Rod clip

Abstract

A rod clip for connecting a rod to a lever comprises a first portion and a second portion hinged to the first portion. The second portion has a top surface having a recess for receiving a rod, such that folding the second portion over the first portion forms a channel for retaining the rod. There is a lock for locking the first portion to the second portion after the second portion is folded over the first portion. The first portion and second portion are in two separate pieces. There is a lever retaining device disposed on one of the two portions. The hinge is formed by apertures on sides of one of the portions and corresponding protrusions on the other. The protrusions extend into the apertures to allow pivoting of the first and second portions with respect to each other. The two portions are separate pieces, but are molded in one single injection molding process, so that the entire clip is molded in an assembled state.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A rod clip comprising: 
 a first portion having a top surface and a bottom surface;    a second portion hinged to the first portion, said second portion having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein folding the second portion over the first portion causes the top surfaces to form a channel for retaining the rod;    a lever retaining device disposed on one of the first and second portions; and    means for locking the first portion to the second portion after the second portion is folded over the first portion,    wherein the first portion and second portion are in two separate pieces and wherein the hinge is formed by apertures on sides of one of the first and second portions and corresponding protrusions on the other of the first and second portions, said protrusions extending into the apertures to allow pivoting of the first and second portions with respect to each other.    
     
     
         2 . The rod clip according to  claim 1 , wherein the top surfaces of the first and second portions form recesses and are threaded so as to securely retain a correspondingly threaded rod.  
     
     
         3 . The rod clip according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking device comprises a latch on one of the first and second portions, and a recess on the other of said first and second portions, wherein said latch snaps into said recess to lock the first and second portions together.  
     
     
         4 . The rod clip according to  claim 1 , wherein the lever retaining device comprises a protrusion extending below the bottom surface of one of said first and second portions.  
     
     
         5 . The rod clip according to  claim 4 , wherein the protrusion comprises a cylinder having latches to engage a lever.  
     
     
         6 . The rod clip according to  claim 4 , wherein the protrusion includes wings extending outward from the protrusion to engage a lever.  
     
     
         7 . The rod clip according to  claim 1 , wherein the lever retaining device is formed by an extension of one of the first and second portions, the extension comprising a first leg, a second leg pivotally and integrally connected to the first leg and an end section, such that folding the second leg over the first leg forms the lever retaining device and causes the end section to abut the top surface of the respective first or second portion.  
     
     
         8 . The rod clip according to  claim 1 , wherein the rod clip is produced already assembled in a one-step injection molding process.