Muntin Clip

Abstract

A muntin clip is adapted to be connected to a muntin bar end and a spacer frame. The muntin clip includes a base member adapted for connection to the spacer frame and a bar support adapted for connection to the muntin bar end. The base member has a first segment, a second segment, and a mount structure. The bar support extends from the base member and has a first segment extending from the first segment of the base member and a second segment extending from the second segment of the base member. A flexible hinge member connects the first segment of the bar support to the second segment of the bar support, allowing the muntin clip assembly to move between an unfolded position and a folded position. A tension mechanism exerts outward force on the first and second segments of the base member when the muntin clip assembly is in the folded position.

1 . A muntin clip adapted to be connected to a muntin bar end and a spacer frame, the muntin clip comprising: 
 a base member having a first base segment and a second base segment, the first base segment having a first mount structure adapted to be connected to the spacer frame and the second base segment having a second mount structure adapted to be connected to the spacer frame;    a bar support having a first bar support segment extending from the first base segment and a second bar support extending from the second base segment, the first bar support segment and the second bar support segment adapted to be connected to the muntin bar end; and    a flexible hinge member connecting the first bar support segment to the second bar support segment, wherein when the flexible hinge member is not folded, the muntin clip is in an unfolded position and when the flexible hinge member is folded, the muntin clip is in a folded position wherein the first base segment is in confronting relation to the second base segment and the first bar support segment is in confronting relation to the second bar support segment.    
   
   
       2 . The muntin clip of  claim 1  wherein the flexible hinge member is a resilient strap.  
   
   
       3 . The muntin clip of  claim 2  wherein the flexible hinge member folds at a central portion of the strap.  
   
   
       4 . The muntin clip of  claim 1  wherein the first mount structure is a first pair of flexible fingers adapted to connect to the spacer frame, and the second mount structure is second pair of flexible fingers adapted to connect to the spacer frame.  
   
   
       5 . The muntin clip of  claim 1  further comprising a tension mechanism operably connected to the first base member and the second base member and providing an outwardly biasing force to the base members.  
   
   
       6 . The muntin clip of  claim 1  wherein the first base member has a spring member and the second base member has an abutment surface, wherein the spring member engages the abutment surface when the muntin clip is in the folded position.  
   
   
       7 . The muntin clip of  claim 1  wherein the first bar support segment has a bow member adapted to resiliently deflect when adapted to be connected to the muntin bar end.  
   
   
       8 . The muntin clip of  claim 1  wherein the second bar support segment has a bow member adapted to resiliently deflect when adapted to be connected to the muntin bar end.  
   
   
       9 . The muntin clip of  claim 1  wherein when the muntin clip is in the folded position, a space is maintained between the first bar support segment and the second bar support segment.  
   
   
       10 . The muntin clip of  claim 1  wherein when the muntin clip is in the folded position, a space is maintained between the first bar support segment and the second bar support segment.  
   
   
       11 . A muntin clip adapted to be connected to a muntin bar end and a spacer frame, the muntin clip comprising: 
 a base member adapted to be connected to the spacer frame;    a bar support; and    a foldable member operably connected one of the base member and the bar support wherein the muntin clip has an unfolded configuration and a folded configuration when the foldable member is folded.    
   
   
       12 . A muntin clip adapted to be connected to a muntin bar end and a spacer frame, the muntin clip comprising: 
 a base member adapted to be connected to the spacer frame, the base member having a first segment and a second segment spaced from the first segment;    a bar support extending from the base member and adapted to be connected to the muntin bar end; and    a mechanism operably connected to the base member wherein the mechanism provides an outwardly biasing force to the first segment and the second segment.    
   
   
       13 . The muntin clip of  claim 12  wherein the mechanism has a resilient finger connected to the first segment and an abutment member connected to the second segment wherein the finger engages the abutment member.  
   
   
       14 . A muntin clip adapted to be connected to a muntin bar end and a spacer frame, the muntin clip comprising: 
 a base member having a mount structure adapted to be connected to the spacer frame, the base member having a first base segment and a second base segment;    a bar support extending from the base member and adapted for connection to the muntin bar end, the bar support having a first bar support segment extending from the first base segment of the base member and a second segment extending from the second segment of the base member;    a flexible hinge member connecting the first bar segment to the second bar segment, allowing the muntin clip to move between an unfolded position and a folded position; and    a tension mechanism operably connected between the first base segment and the second base segment and exerting an outward force on the first base segment and the second base segment when the muntin clip is in the folded position.    
   
   
       15 . A muntin clip adapted to be connected to a muntin bar end and a spacer frame, the muntin clip comprising: 
 a base member having a first base segment and a second base segment, the first base segment having a pair of flexible fingers adapted to connect to the spacer frame, and the second base segment having a pair of flexible fingers adapted to connect to the spacer frame, first base member having a spring member and the second base member having an abutment surface;    a bar support having a first bar support segment extending from the first base segment and a second bar support extending from the second base segment, the first bar support segment and the second bar support segment adapted to be connected to the muntin bar end; and    a flexible hinge member connecting the first bar support segment to the second bar support segment, wherein when the flexible hinge member is not folded, the muntin clip is in an unfolded position and when the flexible hinge member is folded, the muntin clip is in a folded position wherein the first base segment is in confronting relation to the second base segment and the first bar support segment is in confronting relation to the second bar support segment and wherein the spring member engages the abutment surface wherein an outward biasing force is exerted on the base segments.