Panel Retention Clip

Abstract

A clip operable to secure panels of sheet material includes a generally H-shaped unit having pair of opposed arms separated by a central beam forming a pair of aligned receptacles, each operable to receive a panel therein. At least one of the arms includes biasing members operable to apply pressure to the panels inserted into the receptacles. The clip secures adjacent panels together in edge-to-edge orientation such that the panels are coplanar. Panels utilized with the clip include sheets of building material such as plywood, drywall, and roofing materials.

1 . A clip for securing adjacent panels of building material, the clip comprising:
 a first arm;   a second arm oriented generally parallel to the first arm;   a beam oriented transverse to and extending from the first arm to the second arm, the beam disposed inboard from each of the first and second arms to form a first receptacle and a second receptacle, wherein each receptacle is operable to receive a panel of sheet material and orient the panels adjacent each other,   wherein the second arm comprises a biasing member operable to apply a continuous pressure to the panels of sheet material inserted into the clip.   
   
   
       2 . The clip of  claim 1 , wherein the dimensions of the second arm differ from the dimensions of the first arm. 
   
   
       3 . The clip of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing member is disposed inboard of the second arm. 
   
   
       4 . The clip of  claim 3 , wherein the biasing member comprises a generally elongated paddle extending distally from the second arm at a predetermined angle. 
   
   
       5 . The clip of  claim 1  further comprising plural raised ribs provided on a surface of at least one of said first arm and said biasing member in at least one of said receptacles to frictionally engage a panel of sheet material inserted into said at least one receptacle. 
   
   
       6 . The clip of  claim 1  further comprising plural raised ribs provided on each of mutually facing surfaces of said first and second arms to frictionally engage a panel of sheet material inserted into the receptacle defined therebetween, 
   
   
       7 . The clip of  claim 1  wherein said first and second arms, said beam and said bias means are all part of a unitarily molded structure. 
   
   
       8 . A method of securing panels of building materials together, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a clip comprising:
 a first arm; 
 a second arm oriented generally parallel to the first arm; 
 a beam oriented transverse to and extending from the first arm to the second arm, the beam disposed inboard from each of the first and second arms to form a first receptacle and a second receptacle, wherein each receptacle is operable to receive a panel of sheet material and orient the panels adjacent each other, 
 wherein the second arm comprises a biasing member operable to apply a continuous pressure to the panels of sheet material inserted into the clip; and 
   (b) inserting a first panel into the first receptacle.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising (c) inserting a second panel into the second receptacle. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein step (a) includes forming said clip as a unitarily injection molded member. 
   
   
       11 . A panel retention clip comprising a unitary generally H-shaped member having first and second generally parallel arms connected to and spaced by a beam such that first and second panel-receiving receptacles are defined between said arms on respective opposite sides of said beam, said second arm including first and second resiliently pivotable biasing members depending into said first and second receptacles, respectively, to resiliently guide edge first insertion of a panel into that receptacle and apply force to enhance retention of the inserted panel in that receptacle.