Lock for Securing Clips

Abstract

This invention relates generally to a lock for securing clips used to hold a panel to a wall or ceiling. It includes a panel assembly covering a back surface of a ceiling with a panel, comprising: the panel held face to face with the back surface by a link between a first clip and a second clip; a lock for securing the clips linked together comprising a shim and a flexible wedge connected together; at least a first fastener which connects the wedge to the back surface at a location outside the perimeter of the panel; wherein the shim intermediate the wedge and the back surface is movable to a first position outside of the perimeter to unlock the link to remove the panel from the back surface and in a second configuration the shim is located inside the perimeter where the link is locked to prevent removal of the panel.

1 . A lock for securing clips linked together intermediate a back surface and a panel held to the back surface by the clips, comprising: a wedge having a flexible length intermediate first and second connectors, and a shim connected to the wedge at the first connector, the shim is moveable from/to a first position where a portion of the shim distal from the first connector extends away from the wedge to/from a second position where the portion of the shim distal from the first connector is adjacent the wedge, wherein the second connector is connectable to the panel. 
     
     
         2 . The lock according to  claim 1  wherein a moveable connection of the first connector connects the wedge to the shim by a snap fit, click fit, or interlock fit of the first connector. 
     
     
         3 . The lock according to  claim 1  wherein the shim is rotatable or swivel-able around the first connector from/to the first position to/from the second position. 
     
     
         4 . The lock according to  claim 1  wherein the shim and wedge are connectable together to the back surface by the first connector. 
     
     
         5 . The lock according to  claim 1  wherein the first connector includes a first hole through the wedge and a second hole through the shim align-able with the first hole to receive a fastener to the back surface about which the shim is rotatable from the position to the second position. 
     
     
         6 . The lock according to  claim 1  wherein the wedge comprises a third connector which is non-collinear with the first and second connectors to connect the wedge to the panel or the back surface. 
     
     
         7 . The lock according to  claim 1  wherein the wedge has a relatively thin cross section in the region of the flexible length and a relatively thick cross section of the distal ends of wedge. 
     
     
         8 . The lock according to  claim 1  wherein the first connector is located at a distal end of the wedge from the second connector. 
     
     
         9 . A panel assembly covering a back surface of a ceiling or wall with a panel, comprising: the lock according to  claim 1 , a first clip attached to the panel, a second clip attached to the back surface, and the panel held face to face with the back surface by a link between the first clip and the second clip, wherein a first configuration of the panel assembly the lock is in the first position to unsecure the link to remove the panel from the back surface, and in a second configuration the lock is in the second position to secure the link hold the panel to the back surface. 
     
     
         10 . The panel assembly according to  claim 9  wherein the first configuration the wedge is displaced toward the back surface to unsecure the link and in the second configuration the wedge is displaced away from the back surface to secure the link. 
     
     
         11 . The panel assembly according  claim 10  wherein the wedge is bendable along the flexible length to be displaced. 
     
     
         12 . The panel assembly according to  claim 9  wherein the first configuration the shim is outside the perimeter of the panel to unsecure the link. 
     
     
         13 . The panel assembly according to  claim 9  wherein the second configuration, at least the portion of the shim distal from the first connector is located intermediate the wedge and the back surface to obstruct displacement of the wedge to secure the link. 
     
     
         14 . The panel assembly according to  claim 9  wherein the second configuration the shim obstructs the wedge from bending to lock the link. 
     
     
         15 . The panel assembly according to  claim 9  wherein in the second configuration the shim obstructs movement toward the back surface of the wedge, the panel and the first one of the clips attached to the panel. 
     
     
         16 . The panel assembly according to  claim 9  wherein the clips are hook shaped and hook together to form the link. 
     
     
         17 . The panel assembly according to  claim 9  wherein the shim is movable parallel to a surface of the panel to which the first clip is fixed to move the shim from/to the first position to/from the second position. 
     
     
         18 . A method of securing a first clip attached to a panel, a second clip attached to a back surface in a linked together configuration to hold the panel to the back surface by use of the lock according to  claim 1 ; including: using the second connector to connect the wedge to a surface of the panel attached to the second clip, moving the shim to the first position, moving the clips to a secured position by moving the panel to bend the wedge from the shim toward the back surface then moving the panel parallel to the back surface then moving the panel to unbend the wedge; and securing the clips together by moving the shim to the second position so that the first portion of the shim is intermediate the back surface and the wedge. 
     
     
         19 . A kit of components comprising the lock according to  claim 1 , a first clip attachable to a back surface, and a second clip attachable to a panel and linkable to the first clip. 
     
     
         20 . A room, shed, cabin, mobile home, elevator, or vehicle having a wall or ceiling comprising a panel assembly according to  claim 9 .