CA2520369C - Device and method for installing articles - Google Patents
Device and method for installing articles Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2520369C CA2520369C CA 2520369 CA2520369A CA2520369C CA 2520369 C CA2520369 C CA 2520369C CA 2520369 CA2520369 CA 2520369 CA 2520369 A CA2520369 A CA 2520369A CA 2520369 C CA2520369 C CA 2520369C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- article
- hand grip
- grip body
- mounting portion
- target location
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
- F16F1/00—Springs
- F16F1/02—Springs made of steel or other material having low internal friction; Wound, torsion, leaf, cup, ring or the like springs, the material of the spring not being relevant
- F16F1/04—Wound springs
- F16F1/12—Attachments or mountings
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
- B25B31/00—Hand tools for applying fasteners
Abstract
A hand held device for installing an article at a target location, comprises a hand grip body and an article mounting portion movable relative thereto between a first position and a second position rotationally displaced from the first position, the first position corresponding to a position in which the article is in an unanchored orientation at the target location, the second position corresponding to a position in which the article is in an anchored orientation at the target location, a force transfer portion operable to transfer forces between the hand grip body and the article mounting portion for applying a first force component sufficient to seat the article in position at the target location and a second torsional force component sufficient to transfer the article between the unanchored and anchored orientations, the force transfer portion including a releasable lock portion for locking the article mounting portion relative to the hand grip body in the first position.
Description
DEVICE AND METHOD FOR INSTALLING ARTICLES
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
S 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to tools and methods for installing articles, such as sun visor clips for use in vehicles.
1 O 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
The assembly of products commonly include the attachment of articles such as anchors, fasteners and the like. An example of such an article is a sun visor clip to hold a sun visor in position in a vehicle. The sun visor clip must be oriented in position and then twisted into its operable position. This usually means 15 pressing the sun visor clip through a passage formed though a sandwich of several cloth and foam layers in a ceiling panel. This is a manual task that can involve strains which can lead to injuries to the assembly Associates performing the task.
It would be desirable to provide novel devices and/or methods for installing articles in a manner which 20 mitigate these injuries.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one of its aspects, the present invention provides a hand held device for installing an article at a target 25 location. The device comprises a hand grip body and an article mounting portion movable relative thereto between a first position and a second position rotationally displaced from the first position. The first position corresponds to a position in which the article is in an unanchored orientation at the target location.
The second position corresponds to a position in which the article is in an anchored orientation at the target HONSCIAppFinal Last printed 9/20/2005 11:07:00 AM
location. A force transfer portion is operable to transfer forces between the hand grip body and the article mounting portion for applying a first force component sufficient to seat the article in position at the target location and a second torsional force component sufficient to transfer the article between the unanchored and anchored orientations. The force transfer portion includes a releasable lock portion for locking the article mounting portion relative to the hand grip body in the first position.
In an embodiment, the hand grip body further comprises an elongate chamber having an opening at a peripheral region thereof and a longitudinal axis, the article mounting portion including a shaft positioned in the chamber to extend beyond the peripheral region and positioned for movement along the longitudinal axis between the first and second positions.
In an embodiment, the hand grip body includes a back wall abutting the elongate chamber, the force transfer portion including a spring element positioned in the cylindrical chamber between the back wall and the shaft.
In an embodiment, the force transfer portion includes a biasing portion to bias the shaft toward the second position.
In an embodiment, the biasing portion includes a compression spring acting between the hand grip body and the shaft.
In an embodiment, the force transfer portion includes one or more guide elements for guiding the shaft along the elongate chamber.
In an embodiment, the one or more guide elements are mounted on the hand grip body and/or the shaft. If desired, the one or more guide elements may include one or more than one detent member and a path to receive the detent member.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
S 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to tools and methods for installing articles, such as sun visor clips for use in vehicles.
1 O 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
The assembly of products commonly include the attachment of articles such as anchors, fasteners and the like. An example of such an article is a sun visor clip to hold a sun visor in position in a vehicle. The sun visor clip must be oriented in position and then twisted into its operable position. This usually means 15 pressing the sun visor clip through a passage formed though a sandwich of several cloth and foam layers in a ceiling panel. This is a manual task that can involve strains which can lead to injuries to the assembly Associates performing the task.
It would be desirable to provide novel devices and/or methods for installing articles in a manner which 20 mitigate these injuries.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one of its aspects, the present invention provides a hand held device for installing an article at a target 25 location. The device comprises a hand grip body and an article mounting portion movable relative thereto between a first position and a second position rotationally displaced from the first position. The first position corresponds to a position in which the article is in an unanchored orientation at the target location.
The second position corresponds to a position in which the article is in an anchored orientation at the target HONSCIAppFinal Last printed 9/20/2005 11:07:00 AM
location. A force transfer portion is operable to transfer forces between the hand grip body and the article mounting portion for applying a first force component sufficient to seat the article in position at the target location and a second torsional force component sufficient to transfer the article between the unanchored and anchored orientations. The force transfer portion includes a releasable lock portion for locking the article mounting portion relative to the hand grip body in the first position.
In an embodiment, the hand grip body further comprises an elongate chamber having an opening at a peripheral region thereof and a longitudinal axis, the article mounting portion including a shaft positioned in the chamber to extend beyond the peripheral region and positioned for movement along the longitudinal axis between the first and second positions.
In an embodiment, the hand grip body includes a back wall abutting the elongate chamber, the force transfer portion including a spring element positioned in the cylindrical chamber between the back wall and the shaft.
In an embodiment, the force transfer portion includes a biasing portion to bias the shaft toward the second position.
In an embodiment, the biasing portion includes a compression spring acting between the hand grip body and the shaft.
In an embodiment, the force transfer portion includes one or more guide elements for guiding the shaft along the elongate chamber.
In an embodiment, the one or more guide elements are mounted on the hand grip body and/or the shaft. If desired, the one or more guide elements may include one or more than one detent member and a path to receive the detent member.
HONSCIAppFinal Last printed 9/20/2005 11:07:00 AM
An embodiment further comprises a force adjustment member positioned in the body and/or on the shaft for adjusting the bias on the shaft. Preferably, the force adjustment member is a plate adjustably positioned in the body. If desired, the body and the plate are threadably engaged and an access passage is provided in the body for accessing the plate.
In an embodiment, the releasable lock portion further comprises a trigger mechanism for releasing the shaft for movement between the first and second positions. Preferably, the trigger mechanism includes a latch movable between a first position in which the latch is engaged with the shaft and a second position in which the latch is disengaged with the shaft. The latch is preferably pivotally mounted to the body which itself includes a passage for receiving the latch. The latch may be attached by other arrangements including by sliding mechanisms and the like.
In an embodiment, the body has an outer surface and the trigger mechanism further comprises a trigger element positioned to be accessible to the outer surface.
In an embodiment, the trigger element includes a lever pivotally mounted to the body. The trigger element may include a button provided on the hand grip body. The trigger element may also include a remote switch.
In an embodiment, the biasing portion includes a pneumatic, hydraulic, and/or electromagnetic ram unit.
More preferably, the biasing portion includes a compression or tension spring element, in forms which may include compressible polymeric body.
In an embodiment, the shaft has a remote end, further comprising a block member mounted on the remote end, the block member being arranged to receive the article. The block member includes a surface formation to engage the article. In one example, the surface formation is a depression whose inner profile is complementary with a portion of a corresponding profile of the article, but could be made with other provisions to engage the article. For instance, the block may be provided with a number of projections HONSCIAppFinal Last printed 9/20/2005 11:07:00 AM
extending outwardly from the surface formation in order to temporarily trap the article. Desirably, the block member is formed from resilient materials, such as plastics and rubbers, but could be formed from other materials such as metals, for example steel, aluminum or zinc.
In another of its aspects, the present invention provides a method of mounting an article at a target location, comprising the steps of:
- providing a hand held device with a hand grip body and an article mounting portion movable relative thereto between a first position and a second position;
- arranging the hand grip body and the article mounting portions so that the first position corresponds to a position in which the article is in an unanchored orientation at the target location, - arranging the hand grip body and the article mounting portions so that the second position corresponds to a position in which the article is in an anchored orientation at the target location;
- providing a force transfer portion to transfer forces between the hand grip body and the article mounting portion for applying a first force component sufficient to seat the article in position at the target location arid a second torsional force component sufficient to transfer the article between the unanchored and anchored orientations.; and - orienting the force transfer portion to lock the article mounting portion relative to the hand grip body in the first position.
In still another of its aspects, the present invention provides a method of mounting an article at a target location, comprising the steps of HONSCIAppFinal Last printed 9/20/2005 11:07:00 AM
- providing a hand held device with a hand grip body and an article mounting portion movable relative thereto between a first position and a second position;
- arranging the hand grip body and the article mounting portions so that the first position corresponds to a position in which the article is in an unanchored orientation at the target location, - arranging the hand grip body and the article mounting portions so that the second position corresponds to a position in which the article is in an anchored orientation at the target location;
- providing a force transfer portion to transfer forces between the hand grip body and the article mounting portion for applying a first force component sufficient to seat the article in position at the target location and a second torsional force component sufficient to transfer the article between the unanchored and anchored orientations;
- positioning the article mounting portion in the first position;
- locating an article on the article mounting portion;
- locking the article mounting portion relative to the hand grip body in the first position;
- orienting the article mounting portion to deliver the article in the unanchored orientation to the target location.
- manipulating the hand grip body to deliver the first force component to press the article into a ready position;
- releasing the article mounting portion and manipulating the hand grip body towards the target HONSCIAppFinal Last printed 9/20/2005 11:07:00 AM
location in a manner to deliver the first and second force components to the article mounting portion and thereby to deliver the article mounting portion to the second position.
In still another of this aspects, the present invention provides a hand held device for installing an article at a target location, comprising a hand grip body and an article mounting portion movable relative thereto between a first position and a second position rotationally displaced from the first position, the first position corresponding to a position in which the article is in an unanchored orientation at the target location, the second position corresponding to a position in which the article is in an anchored orientation at the target location, biasing means for biasing the article mounting portion toward its second position and releasable positioning means for fixing the position of the article mounting portion relative to the hand grip body in the first position.
In still another of this aspects, the present invention provides a hand held device for installing a sun visor clip at a target sun visor clip location in a vehicle, comprising a hand grip body, a sun visor clip mounting portion having a body with a recess formed therein to receive at least part of the sun visor clip therein, the sun visor clip mounting portion being movable relative to the hand grip body between a first position and a second position rotationally displaced from the first position, the first position corresponding to a position enabling the sun visor clip to be in an unanchored orientation at the target sun visor clip location, the second position corresponding to a position enabling the sun visor clip to be in an anchored orientation at the target sun visor clip location, a force transfer portion operable to transfer forces between the hand grip body and the sun visor clip mounting portion for applying a first force component sufficient to seat the sun visor clip in position at the target sun visor clip location and a second torsional force component sufficient to transfer the sun visor clip between the unanchored and anchored orientations, the force transfer portion including a releasable lock portion for locking the article mounting portion relative to the hand grip body in the first position.
In still another of this aspects, the present invention provides a hand held device for installing a sun visor clip at a target sun visor clip location in a vehicle, comprising a hand grip body, a sun visor clip mounting HONSCIAppFinal Last printed 9/20/2005 11:07:00 AM
portion having a body with a recess formed therein to receive at least part of the sun visor clip therein, the sun visor clip mounting portion being movable relative to the hand grip body between a first position and a second position rotationally displaced from the first position, the first position corresponding to a position enabling the sun visor clip to be in an unanchored orientation at the target sun visor clip location, the second position corresponding to a position enabling the sun visor clip to be in an anchored orientation at the target sun visor clip location, a force transfer portion operable to transfer forces between the hand grip body and the sun visor clip mounting portion for applying a first force component sufficient to seat the sun visor clip in position at the target sun visor clip location and a second torsional force component sufficient to transfer the sun visor clip between the unanchored and anchored orientations, the force transfer portion including a releasable lack portion for locking the article mounting portion relative to the hand grip body in the first position.
In still another of this aspects, the present invention provides a device for installing an article at a target location, comprising a hand grip body and an article mounting portion movable relative thereto between a first position and a second position rotationally displaced no more than about 170 degrees from the first position, the first position corresponding to a position in which the article is in an unanchored orientation at the target location, the second position corresponding to a position in which the article is in an anchored orientation at the target location, a force transfer portion operable to transfer forces between the hand grip body and the article mounting portion for applying a first force component sufficient to seat the article in position at the target location and a second torsional force component sufficient to transfer the article between the unanchored and anchored orientations, the force transfer portion including a releasable trigger mechanism operable in a lock position under a user's gripping force to lock the article mounting portion relative to the hand grip body while under a load sufficient to seat the article at the target location, the trigger mechanism being operable to be released from the lock position when the user releases the gripping force to permit the article mounting portion to move from the first position to the second position.
In still another of this aspects, the present invention provides an assembly for installing a sun visor clip in a vehicle at a target location, comprising a hand grip body with an elongate chamber, the chamber having an HONSCIAppFinal Last printed 9/20/2005 11:07:00 AM
opening at a peripheral region thereof and a longitudinal axis, a shaft positioned in the chamber to extend beyond the peripheral region and positioned for movement along the longitudinal axis between the first and second positions, the shaft having a remote end supporting a block member, the block member having an outer surface formation, a sun visor clip engaged with the outer surface formation, the surface formation including a depression whose inner profile is complementary with at least a portion of the sun visor clip, a spring element acting between the chamber and the shaft, a plurality of guide elements on the chamber and shaft to displace the shaft relative to the chamber between a first position and a second position rotationally displaced from the first position, a trigger to hold the shaft in the first position under a normal load sufficient to seat the clip at the target location, the trigger operable to release the shaft under the normal load to cause a torsional force to be exerted on the shaft.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Several preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, 1$ with reference to the appended drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device for installing articles;
Figure 2, 2a and 3 to 7 are partly sectional or schematic plan views of the device of figure I in various positions;
Figure 8 is a magnified fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the device of figure 1; and Figures 9 to 15 are partly sectional views of alternatives to the device of figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The figures illustrate several devices to mount articles at a mounting location. In this example, the article HONSCIAppFinal Last printed 920/2005 11:07:00 AM
in question is an anchor member destined for mounting in a roof section or other location on a vehicle. Still more particularly, the anchor member is a clip for a sun visor as shown at 10 in figure 1. In this case, the sun visor clip 10 has an outer mounting formation 12 and one or more anchor formations shown at 14. In this case, the anchor formations include flanges 14a, 14b. As will be described, the device enables an assembly Associate to install a sun visor clip 10 and to reduce, or perhaps eliminate in some cases, the "pinch" and "twist" forces otherwise required to do so.
The "pinch" force conventionally requires that the assembly Associate grip the sun visor clip 10 between the thumb and forefinger and pressing it into the vehicle's ceiling panel. At the same time, the assembly Associate must exert a "twist" force to rotate the sun visor clip I O (much in the same way that a key is turned in a lock mechanism). Together, the "pinch" and "twist" forces move the sun visor clip 10 from a first unanchored orientation to a second anchored orientation within a passage provided behind the ceiling panel, to cause the anchor formations on the sun visor clip to engage a corresponding boundary regions of the passage to hold it in place.
Thus, in figures 1 to 8, a hand held device is shown at 16 for installing the article 10 at a target location 18 including a passageway 19a. The device 16 has a hand grip body 20 and an article mounting portion 22 movable relative thereto between a first position shown in figures 1 to 3 and a second position shown in figure 5 and rotationally displaced from the first position. The first position corresponds to a position in which the article 10 is in an unanchored orientation at the target location 18. The second position corresponds to a position in which the article is in an anchored orientation in the passageway 19a at the target location 18, with the flanges 14a, 14b braced against an inside surface 18a at the target location.
Figure 2a shows a sequence of events between the first and second positions.
Furthermore, it can be seen that the flanges 14a, 14b are opposed and are arranged to engage the inside surface 18a at the target location after rotating approximately from about 10 to about 170 degrees from the first position before it reaches the second position, with the most desirable rotational travel in this particular case, being about 90 degrees.
An embodiment further comprises a force adjustment member positioned in the body and/or on the shaft for adjusting the bias on the shaft. Preferably, the force adjustment member is a plate adjustably positioned in the body. If desired, the body and the plate are threadably engaged and an access passage is provided in the body for accessing the plate.
In an embodiment, the releasable lock portion further comprises a trigger mechanism for releasing the shaft for movement between the first and second positions. Preferably, the trigger mechanism includes a latch movable between a first position in which the latch is engaged with the shaft and a second position in which the latch is disengaged with the shaft. The latch is preferably pivotally mounted to the body which itself includes a passage for receiving the latch. The latch may be attached by other arrangements including by sliding mechanisms and the like.
In an embodiment, the body has an outer surface and the trigger mechanism further comprises a trigger element positioned to be accessible to the outer surface.
In an embodiment, the trigger element includes a lever pivotally mounted to the body. The trigger element may include a button provided on the hand grip body. The trigger element may also include a remote switch.
In an embodiment, the biasing portion includes a pneumatic, hydraulic, and/or electromagnetic ram unit.
More preferably, the biasing portion includes a compression or tension spring element, in forms which may include compressible polymeric body.
In an embodiment, the shaft has a remote end, further comprising a block member mounted on the remote end, the block member being arranged to receive the article. The block member includes a surface formation to engage the article. In one example, the surface formation is a depression whose inner profile is complementary with a portion of a corresponding profile of the article, but could be made with other provisions to engage the article. For instance, the block may be provided with a number of projections HONSCIAppFinal Last printed 9/20/2005 11:07:00 AM
extending outwardly from the surface formation in order to temporarily trap the article. Desirably, the block member is formed from resilient materials, such as plastics and rubbers, but could be formed from other materials such as metals, for example steel, aluminum or zinc.
In another of its aspects, the present invention provides a method of mounting an article at a target location, comprising the steps of:
- providing a hand held device with a hand grip body and an article mounting portion movable relative thereto between a first position and a second position;
- arranging the hand grip body and the article mounting portions so that the first position corresponds to a position in which the article is in an unanchored orientation at the target location, - arranging the hand grip body and the article mounting portions so that the second position corresponds to a position in which the article is in an anchored orientation at the target location;
- providing a force transfer portion to transfer forces between the hand grip body and the article mounting portion for applying a first force component sufficient to seat the article in position at the target location arid a second torsional force component sufficient to transfer the article between the unanchored and anchored orientations.; and - orienting the force transfer portion to lock the article mounting portion relative to the hand grip body in the first position.
In still another of its aspects, the present invention provides a method of mounting an article at a target location, comprising the steps of HONSCIAppFinal Last printed 9/20/2005 11:07:00 AM
- providing a hand held device with a hand grip body and an article mounting portion movable relative thereto between a first position and a second position;
- arranging the hand grip body and the article mounting portions so that the first position corresponds to a position in which the article is in an unanchored orientation at the target location, - arranging the hand grip body and the article mounting portions so that the second position corresponds to a position in which the article is in an anchored orientation at the target location;
- providing a force transfer portion to transfer forces between the hand grip body and the article mounting portion for applying a first force component sufficient to seat the article in position at the target location and a second torsional force component sufficient to transfer the article between the unanchored and anchored orientations;
- positioning the article mounting portion in the first position;
- locating an article on the article mounting portion;
- locking the article mounting portion relative to the hand grip body in the first position;
- orienting the article mounting portion to deliver the article in the unanchored orientation to the target location.
- manipulating the hand grip body to deliver the first force component to press the article into a ready position;
- releasing the article mounting portion and manipulating the hand grip body towards the target HONSCIAppFinal Last printed 9/20/2005 11:07:00 AM
location in a manner to deliver the first and second force components to the article mounting portion and thereby to deliver the article mounting portion to the second position.
In still another of this aspects, the present invention provides a hand held device for installing an article at a target location, comprising a hand grip body and an article mounting portion movable relative thereto between a first position and a second position rotationally displaced from the first position, the first position corresponding to a position in which the article is in an unanchored orientation at the target location, the second position corresponding to a position in which the article is in an anchored orientation at the target location, biasing means for biasing the article mounting portion toward its second position and releasable positioning means for fixing the position of the article mounting portion relative to the hand grip body in the first position.
In still another of this aspects, the present invention provides a hand held device for installing a sun visor clip at a target sun visor clip location in a vehicle, comprising a hand grip body, a sun visor clip mounting portion having a body with a recess formed therein to receive at least part of the sun visor clip therein, the sun visor clip mounting portion being movable relative to the hand grip body between a first position and a second position rotationally displaced from the first position, the first position corresponding to a position enabling the sun visor clip to be in an unanchored orientation at the target sun visor clip location, the second position corresponding to a position enabling the sun visor clip to be in an anchored orientation at the target sun visor clip location, a force transfer portion operable to transfer forces between the hand grip body and the sun visor clip mounting portion for applying a first force component sufficient to seat the sun visor clip in position at the target sun visor clip location and a second torsional force component sufficient to transfer the sun visor clip between the unanchored and anchored orientations, the force transfer portion including a releasable lock portion for locking the article mounting portion relative to the hand grip body in the first position.
In still another of this aspects, the present invention provides a hand held device for installing a sun visor clip at a target sun visor clip location in a vehicle, comprising a hand grip body, a sun visor clip mounting HONSCIAppFinal Last printed 9/20/2005 11:07:00 AM
portion having a body with a recess formed therein to receive at least part of the sun visor clip therein, the sun visor clip mounting portion being movable relative to the hand grip body between a first position and a second position rotationally displaced from the first position, the first position corresponding to a position enabling the sun visor clip to be in an unanchored orientation at the target sun visor clip location, the second position corresponding to a position enabling the sun visor clip to be in an anchored orientation at the target sun visor clip location, a force transfer portion operable to transfer forces between the hand grip body and the sun visor clip mounting portion for applying a first force component sufficient to seat the sun visor clip in position at the target sun visor clip location and a second torsional force component sufficient to transfer the sun visor clip between the unanchored and anchored orientations, the force transfer portion including a releasable lack portion for locking the article mounting portion relative to the hand grip body in the first position.
In still another of this aspects, the present invention provides a device for installing an article at a target location, comprising a hand grip body and an article mounting portion movable relative thereto between a first position and a second position rotationally displaced no more than about 170 degrees from the first position, the first position corresponding to a position in which the article is in an unanchored orientation at the target location, the second position corresponding to a position in which the article is in an anchored orientation at the target location, a force transfer portion operable to transfer forces between the hand grip body and the article mounting portion for applying a first force component sufficient to seat the article in position at the target location and a second torsional force component sufficient to transfer the article between the unanchored and anchored orientations, the force transfer portion including a releasable trigger mechanism operable in a lock position under a user's gripping force to lock the article mounting portion relative to the hand grip body while under a load sufficient to seat the article at the target location, the trigger mechanism being operable to be released from the lock position when the user releases the gripping force to permit the article mounting portion to move from the first position to the second position.
In still another of this aspects, the present invention provides an assembly for installing a sun visor clip in a vehicle at a target location, comprising a hand grip body with an elongate chamber, the chamber having an HONSCIAppFinal Last printed 9/20/2005 11:07:00 AM
opening at a peripheral region thereof and a longitudinal axis, a shaft positioned in the chamber to extend beyond the peripheral region and positioned for movement along the longitudinal axis between the first and second positions, the shaft having a remote end supporting a block member, the block member having an outer surface formation, a sun visor clip engaged with the outer surface formation, the surface formation including a depression whose inner profile is complementary with at least a portion of the sun visor clip, a spring element acting between the chamber and the shaft, a plurality of guide elements on the chamber and shaft to displace the shaft relative to the chamber between a first position and a second position rotationally displaced from the first position, a trigger to hold the shaft in the first position under a normal load sufficient to seat the clip at the target location, the trigger operable to release the shaft under the normal load to cause a torsional force to be exerted on the shaft.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Several preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, 1$ with reference to the appended drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device for installing articles;
Figure 2, 2a and 3 to 7 are partly sectional or schematic plan views of the device of figure I in various positions;
Figure 8 is a magnified fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the device of figure 1; and Figures 9 to 15 are partly sectional views of alternatives to the device of figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The figures illustrate several devices to mount articles at a mounting location. In this example, the article HONSCIAppFinal Last printed 920/2005 11:07:00 AM
in question is an anchor member destined for mounting in a roof section or other location on a vehicle. Still more particularly, the anchor member is a clip for a sun visor as shown at 10 in figure 1. In this case, the sun visor clip 10 has an outer mounting formation 12 and one or more anchor formations shown at 14. In this case, the anchor formations include flanges 14a, 14b. As will be described, the device enables an assembly Associate to install a sun visor clip 10 and to reduce, or perhaps eliminate in some cases, the "pinch" and "twist" forces otherwise required to do so.
The "pinch" force conventionally requires that the assembly Associate grip the sun visor clip 10 between the thumb and forefinger and pressing it into the vehicle's ceiling panel. At the same time, the assembly Associate must exert a "twist" force to rotate the sun visor clip I O (much in the same way that a key is turned in a lock mechanism). Together, the "pinch" and "twist" forces move the sun visor clip 10 from a first unanchored orientation to a second anchored orientation within a passage provided behind the ceiling panel, to cause the anchor formations on the sun visor clip to engage a corresponding boundary regions of the passage to hold it in place.
Thus, in figures 1 to 8, a hand held device is shown at 16 for installing the article 10 at a target location 18 including a passageway 19a. The device 16 has a hand grip body 20 and an article mounting portion 22 movable relative thereto between a first position shown in figures 1 to 3 and a second position shown in figure 5 and rotationally displaced from the first position. The first position corresponds to a position in which the article 10 is in an unanchored orientation at the target location 18. The second position corresponds to a position in which the article is in an anchored orientation in the passageway 19a at the target location 18, with the flanges 14a, 14b braced against an inside surface 18a at the target location.
Figure 2a shows a sequence of events between the first and second positions.
Furthermore, it can be seen that the flanges 14a, 14b are opposed and are arranged to engage the inside surface 18a at the target location after rotating approximately from about 10 to about 170 degrees from the first position before it reaches the second position, with the most desirable rotational travel in this particular case, being about 90 degrees.
HONSCIAppFinal Last printed 9/20/2005 11:07:00 AM
A force transfer portion is generally shown at 26 and is operable to transfer forces between the hand grip body 20 and the article mounting portion 22 for applying a first force component F1 sufficient to seat the article in position at the target location 18 and a second torsional force F2 component sufficient to transfer the article between the unanchored and anchored orientations. As will be further described below, the force transfer portion also includes a releasable lock portion 28 for locking the article mounting portion 22 relative to the hand grip body 20 in the first position.
The article mounting portion 22 includes a shaft 30 with a remote end 30a. A
block member 32 is mounted on the remote end 30a and is arranged to receive the article 10. The block member 32 has a surface formation 34 to engage the article 10. In one example, the surface formation 34 includes a depression 34a whose inner profile is complementary with a portion of a corresponding profile of the article 10. However, the surface formation could be made with other provisions to engage the article 10. For instance, the block member 32 may be provided with a number of projections (not shown) extending outwardly from the surface formation 34 in order to temporarily trap the article 10. The block member 32 is formed from resilient materials, such as plastics and rubbers, in this case polyurethane.
However, the block member 32 may also be formed from other materials such as metals, for example steel, aluminum or zinc.
As can be seen in figure 1, the hand grip body has an elongate chamber 38 which receives the shaft 30 for movement along a longitudinal axis 40. The hand grip body 20 includes a back wall 42 and the force transfer portion 26 includes a biasing portion 44 to bias the shaft toward the second position. In this case, the biasing portion 44 is provided in the form of a compression spring element 46 positioned in the elongate chamber 38 between the back wall 42 and the inner end 30b of the shaft 30 to act between the hand grip body 20 and the shaft 30. However, the biasing portion may include a number of different forms including a pneumatic and/or hydraulic ram unit and/or an electromagnetic ram unit as described herein below. In addition to the above described compression spring 46, the biasing portion may also include a tension spring element. In addition, the compression spring may be provided in forms which include compressible polymeric bodies as discussed below.
HONSCIAppFinal Last printed 9/20/2005 11:07:00 AM
The force transfer portion 26 includes one or more guide elements 52 for guiding the shaft 30 along the elongate chamber 38. The one or more guide elements are mounted on the hand grip body 20 and/or the shaft 30 and include one or more than one guide member 54 and a path 56 to receive the guide member. In this case, the guide member includes a pair of opposed roll pin and ball bearing arrangements, one of which is shown at 58 extending inwardly from the hand grip body and the path is a pair of helical grooves 60 formed in the shaft. The roll pin and ball bearing arrangements 58 may, if desired, be provided on the shaft 30 and the helical grooves 60 on the hand grip body 20. The roll pin and ball bearing arrangements 58 and helical grooves 60 may be replaced by other mechanisms such as gear arrangements or complementary helical formations provided on both the shaft 30 and the hand grip body 20.
Moreover, the first and second positions may be achieved without necessarily providing a helical path.
Rather, movement may also be changed by a combination of slots which are parallel or perpendicular or at angles therebetween.
As can be seen if figures 1 and 8, while the compression spring element 46 is positioned between the back wall 42 and the inner end 30b of the shaft 30, the compression spring element 46 does not, in this arrangement, directly bear against the back wall 42 but rather against a force adjustment member 62 positioned in the hand grip body 20 for adjusting the bias on the shaft 30. In this case, as seen in figure 8, the force adjustment member 62 includes a plate 64 which is threadably engaged with the hand grip body which in turn provides an access passage 66 for accessing the plate 64 with an Allan key 68 or the like.
20 In this case, the compression spring element 46 is provided to perform a number of functions. First, the spring rate of the compression spring element is selected to provide sufficient spring rate to extend the shaft to its first position. Second, it is desirable that the spring rate is sufficient to transfer the normal force component from the body to the shaft, thereby to avoid the shaft "bottoming out" against the force adjustment member 62. However, there may be cases where the shaft may engage the adjustment member 25 62 and still provide a desirable result.
Referring to figure 1, the releasable lock portion 28 is provided, in this case, in the form of a trigger mechanism 70 for releasing the shaft 30 for movement between the first and second positions. The trigger HONSCIAppFinal Last printed 9/20/2005 11:07:00 AM
mechanism 70 includes a latch 72 movable between a first position in which the latch is engaged with the shaft 30 and a second position in which the latch 72 is disengaged with the shaft 30. In this case, the shaft 30 is provided with a notch 30c to receive the latch 72. The latch 72 is preferably pivotally mounted to the hand grip body 20 by way of pivot pin 72a. The hand grip body 20 includes a passage 74 (figure 2) for receiving the latch 72 and a recess 75 to provide a seat for the latch 72. The latch 72 may be attached by other arrangements including by sliding mechanisms and the like (not shown).
It will be seen that the hand grip body 20 has an outer surface 76 and the trigger mechanism 70 further comprises a trigger element 78 positioned to be accessible to the outer surface 76 and located in the recess 75. As shown in figure 9, the trigger element 78 may, if desired, include a button 80 provided on the hand grip body 20. In this case, the button has a main portion 80a with an outer end 80b and an inner end 80c engageable with the notch under the action of a compression spring 80d outwardly biasing the main body to a release position in which the inner end 80c is not engaged with the notch.
An alternative device is shown at 80 in figure 10 in which a trigger element is provided in the form of a remote switch 82 to activate a hydraulic ram unit 84. The hydraulic ram unit 84 has a controller 86 which controls the pressure in a hydraulic cylinder 88, itself integrally formed within a hand grip body 90.
Referring once again to figure 1, the device 16 is used as follows. First, the assembly Associate or other user determines that the shaft 30 is in its outer position corresponding to the first position of the mounting portion 22.
Referring to figure 2, the user then locates a sun visor clip 10 in the depression 34a provided on the surface formation 34 of the block member 32. The user then grips the hand grip body 20 and locks the shaft 30 in the fn~st position by gripping and/or depressing the trigger element 78 with his thumb (or for that matter the fingers or palm) to engage the latch 72 with the notch 30c on the shaft 30, with a sufficient force to hold the latch 72 in the notch 30c.
Referring to figure 3, while maintaining the trigger element 78 engaged with his thumb, the user orients the HONSCIAppFinal Last printed 9/20/2005 11:07:00 AM
device 16 to deliver the sun visor clip 10 in its unanchored orientation adjacent the target location 18, which in this case includes a designated passageway 19a cut through a ceiling panel in a vehicle. The user then delivers a Force F3 to the hand grip body 20 which is thus transferred through the latch 72 to the shaft 30 and thus to the block member 32 and the sun visor clip 10, to press the latter deeper into the designated passageway 19a to a ready position. It will be appreciated that, in one example, the sides of the notch and latch are angled, in this case, to facilitate the release or removal of the latch from the notch while under the load F3 the instant the user applied force on the latch is removed. Thus, a desirable feature of the trigger mechanism, in this case, is the shape of the latch 82 and the notch 30c to enable the trigger mechanism to be released merely by releasing pressure therefrom. This is due to the fact that the trigger is maintained in its operative locking orientation solely by the gripping forces that the user applies thereto. This minimizes, if not eliminates, any chance that the nigger mechanism will become jammed under load as the user applies the normal force F1 to press the clip into the foam materials in the ceiling of the vehicle.
Referring to figure 4, the user then releases the trigger element 78 and retains the force F3 on the hand grip body 20. The device 16 delivers the force F3 to the sun visor clip 10 in two components. First, the normal force F1 is transferred from the hand grip body 20, through the compression spring element 46, to the shaft 30 and thus to the block member 32 and sun visor clip 10 to maintain it in its proper "depth" in the passageway to ensure that the anchor formations 14 on the clip can engage the corresponding boundary regions of the passage. The force F 1 must be sufficient to overcome the spring force of spring 42 to cause a relative movement between the shaft 30 and the elongate member 38. Thus, a torsional force F2 is exerted on the shaft 30 by the transfer of forces from the hand grip body 20 through the guide members 54 and the helical groves 60, through the shaft 30 to the block member 32 and thus to the sun visor clip 10.
This results in the shaft 30 rotating to the second position as shown in figures 2a and 5, thus causing a corresponding rotation of the sun visor clip 10 for the flanges 14a, 14b to engage the corresponding boundary regions of the passage way in the ready position.
Figure 11 shows another device 90 with a spring loaded detent ball 92 under the biasing action of a compression spring 94 in place of the trigger mechanism of device 16. In this case the detent ball 92 is HONSCIAppFinal Last printed 9/20/2005 11:07:00 AM
arranged to release from the corresponding notch 96 when a maximum force is exerted on the hand grip body.
Figure 12 shows another device 100 with no trigger mechanism, in contrast to the previous device 16. In this case, the spring rage for the spring should be selected to provide a reasonable equivalent to the force F1, as desired.
Figure 13 shows another device 110 with a trigger mechanism 112 having a button 114 held in the hand grip body 116 and positioned to be deployed by a user's thumb. In this case, the trigger mechanism 112 is operably coupled with an electromagnetic ram unit 118 which is supplied by a power supply via a power cable shown at 120.
Figure 14 shows another device 130 with a trigger mechanism whose button 132 is operably coupled with a pneumatic or hydraulic ram unit 134. In this case, the button 132 communicates with a remote controller not shown by way of supply wires and channels shown generally at 136.
Figure 15 shows still another device 138, similarly without a trigger mechanism as figure 12 and which utilizes a biasing portion in the form of a compressible polymeric body 140 formed of materials such as expanded or closed/open cell polyurethane, or other porous or nonporous polymeric materials.
Thus, the device described herein, in one form, can be described as providing a tool with a hand grip body with a lever and a nesting portion to receive the sun visor clip. The nesting portion rotates on a ball screw mechanism into housing against the action of a spring. The lever has two positions, one of which being a locking position to secure the sun visor clip in place in a coiled ready position. The lever is then movable to a release position causing the ball screw to move under the action of the spring and rotate the sun visor clip, causing the latter to penetrate to an anchored position in the roof liner. Thus, the device, in one form, maintains the orientation of the sun visor clip for installation while remaining lightweight. The hand grip body provides a convenient gripping point to install the sun visor clip, while the latter is aligned with the HONSCIAppFinal Last printed 9/20/2005 11:07:00 AM
hole in the roof liner. The device thus provides a lever in a convenient location adjacent the user's thumb to hold down the lever and fix the device in the first position. The sun visor clip may then be aligned with the hole in the roof liner and inserted. Furthermore, the lever on the device is depressed to ensure that the sun visor clip does not rotate until it is fully installed to avoid significant damage to the roof liner. Once the clip is fully seated, the user may then release the lever and provide an upward force that rotates the sun visor clip ninety degrees in the appropriate direction. Of course, the angle of rotation may vary with the device and the needs of the article. Thus, the present device, in one form, is especially useful for providing controlled and automatic delivery of a normal force and a torsional force between two limit positions, which limits are provided by a number of cooperating guide elements.
While the present invention has been described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
HONSCIAppFinal Last printed 9/20/2005 I I :07:00 AM
A force transfer portion is generally shown at 26 and is operable to transfer forces between the hand grip body 20 and the article mounting portion 22 for applying a first force component F1 sufficient to seat the article in position at the target location 18 and a second torsional force F2 component sufficient to transfer the article between the unanchored and anchored orientations. As will be further described below, the force transfer portion also includes a releasable lock portion 28 for locking the article mounting portion 22 relative to the hand grip body 20 in the first position.
The article mounting portion 22 includes a shaft 30 with a remote end 30a. A
block member 32 is mounted on the remote end 30a and is arranged to receive the article 10. The block member 32 has a surface formation 34 to engage the article 10. In one example, the surface formation 34 includes a depression 34a whose inner profile is complementary with a portion of a corresponding profile of the article 10. However, the surface formation could be made with other provisions to engage the article 10. For instance, the block member 32 may be provided with a number of projections (not shown) extending outwardly from the surface formation 34 in order to temporarily trap the article 10. The block member 32 is formed from resilient materials, such as plastics and rubbers, in this case polyurethane.
However, the block member 32 may also be formed from other materials such as metals, for example steel, aluminum or zinc.
As can be seen in figure 1, the hand grip body has an elongate chamber 38 which receives the shaft 30 for movement along a longitudinal axis 40. The hand grip body 20 includes a back wall 42 and the force transfer portion 26 includes a biasing portion 44 to bias the shaft toward the second position. In this case, the biasing portion 44 is provided in the form of a compression spring element 46 positioned in the elongate chamber 38 between the back wall 42 and the inner end 30b of the shaft 30 to act between the hand grip body 20 and the shaft 30. However, the biasing portion may include a number of different forms including a pneumatic and/or hydraulic ram unit and/or an electromagnetic ram unit as described herein below. In addition to the above described compression spring 46, the biasing portion may also include a tension spring element. In addition, the compression spring may be provided in forms which include compressible polymeric bodies as discussed below.
HONSCIAppFinal Last printed 9/20/2005 11:07:00 AM
The force transfer portion 26 includes one or more guide elements 52 for guiding the shaft 30 along the elongate chamber 38. The one or more guide elements are mounted on the hand grip body 20 and/or the shaft 30 and include one or more than one guide member 54 and a path 56 to receive the guide member. In this case, the guide member includes a pair of opposed roll pin and ball bearing arrangements, one of which is shown at 58 extending inwardly from the hand grip body and the path is a pair of helical grooves 60 formed in the shaft. The roll pin and ball bearing arrangements 58 may, if desired, be provided on the shaft 30 and the helical grooves 60 on the hand grip body 20. The roll pin and ball bearing arrangements 58 and helical grooves 60 may be replaced by other mechanisms such as gear arrangements or complementary helical formations provided on both the shaft 30 and the hand grip body 20.
Moreover, the first and second positions may be achieved without necessarily providing a helical path.
Rather, movement may also be changed by a combination of slots which are parallel or perpendicular or at angles therebetween.
As can be seen if figures 1 and 8, while the compression spring element 46 is positioned between the back wall 42 and the inner end 30b of the shaft 30, the compression spring element 46 does not, in this arrangement, directly bear against the back wall 42 but rather against a force adjustment member 62 positioned in the hand grip body 20 for adjusting the bias on the shaft 30. In this case, as seen in figure 8, the force adjustment member 62 includes a plate 64 which is threadably engaged with the hand grip body which in turn provides an access passage 66 for accessing the plate 64 with an Allan key 68 or the like.
20 In this case, the compression spring element 46 is provided to perform a number of functions. First, the spring rate of the compression spring element is selected to provide sufficient spring rate to extend the shaft to its first position. Second, it is desirable that the spring rate is sufficient to transfer the normal force component from the body to the shaft, thereby to avoid the shaft "bottoming out" against the force adjustment member 62. However, there may be cases where the shaft may engage the adjustment member 25 62 and still provide a desirable result.
Referring to figure 1, the releasable lock portion 28 is provided, in this case, in the form of a trigger mechanism 70 for releasing the shaft 30 for movement between the first and second positions. The trigger HONSCIAppFinal Last printed 9/20/2005 11:07:00 AM
mechanism 70 includes a latch 72 movable between a first position in which the latch is engaged with the shaft 30 and a second position in which the latch 72 is disengaged with the shaft 30. In this case, the shaft 30 is provided with a notch 30c to receive the latch 72. The latch 72 is preferably pivotally mounted to the hand grip body 20 by way of pivot pin 72a. The hand grip body 20 includes a passage 74 (figure 2) for receiving the latch 72 and a recess 75 to provide a seat for the latch 72. The latch 72 may be attached by other arrangements including by sliding mechanisms and the like (not shown).
It will be seen that the hand grip body 20 has an outer surface 76 and the trigger mechanism 70 further comprises a trigger element 78 positioned to be accessible to the outer surface 76 and located in the recess 75. As shown in figure 9, the trigger element 78 may, if desired, include a button 80 provided on the hand grip body 20. In this case, the button has a main portion 80a with an outer end 80b and an inner end 80c engageable with the notch under the action of a compression spring 80d outwardly biasing the main body to a release position in which the inner end 80c is not engaged with the notch.
An alternative device is shown at 80 in figure 10 in which a trigger element is provided in the form of a remote switch 82 to activate a hydraulic ram unit 84. The hydraulic ram unit 84 has a controller 86 which controls the pressure in a hydraulic cylinder 88, itself integrally formed within a hand grip body 90.
Referring once again to figure 1, the device 16 is used as follows. First, the assembly Associate or other user determines that the shaft 30 is in its outer position corresponding to the first position of the mounting portion 22.
Referring to figure 2, the user then locates a sun visor clip 10 in the depression 34a provided on the surface formation 34 of the block member 32. The user then grips the hand grip body 20 and locks the shaft 30 in the fn~st position by gripping and/or depressing the trigger element 78 with his thumb (or for that matter the fingers or palm) to engage the latch 72 with the notch 30c on the shaft 30, with a sufficient force to hold the latch 72 in the notch 30c.
Referring to figure 3, while maintaining the trigger element 78 engaged with his thumb, the user orients the HONSCIAppFinal Last printed 9/20/2005 11:07:00 AM
device 16 to deliver the sun visor clip 10 in its unanchored orientation adjacent the target location 18, which in this case includes a designated passageway 19a cut through a ceiling panel in a vehicle. The user then delivers a Force F3 to the hand grip body 20 which is thus transferred through the latch 72 to the shaft 30 and thus to the block member 32 and the sun visor clip 10, to press the latter deeper into the designated passageway 19a to a ready position. It will be appreciated that, in one example, the sides of the notch and latch are angled, in this case, to facilitate the release or removal of the latch from the notch while under the load F3 the instant the user applied force on the latch is removed. Thus, a desirable feature of the trigger mechanism, in this case, is the shape of the latch 82 and the notch 30c to enable the trigger mechanism to be released merely by releasing pressure therefrom. This is due to the fact that the trigger is maintained in its operative locking orientation solely by the gripping forces that the user applies thereto. This minimizes, if not eliminates, any chance that the nigger mechanism will become jammed under load as the user applies the normal force F1 to press the clip into the foam materials in the ceiling of the vehicle.
Referring to figure 4, the user then releases the trigger element 78 and retains the force F3 on the hand grip body 20. The device 16 delivers the force F3 to the sun visor clip 10 in two components. First, the normal force F1 is transferred from the hand grip body 20, through the compression spring element 46, to the shaft 30 and thus to the block member 32 and sun visor clip 10 to maintain it in its proper "depth" in the passageway to ensure that the anchor formations 14 on the clip can engage the corresponding boundary regions of the passage. The force F 1 must be sufficient to overcome the spring force of spring 42 to cause a relative movement between the shaft 30 and the elongate member 38. Thus, a torsional force F2 is exerted on the shaft 30 by the transfer of forces from the hand grip body 20 through the guide members 54 and the helical groves 60, through the shaft 30 to the block member 32 and thus to the sun visor clip 10.
This results in the shaft 30 rotating to the second position as shown in figures 2a and 5, thus causing a corresponding rotation of the sun visor clip 10 for the flanges 14a, 14b to engage the corresponding boundary regions of the passage way in the ready position.
Figure 11 shows another device 90 with a spring loaded detent ball 92 under the biasing action of a compression spring 94 in place of the trigger mechanism of device 16. In this case the detent ball 92 is HONSCIAppFinal Last printed 9/20/2005 11:07:00 AM
arranged to release from the corresponding notch 96 when a maximum force is exerted on the hand grip body.
Figure 12 shows another device 100 with no trigger mechanism, in contrast to the previous device 16. In this case, the spring rage for the spring should be selected to provide a reasonable equivalent to the force F1, as desired.
Figure 13 shows another device 110 with a trigger mechanism 112 having a button 114 held in the hand grip body 116 and positioned to be deployed by a user's thumb. In this case, the trigger mechanism 112 is operably coupled with an electromagnetic ram unit 118 which is supplied by a power supply via a power cable shown at 120.
Figure 14 shows another device 130 with a trigger mechanism whose button 132 is operably coupled with a pneumatic or hydraulic ram unit 134. In this case, the button 132 communicates with a remote controller not shown by way of supply wires and channels shown generally at 136.
Figure 15 shows still another device 138, similarly without a trigger mechanism as figure 12 and which utilizes a biasing portion in the form of a compressible polymeric body 140 formed of materials such as expanded or closed/open cell polyurethane, or other porous or nonporous polymeric materials.
Thus, the device described herein, in one form, can be described as providing a tool with a hand grip body with a lever and a nesting portion to receive the sun visor clip. The nesting portion rotates on a ball screw mechanism into housing against the action of a spring. The lever has two positions, one of which being a locking position to secure the sun visor clip in place in a coiled ready position. The lever is then movable to a release position causing the ball screw to move under the action of the spring and rotate the sun visor clip, causing the latter to penetrate to an anchored position in the roof liner. Thus, the device, in one form, maintains the orientation of the sun visor clip for installation while remaining lightweight. The hand grip body provides a convenient gripping point to install the sun visor clip, while the latter is aligned with the HONSCIAppFinal Last printed 9/20/2005 11:07:00 AM
hole in the roof liner. The device thus provides a lever in a convenient location adjacent the user's thumb to hold down the lever and fix the device in the first position. The sun visor clip may then be aligned with the hole in the roof liner and inserted. Furthermore, the lever on the device is depressed to ensure that the sun visor clip does not rotate until it is fully installed to avoid significant damage to the roof liner. Once the clip is fully seated, the user may then release the lever and provide an upward force that rotates the sun visor clip ninety degrees in the appropriate direction. Of course, the angle of rotation may vary with the device and the needs of the article. Thus, the present device, in one form, is especially useful for providing controlled and automatic delivery of a normal force and a torsional force between two limit positions, which limits are provided by a number of cooperating guide elements.
While the present invention has been described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
HONSCIAppFinal Last printed 9/20/2005 I I :07:00 AM
Claims (32)
1. A hand held device for installing an article at a target location, comprising a hand grip body and an article mounting portion movable relative thereto between a first position and a second position rotationally displaced from the first position, the first position corresponding to a position in which the article is in an unanchored orientation at the target location, the second position corresponding to a position in which the article is in an anchored orientation at the target location, a force transfer portion operable to transfer forces between the hand grip body and the article mounting portion for applying a first force component sufficient to seat the article in position at the target location and a second torsional force component sufficient to transfer the article between the unanchored and anchored orientations, the force transfer portion including a releasable lock portion for locking the article mounting portion relative to the hand grip body in the first position.
2. A device as defined in claim 1, the hand grip body further comprising an elongate chamber having an opening at a peripheral region thereof and a longitudinal axis, the article mounting portion including a shaft positioned in the chamber to extend beyond the peripheral region and positioned for movement along the longitudinal axis between the first and second positions.
3. A device as defined in claim 2, the hand grip body including a back wall abutting the elongate chamber, the force transfer portion including a spring element positioned in the cylindrical chamber between the back wall and the shaft.
4. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein the force transfer portion includes a biasing portion to bias the shaft toward the second position.
5. A device as defined in claim 4, wherein the biasing portion includes a compression spring acting between the hand grip body and the shaft.
6. A device as defined in claim 1, the force transfer portion including one or more guide elements for guiding the shaft along the elongate chamber.
7. A device as defined in claim 6, wherein the one or more guide elements are mounted on the hand grip body and/or the shaft.
8. A device as defined in claim 7 wherein the one or more guide elements include one or more than one detent member and a path to receive the detent member.
9. A device as defined in claim 5, further comprising a force adjustment member positioned in the body and/or on the shaft for adjusting the bias on the shaft.
10. A device as defined in claim 9, wherein the force adjustment member is a plate adjustably positioned in the body.
11. A device as defined in claim 10, wherein the body and the plate are threadably engaged.
12. A device as defined in claim 11, further comprising an access passage for accessing the plate.
13. A device as defined in claim 1, the releasable lock portion further comprising a trigger mechanism for releasing the shaft for movement between the first and second positions.
14. A device as defined in claim 13, wherein the trigger mechanism includes a latch movable between a first position in which the latch is engaged with the shaft and a second position in which the latch is disengaged with the shaft.
15. A device as defined in claim 14, wherein the latch is pivotally mounted to the body.
16. A device as defined in claim 15, wherein the body includes a passage for receiving the latch.
17. A device as defined in claim 16, the body having an outer surface, the trigger mechanism further comprising a trigger element positioned to be accessible to the outer surface.
18. A device as defined in claim 17, wherein the trigger element includes a lever pivotally mounted to the body.
19. A device as defined in claim 17, wherein the trigger element includes a button.
20. A device as defined in claim 17, wherein the trigger mechanism includes a remote switch.
21. A device as defined in claim 4, wherein the biasing portion includes a pneumatic, hydraulic, and/or electromagnetic ram unit.
22. A device as defined in claim 4, wherein the biasing portion includes a compression or tension spring element.
23. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein the shaft has a remote end, further comprising a block member mounted on the remote end, the block member being arranged to receive the article.
24. A device as defined in claim 23, wherein the block member includes a surface formation to engage the article.
25. A device as defined in claim 24, wherein the surface formation is a depression whose inner profile is complementary with a portion of a corresponding profile of the article.
26. A device as defined in claim 25 wherein the block member is formed from resilient materials.
27. A method of mounting an article at a target location, comprising the steps of:
- providing a hand held device with a hand grip body and an article mounting portion movable relative thereto between a first position and a second position;
- arranging the hand grip body and the article mounting portions so that the first position corresponds to a position in which the article is in an unanchored orientation at the target location, - arranging the hand grip body and the article mounting portions so that the second position corresponds to a position in which the article is in an anchored orientation at the target location;
- providing a force transfer portion to transfer forces between the hand grip body and the article mounting portion for applying a first force component sufficient to seat the article in position at the target location and a second torsional force component sufficient to transfer the article between the unanchored and anchored orientations; and - orienting the force transfer portion to lock the article mounting portion relative to the hand grip body in the first position.
- providing a hand held device with a hand grip body and an article mounting portion movable relative thereto between a first position and a second position;
- arranging the hand grip body and the article mounting portions so that the first position corresponds to a position in which the article is in an unanchored orientation at the target location, - arranging the hand grip body and the article mounting portions so that the second position corresponds to a position in which the article is in an anchored orientation at the target location;
- providing a force transfer portion to transfer forces between the hand grip body and the article mounting portion for applying a first force component sufficient to seat the article in position at the target location and a second torsional force component sufficient to transfer the article between the unanchored and anchored orientations; and - orienting the force transfer portion to lock the article mounting portion relative to the hand grip body in the first position.
28. A method of mounting an article at a target location, comprising the steps of:
- providing a hand held device with a hand grip body and an article mounting portion movable relative thereto between a first position and a second position;
- arranging the hand grip body and the article mounting portions so that the first position corresponds to a position in which the article is in an unanchored orientation at the target location, - arranging the hand grip body and the article mounting portions so that the second position corresponds to a position in which the article is in an anchored orientation at the target location;
- providing a force transfer portion to transfer forces between the hand grip body and the article mounting portion for applying a first force component sufficient to seat the article in position at the target location and a second torsional force component sufficient to transfer the article between the unanchored and anchored orientations;
- positioning the article mounting portion in the first position;
- locating an article on the article mounting portion;
- locking the article mounting portion relative to the hand grip body in the first position;
- orienting the article mounting portion to deliver the article in the unanchored orientation to the target location.
- manipulating the hand grip body to deliver the first force component to press the article into a ready position;
- releasing the article mounting portion and manipulating the hand grip body towards the target location in a manner to deliver the first and second force components to the article mounting portion and thereby to deliver the article mounting portion to the second position.
- providing a hand held device with a hand grip body and an article mounting portion movable relative thereto between a first position and a second position;
- arranging the hand grip body and the article mounting portions so that the first position corresponds to a position in which the article is in an unanchored orientation at the target location, - arranging the hand grip body and the article mounting portions so that the second position corresponds to a position in which the article is in an anchored orientation at the target location;
- providing a force transfer portion to transfer forces between the hand grip body and the article mounting portion for applying a first force component sufficient to seat the article in position at the target location and a second torsional force component sufficient to transfer the article between the unanchored and anchored orientations;
- positioning the article mounting portion in the first position;
- locating an article on the article mounting portion;
- locking the article mounting portion relative to the hand grip body in the first position;
- orienting the article mounting portion to deliver the article in the unanchored orientation to the target location.
- manipulating the hand grip body to deliver the first force component to press the article into a ready position;
- releasing the article mounting portion and manipulating the hand grip body towards the target location in a manner to deliver the first and second force components to the article mounting portion and thereby to deliver the article mounting portion to the second position.
29. A hand held device for installing an article at a target location, comprising a hand grip body and an article mounting portion movable relative thereto between a first position and a second position rotationally displaced from the first position, the first position corresponding to a position in which the article is in an unanchored orientation at the target location, the second position corresponding to a position in which the article is in an anchored orientation at the target location, biasing means for biasing the article mounting portion toward its second position and releasable positioning means for fixing the position of the article mounting portion relative to the hand grip body in the first position.
30. A hand held device for installing a sun visor clip at a target sun visor clip location in a vehicle, comprising a hand grip body, a sun visor clip mounting portion having a body with a recess formed therein to receive at least part of the sun visor clip therein, the sun visor clip mounting portion being movable relative to the hand grip body between a first position and a second position rotationally displaced from the first position, the first position corresponding to a position enabling the sun visor clip to be in an unanchored orientation at the target sun visor clip location, the second position corresponding to a position enabling the sun visor clip to be in an anchored orientation at the target sun visor clip location, a force transfer portion operable to transfer forces between the hand grip body and the sun visor clip mounting portion for applying a first force component sufficient to seat the sun visor clip in position at the target sun visor clip location and a second torsional force component sufficient to transfer the sun visor clip between the unanchored and anchored orientations, the force transfer portion including a releasable lock portion for locking the article mounting portion relative to the hand grip body in the first position.
31. A device for installing an article at a target location, comprising a hand grip body and an article mounting portion movable relative thereto between a first position and a second position rotationally displaced no more than about 170 degrees from the first position, the first position corresponding to a position in which the article is in an unanchored orientation at the target location, the second position corresponding to a position in which the article is in an anchored orientation at the target location, a force transfer portion operable to transfer forces between the hand grip body and the article mounting portion for applying a first force component sufficient to seat the article in position at the target location and a second torsional force component sufficient to transfer the article between the unanchored and anchored orientations, the force transfer portion including a releasable trigger mechanism operable in a lock position under a user's gripping force to lock the article mounting portion relative to the hand grip body while under a load sufficient to seat the article at the target location, the trigger mechanism being operable to be released from the lock position when the user releases the gripping force to permit the article mounting portion to move from the first position to the second position.
32. An assembly for installing a sun visor clip in a vehicle at a target location, comprising a hand grip body with an elongate chamber, the chamber having an opening at a peripheral region thereof and a longitudinal axis, a shaft positioned in the chamber to extend beyond the peripheral region and positioned for movement along the longitudinal axis between the first and second positions, the shaft having a remote end supporting a block member, the block member having an outer surface formation, a sun visor clip engaged with the outer surface formation, the surface formation including a depression whose inner profile is complementary with at least a portion of the sun visor clip, a spring element acting between the chamber and the shaft, a plurality of guide elements on the chamber and shaft to displace the shaft relative to the chamber between a first position and a second position rotationally displaced from the first position, a trigger to hold the shaft in the first position under a normal load sufficient to seat the clip at the target location, the trigger operable to release the shaft under the normal load to cause a torsional force to be exerted on the shaft.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2520369 CA2520369C (en) | 2005-09-21 | 2005-09-21 | Device and method for installing articles |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2520369 CA2520369C (en) | 2005-09-21 | 2005-09-21 | Device and method for installing articles |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2520369A1 CA2520369A1 (en) | 2007-03-21 |
| CA2520369C true CA2520369C (en) | 2008-12-23 |
Family
ID=37890008
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2520369 Expired - Fee Related CA2520369C (en) | 2005-09-21 | 2005-09-21 | Device and method for installing articles |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2520369C (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2992882B1 (en) * | 2012-07-06 | 2014-07-25 | Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa | SOCKET OF CLIPPING. |
-
2005
- 2005-09-21 CA CA 2520369 patent/CA2520369C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2520369A1 (en) | 2007-03-21 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20130923 |