame 10.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the back surface 12 of the frame is essentially flat and the latch tab 133 engages the back surface 12. The back surface 12 may of course include a ledge, in which instance, the latch tab 133 would engage the back surface 12 at the ledge. As shown FIGS. 5 and 6, that latch arm 132 may extends from the distal end of the base element 123. As with the previous embodiment, it is preferable that the finger 131 is received within groove 14 such that it is at least in abutment with a proximate wall 17 of the channel 14, which in this embodiment is the wall opposite that of the previous embodiment, but is still located on the side of the channel 14 that closest to the latch arm 32. More preferably, finger 131 will be in abutment with the proximate wall 17 and a distal wall 18 of the channel 14 and for the best results in securing the clip 120 to the frame, finger 131 will have an interference fit within channel 14. A slot 135 is defined between the inner surface 134 of the latch arm 132, latch tab 133, and finger 131 and will have a width corresponding to the width between the side surface 13 of the frame 10 and the proximate wall 17 of the channel 14. The clip 120 may be installed at any desired position on the frame 10, and may be adjusted along the length of the frame by sliding the clip 120 laterally in the channel 14.

As will be appreciated, a virtually unlimited range of display arrangements may be obtained by variations in the shape of the frame 10 and the number and placement of clips 20, 120 attached thereto, and the attachment of display items 50 thereto. As previously noted, a decorative display frame 10 in accordance with the present invention may be manufactured and sold as kit containing pre-cut elongate members 30, a plurality of joining sections 40, and a plurality of clips 20 adapted to be attached to the frame 10 for securing decorative item 50. In addition, a frame 10 in accordance with the present invention can be custom ordered to fit any desired window opening. A decorative display frame 10 as contemplated herein could be installed to replace a window screen in a home so that is securely installed to display seasonally appropriate item 50. Alternatively, the frame 10 could be attached to an existing window frame or structure by any suitable fasteners, such as pins, bolts, or screws, hooks, adhesives, or hook and pile fasteners.

The simplicity and adaptability of the clip 20, 120 to various frame 10 configurations and designs offer substantial cost savings. From a manufacturing standpoint, because the elongate members 30 can be readily obtained from available sources, such as manufacturers of screen windows, substantial savings can be realized in producing the display assemblies of the present invention. The costs of specific dies and molds for the seasonal display frame members can be eliminated and concerns over excess stock and inventory of a seasonal item can be avoided. Moreover, because the clip 20, 120 of the invention is readily adaptable to various window frame designs, the risks of being tied to a specific frame member design or supply source can be avoided.

It will be appreciated that other variations and modifications of the foregoing will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are intended to be encompassed by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A clip adapted to retain an item to a frame in a secure manner, said frame having a front surface, a back surface, a side surface, and a channel defined in said front surface along a margin of said frame, wherein said clip comprises:

a base element; a flexible clip arm extending from a first surface of said base element at a proximate end thereof and having an opening at a distal end thereof; a finger extending from a second surface of said base element intermediate said proximate end and said distal end wherein said finger is engageable in said channel; and a latch arm extending from said second surface having a latch tab engageable with a back surface of said frame.

2. The clip of claim 1, wherein said latch arm extends from a proximal end of said base.

3. The clip of claim 1, wherein said latch arm extends from a distal end of said base.

4. The clip of claim 1, wherein said latch arm further comprises a release tab, extending from a distal end of the latch arm.

5. The clip of claim 1, wherein said finger is engaged with a proximate wall of said channel when said latch tab is engaged with said back surface.

6. The clip of claim 5, wherein said finger is engaged with a distal wall of said channel.

7. The clip of claim 6, wherein said finger is engaged in said channel with an interference fit.

8. A decorative display frame assembly comprising: at least one frame member having a front surface, a back surface, and a channel defined along a margin of said front surface; and a plurality of clips adapted to securely attach to said elongate frame members by cooperative engagement of a finger with said channel and a latch arm with said back surface of said frame.

9. The decorative display frame of claim 8, wherein said finger is positioned intermediate a proximate end and a distal end of said base element.

10. The decorative display frame of claim 8, wherein said finger engages an proximate wall of said channel.

11. The decorative display frame of claim 10, wherein said finger engages a distal wall of said channel.

12. The decorative display frame of claim 11, wherein said finger engages said channel with an interference fit.

13. The decorative display frame of claim 8, wherein said latch arm extends from a proximal end of said base.

11. The decorative display frame of claim 8, wherein said latch arm extends from a distal end of said base.

12. The decorative display frame of claim 8, wherein said frame further comprises a joining piece for interconnecting a plurality of said frame members.

13. The decorative display frame of claim 12, wherein said joining piece comprises: a base plate and a plurality of legs extending from said base plate.

14. The decorative display frame of claim 13, wherein said legs are removably received in an internal cavity of said frame member.

15. The decorative display frame of claim 14, wherein said legs are received in said internal cavity with an interference fit.

16. A clip for attachment of display items to a frame member having a channel defined in a first surface thereof and a second surface facing in a direction opposite said first surface, said clip comprising: a base element, a finger extending from said base element and engageable in said channel; a latch arm extending from said base element and having a latch tab disposed near an end thereof for engagement with said second surface, and a flexible clip arm extending from said base element at an end of said clip and adapted to retain display items in a secure manner.

17. The clip of claim 16, wherein said finger is disposed at a point intermediate a proximate end and a distal end of said clip.

18. The clip of claim 16, wherein said latch arm is disposed at said proximate end of said clip.

19. The clip of claim 16, wherein said latch arm is disposed at said distal end of said clip.

20. The clip of claim 16, wherein an inner surface of said latch arm abuts a side surface of said frame member when said finger is engaged in said channel and said latch tab is engaged with said second surface.