Quick Set Device For Mounting Electrical Devices

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method for making clips by running a ribbon of material through a stamp that partially cuts the part out of the material. The partially stamped clips stay on the ribbon that is placed on a reel. The reel may then be fed into an assembly machine for inserting the clips into plastic boxes at a rate of at least one per second. The assembly machine breaks the clip off of the reel. The ribbon (and thus the clip) is preferably made of pre-plated or non-corrosive material such as Stainless Steel or Beryllium-Copper.

1 - 5 . (canceled) 
   
   
       6 . A method for making clips comprising running a ribbon of material through a stamp, stamping the ribbon to partially cut out of the ribbon certain material, while retaining the partially stamped clips on the ribbon, winding the ribbon on a reel, then feeding the reel into an assembly machine for detaching and inserting the clips into plastic boxes. 
   
   
       7 . The invention as set forth in  claim 6  further including breaking the clip off the reel. 
   
   
       8 . The invention as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the reel is fed into the assembly machine at a rate of at least one clip per second. 
   
   
       9 - 12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 . A method for making clips comprising running a ribbon of material through a stamp, stamping the ribbon to partially cut out of the ribbon certain material to partially form a plurality of clips, each clip having a single planar body portion with a first side having two engagement tabs depending away from the first side and a second, opposite side having a single lower tab depending away from the second side, while retaining the partially stamped clips on the ribbon, winding the ribbon on a reel, then feeding the reel into an assembly machine for detaching and inserting the clips into plastic boxes. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein a radius is cut in a nose of each engagement tab. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the radius is cut to match a root diameter of a mounting screw pushed into a hole in the mounting box to engage each engagement tab. 
   
   
       16 . The method as set forth in  claim 13  further including breaking the clip off the reel. 
   
   
       17 . The method as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the reel is fed into the assembly machine at a rate of at least one clip per second.