RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application relates to and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/548,453, entitled "Interlocking Fastening Clips," filed August 22, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to fastening clips that are used to securely couple components together, and, more particularly, to fastenings clips that interlock with one another so as to be quickly and easily loaded into or onto a tool, for example.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Various fastening clips are used to secure components together. Typically, the fastening clips are separate and distinct from another. The fastening clips are generally individually loaded into a particular tool that is used to secure the fastening clips to a particular component. As can be appreciated, the process of individually inserting each fastening clip into a tool may be time-intensive and tedious.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] A need exists for fastening clips that may be quickly and easily loaded into or onto a tool. Further, a need exists for a fastening clip that is configured to quickly and easily couple to one or more other fastening clips so that an assembly of the fastening clips may be quickly and easily loaded into or onto a tool.

[0005] With those needs in mind, certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide an interlocking fastening clip that includes at least one interlocking interface that is configured to couple to at least one other interlocking interface of at least one other interlocking fastening clip in order to couple the interlocking fastening clip to the at least one other interlocking fastening clip. [0006] In at least one embodiment, the at least one interlocking interface includes a first interlocking interface and a second interlocking interface. In at least one embodiment, the first interlocking interface extends from a first outer edge of a first base ledge, and the second interlocking interface extends from a second outer edge of a second base ledge. In at least one other embodiment, the first interlocking interface extends from a first lateral edge of a beam, and the second interlocking interface extends from a second lateral edge of the beam. The first interlocking interface may be staggered in relation to the second interlocking interface.

[0007] The interlocking interface(s) may include a plurality of interlocking members. The plurality of interlocking members may include teeth separated by reciprocal recesses.

[0008] The interlocking fastening clip may include a nose, and opposed beams extending from the nose. Retaining arms may extend into or to a side of openings formed in the opposed beams.

[0009] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide an interlocked fastening clip strip assembly that includes a plurality of interlocking fastening clips coupled together. Each of the plurality of interlocking comprises a first interlocking interface and a second interlocking interface. The first interlocking interface of a first one the plurality of interlocking fastening clips couples to the second interlocking interface of a second one of the plurality of interlocking fastening clips.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective top view of an interlocking fastening clip, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the interlocking fastening clip.

[0012] Figure 3 illustrates a front view of the interlocking fastening clip.

[0013] Figure 4 illustrates a bottom view of the interlocking fastening clip. [0014] Figure 5 illustrates a perspective bottom lateral view of an interlocked fastening clip strip assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 6 illustrates a lateral view of the interlocked fastening clip strip assembly.

[0016] Figure 7 illustrates a top view of the interlocked fastening clip strip assembly.

[0017] Figure 8 illustrates a bottom view of the interlocked fastening clip strip assembly.

[0018] Figure 9 illustrates a perspective bottom view of a first interlocking interface of a first interlocking fastening clip coupled to a second interlocking interface of a second interlocking fastening clip of the interlocking fastening clip strip assembly.

[0019] Figure 10 illustrates a perspective front view of an interlocking fastening clip, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 11 illustrates a front view of the interlocking fastening clip.

[0021] Figure 12 illustrates a bottom view of the interlocking fastening clip.

[0022] Figure 13 illustrates a perspective lateral view of the interlocking fastening clip.

[0023] Figure 14 illustrates a perspective top view of an interlocked fastening clip strip assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 15 illustrates a top view of the interlocked fastening clip strip assembly.

[0025] Figure 16 illustrates a front view of the interlocked fastening clip strip assembly.

[0026] Figure 17 illustrates a bottom view of the interlocked fastening clip strip assembly. [0027] Figure 18 illustrates a lateral view of an interlocked fastening clip strip assembly within a tool, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 19 illustrate a lateral view of an interlocking fastening clip of the interlocked fastening clip strip assembly being discharged from the tool, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Before the embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including" and "comprising" and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0030] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide fastening clips having interlocking/collating interfaces that allow the fastening clips to connect to one another. In at least one embodiment, the interlocking interfaces include teeth or fingers that interlock with teeth or fingers on another fastening clip. In this manner, multiple fastening clips may be secured to one another, and loaded into and/or onto a tool, for example, as a single strip.

[0031] In at least one embodiment, an interlocking fastening clip includes opposed interlocking interfaces, such as at outwardly-flared base edges. The interlocking interfaces may include teeth, fingers, or the like that are configured to mate with an interlocking interface of another interlocking fastening clip. The interlocking interfaces may be staggered with respect to one another, so that adjacent interlocking fastening clips are able to interlock with one another in a straight, linear orientation. [0032] One or more groups of interlocking fastening clips may couple together through adjacent, staggered interlocking interfaces. The interlocking interfaces of adjacent fastening clips mate with one another to provide a linear strip of interlocking, linked fastening clips. The interlocking interfaces between adjacent fastening clips remain secured together, such as through an interference fit, until separated, such as by a tool (akin to a stapler or nail gun).

[0033] In at least one embodiment, the interlocking interfaces extend from lateral edges of clip beams (such as legs) proximate to an arcuate junction between the clip beams. The interlocking fastening clips may mate together in a side-to-side configuration.

[0034] When the strips of interlocking fastening clips are inserted into a tool, the tool may then be used to couple each fastening clip to a component(s), thereby separating the individual fastening clips from the larger strip of fastening clips operatively coupled to the tool. The tool feeds the strip of fastening clips to an end (for example, a top) of the tool. The tool pushes a single clip out therefrom (such as via a plastic tower), in the process separating the fastening clip from the group within the tool.

[0035] The interlocking fastening clips may be formed in a stamping and folding machine, heat treated and plated, and then pressed together into the strips of interlocking, linked fastening clips.

[0036] Referring to Figures 1-4, an interlocking fastening clip 100 is illustrated, wherein the interlocking fastening clip 100 may include opposed beams 102 extending from a resilient nose 104. The beams 102 may extend downwardly (as shown in Figure 1) from the nose 104 and include openings 106 into which resilient and flexible retaining arms 108 may extend and/or is disposed outside thereof. Optionally, the opposed beams 102 may flare outwardly and downwardly from the nose 104. In at least one other embodiment, the retaining arms 108 may extend from lower ends of the beams 102 distally away from the nose 104. In at least one other embodiment, the interlocking clip 100 may not include the retaining arms 108 or the openings 106. In at least one other embodiment, each of the beams 102 may include multiple openings into which at least one flexible retaining arm 108 extends and/or is disposed outside thereof.

[0037] Base ledges 110 and 111 extend outwardly from the beams 102 opposite from the nose 104. One or more retaining prongs 112 may extend from internal edges 116 of the base ledges 110, 111 and into a space 114 between the beams 102. The interlocking fastening clip 100 may include more or less retaining prongs 112 than shown. For example, the interlocking fastening clip 100 may not include the retaining prongs 112.

[0038] As shown, the base ledges 110 and 111 may be flat panels that extend outwardly from the beams 102 at a range between 70-100 degrees, for example. In at least one embodiment, the base ledges 110 and 111 may reside in planes that are approximately perpendicular to planes in which the lower portions of the beams 102 reside. Optionally, the base ledges 110 and 111 may extend outwardly from the beams 102 at angles less than 70 degrees or greater than 100 degrees.

[0039] The interlocking fastening clip 100 may be sized, shaped, and configured differently than shown. Other examples of clips or fastener assemblies are shown and described in United States Patent No. 9,303,665, entitled "Adaptable Mating Fastener Assembly," which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Additionally, United States Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0026933, entitled "Clips," which is hereby incorporated by reference, discloses a clip having a main clip body that is configured to be inserted into an installing hole of a panel and mount to a clip seat. Also, United States Patent No. 6,796,006, entitled "Rib Clip," which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses a retaining clip including a U-shaped body having a pair of legs that are flexibly connected at their bottom ends and spaced apart to receive therebetween a blade fastener. Further, PCT/US2018/014125, entitled "Rib Clip Assembly," is also hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be used with various other types of clips, other than shown. In general, embodiments of the present disclosure may be used with any clips that are configured to be loaded into and/or onto a tool. [0040] As shown in Figure 1, the interlocking fastening clip 100 includes opposed interlocking interfaces 118 and 120. The interlocking interface 118 extends from (and/or forms) an outer edge 122 of the base ledge 110, while the interlocking interface 120 extends from (and/or forms) an outer edge 124 of the base ledge 111. Each interlocking interface 120 includes a plurality of interlocking members 126. The interlocking members 126 include teeth 128 separated by reciprocal recesses 130. The teeth 128 include expanded bases 132 that connect to a tapered tip 134. Conversely, the recesses 130 include expanded inlets 136 that connect to a tapered barrier end 138. The interlocking interfaces 118 and 120 may include more or less interlocking members 126 than shown. Optionally, instead of a saw-tooth configuration as shown in Figure 1, the interlocking members 126 may be formed as alternating rectangles or strips (for example, fingers) and reciprocal recesses, wave-shaped extensions and reciprocal recesses, arcuate extensions and reciprocal recesses, and or the like. The interlocking interface 118 of the interlocking fastening clip 100 is configured to engage and interlock with an interlocking interface 120 of another interlocking fastening clip 100, and vice versa.

[0041] As shown, the interlocking interfaces 118 and 120 may be staggered with respect to one another. For example, a leading interlocking member 126 proximate to an end 140 of the base ledge 110 may be a tooth 128, while a leading interlocking member 126 (longitudinally and axially aligned with the leading interlocking member 126 along a common longitudinal axis 141, as shown in Figure 2) proximate to an end 142 of the base ledge 111 may be a reciprocal recess 130, or vice versa. The interlocking members 126 alternate between teeth 128 and reciprocal recesses 130 along lengths of each of the base ledges 110 and 111. The interlocking interfaces 118 and 120 are staggered in relation to one another so that adjacent interlocking fastening clips 100 (only one of which is shown in Figure 1) are able to interlock with one another in a straight, flush, linear orientation. Alternatively, the interlocking interfaces 118 and 120 may not be staggered.

[0042] Figure 5 illustrates a perspective bottom lateral view of an interlocked fastening clip strip assembly 200, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 illustrates a lateral view of the interlocked fastening clip strip assembly 200. Figure 7 illustrates a top view of the interlocked fastening clip strip assembly 200. Figure 8 illustrates a bottom view of the interlocked fastening clip strip assembly 200. Figure 9 illustrates a perspective bottom view of a first interlocking interface 118 of a first interlocking fastening clip 100a coupled to a second interlocking interface 120 of a second interlocking fastening clip 100b of the interlocking fastening clip strip assembly 200

[0043] Referring to Figures 5-9, an interlocking fastening clip strip assembly 200 is illustrated and includes a plurality of interlocking fastening clips 100a, 100b, and 100c coupled together by respective interlocking interfaces 118 mateably coupled to reciprocal interlocking interfaces 120. The interlocking fastening clips 100a, 100b, and 100c are coupled together to be quickly and easily loaded into and/or onto a tool, which is used to individually separate the interlocking fastening clips 100a, 100b, and 100c from the interlocking fastening clip strip assembly 200 to secure the separated interlocking fastening clips 100a, 100b, and 100c to one or more components. For example, the tool may secure components together through individually discharged interlocking fastening clips 100a, 100b, and 100c. As such, the interlocking fastening clips 100a, 100b, and 100c are configured to be temporarily coupled together before being separated from one another and discharged by the tool. The interlocking fastening clip strip assembly 200 may include more or less interlocking fastening clips 100a, 100b, and 100c than shown.

[0044] The interlocking fastening clips 100a, 100b, and 100c couple together through the adjacent, staggered interlocking interfaces 118 and 120 mating together. As shown in Figure 7, the staggered interlocking interfaces 118 and 120 connect together so that interlocking fastening clips 100a, 100b, and 100c are longitudinally aligned with one another along a common longitudinal axis 150, thereby resulting in flush lateral edges 160 and 162 (that is, none of the interlocking fastening clips 100a, 100b, and 100c laterally protrude in relation to any other of the interlocking fastening clip 100a, 100b, and 100c). The interlocking interfaces 118 and 120 of adjacent interlocking fastening clips 100a/ 100b and lOOb/lOOc mate with one another to provide a flush, linear strip assembly 200. The interlocking interfaces 118 and 120 between adjacent fastening clips lOOa/lOOb and lOOb/lOOc remain secured together, such as through an interference fit, until separated, such as by a tool (akin to a stapler or nail gun).

[0045] As shown in Figures 1-9, the interlocking interfaces 118 and 120 extending from the base ledges 110 and 111 allow the interlocking fastening clips 100a, 100b, and 100c to be coupled together in an end-to-end orientation. Optionally, the interlocking interfaces 118 and 120 may be positioned on other portions of the interlocking fastening clips 100 to allow for side-to-side coupling. In at least one embodiment, the interlocking interfaces 118 and 120 may be configured to allow the interlocking fastening clips 100a, 100b, and 100c to be coupled together in a mis-aligned manner such that the lateral edges 160 and 162 are not flush.

[0046] Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure provide an interlocking fastening clip 100 that includes at least one interlocking interface 118 and/or 120 that is configured to couple to at least one other interlocking interface 118 and/or 120 of at least one other interlocking fastening clip in order to couple the interlocking fastening clip 100 to the at least one other interlocking fastening clip.

[0047] Figure 10 illustrates a perspective front view of an interlocking fastening clip 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 11 illustrates a front view of the interlocking fastening clip 100. Figure 12 illustrates a bottom view of the interlocking fastening clip 100. Figure 13 illustrates a perspective lateral view of the interlocking fastening clip 100.

[0048] Referring to Figures 10-13, a further embodiment of an interlocking fastening clip 100 is shown, wherein the interlocking fastening clip 100 shown in Figure 10-13 is similar to the embodiment shown and described with respect to Figures 1-4, except that instead of extending from the base ledges 110 and 111, the interlocking interfaces 119 and 121 may extend from lateral edges 103 and 105 of the beams 102. In particular, each beam 102 may include an interlocking interface 119 extending from a first lateral edge 103 and an interlocking interface 121 extending from an opposite second lateral edge 105. Further, the interlocking interfaces 119 and 121 may be staggered with respect to the opposite beams 102, such that the interlocking interface 119 extends from the lateral edge 103 of one beam 102, while the interlocking interface 121 extends from the lateral edge 105 of the opposite beam 102, and vice versa. Optionally, the interlocking interfaces 119 and 121 of the opposite beams 102 may not be staggered with respect to one another.

[0049] The interlocking interfaces 119 and 121 extending from the lateral edges 103 and 105 of the beams 102 may be proximate to the nose 104. Optionally, the interlocking interfaces 119 and 121 may extend from the lateral edges 103 and 105 closer to the base ledges 110 and 111 than the nose 104. In at least one embodiment, the interlocking interfaces 119 and 121 extend over less than entire length of the lateral edges 103 and 105. In at least one other embodiment, the interlocking interfaces 119 and 121 may extend over entire lengths of the lateral edges 103 and 105.

[0050] Figure 14 illustrates a perspective top view of an interlocked fastening clip strip assembly 200, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 15 illustrates a top view of the interlocked fastening clip strip assembly 200. Figure 16 illustrates a front view of the interlocked fastening clip strip assembly 200. Figure 17 illustrates a bottom view of the interlocked fastening clip strip assembly 200. Referring to Figures 10-17, the interlocking interfaces 119 and 121 extending from the lateral edges 103 and 105 of the interlocking fastening clips 100a, 100b, and 100c allow the interlocking fastening clips 100a, 100b, and 100c to be coupled together in a side-by-side configuration. The interlocking interfaces 118 and 120 of adjacent interlocking fastening clips 100a/ 100b and 100b/ 100c mate with one another to provide the linear interlocked fastening clip strip assembly 200, as described above.

[0051] Figure 18 illustrates a lateral view of an interlocked fastening clip strip assembly 100 (such as any of those described herein) within a tool 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 19 illustrate a lateral view of an interlocking fastening clip 100a of the interlocked fastening clip strip assembly 200 being discharged from the tool 300.

[0052] Referring to Figures 18 and 19, when the interlocked fastening clip strip assembly 200 is inserted into the tool 300, the tool 300 may then be used to couple each interlocking fastening clip 100a to a component(s), thereby separating the individual fastening clips 100a from the larger strip of fastening clips (that is, the interlocked fastening clip strip assembly 100) loaded into the tool 300. The tool 300 feeds the interlocked fastening clip strip assembly 100 to an end 301 (for example, a top) of the tool 300. The tool 300 pushes a single interlocking fastening clip 100a clip out therefrom (such as via a plastic tower 302) in a direction Dl, in the process separating the interlocking fastening clip 100a from the remaining group of the interlocked fastening clip strip assembly 100 within the tool 300.

[0053] Referring to Figures 1 - 19, the interlocking fastening clips 100 may be formed in a stamping and folding machine, heat treated and plated, and then pressed together into the interlocked fastening clip strip assembly 200.

[0054] As described herein, the interlocking fastening clips 100 allow an individual to handle a plurality of fastening clips as a group, instead of inserting separate and distinct clips into a tool, for example. By interlocking the fastening clips, multiple fastening clips may be handled together, thereby facilitating quick and efficient automated assembly of one or more components. Moreover, interlocking groups of fastening clips reduce loose parts. Further, the interlocking groups of fastening clips reduce waste, as fewer small, individual parts are lost during a component assembly process.

[0055] While various spatial and directional terms, such as top, bottom, lower, mid, lateral, horizontal, vertical, front and the like may be used to describe embodiments of the present disclosure, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations may be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that an upper portion is a lower portion, and vice versa, horizontal becomes vertical, and the like.

[0056] Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present disclosure. It is understood that the embodiments disclosed and defined herein extend to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present disclosure. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the disclosure and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the disclosure. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.

[0057] To the extent used in the appended claims, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms "comprising" and "wherein." Moreover, to the extent used in the following claims, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase "means for" followed by a statement of function void of further structure.

[0058] Various features of the disclosure are set forth in the following claims.