Plastic connector for connecting parts and method therefor

Abstract

The present invention is a connecting structure including a post with a first end, middle portion, and a second end, a plurality of prongs flexibly connected to the first end, extending toward the second end in a V-shape.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to connectors and more specifically to connectors for moveable, wing-like appendages for novelty items and for methods of using them. Assembled objects such as birds having extending wings are difficult to ship because of the amount of room they take, in assembled form, in shipping cartons. Because so many objects are now manufactured abroad, it is desirable to have as compact shipping as possible. Therefore, it becomes desirable to be able to ship articles in an unassembled state yet still allow easy assembly of the article, for example a bird novelty with extending wings once delivered to the vendor.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally winged, push-through type connectors are well known in the art. They are used for applications from seating circuit boards to securing light fixtures to a ceiling. The prior art connectors are rigid and typically fasten nonmoveable objects together. In contradistinction, applicants' invention is intended to couple a moveable object in an unassembled state in secure assembled fashion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a connecting structure including a post with a first end, middle portion, and a second end, a plurality of prongs flexibly connected to the first end, extending toward the second end in a V-shape such that when inserted through a hole or bore of an object allows for easy assembly therewith in secure fashion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the connecting structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a novelty with an aperture utilizing the connecting structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a novelty utilizing the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the connecting structure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the independent claims.

A connecting structure according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 generally at 10. Connecting structure 10 typically includes a cylindrical post 12, which has a first end 14, a middle portion 16, and a second end 18. Furthermore, connecting structure 10 typically includes outwardly flared prongs 20 which are flexibly coupled to post 12 and which extend away from the first end 14 of post portion 12. Prongs 20 typically extend away from first end 14 toward second end 18 in an inverted (as shown) V-shaped manner. Typically, connecting structure 10 includes two or more prongs 20 that fit through an aperture to secure connecting structure 10 to the object having the aperture.

Post 12 is typically cylindrical, molded plastic 0.5-0.75 inches in length, and 0.05-0.1 inches in diameter. However, it will be appreciated that other materials, configurations and dimensions can be used, as desired.

Prongs 20 are typically integrally formed as a portion of post 12, but may be flexibly coupled in any other manner that allows prongs 20 to extend through an aperture and then expand to wider than the aperture to secure connecting structure 10 to the object with the aperture by reason of the abutment or collar stop 24 and the termini of prongs 20 as best seen in FIG. 2. Connecting structure 10 is typically made of molded plastic, but may be made from any other material that allows prongs 20 to flex.

FIG. 2 depicts connecting structure 10 including prongs 20, abutment or collar stop 24 being disposed in aperture 25 and held in place by reason of cooperative relationship of abutment or collar stop 24 and the termini 27 of prongs 20. In this instance the second end 18 of post 12 is inserted in secure relationship with connecting member portion 22 which is integrally connected to portion 32 of connecting member 21. Connecting member 21 is depicted as a coil spring with portions 22 and 32 being at right angles to one another.

Connecting member portion 22 typically encircles the second end 18 of post 12 extending toward middle portion 16, such that an object such as a wing connected to connecting member 21 may move with respect to post portion 12.

Connecting structure 10 has post 12 typically formed as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 which is then inserted into connecting member 21, with abutment or collar stop 24 forming a stop as previously described. The second end 18 of post 12 is configured to extend a small distance through connecting member portion 22 of connecting member 21. A hot rod or the like is then applied to the protruding termini of second end 18 to melt the end thereof to form barrier 25, such that connecting member portion 22 cannot be removed from end 18 of post 12. It will be appreciated that this securement may be accomplished in other ways, including molding post 12 in association with connecting member portion 22 of connecting member 21.

Abutment stop or collar 24 is typically configured to also delineate where connecting member portion 22 may extend to. Abutment stop or collar 24 is also configured to be adjacently positioned to an object having an aperture so that prongs 20 fit through the aperture as previously described. Abutment stop or collar 24 typically extends away from post 12 a distance greater than that of connecting member portion 22, but not as far as the termini 27 of prongs 20. Heat fusion stop 25 is typically formed to extend away from post 12 a distance that does not allow connecting member portion 22 to slide off of post 12, but may extend other distances.

In the embodiment depicted, connecting structure 10 is intended to couple generally “L”-shaped connecting member 21 having portions 22 and 32. Connecting member 21, in this embodiment, has connecting member portion 22 encircling second end 18 of post 12 extending toward middle portion 16, ending at abutment stop or collar 24. Connecting member 21 is typically an “L”-shaped coil spring, but may be configured otherwise. In this instance the “L” shape better simulates the movement of a bird's wing, but other configurations may be used. Connecting member 21 is typically 0.2-0.5 inches long, and 0.1-0.25 inches for each portion of the “L” shape, however other dimensions can be used as desired.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 it is desired to connect wings of a bird, for example, to the body after unassembled shipment. The connector 10 is shipped in secured relationship with the wing or appendage 40. The wing or appendage is then assembled to the body 44 by inserting the connector 10 with attached wing or appendage 40 to the body 44 as previously described. To achieve realistic form the connector 21 has portion 22 at right angles to portion 32 as the weight of the wing or appendage will cause drooping or bending of the spring connector 21. As shown in FIG. 2, body 44 typically includes apertures 25 and 46 and is configured to receive connecting structure 10 such that connecting structure 10 slides through apertures 25 and 46 and prongs 20 expand on the other side of body 44 to secure connecting structure 10 and wing or appendage 40 to body 44. Prongs 20 flex inward or toward post 12 to allow connecting structure 10 to pass through apertures 25 and 46. Prongs 20 then expand and return to the unflexed position to secure connecting structure 10 with the secured wing or appendage 40 to body 44. With this configuration, connecting structure 10 will connect to body 44 and to appendage 40, such that appendage 40 will be springly moveable with respect to post 12 and body 44 due to connecting member 21. Connecting member 21 here depicted as a coil spring in configuration may be configured to flex with relatively small forces acting upon it.

Body 44 is typically a bird, but other novelty designs may be used, as desired. Body 44 is typically 10.0-20.0 inches long by 4.0-10 inches wide, by 10.0-20.0 inches high. It will be appreciated that other dimensions and designs for body 44 may be used, as desired whether as planters or bird feeders.

Connecting member 21 may be configured with a spring constant such that wing or appendage 40 will move with relatively low forces acting upon it. Low forces may include a summer breeze or other small force, either natural or man-made. To disassociate wing or appendage 40 from body 44, prongs 20 are pressed together toward post 12 and connecting structure 10 may be removed from apertures 25 and 46.

Wing or appendage 40 typically has an enclosure 42 that is configured to connect to connecting member 21 via connecting member portion 32. Enclosure 42 is typically an enlarged portion of appendage 40 that is molded around connecting member portion 32 to connect to it, but other methods of coupling connecting member 21 and appendage 40 may be utilized. Appendage 40 may be in the shape of a wing, and is typically 5.0-15.0 inches in length and 2.0-8.0 inches wide.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a novelty depicting a bird and employing the connecting structure 10 of the present invention. Novelty 50 includes body 44 and appendage 40, and connecting structure 10 configured to connect body 44 to appendage 40. With this configuration, appendage 40 may move and simulate the wing movement of a bird, insect, or the like. Appendage 40 is typically shaped like a wing, but may be shaped like other appendages including arms or legs of a Halloween character, or the like. Body portion 44 may be configured to form a flowerpot, but also may be in the form of other novelties.

Both body 44 and appendage 40 are typically made of molded plastic, but may be made of other materials, including painted ceramic. Novelty 50 may be configured such that connecting structure 10 and appendage 40 may be disassociated from body 44 such that appendages 40 may be removed from body portion 44. This configuration allows all parts of novelty 50 to fit into a smaller package than when in the assembled form. Therefore, novelty 50 may then be packaged, shipped and stored in a smaller package, thus saving shipping costs and valuable shelf space in a retail store.

In an exemplary embodiment, body 44 is approximately 13.5 by 6.5 by 14.0 inches, appendage 40 is approximately 4.5 by 10.0 inches, post 12 is approximately 0.625 inches long and 0.0625 inches in diameter, prongs 20 are approximately 0.25 inches long, and connecting member 22 is 0.25 inches and 0.50 inches in a generally “L”-shaped configuration.

While the present invention has been described with regards to particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations of the present invention may be devised without departing from the inventive concept.

Claims

1. A connecting structure, comprising: a post with a first end, middle portion, and a second end; and a plurality of prongs flexibly connected to said first end, extending away from said post and toward said second end in a generally V-shape configuration and an abutment stop intermediate said middle portion and said second end.

2. The connecting structure of claim 1, wherein said plurality of prongs are configured to extend through an aperture and expand to a width larger than the aperture.

3. The connecting structure of claim 2, wherein said second end is adapted to be received by a coil spring that is adjacent to said second end of said post.

4. A novelty system comprising: a body having a plurality of apertures; one or more appendages corresponding to said plurality of apertures and adapted to be secured to said body; a connecting structure that secures said one or more appendages to said body comprising: a post with a plurality of prongs flexibly coupled to a first end of said post and adapted to be inserted through said plurality of apertures and retained therein.

5. The novelty of claim 4, wherein said one or more appendages comprises a wing-like structure.

6. The novelty of claim 5, wherein said connecting member includes a second end configured to connect to said one or more appendages.

7. The novelty of claim 6, wherein said one or more appendages comprise an enclosure configured to secure to said second end of said connecting member.

8. The novelty of claim 7, wherein said connecting member is a coil spring.

9. The novelty of claim 8, wherein said connecting member has a spring constant that allows the appendages to be freely movable under application of relatively low forces.

10. A method of constructing a novelty comprising: shipping, in a package, a novelty which comprises a body with apertures for receiving connecting structures, one or more appendages, and coupling structures configured to adaptively connect said appendages to said body; unpackaging said novelty; and securing said appendages to said body by operatively connecting said connecting structures with said apertures of said body.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said securing includes inserting said connecting structures into said apertures.

12. A method for constructing a connecting connector, comprising: producing a post with securing prongs; inserting said post into a first end of a connecting member; and coupling said post to said connecting member.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising coupling a second end of said connecting member to an appendage.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said connecting member is a coil spring.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said connecting member is generally L-shaped.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said coupling the post comprises heating said post to create a barrier such that said connecting member is not easily removable from said post.