U.S. patent application number 12/322755 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-13 for peg board display fastener and connector.
Invention is credited to Rick Anderson.
Application Number | 20090199372 12/322755 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40937634 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090199372 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Anderson; Rick |
August 13, 2009 |
Peg board display fastener and connector
Abstract
A clip includes a head having a thumbscrew protrusion and a body
with spaced apart threads. The clip is of various widths and
lengths to accommodate, most preferably, different widths and
depths of holes in peg board. Most preferably, the clip is sized to
accommodate 1/4 inch peg board, and is used to releasably secure
items such as advertisements and promotional material to the peg
board.
Inventors: |
Anderson; Rick;
(Minneapolis, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BRIGGS AND MORGAN P.A.
2200 IDS CENTER, 80 SOUTH 8TH ST
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Family ID: |
40937634 |
Appl. No.: |
12/322755 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61063967 |
Feb 6, 2008 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
24/458 ;
24/457 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 15/06 20130101;
A47F 5/0823 20130101; F16B 15/04 20130101; F16B 15/02 20130101;
Y10T 24/44017 20150115; F16B 12/24 20130101; Y10T 24/44026
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/458 ;
24/457 |
International
Class: |
A44B 21/00 20060101
A44B021/00 |
Claims
1. A fastener clip for use in securing materials such as displays,
poster, or brackets to receiving medium such as peg board, said
clip comprising: a head; and a body connected to said head.
2. The clip of claim 1 wherein said body further comprises widely
spaced apart threads.
3. The clip of claim 1 wherein said head further comprises a
thumbscrew protrusion.
4. The clip of claim 1 wherein the clip is adapted for releasable
securement to holes in the receiving medium.
5. The clip of claim 4 wherein the clip is adapted for releasable
securement of display materials to the receiving medium.
6. The clip of claim 4 wherein the clip is adapted for releasable
securement of brackets to the receiving medium.
7. The clip of claim 4 wherein the receiving medium is peg
board.
8. The clip of claim 3 wherein said thumbscrew protrusion comprises
ribs.
9. A fastener clip for use in securing materials such as displays,
poster, or brackets to receiving medium such as peg board, said
clip comprising: a head; a pin secured to said head; and a body
having for receiving said pin.
10. The clip of claim 9 wherein said pin further comprises at least
one shoulder adapted for releasable securement within said
body.
11. The clip of claim 10 wherein said pin has at least two opposing
shoulders adapted for releasable securement within said body in a
deployed position.
12. The clip of claim 11 wherein said body further comprises a
slot.
13. The clip of claim 12 wherein said slot receives said shoulders
for releasable securement within said body, upon turning said
pin.
14. The clip of claim 9 wherein said body has a plurality of teeth
adapted for releasable securement to holes in the receiving
medium.
15. The clip of claim 1 wherein said body has an open V-shape to
create retention pressure upon insertion into the receiving
medium.
16. The clip of claim 1 wherein said head is hinged to move between
an insertion and retention position.
17. The clip of claim 16 wherein said head and said body have teeth
for retention in the receiving medium.
18. The clip of claim 1 wherein said head folds between a flat
position and a upright position.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority to, and incorporates
by reference hereto, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/063,967 of
the same title, filed Feb. 6, 2008.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a connector or fastener for use
with a display board. In particular, the invention relates to a
reusable fastener designed to secure material such as promotional
posters, displays, and brackets to a peg board backing in a retail
environment. Of course, a person of ordinary skill in the art will
understand that the invention is not necessarily so limited.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In retail environments promotional and marketing display
material is commonly affixed to open wall space near, or in
anticipation of the arrival of, goods or services for sale.
Conventionally, these materials, which can include posters,
displays, product samples, or other materials, are affixed to a
backing adapted for repeated display and removal of the items. A
common type of backing is referred to as peg board, which consists
of a durable material with a pattern of perforations located in a
predetermined pattern. Connectors, fasteners, or brackets are
designed to secure materials to the peg board in a secure manner.
Also, do to the fact that these displays are frequently changed the
connectors and fasteners must be reasonably capable of removal to
allow for such updates.
[0004] Prior art connectors include devices that include a
generally flat head connected to an extended body that is sized to
be captured in the spaced apart holes of the peg board. The
connectors pass through holes in the material to be displayed and
then into the peg board and thereby provide a reasonably stable
mounting mechanism. Such connectors include, so called "canoe
clips." These clips have a body that includes an elongated center
gap and are sized slightly wider than the peg board holes, such
that upon insertion the body is compressed about the gap to form
sufficient tension to retain the clip. The head of the clip is flat
without any indentations or grooves for removal. In fact, the clips
do not include any particular structural elements to allow for
removal. When the display is replaced the clips are pulled or pried
out of place, normally in a destructive manner, thrown away and new
clips are used for the next display. In this manner the clips are
disposable and not suitable for reuse.
[0005] Another such device is the "Christmas tree" clip. These
clips also contain a head and body, however, in this case the body
includes a plurality of teeth disposed along the axis of the body,
each tooth comprised of a circumferential flange angled to resist
removal after insertion. Again, the clips do not include any
convenient means of removal and are therefore designed for one-time
disposable use.
[0006] While these prior art clips are generally inexpensive
plastic articles, ultimately the cost of continued replacement of
used clips becomes very significant. Furthermore, the environmental
impact of disposable clips is detrimental. Additionally, because
these clips are not designed to be removed easily overtime they
damage the peg board requiring further costs and expense.
[0007] Accordingly, a need exists for a fastener or clop that
overcomes the difficulties of the prior art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of peg board with
prior art clips securing an advertisement poster.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the portion of the peg board
with clips of the present invention inserted therein.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the portion of the peg board
with the clips of the present invention supporting a Plexiglas
mounting bracket.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a side view of two prior art clips and the clip of
the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a top view of two prior art clips and the clip of
the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 6 includes additional views of the clip of the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 7 includes views of a first alternative clop of the
present invention.
[0015] FIG. 8 includes views of a second, third, and fourth
alternative clip of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] In the Figures, various configurations of a
fastener/connector clip 10 are shown. The clip 10 includes a head
12 having a thumbscrew protrusion 14, and a body 16 with spaced
apart threads 18. The clip 10 is of various widths and lengths to
accommodate, most preferably, different width and depth of holes 20
in peg board 22. Most preferably, the clip 10 is sized to
accommodate 1/4 inch peg board. Of course, variations of size,
orientation, and application of the clips 10 are within the scope
of the present invention. In particular, the clips 10 are not
necessarily limited to use with peg board.
[0017] As seen best in FIGS. 1 and 6, a conventional peg board 22
is shown which is used to display advertising and promotional
material such as the poster 24 shown in FIG. 1. Prior art clips,
such as canoe clips 26 or Christmas tree clips 28, as described in
the Background are shown securing two corners of the poster 24. As
described, the prior art clips 26, 28 are generally effective at
securing display materials to peg board, however, they do not
include any means for removal that does not result in damage to the
clip or the underlying peg board. In particular, the clips 26, 28
can be removed using with a flathead screw diver or similar pry
type device, but as stated this usually results in damage.
[0018] FIG. 2 shows the peg board 22 with the clips 10 of the
present invention in place securing two of the corners of the
poster 24. The clips are easily threaded into the holes 20 of the
peg board 22 using the thumbscrew 14 of the head 12 of the clips
10. Similarly, the clips 10 can be easily removed in a
non-destructive manner, and reused as many times as desired.
[0019] FIG. 3 shows the clips 10 used to secure a Plexiglas bracket
30 to the peg board 22. The bracket 30 is of a type commonly used
in the retail display environment to affix products and further
display items to the peg board 22. As can be seen, the clips 10 are
easily adapted to releasable securement in this application as
well.
[0020] FIG. 4 shows in a side by side manner a side view of the
clips 10, 26, 28. The widely spaced apart threads 18 are clearly
visible in contrast to the teeth of the Christmas tree clip 28 and
the compressible gap design of the canoe clip 26. The advantage
being that the clips 10 releasably securely engage the peg board 22
with the threads 18 and are easily withdrawn. Shown also is the
thumbscrew 14 of the head 12, which provides an easily accessible
surface to grasp when inserting or removing the clips 10 from the
peg board 22.
[0021] FIG. 5 shows in side-by-side manner the tops of the clips
10, 26, 28. Only the clips 10 are adapted for removal and reuse.
The prior art clips 26, 28 have planer top surfaces that do not
allow for easy grasp and removal, and must be destructively pried
out of the peg board 22
[0022] In the foregoing manner the clips 10 substantially overcome
the problems of the prior art by providing a clip 10 that is
designed for releasable but yet secure attachment of display items
to peg board surfaces 22. The clips, therefore, are subject to
reuse which saves time, money, effort, and addresses environmental
issues associated with the waste of prior art clips.
[0023] FIG. 6 shows the clip 10 having ribs 11 in the thumbscrew
protrusion 14 of the head 12. The ribs 11 enhance the ability to
grip the protrusion 14 of the head 12 of the clip 10 during
insertion and removal of the clip 10 from the holes 20 in the peg
board 22.
[0024] FIG. 7 shows a first alternative clip 32 of the present
invention. The clip 32 is comprised of a pin 34 and body 36. The
pin 34 has opposing extending shoulders 38, which fit within the
keyed slot 40 of the body 36. The body 36 includes a plurality of
teeth 42, or threads, which will assist in retaining the clip 32
when deployed.
[0025] After inserting the pin 34 in the keyed slot 40 of the body
36, the shoulders 38 fit into flanges 44 located in the body 36.
Next, a screwdriver or "quarter" can be used to turn the pin 34
such that the shoulders 38 no longer rest in the flanges 44 of the
body 36, but apply outward pressure to the body 36 that will
further assist in retaining the clips 32. This comprises the
deployed position, wherein the teeth 42 are pressed against the
retaining surface, or form a lock on the backside of the retaining
surface, such that the clip 32 cannot be easily removed. Reversing
the process will allow the shoulders 38 to return to the
non-deployed position and the clip 32 can be easily removed and
reused without damage to the retaining surface.
[0026] Similarly, FIG. 8 shows three further alternative
embodiments. In one embodiment, clips 44 include a head 48 with a
handle 50, and have a V-shaped open body 52. Upon insertion, the
V-shaped body 52 is compressed which create retention tension,
along with grooves 54. The handle 50 is shaped to receive the end
of a standard screw driver to remove the clip 44. In this manner,
the clip 44 is releaseably engageable with a display mounting
surface such as peg board.
[0027] In yet another embodiment, a clip 54 is shown having a
hinged head 56, along with a body 58 having teeth 60. The hinged
head 56 folds down upon insertion, and can be hinged upward to
provide a grasping handle for removal of the clip 54. In this
manner, the clip 44 is also releaseably engageable with a display
mounting surface such as peg board.
[0028] In a still further embodiment, a clip 62 includes a head 64
and body 66 comprised of two scissor portions 68. The scissor
portions 68 have a central pivot point and retaining grooves 70.
After the clip 62 is inserted the head 64 can be toggled to deploy
the grooves 70 into or behind the display mounting surface in order
to provide for releasable retention. The clip 62 can be removed by
toggling the head 64 back into the position where the scissor
portions 68 are aligned. In this manner, the clip 64 is also
releaseably engageable with a display mounting surface such as peg
board.
[0029] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although
methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described
herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present
invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All
publications, patent applications, patents, and other references
mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to
the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. In case of
conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will
control.
[0030] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes
thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be
considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive,
reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the
foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention. Those
of ordinary skill in the art that have the disclosure before them
will be able to make modifications and variations therein without
departing from the scope of the invention.
* * * * *