Patent Publication Number: US-2021172465-A1

Title: Support clip

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure is generally related to a support clip, and more particularly related to clamp-on style glass support clips. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also correspond to implementations of the claimed technology. 
     Modern architecture and construction requires holding various plates such as glass panes, metal plates, or stone plates, against a support frame. The plates are drilled and bolted onto the support frame. However, drilling is not possible in case of the glass panes. Currently, various clamping devices are used, for example, a bolt-on style clip holds glass. However, installation of such clamping devices requires skilled knowledge. Further, the installation of such clamping devices requires specialized power tools such as heavy drills. 
     In another example, a clip that clamps on a support frame is designed to support another support frame. Further, removal of such clamping devices leaves holes and deformities on the support frame, making the support frame weak. Further, manufacturers of the support frame need to specify a hole or a thread for mounting such clamping devices. In a case, where the hole or the thread is not specified by the manufacturer, a hole must be introduced later during assembly which requires a lot of effort. In another case, the plates are installed only at earlier specified location on the support frames. 
     Therefore, there is a need for an improved design of a bracket or support clip for holding plates and mounting on a support frame easily and without the use of power tools or skilled knowledge. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to embodiments illustrated herein, a support clip for holding one or more plates is disclosed. The support clip includes a first element and a second element. The first element having a clamping jaw at a first end of the support clip, for holding one or more plates, a first clip body at a second end of the support clip, and at least a first hole. On the other hand, the second element having a second clip body at the second end of the support clip, and at least a second hole. Thereafter, the first element and the second element are coupled, by a fastener, through at least the first hole and at least the second hole, and thereby forming the support clip for securing a support frame. 
     According to embodiments illustrated herein, a support clip for holding one or more plates is disclosed. The support clip includes a first element and a second element. The first element includes a first clamping jaw at a first end of the support clip, a first clip body at a second end of the support clip, and at least a first hole. On the other hand, the second element having a second clamping jaw at the first end of the support clip, a second clip body at the second end of the support clip, and at least a second hole. Further, the first element and the second element are coupled, by a fastener, through at least the first hole and at least the second hole, and thereby forming the support clip for securing a support frame. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of systems, methods, and embodiments of various other aspects of the disclosure. Any person with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g. boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. It may be that in some examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of one element may be implemented as an external component in another, and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale. Non-limiting and non-exhaustive descriptions are described with reference to the following drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating principles. 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a perspective view of a support clip  100 , according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates an exemplary scenario of the support clip  100 , according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a support clip  200 , according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a perspective view of a support clip  300 , according to an embodiment. 
         FIGS. 3B and 3C  illustrate an exemplary scenario of the support clip  300 , according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,” and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. 
     It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any systems and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the preferred, systems and methods are now described. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several figures, and in which example embodiments are shown. Embodiments of the claims may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples and are merely examples among other possible examples. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a support clip  100 , according to an embodiment. The support clip  100  may include a first element  102  and a second element  104 . The first element  102  may have a clamping jaw  106  at a first end  108  of the support clip  100 . The clamping jaw  106  may include a threaded hole  110  i.e., a through hole. Further, the first element  102  may include a first clip body  112  at a second end  114  of the support clip  100 . The first clip body  112  having a semicircular arc shape. Further, the first element  102  may include at least a first hole  116  on an inner surface of the first element  102 . In one case, at least the first hole  116  may be a threaded hole. 
     On the other hand, the second element  104  having a second clip body  118  at the second end  114  of the support clip  100 . The second clip body  118  having a semicircular arc shape. Further, the second element  104  having at least a second hole  120 . In one case, at least the second hole  120  may be a through hole and a threaded hole. Further, the first element  102  and the second element  104  may be coupled together by a fastener  122 , through at least the first hole  116  and at least the second hole  120 . The fastener  122  may be a socket screw. In one case, the socket screw may be made up of stainless steel. Such coupling of the first element  102  and the second element  104  may form the support clip  100 . Thereafter, the support clip  100  may be clamped on a support frame  128 , as shown in  FIG. 1B . It should be noted that the first clip body  112  and the second clip body  118  may be used for securing the support frame  128 . 
     In one embodiment, when the first element  102  and the second element  104  are coupled together, then a space  124  may be formed between the first clip body  112  and the second clip body  118 . The space  124  may be used to clamp the support clip  100  on the support frame  128 . In another embodiment, the first element  102  and the second element  104  may be placed on either side of the support frame  128  in such a way that on tightening the fastener  122 , the first element  102  and the second element  104  are coupled together to clamp the support clip  100  around the support frame  128 . Further, the clamping jaw  106  of the first element  102  may be used for holding a plate i.e., one or more plates  130  perpendicular to the support frame  128 , as shown in  FIG. 1B . The one or more plates  130  may be tightened by inserting a set screw (i.e., a locking set screw)  126  in the threaded hole  110 . The set screw  126  may be made up of a compressional plastic or nylon. It should be noted that the one or more plates  130  may correspond to at least a panel such as glass panel, metal panel, or stone panel, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a support clip  200 , according to an embodiment. The support clip  200  may include a first element  202  and a second element  204 . The first element  202  may have a clamping jaw  206  at a first end  208  of the support clip  200 . The clamping jaw  206  may include a threaded hole  210  i.e., a through hole. Further, the first element  202  may include a first clip body  212  at a second end  214  of the support clip  200 . The first clip body  212  having a semicircular arc shape. Further, the first element  202  may include at least a first hole  216 . It should be noted that at least the first hole  216  may be a through hole and a threaded hole, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     On the other hand, the second element  204  having a second clip body  218  at the second end  214  of the support clip  200 . The second clip body  218  having a semicircular arc shape. Further, the second element  204  having at least a second hole  220  on an inner surface of the second element  204 . It should be noted that at least the second hole  220  may be a threaded hole. Further, the first element  202  and the second element  204  may be coupled together by a fastener  222 , through at least the first hole  216  and at least the second hole  220 . The fastener  222  may be a socket screw. The socket screw may be made up of stainless steel. Such coupling of the first element  202  and the second element  204  may form the support clip  200 . Thereafter, the support clip  200  may be clamped on a support frame (not shown). It should be noted that the first clip body  212  and the second clip body  218  may be used for securing the support frame. 
     In one embodiment, when the first element  202  and the second element  204  are coupled together, then a space  224  may be formed between the first clip body  212  and the second clip body  218 . The space  224  may be used to clamp the support clip  200  on the support frame. In another embodiment, the first element  202  and the second element  204  may be placed on either side of the support frame in such a way that on tightening the fastener  222 , the first element  202  and the second element  204  are coupled together to clamp the support clip  200  around the support frame. Further, the clamping jaw  206  of the first element  202  may be used for holding a plate (not shown) parallel to the support frame. The plate may be tightened by inserting a set screw (i.e., a locking set screw)  226  in the threaded hole  210 . The set screw  226  may be made up of a compressional plastic or nylon. It should be noted that the plate may correspond to at least a panel, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a support clip  300 , according to an embodiment. The support clip  300  may include a first element  302  and a second element  304 . The first element  302  may have a first clamping jaw  306  at a first end  308  of the support clip  300 . The first clamping jaw  306  may include a threaded hole  310  i.e., a through hole. Further, the first element  302  may include a first clip body  312  at a second end  314  of the support clip  300 . The first clip body  312  having a semicircular arc shape. Further, the first element  302  may include at least a first hole  316 . It should be noted that at least the first hole  316  may be a threaded hole and a through hole. 
     On the other hand, the second element  304  may have a second clamping jaw  318  at the first end  308  of the support clip  300 . In one case, the second clamping jaw  318  may include a threaded hole. Further, the second element  304  having a second clip body  320  at the second end  314  of the support clip  300 . The second clip body  320  having a semicircular arc shape. Further, the second element  304  having at least a second hole  322  on an inner surface of the second element  304 . In one case, at least the second hole  322  may be a threaded hole. Further, the first element  302  and the second element  304  may be coupled together by a fastener  324 , through at least the first hole  316  and at least the second hole  322 . The fastener  324  may be a socket screw. The socket screw may be made up of stainless steel. Such coupling of the first element  302  and the second element  304  may form the support clip  300 . Thereafter, the support clip  300  may be clamped on a support frame  330 , as shown in  FIGS. 3B and 3C . It should be noted that the first clip body  312  and the second clip body  320  may be used for securing the support frame  330 . 
     In one embodiment, when the first element  302  and the second element  304  are coupled together, then a space  326  may be formed between the first clip body  312  and the second clip body  320 . The space  326  may be used to clamp the support clip  300  on the support frame  330 . In another embodiment, the first element  302  and the second element  304  may be placed on either side of the support frame  330  in such a way that on tightening the fastener  324 , the first element  302  and the second element  304  are coupled together to clamp the support clip  300  around the support frame  330 . Further, the first clamping jaw  306  and the second clamping jaw  318  may be used for holding a plate i.e., one or more plates  332 , as shown in  FIGS. 3B and 3C . The one or more plates  332  may be tightened by inserting a set screw (i.e., a locking set screw)  328  in the threaded hole  310 . The set screw  328  may be made up of a compressional plastic or nylon. It should be noted that the one or more plates  332  may correspond to at least a panel, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
     The support clips  100 ,  200 , and  300  may be made up of a material selected from the group of materials consisting of a metal, an alloy, a glass, a plastic, or a wood. For example, the support clips  100 ,  200 , and  300  may be made up of aluminum. In one embodiment, the support clips  100 ,  200 , and  300  may be made up of some other materials and designed to support a ranging thickness of materials, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
     The disclosed embodiments encompass numerous advantages. Various embodiments of support clips for securing a support frame have been disclosed. Such supports clips may be tightened or locked onto the support frame. Such support clips have an ability to be mounted onto the support frame without the use of power tools or skilled knowledge. Further, such support clips improve speed and ease of use by allowing the support clips to be inventoried and assembled on-site. Further, the supports clips may be designed as per the requirements at any time and location. Additionally, the support clips may hold plates of various thickness and the plates may be mounted parallel, perpendicular, or co-planar to the support frame. It should be noted that the support clips may be rotated perpendicular to the support frame. Furthermore, the plates may be removed and re-located at any time without requiring any power tools and/or skilled knowledge and therefore the removal of the support clips may leave no holes, marks, or deformities on the support frame. 
     Further, the support clips may be removed and reinstalled as needed with no actual ware visible on the support clip. Therefore, such designs of one-piece support clips are optimal and results in increasing speed of the mounting without the use of power tools or skilled knowledge. 
     The features of the present invention will be apparent with reference to the following description and attached drawings. In the description and drawings, particular embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail as being indicative of some of the ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed, but it is understood that the invention is not limited correspondingly in scope. 
     Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments and/or in combination with or instead of the features of the other embodiments. 
     While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, aspects of the present invention may be adopted on alternative operating systems. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.