Abstract:
An improved muntin bar clip for ease of installing bars to the air space of a double-paned window in order to achieve the colonial style window appearance. The clip is configured for one end to be inserted into the frame which provides separation between the lights. The opposite end of the clip points toward the center of the window and provides a quick and easy means of mounting the bars.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to multi-pane windows and doors, and particularly to mounting clips used to support internally contained decorative members to achieve a multi-pane window effect. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    Technological advances in the 11 th  century AD permitted some of the first glass sheets to be produced, with constant improvement made ever since, including an early 1900s sheet glass drawing machine, which made the mass production of windows possible. Perhaps one of the most notable of recent advances was the development of double pane windows. Single-pane window construction suffered significant thermal losses derived by cold air blowing across the window exterior to create an unhindered heat sink, resulting in windows fogging or frosting, as well as being uncomfortably cold upon contact. Double-pane window construction significantly reduced thermal loss by incorporating a thin layer of trapped air, which is an extraordinarily good insulator when not allowed to convect or otherwise conduct heat away from an object. 
         [0003]    A by-product of the double-pane construction method is the ability to utilize the unexposed glass faces, which will never experience ordinary wear from physical contact, for coatings or filters. In addition, the gap itself can serve other uses, most common of which is to accommodate decorative inserts. 
         [0004]    Modern styled homes and commercial buildings commonly utilize long uninterrupted sheets of glass, however, many if not most residences and apartment buildings incorporate a multi-pane window or multi-pane door look to achieve a French or colonial style appearance. With single panel construction, this necessitated that either multiple glass panes were in fact utilized, or a faux multi-pane look could be accomplished by attaching a decorative lattice to the interior side of the window or door. This latter approach is still commonly used by window manufacturers, some of whom offer interchangeable grilles that allow purchasers to alternate between various window appearances. 
         [0005]    However, double-pane window construction permitted the introduction of the decorative lattice to the air gap between the panes. The vertical and horizontal elements that formed such a lattice on true multi-paned windows were termed muntin bars, and this terminology has similarly been carried over in referring to the vertical and horizontal members trapped within the air gap of double-pane windows and doors. 
         [0006]    In constructing multi-paned windows, the window panes are typically separated by insulating material that is wrapped about a hallowed, metallic, frame having a rectangular cross-section. To simplify the manufacturing process and incorporate the decorative inserts, various mounting schemes have been utilized, and often do not use mechanical fasters, but rather involve a clip that is inserted into the metallic frame and serve as a mounting post over which each end of the hallow muntin bar is inserted. This mounting clip is aptly termed a muntin clip. Although existing versions of these clips serve to expedite and simplify construction of multi-paned glass windows, the most functional of these clips exhibits some deficiencies which are addressed by the current invention. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0007]    On illustrative example of the prior art can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,377. The design of the muntin clip is a plastic part composed of a flat base or “body,” and an orthogonal support member called a base flange. Protruding from that same side of the body is a longer slender “central spine” from which extends, at an angle, “bar retaining fingers.” The bar retaining fingers are intended to initially capture and thereafter positionally support the muntin bar. The combination of the finger&#39;s length and angular orientation permit the muntin bar to contact the first pair of fingers and depress them to further increase its angular position with respect to the spine, and in so doing, provide pre-load which maintains contact between the bar retaining fingers with the muntin bar. Although functional as to maintaining contact with the muntin bar, the configuration of the clip assembly requires concerted effort to align the end of the muntin bar with the oversized bar retaining finger which has a width before installation slightly greater that the internal dimension of the muntin bar. This is one drawback which is addressed in the current disclosure. 
         [0008]    Protruding from the side of the body opposite the base flange, spine, and bar retaining fingers, are a pair of slender hooks referred to as “latching fingers” which are intended to positively retain the clip in contact with the frame, and, therefore, also maintain the position of the muntin bar. However, these fingers are designed with sufficient length to provide flexibility to deflect on installation and then spring back to be captured by a flange of the frame. However, that same flexibility is disadvantageous for retention of the clip in the frame, while trying to install the opposing end of the muntin bar into its respective clip. This drawback of the prior art, along with several other improvements are addressed by the current invention. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention is intended to be used in conjunction with double-pane windows to provide support for muntin bars located between the panes in order to create a multi-pane look. A metallic frame with generally a C-shaped cross-section, in conjunction with insulating material, is used to provide separation between the window panes. The opening of the C-shaped frame is oriented to face the interior of the window. i.e., the area between the panes. At predetermined intervals along the frame, are pairs of notches in the edges of both sides of the “C”. The respective pair of notches at a frame location additionally appear in the frame directly on the opposite side of the window. The notch locations correspond to the desired placement of a muntin bar. To provide the appearance, for example, that a window is composed of 6 individual panes of glass, would necessitate that one muntin bar run in either the vertical or horizontal direction, and two muntin bars run in the direction perpendicular to the first muntin bar. This 6-pane appearance results in the need for 6 sets of notches, with each set of notches corresponding to one end of each of the muntin bars. Muntin bar attachment is accomplished through use of a muntin clip. The muntin clip of the disclosed invention is configured to attach, without mechanical fasteners, to the C-section frame. Unlike the prior art, this disclosure does not utilize the slender “latching” fingers, but instead uses a rigid overhanging hook to positively attach the clip to the frame. To accommodate installation of the clip, the disclosed invention utilizes a split body and double spine arrangement that permits in-plane deflection of the base which draws the hook back from the lip of the C-section. Once released, both base sections spring back to their natural positions. Orienting the hooks to face in opposite directions prevents inadvertent dislodging of the clip due to pressure upon one side, as that naturally causes increased pressure and contact of the opposite hook with the frame, and consequently retention. 
         [0010]    The smaller restrict tab provides for restricting motion of the clip, and therefore naturally the bar itself, along the length of the frame. It is a small preferably rigid plastic piece extending downwardly from the underside of each base section. It is typically situated near or adjacent to the hook pieces, but may be anywhere in relation to the hook on the underside of the base section. Although in a preferred embodiment, the smaller tab will be an entirely separate piece, in an alternative embodiment, the tab and the hook may be connected by a small plastic perpendicular piece, further strengthening the grip that the clip has on the window frame. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  shows a front side perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the muntin clip of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows a bottom perspective view of the muntin clip of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  shows a front view of the muntin clip of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of the muntin clip of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  shows a rear view of the muntin clip of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  shows a bottom view of the muntin clip of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  shows a side cross sectional view of the muntin clip of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of the muntin clip of  FIG. 1  and a space frame provider into which the clip is to be installed. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of the muntin clip of  FIG. 1  being installed into a space frame provider. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of the muntin clip of  FIG. 1  installed in a space frame provider. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  shows a side front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the muntin clip of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  shows a bottom perspective view of the muntin clip of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  shows a front view of the muntin clip of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  shows a bottom view of the muntin clip of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  shows a side view of the muntin clip of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  shows a side cross sectional view of the muntin clip of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  shows a perspective view of the muntin clip of  FIG. 11  and a space frame provider into which the clip is to be installed. 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  shows a perspective view of the muntin clip of  FIG. 11  being installed into a space frame provider. 
           [0029]      FIG. 19  shows a perspective view of the muntin clip of  FIG. 11  installed in a space frame provider. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]    As illustrated by  FIGS. 1-20 , a tubular muntin bar (not pictured) is connected with a space frame provider, or spacer  10  that separates two panes of glass. The clip  1  detachably connects the tubular muntin bar with the spacer  10 . The clip latches into the opening provided between the flanges  35  of the spacer  10 . 
         [0031]    The clip  1  may have at least one intermediate plate  3 , preferably two, a set of fasteners  11 , also preferably two, that are projected from the bottom surface  32  of each intermediate plate  3 , a bar plug  9  that extends outwardly from the top surface  33  of each intermediate plate  3 , at least one tab, preferably two,  5  and  6  projecting from the bottom surface  32  of each intermediate plate (giving at least two tabs overall on the clip), and one or more sets of lateral ribs  34  projecting from the side surface  27  of the bar plug  9  and inclined toward the nearest intermediate plate  3 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, though, as illustrated by Figures  1 - 10 , the clip  1  has two intermediate plates  3 , each with a fastener  11  projecting from its bottom surface  32 , a bar plug  9 , one larger outer tab  5  projecting from the bottom surface  32  of each intermediate plate, one smaller inner tab  6  projecting from another point on each intermediate plate, and two pairs of lateral ribs  34  projecting from the side surface  27  of the bar plug  9 , each pair inclined toward the nearest intermediate plate  3 . The outer tab  5  is optionally present. 
         [0032]    As seen in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , small rectangular notches  14  may be formed in the flanges  35  of the spacer  10  to receive the inner tabs  6  of the clip  1  and thus to provide fixed positioning of the clip  1  on the spacer  10 . In the preferred embodiment, these inner tabs  6  serve the purpose of restricting movement of the clip  1  along the flanges  35  of the spacer  10 . However, in alternate embodiments, the inner tabs  6  may serve a different purpose in relation to securing the clip  1  to the spacer  10 . The notches  14  are relatively small and do not extend the full depth of the flanges  35  of the spacer  10 . The spacer  10  may have multiple sets of flange notches  14 , but preferably it has two pairs of flange notches  14 . If the spacer  10  has one pair of notches at each edge, then such notches may be positioned on the opposite flanges  35  of the spacer  10  generally diagonally to each other at such part of the flanges  35  of the spacer  10  where muntin bars are to be attached. Positioning and amount of such notches  14  along the spacer  10  may depend on the configuration of the fasteners  11  and the amount of the muntin bars to be positioned on the spacer  10 . 
         [0033]    In the preferred embodiment, the clip  1  of the present invention utilizes two separate intermediate plates  3 , which are connected to the bar plug  9  by a pair of leg-like members  4 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . Although the intermediate plates  3  may be attached rigidly to the bar plug  9 , in the preferred embodiment, the plates  3  are flexibly connected, and may be rotated around the axis of each leg member  4  to assist in placement of the clip  1  into the spacer  10  for installation of the muntin bars. Indeed, because of a gap  7  between each plate  3 , the plates may even be pressed toward each other to disengage them from the spacer  10 . Furthermore, although the plates  3  may differ in shape and size, they are preferably identical to each other. Although it may be any shape, in the preferred embodiment, each plate  3  is preferably generally rectangular in shape, with bevel edges  8 , meaning that the width of the plates is greater on one side than on the other. However, in the preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 6 , edges  8   a  and  8   c  are parallel, and edges  8   b  and  8   d  are parallel, facilitating easier insertion of the clip  1  into spacer frame  10 . Although bevel edges  8  are not all parallel to each other, each intermediate plate, in the preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3 , have outer end edges  20  and inner end edges  18 , which are generally parallel to each other to provide proper alignment of the clip  1  along spacer frame  10 . The plate  3  has an bottom surface  32 , from which protrudes the tabs  5  and  6  and the fasteners  11  disclosed herein, an top surface  33 , which is connected to the bar plug  9  disclosed herein, and a sidewall connecting the inner and bottom surfaces  32  and  33 , respectively. 
         [0034]    It should be noted that the tabs  5  and  6  of the clip  1  may be generally any shape or size and may even be identical in size and shape. Moreover, tabs  5  and  6  may be situated anywhere along the bottom surface of the intermediate plate  3 . In light of this, the following paragraph details the preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated by  FIGS. 1-10 , but should not be read as limiting on the possible embodiments of the present invention. The width of the outer tabs  5  projecting from the bottom surface  32  of each intermediate plate  3  is preferably slightly narrower than the distance between edges  19  of the flanges  35  of the spacer  10  because such configuration would allow the clip  1  to be aligned with the spacer  10  and therefore, for the muntin bar to be properly positioned relative to the spacer  10 . The outer tabs  5  may be semi-circular or semi-rectangular in shape. Inner tabs  6 , on the other hand, are preferably generally about the same size as the fasteners  11 , with the only difference between the fasteners  11  and the inner tabs  6  being the fact that whereas only one end  12  of each fastener is fixed to the bottom surface  32  of the intermediate plates  3 , both ends of the inner tab  6  are secured to the bottom surface  32  of the intermediate plates  3 . Each inner tab preferably has a body  37 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , with a top surface  38 , generally two side surfaces,  39  and  40 , a front surface  41  and a rear surface  42 . In the preferred embodiment illustrated by  FIG. 2 , it should be noted that the front surface  41  of inner tab  6  extends outward from edge  8 , providing a more secure restriction of the clip  1  along spacer flange  35 . Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment, each inner tab  6  is situated on the same edge  8  of the intermediate plate  3  as the fastener  11  adjacent to which it is fixated. In alternate embodiments, however, the inner tab  6  may just as easily be situated anywhere else along the bottom surface  32  of the intermediate plate  3  in relation to the fastener  11 . For instance, in one alternate embodiment, the tab is projected from the edge  8  opposite the one nearest the fastener  11 . Additionally, the inner tabs  6  and the fasteners  11  may either be separate pieces entirely, as is shown in  FIGS. 1-10 , or, they may be connected by a horizontal bridge piece, in an alternative embodiment not shown. The bridge piece will preferably be roughly perpendicular to the inner tab  6  and the fastener  11 , and will preferably extend from either the side or the rear of one piece to the side or rear of the other piece. 
         [0035]    For aesthetic purposes, the distance between the edges  8  of each intermediate plate  3  preferably would not exceed the width of the spacer  10 , because in such embodiment, when the clip  1  is positioned on the spacer  10 , the edges  8  of each intermediate plate  3  would not extend over the spacer  10 . Thus, if the muntin bar has the same width as spacer  10  which is very common for insulating glass units, once the muntin bar is positioned on the clip  1 , the edges  8  of each intermediate plate  3  would be coincident with the width of the spacer and thus, the clip would be completely hidden from view. 
         [0036]    Lateral restrict inner tabs  6  of the clip may be embedded into the notches  14  made in the spacer  10 , thus preventing movement of the clip  1  along spacer  10 . Outer tabs  5 , on the other hand, would provide the alignment along the spacer  10 . The extending fasteners  11  may provide fixed positioning of the clip  1  on the spacer  10 . It will be shown that the tips  17  of the fasteners  11  may extend beyond edges  19  of the flanges  35  spacer  10  underneath of such edges, securing flanges  35  between tips  17  and bottom surface  32  of each intermediate plate  3  thus providing outward fixed positioning of the clip  1  relative to the spacer  10 . 
         [0037]    The fasteners  11  may be embodied as relatively narrow strips of preferably rigid plastic material that extend outwardly from the bottom surface  32  of each intermediate plate  3 . At some point, initially generally perpendicular to the bottom surface  32  of the plate  3 , the direction of the fastener  11  may be changed approximately at the middle of its entire length and at approximately 90 degrees forming the tip  17  that secures the intermediate plate  3  of the clip  1  of the flanges  35  of the spacer  10 . It will be shown that such shape of the fastener may provide better support of such fastener when it is positioned upon the spacer  10 . 
         [0038]    As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the extending fastener  11  may have a fixed end  12 , a body member  16 , and a tip  17 . The tip  17  may have an upper edge  26  and a lower edge  25 . The fixed ends  12  of the fasteners  11  may extend from the bottom surface  32  of the intermediate plates  3  at any place, but such place may depend upon desired effects of such placement. For instance, in one embodiment, the depth and configuration of the notches  14  of the spacer  10  may determine the placement of the fixed end  12  of the fastener  11  along the bottom surface of the intermediate plate  3 . In this embodiment, the deeper the notches made from the edges  19 , the closer to the edges  8  of each intermediate plate  3 . Such correlation between the configuration of the notches  14  and the positioning of the fixed ends  12  relative to the bottom surfaces  7  of the intermediate plates  3  of the clip  1  may be explained by the fact that, in this embodiment, both fixed ends  12  of the intermediate plates  3  are embedded into notches  14 , to generally align the clip  1  in a fixed position along the spacer  10 . As was mentioned above, although various shapes of fastener  11  may be used, in the preferred embodiment, the fastener  11  is preferably L-shaped in general, with a suspended arm  18  formed at a right angle to the fastener&#39;s body member  16 . In alternate embodiments, the fastener  11  may assume a different shape, such as the shape of a generally right angle elbow formed on the fastener&#39;s body member  16 . The location of such elbow relative to the length of the fastener&#39;s body  16  may be at any place within such length, but in the preferred embodiment, such elbow is generally in the middle of the fastener&#39;s body. 
         [0039]    While the body  16  of each fastener  11  is firmly attached to the bottom surface  32  of each intermediate plate  3 , the tip  17  of the fastener should be preferably suspended. The tip  17  of the suspended arm  18  of the fasteners  11 , may be configured in any shape, but, in the preferred embodiment, it is generally in the shape of a right triangle and preferably tapered outwardly from the intermediate plate  3  in such manner that the tip&#39;s  17  thickness gradually increases from the lower edge  25  of the tip  17  toward the upper edge  26  of the tip  17 . The fasteners  11  may be configured in such way that the distance between the lower edges  26  of both tips of fasteners  11  is approximately equal to or less than the width of the gap between the edges  19  of the flanges  35  of the spacer  10  and the distance between upper edges  25  of the tips  17  of the fasteners  11  is slightly larger than the width of the gap between the edges  19  of the spacer  10 . In such configuration, when the clip  1  is pushed toward the spacer  10 , the fasteners  11  would enter the gap between edges  19  of flanges  35  of the spacer  10 . Also, it is preferred that there be a space provided between the upper edge  26  of the tip  17  of the fastener  11  and the bottom surface  32  of the intermediate plates  3  of the clip  1  and the width of such space is preferably equal or slightly larger then the thickness of the flanges  35  of the spacer  10 . It would allow the tips  17  of the fasteners  11 , as they passed through the opening between edges  19  of the flanges  35  of the spacer, to catch the top surface  13  of the flanges  35  of the spacer  10 . At this point, the upper edges  25  of the tips  17  would bear against the top surface  13  of the flanges  35  of the space frame provider  11  trapping the flanges  35  between the upper edges  25  of the tips  17  and the bottom surface  32  of the intermediate plates  3  of the clip  1  and as result, fixedly positioning the clip  1  on the spacer  10 . 
         [0040]    While one end  12  of the fastener  11  is firmly attached in generally perpendicular direction to the bottom surface  32  of the intermediate plate  3 , the tip  17  of the fastener may be suspended in order to catch the edge  19  of the spacer  10 . While the fasteners  11  may be flexible, in the preferred embodiment, they are constructed of a rigid plastic material that provides support when pressure is placed on the clip in an outward direction and is not bendable. This is because, in the preferred embodiment, the plates  3  have a flexible connection to legs  4  necessary to facilitate installation or removal of the clip of the present invention. Thus, by making the leg-plate connection a flexible one, the need for a flexible fastener is eliminated. The positioning of clip  1  upon the spacer  10  is generally conducted in the following way in the preferred embodiment: At the moment of insertion of the clip  1  into spacer  10 , the tip  17  of fastener  11  is slightly depressed by the flange  35  of spacer  10  at one side of the intermediate plate  3 ; the plate  3  is then flexibly twisted around the axis of leg  4  in rotational direction C, as  FIG. 6  shows. A force is placed simultaneously on the intermediate plates  3  in the A direction, as illustrated by  FIG. 5 , in order to complete insertion of the clip  1 . Upon insertion, the clip  1  is fixed into position within spacer  10  by the simultaneous restriction of the clip  1 , by outer tabs  5  (forward and backward restriction),  6  (lateral restriction), and fasteners  3  which prevents removal of the clip  1  when a force is placed in the B direction, as is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0041]    The bar plug  9  is preferably a flat rectangular or square plate-like member that may have at least one upper cross-member  22 , a central rib  23 , with at least two sets of lateral ribs  34 , and, preferably, at its bottom, a split spine  29 , ending in at least one lower cross member  21 . In the preferred embodiment, the central rib  23  extends between the upper cross member  22  and the split spine  29 . Although, only one lower cross member  21  may be utilized in the present bar plug, in the preferred embodiment illustrated by  FIGS. 1-10 , at least two lower cross members, which resemble thighs  21  in relation to each leg  4 , are utilized. Each thigh  21  preferably has two vertical members  2  and  4  extending downwardly from the bottom surface of the cross member in the direction of the intermediate plate. In the preferred embodiment, one of these vertical members is an leg  4 , which is connected at one end to the intermediate plate  3  and is connected at the opposite end with the thigh  21 . The vertical support bar  2 , in the preferred embodiment serves the purpose of restricting movement of the flexible intermediate plate  3  upward further than the point at which the intermediate plate  3  contacts the vertical support bar  2 . The other vertical member is preferably a support bar  2 , which is preferably only connected to either the intermediate plate  3  or the thigh  21 , but not both. In the preferred embodiment, there is also a horizontal support bar  2   a  which, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , takes the form of a horizontal rectangular bar resting on the intermediate plate  3 . This horizontal support bar  2   a  is preferable, but in alternate embodiments, it is not present. Moreover, while in the illustrated embodiments of  FIGS. 1-10  the horizontal support bar  2   a  is present on the intermediate plate  3  and the vertical bar  2  is connected with thigh  21 , alternatively, the horizontal support bar  2   a  may extend from the thigh  21  and the vertical bar  2  may be connected to the intermediate plate  3 . 
         [0042]    The lateral edges  24  of the upper cross member  22  are tapered away from the intermediate plates  3  for easier positioning of the muntin bar upon the clip  1 . Because this embodiment facilitates insertion of the bar plug  9  into the end of the hollow muntin bar, the width of the cross members  21  and  22  be preferably approximately equal to the width of the cross-section of the muntin bar in order for the side edges of the cross members  21  and  22  to bear against the inside surfaces of the walls of the muntin bars to hold the bar plug  9  firmly inside the muntin bar. Moreover, when the bar plug  9  is inserted into the open end of the muntin bar, the lateral ribs frictionally engage the top surface of the walls of the muntin bar and secure it to the clip  1 . 
         [0043]    In an alternate embodiment, as illustrated by  FIGS. 11-19 , the clip  1  of the present invention is situated slightly differently from the preferred embodiment illustrated by  FIGS. 1-10 . In this embodiment, the clip  1  of the present invention is characterized by a bar plug  9  and one intermediate plate  3 . The bar plug in this alternate embodiment comprises an upper cross member  22 , central rib  23 , with side surfaces  27 , two pairs of lateral ribs  34  connected to side surfaces  27 , one lower cross member  27 , and a horizontal bar  36  which connects the bar plug  9  to the intermediate plate  3 . The intermediate plate is characterized as generally rectangular in shape, with an top surface  33 , and an bottom surface  32 . On the bottom surface  32 , as is illustrated by  FIG. 12 , there are two inner tabs  6  of equal size on opposite edges of the intermediate plate and two fasteners  11 , situated similarly to outer tabs  5  in the previous embodiment. In this embodiment, however, since the fasteners  11  are situated in the same spot as the fasteners  5  of the previous embodiment, they serve a dual purpose. The fasteners  11  not only secure the clip  1  into the spacer by securing the flange  35  in between the upper surface  26  of the fastener and the bottom surface  32  of the intermediate plate  3 , but the fasteners also restrict movement of the clip  1  forward and backward within the spacer  10 . Furthermore, the intermediate plate  3  is still flexibly connected to the horizontal bar  36 , creating an ability to bend the plate  3  during installation and removal. 
         [0044]    The clip  1  of the embodiment illustrated by  FIGS. 11-19  is installed in the spacer  10  like so: A user first inserts one of the fasteners  11  at one end of plate  3  into spacer  10 . Then the user presses the other fastener  11  downwardly, causing the plate  3  to be deformed as a twist force in rotational direction D is exerted on the fastener  11  that is first inserted, as illustrated by  FIG. 14 . Finally, the fasteners  11  are fixed into position within spacer  10 . The clip  1  is thus secured within the spacer  10  by simultaneous restriction on the part of fasteners  11 , which prevent movement of the clip forward, backward and upward, and inner tabs  6 , which prohibit lateral motion of the clip  1 . 
         [0045]    Although only certain embodiments of this invention has been in details described above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications of the exemplary embodiment are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. All such variations and modifications intended to be included within the scope if this invention as defined in the claims. 
         [0046]    Other modifications, substitutions, omissions and changes may be made in the design, size, materials used or pro portions, operating conditions, arrangement or positioning of elements and members of the preferred embodiment without departing from the spirit of this invention as described in the claims.