Abstract:
A mounting clip is provided for enabling a snap fit attachment of an ACM fascia to an existing building fascia. The mounting clip includes at least one flexible arm integrally attached to a base portion so as to allow the flexible arm to move away from one of the fascia. At least one locking finger is integrally attached to the flexible arm by a hinge structure biasing the locking finger into snap fit attachment into a groove on one of the fascia.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is based on and claims priority from provisional U.S. Ser. No. 60/374,233 filed Apr. 19, 2002. 

   BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for attaching a sheet of ACM (aluminum clad material) new or replacement material to an existing building fascia. More specifically, the present invention relates to the method and apparatus of installing a new fascia over an existing fascia, particularly along buildings such as gas stations. 
   It is one object of the present invention to provide a mounting clip which permits relatively uncomplicated and effective snap fit attachment of a new fascia material over an existing fascia material. 
   It is also an object of the present invention to provide a mounting clip which is used to modify the appearance of porticos, columns and awnings. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mounting clip for holding together L-shaped adjacent members. 
   In one object of the invention, a mounting clip is provided for enabling a snap fit attachment of a first member to a second member. The clip includes a base portion, and at least one flexible arm integrally attached to the base portion so as to allow the flexible arm to move away from one of the first and second members. At least one locking finger is integrally joined to the flexible arm by a hinge structure biasing the locking finger into snap fit attachment with a groove on one of the first and second members. 
   In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the base portion includes a vertical leg interposed between the first member and the second member. The flexible arm is attached to the vertical leg by a first hinge portion. Fasteners are passed through the flexible arm and the vertical leg and threaded into the first member. The locking finger is joined to the flexible arm by a second hinge portion bearing against one portion of the second member and biasing the locking finger into snap attachment with the groove in another portion of the second member. The flexible arm extends downwardly and away from the other portion of the second member. The locking finger extends upwardly and towards the other portion of the second member. A bottom lip is integrally attached to the vertical leg and extends away from the flexible arm. The bottom lip underlies the first member. The bottom lip and the one portion of the second member are substantially coplanar. 
   In alternative embodiments of the invention, each of the first and second members have a first leg disposed generally perpendicularly to a second leg, the first legs being positioned in back to back relationship with one another. The at least one flexible arm includes a pair of side support walls, each extending to one side of a first leg from one of the opposed ends on the base portion, each of the side support walls having the locking finger. 
   In another aspect of the invention, a mounting clip enables a snap fit attachment of a first member to a second member. Each of the first and second members have a first leg disposed generally perpendicularly to a second leg. The first legs are positioned in back to back relationship with one another. The clip includes a connecting wall having opposed ends and a pair of side support walls, each extending to one side of a first leg from one of the opposed ends of the connecting wall. At least one of the side support walls includes a locking finger which is deflectable about a hinge to engage a groove formed in at least one of the first legs. 
   In another aspect of the invention, a mounting clip is fastened to a first member for enabling a snap fit attachment of a second member to the first member. The clip includes a vertical leg interposed between the first member and the second member. A flexible arm is integrally attached to the vertical leg by a first hinge portion allowing the flexible arm to move outwardly away from the second member. A locking finger is integrally joined to the flexible arm by a second hinge portion bearing against one portion of the second member and biasing the locking finger into snap fit attachment with a groove on another portion of the second member. The first member takes the form of an existing building fascia and the second member is defined by a ACM fascia. The ACM fascia includes a vertical front face, a horizontal bottom edge and a locking lip. The locking lip is secured between the locking finger and the vertical leg. 
   In yet another aspect of the invention, a mounting clip is provided for enabling a snap fit attachment of a first member to a second member. Each of the first and second members have a first leg disposed generally perpendicularly to a second leg, the first legs being positioned in back to back relationship with one another. The clip includes a linear connecting wall having opposed ends, and a pair of flexible side support walls each extending to one side of a first leg from one of the imposed ends of the connecting wall. Each of the support walls include a locking finger which is deflectable about a hinge bearing against the second leg and biasing the locking finger into snap fit attachment in a groove on the first leg. 
   In yet another aspect of the invention, a mounting clip is provided for enabling a snap fit attachment of a first member to a second member. Each of the first and second members have a first leg disposed generally perpendicularly to a second leg, the first legs being positioned in back to back relationship with one another. The clip includes a curved connecting wall having opposed ends and a pair of flexible side support walls, each extending to one side of a first leg from one of the opposed ends of the connecting wall. Each of the support legs include a locking finger which is deflectable about a hinge bearing against the second leg and biasing the locking finger into snap fit attachment in a groove on the first leg. 
   In a further aspect of the invention, a mounting clip is provided for enabling a snap fit attachment of a first member to a second member. The clip includes a linear connecting wall having opposed ends and a pair of rigid side support webs, each extending to one side of a first leg from one of the ends of the connecting wall. Each of the support webs has a locking finger engageable with a groove on one of the first legs. One of the locking fingers is biased into a snap fit attachment in the groove. 
   Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention. 
     In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mounting clip used in the mounting of a new ACM fascia over an existing building fascia; 
       FIG. 1A  is an enlarged detail view of the mounting clip being attached to the existing building fascia; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the mounting clip of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of the mounting clip and ACM fascia; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the insertion of the fascia into the mounting clip; 
       FIG. 5  is a back view of the mounting clip and ACM fascia; 
       FIG. 6  is an end perspective view illustrating the mounting clip and ACM fascia as installed; 
       FIG. 7  is a bottom view illustrating the smooth transition between the ACM fascia and the mounting clip; 
       FIG. 8  is a side view illustrating the use of a first alternative embodiment of the mounting clip; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view illustrating the use of a second alternative embodiment of a mounting clip to secure adjacent sections of ACM fascia; 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  are end views illustrating the mounting clip of  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 11  is an end view illustrating a third alternative embodiment of the mounting clip; 
       FIG. 12  is an end view of a fourth alternative embodiment of the mounting clip; and 
       FIG. 13  is an end view of a fifth alternative embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1 and 1A  illustrate the method and apparatus of the present invention for securing a sheet of ACM (aluminum clad material) new or replacement fascia material  10  to an existing building fascia  12 . The ACM fascia material  10  is used to change the fascia of a building, such as if the building changes ownership or the advertising signage is changed. The method and apparatus of the present invention allows the new fascia material  10  to be installed over the existing building fascia  12  quickly and easily while providing a desirable appearance. 
   The present invention contemplates the use of a soffit mounting clip  14  that is attached to the building fascia by a plurality of connectors  16 . Each of the connectors  16  passes through a hole  18  formed in the soffit clip  14 . Once the soffit clip  14  has been securely installed along the lower edge  20  of the building fascia  12 , the new, ACM fascia material  10  can be quickly and easily installed. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the top edge  22  of the new fascia material  10  is attached to the building fascia  12  by a plurality of connectors  24  that pass through holes  26  and into the top surface of the building fascia  12 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the soffit clip  14  is formed from aluminum, although other materials are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention. The soffit clip  14  includes a horizontal bottom lip  28 , a vertical leg  30 , a flexible arm  32  and a locking finger  34 . The soffit clip  14  is formed from a single piece of bent aluminum to define its various components, as illustrated. The flexible arm  32  is attached to the vertical leg  30  by a flexible, first hinge portion  36  that allows the flexible arm to deflect outward as illustrated by arrow  38 . Further, the locking finger  34  is attached to the flexible arm  32  by a similar second hinge portion  40  that allows the locking finger  34  to likewise deflect. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 1A , the vertical leg  30  and the flexible arm  32  include a plurality of access holes  42  that allow screws  16  to attach the soffit clip  14  to the existing building fascia  12 . The access holes  42  are equally spaced along the length of the soffit clip  14  as illustrated. Although access holes  42  are illustrated in the embodiment of the invention shown, the soffit clip  14  could be attached by connectors that pass through either the vertical leg  30  or the bottom lip  28 . In addition, the soffit clip  14  could be attached by adhesive. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the ACM fascia material  10  generally includes a vertical front face  44 , a horizontal bottom edge  46  and a vertical locking lip  48 . The locking lip  48  includes a bottom ridge  50  and a top ridge  52  that define a locking groove  54  therebetween. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , when the fascia material  10  is installed into the soffit clip  14 , the locking lip  48  is received between the locking finger  34  and the vertical leg  30 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the locking finger  34  is received between the lower ridge  50  and upper ridge  52  within the locking groove  54 . In this manner, the soffit clip  14  securely holds the locking lip  48  of the fascia material  10 . 
   Referring back to  FIG. 1 , during installation, the soffit clip  14  is first installed on the building fascia  12 . Once installed, the locking lip  48  is pushed up into the soffit clip  14  to secure the new fascia  10  to the existing building fascia  12 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , when the ACM fascia material  10  is installed, the bottom edge  46  forms a smooth transition with the bottom lip  28  of the soffit clip  14 . The smooth transition provides a visually pleasing appearance and allows the ACM fascia material  10  to be installed over existing building fascia. 
   Referring to  FIG. 8 , thereshown is a first alternative embodiment of the invention which is similar to that described in  FIGS. 1–7  except that the hinge portion  36 ′ comes to a sharp point at the top of the clip  14 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 9 ,  10 A and  10 B, thereshown is a second alternative embodiment of the invention defined by vertical mounting clip  56  used to secure the sides  58  of adjacent sections of fascia material  10 . The sides  58  each have a first leg  59 A disposed generally perpendicularly to a second leg  59 B, the first legs  59 A being positioned in back to back relationship with one another. The vertical clip  56  provides for a clean, decorative appearance between the adjacent sections of fascia material. The vertical clip  56  includes a linear or connecting back wall  60  and a pair of extending side support walls  62  and  64  acting as flexible arms. The side support walls  62 ,  64  each include a locking finger  66  that can deflect inward about the hinge  68 . The locking finger  66  formed on each side support wall  62 ,  64  engages the locking groove  70  formed in the legs  59 A of the fascia  10 . As can be understood in  FIG. 10A , the locking fingers  66  are received within the locking groove  70  to secure the sides of the fascia  10  as indicated. 
   The vertical clip  56  can include a connector  72  ( FIG. 10A ) that passes through the back wall  60  or a connector  74  ( FIG. 10B ) that passes through a pair of side flanges  76 , one extending from the back wall  60  and the other extending from the support wall  62 . In either case, the vertical clip  56  is secured to the building fascia  12 . 
   Although the vertical clip  56  is illustrated as attached to the building fascia  12 , it is contemplated that the vertical clip  56  does not have to be attached to the building. Instead, the vertical clip  56  could be used between sheets of material to create an even vertical surface having flush joints even when the existing fascia is out of plumb and square. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the vertical clip  56  extends along only a portion of the length of the building fascia  12 . However, it is contemplated by the inventors that the length of the vertical clip  56  could be lengthened or shortened, depending upon the particular use. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 10A , the legs  59 A of each fascia member  10  include both a first ridge  78  and a second ridge  80  that define the locking groove  70 . This configuration is similar to the bottom end of the fascia, as previously described. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 11 , a third alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in the form of a vertical mounting clip  82  which is similar to the clip  56  except that the connecting wall  84  is curved. 
   In  FIG. 12 , a fourth alternative embodiment of the invention is defined by a mounting clip  86  having a pair of substantially rigid side support webs  88 ,  90 , each extending to one side of a first leg  92  from one of the ends of the linear connecting wall  93 . Each of the support webs  88 ,  90  has a locking finger  94 ,  96  engageable with a groove  98  on one of the first legs  92 . One of the locking fingers  96  is biased into snap fit attachment in the groove  98  by a living hinge  100  provided on support web  90 . 
     FIG. 13  is a fifth alternative embodiment similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 12  and shows a mounting clip  86 A having a pair of substantially rigid side support webs  88 A,  90 A, each extending to one side of a first leg  92 A from one of the end of linear connecting wall  93 A. Each of the support webs  88 A,  90 A has a locking finger  94 A,  96 A engageable with a groove  98 A on one of the first legs  92 A. One of the locking fingers  96 A is spring biased into snap fit attachment in the groove  98 A. 
   As can be understood by the foregoing description, the soffit mounting clip  14  and the vertical mounting clips  56 ,  82 ,  86  and  86 A allow the ACM fascia material to be quickly and easily connected to the existing building fascia. Further, the mounting clip  14  allows the fascia material to be installed while presenting an attractive appearance when viewed from the bottom. 
   Various alternatives and embodiments are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.