Panel clip and method for installation

{
  "publication_number": "US2024229842A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Panel clip and method for installation",
  "abstract": "A multi-component installation clip and method for installation of panel components. The multi-component installation clip includes a base member, a first clipping member and a second clipping member. Each of the first and second clipping members have clipping features. The first clipping feature and the second clipping feature are configured to engage each other and induce rotation as the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion are drawn together. The rotation induced is a pivoting of the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion about the center axis in a direction toward each other to grip a panel component. A second attachment portion includes an attachment feature arranged and disposed to engage a receiving portion of the base member.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A multi-component installation clip comprising: a base member comprising a base plate and a receiving portion extending from the base plate; a first clipping member having a first attachment portion and a first gripping portion, the first attachment portion having a first clipping feature; a second clipping member having a second attachment portion and a second gripping portion, the second attachment having a second clipping feature; and the second attachment portion having an attachment feature arranged and disposed to engage the receiving portion of the base member; wherein the first clipping feature and the second clipping feature are configured to engage each other and induce rotation as the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion are drawn together, the rotation induced being a pivoting of the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion about the center axis in a direction toward each other to grip a panel component. 2. The multi-component installation clip according to claim 1, wherein the first clipping feature is one or more protrusions extending from the first clipping member and the second clipping feature is one or more slots, each of the one or more slots having an inclined surface arranged and disposed to provide a sliding engagement with the one or more protrusions. 3. The multi-component installation clip according to claim 2, wherein the one or more protrusions have a triangular geometry. 4. The multi-component installation clip according to claim 1, the first attachment portion has a first aperture that permits passage of a fastener along a center axis of the first aperture, the first aperture includes a circumferential ledge onto which a head of the fastener is retained and the second attachment portion has a threaded second aperture that receives a first threaded portion of the fastener. 5. The multi-component installation clip according to claim 4, wherein the fastener includes both the first threaded portion and a second threaded portion, wherein the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion have different threading than one another. 6. The multi-component installation clip according to claim 5, further comprising a retention member having threading to receive the second threaded portion of the fastener. 7. The multi-component installation clip according to claim 6, wherein the retention member includes a retention member drive feature having a hex geometry for driving the retention member on the second threaded portion of the fastener. 8. The multi-component installation clip according to claim 4, wherein the fastener includes a fastener drive feature having a hex geometry for driving the fastener into the threaded second aperture. 9. The multi-component installation clip according to claim 1, wherein a retaining spring is arranged and disposed to draw the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion together. 10. The multi-component installation clip according to claim 1, further comprising a contact barrier on each of the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion. 11. The multi-component installation clip according to claim 1, wherein the engagement of the attachment feature to the receiving portion of the base member permits a swivel of the attachment feature about the center axis. 12. A method for installing a panel component, the method comprising: providing a multi-component installation clip comprising: a first clipping member having a first attachment portion and a first gripping portion; a second clipping member having a second attachment portion and a second gripping portion; and a base member having a base plate and a receiving portion extending from the base plate; attaching the base member to a support member; positioning a panel component between the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion; inserting a fastener through the first attachment portion; driving a first threaded portion of the fastener into a correspondingly threaded portion of the second attachment portion to urge the first gripping portion and second gripping portion toward each other to grip the pane component; directing an attachment feature of the second attachment portion into the receiving portion; and driving a retention member onto a second threaded portion of the fastener to secure the panel component into position. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the panel component is fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of be glass, metal, wood and polymer. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the panel component is plate glass. 15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the first clipping feature is one or more protrusions extending from the first clipping member and the second clipping feature is one or more slots, each of the one or more slots having an inclined surface arranged and disposed to provide a sliding engagement with the one or more protrusions. 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the one or more protrusions have a triangular geometry. 17. The method according to claim 12, wherein the fastener includes both the first threaded portion and a second threaded portion, wherein the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion have different threading than one another. 18. The method according to claim 12, wherein the driving of retention member includes rotating the retention member to drive internal threading onto the second threaded portion of the fastener. 19. The method according to claim 12, wherein driving the fastener includes rotating the fastener with a fastener drive feature for driving the fastener into the threaded second aperture. 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the fastener drive feature includes a hex geometry. 21. The method according to claim 18, wherein the fastener drive feature is located at a distal end of a shank from a head of the fastener. 22. The method according to claim 12, wherein the multi-component installation clip further comprises a contact barrier on each of the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion. 23. The method according to claim 12, wherein the directing the attachment feature of the second attachment portion into the receiving portion includes swiveling of the attachment feature about the center axis."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for construction or renovation. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to a system and method for panel installation, particularly for fencing and railing.\n\nKnown processes and equipment known for installation of panels for fencing or railing are either complicated or lack flexibility. For example, known techniques for installation of plate glass railing involve two component clip members, where one component is attached to post or other support and the second component is utilized to clamp onto the plate glass. Such known clip members are difficult to install and do not provide flexibility of installation, particularly when supports are at angles or are offset from one another. In addition, known installation systems require two or more installers to install, for example, panel components like frameless glass railing sections. It is desirable to have installation systems for panel components that require less installers or can be installed with a single installer. What is needed is a panel clamp and method for installation that does not suffer from the drawbacks of prior art systems. Other features and advantages will be made apparent from the present specification. The teachings disclosed extend to those embodiments that fall within the scope of the claims, regardless of whether they accomplish one or more of the aforementioned needs.",
  "cpc": [
    "F16B 5/0685",
    "E04B 2/7405",
    "E04B 2103/04",
    "E04B 2103/06",
    "E04F 11/1817",
    "E04F 11/1851",
    "E04F 2011/1831",
    "E04H 17/17",
    "F16B 21/02"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "E04B 2/74",
    "E04F 11/18",
    "E04H 17/16",
    "F16B 5/06"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "KEY LINK FENCING & RAILING INC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "NACE AUSTIN S",
    "ALEXANDER MICHAEL A",
    "DETWEILER JARED C",
    "SHOLKA ALEKSEY A"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2023-01-09",
  "publication_date": "2024-07-11",
  "priority_date": "2023-01-09",
  "application_number": "US-202318094702-A",
  "family_id": "91762292"
}