Retaining Clip

Abstract

The invention provides a sheet material retaining clip 10 to hold sheet material 25 onto a structure having a panel 20 and a frame member 21 adjacent the panel. The clip has an elongate base portion 12 adapted to be located in a gap 22 between the panel and the frame member to hold the clip in place. A middle portion 14 connects to an end of the base portion and extends at approximately right angles away from the panel, and a spring arm 15 is connected to the outer end of the middle portion and extends at an acute angle therefrom on the opposite side to the base portion. This allows it to bear on the sheet material to hold it against the panel. The invention also provided for the use of such a clip to connect insulating material to the sides of an aboveground pool.

1 . A sheet material retaining clip to hold sheet material onto a structure having a panel and a frame member adjacent the panel, the clip having an elongate base portion adapted to be located in a gap between the panel and the frame member to hold the clip in place without separate fixing means, a middle portion having an inner and an outer end, the inner end being connected to an end of the base portion and extending at approximately right angles away from the panel, and a spring arm connected to the outer end of the middle portion and extending at an acute angle therefrom on the opposite side to the base portion whereby the spring arm bears on the sheet material to hold it against the panel.  
   
   
       2 . A sheet material retaining clip as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the base portion has a tang that resists removal of the base portion from between the panel and frame member.  
   
   
       3 . A sheet material retaining clip as claimed in  claim 1  which is adapted to hold sheet material to an above ground pool, greenhouse or conservatory.  
   
   
       4 . A sheet material retaining clip as claimed in  claim 1  in which the base portion, middle portion and spring arm are formed from a single strip of resilient material that has be appropriately shaped.  
   
   
       5 . A sheet material retaining clip as claimed in  claim 1  in which the spring arm has a free end that is curled round to aid positioning of the sheet material.  
   
   
       6 . Use of a clip having an elongate base portion adapted to be located in a gap between a panel and a frame member to hold the clip in place, a middle portion having an inner and an outer end, the inner end being connected to an end of the base portion and extending at approximately right angles away from the panel, and a spring arm connected to the outer end of the middle portion and extending at an acute angle therefrom on the opposite side to the base portion whereby the spring arm bears on sheet like insulating material to connect it to an above ground pool.