Patent Application
20090276988
The present invention relates to a clip device that connects adjacent panels of sheet material together.
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.
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.
Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.
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
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 (
Referring specifically to
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
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.
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.
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.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61051419 | May 2008 | US |
