Retaining Clip

Abstract

A frame assembly for the display of holiday or seasonal decorations such as greeting cards, decorative lights, craft work, art objects and the like. The frame assembly includes a frame having a channel defined in a front surface of the frame along a margin thereof and a plurality of clips for securely retaining decorative items to the frame. The clip has a clip arm for securing the decorative items. The clip is attached to the frame by cooperative engagement of a finger and a latch arm extending from the clip, wherein the finger engages the frame channel and the latch arm engages a back surface of the frame.

1 . A clip adapted to retain an item to a frame in a secure manner, said frame having a front surface, a back surface, a side surface, and a channel defined in said front surface along a margin of said frame, wherein said clip comprises:
 a base element; a flexible clip arm extending from a first surface of said base element at a proximate end thereof and having an opening at a distal end thereof; a finger extending from a second surface of said base element intermediate said proximate end and said distal end wherein said finger is engageable in said channel; and a latch arm extending from said second surface having a latch tab engageable with a back surface of said frame.   
   
   
       2 . The clip of  claim 1 , wherein said latch arm extends from a proximal end of said base. 
   
   
       3 . The clip of  claim 1 , wherein said latch arm extends from a distal end of said base. 
   
   
       4 . The clip of  claim 1 , wherein said latch arm further comprises a release tab, extending from a distal end of the latch arm. 
   
   
       5 . The clip of  claim 1 , wherein said finger is engaged with a proximate wall of said channel when said latch tab is engaged with said back surface. 
   
   
       6 . The clip of  claim 5 , wherein said finger is engaged with a distal wall of said channel. 
   
   
       7 . The clip of  claim 6 , wherein said finger is engaged in said channel with an interference fit. 
   
   
       8 . A decorative display frame assembly comprising: at least one frame member having a front surface, a back surface, and a channel defined along a margin of said front surface; and a plurality of clips adapted to securely attach to said elongate frame members by cooperative engagement of a finger with said channel and a latch arm with said back surface of said frame. 
   
   
       9 . The decorative display frame of  claim 8 , wherein said finger is positioned intermediate a proximate end and a distal end of said base element. 
   
   
       10 . The decorative display frame of  claim 8 , wherein said finger engages an proximate wall of said channel. 
   
   
       11 . The decorative display frame of  claim 10 , wherein said finger engages a distal wall of said channel. 
   
   
       12 . The decorative display frame of  claim 11 , wherein said finger engages said channel with an interference fit. 
   
   
       13 . The decorative display frame of  claim 8 , wherein said latch arm extends from a proximal end of said base. 
   
   
       11 . The decorative display frame of  claim 8 , wherein said latch arm extends from a distal end of said base. 
   
   
       12 . The decorative display frame of  claim 8 , wherein said frame further comprises a joining piece for interconnecting a plurality of said frame members. 
   
   
       13 . The decorative display frame of  claim 12 , wherein said joining piece comprises: a base plate and a plurality of legs extending from said base plate. 
   
   
       14 . The decorative display frame of  claim 13 , wherein said legs are removably received in an internal cavity of said frame member. 
   
   
       15 . The decorative display frame of  claim 14 , wherein said legs are received in said internal cavity with an interference fit. 
   
   
       16 . A clip for attachment of display items to a frame member having a channel defined in a first surface thereof and a second surface facing in a direction opposite said first surface, said clip comprising: a base element, a finger extending from said base element and engageable in said channel; a latch arm extending from said base element and having a latch tab disposed near an end thereof for engagement with said second surface, and a flexible clip arm extending from said base element at an end of said clip and adapted to retain display items in a secure manner. 
   
   
       17 . The clip of  claim 16 , wherein said finger is disposed at a point intermediate a proximate end and a distal end of said clip. 
   
   
       18 . The clip of  claim 16 , wherein said latch arm is disposed at said proximate end of said clip. 
   
   
       19 . The clip of  claim 16 , wherein said latch arm is disposed at said distal end of said clip. 
   
   
       20 . The clip of  claim 16 , wherein an inner surface of said latch arm abuts a side surface of said frame member when said finger is engaged in said channel and said latch tab is engaged with said second surface.