IP Library Granted Patent US 10,428,993
Granted Patent B2
US 10,428,993 · App. 15/718,147 · Granted Oct 1, 2019

Non-metallic clip connection system

Inventors: William H. Whitefield (Houston, TX); Brandon Carringer (Houston, TX)
Assignee: WHITEFIELD PLASTICS CORPORATION
F16L57/02F16L1/123F16L11/18F16L57/005H02G9/12H02G3/0475
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,428,993
App. No.
15/718,147
Granted
Oct 1, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A non-metallic clip connection system includes a non-metallic clip having a substantially rectangular base portion, a first longitudinal flared wing portion, and a second longitudinal flared wing portion, wherein a plurality of edges of the clip along a path of insertion are beveled or radiused. The non-metallic clip connection system also includes a first non-metallic member having a first portion of a non-metallic clip receiver and a second non-metallic member having a second portion of the non-metallic clip receiver. The first non-metallic member is secured to the second non-metallic member by inserting the non-metallic clip in the non-metallic clip receiver. A non-metallic vertebrae bend restrictor and a non-metallic vertebrae end piece may use a non-metallic clip connection system.

Claims (27)

1. A non-metallic clip connection system comprising:

a non-metallic clip comprising:

a substantially rectangular base portion comprising a clip retention feature,

a first longitudinal flared wing portion that spans a longitudinal length of the base portion comprising a first substantially flat exterior facing surface on a first side and a first flared interior facing surface on a side opposite of the first side, and

a second longitudinal flared wing portion that spans a longitudinal length of the base portion comprising a second substantially flat exterior facing surface on a second side and a second flared interior facing surface on a side opposite of the second side,

a first non-metallic member comprising a first portion of a non-metallic clip receiver and a second non-metallic member independent from the first non-metallic member comprising a second portion of the non-metallic clip receiver, wherein the non-metallic clip receiver comprises a clip retention feature receiver,

wherein the non-metallic clip is inserted longitudinally into the non-metallic clip receiver and the first non-metallic member is secured to the second non-metallic member by an interference fit between the non-metallic clip and the non-metallic clip receiver.

2. The non-metallic clip connection system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a plurality of non-metallic retention screws.

3. The non-metallic clip connection system of claim 1 , wherein the non-metallic clip further comprises a clip retention screw receiver on a side longitudinal face of the substantially rectangular base portion.

4. The non-metallic clip connection system of claim 1 , wherein the non-metallic clip is comprised of polyurethane.

5. The non-metallic clip connection system of claim 1 , wherein the non-metallic clip is comprised of a polymer.

6. The non-metallic clip connection system of claim 1 , wherein the non-metallic clip is comprised of a non-metallic material.

7. The non-metallic clip connection system of claim 1 , wherein the first longitudinal flared wing portion has an interior facing surface at an interior angle smaller than 90 degrees with respect to the substantially rectangular base portion.

8. The non-metallic clip connection system of claim 1 , wherein the second longitudinal flared wing portion has an interior facing surface at an interior angle smaller than 90 degrees with respect to the substantially rectangular base portion.

9. The non-metallic clip connection system of claim 1 , wherein the first non-metallic member is comprised of polyurethane.

10. The non-metallic clip connection system of claim 1 , wherein the first non-metallic member is comprised of a polymer.

11. The non-metallic clip connection system of claim 1 , wherein the first non-metallic member is comprised of a non-metallic material.

12. The non-metallic clip connection system of claim 1 , wherein the second non-metallic member is comprised of polyurethane.

13. The non-metallic clip connection system of claim 1 , wherein the second non-metallic member is comprised of a polymer.

14. The non-metallic clip connection system of claim 1 , wherein the second non-metallic member is comprised a non-metallic material.

15. The non-metallic clip connection system of claim 1 , wherein interior longitudinal edges of the non-metallic clip are beveled or radiused.

16. The non-metallic clip connection system of claim 1 , wherein bottom facing edges of the non-metallic clip are beveled or radiused.

17. The non-metallic clip connection system of claim 1 , wherein all edges other than a top face of the non-metallic clip are beveled or radiused.

18. The non-metallic clip connection system of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of edges of the clip along a longitudinal path of insertion are beveled or radiused.

19. The non-metallic clip connection system of claim 1 , wherein each of the first longitudinal flared wing portion and the second longitudinal flared wing portion comprise a substantially L-shaped protrusion.

20. The non-metallic clip connection system of claim 1 , wherein a first interior face of the first longitudinal flared wing portion forms a first acute angle with the body portion and a second interior face of the second longitudinal flared wing portion forms a second acute angle with the body portion.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 5, 2023
From: MEARTHANE PRODUCTS, LLC
To: STIFEL BANK & TRUST, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 063226/0875 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 4, 2023
From: WHITEFIELD PLASTICS CORP.
To: MEARTHANE PRODUCTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 063214/0311 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 28, 2017
From: WHITEFIELD, WILLIAM H.; CARRINGER, BRANDON
To: WHITEFIELD PLASTICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 043726/0497 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTUS2017014951 · Jan 25, 2017
Related Publication 20180209575A1 · Jul 26, 2018
Cited By (6)
US 12,194,620 US 12,264,591 US 12,405,187 US 12,416,800 US 12,504,616 US 12,601,279