Sign clip for chain link fence

A sign clip for a chain link fence includes a planar surface having a front surface and a back surface, the planar surface defining therethrough at least two holes of different diameters, wherein the planar surface loops back over the front surface on a first end and forms a first channel extending from the front surface, and wherein the planar surface loops perpendicular to the planar surface on a second end and forms a second channel extending perpendicular from the back surface.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to clips or mounting hardware for mounting signage to a chain link fence.

Signs are widely used in all aspects of society. Traffic signs, warning signs, event signs, are just some examples. Signs are mounted to a variety of surfaces, such as walls and fences.

Chain link fence, also known as cyclone fence, is a popular form of fencing. The fabric of a chain link fence has diamond-shaped cells formed by intertwining wires that make up the chain link fence, and the fabric of the chain length fence is typically held in place by fence posts and rails. Because a chain link fence is rugged and sturdy, there have been a variety of devices that persons have developed to hold signs to a chain link fence. It is generally desirable for such devices to be securely attached to a chain link fence during use.

Attaching signs to fencing in general, and to chain link fences in particular, is accomplished in many ways. Zip ties, nuts and bolts, and various fasteners have been utilized. Most of these methods are not secure and/or do not allow for varying sizes of signs and the holes thereof used to attach the sign to the fence. For example, small sign come with small holes and large signs come with large holes for attaching the sign to a fence. Clips with single sized holes require adapters and other mechanical components, e.g., a press insert or a bushing, to adapt small screws for a small sign to the clip.

In addition, many prior art designs have sharp cut corners that often get caught on persons or objects resulting in injury or damage.

Therefore, there is a need for a clip for attaching a plurality of different types of signs to a chain link fence without the need for elaborate connecting devices.

The present invention solves these and other problems in the prior art.

SUMMARY

A sign clip for chain link fence includes a single planar surface that includes two bends to enable attachment to chain link fence wires.

According to a first illustrative embodiment, a clip includes a central section having a front planar surface, a rear planar surface, a first end and a second end, the central section defining at least two holes of different sizes extending therethrough; a first connecting section connected to the first end and extending from the planar surface and looping back and over the front planar surface to form a first channel extending from the front planar surface; and a second connecting section connected to the second end and extending from and perpendicular to the rear planar surface and looping back to form a second channel perpendicular to the rear planar surface.

According to a second illustrative embodiment, a clip includes a planar surface having a front surface and a back surface, the planar surface defining therethrough at least two holes of different diameters, wherein the planar surface loops back over the front surface on a first end and forms a first channel extending from the front surface, and wherein the planar surface loops perpendicular to the planar surface on a second end and forms a second channel extending perpendicular from the back surface.

According to a third illustrative embodiment, a sign clip kit includes a clip includes a planar surface having a front surface and a back surface, the planar surface defining therethrough at least two holes of different diameters, wherein the planar surface loops back over the front surface on a first end and forms a first channel extending from the front surface, and wherein the planar surface loops perpendicular to the planar surface on a second end and forms a second channel extending perpendicular from the back surface, wherein the holes are threaded; a screw sized to mate with a smaller of the at least two holes; and a bolt sized to mate with a larger of the at least two holes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A sign clip for a chain link fence is disclosed herein. Reference will now be made in detail to the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure, which are illustrated in the accompanying figures.

As described above, a diamond cell of a chain link fence is defined by the four wires that define the perimeter of the diamond cell. The distances between the wires can vary depending on the design of the chain link fence. Typically, the distance between the wires is approximately 2 inches, but can be smaller, e.g., 1 inch, or larger, e.g., 4 inches. One skilled in the art will understand that the sign clip described herein can be altered in dimensions to fit the different sizes of chain link fences.

A sign clip100is a single planar surface that includes bends102a/103ato enable attachment to chain link fence wires W.

The planar surface101defines at least 2 holes of different sizes to accommodate either fastener301or302(e.g., a bolt301or a screw302). Although described as a bolt and a screw, the fasteners301/302can both be screws or bolts or other threaded fasteners. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of holes105and holes106are provided to accommodate various sized signs, thus making the sign clips100more versatile than other single hole clips. In one embodiment, the bolt301is a 2⅜ inch bolt and the screw302is a 2 3/16 inch screw; the threaded holes are sized to mate with the bolt and screw.

The inclusion of the 2 different sized holes eliminates the use of a press insert or bushing. Press inserts often do not hold position and twist out of the holes when being inserted. The bushings are an unnecessary component that often get lost and require additional step when attaching the sign to the fence. The current sign clip design solves these problems and improves over the prior art.

In the embodiment that includes the plurality of holes of the 2 different sizes, the provision of multiple holes of 2 different sizes allows for easy positioning while lining up the sign when mounting.

The sign clip100is comprised of 3 segments, a planar surface101, a first bended portion102connected at one end of the planar surface101, and a second bended portion103connected at a second end of the planar surface101. In addition, the sign clip100can include a tail piece104connected to an end of the second bended portion103.

The planar surface101has a front surface201and a back surface202. The planar surface101loops back over the front surface201at the first bended portion102to form a first channel202extending from the front surface201. At the other end, the planar surface101loops perpendicular to the planar surface101at the second bended portion103to form a second channel204extending perpendicular from the back surface202.

One advantage of the sign clip100over the prior art designs is the rounding of the corners211-214. The absence of sharp corners prevents the sign clip100from getting caught on persons or objects, thus preventing injury or damage. The current sign clip design solves these problems and improves over the prior art.

In the preferred embodiment, sign clip100is made of heavy duty galvanized steel and measures 0.10″ thick. Width A of the sign clip100is 1 inch. Depth B at the first bended portion102of the sign clip100is ½ inch. Length E of the first bended portion102is 1 inch. Depth G at the second bended portion103of the sign clip100is ¾ inch. Length F of the sign clip100is 4 inches. Widths C and D of the channels203and204are dimensioned to accommodate the wire W of the chain link fence, and are preferably 3/16 inch.

In order to sign clip100to attach to two adjacent wires W of chain link fence, the distance from the inner end of the first channel203to the second channel204needs to be slightly greater than the distance between the adjacent wires W. In a preferred embodiment, distance H is 2¼ inches to accommodate a 2 inch distance between wires W.

As discussed herein, the dimensions of the sign clip can be adjusted to accommodate fencing of different sizes and types.

In operation, the sign clip100is easy to install and provides flexibility for many applications. First channel203is fitted onto fence wire W. A rotating motion of the sign clip100about the wire W inserted in the first channel203moves the second channel204into place over adjacent wire W. With the sign clip100in place on the fence, the sign701is positioned on the back202of the sign clip100. A hole in the sign701(not shown) is aligned with one of the holes105/106in the sign clip100. An appropriately sized fastener301/302is selected and inserted through the hole in the sign and mated with the aligned hole105/106. Tightening the fastener105/106secured the sign701to the fence.

As shown inFIG. 3, the sign clip can be assembled as a kit to provide a user with all the components required to attach a sign to a chain link fence. A typical kit contains a sign clip100, a large fastener301(e.g., a bolt), and a small fastener302(e.g., a screw). In addition, a kit can contain a large washer303for the large fastener301and a small washer304for the smaller fastener302. In a preferred embodiment, the kit would contain 2 of each of the above components to secure 2 ends of the sign to the fence.

In addition, other fencing designs, e.g., common chicken wire, will lend themselves to use of the described sign clip that is altered to fit the particular adjacent wires. Still further, fencing having a lattices design can be accommodated by widening the loops to accommodate the size of the lattice slat. Other variations are contemplated.

The sign clip described herein can be manufactured from different metals, for example, copper, bronze, galvanized steel, stainless steel, cast white metal alloys; cast zinc, and/or cast aluminum. In addition, the sign clip can be made from non-metallic materials such as hardened plastics, epoxies, and fiber glass.

The present invention can achieve an excellent connection between a chain link fence and a sign, thus providing an improvement over the prior art.

As shown throughout the drawings, like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts. While illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described and illustrated above, it should be understood that these are exemplary of the disclosure and are not to be considered as limiting. Additions, deletions, substitutions, and other modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not to be considered as limited by the foregoing description.