Sash window and door transportation clip

Abstract

A clip assembly may safely secure sliding sashes of a window or door during transportation, and, in one embodiment, be comprised of a strap member and a pawl member. The strap member may be comprised of a bumper portion, and a strap portion extending therefrom, where the strap portion may have a plurality of teeth formed within the thickness of the strap. The pawl member may have a pair of sidewalls supported by a top wall and an intermediate wall. The top wall may have a protrusion which includes a plurality of pawl teeth formed to complement the strap teeth, and be located proximate to the intermediate wall. The strap may be introduced through the gap between the top rail of an upper sash and bottom rail of the second sash, to then be inserted into the pawl, and thereby be retained by the respective teeth to secure the sashes.

1 . A clip assembly comprising:
 (a) a strap member, said strap member having a bumper portion and a strap portion; said bumper portion comprising at least an engagement wall; said strap portion further comprising a region having a first thickness, said strap portion extending from said engagement wall and terminating in a free end; at least a portion of said strap having a plurality of teeth being formed within said first thickness of said strap; each of said plurality of teeth having an apex and an engagement face;   (b) a separate pawl member, said pawl member comprising first and second side walls, each of said first and second side walls having a periphery including at least an engagement edge; said first and second side walls being connected by a top wall and an intermediate wall; said top wall comprising a plurality of pawl teeth; each of said plurality of pawl teeth having an apex and an engagement face, said plurality of pawl teeth being generally shaped to mesh with said plurality of strap teeth, said apex of said strap teeth being located a distance away from said intermediate wall to create a gap being less than said first thickness of said strap; and   (c) wherein said engagement wall of said strap member extends from one side of said strap portion and said engagement wall of said separate retaining member extends from an opposite side of said strap portion when said separate retaining member engages said strap portion and wherein the distance between the separate retaining member and said bumper portion is adjustable along the length of said strap.   
     
     
         2 . The clip assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said intermediate wall has a curved recess, said curved recess being located proximate to said plurality of pawl teeth. 
     
     
         3 . The clip assembly according to  claim 2  wherein said recess of said intermediate wall has a maximum depth, said maximum depth being at a distance from said apex of said pawl teeth that is approximately equal to or less than said first thickness of said strap. 
     
     
         4 . The clip assembly according to  claim 3  wherein said engagement face of said pawl teeth is vertical. 
     
     
         5 . The clip assembly according to  claim 4  wherein said engagement face of said strap teeth is vertical. 
     
     
         6 . The clip according assembly to  claim 5  wherein said vertical engagement face of said pawl teeth contact said vertical face of said strap teeth and inhibit disengagement of said strap member from said pawl member. 
     
     
         7 . The clip assembly according to  claim 6  wherein said bumper portion of said strap member further comprises a bottom wall. 
     
     
         8 . The clip assembly according to  claim 7  wherein said engagement wall and said bottom wall of said strap member are connected by a first side wall and a second side wall. 
     
     
         9 . The clip assembly according to  claim 8  wherein said first and second side walls of said strap member are generally parallel. 
     
     
         10 . The clip assembly according to  claim 9  wherein said engagement wall and said bottom wall are approximately orthogonal to each other. 
     
     
         11 . The clip assembly according to  claim 10  wherein said first and second side walls of said pawl member are generally parallel. 
     
     
         12 . The clip assembly according to  claim 11  wherein said strap portion of said strap member is formed with a rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
         13 . The clip assembly according to  claim 12  wherein said strap portion of said strap member further comprises a second strap portion extending from said free end; said second strap portion having a thickness being less than said gap in said pawl member. 
     
     
         14 . The clip assembly according to  claim 13  wherein said thickness of said second strap portion transitions into said first thickness of said strap portion using a ramp. 
     
     
         15 . The clip assembly according to  claim 14  wherein said second strap portion terminates by tapering into a rounded end. 
     
     
         16 . The clip assembly according to  claim 15  wherein said tapered end of said second strap portion further comprises ramping down in thickness from said thickness of said second strap portion to a thickness being less than one-quarter of said thickness of said second strap portion. 
     
     
         17 . The clip assembly according to  claim 16  wherein said engagement wall of said bumper portion of said strap member transitions into said bottom wall and said first and a second side walls using an outside corner radius. 
     
     
         18 . The clip assembly according to  claim 17  wherein said engagement wall of said bumper portion of said strap member further comprises a rubber cushion attached thereto. 
     
     
         19 . The clip assembly according to  claim 18  wherein said engagement edges of said first and second side walls of said pawl member further comprises a rubber cushion attached thereto. 
     
     
         20 . The clip assembly according to  claim 19  wherein said first thickness of said strap portion and said strap teeth formed therein are increased in size to accommodate heavier sashes. 
     
     
         21 . The clip assembly according to  claim 20  wherein said pawl teeth are increased in size to engage said size-increased strap teeth. 
     
     
         22 . The clip assembly according to  claim 21  wherein said tapered end of said second strap portion further comprises an orifice. 
     
     
         23 . The clip assembly according to  claim 22  wherein said orifice permits application of a force between said pawl member and said strap member to further engage one or more of said pawl teeth with said strap teeth. 
     
     
         24 . The clip assembly according to  claim 23  wherein said further engagement of one or more of said pawl teeth with said strap teeth pre-loads said first sash relative to said second sash. 
     
     
         25 . The clip assembly according to  claim 24  wherein said further engagement of one or more of said pawl teeth with said strap teeth pre-loads each of said first and said second sashes relative to said master frame of said window. 
     
     
         26 . The clip assembly according to  claim 25  wherein said periphery including at least an engagement edge further comprises a plurality of edges, said plurality of edges forming at least one corner in said pawl member. 
     
     
         27 . The clip assembly according to  claim 26  wherein application of said force utilizing said orifice is accomplished using a tool, said tool being capable of tensing said strap member relative to said pawl member using said plurality of edges. 
     
     
         28 . The clip assembly according to  claim 27  wherein said strap portion protrudes from said bumper portion with one or more fillet radii. 
     
     
         29 . A clip assembly comprising:
 (a) a strap member, said strap member having a bumper portion and a strap portion; said bumper portion comprising at least an engagement wall; said strap portion further comprising a region having a first thickness, said strap portion extending from said engagement wall and terminating in a free end;   (b) a separate retaining member comprising a first end and a second end and having an orifice extending from said first end to said second end for receiving said strap portion, said retaining member being removably securable to said strap portion, said retaining member including at least an engagement wall on said first end; and   (c) wherein said engagement wall of said strap member extends from one side of said strap portion and said engagement wall of said separate retaining member extends from an opposite side of said strap portion when said separate retaining member engages said strap portion, and wherein the distance between the separate retaining member and said bumper portion is adjustable along the length of said strap.   
     
     
         30 . A clip assembly, for use in securing first and second sashes that are slidably retained within a master frame of a sash window or sash door during transportation, said transportation clip comprising: a first member and a second member; said first member comprising a strap and a bumper portion, said bumper portion extending outward from said strap and having at least one engagement surface to engage a rail of said first sash, said strap being adapted to interconnect said first member to said second member, said interconnection providing for mono-directional movement of said first member relative to said second members wherein at least a portion of said strap may be incrementally inserted within said second member, with corresponding incremental removal of said strap being inhibited by said interconnection; said second member being adapted to receive said strap of said first member, said second member further comprising at least one engagement surface to engage a rail of said second sash; and wherein when said first member is interconnected with said second member while engaging said second sash rail, said at least one engagement surface of said second member extends outward from said second member in a direction opposite from which said at least one engagement surface of said first member engages said first sash rail. 
     
     
         31 . The clip assembly according to  claim 30 , wherein said engagement of said second member with said second rail sash and said engagement of said first member with said first rail sash pre-loads said first and second sash relative to said master frame. 
     
     
         32 . The clip assembly according to  claim 31 , wherein said pre-loading of said first sash relative to said master frame is in a direction opposite to said pre-loading of said second sash relative to said master frame. 
     
     
         33 . The clip assembly according to  claim 32 , wherein said incremental insertion of said interconnection is accomplished by a plurality of teeth on at least a portion of said strap that engage one or more complementary teeth on said second member. 
     
     
         34 . The clip assembly according to  claim 32 , wherein said incremental insertion of said interconnection is accomplished by a plurality of cylindrical protrusions on at least a portion of said strap that are retained by one or more orifices in said second member. 
     
     
         35 . The clip assembly according to  claim 34 , wherein said incremental insertion of said interconnection is accomplished by a threaded post, wherein said strap of said first member transitions into said threaded post, said threaded post being retained by a threaded orifice in said second member. 
     
     
         36 . A clip assembly, for use in securing first and second sashes that are slidably retained within a master frame of a sash window or sash door during transportation, said transportation clip assembly comprising: a strap member, said strap member being adapted to engage a rail of said first sash, with a portion of said strap protruding between said first and second sashes, said protruding portion of said strap having a plurality of teeth formed within at least a portion of said strap; and a pawl member, said pawl member being adapted to engage a rail of said second sash, said pawl member further comprising a first wall and a second wall, said first wall including a protrusion having one or more teeth, said one or more teeth of said pawl being formed to complement said plurality of strap teeth, said second wall being formed in proximity to said one or more pawl teeth to permit said strap to be fed there between and therein be retained by engagement between said one or more pawl teeth and said plurality of strap teeth; said protrusion being elastically deformable to permit deflection of said teeth and said protrusion upon mono-directional engagement of said strap with said pawl; said second wall having a recess proximate to said pawl teeth, said recess permitting flexing of said protruding portion of said strap within said recess, and wherein said flexing may co-act with said elastic deformation of said pawl teeth and protrusion in permitting mono-directional engagement of said strap with said pawl. 
     
     
         37 . The clip assembly according to  claim 36 , wherein said pawl member further comprises first and second side walls, said first and second side walls each comprise an engagement edge. 
     
     
         38 . The clip assembly according to  claim 37 , wherein said engagement edge of said first and second side walls engages said rail of said second sash. 
     
     
         39 . The clip assembly according to  claim 36 , wherein each of said first and second side walls of said pawl member further comprises a rounded engagement edge, said rounded engagement edge extending approximately orthogonally from said engagement edge. 
     
     
         40 . The clip assembly according to  claim 39 , wherein said pawl is rotated to apply tension to said strap, said tensile loading causing said first sash to be loaded relative to said second sash, and wherein said rounded engagement edge is seated between said first and second sashes. 
     
     
         41 . A method of securing first and second sashes that are slidably retained within a master frame of a sash window or sash door during transportation, said method comprising:
 (a) providing a strap member, said strap member being adapted to engage a bottom rail of said first sash, with a portion of said strap protruding between said first and second sashes, said protruding portion of said strap having a plurality of teeth formed within at least a portion of said strap;   (b) providing a pawl member, said pawl member being adapted to engage a top rail of said second sash, said pawl member also having a first wall and a second wall, said first wall including a protrusion having one or more teeth, said one or more teeth of said pawl being formed to complement said plurality of strap teeth, said second wall being formed in proximity to said one or more pawl teeth to permit said strap to be fed there between and therein be retained by engagement between said one or more pawl teeth with said plurality of strap teeth;   said protrusion being elastically deformable to permit deflection of said teeth and said protrusion upon mono-directional engagement of said strap with said pawl; said second wall having a recess proximate to said pawl teeth, said recess permitting flexing of said protruding portion of said strap to co-act with said elastic deformation of said pawl teeth and protrusion in permitting mono-directional engagement of said strap with said pawl;   (c) feeding said protruding strap of said strap member between said first and second sashes until said bottom rail of said first sash is engaged by said strap; inserting said protruding portion of said strap into said pawl member until said pawl member contacts said top rail of said second sash; additional feeding of said protruding strap into said pawl member to provide tension between said first and said second sashes and said master frame.   
     
     
         42 . The method according to  claim 41  wherein removal of said clip after transportation comprises applying a force to said strap member, said force being applied at an angle relative to said second wall to create stress on said one or more teeth of said protrusion of said pawl top wall, said stress causing at least some plastic deformation of said one or more teeth and causing said pawl teeth to disengage from said strap teeth. 
     
     
         43 . A clip assembly for securing one or more objects, said clip assembly comprising: a first member and a second member; said first member comprising a strap and a bumper portion, said bumper portion extending outward from said strap and having at least one engagement surface, said strap being adapted to interconnect said first member to said second member, said interconnection providing for mono-directional movement of said first member relative to said second members wherein at least a portion of said strap may be incrementally inserted within said second member, with removal of said strap being inhibited by said interconnection; said second member being adapted to receive said strap of said first member, said second member further comprising at least one engagement surface; and wherein when said first member is interconnected with said second member, said at least one engagement surface of said second member extends outward from said second member in a direction opposite from which said at least one engagement surface of said first member. 
     
     
         44 . The clip assembly according to  claim 43 , wherein said interconnection is by said strap of said first member comprising a first plurality of teeth on one side of said strap, and a second plurality of teeth on a second side of said strap; and wherein said second member comprises one or more teeth adapted to engage said first plurality of teeth of said first member, and one or more teeth adapted to engage said second plurality of teeth of said second member. 
     
     
         45 . The clip assembly according to  claim 44 , wherein said first plurality of teeth on said one side of said strap and said second plurality teeth on said second side of said strap are aligned. 
     
     
         46 . The clip assembly according to  claim 44 , wherein said first plurality of teeth on said one side of said strap and said second plurality teeth on said second side of said strap are staggered. 
     
     
         47 . The clip assembly according to  claim 44 , wherein said engagement surface of said bumper portion of said first member contacts a rail of a first sash, and said engagement surface of said second member contacts a rail of a second sash, and wherein said mono-directional movement of said first member relative to said second members occurs until said clip assembly secures said first sash relative to said second sash within a master frame. 
     
     
         48 . The clip assembly according to  claim 47 , wherein said first sash is secured relative to said second sash by loading said first sash in a direction opposite to said loading of said second sash. 
     
     
         49 . The clip assembly according to  claim 48 , wherein said engagement surface of said second member comprises a protrusion, and wherein said protrusion is engaged in a gap between said first sash and said second sash when said first and second sashes are secured in said master frame by said clip assembly. 
     
     
         50 . The clip assembly according to  claim 49 , wherein said second member is rotated to increase said loading of said first sash and said second sash relative to said master frame. 
     
     
         51 . The clip assembly according to  claim 50 , wherein said engagement surface of said second member comprises a second protrusion, and wherein said second protrusion is engaged in said gap between said first sash and said second sash to inhibit counter-rotation of said second member. 
     
     
         52 . The clip assembly according to  claim 51 , wherein said second member necks down at a position proximate to said interconnection. 
     
     
         53 . The clip assembly according to  claim 52 , wherein said neck permits removal of said transportation clip from said sashes, said removal being by application of a force to said second member to cause failure of said second member at said neck. 
     
     
         54 . The clip assembly according to  claim 51 , wherein removal of said transportation clip from said sashes is by application of a force to said strap to cause failure of said one or more teeth of said second member.