GB2348461A - Connector device for rods to form a display mobile - Google Patents

Abstract

A connector or clip 1 comprises a body 10 having a bore 11 for receiving a first rod with frictional engagement, an open slot or channel 13 with an associated detent 14 for receiving a second rod with a snap fit, the bore 11 and channel 13 being orientated at right angles with each other, and formations to allow connection with support filaments or wire 3. The formations may be lugs 15, 16 having slotted apertures to receive a tag 3a on the end of the filaments. The connectors may be used with rods 2 and filaments 3 to construct a mobile to support display cards 4. A set of parts or components to form the mobile is also described.

Description

TITLE : Clip device for mobiles.

This invention relates to a clip device for mobiles and to a mobile assembly utilising such clip devices. This invention is primarily concerned with a clip which facilitates the assembly of mobiles by means of which cards are suspended being primarily intended for point of sale displays in shops or supermarkets.

The object of this invention is to provide a clip which permits the ready construction of mobiles and allows adjustment, to effect correct balance, using components which are assembled to carry cards and which move with atmospheric disturbances. Another object is to provide a set of components for constructing a mobile display.

In accordance with this invention there is provided a clip device having a bore and an open slot or channel each to receive and retain a tube or a rod in a generally and mutually right angular configuration, the clip including formations to permit connection with support filaments.

In an embodiment the clip has a bore to receive a first tube or rod and a channel into which a second tube or rod may be pressed with the force deforming or deflecting a catch part or a detent permitting a snap fitting into the channel. The two rods then lying in the same plane and mutually at right angles.

Formations on the clip extending at right angles to the plane of the rods include means to allow connection with filaments forming a hanging means.

This construction, being in accordance with the invention, allows the clip to be attached to the end or ends of a first rod and for an intermediate section of the rod to be supported by snap engagement with the channel in a clip thus a mobile structure may be assembled from a plurality of clips and rods with selected clips being supported by hanging filaments or wires and wherein supporting cards are connected with further filaments attached to the clips.

Preferably the filaments will have rigid cross-pieces at each end which may be engaged with the formations on the clips to form a tag connection.

This invention provides also a set of components comprising the clips, the rods or tubes, the filaments and the cards as well as a mobile structure constructed therefrom.

This invention is further described and illustrated with reference to the drawings showing a clip and a mobile structure by way of example. In the drawings: Fig 1. shows one construction of mobile using the clips of this invention, Fig. 2 shows a further configuration of mobile, Fig. 3 Shows a clip and a rod in one perspective view, Fig. 4 Shows the clip in a second perspective view, and Figs. 5, 6 and 7 Show the clip in side view, other side view and end view respectively.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings there is shown two different configurations of mobiles both intended for point of sale displays of prices or offers or the like. As shown the mobiles are assembled from a plurality of clips 1 supporting tubes 2 and with attached filaments 3 having tags 3a and supporting clips and tubes and display cards 4.

Referring to Figs. 3 to 7 the clips have a body 10 with a bore 11 which receives a tubular plastics rod 12. The fit of the rod in the bore is frictionally tight but nevertheless capable of ready assembly and movement in the bore. A channel 13 is provided in the body 10 and this includes a detent 14 the arrangement being such that a tube 12 may be pressed into the channel and retained by the detent 14 in a snap action. This is achieved by either the detent deforming on introduction of the tube 12 or by the tube 12 deforming.

The clip 10 also includes opposed lugs 15 and 16 incorporating slotted apertures to receive the ends of the suspension filaments 3. Conveniently the suspension filaments will be of a predefined length and terminate in rigid crosspieces 3a forming a tag connection. (see Figs. 1 and 2.) This arrangement enables even complex mobiles to be assembled easily and, adjusted for balance, from prefabricated components.

The lugs 15 and 16 on the clips 1 also permit hooks or wires to be attached for hanging purposes. The assembly can be dismantled by unclipping the rods 12 from the channels 13 thus allowing the parts to be flat packed for storage or transport and thereafter easily reassembled by the clipping the rods into place.

Claims (10)

1. CLAIMS : 1. A clip device having a bore and an open slot or channel each to receive and retain a tube or a rod in a generally and mutually right angular configuration, the clip including formations to permit connection with support filaments.
2. 2. A clip device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bore receives and retains the first tube or rod with frictional engagement, the channel having an opening into which the second tube or rod may be pressed with the force deforming or deflecting a catch part or a detent permitting a snap fitting into the channe.
3. 3. A clip device in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the two rods lie on parallel planes and mutually at right angles.
4. 4. A clip device in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the formations on the clip extend at right angles to the plane of the rods and include slots means to allow connection with filaments forming a hanging means.
5. 5. A clip device comprising an elongate body, a transverse aperture through the body to receive frictionally a rod or tube, a channel in the body extending at right angles to the said aperture and into which a rod or tube may be snap engaged, the body having at each end thereof lugs with slotted apertures to receive hanging filaments.
6. 6. A mobile constructed from a plurality of clip devices according to any preceding claim with a clip or clips being attached to the or each end of a first rod and an intermediate section of the rod supported by snap engagement with the channel in a further clip, selected clips being supported by hanging filaments or wires attached to the formations and wherein cards are connected with further filaments attached to formations on the clips.
7. 7. A mobile in accordance with claim 6, wherein the filaments have rigid crosspieces at each end which may be engaged with the formations on the clips to form a tag connection.
8. 8. A set of components for forming a mobile structure, comprising the clips of any preceding claim 1 to 5, rods or tubes for connection therewith, filaments for supporting the clips and cards for connection with the filaments supported by the dips.
9. 9 A clip device for the purpose herein set forth, constructed and arranged substantially as described herein and as illustrated in the drawings.
10. 10. A mobile, or set of parts for constructing a mobile, substantially as described herein and as illustrated in the drawings.