Store Counter Partition And Clip Therefor

Abstract

A store counter partition for dividing a countertop into a plurality of bins having a pair of tabs extending inwardly in the longitudinal direction on each end of the partition. The tabs are offset from each other vertically and are spaced to preclude lateral movement of the tines of a resilient, removable clip which grips the end of the partition and is provided with a recess at its lower extremity to engage the countertop.

Description

The invention is directed toward providing a removable partition and clip therefor. In particular, the invention is directed toward a novel clip construction wherein the clips may be readily affixed to and removed from the partition and wherein slotted elements may be attached to the clips to support a rim or divider. The slotted elements may be shaped for runthrough or tight or left terminations.

In most prior art partitions, it is not readily possible to attach the clips to and remove them from the longitudinal partition element. The clips are generally permanently affixed to the base or to the longitudinal element so that in one case, the bin sizes are fixed by the location of the clips and, in the other case, it is necessary to keep extra longitudinal elements on hand if one wishes to change the bin sizes and/or configurations.

It is an important object of the invention to provide a longitudinal partition element for a countertop which is easy to install and remove.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a clip for the longitudinal element which is formed of resilient material and which may be easily attached to and removed from the longitudinal partition element.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide such a clip with various slotted elements so that the clip may also be used to support walls or rims. These slotted elements may be of the runthrough type or end terminations.

These and other objects, features, advantages and uses will be apparent during the course of the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Broadly, the invention is directed toward a partition which is held in place on a flat base by a pair of clips, one at each end of the partition. The clips are formed of a resilient material and are of a generally inverted U shape. The clips may be readily removed from the partition so that clips having specialized slotted elements may be substituted for each other and for clips without slotted elements. All of the clips of the invention are provided with a recess to engage the edge of the flat base (countertop). The clips have a pair of tines forming one leg of the U. The tines cooperate to engage the partition and hold the clip in place on the partition. Since the recess engages the edge of the flat base, the partitions may be placed anywhere on the base without using any screws or other elements which may mar the surface or edge of the base.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a countertop showing the partitions and clips of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view showing a partition of the invention being installed on the flat base;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view, viewed in the direction of arrow 3 of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are views showing stages in the installation of a clip of the invention on the end of a partition; and

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view, viewed in the direction of arrow 7 of FIG. 6.

In the drawings, wherein, for the purpose of illustration, are shown preferred embodiments of the invention, the numeral 10 designates a counter which utilizes partitions and clips of the invention. Counter 10 comprises flat upper base 12, the countertop, and longitudinal partitions 14 which are affixed to flat base 12 by means of clips 16, 18, 20 or 22 and wall or rim 15.

Clip 16 is formed of resilient material such as thin steel and is generally shaped like an inverted U. One leg of the U is made up of a pair of tines 24 and the other leg of the U is a substantially flat surface 25. A recess 26 is provided at the end of leg 25 to engage the edge of flat base 12. Clips 18, 20 and 22 are similar to clip 16 except that each of them is provided with a slotted element to hold wall 15 in position. As seen in FIG. 1, slotted element 19 of clip 18 is a left end termination, slotted element 21 of clip 20 is a runthrough guide and slotted element 23 of clip 22 is a right end termination.

FIG. 2 is an illustration showing the method of installing a partition 14 on flat upper base 12. First, one clip is affixed to the base by engaging the edge of the base in recess 26, as shown in the left side of the FIG. Then, the other end of partition 14 is moved toward base 12 in the direction of the arrow at the right of the FIG. until the edge of base 12 is engaged in recess 26 of the right clip 16. A clip 18, 20 or 22 may be substituted for either or both of the clips 16.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the method which a clip 16 is installed on the end of a partition 14. The tines 24 are slipped over upstanding rib 35 so that the rib fits in the opening between the tines. Clip 16 is then pushed down so that tines 24 are between tabs 32 and the bent portions 28 are below the bottom of the chamfered edge 36. The tines 24 are precluded from lateral motion by tabs 32 and from vertical motion by the interaction of bent portions 28 and chamfer edge 36 as well as the fit of the curved portions 27 and 34. Leg 25 of clip 16 fits against lateral portion 30 of partition 14. Once the clips on both ends of the partition are in position, the partition may be installed as described heretofore.

Clips 18, 20 and 22 are installed on partitions 14 in the same manner as has been described just above.

While the foregoing description and the claims are directed toward utilizing the invention on the flat upper base of a counter (the countertop), it should be understood that the clips and partitions of the invention may be used in conjunction with a flat surface of any material.

Even though particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. A store counter partition for dividing a counter having a flat upper base into a plurality of bins comprising:

a longitudinal element whose length is approximately the same as one dimension of the flat base being divided into a plurality of bins;

a flat lateral portion at one end of the longitudinal element adjacent the lower edge of the longitudinal element;

an upstanding rib above the flat lateral portion;

a pair of tabs affixed to the flat lateral portion projecting inwardly in the direction of the major portion of the longitudinal element;

a resilient removable clip of a generally inverted U-shape comprising:

a pair of tines formed to fit over the upstanding rib forming one leg of the inverted U;

a recess at the other end of the inverted U to engage the edge of the flat base; and

means at the ends of the tines for locking the clip in position on the end of the longitudinal element.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the means for locking the clip in position comprises a bent portion at the end of each of the tines and a notch in the longitudinal element to receive the bent portions.

3. The invention of claim 1 including a slotted member affixed to the clip above the recess to receive a flat vertical member and hold the same in position with respect to the longitudinal element and the flat base.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein the slotted member is open at its top and two of its sides.

5. The invention of claim 3 wherein the slotted member is open at its top and one of its sides.

6. A clip for removably engaging the end of a longitudinal partition element and a flat base to divide the flat base into a plurality of bins comprising:

a generally U-shaped element of resilient material;

a pair of tines forming one leg of the U;

a recess at the other end of the U for engaging the edge of the flat base; and

means at the ends of tines for locking the clip in position on the longitudinal partition.

7. The invention of claim 6 including a slotted member affixed to the clip above the recess for engaging the edge of the flat base.

8. The invention of claim 7 wherein the slotted member is open at the top end and two of its sides.

9. The invention of claim 7 wherein the slotted member is open at its top and one of its sides.