The present disclosure generally relates to clips and fasteners for maintaining decorations, such as holiday lights, on gutters, shingles, or other structures. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to clips and fasteners capable of being mated to a bulb or other decoration.
The present disclosure generally relates to attaching linear systems, decorative holiday lighting displays, ornamental light strings, misting systems, or the like to surfaces, such as gutters and other structural surfaces. Embodiments disclosed herein may be used for attaching strands of lights and the like on the exterior of homes, buildings or other structures using an enclosed gutter clip. Depending on the particular clip design, a bulb may be positioned at different angles with respect to a roofline, gutter or other support surface. Gutter clips are typically designed to accommodate a bulb of a particular size and shape (e.g., C7, C9, mini bulbs, and/or other bulb sizes).
To assist in understanding the disclosure, and to show how embodiments of the present application may be implemented, there will now be described by way of example specific embodiments, apparatuses, systems, and methods with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
It has become increasingly popular to decorate the outside of buildings, homes and other structures with lights. These lights are generally arranged as a string of lights along a powered cord. Each individual light may be attached to a clip according to the present disclosure, which itself is adapted to mount to a gutter, shingle, or other structure. The clips of the present application may be designed to maintain a bulb at a particular angle and/or orientation, so as to provide a pleasing appearance. Lights are typically installed at a height that requires a ladder or lift. Installing the lights onto the gutters is very time consuming because the installer must move a ladder or lift as they install the lights across a building or structure.
A bulb is inserted thru the front of our enclosed gutter clip and screwed into the power socket from behind. It is then attached to the gutter without the use of staples, nails or any other type of fastener on the exteriors of homes, buildings or other structures while permitting bulbs to be angularly oriented with respect to the roofline at predetermined intervals at selected annular positions.
The enclosed gutter clip allows quick and efficient removal of the lights and clips simultaneously without causing any damage to the gutter line, roofline, structure or lights. By using an enclosed gutter clip you are able to remove the light strand in most instances without the use of a ladder or lift avoiding leaving behind broken gutter clips in the gutters themselves, on the roofline or on the ground.
The invention consists of certain novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.
In an aspect of the present application, a clip includes an elongated body, a strut, a cantilever, a substantially circular bulb holder, and a neck. The elongated body has a first end and a second end. The strut has a first end and a second end, with the first end of the strut being rigidly connected to the second end of the elongated body. The first end of the strut and the second end of the strut collectively define a strut axis. The cantilever has a first end and a second end, with the first end of the cantilever being rigidly connected to the second end of the strut. The substantially circular bulb holder rigidly connects to and extends from the first end of the cantilever in a direction substantially opposite the second end of the cantilever. The bulb holder includes a hole configured to receive at least a portion of a bulb. The hole has a central axis extending therethrough that is substantially parallel to the strut axis. The neck is situated between and rigidly connects the cantilever and the bulb holder. The second end of the cantilever is resiliently capable of being pulled away from the elongated body to accommodate the positioning of a structure between elongated body and the cantilever. The clip is may be made from a substantially resilient material having a memory that causes the second end of the cantilever to return toward a relaxed position when not subject to an external force. When the structure is situated between the elongated body and the cantilever, the memory causes the second end of the cantilever to return toward the relaxed position, such that the cantilever and the elongated body exert pressure on the structure, to thereby maintain the position of the clip about the structure.
Decorative lighting clips, such as gutter or shingle clips, are often sold as aftermarket products separately from strands of lights. An installer may then mate the clips with the strand at desired intervals, and then attach the clips to a gutter, shingle, or other structure. The process of joining clips to a light strand can be tedious and time-consuming. For instance, joining existing clips to strands with larger bulbs, such as C7 or C9 bulbs, typically involves removing each bulb from its socket, positioning the clip in between the socket and the bulb, and screwing the bulb into place. Depending on the number of decorative lights being installed, this process can take a substantial amount of time. Moreover, for installers that provide home decoration services, the typical clip installation process may limit the number of homes that can be decorated over some period of time.
The present disclosure includes the realization that some decorative lighting bulbs (e.g., C7 and C9 bulbs, among other types of bulbs) have an asymmetric ellipsoidal shape (e.g., an ovoid or egg-like shape). Moving from the “front” end of such bulbs toward the “rear” end (the end having a metallic screw threading that engages with a socket), the diameter of the bulbs gradually increases until a maximum diameter portion is reached. Then, from the maximum-diameter portion to the rear end of the bulb, the diameter decreases more drastically, leading to an asymmetric shape. Embodiments of the present disclosure leverage this bulb asymmetry in order to provide a clip capable of widening to accommodate passage of a bulb in one direction (e.g., pushing the front end of the bulb through the rear of the clip), but resists passage of the bulb in the reverse direction (e.g., pulling the back end of the bulb through the front of the clip). As a result, clips of the present application may be installed with relative ease by pushing the clips over the front of the bulbs, without having to unscrew the bulbs from their sockets. In addition, due in part to the asymmetric shape of the bulbs, the clips may be difficult to pull off the bulbs once installed, enabling more efficient removal of lighting strands from their attached structure (e.g., by pulling the entire strand, rather than carefully removing each clip individually).
An example clip of the present disclosure includes a substantially circular bulb holder, which has a resting diameter that is smaller than the maximum diameter of a bulb. The clip may be made of any type of suitable plastic that is substantially rigid, but able to flex or deform to a limited degree. The clip includes a slot extending from the bulb holder, which enables the bulb holder to expand, such that its diameter can increase beyond its resting diameter. The clip, when pressed against a bulb having a maximum diameter that is larger than the resting diameter of the bulb holder, may expand or otherwise deform as the bulb passes through the bulb holder. The slot may extend along portions of the clip, such that a substantial portion of the clip is capable of flexing outwardly.
In addition to the example described above, other designs or structures may be used to impart a similar functionality onto the clips. For example, a bulb holder may include one or more cutouts that similarly enables the bulb holder to flex or otherwise accommodate passage of an object therethrough that is larger than its resting diameter. Additionally, the size and shape of the slot may vary, depending on the particular material used to construct the clip, a desired amount of flexibility, and/or other factors. Regardless of the particular implementation, one of ordinary skill would appreciate that various aspects of the clips described herein may be modified to suit a variety of purposes, while still providing a clip that is capable of being installed without the need to unscrew bulbs from their sockets.
In a first aspect of the present application, a clip includes an elongated body, a strut, a cantilever, a substantially circular bulb holder, and a slot. The elongated body has a first end and a second end. The strut has a first end and a second end. The first end of the strut is rigidly connected to the second end of the elongated body. The cantilever has a first end and a second end. The first end of the cantilever is rigidly connected to the second end of the strut. The substantially circular bulb holder is rigidly connected to and extends from the first end of the cantilever in a direction substantially opposite the second end of the cantilever. The bulb holder includes a hole having a first diameter that is configured to receive at least a portion of a bulb. The slot extends from the hole of the bulb holder and toward the second end of the cantilever. The slot and the hole of the bulb holder form a continuous space to enable the hole to temporarily deform and permit passage of the at least a portion of a bulb, with the bulb having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter of the hole. The second end of the cantilever is resiliently capable of being pulled away from the elongated body to accommodate the positioning of a structure between the elongated body and the cantilever. The clip is made from a substantially resilient material having a memory that causes the second end of the cantilever to return toward a relaxed position when not subject to an external force. When the structure is situated between the elongated body and the cantilever, the memory causes the second end of the cantilever to return toward the relaxed position, such that the cantilever and the elongated body exert pressure on the structure, to thereby maintain the position of the clip about the structure.
In a second aspect of the present application, a clip includes a gripping section, a substantially circular bulb holder, and a cutout. The gripping section includes at least a body and a cantilever rigidly coupled to the body, with the cantilever being resiliently capable of being pulled away from the elongated body to accommodate the positioning of a structure between the body and the cantilever. The gripping section is made from a substantially resilient material having a memory that causes the cantilever to return toward a relaxed position when not subject to a force. The substantially circular bulb holder is rigidly connected to and extends from the gripping portion. The bulb holder includes a hole having a first diameter and is adapted to receive at least a portion of a bulb. The cutout extends from the hole and through at least a portion of the gripping section, and enables the hole to expand and permit passage of a bulb having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter.
In a third aspect of the present application, a clip for mounting decorative light bulbs includes a first gripping section, a second gripping section, and a bulb holder. The first gripping section includes a first body section and a second cantilever section. The second gripping section includes a second body section and a second cantilever section. The bulb holder is coupled to the first gripping section and the second gripping section, and includes a hole having a resting diameter. The clip is formed from a substantially resilient material capable of temporary deformation. The first gripping section and the second gripping section are adapted to expand away from each other to, in turn, cause the hole of the bulb holder to expand, such that the bulb holder is adapted to permit passage of an object therethrough having a diameter that is larger than the resting diameter of the hole of the bulb holder.
The foregoing is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments and features will become apparent by reference to the drawing figures, the following detailed description, and the claims.
There will now be described, by way of example, several embodiments of the present application as contemplated by the inventor. In the following description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that the embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. The specific embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to limit the scope of the present application.
The present invention shown in
The clip 1 is designed so that the protrusion 4 and cantilever 8 provide pressure on opposite sides of the gutter with the weight of the clip resting on top of the gutter edge on bracket 5. The body 2 below protrusion 4 provides extra pressure and stability for the clip 1. The bulb will be inserted through hole 11 on the front part of the outer flange 10 and screwed into the light socket that will be on the back side of the clip and within the socket guide ridge 12 (see
Hole 3 and opening 15 are unessential to the performance or functionality of the invention and are solely used for efficiency in the production of the clip. Opening 15 is to thin out cantilever 8 for the purpose of using less plastic and also to prevent clotting of the plastic as it flows through the dye tool. Strut 7 is indented on the bottom side of bracket 5 to reduce plastic and also to prevent clotting as the plastic flows through the dye tool. Hole 3 reduces plastic needed to create the clip and also allows the dye tool to move through hole 3 to create cantilever 8 with ease.
In order to place the clip 1 on the gutter, eaves or other structure, position the clip below the structure and push upward causing the ends to flex apart. Another way of attaching the clip 1 is to tilt the clip shown in
One advantage of the present clip is that the clip 1 can flex to some extent to accommodate the gutter, eaves or structure. The present preferred clip has a standard distance 14 (see
The present clip is designed primarily for use on the eaves, gutters or shingles of a house; but, its use is not so limited.
Although I have described and illustrated certain present preferred embodiments of my clip it should be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be variously embodied within the scope of the following claims.
Cables, wires, strands and alternate objects could rest on
The bulb holder section includes the outer flange 10 and a hole 11 which can vary in size based on the size of the bulb.
Referring to
In some implementations, such as the embodiment depicted in
In some embodiments, the cantilever 8 includes a lobe 9 extending toward the body 2. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the body 2 may include one or more protrusions 4 extending toward the cantilever 8. The lobe 9 and/or the one or more protrusions 4 may increase the effective gripping force between the cantilever 8 and the body 2 when positioned about a structure. The shapes and sizes of the lobe 9 and the one or more protrusions 4 may vary, depending on a desired amount of gripping force, the particular structure about which the clip 1 is designed to attach, and/or various other factors.
The clip 1 also includes a substantially circular bulb holder, which is formed from an outer flange 10, a socket guide ridge 12, and a hole 11 having a resting diameter 19. The bulb holder is adapted to receive a bulb (e.g., a C7 or C9 bulb) oriented with its major axis (e.g., the axis extending from the front tip of the bulb through the electrical contacts at the rear end of the bulb) extending through the hole 11.
The clip 1 may further include neck 16. The neck 16 may be a portion of material that extends between the outer flange 10 and the socket guide ridge 12 of the bulb holder and the cantilever 8 and/or the strut 7. In addition, the clip 1 may include one more triangularly-shaped gussets or reinforcement structures at various locations along the clip (e.g., between the strut 7 and the neck sections 8, and/or between the strut sections 7 and the body 2), which may strengthen particular aspects of the clip 1.
Some optional aspects of the clip 1 are shown in
In some implementations, such as the embodiment depicted in
In some embodiments, the cantilever 108 includes a lobe 109 extending toward the body 102. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the body 102 may include one or more protrusions 104 extending toward the cantilever 108. The lobe 109 and/or the one or more protrusions 104 may increase the effective gripping force between the cantilever 108 and the body 102 when positioned about a structure. The shapes and sizes of the lobe 109 and the one or more protrusions 104 may vary, depending on a desired amount of gripping force, the particular structure about which the clip 101 is designed to attach, and/or various other factors.
The clip 101 also includes a substantially circular bulb holder, which is formed from an outer flange 110, a socket guide ridge 112, and a hole 111 having a resting diameter 119. The bulb holder is adapted to receive a bulb (e.g., a C7 or C9 bulb) oriented with its major axis (e.g., the axis extending from the front tip of the bulb through the electrical contacts at the rear end of the bulb) extending through the hole 111.
The clip 101 further includes a slot 117 extending from the hole 111 and through portions of the cantilever 108, strut, and body 102. For example, a portion 117a of the slot 117 may extend through at least some of the length of the cantilever 108. In addition, a portion 117b of the slot 117 may extend across some or all of the strut, dividing the strut into strut sections 107a and 107b. Furthermore, a portion 103 of the slot 117 may effectively extend through a portion of the body 102, forming body sections 102a and 102b.
The slot 117 (including portion 117a, portion 117b, and/or portion 103), which may bisect a portion of the clip 101, enables the hole 111 to expand beyond its resting diameter 119. Example illustrations of this expansion process is shown and described in more detail with respect to
Although the slot 117 is shown in
The embodiments according to the present disclosure may be described as including a bisected “gripping structure” that is separated into two gripping structure sections. For instance, the “left” side of the clip 101 may include the left side of the cantilever 108, the strut section 107a, and the body section 102a. Likewise, the “right” side of the clip 101 may include a right side of the cantilever 108, the strut section 107b, and the body section 102b. The opposing “left” and “right” gripping structure sections may be rigidly coupled to each other at one or more locations of the clip 101, such as near the bottom of the body 102 and/or near the tip of the cantilever 108. The left and right gripping structure sections may be pulled apart from each other to some degree, which in turn causes the hole 111 of the bulb holder to expand in diameter.
The clip 101 may further include a neck formed from neck sections 116a and 116b, which are separated by slot 117. The neck may be a portion of material that extends between the outer flange 110 and the socket guide ridge 112 of the bulb holder and the cantilever 108 and/or the strut sections 107a and 107b. In addition, the clip 101 may include one more triangularly-shaped gussets or reinforcement structures at various locations along the clip (e.g., between the strut sections 107a and 107b and the neck sections 116a and 116b, respectively, and/or between the strut sections 107a and 107b and the body portions 102a and 102b, respectively), which may strengthen particular aspects of the clip 101.
Some optional aspects of the clip 101 are shown in
In
Between
After the maximum diameter 21 portion of the bulb 20 has passed through the bulb holder, the diameter of the bulb 20 more rapidly decreases (due to the asymmetric ovoid shape of the bulb), allowing the clip 101 to return to its resting position, as shown in
Referring now to
Although
As described herein, a “slot” or “cutout” may generally refer to a feature, combination of features, or space that extends along one or more elements of a clip and enables the bulb holder to expand beyond its resting diameter. Neither term is intended to limit the shape or size of the feature, combination of features, or spaces.
The clips according to the present disclosure may be formed from a synthetic resin, and may be integrally formed as a one-piece construction. The clips may be made from a resin which may be an acrylic, a polycarbonate, a nylon, a polyethylene or polypropylene or mixtures thereof. The resin material used to construct the clips of the present disclosure may be able to withstand cold temperatures to reduce the chance that the clips breaks.
Regardless of the specific material used to construct the clips of the present disclosure, the material may be “resilient,” flexible, or exhibit elastic qualities. As described herein, a “resilient material” may refer to a material that is able to be deformed, at least to some extent, when subjected to a force, and returns to an original form factor when not subjected to an external force. A structure formed from a resilient material may have a “memory” of its resting or relaxed state, in that the structure may resist deformation, bending, or stretching with a tendency to return to its relaxed state. In addition, aspects of a clip described as “rigidly coupled” herein may refer to a rigid connection between structural elements formed from a resilient material, such that the rigid connection permits some amount of flexibility and/or deformation.
Although certain example methods and apparatus have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatuses, and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents. Accordingly, this patent specification is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention.
It should be understood that arrangements described herein are for purposes of example only. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other arrangements and other elements (e.g. machines, interfaces, operations, orders, and groupings of operations, etc.) can be used instead, and that some elements may be omitted altogether, according to the desired results. Further, many of the elements that are described are functional entities that may be implemented as discrete or distributed components or in conjunction with other components, in any suitable combination and location, or as other structural elements described as independent structures may be combined.
While various aspects and implementations have been disclosed herein, other aspects and implementations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and implementations disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope being indicated by the following claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only, and is not intended to be limiting.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/834,394, filed Jun. 7, 2022 and issued on Feb. 27, 2024 as U.S. Pat. No. 11,913,626, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/928,247, filed Jul. 14, 2020 and issued on Jun. 7, 2022 as U.S. Pat. No. 11,353,199, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/655,074, filed Oct. 16, 2019 and issued on Jul. 14, 2020 as U.S. Pat. No. 10,711,985, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/404,640, filed May 6, 2019 and issued on Feb. 11, 2020 as U.S. Pat. No. 10,557,620, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/067,119, which was filed on Mar. 10, 2016 and issued on May 7, 2019 as U.S. Pat. No. 10,281,084, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/131,305, filed Mar. 11, 2015, the entireties of which are each incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62131305 | Mar 2015 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 17834394 | Jun 2022 | US |
Child | 18588335 | US | |
Parent | 16928247 | Jul 2020 | US |
Child | 17834394 | US | |
Parent | 16655074 | Oct 2019 | US |
Child | 16928247 | US | |
Parent | 16404640 | May 2019 | US |
Child | 16655074 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15067119 | Mar 2016 | US |
Child | 16404640 | US |