US3636593A

US3636593A - Attachment clip device

Info

Publication number: US3636593A
Application number: US788737A
Authority: US
Inventors: Albert T Buttriss; Clarence R Van Niel
Original assignee: Eaton Yale and Towne Inc
Current assignee: Eaton Corp
Priority date: 1969-01-03
Filing date: 1969-01-03
Publication date: 1972-01-25
Anticipated expiration: 1989-01-25
Also published as: FR2027707A1

Abstract

An attachment clip device for slide action securement with a headed connector element for mounting on a support member including a resilient base having an elongated opening defined by at least one enlarged width portion for receiving the head of said element and a reduced width portion having a seatlike shoulder for locking engagement with the head of said element upon sliding movement of the base with respect to said element. In another form, the device includes a generally U-shaped body defined by a pair of resilient legs extending outwardly from a bight portion with one of the legs providing a base having an opening for receiving said connector element therethrough, and the other of said legs having the elongated opening with said enlarged and reduced width portions for slidable interlocking engagement with said connector element. In another form, the base of the device includes a plurality of outwardly extending peripherally spaced resilient finger members adjacent the opening therein for push action interlocking engagement with said connector element, or a pluglike member depending downwardly from said base for push action interlocking engagement interiorly of said connector element. In another form, the device has a generally looplike body including inturned apertured ends for scissorslike gripping engagement with the connector element.

Description

nited States Patent Buttriss et a1.

[54] ATTACHMENT CLIP DEVICE [72] Inventors: Albert T. Buttriss, Westlake; Clarence R.

Van Niel, North Olmsted, both of Ohio [73] Assignee: Eaton Yale & Towne Inc., Cleveland, Ohio [22] Filed: Jan. 3, 1969 [21] Appl. No: 788,737

[52] U.S. Cl ..24/73 MF, 24/73 B, 24/73 FT, 52/718 [51 1 Int. Cl. ..A44b 21/00, E04f 19/02 [58] Field of Search ..24/73, 73.7, 73 HS, 73 BC, 24/73.5 C, 73 B; 52/718; 287/189.35, 20.2, 20.5; 85/5 [5 6] lleferences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,338,754 l/l944 Bonas ..24/73.7 X 2,581,481 1/1952 Hartman eta 3,239,988 3/1966 Meyer 3,246,440 4/1966 Meyer 3,249,973 5/1966 Seckerson. 3,411,262 11/1968 Meyer 5/1969 Meyer ..52/718 Jan. 25, 1972 Primary Examiner-Billy S. Taylor Attorney-Teare, Teare & Sammon [57] ABSTRACT An attachment clip device for slide action securement with a headed connector element for mounting on a support member including a resilient base having an elongated opening defined by at least one enlarged width portion for receiving the head of said element and a reduced width portion having a seatlike shoulder for locking engagement with the head of said element upon sliding movement of the base with respect to said element. In another form, the device includes a generally U- shaped body defined by a pair of resilient legs extending outwardly from a bight portion with one of the legs providing a base having an opening for receiving said connector element therethrough, and the other of said legs having the elongated opening with said enlarged and reduced width portions for slidable interlocking engagement with said connector element. In another form, the base of the device includes a plurality of outwardly extending peripherally spaced resilient finger members adjacent the opening therein for push action interlocking engagement with said connector element, or a pluglike member depending downwardly from said base for push action interlocking engagement interiorly of said connector element. In another form, the device has a generally looplike body including inturned apertured ends for scissorslike gripping engagement with the connector element.

11 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PATENTED m2 51972 SHEET 1 OF 2 lNVli/V'IOR ALBERT T. BUTTRISS CLARENCE R.VANNIEL o zdggfla, 41

ATTORNEYS PATENTEB m2 51972 SHEEI 2 BF 2 INVENTOR. ALBERT T. BUTTRISS yCLARENCE R.VANN|EL M m2 7 7 117k AT TORNEYS ATTACHMENT CLIP DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to fastening devices, and more particularly relates to novel constructions for metallic and/or polymeric attachment clip devices which can be employed for mounting articles, such as moldings, trim strips, electrical components or the like, to a support member. The devices of the invention are particularly suited for slide or push action mounting with a connector element, such as a weld-type stud or the like. Such weld-type connectors are of the type disclosed in the copending application to Albert T. Buttriss and Clarence R. Van Niel, Ser. No. 733,570 filed May 31, 1968, and now abandoned.

Heretofore, it has been known to mount various types of attachment clip devices to a support panel by various types of welded or soldered securements, such as by rivets, weld studs or the like. However, such attachments have not been entirely satisfactory in providing a positive securement between the parts with a relatively high degree of holding power. In addition, such heretofore known arrangements have not provided a construction which can be quickly and easily installed and/or removed with a minimum time and effort. Furthermore, many of such prior arrangements have required the use of auxiliary tools or equipment in order to complete the installation and/or to disassemble the parts as may be required for many applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An attachment clip device which is adapted, in one form, for slide action securement with a headed connector element, such as a weld-type stud, for mounting on a support member, comprising, a resilient base having an elongated opening including at least one enlarged width portion for receiving the head of the connector element therethrough and a reduced width portion having seatlike shoulder means for interlocking coacting engagement with the connector element upon relative sliding movement of the base with respect to the connector element. In another form, a plurality of peripherally spaced inclined finger members project upwardly from the base adapted for interlocking gripping engagement with the connector element upon push action insertion of the connector element between said finger members; or the base includes a depending pluglike member adapted for snap action and push action insertion within a hollow connector element. In another form, the device includes a looplike body having inturned apertured end portions adapted for scissorslike gripping engagement with a connector element upon deformation of the body of said device.

By the foregoing arrangement, there is provided a novel construction for an attachment clip device which in its several modified forms can be quickly and easily installed by simple slide or push action for attachment to a connector element, such as a weld stud or the like, for mounting on a support member. In the invention, the device can be installed on a support panel without the requirement to provide holes or other types of openings in the panel and without the need for auxiliary tools and/or equipment for attaching the device with respect to the connector element. The device of the invention can be economically produced and is of a relatively simple, yet rugged construction so as to provide a positive securement between the parts in the installed position thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a generally perspective view of one form of the attachment clip device of the invention partially installed with a connector element on a support member;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary generally perspective view of a portion of the device of FIG. 1 in the installed position;

FIG. 3 is a generally perspective view of a modified form of the attachment clip device of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a generally perspective view of the device of FIG. 3 in the installed position;

LII

FIG. 5 is a generally perspective view of a further modified form of the attachment clipv device of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a generally perspective view of the attachment clip device of FIG. 5 in assembled position with a connector element;

FIG. 7 is a generally perspective view of another modified form of the attachment clip device of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a vertical section view of the device of FIG. 7 in the assembled position for mounting an article on a support member by means of a connector element;

FIG. 9 is a generally perspective view of a further modified form of the attachment clip device of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a vertical section view of the device of FIG. 9 in the assembled position for mounting on a support member;

FIG. 11 is a generally perspective view of another modified form of the attachment device of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a vertical section view, partially cutaway, of the device of FIG. 11 mounted on a support member by a connector element;

FIG. 13 is a generally perspective assembly view of a further modified form of the attachment clip device of the present invention in conjunction with a connector element;

FIG. 14 is a vertical section view of the device of FIG. 13 in the assembled position on a support member;

FIG. 15 is a generally perspective view of still a further modified form of the attachment clip device of the invention; and

FIG. 16 is a generally perspective view of the device of FIG. 15 in assembled position on a support member by means of a connector element, as contemplated in the invention.

DESCRIP'I ION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is illustrated one form of the attachment clip device, designated generally at 10, which may be mounted on a support member P, such as a panel or the like, by means of a connector element 2, such as a weld stud or the like. In general, the element 2 includes a generally hat or T-cup shaped body 3 having a generally frustoconical configuration in side elevation. The body is preferably made from a metallic material having good weldability characteristics and includes an endless inclined sidewall defining a recess opening 5 therein. The upper end of the sidewall terminates in an endless outwardly projecting flange 6 which provides a head for securement with the device 10. The element 2 is further provided with a downwardly depending integral projection tip 4 which is formed from the material of the element adapted to be secured by welding to the material of the panel P, as described in the aforementioned copending application, Ser. No. 733,570.

In this form, the device 10 preferably has a generally U- shaped configuration having a pair of spaced, oppositely disposed

resilient legs

8 and 14 which extend outwardly from a curved bight portion 12. The leg 8 is provided adjacent one end with an elongated opening 13 corresponding to the transverse shape of the connector element 2. In the form shown, the opposed leg 14 is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed depending

winglike flange portions

16 and 18 which are adapted for bearing engagement against the confronting surface of the leg 8, as shown in FIG. 2. By this arrangement, the leg 14 is held in a predetermined spaced relation outwardly of the leg 8 in the installed position thereof.

In the form shown, the leg 14 is provided with an elongated generally key-hole shaped slot or opening having an enlarged width portion 20 and a communicating reduced width portion 22. The reduced width portion 22 is defined by a downwardly and inwardly depressed or crimped marginal edge which defines a seatlike shoulder 24 along the periphery thereof. Preferably, the seatlike shoulder 24 is of a shape generally corresponding to that of the endless flange 6 on the connector element so that the flange 6 may be disposed in overlying relation with respect thereto. Moreover, the transverse dimension of the enlarged portion 20 is greater than the corresponding transverse dimension of the flanged head 6 of the connector element 2 so that the connector element can be passed axially therethrough upon initial assembly of the device. In addition, though the opening 13 in the leg 8 is of the general contour of the connector element 2, its lengthwise dimension is substantially greater than the corresponding dimension of the element 2 to provide lengthwise shifting movement of the device 10 with respect to the support member P in the secured position of the element 2.

In a typical application of the assembly as shown in FIG. 2, the connector element 2 may be initially secured, such as by welding or the like, to the support member P, whereupon, the clip device 10 may be initially installed by inserting the leg 8 over the connector element 2 via the opening 13. Thus positiohed, the other leg 14 may then be depressed downwardly so that the flanged head 6 of the element 2 is received through the enlarged opening in a generally axial direction, whereupon, the device 10 may then be shifted laterally with respect to the fixed connector element 2 so that the flanged head 6 thereof is disposed in seated relation on the shoulder 24 defining the reduced width portion 22 for holding the leg in locked relation with respect to the support member P. Moreover, due to the resilient spring characteristics of the leg 14, the shoulder 24 is maintained in biased engagement with the confronting under surface of the flanged head 6 of the connector element 2 for maintaining the device in the installed position. In addition, the winglike flanges l6 and 18 maintain a downward force against the confronting surface of the leg 8 for holding the leg 14 in spaced relation with respect thereto.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown another form of the attachment clip device 30 which includes a metal, generally looplike body 32. having downwardly and inwardly

bent portions

34 and 39. The

portions

34 and 39 terminate in generally

flat terminal ends

37 and 38 which are disposed in overlapping relation with respect to one another. The

end portions

37 and 38 are provided with elongated apertures or

openings

36 and 40, respectively, which have an elongated construction with a shape generally corresponding to that of the transverse shape of the connector element 2 (FIG. 4). The

openings

36 and 40 are generally disposed in generally axial registered relation with respect to one another and have a lengthwise dimension substantially greater than that of the connector element 2 to enable the device 30 to shift laterally with respect to the connector element 2 in the installed position thereof. In addition, the maximum transverse width of the

openings

36 and 40 is preferably slightly greater than the corresponding transverse width of the connector element 2, but is slightly less than the corresponding width across the flanged head 6 thereof so that the flanged head is disposed in overlying relation with respect to the confronting marginal edge of the opening 36 in the installed position thereof.

In a typical application of this form of the device, the connector element 2 is connected in the aforementioned manner and the device 30 is installed by inserting the generally registered

openings

36 and 40 in an angular or canted position of the device over the flanged head 6 of the connector element 2 and into engagement with the support panel P. Thus mounted, pressure may then be applied to the device which causes a downward and outward deformation of the body 32 which causes the

end portions

37 and 38 to move outwardly away from one another (as shown by the arrows in FIG. 4), in a scissorslike manner with respect to the fixed connector element 2. This movement causes the opposite outward ends of the

respective openings

36 and 40 to be brought into underlying engagement with the associated confronting surface of the connector element 2 and with the flanged head 6 thereof disposed in overlying relation adjacent the outward end of the opening 36 in the end 37. Preferably, the

end portions

37 and 38 are inclined slightly upwardly in a direction toward one another from the

bight portions

34 and 39 so as to maintain a tight grippinglike scissors action on the connector element 2 in the deformed position of the looplike body 32 of the device 30.

In FIGS. 5 and 6 there is shown another form of the attachment clip device 42 which is also of the slide action type for securement with the aforementioned type of connector element 2. In this form, the device is preferably made from a resilient metallic material including a curved or arcuate base member 43 which is provided at its opposed ends with'a pair of outwardly and inwardly

upstanding flanges

44 and 45. The

flanges

44 and 45 are struck upwardly out of the material of the base 43 so as to provide recessed portions 50 and SI on the opposed sides thereof to define four

leglike corner portions

46, 47, 48 and 49 adapted for bearing engagement with a support panel or the like. As shown, the base 43 is provided with an elongated generally keyhole-shaped slot defined by an enlarged width portion 52 and a communicating reduced width portion 53 in a manner similar to that described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2. In this form, however, the reduced width portion 53 is defined by a pair of spaced, oppositely disposed upstanding

weblike flanges

54 and 55 which have a slightly arcuate shape in top plan so as to correspond to the confronting contour of the body of the connector element 2. Preferably, the maximum transverse distance between the

flanges

54 and 55 may be equal to or slightly less than the corresponding dimension of the connector element 2 to provide a tight resilient fit upon sliding movement of the element between the flanges which may yield resiliently outwardly in the installed position thereof. Accordingly, the transverse dimension of the enlarged portion 52 is preferably greater than that of the corresponding dimension of the connector element so that the same may be initially inserted therethrough. In this form, a resilient finger member 56 is struck upwardly from the base 43 and extends outwardly and generally horizontally between the

flanges

54 and 55. The finger 56 may be bent upwardly, as at 57, adjacent its terminal edge to facilitate camming engagement of the finger member up and over the flanged head 6 of the connector element 2.

As seen in FIG. 6, the device 42 is similarly installed by passing the enlarged portion 52 of the opening over the flanged head 6 of the connector element 2, whereupon, the device may then be slid laterally \m'th respect to the fixed connector element 2 so as to be disposed between the

resilient flanges

54 and 55 of the reduced width portion 53. During this movement, the resilient finger 56 is cammed upwardly and then downwardly via the upturned end 57 so as to be disposed interiorly of a recess portion 7 provided in the connector element 2. In this position, the finger 56 bears at its end 57 against the confronting inner surface of the recess 7 with the opposed end of the finger 56 disposed in overlying curved relation around the flanged head 6 of the connector element 2 to prevent lengthwise sliding movement of the device 42 in the installed position thereof.

In FIGS. 7 and 8 there is shown another form of the attachment clip device 60 which is preferably of a resilient metal and slide-type construction. In this form, the device 60 includes an arcuate or arched resilient base 62 which has a pair of generally vertically upwardly extending

end walls

64 and 65 which, in turn, are bent downwardly and inwardly to provide generally

flat flanges

66 and 67 which extend generally inwardly and parallel to one another, as seen in FIG. 8. In this form, the base 62 is provided with an offset elongated keyhole-shaped opening defined by an enlarged width portion 70 and a reduced width portion 68, as aforesaid. Here again, the reduced width portion 68 is defined by a downwardly and outwardly depressed crimped edge 69 which provides a seatlike shoulder for interlocking engagement with the flanged head 6 of the connector element 2. In this form, the device 60 may be mounted on the fixed connector element 2 by passing the flanged head 6 through the enlarged width portion 70 in the base 62 and then by sliding the device laterally so as to seat the flanged head 6 within the generally correspondingly contoured seatlike shoulder 69 which defines the reduced width portion 68 of the opening. In this form, an article A, such as a wood block or the like, may be held in mounted relation between the sidewalls 64 and 65 and the

intumed flanges

66 and 67, as shown in FIG. 8.

ln FIGS. 59 and there is shown another modified form of the attachment clip device 70 which also includes a resilient metallic arched base 72 having a generally vertically oriented flange 74 adjacent one end thereof. The flange 74 is bent, as at 76, to provide an outwardly and upwardly inclined portion 78 which, in turn, is bent generally vertically upwardly to provide a terminal portion 80. The opposite end of the base 72 is provided with an outwardly and upwardly inclined flange 82 which provides a suitable means for attachment of an article to a support panel. The base 72 is provided with an elongated generally centrally disposed opening defined by an enlarged width portion 84 at one end, and an enlarged width portion 86 at the other end and a reduced width portion 87 disposed therebetween. In this form, the reduced width portion is defined by a pair of spaced, oppositely disposed depressed or downwardly and inwardly crimped edges, as at 90, to provide a s'eatlike shoulder for mounting the connector element 2 (FIG. 10) therebetween. Here again, the crimped edges 90 defining the shoulders are generally curved or arcuate, in top plan, so as to generally correspond to the contour of the connector element 2. The transverse dimension of the

enlarged portions

84 and 86 and their corresponding lengthwise dimensions are preferably greater than that of the headed flange 6 of the connector element so that the latter can be initially freely inserted therethrough. Similarly, the transverse dimension between the crimped marginal edges 90 of the reduced width portion 87 is preferably equal to or slightly less than the corresponding transverse dimension of the connector element 2 so that the threaded flange 6 thereof is supported in overlying engagement on the seatlike shoulders 90 upon lateral shifting movement of the device 70 with respect to the fixed connector element 2, as aforesaid.

In FIGS. 11 and 12 there is shown a further modified form of the attachment clip device 92 having a metallic resilient base 94 which includes a pair of inverted generally

U-shaped portions

96 and 98 adjacent the opposed ends thereof. The

portions

96 and 98 are bent outwardly adjacent their terminal ends to provide

flanges

100 and 102 adapted for hearing engagement with the confronting surface of the support panel P. In this form, the base 94 is provided with a generally centrally disposed opening 108, such as circular or slightly elongated so as to complement the contour of the connector element 2. Preferably, a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient finger members 104 project upwardly from the base 94 adjacent the inner margin of the opening 108. In the form shown, the finger members 104 preferably have an arcuate shape, in top elevation, and are preferably inclined toward one another in a direction away from the base 94. The dimension of the opening 108 is preferably greater than the corresponding dimension of the headed flange 6 of the connector element 2 with such dimension diminishing in a direction toward the free ends of the finger members 104. Preferably, the transverse distance between opposed of the finger members 104 at their free ends is less than the corresponding dimensions of the headed flange 6 of the connector element 2. In application, the connector element 2 is fixedly attached to the support panel P via the weld projection 4, whereupon, the device 92 is then pushed on to the connector element 2 by passing the headed flange 6 through the opening 108 and between the resilient fingers 104 This action biases the fingers 104 outwardly until the free ends of the respective fingers 104 snap back into interlocking engagement immediately below the headed flange 6 of the connector element 2 for locking the same on the support panel.

In FIGS. 13 and 14 there is shown another modified form of the attachment clip device 110 for use with a slightly modified form of the connector element 2a. In this form, the device includes a generally flat resilient metallic base 112 having a pair of generally vertically extending

resilient end walls

114 and 116 at its opposed ends and which, in turn, are bent downwardly and inwardly to provide

resilient wings

118 and 120. The

wings

118 and 120 may be bent downwardly, as at 122 and 124, to provide an attachment construction for mounting an article on the support panel P. In this form, a

resilient pluglike member 126 may be attached to so as to depend downwardly from the base 112. As shown, the member 126 is preferably of a hollow'construction, as at 127, made from a polymeric plastic material having good flexibility characteristics and yet which is sufficiently strong to provide an adequate securement between the parts. The member 126 may be attached to the base 112 by a pair of integral projections disposed within corresponding apertures 129 provided in the base 112 to give a composite metal-plastic construction.

In this form, the connector element 2a is of a generally similar, construction to that described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2 including an endless sidewall 3 defining a recess 5 and terminating in a flanged head 6. The bottom of the element includes a weldlike projection tip 4 for the purposes, as aforesaid. However, in this form the sidewall 3 is provided on its interior surface with a pair of oppositely disposed projections or abutments 9 which extend inwardly toward one another and adapted for overlying coacting engagement with corresponding projections 128 provided on the exterior sidewall of the plug member 126. In application, the connector element 2a is fixedly attached to the support panel P via the weldlike projection 4, whereupon, the device is mounted by pushing the resilient plug member 126 downwardly into the recess opening 5 in the connector element 2a. This recess 5 is preferably of the same general shape as that of the plug member 126, but has slightly enlarged dimensions with respect thereto. As the plug member 126 is moved downwardly, the projections 128 cam-over the interior projections 9 which deforms the endless sidewall of the plug member 126 inwardly until the projections 128 snap in and below the projections 9, whereupon, the free end of the plug member 126 will be seated in bearing engagement against the confronting inner surface of the connector element 20. To this end, the projections 9 and the projections 128 may have a polygonal, such as triangular configuration which are supplementary to one another to afford such camming coaction between the parts.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 13 and 14, the clip device 110 may also be made as an integral one-piece unit from a metallic or polymeric material. For example, when made from a metallic material, the pluglike member 126 may be extruded from the base 112 in the form of a hollow construction having the resilient sidewall characteristics, as aforesaid. When made from a polymeric material, the pluglike member 126 may be extruded or molded to the base 112 either in a solid or hollow construction. In this case, the apertures or slots 129 (FIG. 13) would result from the use of form elements provided in the mold cavity to form the spaced free ends of the projections 128.

In FIGS. 15 and 16 there is shown a further modified form of the attachment clip device 130 which is generally similar to that described in connection with FIGS. 7 and 8, including a metallic resilient arched base 132 having an outwardly and upwardly inclined flange 134 at one end. The other end of the base 132 is provided with a generally vertically oriented end wall 136 which is bent, as at 138, so as to provide a downwardly and outwardly inclined portion 140 which is bent, as at 142, to provide a generally horizontally inwardly extending portion 144, which, in turn, is crimped, as at 146 to provide a hooklike flange for attachment to an article (not shown) to be mounted on the support panel. In this form, the base 132 is similarly provided with an elongated generally keyhole-shaped opening having an enlarged width portion 148 and a communicating reduced width portion 150 which is defined by a depressed and inwardly crimped marginal edge 152 which defines a seatlike shoulder for receiving in overlying relation the headed flange 6 of the connector element 2 upon relative sliding movement of the device 130 relative to the fixed connector element 2 (FIG. 16) for locking the device on the support panel P, as aforesaid.

We claim:

1. An attachment clip device adapted for slide action securement with a headed connector element for mounting an article on a support member comprising,

a resilient base adapted to be disposed adjacent one side of a support member,

said base having an elongated opening including at least one enlarged width portion adapted for receiving said connector element therethrough,

a reduced width portion having seatlike shoulder means adjacent its interior margins adapted for coacting engagement with the head of said connector element upon relative sliding movement of said base with respect to said connector element,

said enlarged and reduced width portions are disposed at opposed ends of said opening,

said shoulder means including a pair of spaced, oppositely disposed upstanding generally arcuate edge portions extending outwardly from the general plane of said base, and

a resilient finger member made-integral with said base and projecting upwardly and outwardly transversely between said edge portions adapted for snap-acting coacting engagement with the head of said connector element.

2. An attachment clip device adapted for slide action securement with a headed connector element for mounting an article on a support member, comprising a resilient base formed from metallic sheet material being adapted to be disposed adjacent one side of said support member,

said base including an elongated, keyhole-shaped slot having an enlarged width portion adapted for receiving said connector element therethrough,

said slot including a reduced width portion extending outwardly from said enlarged width portion in the lengthwise direction of said base and being in communication with said enlarged width portion,

said slot being defined by a marginal edge crimped adjacent the reduced width portion and extending into said slot and out of the general plane of said base providing a seatlike shoulder for interlocking engagement with the head of said connector element,

the transverse dimension between the inner margins of said seatlike shoulder being less than the corresponding transverse dimension of the head of said connector element so that the head thereof is supported in overlying engagement on the seatlike shoulder upon lateral shifting movement of said device with respect to said connector element,

the minimum transverse dimension between the inner margins of the enlarged width portion of said slot being greater than the corresponding transverse dimension of the head of said connector element to enable said head to be inserted therethrough,

said base being arcuately curved, in side elevation, to define a portion adjacent said reduced width portion being spaced from said support member and deformable in a direction toward said support member for resilient biasing engagement with the head of said connector element,

said marginal edge having a contour generally corresponding to the contour of said connector element to limit lateral sliding movement of said device with respect to said connector element in the installed position of said device, and

flange means extending upwardly from the opposite ends of said base adapted for interlocking and holding coacting engagement with an article to be mounted on said support member.

3. An attachment clip device in accordance with claim 2,

wherein said slot includes a pair of laterally spaced enlarged width portions disposed at opposed ends thereof,

said reduced width portion being disposed between said enlarged width portions, and

said shoulder means including a depressed crimped edge defining said reduced width portion.

4. An attachment clip device in accordance with claim 2,

wherein said flange means comprise a pair of generally vertically upwardly extending end walls, and said end walls being bent downwardly and inwardly defining generally parallel flanges extending generally inwardly toward one another. 5. An attachment clip device in accordance with claim 2, wherein I said slot is ofi'set in a longitudinal direction having one end disposed closer to one of said walls than the opposite end is to the other of said walls. 6. An attachment clip device in accordance with claim 2, wherein said flange means includes one flange element inclined outwardly and upwardly, and another flange element defining a generally vertically oriented end wall having a downwardly and outwardly inclined portion and a generally horizontally inwardly extending portion to provide a hooklike member for attachment of an article on said support member. 7. An attachment clip device in accordance with claim 3, wherein at least one of said flange elements extends generally vertically upwardly, then inclined outwardly and upwardly, and then generally vertically to provide a terminal portion adjacent the outer end thereof for attachment of an article to said support member. 8. An attachment clip device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the enlarged and reduced width portions are disposed at opposed ends of said slot, said seatlike shoulder including spaced portions on opposite sides of said reduced width portion, and a resilient finger member made integral with said base and projecting outwardly transversely between said spaced portions being adapted for snap-acting coacting engagement with the head of said connector element. 9. An attachment clip device in accordance with claim 2, wherein said flange means comprises flange elements which are struck upwardly out of the material of said base forming recess portions on opposed sides thereof and defining four leglike comer portions adapted for bearing engagement with said support member. 10. An attachment clip device in accordance with claim 8, wherein A said finger member is turned up adjacent the terminal end thereof for camming engagement with the head of said connector element. 11. An attachment clip device in accordance with claim 8, wherein said connector head includes a recess therein, and said finger member is bent angularly so as to be disposed in overlying curved relation with said head and partially within said recess to limit lengthwise sliding movement of said device in the installed position thereof.

Claims

1. An attachment clip device adapted for slide action securement with a headed connector element for mounting an article on a support member comprising, a resilient base adapted to be disposed adjacent one side of a support member, said base having an elongated opening including at least one enlarged width portion adapted for receiving said connector element therethrough, a reduced width portion having seat-like shoulder means adjacent its interior margins adapted for coacting engagement with the head of said connector element upon relative sliding movement of said base with respect to said connector element, said enlarged and reduced width portions are disposed at Opposed ends of said opening, said shoulder means including a pair of spaced, oppositely disposed upstanding generally arcuate edge portions extending outwardly from the general plane of said base, and a resilient finger member made integral with said base and projecting upwardly and outwardly transversely between said edge portions adapted for snap-acting coacting engagement with the head of said connector element.

2. An attachment clip device adapted for slide action securement with a headed connector element for mounting an article on a support member, comprising a resilient base formed from metallic sheet material being adapted to be disposed adjacent one side of said support member, said base including an elongated, keyhole-shaped slot having an enlarged width portion adapted for receiving said connector element therethrough, said slot including a reduced width portion extending outwardly from said enlarged width portion in the lengthwise direction of said base and being in communication with said enlarged width portion, said slot being defined by a marginal edge crimped adjacent the reduced width portion and extending into said slot and out of the general plane of said base providing seat-like seatlike shoulder for interlocking engagement with the head of said connector element, the transverse dimension between the inner margins of said seatlike shoulder being less than the corresponding transverse dimension of the head of said connector element so that the head thereof is supported in overlying engagement on the seatlike shoulder upon lateral shifting movement of said device with respect to said connector element, the minimum transverse dimension between the inner margins of the enlarged width portion of said slot being greater than the corresponding transverse dimension of the head of said connector element to enable said head to be inserted therethrough, said base being arcuately curved, in side elevation, to define a portion adjacent said reduced width portion being spaced from said support member and deformable in a direction toward said support member for resilient biasing engagement with the head of said connector element, said marginal edge having a contour generally corresponding to the contour of said connector element to limit lateral sliding movement of said device with respect to said connector element in the installed position of said device, and flange means extending upwardly from the opposite ends of said base adapted for interlocking and holding coacting engagement with an article to be mounted on said support member.

3. An attachment clip device in accordance with claim 2, wherein said slot includes a pair of laterally spaced enlarged width portions disposed at opposed ends thereof, said reduced width portion being disposed between said enlarged width portions, and said shoulder means including a depressed crimped edge defining said reduced width portion.

4. An attachment clip device in accordance with claim 2, wherein said flange means comprise a pair of generally vertically upwardly extending end walls, and said end walls being bent downwardly and inwardly defining generally parallel flanges extending generally inwardly toward one another.

5. An attachment clip device in accordance with claim 2, wherein said slot is off-set in a longitudinal direction having one end disposed closer to one of said walls than the opposite end is to the other of said walls.

6. An attachment clip device in accordance with claim 2, wherein said flange means includes one flange element inclined outwardly and upwardly, and another flange element defining a generally vertically oriented end wall having a downwardly and outwardly inclined portion and a generally horizontally inwardly extending portion to provide hook-like hooklike member for attachment of an article on said support member.

7. An attachment clip device in accordance with claim 3, whErein at least one of said flange elements extends generally vertically upwardly, then inclined outwardly and upwardly, and then generally vertically to provide a terminal portion adjacent the outer end thereof for attachment of an article to said support member.

8. An attachment clip device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the enlarged and reduced width portions are disposed at opposed ends of said slot, said seatlike shoulder including spaced portions on opposite sides of said reduced width portion, and a resilient finger member made integral with said base and projecting outwardly transversely between said spaced portions being adapted for snap-acting coacting engagement with the head of said connector element.

9. An attachment clip device in accordance with claim 2, wherein said flange means comprises flange elements which are struck upwardly out of the material of said base forming recess portions on opposed sides thereof and defining four leglike corner portions adapted for bearing engagement with said support member.

10. An attachment clip device in accordance with claim 8, wherein said finger member is turned up adjacent the terminal end thereof for camming engagement with the head of said connector element.

11. An attachment clip device in accordance with claim 8, wherein said connector head includes a recess therein, and said finger member is bent angularly so as to be disposed in overlying curved relation with said head and partially within said recess to limit lengthwise sliding movement of said device in the installed position thereof.