U.S. patent application number 10/612094 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-06 for plastic connector for connecting parts and method therefor.
Invention is credited to Weiser, Isaac, Weiser, Margaret.
Application Number | 20050002728 10/612094 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33552445 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050002728 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weiser, Isaac ; et
al. |
January 6, 2005 |
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.
Inventors: |
Weiser, Isaac; (Tarzana,
CA) ; Weiser, Margaret; (Tarzana, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CISLO & THOMAS, LLP
233 WILSHIRE BLVD
SUITE 900
SANTA MONICA
CA
90401-1211
US
|
Family ID: |
33552445 |
Appl. No.: |
10/612094 |
Filed: |
July 1, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
403/229 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 29/024 20130101;
F16B 21/08 20130101; F16B 21/088 20130101; Y10T 403/478 20150115;
Y10T 29/4987 20150115; Y10T 403/606 20150115; Y10T 29/49865
20150115; Y10T 403/477 20150115; Y10T 29/49844 20150115; Y10T
29/49876 20150115; Y10T 403/47 20150115; Y10T 29/49423 20150115;
Y10T 403/459 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
403/229 |
International
Class: |
F16B 007/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
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.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] 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.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] 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
[0005] 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
[0006] FIG. 1 is a side view of the connecting structure according
to the present invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a novelty with
an aperture utilizing the connecting structure according to the
present invention.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a novelty utilizing the
present invention.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the connecting
structure.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0010] 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.
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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.
[0013] 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.
[0014] 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.
[0015] 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.
[0016] 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.
[0017] 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.
[0018] 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.
[0019] 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.
[0020] 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.
[0021] 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.
[0022] 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.
[0023] 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.
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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.
[0026] 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.
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