US3802033A

US3802033A - Integral clip-on receptacle

Info

Publication number: US3802033A
Application number: US00311228A
Authority: US
Inventors: P Gley
Original assignee: CHAINBELT Inc R
Current assignee: CHAINBELT Inc R; CHAINBELT R INC US; Fairchild Industries Inc; Citicorp North America Inc; Shared Technologies Fairchild Telecom Inc
Priority date: 1972-12-01
Filing date: 1972-12-01
Publication date: 1974-04-09
Anticipated expiration: 1991-04-09
Also published as: FR2212872A5; DE2353418B2; DE2353418A1; DE2353418C3; IT1001878B; GB1405526A

Abstract

An improved clip-on receptacle adapted releasably to receive a crosspin fastener in which the receptacle is formed from sheet metal with a first apertured clip portion for engaging one side of a frame adjacent to an edge thereof and around an opening therein and with a pair of spaced legs bent back to connect the first portion to a second apertured clip portion for engaging the other surface of the frame, said second portion formed with an aperture surrounded by a continuous flange adapted to engage in the frame opening to provide a guide for facilitating the removal of the crosspin and with a resilient leg extending back over the second clip portion remote from the legs and provided with an opening surrounded by a cam track adapted to be engaged by a crosspin when the crosspin is inserted through the leg opening and the shank of the fastener is turned.

Description

United States Patent [191 Gley [ 1 INTEGRAL CLIP-ON RECEPTACLE [75] Inventor: Paul R. Gley, Hillsdale, NJ.

[73] Assignee: Rex Chainbelt Inc., Milwaukee, Wis.

[22] Filed: Dec. 1, 1972 211 Appl. N3, 311,228

3,123,880 3/1964 Barry et a1.

7 Primary Examiner-Donald A. Griffin Attorney, Agent, or F [rm-Shenier & OConnor [45'] Apr. 9, 1974 57 ABSTRACT An improved clip-on receptacle adapted releasably to receive a crosspin fastener in which the receptacle is formed from sheet metal with a first apertured clip portion for engaging one side of a frame adjacent to an edge thereof and around an opening therein and with a pair of spaced legsbent back to connect the first portion to a second apertured clip portion for engaging the other surface of the frame, said second portion formed with an aperture surrounded by a continuous flange adapted to engage in the frame opening to provide a guide for facilitating the removal of the crosspin and with a resilient leg extending back over the second clip portion remote from the legs and provided with an opening surrounded by a cam track adapted to be engaged by a crosspin when the crosspin is inserted through the leg opening and the shank of the fastener is turned. 1

14 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures llllll/LA] i l l 1," It i 54 l t "0. 72 "0 Z6 on receptacles of the prior art.

INTEGRAL CLIP-ON RECEPTACLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are known in the prior art latch and receptacle assemblies for securing a panel over a frame opening. In one type of latch forachieving this purpose the panel carries a fastener comprising a rotatable shank having a crosspin adjacent to one end thereof. The frame carries an apertured receptacle forming a cam track surrounding an opening in the frame. To assemble the 7 panel on the frame the crosspin is inserted through the receptacle aperture and the fastener shank rotated against the action of a spring to move the crosspin ends up the cam track and into locking recesses formed therein. To remove the panel from the frame the fastener shank is counter rotated to move the crosspin out of the locking recesses-to permit it to be withdrawn through the receptacle aperture.

More particularly, there are known in the prior art clip-on receptacles adapted to be clipped over the frame edge adjacent to the frame opening and forming a cam track surrounding the opening. Such clip-on receptacles customarily are formed from sheet metal. The cam track portion, moreover, is formed in a resilient portion of the receptacle so as to providea biasing force releasably to hold the'crosspin in the locking recesses. Specif c examples of clip-on receptacles'of this type are shown for example, in FloraqU.S. Pat. No. 2,798,277 and in Barry et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,123,880.

While clip-on receptacles of the type described above function more or less satisfactorily releasablylto hold a crosspin inllocking recesses at the top of the cam track, they embody a relatively serious defect. When the crosspin is counter-rotated to move its ends out of the lockingrecesses and into alignment with the receptacle opening which is intended to permit withdrawal of the crosspin from thereceptacle and through the frame opening, it often occursthat an-end of the crosspin engages between the inner surface of the frame ad.-

' jacent to the opening and a portion of the receptacle surrounding the opening. As a result of. this occurwithdrawn fromthe receptacle. My improved clip-on receptacle is simple in construction andrelatively inexpensive to manufacture.

SUMMARY or THE INvENTIoN One object of my invention is toprovide an improved clip-on receptacle which overcomes the defect of clip- Another object of my invention is to provide an im proved clip-on receptacle which facilitates removal of a crosspin fastenertherefrom.

, A further object of my invention is to provide an improved clip-on receptacle which avoids the problem of fouling of the crosspin as a crosspin fastener is withdrawn from the receptacle.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved clip-on receptacle which is relatively simple and inexpensive to construct.

Other and further objects of my invention will appear from the following description.

In general, my invention contemplates the provision of an improved clip-on receptacle integrally formed from sheet metal and adapted to be clipped onto a frame over an edge adjacent to an opening therein with one portion of the receptacle engaging one surface of the frame with an aperture in a first clip portion registering with the frame opening and with a second clip portion of the receptacle, connected to the first by bent back legs, adapted to engage the other side of the frame and with a continuous flange surrounding an aperture in the second receptacle portion engaging in the frame opening so as to provide a guide for the withdrawal of the crosspin and with a resilient arm connected to the second portionat its edge remote from the legs having a cam track surrounding an aperture through which the BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings which form part of the instant specification and which are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts :in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a clip-on receptacle and fastener assembly of the type known in the prior art illustrating the problem obviatedby my improved clipon receptacle. I

FIG. 2 is a plan view of my improved clip-on receptacle in an intermediate stage in the course of formation thereof.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of my improved clip-on receptacle.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of my improved clip-on receptacle. I

FIG. 5 is abottom plan receptacle. I I j I .FIG. 6.is a perspective view of my improved clip-on receptacle.

DESCR PTION OF THE PREFERRED I EMBODIMENT Referring now to 'FIG. I of the drawings, l have shown a fastener and receptacle assembly, indicated generally by the reference character 10, for securing a panel 14 to a frame 12. The panel 14 carries a fastener indicated generally by the reference character 16 having a head 18 and a shank 20 carrying a crosspin 22. The receptacle, indicated generally by the reference character 28, is adapted to be received by the frame 12 in an opening 26 therein. Receptacle 28 includes a first leg 30 having an opening 32 formed therein around which there is provided a locating flange 34 adapted to be received in the opening 26 when the receptacle is applied to the frame. Receptacle 28 includes a second leg 38 connected to a leg30 by a reverse bend 36. Leg 38 is provided with an opening 40 through which crossview of my improved clip-on pin 22 is adapted to pass so as to permit it to ride along a cam surface 42 having a locking recess therein.

In use of the fastener and receptacle assembly of the prior art, the receptacle 28 first is applied to the frame 12 by slipping it over the left edge indicated in FIG. 1 to engage the leg 30 with the outer surface of the frame with the flange 34 located in opening 26. The other leg 38 engages theinner surface of the frame. As is known in the ar tjthe receptacle 28 is formed of a suitable resilient material such, for example, as spring steel. After the receptacle 28 has been applied to the frame and when it is desired to secure the panel 14 in position on the frame 12, crosspin 22 is passed through

openings

32 and 40 so as to be positioned at a location at which it can engage the cam track 42. The head 18 then is operated to turn the shank 20 to cause the ends of the crosspin 22 'to ride along the cam track 42 and to drop into locking recesses therein. The inherent resilience of the leg 38 releasably retains the crosspin ends in the locking recesses.

To remove the panel from the frame the head 18 is operated to turn the shank 29 in the opposite direction to move the crosspin ends out of the locking recesses and into alignment with the opening 40 to permit the crosspin 22 to pass through the opening. In achieving this operation with the-assembly of the prior art illustrated in FIG. 1, it may occur that the crosspin 22 fouls on e inner. .su fasze 9f t f me-1. and, be qm s jammed in the space between the leg 38 and the inner surface of the frame 12. This is the position of the parts illustrated in FIG. 1. When that occurs, difficulty is experienced in moving the crosspin outwardly through the opening 32 to permit complete disasse'mbly of the parts and removal of the panel 14 from the frame 12. This problem may be sufficiently severe that the parts cannot be separated without damage either to the receptacle or to the fastener.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 6, my improved receptacle, indicated generally by the reference character 44, may be formed from a blank, indicated generally by the reference character 46 in FIG. 2, of asuitable material such, for example, as spring steel. The blank 46 includes a base portion 48 having a hole 50 formed therein. Relatively wide, spaced

leg portions

52 and 54 connect the base 48 to spaced

legs

56 and 58. In forming the receptacle; I bend the

wide leg portions

52 and 54 so that the

legs

56 and 58 extend over the base 48. lxt e qtiisenqsgf be les 56 1.5 emo e from

wide leg portions

52 and 54 back over

legs

56 and 58 to position an intermediate portion 64 of the receptacle over the

legs

56 and 58. I provide the intermediwith the opening 50 when the legs have been bent in the manner described. In addition, I provide the opening 66 with a surrounding peripheral flange 68 adapted to engage in the opening 26 when the receptacle is applied to the frame 12in a manner to be described. As will further be pointed out hereinbelow, this flange 68 serves to guide the crosspin 22 as it is removed from the assembly, thus to facilitate removal of the fastener 16 and panel 14 from the frame 12. It will further be seen that the upper edge of the flange 68 as viewed in FIG. 4 tapers slightly downwardly to the right. This feature facilitates application of the receptacle 44 to the frame 12 in a manner to be described.

Another bend 72 positions anarm 70 of reduced width of the receptacle back under the intermediate ate portion 64 with an opening 66 adapted to register portion 64 and between the

narrow legs

56 and 58. l form the arm 70 with an opening 74 adapted to receive the shank 20 of the fastener 16.

Respective extensions

76 and 78 of the opening 74 accommodate the crosspin 22 in one position of the shank 20. I form the reduced width portion 70 with

cam tracks

80 and 82 providing locking recesses for the ends of the crosspin 22 in a manner to be described.

From the structure thus far described, it will be appreciated that when I have completely formed my receptacle it includes a base 48, bent back

leg portions

52 and 54 leading to connecting

legs

56 and 58, leading to the intermediate portion 64 which is positioned between the base and the legs by the bends and 62 and the bent back arm of reduced width which is disposed below and in inclined relation to the intermediate portion 64 and between the

legs

56 and 58. In addition I provide a turned over flange 84 at the end of the arm 70 for limiting the movement of the arm toward intermediate portion 64 when the fastener is locked up.

In making my improved receptacle 44, l first stamp a blank 46 from any suitable material such, for example, as spring steel. In the course of stamping'the blank I may form the opening 50, the

legs

56 and 58, the opening 66 and the opening 74 having the

extension

76 and 78. Guide flange 68 and the cam tracks and 82 may be formed in any suitable manner known to the art.

Next, Ibend the

enlarged leg portions

52 and 54 so that the

legs

56 and 58 extend back over thebase 48. As can be seen by reference to FIG. 4, the bend formed in the

enlarged leg portions

52 and 54 is such as to space the

legs

56 and 58 from the base 48. Following that operation I form the

bends

60 and 62 in such a way as to cause the intermediate portion 64 to underlie the base 48 in relatively closely spaced relationship thereto. At the same time, I ensure that the opening 50 registers with the opening 66. Finally, bend 72 having a relatively small radius is formed so that the arm 70 underlies the intermediate portion 64 and so that the arm extends generally at an angle to the plane of the base 48. End flange 84 may be formed at any time in the course of the bending operations. While I have described the bends as being formed in a particular sequence, it will readily be appreciated that the bends are formed in any sequence which facilitates manufacture of the receptacle.

In use of my receptacle as part of an assembly to secure a member such as a panel 14 to a frame 12, I first clip the receptacle 44 over the edge of the frame 12. In the course of this operation, the base 48 engages the outer surface of the frame and the flange 68 rides into the opening 26 so that the intermediate portion 64 engages the inner surface of the frame. The inclination of the edge of flange 68 away from base 48 facilitates this operation.

Panel 14, which carries a fastener 16 in a manner illustrated in FIG. 1, is then brought into position with relation to the frame 12. Next, the shank 20 carrying the crosspin 22 is inserted through opening 50 and through the opening 66 surrounded by flange 68. The crosspin 22 is brought into alignment with the

extensions

76 and 78 of the hole 74 and is passed therethrough so as to bring the ends of the crosspin 22 into position adjacent to the lower ends of the cam tracks 80 and 82. The head 18 then is rotated in such a direction as to cause the crosspin ends to ride up the cam tracks 80 and 82 until they drop into the locking recesses therein. It will readily be appreciated that this operation is accomplished against the inherent resilience of the arm 70 so that the panel 14 is firmly held in position on the frame 12..

To disassemble the panel 14 from the frame 12 head 18 is rotated in the opposite direction to move the ends of crosspin 22 out of the cam track recesses and to cause the ends of the crosspin to ride down the tracks until they are aligned with the

extensions

76 and 78 of the opening 74. The crosspin is then moved out of engagement with arm 70. In this position of the parts, the crosspin can readily be withdrawn through the opening 66 to permit the panel 14 to be removed from the frame. It will be clear that the flange 68 facilitates this operation. It guides the ends of the crosspin so that the danger of the crosspin becoming fouled between the inside surface of the frame 12 and a part of the receptacle is obviated.

It will be seen that l have accomplished the objects of my invention. 1 have provided an improved crosspin fastener receptacle which overcomes the defects of crosspin fastener receptacles of the prior art which are of the clipon type. My improved receptacle facilitates the operation of disassembling the fastener from the receptacle. It obviates the problem of fouling of the crosspin and between the inner surface of the frame and a part of the receptacle. It is relatively simple to construct and is consequently inexpensive to manufacture.

it will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of 'my claims. It is further obvious that various changes may be made in details withinthe scope of my claims without departing from the spirit of my invention. it is, therefore, to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. An improved clip-on receptacle for use with a crosspin fastener to secure a first member to the outer surface of a second member havingan opening adjacent to an edge thereof including in combination, a first clip portion having an opening therein,'a second clip portion having an opening therein, crosspin receiving means carried by said second clip portion, resilient means connecting said first and second clip portions in spaced relationship with saidopenings in alignment to permit said receptacle to be slipped over the edge of said second member with the first clip portion in engagement with the outersurface of the second member and with the second clip portion in engagement with the inner surface thereof and with the clip portion openings in alignment with the second member opening, and means on said second clip portion. for guiding afastener crosspin in the course of its movement out of said second member opening after disengagement from said crosspin receiving means to prevent fouling thereof on the inner surface of said second member.

2. An improved clip-on receptacle as in claim 1 in which said guide means comprises a flange on said second clipportion at the edge of the opening therein.

3. An improved clip-on receptacle as in claim 1 in which said guide means comprises a flange on said sec ond clip portion at the edge of the opening therein, said flange extending from said second clip portion toward said first clip portion.

4. An improved clip-on receptacle as in claim 1 in which said guide means comprises a flange on said second clip portion at the edge of the opening therein, said flange extending from said second clip portion toward said first clip portion to snap into the opening in the second member in the assembled position of said receptacle on said second member.

5. An improved clip-on receptacle as in claim 1 in which said guide means comprises a flange on said second clip portion at the edge of the opening therein, said flange extending from said second clip portion toward said first clip portion to snap into'the opening in the second member in the assembled position of said receptacle on said second member, said flange extending entirely around the opening in said second clip portion.

6. An improved clip-on receptacle as in claim 1 in which said guide means comprises a flange on said second clip portion at the edge of the opening therein, said flange extending from said second clip portion toward said first clip portion to snap into the opening in the second member in the assembled position of said receptacle on said second member, said flange extending entirely around the opening in said second clip portion and in which the edge of said flange lies in a plane inclined toward said second clip portion in a direction away from said connecting means. i I l 7. An improved clip-on receptacle as in claim 1 in which said guide means comprises a flange on said second clip portion at the edge of the opening therein, said flange extending from said second. clip portion toward said first clip portion to snap into the opening in the second member in the assembled position of said receptacle on said second member, said flange extending entirely around the opening in said second clip portion and in which the edge of said flange lies in a plane inclined toward said second clip portion in a direction away from said connecting means, said receptacle in- Y eluding an annular rounded boss in said second clip portion around said flangeand on the side of second clip portion remote from said flange.

8. An improved clip-on receptacle as in claim 1 in which the receptacle is formed from resilient sheet material.

9. An improved clip-on receptacle as in'claim l in which said crosspin receiving means comprises an arm formed with an opening and with crosspin receiving cam surfaces and resilient means connecting said arm to said second clip portion.

g 10. An integral resilient sheet material receptacle for use with a crosspin fastener including in combination, a base portion having a holethereiman intermediate portion having a hole therein, a pair of elongated spaced legsconnectings'aid base portion to said intermediate portion adjacent to one end thereof, first bends in said legs adjacent tosaid base portion for positioning lengths of said legs in spaced generally parallel relationship to said base portion; second bends in said legs adjacent to said intermediate portion to position said intermediate portion inrelatively closely spaced generally parallel relationship to said base portion with said holes inalignmenta terminal armportion provided with crosspin receiving means, a bend connecting said arm portion to said intermediate portion adjacent to the other end thereof to position said crosspin receiving means in alignment with said holes and between said legs, and guide means on said intermediate portion at said opening therein.

lli An integral resilient sheet material receptacle as in claim 10 in which said guide means comprises a flange in said intermediate portion around said opening, said flange extending toward said base portion.

12. An integral resilient sheet material receptacle as in claim 11 in which said flange has an upper edge lying in a plane inclined away from said base portion in a direction away from said first bends.

rection away from said first bends.

Claims

1. An improved clip-on receptacle for use with a crosspin fastener to secure a first member to the outer surface of a second member having an opening adjacent to an edge thereof including in combination, a first clip portion having an opening therein, a second clip portion having an opening therein, crosspin receiving means carried by said second clip portion, resilient means connecting said first and second clip portions in spaced relationship with said openings in alignment to permit said receptacle to be slipped over the edge of said second member with the first clip portion in engagement with the outer surface of the second member and with the second clip portion in engagement with the inner surface thereof and with the clip portion openings in alignment with the second member opening, and means on said second clip portion for guiding a fastener crosspin in the course of its movement out of said second member opening after disengagement from said crosspin receiving means to prevent fouling thereof on the inner surface of said second member.

2. An improved clip-on receptacle as in claim 1 in which said guide means comprises a flange on said second clip portion at the edge of the opening therein.

3. An improved clip-on receptacle as in claim 1 in which said guide means comprises a flange on said second clip portion at the edge of the opening therein, said flange extending from said second clip portion toward said first clip portion.

5. An improved clip-on receptacle as in claim 1 in which said guide means comprises a flange on said second clip portion at the edge of the opening therein, said flange extending from said second clip portion toward said first clip portion to snap into the opening in the second member in the assembled position of said receptacle on said second member, said flange extending entirely around the opening in said second clip portion.

6. An improved clip-on receptacle as in claim 1 in which said guide means comprises a flange on said second clip portion at the edge of the opening therein, said flange extending from said second clip portion toward said first clip portion to snap into the opening in the second member in the assembled position of said receptacle on said second member, said flange extending entirely around the opening in said second clip portion and in which the edge of said flange lies in a plane inclined toward said second clip portion in a direction away from said connecting means.

7. An improved clip-on receptacle as in claim 1 in which said guide means comprises a flange on said second clip portion at the edge of the opening therein, said flange extending from said second clip portion toward said first clip portion to snap into the opening in the second member in the assembled position of said receptacle on said second member, said flange extending entirely around the opening in said second clip portion and in which the edge of said flange lies in a plane inclined toward said second clip portion in a directioN away from said connecting means, said receptacle including an annular rounded boss in said second clip portion around said flange and on the side of second clip portion remote from said flange.

9. An improved clip-on receptacle as in claim 1 in which said crosspin receiving means comprises an arm formed with an opening and with crosspin receiving cam surfaces and resilient means connecting said arm to said second clip portion.

10. An integral resilient sheet material receptacle for use with a crosspin fastener including in combination, a base portion having a hole therein, an intermediate portion having a hole therein, a pair of elongated spaced legs connecting said base portion to said intermediate portion adjacent to one end thereof, first bends in said legs adjacent to said base portion for positioning lengths of said legs in spaced generally parallel relationship to said base portion, second bends in said legs adjacent to said intermediate portion to position said intermediate portion in relatively closely spaced generally parallel relationship to said base portion with said holes in alignment a terminal arm portion provided with crosspin receiving means, a bend connecting said arm portion to said intermediate portion adjacent to the other end thereof to position said crosspin receiving means in alignment with said holes and between said legs, and guide means on said intermediate portion at said opening therein.

11. An integral resilient sheet material receptacle as in claim 10 in which said guide means comprises a flange in said intermediate portion around said opening, said flange extending toward said base portion.

13. An integral resilient sheet material receptacle as in claim 11 including a rounded annular boss in the side of said intermediate portion remote from said base portion for connecting said flange to said intermediate portion.

14. An integral resilient sheet material receptacle as in claim 11 including a rounded annular boss in the side of said intermediate portion remote from said base portion for connecting said flange to said intermediate portion, and in which said flange has an upper edge lying in a plane inclined away from said base portion in a direction away from said first bends.