Patent ID: 8336173
Filing Date: 2012-12-25
Classification: A44B,F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A clip assembly adapted to engage a male track member, the clip assembly comprising: a clamshell clamping member including a first leg and a second leg, the first leg and the second leg being normally disposed in spaced relation to one another on opposing sides of a variable width gap, the first leg and the second leg defining flexible spring elements moveable towards and away from one another and being normally biased to a predefined, spaced relation relative to one another, the first leg having a first distal end including a first interior surface and a first raised profile exterior surface, the second leg having a second distal end including a second interior surface and a second raised profile exterior surface, the first raised profile exterior surface and the second raised profile exterior surface projecting generally away from one another, the first interior surface and the second interior surface facing generally towards one another, the first interior surface and the second interior surface adapted to cooperatively surround at least a portion of the male track member, at least a first detent projecting away from an outwardly facing surface of at least the first leg at a position rearward from the first distal end, the detent having forward and rearward camming ramp surfaces, wherein each of the first interior surface and the second interior surface is a concave surface defining an arc of curvature extending along the length dimension of the corresponding leg and wherein each of the first raised profile exterior surface and the second raised profile exterior surface is a convex curved surface defining an arc of curvature extending along the length dimension of the corresponding leg towards a distal edge, the arcs of curvature defined by the exterior surfaces each having an apex spaced rearwardly from the distal edge with a sloped surface between the apex and the distal edge; and a female compression member adapted to fit in reversible, reciprocating sliding relation at least partially about the clamshell clamping member, the female compression member being adapted to compress the first leg towards the second leg, the female compression member being adapted to pass over the detent during forward and rearward movement of the female compression member, the female compression member being adapted to extend at least partially up and over the first raised profile exterior surface and the second raised profile exterior surface while engaging the detent when the female compression member is in a forward position, wherein at least a second detent projects away from an outwardly facing surface of at least the second leg at a position rearward from the second distal end, wherein a first plurality of slot openings is disposed along a first side of the female compression member, the first plurality of slot openings defining a series of openings in a wall of the female compression member adapted to reversibly receive and release the first detent during forward and rearward sliding of the female compression member, and wherein the female compression member includes a second plurality of slot openings disposed along a second side of the female compression member in opposing relation to the first side of the female compression member, the second plurality of slot openings defining a series of openings in a wall of the female compression member adapted to reversibly receive and release the second detent during forward and rearward sliding of the female compression member.