Clip assembly

Abstract

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a clip assembly configured to securely connect a first component to a second component. The clip assembly may include a rotatable pin and a housing. The rotatable pin includes a shaft connected to a neck, which is, in turn, connected to a head having a first dimension and a second dimension. The first dimension is greater than the second dimension. The housing is configured to receive and retain the rotatable pin and includes a pin chamber and opposing flex arms extending into the pin chamber. The first dimension of the head is configured to spread the flex arms open into a locked position, and the second dimension of the head is configured to allow the flex arms to retract to an unlocked position. The rotatable pin is configured to be rotated between the locked and unlocked positions.

1 . A clip assembly configured to securely connect a first component to a second component, the clip assembly comprising:
 a rotatable pin comprising a shaft connected to a neck, which is, in turn, connected to a head having a first dimension and a second dimension, wherein said first dimension is greater than said second dimension; and   a housing configured to receive and retain said rotatable pin, said housing comprising a pin chamber and opposing flex arms extending into said pin chamber, said first dimension of said head being configured to spread said flex arms open into a locked position, and said second dimension of said head being configured to allow said flex arms to retract to an unlocked position, wherein said rotatable pin is configured to be rotated between said locked and unlocked positions.   
   
   
       2 . The clip assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said flex arms spread open to lock said housing to the first component in said locked position, and wherein said flex arms retract in the unlocked position to allow said flex arms to pass through a through-hole formed in the first component. 
   
   
       3 . The clip assembly of  claim 1 , said first dimension being a width and said second dimension being a depth that is perpendicular to said width. 
   
   
       4 . The clip assembly of  claim 1 , said rotatable pin comprising a base connected to said shaft. 
   
   
       5 . The clip assembly of  claim 4 , said base comprising a socket configured to receive an operative end of a tool. 
   
   
       6 . The clip assembly of  claim 5 , said base comprising at least one notch and said housing comprising at least one stop block, wherein said stop block is configured to be retained within said notch when said pin fully engages said housing, said stop block preventing said base from rotating in an undesired direction. 
   
   
       7 . The clip assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said shaft comprises a plurality of cored-out sections. 
   
   
       8 . The clip assembly of  claim 1 , said housing comprising opposing flex joints configured to allow said housing to be compressed, wherein said flex arms protrude through an opening formed in said housing when said housing is compressed. 
   
   
       9 . The clip assembly of  claim 1 , said housing comprising a cage having ribs and half ribs, wherein said ribs prevent said head from rotating in first and second directions when said head abuts said ribs, and wherein said half ribs prevent said head from rotating in only one of said first or second directions when said head abuts said half ribs. 
   
   
       10 . The clip assembly of  claim 1 , wherein one of said pin or said housing comprises a channel, and wherein the other of said pin or said housing comprises a protuberance rotatably secured within said channel, wherein said channel and said protuberance cooperate to prevent said pin from axially dislodging from said housing. 
   
   
       11 . The clip assembly of  claim 1 , said housing comprising a coupling clamp configured to securely clamp to a flange of one of the second component. 
   
   
       12 . A clip assembly configured to securely connect a first sheet panel to a second sheet panel, the clip assembly comprising:
 a rotatable pin comprising a head having a first dimension and a second dimension, wherein said first dimension is greater than said second dimension; and   a housing configured to receive and retain said rotatable pin, said housing comprising a pin chamber and opposing flex arms extending into said pin chamber, said rotatable pin being urged into said pin chamber so that said head is proximate said flex arms, said first dimension being a first size that is greater than the distance between said flex arms in said pin chamber, said first dimension of said head being configured to spread said flex arms open into a locked position, and said second dimension being a second size that is equal to or less than the distance between said flex arms in said pin chamber, said second dimension of said head being configured to allow said flex arms to retract to an unlocked position, wherein said rotatable pin is configured to be rotated between said locked and unlocked positions, wherein said flex arms spread open to lock said housing to the first component in said locked position, and wherein said flex arms retract in the unlocked position to allow said flex arms to pass through a through-hole formed in the first component.   
   
   
       13 . The clip assembly of  claim 12 , said first dimension being a width and said second dimension being a depth that is perpendicular to said width. 
   
   
       14 . The clip assembly of  claim 12 , said rotatable pin comprising a shaft connected to a neck, which is, in turn, connected to said head. 
   
   
       15 . The clip assembly of  claim 14 , said rotatable pin comprising a base connected to said shaft. 
   
   
       16 . The clip assembly of  claim 14 , said base comprising a socket configured to receive an operative end of a tool. 
   
   
       17 . The clip assembly of  claim 16 , said base comprising at least one notch and said housing comprising at least one stop block, wherein said stop block is configured to be retained within said notch when said pin fully engages said housing, said stop block preventing said base from rotating in an undesired direction. 
   
   
       18 . The clip assembly of  claim 14 , wherein said shaft comprises a plurality of cored-out sections. 
   
   
       19 . The clip assembly of  claim 12 , said housing comprising opposing flex joints configured to allow said housing to be compressed, wherein said flex arms protrude through an opening formed in said housing when said housing is compressed. 
   
   
       20 . The clip assembly of  claim 12 , said housing comprising a cage having ribs and half ribs, wherein said ribs prevent said head from rotating in first and second directions when said head abuts said ribs, and wherein said half ribs prevent said head from rotating in only one of said first or second directions when said head abuts said half ribs. 
   
   
       21 . The clip assembly of  claim 12 , wherein one of said pin or said housing comprises a channel, and wherein the other of said pin or said housing comprises a protuberance rotatably secured within said channel, wherein said channel and said protuberance cooperate to prevent said pin from axially dislodging from said housing. 
   
   
       22 . The clip assembly of  claim 12 , said housing comprising a coupling clamp configured to securely clamp to a flange of one of the second component. 
   
   
       23 . A clip assembly configured to securely connect a first component to a second component, the clip assembly comprising:
 a rotatable pin comprising a base connected to a shaft, which is, in turn, connected to a neck, which is, in turn, connected to a head having a width and a depth, wherein said width is greater than said depth, said base comprising at least one notch and a socket configured to receive an operative end of a tool; and   a housing configured to receive and retain said rotatable pin, said housing comprising:
 a pin chamber; 
 opposing flex arms extending into said pin chamber; 
 opposing flex joints configured to allow said housing to be compressed, wherein said flex arms protrude through an opening formed in said housing when said housing is compressed; 
 at least one stop block; 
 a cage having ribs and half ribs, wherein said ribs prevent said head from rotating in first and second directions when said head abuts said ribs, and wherein said half ribs prevent said head from rotating in only one of said first or second directions when said head abuts said half rib; and 
 a coupling clamp configured to securely clamp to a flange of the second components, 
   
     said rotatable pin being urged into said pin chamber so that said head is proximate said flex arms, said width being a first size that is greater than the distance between said flex arms in said pin chamber, said width of said head being configured to spread said flex arms open into a locked position, and said depth being a first size that is equal to or less than the distance between said flex arms in said pin chamber, said depth of said head being configured to allow said flex arms to retract to an unlocked position, wherein said rotatable pin is configured to be rotated between said locked and unlocked positions, wherein said flex arms spread open to lock said housing to the first component in said locked position, and wherein said flex arms retract in the unlocked position to allow said flex arms to pass through a through-hole formed in the first component, wherein said stop block is configured to be retained within said notch when said pin fully engages said housing, said stop block preventing said base from rotating in an undesired direction. 
   
   
       24 . The clip assembly of  claim 23 , wherein one of said pin or said housing comprises a channel, and wherein the other of said pin or said housing comprises a protuberance rotatably secured within said channel, wherein said channel and said protuberance cooperate to prevent said pin from axially dislodging from said housing.