Fastening clip

Abstract

The application provides a fastening clip, which comprises a head, a central base and two pairs of retaining wings. The head comprises a lower cover; the central base comprises a first central beam and a second central beam, which are formed by extending downward from the lower cover, the first central beam and the second central beam intersect, the first central beam has opposite first and second edges; a first pair of retaining wings of the two pairs of retaining wings is arranged at the first edge of the first central beam and respectively extends from opposite sides of the first edge towards the second central beam, a second pair of retaining wings of the two pairs of retaining wings is arranged at the second edge of the first central beam and respectively extends from the two sides of the second edge towards the second central beam, wherein the top end of each retaining wing of the two pairs of retaining wings has a spacing with the lower cover. The fastening clip provided by the application is convenient to install and remove.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a fastening clip, particularly a push-in fastening clip for attaching one component to another component. Background Technology

[0002] In industrial applications, such as the automotive industry, it is sometimes necessary to use fasteners to secure panels or components to one another. One approach is to pre-assemble the fastener onto one panel or component and then pass it through a hole in the other panel or component. This type of fastener has a resilient retaining member that bends inward during insertion and expands outward or rebounds when fully inserted. In practice, it is sometimes necessary to disassemble the two components connected by the fastener, thus requiring the fastener to facilitate installation and removal. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a fastening clip, the fastening clip comprising: Head, the head including a lower cover; A central base, the central base including a first central beam and a second central beam, the first central beam and the second central beam extending downward from the lower cover, the first central beam and the second central beam intersecting, the first central beam having opposing first edges and second edges; Two pairs of retaining wings, wherein the first pair of retaining wings is disposed at the first edge of the first central beam and extends from opposite sides of the first edge toward the second central beam, and the second pair of retaining wings is disposed at the second edge of the first central beam and extends from both sides of the second edge toward the second central beam. There is a gap between the tip of each of the two pairs of retaining wings and the lower surface of the lower cover.

[0004] As described above, in the fastening clamp, the lower part of each of the two pairs of retaining wings has an adjustment groove between it and the first central beam.

[0005] As described above, in the fastening clamp, the lower part of the first and second center beams forms a center base guide portion, which has a shape that tapers from top to bottom.

[0006] As described above, in the fastening clamp, the outer surface of each of the two pairs of retaining wings is circumferentially distributed around the central axis of the fastening clamp.

[0007] As described above, in the fastening clamp, each of the two pairs of retaining wings has a deflection space between itself and the second central beam.

[0008] As described above, the first and second central beams of the fastening clamp are arranged in a cross shape.

[0009] As described above, in the fastening clamp, the outer surface of each of the two pairs of retaining wings has a hip region, which extends upward at an angle to the top of the corresponding retaining wing to form a waist region. The waist region has an upper waist and a lower waist, wherein the upper waist is tilted less relative to the central axis than the lower waist is tilted relative to the central axis.

[0010] The fastening clip as described above has a retaining wing guide portion, which has a shape that tapers from top to bottom.

[0011] As described above, the first central beam and the second central beam are solid.

[0012] The fastening clip described above is made of plastic material and is injection molded.

[0013] The fastener provided in this application is easy to install and remove, has good reliability, and can withstand multiple disassembly and assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1A A front perspective view is shown of one embodiment of the fastening clip in this application; Figure 1B yes Figure 1A The fastener in the middle is shown in a perspective view of the back; Figure 1C yes Figure 1A The central fastener is shown in a three-dimensional view on the right. Figure 2 It shows from Figure 1A The fastener shown is a bottom view of the fastener, viewed from the bottom upwards. Figure 3A yes Figure 1A A magnified view of a portion of the image; Figure 3B yes Figure 1C A magnified view of a portion of the image; Figure 4A It is a 3D view of the fastening clips and the panel; Figure 4B A 3D view of the fasteners installed on the panel; Figure 5A yes Figure 4B An axial cross-sectional view of the fastener mounted on the panel, with the cutting direction along... Figure 2 The direction of line AA in the middle; Figure 5B yes Figure 5A A magnified view of a portion of the image. Detailed Implementation

[0015] Various specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification. It should be understood that although directional terms such as "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" are used herein to describe various exemplary structural parts and elements, their use is merely for ease of description and is based on the exemplary orientations shown in the drawings. Since the embodiments disclosed herein can be arranged in different orientations, these directional terms are illustrative and should not be considered limiting. Where possible, the same or similar reference numerals used herein refer to the same parts.

[0016] Figure 1A-1C Three perspective views from different angles are shown for one embodiment of the fastening clip in this application, wherein, Figure 1A A front perspective view of the fastening clip is shown. Figure 1B A perspective view of the back of the fastening clip is shown. Figure 1C A perspective view of the right side of the fastening clip is shown. (See diagram below.) Figure 1A-1C As shown, the fastening clip 100 includes a head 110 and a body 120, with the body 120 located below the head 110. The head 110 is configured to mount the fastening clip onto a first panel or component, and the body 120 is configured to mount the fastening clip 100 onto a second panel (such as...). Figure 4A On the panel 410 shown or on the component.

[0017] The head 110 includes an upper cover 112, a neck 114, and a lower cover 113. The neck 114 is located between the upper cover 112 and the lower cover 113, and its two ends are connected to the upper cover 112 and the lower cover 113, respectively. A sealing ring 119 is provided on the outer edge of the lower cover 113. The sealing ring 119 is molded on the outer edge of the lower cover 113 by a secondary molding process. When the body 120 is mounted on the panel 410 (see...), the head 110 is positioned within the lower cover 113. Figure 4A When the sealing ring 119 is in place, it can make a sealing contact with the panel 410 (see [reference]). Figure 5A ).

[0018] The body 120 includes a central base 130 and a first pair of retaining wings 141, 142 disposed on the central base 130. Figure 1A ) and the second pair of retaining wings 143, 144 ( Figure 1BThe central base 130 includes a first central beam 131 and a second central beam 135. The first central beam 131 and the second central beam 135 extend downward from the side of the lower cover 113 opposite to the neck 114. The first central beam 131 and the second central beam 135 are intersecting, and the center of their intersection is located on the central axis 150 of the fastening clamp 100. The first central beam 131 and the second central beam 135 are solid. A first pair of retaining wings 141, 142 and a second pair of retaining wings 143, 144 are respectively disposed on opposite first edges 132 of the first central beam 131. Figure 1A ) and the second edge 133 ( Figure 1B ) place.

[0019] The center base 130 includes an inlet nose 180, which is located at the end of the intersection of the first center beam 131 and the second center beam 135. The lower portions of the two edges 132 and 133 of the first center beam 131 and the two edges 138 and 139 of the second center beam 135 slope inward toward the inlet nose 180 to form a center base guide portion 140. The first pair of retaining wings 141, 142 and the second pair of retaining wings 143, 144 extend downward to the upper end of the center base guide portion 140 and then stop, without extending further downward.

[0020] The fastening clip is made of plastic material and is injection molded. In manufacturing the fastening clip 100, the clip portion excluding the sealing ring 119 is first integrally molded from plastic material. Then, the sealing ring 119 is attached to the outer edge of the lower cover 113 using a secondary molding process. Because the first pair of retaining wings 141, 142 and the second pair of retaining wings 143, 144 of the fastening clip 100 are made of a plastic material with a certain degree of elasticity, each retaining wing can deflect inwards when subjected to external force and return to its original shape when the external force disappears.

[0021] Figure 2 From Figure 1A The bottom view of the fastening clip, shown from an upward perspective, illustrates the positioning of the first pair of retaining wings 141, 142 and the second pair of retaining wings 143, 144 on the central base 130. (See attached image.) Figure 2As shown, the first central beam 131 and the second central beam 135 intersect at a cross shape. A first pair of retaining wings 141, 142 are provided at the first edge 132 of the first central beam 131, and a second pair of retaining wings 143, 144 are provided at the second edge 133 of the first central beam 131. The two retaining wings of the first pair 141, 142 are respectively located on both sides of the first central beam 131, and are symmetrical in position and structure with respect to the first central beam 131. Similarly, the two retaining wings of the second pair 143, 144 are also respectively located on both sides of the first central beam 131, and are also symmetrical in position and structure with respect to the first central beam 131. And as... Figure 2 As shown, the first pair of retaining wings 141, 142 and the second pair of retaining wings 143, 144 are symmetrical in position and structure with respect to the second central beam 135. In this embodiment, the first central beam 131 and the second central beam 135 are perpendicular to each other. In other embodiments, the first central beam 131 and the second central beam 135 intersect the central axis 150, and the included angle between them can be other angles. In this case, the first pair of retaining wings 141, 142 and the second pair of retaining wings 143, 144 are symmetrical with respect to a reference line that passes through the central axis and is perpendicular to the first central beam 131.

[0022] Still as Figure 2 As shown, the two retaining wings of the first pair of retaining wings 141, 142 extend from the first edge 132 toward the second center beam 135 on both sides of the first center beam 131, and the two retaining wings of the second pair of retaining wings 143, 144 extend from the second edge 133 toward the second center beam 135 on both sides of the first center beam 131. However, a deflection space S is left between the first pair of retaining wings 141, 142 and the second pair of retaining wings 143, 144 and the second center beam 135, so that when the fastening clamp 100 is normally inserted into or normally removed from the panel 410, the retaining wings 141, 142, 143, 144 will not be blocked by the second center beam 135 when they deflect or move inward toward the second center beam 135. The regions on the outer surfaces of each of the first pair of retaining wings 141, 142 and the second pair of retaining wings 143, 144 that are furthest from the central axis 150 (i.e., the hip regions (314.1, 314.2, 314.3, 314.4) to be described below lie on the same circumference R.

[0023] Figure 3A and 3B They are Figure 1A Enlarged views of parts A and B in 1C are provided to show further structural details of the first pair of retaining wings 141, 142 and the second pair of retaining wings 143, 144.

[0024] like Figure 3A As shown, the first pair of retaining wings 141 and 142 are structurally symmetrical about the first central beam 131. The structure of retaining wing 142 is described in detail below.

[0025] Specifically, the retaining wing 142 includes a root 302.2, a tip 301.2, and an end 309.2. The retaining wing 142 extends downward from the tip 301.2 to the end 309.2. The root 302.2 is disposed on one side of the upper portion 305.2 of the retaining wing 142. The upper portion 305.2 of the retaining wing 142 is connected to the first edge 132 of the first central beam 131 via the root 302.2. The root 302.2 has a certain width such that an adjustment groove 370.2 is formed between the lower portion 307.2 of the retaining wing 142 and the first central beam 131. The retaining wing 142 is capable of deflecting or moving inward relative to the first central beam 131 about the root 302.2. The thickness of the root 302.2 is less than the thickness of other portions of the retaining wing 142 to facilitate the aforementioned deflection or movement of the retaining wing 142. The top tip 301.2 of the retaining wing 142 is located below the lower cover 113 and has a certain gap D between it and the lower cover 113 (see...). Figure 5B ).

[0026] The outer surface 310.2 of the retaining wing 142 has a waist region 312.2, a hip region 314.2, and a guide region 316.2. The hip region 314.2 is the region on the outer surface 310.2 of the retaining wing 142 furthest from the central axis 150 of the fastening clamp 100. The waist region 312.2 extends upward from the hip region 314.2 to a top end 301.2 and slopes inward relative to the central axis 150 as it extends upward. The guide region 316.2 extends downward from the hip region 314.2 to a bottom end 301.2 and gradually slopes inward as it extends downward. The outer surface 310.2 of the retaining wing 142 extends circumferentially between the left and right sides of the retaining wing 142 (see [reference]). Figure 2 Therefore, each cross-section of the outer surface 310.2 lies on a circle centered at a point on the central axis 150. Due to the above arrangement of the outer surface 310.2, the circumference of the cross-section of the outer surface 310.2 at the hip region 314.2 is larger than the diameter of the circumference of the cross-sections of other regions of the outer surface 310.2.

[0027] The waist region 312.2 is located below the lower cover 113 and is separated from the lower cover 113 by a certain distance. The waist region 312.2 includes the upper waist 322.2 and the lower waist 323.2 (also visible). Figure 5BThe upper waist 322.2 is adjacent to the top 301.2, and the lower waist 323.2 is adjacent to the hip region 314.2. The lower waist 323.2 is inclined more than the upper waist 322.2 relative to the central axis 150, thus forming a bend 325.2 between the upper waist 322.2 and the lower waist 323.2 (also visible). Figure 5B ).

[0028] Because retaining wings 141 and 142 are structurally symmetrical about the first central beam 131, they have similar structures. Retaining wing 141 includes a root 302.1, a top 301.1, a bottom 309.1, an upper portion 305.1, and a lower portion 307.1. An adjustment groove 370.1 is formed between the lower portion 307.1 and the first central beam 131. The outer surface 310.1 of retaining wing 141 has a waist region 312.1, a hip region 314.1, and a guide region 316.1. The waist region 312.1 includes an upper waist portion 322.1 and a lower waist portion 323.1, with a bend 325.1 formed between the upper waist portion 322.1 and the lower waist portion 323.1. Since retaining wings 141 and 142 have similar structures, the specific structure of retaining wing 141 will not be described in detail here.

[0029] like Figure 3B As shown, the second pair of retaining wings 143, 144 are structurally symmetrical with the first pair of retaining wings about the second central beam 135. Therefore, each retaining wing in the second pair of retaining wings 143, 144 also has a similar structure to retaining wing 142. Retaining wing 143 includes a root 302.3, a top 301.3, a bottom 309.3, an upper portion 305.3, and a lower portion 307.3. An adjustment groove 370.3 is formed between the lower portion 307.3 and the first central beam 131. The outer surface 310.3 of retaining wing 141 has a waist region 312.3, a hip region 314.3, and a guide region 316.3. The waist region 312.3 includes an upper waist portion 322.3 and a lower waist portion 323.3, with a bend 325.3 formed between the upper waist portion 322.3 and the lower waist portion 323.3. The connection relationships between the above components are not described in detail here.

[0030] The retaining wing 144 includes a root 302.4, a top 301.4, a bottom 309.4, an upper portion 305.4, and a lower portion 307.4. An adjustment groove 370.4 is formed between the lower portion 307.4 and the first central beam 131. The outer surface 310.4 of the retaining wing 141 has a waist region 312.4, a hip region 314.4, and a guide region 316.4. The waist region 312.4 includes an upper waist portion 322.4 and a lower waist portion 323.4, with a bend 325.4 formed between the upper waist portion 322.4 and the lower waist portion 323.4. The connection relationships between the above components are not detailed here.

[0031] The cross-sections of the hip regions 314.1, 314.2, 314.3, and 314.4 of the aforementioned retaining wings 141, 142, 143, and 144 lie on the same circumference R (e.g., Figure 2 (As shown). The diameter of the circumference R is larger than the diameter of the hole 420 in the panel 410 into which the fastening clamp 100 is to be inserted (as shown). Figure 4A (As shown). The guide regions 316.1, 316.2, 316.3, and 316.4 of the aforementioned retaining wings 141, 142, 143, and 144 together constitute the retaining wing guide section 170 (as shown). Figure 1A In the direction of the central axis 150, the retaining wing guide 170 is located above the central base guide 140. The central base guide 140 and the retaining wing guide 170 are used to successively guide the fastening clamp 100 through the hole 420 of the panel 410. Furthermore, the circumferential cross-section of the lower part of the retaining wing guide 170 is not larger than the circumferential cross-section of the upper part of the central base guide 140, so that after the central base guide 140 passes through the panel 410, the retaining wing guide 170 can easily continue to pass through the panel 410, and the two together play a guiding role.

[0032] Figure 4A and 4B It shows Figure 1B The installation process of attaching the central fastener to the panel, wherein... Figure 4A In the middle, the fastening clip 100 has not yet been inserted into the panel 410, in Figure 4B In the middle, the fastening clip 100 is installed in the panel 410.

[0033] like Figure 4A and 4BAs shown, panel 410 has a hole 420 into which fastening clip 100 can be inserted from the direction indicated by the arrow. During the insertion of fastening clip 100 into hole 420 of panel 410, firstly, the central base guide portion 140 and the retaining wing guide portion 170 of fastening clip 100 sequentially guide fastening clip 100 through hole 420. Then, the hip regions 314.1, 314.2, 314.3, and 314.4 of the four retaining wings 141, 142, 143, and 144 respectively contact the edge of hole 420. At this point, the insertion force F in the direction indicated by the arrow causes the inner edge of the hole 420 to exert pressure on the four retaining wings 141, 142, 143, 144, thereby causing the four retaining wings 141, 142, 143, 144 to deflect inward toward the second central beam 135 until the respective hip regions 314.1, 314.2, 314.3, 314.4 pass through the hole 420. Subsequently, as the edge of the hole 420 is no longer subjected to force, the four retaining wings 141, 142, 143, 144 are elastically deflected outward, and the inner edge of the hole 420 abuts against the waist regions 312.1, 312.2, 312.2, 312.4 of the four retaining wings 141, 142, 143, 144, thereby clamping the panel 410 between the sealing ring 119 of the lower cover 113 and the waist regions 312.1, 312.2, 312.3, 312.4 of the four retaining wings 141, 142, 143, 144, and fixing the fastening clip 100 to the panel 410.

[0034] Figure 5A yes Figure 4B An axial cross-sectional view of the fastener mounted on the panel, with the cutting direction along... Figure 2 The direction of line AA in the middle. Figure 5B yes Figure 5A A magnified view of part C in the image. Figure 5A and 5B Only retaining wings 142 and 143 are shown; the other two retaining wings 141 and 144 are obscured. However, due to the structural and positional arrangement of the four retaining wings 141, 142, 143, and 144, their positional relationship with the panel 410 is similar when the fastening clip 100 is installed in place on the panel 410. Figure 5A and 5B As shown, when the fastening clip 100 is installed in place on the panel 410, the panel 410 is clamped between the sealing ring 119 of the lower cover 113 and the waist regions 312.1, 312.2, 312.3, and 312.4 of the four retaining wings 141, 142, 143, and 144. The tops 301.1, 301.2, 301.3, and 301.4 of the retaining wings 141, 142, 143, and 144 are located below the lower cover 113 and have a certain distance D between them and the lower cover 113.

[0035] In the fastening clamp of this application, due to the certain distance D between the top ends 301.1, 301.2, 301.3, and 301.4 of the retaining wings 141, 142, 143, and 144 and the lower cover 113, and the setting of the adjustment grooves 370.1, 370.2, 370.3, and 370.4 between the retaining wings 141, 142, 143, and 144 and the first central beam 131, the retaining wings 141, 142, 143, and 144 are more easily deflected relative to the second central beam 115, thereby making it easier for the fastening clamp 100 to be inserted into or removed from the panel 410. Furthermore, by changing the depth and width of the adjustment grooves 370.1, 370.2, 370.3, and 370.4 according to the insertion and removal requirements of the usage environment, the insertion and removal force of the fastening clamp 100 can be changed, making it easy for the manufacturer to modify the mold for manufacturing the fastening clamp 100 according to the insertion and removal force.

[0036] In the fastening clip of this application, the waist region of the retaining wing is configured such that (i.e., taking the retaining wing 142 as an example, the lower waist 323.2 is tilted relative to the central axis 150 by a greater degree than the upper waist 322.2 is tilted relative to the central axis 150, thereby forming a bend 325.2 between the upper waist 322.2 and the lower waist 323.2), so that when the fastening clip 100 is installed in the panel 410, the panel 410 will not easily come off the panel 410 because it is blocked by the lower waist 323.2 with a larger degree of tilt.

[0037] Furthermore, in the fastening clip of this application, the two intersecting central beams of the central base 130 make the fastening clip 100 more secure when assembled in the panel, and the central base 130 is less prone to damage. Moreover, during the installation and removal of the fastening clip from the panel, the aforementioned arrangement of the central base ensures that the pull-out force applied to the fastening clip is evenly transmitted to the retaining wings 141, 142, 143, and 144, making the retaining wings 141, 142, 143, and 144 less prone to excessive deformation and damage due to force imbalance (e.g., the direction of the pull-out force is not perpendicular to the panel).

[0038] Furthermore, in the fastening clip of this application, both the central base and the retaining wing are provided with guide portions (i.e., the central base guide portion 140 and the retaining wing guide portion 170), which successively guide the fastening clip through the hole 420 of the panel 410, thereby allowing the retaining wing to be designed to be shorter. This simplifies the design and manufacturing of the retaining wing that can produce deformation to a certain extent and makes it more durable.

[0039] Although only some features of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art. Therefore, it should be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and variations that fall within the essential spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fastening clamp for securing a panel or component, characterized in that, The fastening clamp includes: Head, the head including a lower cover; A central base, the central base including a first central beam and a second central beam, the first central beam and the second central beam extending downward from the lower cover, the first central beam and the second central beam intersecting, the first central beam having opposing first edges and second edges; Two pairs of retaining wings, wherein the first pair of retaining wings is disposed at the first edge of the first central beam and extends from opposite sides of the first edge toward the second central beam, and the second pair of retaining wings is disposed at the second edge of the first central beam and extends from opposite sides of the second edge toward the second central beam. Each of the two pairs of retaining wings includes a root, a waist region, an end, and a top point located above the waist region. The retaining wing extends downward from its respective top point to its respective end. The root of the retaining wing is disposed on one side of its respective upper portion. The upper portion of the retaining wing is connected to the first edge or the second edge of the first central beam via its respective root. The root of the retaining wing has a width such that an adjustment groove is formed between the lower portion of the retaining wing and the first central beam. When the fastener is installed in place on the panel or component, the panel or component is held between the lower cover and the waist region of the two pairs of retaining wings, and the tops of the two pairs of retaining wings are located below the lower cover and have a gap between them.

2. The fastening clamp as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The lower parts of the first central beam and the second central beam form a central base guide portion, which has a shape that tapers from top to bottom.

3. The fastening clamp as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The outer surface of each of the two pairs of retaining wings is circumferentially distributed around the central axis of the fastening clamp.

4. The fastening clamp as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the two pairs of retaining wings has a deflection space between it and the second central beam.

5. The fastening clamp as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first central beam and the second central beam are arranged in a cross shape.

6. The fastening clamp as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the two pairs of retaining wings has a hip region on its outer surface, and a corresponding waist region of the retaining wing extends upwardly from the corresponding hip region to the corresponding top of the retaining wing. The waist region has an upper waist and a lower waist, wherein the upper waist of the retaining wing is tilted relative to the central axis of the fastening clamp by a smaller amount than the lower waist is tilted relative to the central axis.

7. The fastening clamp as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The fastening clamp has a retaining wing guide portion, which is tapered from top to bottom.

8. The fastening clamp as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Both the first central beam and the second central beam are solid.

9. The fastening clamp as described in any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The fastening clip is made of plastic material and is injection molded.

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