clamps

Abstract

A clip includes a connection base including a bolt introduction hole configured to introduce a bolt member formed on an object member therein. The connection base includes a flexible engagement bar formed on an inner surface thereof and having a press block. The press block includes an engagement claw formed on a proximal end portion of an inner surface thereof, respectively. The engagement claw engages with a predetermined portion of a thread groove of the bolt member so that the connection base is connected to the object member. In a connected state of the connection base, when the engagement claw is disengaged from the predetermined portion of the thread groove due to a pull-out force, an edge portion formed on a distal end portion of the inner surface of the press block engages with a different portion of the thread groove of the bolt member.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application Serial No. 2020-187826, filed on November 11, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure generally relates to a cable tie or clip. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a cable tie or clip including a clamping base and a connecting base, the clamping base being configured to clamp an attached item (e.g., an electrical component such as a wire harness), and the connecting base being configured to connect to a bolt formed on an object component (e.g., a vehicle panel). Background Technology

[0004] Various types of clips are known for attaching wire harnesses (attachment items) to object components (e.g., vehicle bodies). For example... Figures 16 to 19 As shown, the known clip 401 includes: a clamping base 410 configured to clamp a wire harness (not shown), and a connecting base 420 configured to connect to a bolt 404 formed on the object member 403 and having threads 404a and threaded grooves 404b. The clamping base 410 includes a buckle 411 and a belt 412 integrally formed with the buckle 411 and having a plurality of rack teeth 413 formed thereon. The buckle 411 has a belt insertion hole 415 formed therein and engaging claws (not shown) formed on its inner surface and protruding into the belt insertion hole 415. The belt insertion hole 415 is configured such that the belt 412 is inserted therein. When the belt 412 is inserted into the belt insertion hole 415 of the buckle 411, the engaging claws of the buckle 411 are configured to engage with the rack teeth 413 of the belt 412. Conversely, the connecting base 420 is integrally formed with the buckle 411 of the clamping base 410. The connecting base 420 has a bolt introduction (insertion) hole 422 formed thereon and a pair of engaging strips 424 formed on its inner surface and having engaging claws 427. The bolt introduction hole 422 is configured such that a bolt 404 is introduced (inserted) therein. The engaging strips 424 protrude oppositely toward the center of the bolt introduction hole 422 such that when the bolt 404 is introduced into the bolt introduction hole 422, the engaging claws 427 engage with the threaded grooves 404b of the bolt 404. Furthermore, for example, Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 2524861 teaches such a structure as the connecting base 420.

[0005] To attach a wire harness (not shown) to the target member 403 using clip 401, firstly, the strap 412 of the clamping base 410 is looped and wound around the wire harness, and then inserted into the strap insertion hole 415 so that the rack teeth 413 of the strap 412 engage with the engaging claws of the buckle 411. Thus, with the wire harness clamped or held by the clamping base 410, clip 401 is attached to the wire harness. Afterward, connecting base 420 is pressed into the bolt 404 formed on the target member 403. As a result, the bolt 404 is introduced into the bolt inlet hole 422 of connecting base 420, and simultaneously, due to the contact between the thread 404a of the bolt 404 and the engaging claws 427, the engaging bars 424 of connecting base 420 are bent relative to each other in opposite directions (oppositely flexing). When the bolt 404 is fully inserted into the bolt inlet hole 422 of the connecting base 420, the engaging claw 427 of the engaging strip 424 engages with a predetermined portion of the threaded groove 404b of the corresponding bolt 404, thereby connecting the connecting base 420 to the object member 403. Figure 17 Therefore, clip 401 is attached to the target member 403 via bolt 404. As a result, the wire harness is attached to the target member 403 via clip 401.

[0006] Normally, when a pull-out force is applied to the connecting base 420 of the clip 401 while the clip 401 is attached to the object member 403, the engaging bars 424 of the connecting base 420 bend relative to each other in a direction toward each other due to the contact between the thread 404a of the bolt 404 and the engaging claw 427. Figure 18 Furthermore, a pull-out force is continuously applied to the connecting base 420 of the clamp 401, causing the engaging bars 424 to be compressed or deformed while bending in the direction toward each other. As a result, the engaging claws 427 of the engaging bars 424 disengage from the corresponding portions of the threaded grooves 404b of the bolt 404. Figure 19 Due to the disengagement of the locking claw 427, the connecting base 420 may detach from the object member 403. As a result, the clip 401 may separate from the object member 403. Therefore, the wire harness may separate from the object member 403 along with the clip 401.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved clip. Summary of the Invention

[0008] In one aspect of this disclosure, the clamp may include: a clamping base, a clamping attachment article, and a connecting base integrally formed with the clamping base and including a bolt inlet hole for a bolt member formed on an object member to be inserted therein. The connecting base includes a flexible engaging strip formed on an inner surface, and the flexible engaging strip has a pressure block formed at its distal end. The engaging strip protrudes relative to each other from the inner surface of the connecting base toward the center of the bolt inlet hole. The pressure block includes a vertically opposing inner surface and a horizontal upper end surface intersecting the inner surface, the horizontal upper end surface being inclined downward at an angle relative to a line perpendicular to the center of the bolt inlet hole. Engaging claws are formed at the proximal portion of the inner surface of the pressure block, and an edge portion is formed at the distal portion of the inner surface of the pressure block, the edge portion being the portion formed by the intersection of the inner surface and the horizontal upper end surface. The engaging claws are configured to engage with a predetermined portion of the threaded groove of the bolt member when the bolt member is inserted into the bolt inlet hole. When the bolt member is introduced into the bolt inlet hole, the connecting base is connected to the target member by engaging the engaging claw with a predetermined portion of the thread groove of the bolt member. Even when the engaging bar bends due to a pull-out force applied to the connecting base, causing the engaging claw to disengage from the predetermined portion of the thread groove of the bolt member, the edge portion formed on the distal portion of the inner surface of the pressure block engages with a different portion of the thread groove of the bolt member. This different portion is located in the thread groove away from the predetermined portion corresponding to the engaging claw in the direction toward the distal end of the bolt member.

[0009] According to this aspect, even when the clip is attached to the object component, applying a pull-out force to the connecting base (clamp) can prevent the clip from separating from the object component. Therefore, it prevents the attached item held by the clip from separating from the object component.

[0010] The additional objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be readily understood after reading the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the claims. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the clip according to a representative embodiment;

[0012] Figure 2 This is a magnified top view of a portion of the clip;

[0013] Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 Sectional view of line III-III in the middle;

[0014] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion of the image;

[0015] Figure 5 This is a side view of the clip, showing the state of the wire harness before it is clamped by the clip's holding base;

[0016] Figure 6 This is a side view of the clip, showing the wire harness being clamped by the clip's holding base;

[0017] Figure 7 It is similar to Figure 6 The view shows the state after removing the excess portion of the straps from the clamping base;

[0018] Figure 8 It is similar to Figure 3 The view shows the engagement with the bolts formed on the panel, which shows the state before the bolts are introduced into the bolt inlet holes formed in the connecting base of the clip;

[0019] Figure 9 It is similar to Figure 8 The view shows the state in which a bolt is introduced into a bolt inlet hole formed in the connecting base;

[0020] Figure 10 It is similar to Figure 9 The view shows the state in which a pull-out force is applied to the clamp;

[0021] Figure 11 It is similar to Figure 10 The view shows the state in which a pull-out force is continuously applied to the clamp;

[0022] Figure 12 It is similar to Figure 11 The view shows a state where excessive pull-out force is applied to the clamp;

[0023] Figure 13 It is similar to Figure 9 The view shows the bolt being replaced with the first improved bolt;

[0024] Figure 14 It is similar to Figure 9 The view shows the bolt being replaced with a second, improved bolt;

[0025] Figure 15 It is similar to Figure 9 The view shows the bolt being replaced with a third, improved bolt;

[0026] Figure 16 This is a 3D diagram of a clip using existing technology;

[0027] Figure 17This is a longitudinal sectional view of a prior art clamp, showing the state in which a bolt formed on the panel is introduced into a bolt inlet hole formed in the connecting base of the clamp;

[0028] Figure 18 It is similar to existing technology Figure 17 The view shows the state in which a pull-out force is applied to the clamp;

[0029] Figure 19 It is similar to existing technology Figure 18 The view shows the state in which a pull-out force is continuously applied to the clamp. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Detailed representative embodiments of this disclosure will be referred to Figures 1 to 15 To describe.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, the clip 1 may include: a clamping base 10, configured to clamp an attached item or wire harness 2 ( Figures 5 to 7 ), and connecting base 20, configured to connect to bolt member or double-ended bolt 4 ( Figures 8 to 12 The bolt member or double-ended bolt 4 is formed on the object member 3 (e.g., vehicle panel) and has threads 4a and threaded grooves 4b. Figures 8 to 12 The clamping base 10 and the connecting base 20 can preferably be integrally formed from molded rigid synthetic resin (e.g., PP (polypropylene)). Furthermore, the double-ended bolt 4 can be a standard double-ended bolt with an outer diameter of 5 mm (M5).

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, the clamping base 10 may include a buckle 11 and an elastic strap 12, the elastic strap 12 being integrally formed with the buckle 11 and having a plurality of engaging teeth or rack teeth 13. The rack teeth 13 may be formed at a constant pitch distance on one side (inner) surface of the strap 12 in the longitudinal direction. The buckle 11 may have a strap insertion hole 15 formed thereon and engaging claws 14 formed on its inner surface and protruding into the strap insertion hole 15. Figure 2 The strap insertion hole 15 can be configured to allow the strap 12 to be inserted therein. When the strap 12 is inserted into the strap insertion hole 15 of the buckle 11, the engaging claw 14 of the buckle 11 can be configured to engage with the rack teeth 13 of the strap 12.

[0033] like Figures 1 to 3As shown, the connecting base 20 is integrally formed with the buckle 11 of the clamping base 10. The connecting base 20 has a laterally elongated bolt insertion (insertion) hole 22 formed thereon and a pair of engaging strips 24 flexibly formed on its inner surface 23. The bolt insertion hole 22 is configured to allow a double-ended bolt 4 to be inserted therein. The engaging strips 24 can protrude laterally relative to each other from the inner surface 23 of the connecting base 20 toward the center or centerline C of the bolt insertion hole 22.

[0034] The engaging strip 24 may have a pressure block 25 formed at its distal end and a (first) engaging claw 27 formed on the pressure block 25 and configured to engage with the threaded groove 4b of the double-ended bolt 4. The pressure block 25 may include a vertically opposed inner surface 26 and a horizontal upper end surface 28 intersecting the inner surface 26. Figure 2 As shown, the vertical surface 26 is preferably formed as a concave surface centered on the centerline C of the bolt inlet hole 22, while the upper surface 28 is preferably formed as a plane. Engaging claws 27 may be formed on the proximal (lower) portion of the inner surface 26 of the pressure block 25 (i.e., the end closest to the proximal end 24a of the engaging strip 24). Engaging claws 27 may be formed as protrusions that project relative to the inner surface 26 of the pressure block 25. Engaging claws 27 are preferably wedge-shaped in cross-section. Furthermore, as... Figure 2 As shown, the engaging claw 27 is preferably arc-shaped with the center line C of the bolt inlet hole 22 as the center. Therefore, when the stud bolt 4 is introduced into the bolt inlet hole 22, the engaging claw 27 can reliably engage with the threaded groove 4b of the stud bolt 4.

[0035] In addition, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the engaging strip 24 may each have an edge portion 29 (which may be referred to as a second engaging claw) formed on the pressure block 25. Specifically, the edge portion 29 may be formed at the distal (upper) end portion of the inner surface 26 of the pressure block 25 (i.e., the end furthest from the proximal end 24a of the engaging strip 24). The edge portion 29 may be simply defined by the inner surface 26 and the horizontal end surface 28 of the pressure block 25. Similar to the engaging claw 27, each edge portion 29 may preferably have an arcuate shape centered on the centerline C of the bolt inlet hole 22. Furthermore, as... Figure 4 As shown, the horizontal end surface 28 of the pressure block 25 can preferably be inclined downward at an angle θ relative to the line H perpendicular to the center line C of the bolt inlet hole 22 (towards the proximal end 24a of the locking strip 24). Therefore, the edge portion 29 can be formed into a shape with an acute angle in cross-section. Furthermore, the angle θ can be appropriately determined based on the size and shape of the threaded groove 4b of the stud bolt 4.

[0036] The pressure blocks 25 can each have a relatively low height. Specifically, such as... Figure 9As shown, the pressure block 25 is configured such that the distance D between the engaging claw 27 and the edge portion 29 (i.e., the height of the vertical surface 26 of the pressure block 25) is substantially equal to twice the pitch of the thread 4a (the thread groove 4b) of the double-ended bolt 4.

[0037] In order to use clip 1 to secure wire harness 2 ( Figures 5 to 7 To attach the cable to the object component 3, first, loop the strap 12 of the clamping base 10 and wrap it around the wire harness 2. Then, insert the strap 12 into the strap insertion hole 15 of the buckle 11, and then tighten it by pulling the distal end 16 of the strap 12 so that the rack teeth 13 of the strap 12 engage with the engaging claws 14 of the buckle 11. Figure 1 and Figure 2 Therefore, when the wire harness 2 is clamped or fixed by the clamping base 10 ( Figure 6 Clip 1 is attached to the wire harness 2. Additionally, as... Figure 7 As shown, a cutting device (not shown) is used to remove or cut off the excess portion of the strap 12.

[0038] Subsequently, the connecting base 20 of the clip 1 is pressed onto the stud bolt 4 formed on the object member 3. As a result, the stud bolt 4 is introduced into the bolt inlet hole 22 of the connecting base 20, and simultaneously, due to the contact between the thread 4a of the bolt 4 and the engaging claw 27, the engaging strip 24 of the connecting base 20 bends relative to each other in a direction away from each other. When the stud bolt 4 is fully introduced into the bolt inlet hole 22 of the connecting base 20, that is, when the stud bolt 4 is introduced into the bolt inlet hole 22 until the connecting base 20 contacts the object member 3, the engaging claw 27 of the engaging strip 24 engages with a predetermined portion (first portion) of the thread groove 4b of the corresponding stud bolt 4, so as to couple the connecting base 20 to the stud bolt 4. In other words, the connecting base 20 is connected to the object member 3 via the stud bolt 4. Figure 9 This can be referred to as the connection state of the connecting base 20. As a result, clip 1 is attached to the object component 3, which can be referred to as the attached condition of clip 1. Therefore, the wire harness 2 is attached to the object component 3 through clip 1.

[0039] When the clamp 1 is attached to the object component 3, and a pull-out force (load) is applied to the connecting base 20 (clamp 1), the engaging claw 27 contacts the thread 4a of the double-ended bolt 4, causing the engaging strip 24 of the connecting base 20 to bend relative to each other in the direction toward each other. Figure 10 Furthermore, the pull-out force is continuously applied to the connecting base 20 of the clamp 1, causing the engaging strips 24 to be compressed or deformed while bending in the direction toward each other. As a result, the engaging claws 27 of the engaging strips 24 disengage from the corresponding portions of the threaded grooves 4b. Figure 11However, as the engaging claw 27 disengages, the edge 29 of the engaging strip 24 engages with a different portion (the second portion) of its corresponding threaded groove 4b, that is, the portion of the threaded groove 4b that is away from the predetermined portion corresponding to the engaging claw 27 in the direction toward the distal end of the stud bolt 4. Furthermore, due to its acute-angled cross-section, the edge 29 can reliably engage with the threaded groove 4b of the stud bolt 4. Therefore, the connecting base 20 remains coupled to the stud bolt 4. As a result, the connecting base 20 is maintained connected to the object component 3 via the stud bolt 4. Figure 11 In other words, even if the engaging claw 27 disengages from the corresponding portion of the threaded groove 4b of the double-ended bolt 4, the connecting base 20 is prevented from separating from the target component 3. Therefore, the clamp 1 is prevented from separating from the target component 3. That is, the wire harness 2 is prevented from separating from the target component 3.

[0040] As mentioned earlier, the distance D between the engaging claw 27 and the edge portion 29 can be determined to be approximately equal to that of the double-ended bolt 4 ( Figure 9 The distance is twice the pitch of the thread 4a (the thread groove 4b). Therefore, the portion of the thread groove 4b corresponding to the edge 29 can be the portion after the predetermined portion of the thread groove 4b corresponding to the engaging claw 27 in the direction toward the distal end of the stud bolt 4. Figure 10 and Figure 11 ).

[0041] Furthermore, when the edge 29 of the engaging strip 24 is engaged with the corresponding portion of the threaded groove 4b of the double-ended bolt 4, and an excessive or extremely large pull-out force is applied to the connecting base 20 of the clamp 1 ( Figure 11 The engaging strips 24 bend relative to each other in a direction toward each other and are further compressed or deformed. As a result, the edge 29 eventually disengages from the corresponding portion of the threaded groove 4b. Figure 12 Therefore, the connecting base 20 is removed from the double-ended bolt 4, thereby separating it from the object component 3. As a result, the clip 1 separates from the object component 3, and thus the wire harness 2 separates from the object component 3.

[0042] Furthermore, in the embodiment, a double-ended bolt 4 with an outer diameter of 5 mm (M5) is illustrated as a bolt member using a clamp 1. However, as Figure 13As shown, the bolt component can be a different type of stud bolt 104 with an outer diameter of 5 mm (φ5). The stud bolt 104 differs from the stud bolt 4 in that the shape and pitch of the thread 104a and thread groove 104b of the stud bolt 104 are different from those of the thread 4a and thread groove 4b. Even when the clamp 1 is applied to the stud bolt 104, the operation of the clamp 1 may be substantially the same as when it is applied to the stud bolt 4. However, in this case, when the engaging claw 27 of the engaging strip 24 disengages from the corresponding portion of the thread groove 104b of the stud bolt 104 due to the pull-out force applied to the connecting base 20, the edge portion 29 can engage with the next portion of the thread groove 104b corresponding to the engaging claw 27. In this case, the distance D between the engaging claw 27 and the edge portion 29 can be substantially equal to (corresponding to) the pitch of the thread 104a (thread groove 104b) of the stud bolt 104.

[0043] In addition, such as Figure 14 As shown, the bolt component can be a standard stud bolt 204 with an outer diameter of 6 mm (M6). The stud bolt 204 differs from stud bolt 4 in that the thread height and pitch of the thread 204a and thread groove 204b of the stud bolt 204 are substantially different from those of thread 4a and thread groove 4b. Even when the clamp 1 is applied to the stud bolt 204, the clamp 1's operation may be substantially the same as when applied to the stud bolt 4. In this case, when the engaging claw 27 of the engaging strip 24 disengages from the corresponding portion of the thread groove 204b of the stud bolt 204 due to the pull-out force applied to the connecting base 20, the edge portion 29 can engage with the portion of the thread groove 204b corresponding to the engaging claw 27. In this case, the distance D between the engaging claw 27 and the edge portion 29 can be slightly less than twice the pitch of the thread 204a (thread groove 204b) of the stud bolt 204.

[0044] In addition, such as Figure 15As shown, the bolt component can be a different type of stud bolt 304 with an outer diameter of 6 mm (φ6). The stud bolt 304 differs from stud bolt 4 in that the shape and pitch of its threads 304a and 304b are different from those of threads 4a and 4b. Even when the clamp 1 is applied to the stud bolt 304, its operation may be substantially the same as when applied to the stud bolt 4. However, when the engaging claw 27 of the engaging strip 24 disengages from the corresponding portion of the thread groove 304b of the stud bolt 304 due to the pull-out force applied to the connecting base 20, the edge portion 29 can engage with the next portion of the thread groove 304b corresponding to the engaging claw 27. In this case, the distance D between the engaging claw 27 and the edge portion 29 can be substantially equal to (corresponding to) the pitch of the threads 304a (thread groove 304b) of the stud bolt 304.

[0045] Of course, various changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments. For example, in one embodiment, a pair of engaging strips 24 are formed in the bolt inlet hole 22. However, two or three pairs of engaging strips 24 can be formed on the inner surface 23 of the connecting base 20.

[0046] Representative examples of the invention have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This detailed description is intended only to teach those skilled in the art further details for practicing preferred aspects of the invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Only the claims define the scope of the claimed disclosure. Therefore, combinations of features and steps disclosed in the foregoing detailed description may not be necessary for carrying out the invention in the broadest sense, but are merely meant to teach detailed representative examples that particularly describe the invention. Furthermore, the various features taught in this specification can be combined in ways not specifically enumerated to obtain other useful embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A clip, characterized in that, include: A clamping base for holding attached items, and A connecting base is integrally formed with the clamping base and includes a bolt inlet hole for a bolt member formed on the object member to be inserted therein. The connecting base includes a flexible engaging strip formed on its inner surface, and the flexible engaging strip has a pressure block formed at its distal end. The engaging strip protrudes from the inner surface of the connecting base toward the center of the bolt inlet hole. The pressure block includes vertically opposite inner surfaces and a horizontal upper surface intersecting the inner surfaces. The horizontal upper surface is inclined downward at a certain angle relative to a line perpendicular to the center of the bolt inlet hole. A locking claw is formed at the proximal portion of the inner surface of the pressure block, and an edge portion is formed at the distal portion of the inner surface of the pressure block. The edge portion is the part formed by the intersection of the inner surface and the horizontal upper surface. The locking claw is configured to engage with a predetermined portion of the thread groove of the bolt member when the bolt member is introduced into the bolt inlet hole. When the bolt member is introduced into the bolt inlet hole, the connecting base is connected to the object member by engaging the engaging claw with a predetermined portion of the threaded groove of the bolt member. In the connected state where the connecting base is connected to the object component, even when the engaging bar bends due to the pull-out force applied to the connecting base, causing the engaging claw to disengage from the predetermined portion of the threaded groove of the bolt component, the edge portion formed on the distal portion of the inner surface of the pressure block also engages with a different portion of the threaded groove of the bolt component, the different portion being located in the threaded groove away from the predetermined portion corresponding to the engaging claw in the direction toward the distal end of the bolt component.

2. The clip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The different portions of the threaded groove are the next or the next-next portion of the predetermined portion of the threaded groove corresponding to the engaging claw.

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