Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to securement clips, and more particularly to removable clips for supporting a sign or the like from a ceiling rail as may be typically found in a commercial establishment. 
   2. Prior Art 
   Signs and display cards are used frequently in commercial stores and retail establishments to indicate location of goods, prices and the like. Such signs need to be displayed in an out of the way yet very noticeable location. Such signs are displayed on posts or walls or from fixtures that may be secured to a ceiling rail. Such fixtures are often difficult to attach, typically complicated to make and more expensive than necessary. 
   Ceiling rails are found in most commercial establishments. They typically comprise a steel strap approximately one inch wide and they&#39;re also utilized to support ceiling panels. Such ceiling rails are typically in the shape of an inverted T. 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a securement clip which is an improvement over the prior art. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a securement clip which is easily removable and easily attachable by a store or commercial establishment clerk or the like. 
   It is still yet a further object of the present invention to provide a securement clip which is slidable relative to the ceiling rail and may be removed with only the slightest intentional manipulation, but cannot be released unintentionally. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention comprises a snap-on securement clip adapted to be attached onto and removed from a ceiling rail. The snap-on securement clip of the present invention comprises a molded article having an elongated first sidewall and an elongated second sidewall. Each elongated first and second sidewall has an upper and a lower end. Each first and second side wall has an opposed side lip arranged on its uppermost end and directed towards the other side lip. The lowermost end of the first side wall has a grip bar arranged thereon. The grip bar is a boss arranged to permit ease of gripping by a human manipulator. The second sidewall has its lowermost end with a grip bar thereon as well. The grip bars permit the lowermost end of the first sidewall and the second sidewall to be slightly pitched toward one another as will be discussed hereinbelow. 
   The first sidewall and the second sidewall are supported in a preferably non-parallel disposition, by a generally “V” shaped connector web disposed therebetween. The connector web has an axial length which is in a preferred embodiment equal to the width of the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The connector web in a preferred embodiment, has an apex directed downwardly. 
   A connector port is arranged through the apex of the V-shaped connector web. A shoulder is arranged across the connector port to provide a flat-surfaced reinforcement to that V-shaped connector web to provide a connector-plug engaging shoulder-engaging surface. 
   In one preferred embodiment a connector plug is comprised of an elongated shaft having an enlarged first end and an oval or ring shaped second or lower end. The enlarged first end is disposed through the connector port to expand and secure the connector plug to the butterfly clip. In this embodiment of the connector plug, a central shaft between the uppermost end and the connector ring has the elongated slot therethrough. The elongated slot permits collapsibility of a portion of the enlarged head so as to permit that enlarged head to be pinched and squeezed through the connector port so as to loosely anchor the connector plug therewithin. The lower end of the connector plug permits capture and connection of a sign (or merchandise) to be hung from the snap-on clip secured to the ceiling rail. 
   In a further embodiment of the present invention, the snap-on securement clip is arranged to support a flexible connector cable having an enlarged T-shaped head on each end thereof. The securement clip in this embodiment, has a first inner flange extending perpendicular to the first sidewall and a second inner flange extending perpendicular to the second sidewall. An elongated gap is disposed between the first inner flange and the second inner flange. A narrow connector port is arranged through the apex of the connector web on a first side of the first and second inner flanges, and a wide connector port is arranged on the second side of the first and second inner flanges in through the V-shaped connector web. The narrow connector port and the wide connector port are open to one another. 
   The T-head on the upper end of the connector cable in this particular embodiment, is pressed through the wide connector port on the V-shaped connector web. The T-shaped upper end on the connector cable is lifted above (beyond) the upper edges of the first inner flange and the second inner flange and is allowed to be retained into the narrow connector port on the first side of the first and second inner flanges. The connector cable thus hangs downwardly from the securement clip and is held in place, with its T-head being secured against movement by the first and second inner flanges. The lower end of the connector cable may be attached to a sign or the like for display in a commercial establishment. 
   One or both of the lowermost ends of the first sidewall and the second sidewall may be displaced or pinched so as to pivot the lower ends of those sidewalls closer together and thus pivot the upper end or second end of those respective first and second side walls further apart so as to allow the respective first side lip and second side lip to slip over the uppermost edge of a ceiling rail thereupon the displacement or pinching of the lowermost end of the first sidewall and the second sidewall is released and the ceiling rail is thus securely engaged by the securement clip. 
   Thus a securement clip which is readily attachable and detachable from a ceiling rail has been shown, which clip may be temporarily expandable so as to permit the gripping of the edges of a ceiling rail and may be temporarily expandable to permit the disengagement of the edges of a ceiling rail merely by the pinching of the lower ends of each of the first and second sidewalls. The pinching and release of the sidewalls permits their pivoting about the thin connector web portions on either side of the apex. The pivoting motion of the second embodiment utilizing the first inner flange and the second inner flange is about the apex of the connector web when the lowermost ends of the first sidewall and the second sidewall are pinched and subsequently released. 
   The weight of any signage and/or merchandise hung utilizing this securement clip is borne by the center section of the clip. Any such weight causes the clip to grip the ceiling rail in a tighter manner, thus creating a very secure attachment arrangement method for grid ceilings. 
   The invention thus comprises a securement clip for supporting a sign from an overhead ceiling rail comprising: a pair of sidewalls arranged to pinch a ceiling rail; a yieldable web connecting the sidewalls; and a hanger connectable to the web, the hanger arranged to support a sign therefrom. The web is preferably of V-shape in transverse cross section, having a lower apex. The hanger extends preferably through an opening in the lower apex. The sidewalls preferably have an upper edge with a rail engaging lip disposed thereon. A flat mid surface is preferably disposed across the apex to provide a shoulder for the connector plug and to strengthen the web. The hanger may comprise an elongated shaft having an enlarged upper head end for captured receipt in the opening in the lower apex. The elongated shaft of the hanger may have an elongated slot extending transversely thereacross to permit the shaft to be pinched to reduce its diameter so the enlarged head on the shaft may be introduced through the opening in the web. The elongated shaft may have a lower end comprising a ring for attachment to a sign to be supported thereby. 
   The hanger may comprise a flexible cable having an upper end with an enlarged head. The opening may include a first end of narrow width and a second end of wider width than the opening of narrow width. The sidewalls may each have a flange connecting the sidewalls to the web, the flanges being co-planar with one another, to provide a slot between one another to engage the enlarged head of the cable to provide securement thereto. The sidewalls are preferably arranged in a non-parallel relationship with one another. 
   The invention may also include a method of attaching a clip to a ceiling rail comprising one or more of the steps of: arranging a pair of biasable sidewalls on opposite ends of a flexible web, forming a pair of rail engaging lips of an upper end of the sidewalls; hanging a sign supporting hanger from the flexible web; and pinching a lower end of the sidewalls together to open the upper ends of the sidewalls to permit the lips thereon to pinchably engage the ceiling rail. 
   The method may include the steps of: forming an opening in the web to permit the hanger to extend therethrough; and squeezing a shaft of the hanger to reduce its diameter to permit it to extend through the opening in the web, squeezing the sidewalls together to open apart the upper ends of the sidewalls to permit the clip to be positionally adjusted on the ceiling rail. 
   The invention may also comprise a method of applying a securement clip to a ceiling rail, the securement clip comprised of a first and a second sidewall with a bridging web connecting the first and said second sidewalls, each sidewall having a rail engaging lip on an upper end thereof. The method comprising the steps of: attaching the lip arranged on the upper end of the first sidewall of the securement clip to an edge of the ceiling rail; pivoting the first sidewall towards the second sidewall; and snapping the rail engaging lip of the second sidewall onto the edge of the ceiling rail so as to securely attach the securement clip thereto. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent when viewed in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a snap-on securement clip; 
       FIG. 2  is the view similar to  FIG. 1  of the snap-on securement clip with an elongated connector attached therewithin; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a snap-on securement clip engaged onto a ceiling rail; 
       FIG. 4  is an end view of the snap-on securement clip and ceiling rail shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the snap-on securement clip; 
       FIG. 6  is an end view of the second embodiment of the snap-on securement clip shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is an end view of the second embodiment of the snap-on securement clip shown secured to a ceiling rail, with a connecting cable attached to the clip; and 
       FIG. 8  is a sectional view taken along the lines  8 — 8  of  FIG. 7 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring now to the drawings in detail, and particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown the present invention which comprises a “snap-on” securement clip  10  adapted to be attached onto and removed from a ceiling rail  12 , as represented in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  7  and  8 . The snap-on securement clip  10  of the present invention comprises a molded article having an elongated first sidewall  14  and an elongated second sidewall  16 . Each elongated first and second sidewall  14  and  16  has an upper end  18  and a lower end  20 . Each first and second side wall  14  and  16  has an opposed side lip  22  arranged on its uppermost end  18  and directed towards the other side lip  22 , as best seen in  FIG. 4 . The lips  22  preferably have a tapered outer surface  23 , as best shown in  FIG. 4 , to permit the securement clip  10  to be pivoted onto the ceiling rail  12  by first engagement of one lip  22  onto an edge of the rail  12 , then pivoting the sidewall  14  or  16  of that particular sidewall  14  or  16  towards the other sidewall  16  or  14  to permit the second lip  22  to slide onto and also engage the ceiling rail  12 . 
   The lowermost end  20  of the first side wall  14  has a grip bar  24  arranged thereon. The grip bar  24  is a boss arranged to permit ease of gripping by a human manipulator. The second sidewall  16  has its lowermost end  20  with a grip bar  24  thereon as well. The grip bars  24  permit the lowermost end  20  of the first sidewall  14  and the second sidewall  16  to be slightly pitched toward one another as will be discussed hereinbelow. 
   The first sidewall  14  and the second sidewall  16  are supported in a preferably non parallel disposition, by a generally “V” shaped connector web  26  disposed therebetween, as best seen in  FIG. 4 . The connector web  26  in a preferred embodiment, has an apex  28  directed downwardly, as represented in  FIGS. 1–4 . 
   A connector port  30  is arranged through the apex of the V-shaped connector web  26 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . A shoulder  32  is arranged across the connector port  30  to provide a flat surface for engagement and securement of external shoulder portions of a connector plug  34 . The connector plug  34  is utilized to capture and attach signage and/or merchandise to the securement clip  10 , which itself is “snap” attached to a ceiling rail  12 . 
   In one preferred embodiment, the connector plug  34 , as represented in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 , is comprised of an elongated shaft  36  having an enlarged first end  38  and an oval or ring shaped second or lower end  40 . The enlarged first end  38  is disposed through the connector port  30  to expand and secure the connector plug  34  to the securement clip  10 . In this embodiment of the connector plug  34 , the central shaft  36  between the uppermost end  38  and the connector ring  40  has an elongated slot  42  transversely therethrough. The elongated slot  42  permits pinched collapsibility of a portion of the enlarged head  38  so as to permit a shouldered portion of the enlarged head  38  to be diametrically pinched and squeezed through the connector port  30  so as to ultimately re-expand so as to otherwise loosely anchor the shouldered head of the connector plug  34  through the opening  30  in the flat surface  32  at the apex  28  of the web  26 . 
   In a further embodiment of the present invention, the securement clip  10 , as represented in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  7  and  8  is arranged to support a flexible connector cable  50  having an enlarged T-shaped head  52  on each end thereof. The securement clip  10  in this embodiment, has a first inner flange  54  extending perpendicular to the first sidewall  14  and a second inner flange  56  extending perpendicular to the second sidewall  16 . An elongated gap  58  is disposed between the first inner flange  54  and the correspondingly spaced-apart second inner flange  56 . A narrow connector port  60  is arranged through the apex  28  of the connector web  26  on a first side  62  of the first and second inner flanges  54  and  56 , and a wide connector port  64  is arranged on the second side  66  of the first and second inner flanges  54  and  56  in through the V-shaped connector web  28 . The narrow connector port  60  and the wide connector port  64  are open to one another through a slot  68  between the flanges  54  and  56 . The ports  60  and  64  comprise a dual width opening. 
   The T-head  52  on the upper end of the connector cable  50  in this particular embodiment as represented in  FIG. 8 , is pressed through the wide connector port  64  on the V-shaped connector web  28 . The T-shaped upper head  52  on the connector cable  50  is lifted above (beyond) the upper edges of the first inner flange  54  and the second inner flange  56  and is allowed to be slid through the slot  68  and then retained into the narrow connector port  60  on the first side  62  of the first and second inner flanges  54  and  56 . The connector cable  50  thus hangs downwardly from the securement clip  10  and is held in place, with its T-head  52  being secured against movement or displacement by the first and second inner flanges  54  and  56 . The lower end of the connector cable  50  could be attached to a sign or merchandise  70  or the like for display in a commercial establishment. 
   One or both of the lowermost ends  20  of the first sidewall  14  and the second sidewall  16 , as represented in  FIG. 4 , may be displaced or pinched so as to pivot the lower ends  20  of those sidewalls  14  and  16  closer together, as indicated by arrows “A”, and thus permit the upper end or second end  18  of those respective first and second side walls  14  and  16  further apart, as indicated by arrows “B” in  FIG. 4 , so as to allow the respective first side lip  22  and second side lip  22  to pivot about and slip over the side edges of a ceiling rail  12  whereupon the pinching/biasing of the lowermost end  20  of the first sidewall  14  and/or the second sidewall  16  is released and the ceiling rail  12  is thus securely engaged by the securement clip  10 . 
   Thus a securement clip  10  which is readily attachable and detachable from a ceiling rail  12  has been shown which clip  10  may be temporarily expandable so as to permit the gripping of the edges of a ceiling rail  12  and may be temporarily expandable to permit the disengagement of the edges of a ceiling rail  12  merely by the pivoting and/or pinching of the lower ends  20  of one or each of the first and second sidewalls  14  and  16 . The pinching and release of the sidewalls  14  and  16  permits their pivoting about the thin connector web  28  portions on either side of the apex  28 . The pivoting motion of the second embodiment utilizing the first inner flange  54  and the second inner flange  56  is about the apex  28  of the connector web  26  when the lowermost ends  20  of the first sidewall  14  and the second sidewall  16  are pinched and subsequently released. Weight on the connector plug  34  or connector cable  50  effects a tighter gripping of the securement clip  10  on the side edges of the ceiling rail  12  to improve its hold thereon.

Technology Category: 3