Adjustable plastic retaining clip

Abstract

The present invention is a plastic retaining clip or retainer for securing a table skirt to an edge of a table top comprising a means for engaging at least two different table top thicknesses. More particularly, the retainer of this invention includes a primary member and a first arm and a second arm extending perpendicularly from opposite ends of the primary member, and a central member extending from the primary member, wherein predetermined spacings are defined between the central member and the first and second arms, respectively. In addition, the first and second arms have predetermined lengths selected to achieve the predetermined spacings.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A retainer for securing a table skirt to an edge of a table top capable of engaging at least two different table top thicknesses.  
     
     
         2 . The retainer of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer comprises a substantially transparent plastic.  
     
     
         3 . The retainer of  claim 2 , wherein the plastic comprises Nylon.  
     
     
         4 . The retainer of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer comprises: 
 a primary member;    a first arm and a second arm extending perpendicularly from opposite ends of the primary member; and    a central member extending from the primary member, wherein predetermined spacings are defined between the central member and the first and second arms, respectively.    
     
     
         5 . The retainer of  claim 4 , wherein the central member comprises an elongated portion connected to a central portion of the primary member, and wherein a pair of arms are connected to the elongated portion and extend in opposite directions along a plane substantially parallel to the primary member, the pair of arms having predetermined lengths selected to achieve the predetermined spacings.  
     
     
         6 . The retainer of  claim 5 , wherein each of the pair of arms includes substantially rounded ends.  
     
     
         7 . The retainer of  claim 4 , wherein the central member comprises a connecting portion extending in a plane substantially perpendicular to the primary member and joined to a central portion of the primary member, an upper portion extending from the connecting portion toward the first arm and away from the primary member, and a lower portion extending from the connecting portion toward the second arm and away from the primary member, the upper portion and the lower portion having predetermined lengths selected to achieve the predetermined spacings.  
     
     
         8 . The retainer of  claim 7 , wherein the upper portion and the lower portion terminate in ends which extend in planes substantially parallel to the first and second arms.  
     
     
         9 . The retainer of  claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of hooks extending from a backside of the primary member capable of engaging loops attached to the table skirt.  
     
     
         10 . The retainer of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of hooks are integral with the primary member.  
     
     
         11 . The retainer of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer comprises: 
 a primary member;    a first arm extending perpendicularly from the primary member; and    a flexible member in communication with the primary member and separated from the first arm by a spaced distance, wherein the flexible member is adapted to flexibly move to change the spaced distance.    
     
     
         12 . The retainer of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible member includes a spring member, wherein the spring member is capable of moving the flexible member and thereby changing the spaced distance between the first arm and the flexible member.  
     
     
         13 . The retainer of  claim 12 , further comprising a second arm extending perpendicularly from the primary member and being spaced below the first arm, wherein the spring member comprises a cylindrical arm attached to the second arm.  
     
     
         14 . The retainer of  claim 13 , further comprising a third arm extending perpendicularly from the primary member and being spaced below the second arm.  
     
     
         15 . The retainer of  claim 14 , wherein the second arm defines an opening for receiving the cylindrical arm.  
     
     
         16 . The retainer of  claim 14 , wherein the cylindrical arm comprises a lower portion having a slit interposed between a pair of legs which terminate at anchoring ends, and wherein the anchoring ends engage a lower surface of the second arm to prevent the flexible member from detaching from the second arm when the spaced distance is at a minimum.  
     
     
         17 . The retainer of  claim 16 , wherein the spring member further comprises a loop portion joined to the cylindrical arm and wherein a base of the loop portion rests upon the third arm.  
     
     
         18 . The retainer of  claim 17 , wherein the flexible member further comprises an upper arm extending in a plane substantially parallel to the first arm and positioned above the loop portion and is capable of engaging the lower surface of the table top.  
     
     
         19 . The retainer of  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of hooks extending from a backside of the primary member capable of engaging loops attached to the table skirt.  
     
     
         20 . The retainer of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of hooks are integral with the primary member.  
     
     
         21 . The retainer of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer comprises: 
 a first elongated member having a secondary arm extending perpendicularly from a primary arm, the primary arm having a first set of teeth spaced from the secondary arm; and    a second elongated member for engaging a lower surface of the table top, the second elongated member having a second set of teeth adapted to engage the first set of teeth at varying positions such that the distance between the secondary arm and the second elongated member is adjustable.    
     
     
         22 . The retainer of  claim 21 , wherein the second elongated member includes an arcuate extending portion.  
     
     
         23 . The retainer of  claim 22 , further including a compression member, wherein the compression member biases the first elongated member against the second elongated member sufficiently to interlock the first set of teeth with the second set of teeth.  
     
     
         24 . The retainer of  claim 23 , wherein the compression member includes a release lever, wherein the release lever is adapted to reduce the biasing force when depressed to permit the first and second sets of teeth to be moved relative to one another.  
     
     
         25 . The retainer of  claim 21 , further comprising a plurality of hooks extending from a backside of the primary arm capable of engaging loops attached to the table skirt.  
     
     
         26 . The retainer of  claim 25 , wherein the plurality of hooks are integral with the first member.