A method for forming a reinforced joint at a bond line (20, 22) in a composite laminate structure (10, 110), comprising: loading a composite laminate reinforcing tool with a clip having a post (28, 30) coupled to a base at a joint section (32, 34), the post (28, 30) extending at an initial angle relative to the base; positioning the composite laminate reinforcing tool along the bond line (20, 22) between at least two composite laminate elements (12, 14, 112, 114); heating the joint section (32, 34) sufficiently above an ambient temperature to increase a pliability of the joint section (32, 34); actuating the composite laminate reinforcing tool to drive the post (28, 30) through the at least two composite laminate elements (12, 14, 112, 114); and deflecting the post (28, 30) toward the base at the joint section (32, 34) until the post (28, 30) extends at a deflected angle relative to the base, the deflected angle being different from the initial angle, thereby to seat the clip, wherein the clip has a U-shape with first and second posts (28, 30) coupled to the base at first and second joint sections (32, 34), the first and second posts (28, 30) extending at first and second initial angles relative to the base; heating the joint section (32, 34) includes heating the first and second joint sections (32, 34); actuating the composite laminate reinforcing tool to drive the post (28, 30) includes driving the first and second posts (28, 30) through the at least two composite laminate elements (12, 14, 112, 114); deflecting the post (28, 30) includes deflecting the first and second posts (28, 30) at the first and second joint sections (32, 34) until the first and second posts (28, 30) extend at first and second deflected angles relative to the base, the first and second deflected angles being different from the first and second initial angles, respectively; the clip is formed of a clip material selected from a group of clip materials consisting of uni-directional fiber reinforced thermoplastic, non-oriented chopped fiber thermoplastic, and neat thermoplastic resin; characterized in that the composite laminate reinforcing tool includes a plunger head positioned to engage a base of the clip, and in which heating the joint section (32, 34) includes heating the plunger head. loading a composite laminate reinforcing tool with a clip having a post (28, 30) coupled to a base at a joint section (32, 34), the post (28, 30) extending at an initial angle relative to the base; positioning the composite laminate reinforcing tool along the bond line (20, 22) between at least two composite laminate elements (12, 14, 112, 114); heating the joint section (32, 34) sufficiently above an ambient temperature to increase a pliability of the joint section (32, 34); actuating the composite laminate reinforcing tool to drive the post (28, 30) through the at least two composite laminate elements (12, 14, 112, 114); and deflecting the post (28, 30) toward the base at the joint section (32, 34) until the post (28, 30) extends at a deflected angle relative to the base, the deflected angle being different from the initial angle, thereby to seat the clip, wherein the clip has a U-shape with first and second posts (28, 30) coupled to the base at first and second joint sections (32, 34), the first and second posts (28, 30) extending at first and second initial angles relative to the base; heating the joint section (32, 34) includes heating the first and second joint sections (32, 34); actuating the composite laminate reinforcing tool to drive the post (28, 30) includes driving the first and second posts (28, 30) through the at least two composite laminate elements (12, 14, 112, 114); deflecting the post (28, 30) includes deflecting the first and second posts (28, 30) at the first and second joint sections (32, 34) until the first and second posts (28, 30) extend at first and second deflected angles relative to the base, the first and second deflected angles being different from the first and second initial angles, respectively; the clip is formed of a clip material selected from a group of clip materials consisting of uni-directional fiber reinforced thermoplastic, non-oriented chopped fiber thermoplastic, and neat thermoplastic resin; characterized in that the composite laminate reinforcing tool includes a plunger head positioned to engage a base of the clip, and in which heating the joint section (32, 34) includes heating the plunger head.