Patent Publication Number: US-2023148009-A1

Title: Hidden clip and fastening system for decking

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. Application No. 16/179,663, filed Nov. 2, 2018, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. Pat. Application No. 15/890,273, filed Feb. 6, 2018, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Pat. Application No. 62/455,498, filed Feb. 6, 2017, U.S. Provisional Pat. Application No. 62/510,248, filed May 23, 2017, U.S. Provisional Pat. Application No. 62/510,255, filed May 23, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Pat. Application No. 62/576,066, filed Oct. 23, 2017; with each of the above-referenced applications and disclosures fully incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to building construction, and more particularly to the securing of decking materials requiring mechanical tabs or clips to secure them in place. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Extruded decking boards, composite boards, milled wood planking, and the like, may utilize fasteners such as hidden clips to fasten them in place. These hidden clips consist of a body that may be of molded plastic or stamped metal, and have a screw, nail, or formed tab inserted in it. 
     During use, the hidden clip is inserted into the groove on the board’s edge and the fastener is driven through the clip into the joist supporting it, fastening the board edge to the joist. This is a labor-intensive process since the user must hand position each individual hidden clip, hold it in place with one hand, and nail or screw the fastener with the other hand. This hand feed technique is slow and requires two hands. When a board is on an incline or requires force to position it, two persons may be required to lend the third hand to hold it in position while the hidden clip and fastener are secured. 
     Thus, there is a continuing need for improved securing systems for decking. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed is a deck board mounting system for efficiently fastening and mounting hidden clips for decking planks. The disclosure includes a universal magazine that mounts to a hand-operated power tool that will automatically feed attachment clips to the tool head and position them under the nail/screw driving mechanism. This magazine is adaptable to a standard industrial screw gun or nail gun, and utilizes the tool’s ability to drive the fastener. The clip feed magazine can be provided in place of the gun’s conventional magazine feed components and includes hidden clips provided with a clip strip. The strip includes multiple hidden clips separated by a frangible section or tab located between adjacent clips. Each hidden clip can be formed of a plastic material and include a locating tab defined on each side of the clip’s body and fastener aperture defined in a center of the body. 
     In various embodiments, one or more “dummy” clips can be included at ends of the clip strip and adapted for manual manipulation by a user. In such case, the user would use a conventional screw gun to drive the screw through the clip. The dummy clip facilitates handling of the strip by hand during installation and use, wherein the clips of the strip are manually placed, engaged, and secured to bind the respective clips to the deck board. After use, the dummy clip can be removed from the adjacent clip via severing one or more connecting tabs. 
     Other embodiments of the hidden clip can include one or more angled or sloped bottom compression tab features provided to facilitate leveling during fixation. The feature can be generally H-shaped, having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate sloping crossbar portion. The length of the first portion can be measurably longer than the length of the second portion such that the crossbar portion extends transversely between the end portions to define the sloped or angled construct of the compression tab. 
     The detailed technology and preferred embodiments implemented for the subject invention are described in the following paragraphs accompanying the appended drawings for people skilled in this field to well appreciate the features of the claimed invention. It is understood that the features mentioned hereinbefore and those to be commented on hereinafter may be used not only in the specified combinations, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS.  1 - 3    show various perspective views of a power tool with a generally straight universal magazine attachment for feeding, advancing, and fixating hidden clips to decking boards, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  4 - 5    are side views of a power tool with a generally straight universal magazine attachment for feeding, advancing, and fixating hidden clips to decking boards, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  6    is an exploded view of a power tool with a generally straight universal magazine attachment for feeding, advancing, and fixating hidden clips to decking boards, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  7    is an exploded view of a generally straight universal magazine attachment for feeding, advancing, and fixating hidden clips to decking boards, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  8 - 9    show various perspective views of a power tool with a curved universal magazine attachment for feeding, advancing, and fixating hidden clips to decking boards, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  10    shows a power tool with a universal magazine attachment in use to fixate hidden clips to a decking board, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  11    shows a deck board having longitudinal side grooves to receive hidden clips for securing decking boards in place, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  12    is a perspective view of a hidden clip for use with a power tool having a universal magazine attachment, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  13    is a front view of the hidden clip of  FIG.  12   . 
         FIG.  14    is a back view of the hidden clip of  FIG.  12   . 
         FIG.  15    is a side view of the hidden clip of  FIG.  12   . 
         FIG.  16    is a top view of the hidden clip of  FIG.  12   . 
         FIG.  17    is a bottom view of the hidden clip of  FIG.  12   . 
         FIG.  18    is a perspective view of a plurality of interconnected hidden clips provided as a strip of clips for feeding through a universal magazine attachment and fixation to decking boards, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  19    is a top view of the strip of clips of  FIG.  18   . 
         FIG.  20    is a bottom view of the strip of clips of  FIG.  18   . 
         FIG.  21    is side view of the strip of clips of  FIG.  18   . 
         FIG.  22    is a front view of the strip of clips of  FIG.  18   . 
         FIG.  23    is a perspective view of a plurality of interconnected hidden clips provided as a strip of clips, with inserted fasteners, for feeding through a universal magazine attachment and fixation to decking boards, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  24    is a side view of a screw fastener for use with hidden clips, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  25    is a top view of the screw fastener of  FIG.  24   . 
         FIG.  26    is a perspective view of a beveled hidden clip for use with a power tool having a universal magazine attachment, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  27    is a side view of the beveled hidden clip of  FIG.  26   . 
         FIG.  28    is a top view of a hidden clip for use with a power tool having a universal magazine attachment, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  29    is a side view of the hidden clip of  FIG.  28   . 
         FIG.  30    is a perspective view of a plurality of interconnected hidden clips provided as a strip of clips, for manual manipulation and use to secure decking boards, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  31    is a top view of the strip of clips of  FIG.  30   . 
         FIG.  32    is a bottom view of the strip of clips of  FIG.  30   . 
         FIG.  33    is a top perspective view of a hidden clip having stepped and angled anti-slip ribs for use with a power tool having a universal magazine attachment, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  34    is a bottom perspective view of the hidden clip of  FIG.  33   . 
         FIG.  35    is perspective view of a hidden clip having tracking grooves, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  36    is front view of the hidden clip of  FIG.  35   . 
         FIG.  37    is a bottom view of the hidden clip of  FIG.  35   . 
         FIG.  38    is a perspective view of a hidden clip having tracking grooves and recess and protruding tab to facilitate registration, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  39    is a perspective view of a hidden clip having one or more sloped compression tabs to facilitate leveling during fixation, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  40    is a side view of the hidden clip of  FIG.  39   . 
         FIG.  41    is a front view of the hidden clip of  FIG.  39   . 
         FIG.  42    is a top view of the hidden clip of  FIG.  39   . 
         FIG.  43    is a bottom view of the hidden clip of  FIG.  39   . 
         FIGS.  44 - 46    show a plurality of adjustment kit components for use with different industry composite board layouts and configurations, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular exemplary embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following descriptions, the present invention will be explained with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof. However, these embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention to any specific example, embodiment, environment, applications or particular implementations described in these embodiments. Therefore, description of these embodiments is only for purpose of illustration rather than to limit the present invention. 
     Dimensions and relative proportions of components are merely example embodiments and can be varied unless specifically limited in a given claim. Thus, the dimensions can be varied without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     Referring generally to  FIGS.  1 - 11   , a power tool  100 , such as a commercially available nail or fastener gun, can be modified to include a universal magazine  102  system that feeds hidden clips  104  used to fasten decking boards  106  to a deck frame  108 . The systems, devices, components, and methods of the present invention disclosed herein are envisioned for use with other alignment, fastening, and attachment applications as well. 
     The magazine system  102  includes a magazine feed assembly  102   a  and a nose or hammer assembly  102   b . A yoke mechanism  105  can selectively and hingedly connect a portion of a handle  101  of the tool  100  with a portion of the magazine feed assembly  102   a . The magazine  102  can be constructed all or in part of a plastic and/or metal material that holds a strip  116  of clips  104  in queue. When an operator places the driver head of the tool  100  where they want to place or deploy a fastening clip  104 , the operator depresses downward on the tool  100 . The moveable magazine  102   a  then travels vertically upward with respect to the tool body, about the yoke mechanism  105 , which forces the forward-most clip  104  of the strip of clips  116  in the magazine into a knife edge, which cuts that particular clip from the rest of the strip. When the magazine  102   a  has reached full down stroke, a rod in the magazine can depress the tool’s trigger safety catch. The trigger is then pulled and the hammer of the tool can drive a fastener through the hidden clip  104  to a desired depth, thereby securing the clip  104  to the frame board  108  and securing the deck board  106  in place. As depicted in  FIG.  11   , the decking boards  106  include opposing longitudinal side grooves  107  in which the hidden clips  104  are inserted and secured to facilitate board connectivity. 
     Certain embodiments of the magazine feed assembly  102   a  can be generally straight (e.g.,  FIGS.  1 - 7   ), while others can be curved upward or otherwise angled (e.g.,  FIGS.  8 - 9   ). It is noted that the magazine can include various tapers, angles, curves, and the like with various embodiments without deviating from the scope of the present invention. 
     The magazine feed assembly  102   a  can include a bottom indexing and alignment feature  102   c . The feature  102   c  can include extending elongated tabs or protrusions adapted to fit on and around a portion of the deck joist or frame  108  to prevent lateral movement and to provide proper alignment of the tool  100  during use. 
     In certain embodiments, the alignment feature  102   c  is generally U-shaped and can include a gap of approximately 2 inches between the extending tabs to accommodate seating and securement with the positioned frame board  108 . A length of the feature  102   c  can be defined in and extend down from each of the magazine  102  halves detailed herein. In other embodiments, the indexing and alignment feature  102   c  can be provided with other components or assemblies of the present invention to facilitate the described functionality. 
     The magazine assembly  102   a  is configured to serially feed the hidden clips  104  one at a time via a moveable thruster or clip receiver mounted in a groove on a hammer guide plate  140 . A self-coiling spring  127   a  disposed within the magazine forces the strip of clips  116  forward. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3 - 7   , the magazine assembly  102   a  can include a left or first side portion  111  and a right or second side portion  113 . Each of the magazine halves includes a rear portion  115  and a front portion  117 . The front portion  117  is shaped and configured for receiving and attaching to the various components of the nose assembly  102   b . The rear portion  115  can include a magazine end cap  119  attachable to each of the portions  111 ,  113 . The clip strip  116  can be fed or loaded into the magazine assembly  102   a  via the end cap  119 . The end cap  119  can include a shaped aperture  119   a  adapted to receive the strip  116 , including a shaped space to accommodate the clips  104  and corresponding fasteners (e.g., generally T-shaped). The magazine  102  can be molded, cast, stamped, etc. 
     The left side portion  111  includes a side opening or channel  121  extending along a length of the side  111  and adapted to receive a pusher or thruster device or assembly  127 . The pusher device  127  can include a knob  125  or like element for manual manipulation by the operator. The pusher device  127  can include an outer slide plate and an inner slide spring retainer. The pusher device  127  slides along the channel  121  to push or drive the clips  104  of the clip strip  116  toward the nose portion  102   b  of the magazine assembly  102  such that each time a hidden clip securing action is completed, the next clip in line is automatically advanced and ready for fastening. Coil springs and/or a cam drive can be provided to animate the thruster. A slide groove can attach the magazine to the hammer guide plate. 
     When loading the magazine with a strip of clips  116 , for those embodiments using a tool or similar device during operation, the operator pulls or pushes the pusher  127  rearward to a mechanical release catch. The operator then inserts the strip of clips  116  into the empty magazine, via the end cap  119 , and releases the catch. The pusher  127  is thus pulled forward by the spring  127   a , thereby forcing the leading clip  104   a  into the insertion locators in the magazine. A cam mechanism can be utilized to advance the strip of clips in an alternative embodiment. The strip  116  can include a wide variety and number of clips  104 , ranging from clip  104   a  ...  104   n . 
     A stroke limiter adjusts the fastener depth. The depth can be manually adjustable by turning a thumbscrew, CW or CCW, to increase or decrease depth. A rigidly mounted spring steel knife  150  separates the leading clip as the magazine travels upwards into the hammer guide plate. The assembly is secured to the tool via an attachment plate, which is configured to mount to a variety of commercially available power tools. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the nose or hammer assembly  102   b  includes a hammer guide plate  140 , a left nose slide  142 , a right nose slide  144 , a pusher slide bar  146 , a nose locate plate  148 , a tab cutter blade  150 , a left plate gusset  152 , and a right plate gusset  154 . Attachment holes, devices, and structures can align with those of the tool  100  for the purpose of mounting the guide plate  140  and magazine assembly  102  to the tool  100 . 
     The hammer guide plate  140  provides reinforcement and guidance for the tool  100  hammer mechanism as it extends and retracts during use, and the plate gussets  152 ,  154  define the side boundaries for the hammer guide plate  140 . When the tool is in position to fasten a hidden clip to a surface, the user pushes the tool  100  downwards, sliding the hammer guide plate  140  upwards and pushing tab cutter blade  150 , secured to the guide plate, into the magazine. Such action causes the blade  150  to cut or shear the leading clip (e.g.,  104   a ) from the strip  116   and align it for driving. The blade  150  can include one or more cutting edges surfaces to facilitate the described cutting. 
     When the tool  100  is activated, its hammer forces the fastener  126  to a depth, fastening the clip  104  to the joist (or other surface) below. Each time a hidden clip  104  securing action is completed, the next clip in line is automatically advanced and can be securely located via its tab/recess so that it is ready for fastening. 
       FIGS.  8 - 9    show an embodiment of the power tool  100  having a curved universal magazine attachment for feeding, advancing, and fixating hidden clips to decking boards. 
       FIGS.  12 - 18    illustrate an embodiment of a hidden clip  104  and a loadable strip  116  of hidden clips. The clip  104  comprises a molded plastic (or similar material) body  110  that includes one or more extending portions  118  and several novel aspects. The extending portions  118  can assist in alignment/registration and feeding of the hidden clip through the structure of the magazine assembly  102   a . A center aperture  112  or bore is defined through the vertical height of the clip to permit a screw, nail, or other fastener to secure the clip to a deck frame or other surface. Magazine tabs  114  extend horizontally from an edge of the clip to provide attachment to one or more adjacent clips in a strip of clips  116 , as is shown in  FIG.  18   . The bottom side of the top portion  110   a  of the clip includes or defines a plurality of anti-slip ribs  129 . 
     The lateral protrusion magazine tabs  114  can be made very small (e.g., 20 thousandths of an inch) so that the tabs  114  do not affect the placement of the clip  114  within the groove  107  of the board  106 . The magazine tabs  114  in other embodiments can be in the form of a frangible film, either perforated or non-perforated, connecting the adjacent clips. This film in such configuration defines a tear line between adjacent clips. 
     As depicted in  FIG.  15   , the bottom extent of the clip can include one or more compression tabs  120  that are compressed when the clip  104  is secured to the deck frame. The tabs  120  bite downwards into the board  108  for a more secure attachment of the deck boards  106 . As such, both a compression and biting functionality can be facilitated with the tabs  120 . In certain embodiments, the ribs  129 , the bottom tabs  120 , or both, can be constructed of a harder material (e.g., harder durometer) than the main clip material to facilitate piercing contact with decking or framing. One or more side walls  131  of the clip  104  can be constructed of a softer material (e.g., softer durometer) then the main clip material to promote slip reduction. 
     In use, the tabs  120  bind the clip  104  to the deck board  106  when compressed. A dead stop  122  can be defined adjacent to the compression tabs  120  to define the maximum compression at which the clip is seated. A crush aperture or hole  123  can also be defined in the body  110  to allow for future expansion/contraction of adjacent deck boards/flooring. The compression tabs  120  can also provide a universal component to work with different brands of decking with varying center lines, mounting grooves, and like construct requirements. 
       FIGS.  19 - 22    show exemplary hidden clips  104  and clip strips  116  in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Again, extending tabs  114  provide a frangible connection between adjacent clips  104  in the corresponding strip  116 . Strips of clips can also be greater or fewer in number than that depicted in the figures. 
       FIG.  23    depicts the strip  116  of hidden clips  104  with a fastener  126  disposed within the center aperture  112  of each clip. The fasteners  126  are inserted shallowly such that the distal threaded end does not extend more than a minimal amount beyond the bottom extent of the clip. The fastener  126  can be a nail, screw, or other suitable fastener. The exemplary fastener of  FIG.  23    is a screw. 
     The strip  116  of clips can be pre-loaded with the fastener  126  as discussed above. This configuration is useful when utilizing the power tool  100  discussed herein. The pre-loaded fasteners  126  in the strip  116  of clips moves the fastener automatically into alignment with the drive head of the tool. This allows the user to advantageously operate the tool with one hand while holding the deck board with their other hand. This allows the user to install the beck boards far faster than the conventional multi-step method of one-at-a-time hand-placed clips and individually placed fasteners for clip, followed by use of a conventional power tool. The pre-loaded fasteners can also be provided for single clips and strips of clips configured for manual installation. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  24 - 25   , a threaded fastener  126  can include a length of tapered or spiral threading  126   a  that extends from the head  126   b , or proximate the head  126   b , all the way to the tip  126   c , or substantially to the tip  126   c . The head of the fastener can also be provided with a ballistic shape for rapid linear insertion by a power tool. The fasteners  126  may be molded to, be part of a stamped clip body, or added to a strip  116  after its manufacture. The strip  116  of various depicted embodiments shows the fasteners  126  provided prior to insertion into the magazine  102 . 
     A wide variety of fasteners can be used with the clips described herein. Additional example fasteners include concrete screws for fastening the clips to a concrete substrate instead of to wooden joists  108 . 
     The hidden clip  104  of  FIGS.  26 - 27    include an increased beveled edge (double lead-in) transitioning from the top surface of the clip to the non-slip ribs  129 , for easier insertion of the clips. The beveled edge also makes the clip able to accommodate variation of the groove height in the deck boards. 
       FIGS.  28 - 29    show an embodiment of the hidden clip  104  not having one or more tabs extending out beyond the bottom surface of the clip  104 . 
       FIGS.  30 - 32    depict the strip  116  of hidden clips  104  for a hand or manually installed and manipulated embodiment of the present invention. One or more “dummy” clips  105  can be included at one or more ends of the strip  116  and adapted for manual grasping by the fingers of a user. The clip  105  facilitates handling of the strip  116  during installation and use, wherein the hidden clips  104  of the strip  116  are manually placed, engaged, and secured to bind the respective clips  104  to the deck board. 
     The particular clip  105  most remote from the dummy clip  105  is secured to the board with a fastener. After that particular clip  104  is secured, the operator or user can torque the remaining strip of clips  104 , or otherwise facilitate breaking, of the secured clip  104  from the strip  116  at the respective frangible tabs  114 . This process is repeated until the last clip, which is adjacent to the dummy clip  105 , is secured in place. The dummy clip  105  can be removed from the adjacent clip  104  at tabs  114 . 
     Other versions of this embodiment can be adapted for use with a power tool and magazine as well. For example, the dummy clip  105  can be removed prior to insertion of the strip into the magazine of a power tool as discussed herein. 
       FIGS.  33 - 34    show an embodiment of the hidden clip  104  having generally T-shaped tabs  114  and one or more extending bottom tab  120  features. Further, the non-slip ribs  129  are defined in a stepped and angled configuration. One or more structures or features of this clip  104  can be included with any of the clip embodiments disclosed herein. 
       FIGS.  35 - 37    show an alternative embodiment of the hidden clip  104  including one or more tracking grooves  110   c  defined into the top surface of the clip to aid in the movement through the magazine. A crush aperture or hole  124  is also defined in the body to allow for future expansion/contraction of adjacent deck boards/flooring. 
       FIG.  38    shows an alternative embodiment of the hidden clip  104 . Opposing sides of the body are provided with a respective recess  128  and protruding tab  118  to enhance the registration of the clip  104  when being advanced through the magazine  102   a . This configuration also can be used to prevent the strip of clips  116  from being inserted backwards into the magazine by the user. 
       FIGS.  39 - 43    show an embodiment of the hidden clip  104  having one or more angled or sloped bottom tab features  120  to facilitate leveling during fixation. The feature  120  can include a first end portion  120   a , a second end portion  120   b , and an intermediate sloping crossbar portion  120   c . The length of the first portion  120   a  can be measurably longer than the length of the second portion  120   b  such that the crossbar portion  120   c  extends transversely between the end portions  120   a ,  120   b  (e.g.,  FIG.  40   ) to define the sloped or angled construct of the feature  120 . Like other embodiments, the top portion  110   a  of the clip  104  can include an extending lip or rim portion having a plurality of ribs or like features  129  provided at its bottom surface or region. Other structural constructs can be included to facilitate this fixation leveling feature of the subject hidden clips  104 . 
     In operation, the extending lip of the top portion  110   a  is inserted within the side groove  107  of a corresponding decking board  106 . As detailed herein, the fastener  126  (e.g., a screw) extends through the clip aperture  112  to engage with, and threadably secure to, the underlying deck frame  108 . With this embodiment having the sloped compression tab feature  120 , the clip  104  is forced to level out parallel to the base of the groove  107  as the fastener  126  sets to its final engagement depth during fixation. The bottom angled structure of the compression tab  120  combats or counters the tendency the clip  104  may have to tilt upon tightening securement, while still promoting biting engagement. 
       FIGS.  44 - 46    show various adjustment kit components  160  for use with industry composite board layouts and configurations. The one or more kits can include alignment plate, spacer, or shim elements for specific deck board configurations to facilitate fixation and alignment during operation of the present invention to secure the boards in place with the hidden clips  104 . As such, the tool of the present invention can be used to secure various industry boards with varying dimensions and spacing requirements. For instance, boards made by or sold under the brands Armadillo (AL), Fiberon (F), Menards (M), Timber Tech (TT), Trex (T), and many others, can be affixed and secured with the present invention due to the inclusion of varying sized and shaped nose alignment plates, spacer plates, spacer bars, and the like with kits  160  adapted for use with the tool of the present invention. Exemplary spacer elements  170  of 0.110 inches are shown for various AL, F, and TT deck boards, 0.085 inches for various F and T deck boards, and 0.050 inches for various F and T deck boards are provided. It will be understood that a myriad of spacer element 70 sizes and shapes can be provided to accomplish the flexible alignment and fixation to any number of deck board brands, sizes, and configurations without deviating from the scope of the present invention. 
     As can be appreciated, the user can operate the present invention with one hand while holding the deck board in place. The user also need not reload the tool for each hidden clip to be installed. Thus, the installation process requires less installers and installer time. This reduces costs and improves productivity. 
     Because various clips of the present invention are bilaterally symmetrical along a plane bisecting the clip along its midline to define front and back halves, the clip can be fastened in either forward or rearward orientations about the vertical axis. Thus, the entire strip of such clips can be inserted into the magazine beginning with either end. This means that the user cannot insert the strip backwards since the front end and rear ends of the strip are the same (e.g., interchangeable). The clips can also be bilaterally symmetrical along a plane bisecting the clip along its midline to define right and left halves. 
     The clips can be formed of a single material or multiple separate materials. For example, the clips can all comprise single type of plastic material. Alternatively, each clip may comprise multiple different materials in order to provide specialized properties such as those discussed herein. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments. It will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and equivalent arrangements can be made thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, such scope to be accorded the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all equivalent structures and products. Moreover, features or aspects of various example embodiments may be mixed and matched (even if such combination is not explicitly described herein) without departing from the scope of the invention.