Verification cap

Abstract

A verification cap for verifying installation of a fastening clip to a support structure, comprising: a tubular base member comprising a four-sided enclosing side wall defining an interior space between an open bottom end portion and an open top end portion, the interior space configured to holdingly receive at least a portion of a fastening clip during assembly, and a cover member hingedly connected to the base member and movable between a closed position in which the cover member lockingly engages the top end portion of the side wall and an open position in which the cover member is disengaged from the top end portion of the side wall, the cover member comprising at least one stop member projecting away from the cover member into the interior space so as to define a predetermined restricted space for accommodating at least one component of the fastening clip between the bottom end portion and a distal end of the stop member when the cover member is in the closed position during use.

Description

[0001] This invention generally relates to a verification cap. More particularly, it relates to a verification cap for verifying the mounting of a fastening clip in a support structure. The invention also relates to a verification cap assembly comprising a verification cap and a fastening clip. Background Technology

[0002] In the automotive industry, fasteners are used to mount components, structures, or panels to the vehicle's frame. A particular type of fastener, used in storage compartments of a vehicle, is embedded in the bottom or side panel of the storage compartment. This fastener is located at one anchor point within the storage compartment, or more commonly at multiple anchor points. Multiple fasteners are attached to luggage loops to which loose objects (such as shopping bags or items) are attached, preventing them from moving back and forth within the storage compartment as the vehicle moves. Other types of fasteners are also known in the automotive industry.

[0003] Typically, in the automotive manufacturing process, multiple fasteners are used to assemble multiple clamps into storage compartments, which can be a time-consuming process. The vehicle is inspected to verify the quality of the assembly while all the clamps and corresponding luggage loops are installed. This includes verifying that all the clamps are properly installed. For example, torque data recorded by an electric screwdriver when installing threaded luggage loops is used to verify correct installation. Therefore, it is understandable that carrying and using tools to install luggage loops can be quite cumbersome, especially when the vehicle location is difficult to access. Furthermore, because many clamps are typically installed, the process of verifying the quality of the assembly can be time-consuming and tedious. The process for quality verification is particularly cumbersome when the clamps are located in hard-to-reach locations. Often, clamps are placed in these hard-to-reach locations to prevent any object attached to the clamp from moving back and forth during transport. For example, some storage compartments in a vehicle have clamps attached to luggage loops located near the rear passenger seats. It is especially important to ensure that the clamps are properly installed to prevent vibrations during vehicle operation.

[0004] It is desirable to provide a verification cap that can alleviate or mitigate one or more of the aforementioned problems. In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a verification cap that facilitates the quick and efficient verification of the installation of fasteners to a support structure. More specifically, an object of the present invention is to provide a verification cap that enables rapid verification of whether the fasteners are properly installed in the support structure. Another object of the present invention is to provide a verification cap that allows the installer to efficiently verify the installation of the fasteners to the support structure solely through visual inspection, eliminating the need for cumbersome and unnecessary inspection processes. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to the present invention, a verification cap is provided according to the appended claims.

[0006] According to an aspect of the present invention, a verification cap is provided for verifying the installation of a fastener to a support structure, the verification cap comprising:

[0007] A tubular base member including four enclosing sidewalls defining an internal space between an open bottom portion and an open top portion, the internal space being configured to retain at least a portion of a fastening clip during assembly.

[0008] A cover member is hingedly connected to the base member and movable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the cover member is locked into the top portion of the sidewall, and in the open position, the cover member is disengaged from the top portion of the sidewall. The cover member includes at least one stop member that protrudes away from the cover member into the interior space to define a predetermined confined space for accommodating at least one component of a fastening clamp between the bottom portion and the distal end of the stop member when the cover member is in the closed position during use.

[0009] Therefore, the correct (i.e., complete) installation of the fastener to the support structure can be verified quickly and efficiently. Providing at least one stop member protruding away from the cover member provides a predetermined-sized confined space to accommodate at least one component of the fastener. When the cover member is in the closed position, at least one component of the fastener is contained within this space, providing verification that the fastener is properly installed. However, if the fastener is not properly installed, the space is insufficient to accommodate at least one component of the fastener, therefore the cover member is positioned in the open position, detached from the top portion of the base member. Whether the cover member is in the closed or open position relative to the base member indicates whether the fastener is fully installed to the support structure. Therefore, the verification cap can provide a visual indication of whether the fastener is properly installed, eliminating the need for tedious and time-consuming inspection processes.

[0010] Advantageously, in some embodiments, the internal space is configured to retain the head of the fastening clip during assembly.

[0011] Advantageously, in some embodiments, the stop member is configured to engage in contact with at least one component when at least one component is not fully contained within a predetermined confined space of the base member.

[0012] Advantageously, in a particular embodiment, the stop member includes a locking hook at the distal end, which is configured to engage with the orifice of the fastening clamp in a latching manner when in the closed position.

[0013] Advantageously, in some embodiments, the base member includes two pairs of opposing, parallel teeth adapted to resiliently engage with the head of the fastening clamp.

[0014] Advantageously, in some specific embodiments, these teeth extend from the sidewalls into the interior space and upward toward the top portion.

[0015] Advantageously, in some embodiments, these teeth include a locking hook portion configured to engage with the head of the fastening clamp.

[0016] Advantageously, in some embodiments, the cover member includes a locking member that protrudes away from the cover member, and the base member includes a corresponding latching member configured to engage with the locking member in a locking manner when the cover member is in the closed position.

[0017] Advantageously, in some specific embodiments, the latching member is further adapted to selectively disengage from the locking member.

[0018] Advantageously, in some embodiments, the verification cap includes two parallel stop members spaced apart from each other by a distance corresponding to the distance between two corresponding parts of the fastening clamp.

[0019] Advantageously, in some specific embodiments, the at least one component is a support surface of an elastically deformable offset member of the fastener, the support surface extending in a direction substantially parallel to the flat upper surface of the head of the fastener.

[0020] Advantageously, in some embodiments, the base member includes a skirt that projects laterally outward from the bottom portion and is adapted to provide a seal between the verification cap and the support structure during use.

[0021] According to another aspect of the invention, a verification cap assembly is provided, comprising a fastening clip and a verification cap. The fastening clip is for mounting to at least one support structure and has a body portion and a head. The verification cap is adapted to receive the fastening clip surroundably when fastened to at least one support structure.

[0022] Advantageously, in some embodiments, the fastening clip further includes a pivotally movable ring member operably arranged outside the verification cap.

[0023] Advantageously, in some embodiments, the ring member is operatively coupled to the head of the fastening clamp and forms a frictional engagement with the head. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Embodiments of the invention will now be described hereinafter by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 The illustration shows a perspective view of a verification cap assembly, which includes a verification cap, a fastening clip, and a luggage loop that is secured to the fastening clip.

[0026] Figure 2 The illustration shows a 3D view of the assembled fastening clips and luggage rings;

[0027] Figure 3 The diagram shows... Figure 2 (a) side view and (b) front view of the fastening clip and luggage loop assembly;

[0028] Figure 4 The illustration shows a perspective view of the verification cap assembly, in which the fastening clip (a) is separated from the verification cap and (b) is assembled in the verification cap;

[0029] Figure 5 The illustration shows a perspective view of the verification cap assembly, including a luggage loop and a verification cap, wherein (a) the luggage loop is in an open position with the luggage loop raised, and (b) the luggage loop is in a closed position with the luggage loop lowered.

[0030] Figure 6 The illustration shows a perspective view of the verification cap assembly, which (a) is separated from the panel structure and (b) is installed into the panel structure;

[0031] Figure 7 The diagram illustrates the process. Figure 3 (b) is a cross-sectional view of the fastening clip and luggage ring assembly obtained by section line AA, showing the assembly installed in the support structure;

[0032] Figure 8 The illustration shows a cross-sectional view of the verification cap assembly in the closed position, which has a fastening clip fully (i.e. correctly) mounted in the support structure.

[0033] Figure 9 The illustration shows schematic side cross-sectional views of the verification cap assembly in (a) a closed position and (bd) an open position, in which the cap is engaged with the base and in the open position, the cap is disengaged from the base.

[0034] Figure 10 The illustrations show (a) a side view, (b) a top view, and (c) a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the verification cap assembly in the closed position. Detailed Implementation

[0035] Some terms used in the following description are for convenience only and are not restrictive. The terms “right,” “left,” “down,” “up,” “front,” “back,” “upward,” “downward,” and “downward” indicate directions in the drawings based on these directions and are relative to the orientation of the described component during assembly and installation. The terms “inward,” “toward,” “outward,” and “outward” refer to directions toward and away from the designated centerline or geometric center (e.g., central axis) of the described element, respectively, and their specific meanings are self-evident from the context of the description.

[0036] Furthermore, as used herein, the terms “connected,” “attached,” “linked,” and “installed” are intended to include direct connections between two components without any other component in between, as well as indirect connections between components in which one or more other components are inserted. The terms include those specifically mentioned above, their derivatives, and words with similar meanings.

[0037] Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, the use of ordinal adjectives such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., merely indicates that different instances of similar objects are being referred to, and is not intended to imply that the objects described in this way must be in a given order in time, space, hierarchy, or any other way.

[0038] Similar reference numerals are always used to describe similar features.

[0039] Now for reference Figure 1 The diagram shows a luggage loop assembly 10 including a fastening clip 100, the fastening clip having a body (104, Figure 2The body secures the luggage loop 20 in a manner that allows the luggage loop 20 to pivot relative to the fastening clip 100. Assembly 10 also includes a verification cap 200 having an upper cover 202 and a lower base 204. The cover 202 is connected to the base 204 via a hinge 208, allowing the cover 202 to pivot about the base 204 between an open and closed position. The base 204 has outer walls defining an internal space of a predetermined depth. The side walls are formed as a single piece having two pairs of opposing wall portions. The ends of the base 204 are open at the top and bottom, such that the outer walls of the base 204 form a tubular structure. In this exemplary embodiment, when viewed from above, the side walls of the base 204 have a square profile. However, it is contemplated that the base 204 may have different profiles other than square (e.g., circular or polygonal). The cover 202 is provided with an outer wall whose profile corresponds to the profile of the base 204. The outer walls of the cover 202 are formed as a single piece having two pairs of opposing wall portions. The bottom end of the sidewall of the lid 202 is open, and it has a square outline when viewed from the bottom. The top of the lid 202 is closed. The lid 202 and the base 204 are shaped such that when they are closed together around the hinge 208, they form a closed-top and open-bottom enclosure structure. The bottom of the base 204 is open so that the head (102, of the fastening clamp 100) can be inserted into the base. Figure 2 The skirt 206 is received within the interior space of the base 204. It is integrally formed on the lower portion of the base 204 and projects laterally in a direction perpendicular to the sidewall. When the assembly 10 is inserted into the support structure, the skirt 206 provides a sealing property. Additionally or alternatively, the skirt 206 is configured to cover any gap between the trim or vehicle surface and the lower base 204 (e.g., due to tolerances) (see, for example, see...). Figure 10 (An alternative design to the verification cap 300 shown). The skirt 206 is continuous around the entire bottom edge of the base 204. In this exemplary embodiment, both the sidewalls of the cap 202 and the sidewalls of the base 204 have semi-circular cutouts (i.e., openings) on their opposing wall portions, such that when the cap 202 and the base 204 are together in the closed position, a circular opening is formed on the opposing wall portions forming the semi-circular cutouts. The size of the circular opening is set to accommodate a segment of the luggage loop 20 when it is secured to the fastening clip 100.

[0040] Protruding from the lower surface of the cover 202 are a first verification tab 214 and a second verification tab 216. The second verification tab 216 is spaced apart from the first verification tab 214 along the bottom surface of the cover 202. Although two verification tabs 214, 216 are provided in this particular example embodiment, other embodiments may include a different number of verification tabs, such as one, three, four or more. A hook 210 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the cover 202, located between the first verification tab 214 and the edge of the cover 202. Figure 5 As clearly shown in (b), the hook 210 is integrally formed with the first verification tab 214. The base 204 is provided with a latch (212, Figure 9 (C) When the cover 202 is in the closed position relative to the base 204, the position of the latch corresponds to the position of the hook 210. The first verification tab 214 has a locking hook at its distal end, away from the cover 202. The hook 210 extends laterally in a direction parallel to the lower surface of the cover 202. The locking hook of the first verification tab 214 extends laterally in the opposite direction to the hook 210.

[0041] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The fastening clip 100 is described in more detail, with the luggage loop 20 shown in an upright position. The body 104 of the fastening clip 100 is integrally formed with the head 102. The head 102 has an opening on its top surface, and mechanical stops 114 are provided on opposite sides of the opening. These mechanical stops 114 serve as guides for securing the luggage loop 20 to the fastening clip 100. Figure 7 (As shown most clearly in the image). The head 102 of the fastening clip 100 has retaining arms 112 that are integral with and extend from the opposite corners of the head. When the luggage loop 20 is secured to the fastening clip 100, the retaining arms 112 contact and partially enclose the luggage loop 20. This allows the luggage loop 20 to be maintained in a desired position, such as at a certain angle, through friction during use. Figure 2 The clamp 100 is shown in an upright position. The body 104 of the clamp 100 has openings on its sides. These openings provide passageways for a portion of the clamp 100 to extend from the interior to the exterior of the body 104. More specifically, the clamp 100 is provided with a pair of resilient arms 110 projecting in opposite directions, extending through corresponding pairs of oppositely oriented upper openings in the body 104. The resilient arms 110 project laterally in a direction parallel to the upper surface of the head 102. The clamp 100 also has a pair of oppositely oriented shoulders 108 extending through corresponding pairs of oppositely oriented lower openings in the body 104. The resilient arms 110 and shoulders 108 are integrally formed on each side, as shown... Figure 7 As is clearly shown in the image. At the end furthest from the head 102, the fastening clip 100 is provided with legs 106 for insertion into the panel structure in order to secure the fastening clip 100 to the support structure.

[0042] Go to Figure 4 and Figure 5To assemble the fastening clip 100 with the verification cap 200, when the cap 202 is opened relative to the base 204 via a hinge, the legs 106 of the fastening clip 100 are arranged from top to bottom through the base 204. When the legs 106 are arranged through the base 204, the head 102 of the fastening clip 100 is positioned within the interior space of the base 204. Figure 4 As most clearly shown in (a), two pairs of opposing teeth 218 are arranged in parallel and extend inward and upward from the sidewall of the base 204. A locking hook is provided at the distal end of the teeth 218 away from the sidewall, which secures the head 102 of the fastening clip in place when the fastening clip 100 is positioned within the verification cap 200. The top surface of the head 102 is flat, allowing the user's fingers to easily engage the top surface to push the fastening clip 100 downward. Simultaneously, the luggage loop 20 is held in place by a semi-circular cutout in the base 204. In the open position, the cap 202 and the base 204 are disengaged from each other at their respective lower and upper surfaces, but are held together by a hinge 208. Because the cap 202 and the base 204 are connected by the hinge 208, the cap 202 is movable relative to the base 204 between the open and closed positions. In the open position, the bottom end of the sidewall of the cap 202 disengages from the top end of the sidewall of the base 204. When in the closed position, the bottom end of the sidewall of the cover 202 engages with the top end of the sidewall of the base 204. Figure 5 Example of a cover 202 in the open position is shown in (a), wherein the cover 202 is at a 45-degree angle relative to the base 204. Figure 5 Example of the lid 202 in the closed position is shown in (b), where the lid 202 is arranged perpendicular to the base 204. Other orientations of the lid 202 with different angles are contemplated. Similarly, the angle of the luggage loop 20 relative to the base 204 can vary depending on the desired application. Figure 5 In (a), the luggage loop 20 is shown raised, offset by 45 degrees relative to the base 204. Figure 5 In (b), the luggage loop 20 is lowered (i.e., 0 degrees) relative to the base 204. Other angles are also contemplated. In this exemplary embodiment, once the luggage loop 20 has been positioned as desired, it remains in that position because the retaining arm 112 of the fastening clip 100 surrounds the luggage loop 20 and holds it in place by friction. Simultaneously, the head 102 of the fastening clip 100 secures the luggage loop 20 by friction.

[0043] exist Figure 6The diagram illustrates the insertion of the fastening clip 100 and verification cap 200 assembly into the panel 30. The legs 106 of the fastening clip 100 are inserted through the opening 32 of the panel 30. For example, a user's fingers can engage the top surface of the head 102 to push the fastening clip 100 downwards. In this exemplary embodiment, the bottom end of the sidewall of the base 204 has a skirt 206 that, when the fastening clip 100 is inserted, covers the opening 32 of the panel 30 to prevent it from being seen and provides a seal between the verification cap 200 and the panel 30. The skirt 206 prevents dust and water from entering the opening 32 of the panel 30 and the fastening clip 100. To hold the fastening clip 100 in place within the panel 30, the shoulders 108 and arms 110 are resilient and resiliently offset outwards. When the legs 106 of the fastening clip 100 are inserted into the panel opening 32, force is applied to the shoulders 108 and arms 110 to push them inwards, as... Figure 7 The position is indicated by the dotted line in the figure. Reference numeral 108 indicates the position of the shoulder before it deforms inward due to the applied force. Reference numeral 108' indicates the position of the shoulder after deformation. The deformation of the shoulder 108 causes the elastic arm 110 to also deform inward. Reference numeral 110 indicates the position of the arm before deformation caused by the deformation of the shoulder 108. Reference numeral 110 indicates the position of the arm after deformation. When the shoulder 108 and the elastic arm 110 deform inward, the fastening clip 100 can engage through the opening 32 of the panel 30. After the elastic arm 110 and the shoulder 108 have entered and exited the opening 32 of the panel 30, the panel 30 no longer applies force to these components. The arm 110 and the shoulder 108 offset outward and backward beyond the width of the opening 32, thereby holding the fastening clip 100 in place and preventing removal.

[0044] Now refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 The verification cap 200 is described as being used to verify the installation of the fastening clip 100. The verification cap 200 verifies that the fastening clip 100 is fully (i.e., thoroughly and properly) installed in the panel 30. After the fastening clip 100 has been secured to the panel 30, the verification cap 200 also remains in place because it is held by the fastening clip 100. Additionally, the locking hook of the first verification tab 214 remains within the opening of the head 102 of the fastening clip 100 to secure the verification cap 200 in place.

[0045] like Figure 8 and Figure 9As shown in (a), when the fastening clip 100 is properly or correctly installed, the resilient arms 110 and shoulders 108 move completely through the opening 32 of the panel 30 and offset outwards back to their initial positions to secure the fastening clip 100 in place. This positions the resilient arms 110 toward the verification tabs 214, 216 in a relatively small space. In this particular example embodiment, the resilient arms 110 are arranged in a position extending laterally in a direction parallel to the panel 30. Because the resilient arms 110 occupy a relatively small space, they can be accommodated within a predetermined space between the distal ends of the verification tabs 214, 216 and the base 204. This allows the cap 202 of the verification cap 200 to be in the closed position without the verification tabs 214, 216 contacting the resilient arms 110. When the verification cap 200 is in the closed position, the top end of the sidewall of the base 204 contacts the bottom end of the sidewall of the cap 202. Furthermore, in the closed position, the hook 210 of the cover 202 engages with the corresponding latch 212 of the base 204 to secure the cover 202 relative to the base 204. It is contemplated that this securing of the cover 202 to the base 204 can be releasable, allowing the cover 202 and the base 204 to selectively engage and disengage from each other.

[0046] If the fastening clip 100 is not properly or correctly installed, the resilient arm 110 and shoulder 108 will not move completely through the opening 32 of the panel 30, as... Figure 9 As shown in (b)-(d). Thus, due to the force applied to the fastening clip 100 by the panel 30, the fastening clip remains in the inwardly deformed position. In this exemplary embodiment, the inward offset of the shoulder 108 pushes the resilient arm 110 inward and upward, causing the resilient arm 110 to contact the verification tabs 214, 216. This contact pushes the cover 202 upward to the open position, in which the bottom of the cover 202 disengages from the top of the base 204. This provides a quick and simple visual indication that the fastening clip 100 is not properly or correctly installed in the panel 30. One or both of the resilient arms 110 may contact the corresponding verification tabs 214, 216 to push the cover 202 upward into the open position, indicating that the fastening clip 100 is not fully or properly installed.

[0047] Figure 10An alternative embodiment of the verification cap 300 of the present invention is shown. Here, the skirt 306 is designed to surround the base 304, which is particularly suitable for eliminating or at least minimizing any gaps between the base 304 of the cap 300 and the vehicle panel 30 (e.g., carpet from the trim). Additionally, the skirt 306 includes mechanical stops 310 for the luggage loop 20, which are adapted to prevent the luggage loop 20 from contacting the panel or trim (e.g., to avoid clicking during movement). Further, the stops 310 (e.g., in the form of a ramp feature extending laterally outward from the central portion of the skirt 306) allow the luggage loop to be positioned at an angle relative to the panel surface, thus making it easier for the user to grasp and pivot the luggage loop 20 during use. The ramp feature of the stops 310 may be an integral part of the skirt 306, but may also be retrofitted.

[0048] In yet another alternative embodiment (not shown) of the verification cap of the luggage loop assembly of the present invention, a predetermined space may be provided at the upper cover (e.g., through an opening or recess in the inner surface of the upper cover), wherein a plurality of verification tabs of predetermined length are provided on the upper surface of the fastening clip such that when the upper cover is closed, the plurality of verification tabs move into the opening or recess without contacting the inner surface of the cover when the fastening clip is properly installed. If the fastening clip is not properly inserted, the plurality of verification tabs on the fastening clip will engage in contact with the inner surface of the upper cover, thereby preventing the cover from closing.

[0049] Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed examples described above are by way of illustration only and are not intended to be limiting, and that various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Various modifications to the detailed examples described above are possible.

[0050] In the description and claims of this document, the words “comprising” and “including”, and variations thereof, mean “including but not limited to”, and are not intended to (and do not) exclude other parts, additions, components, integrals, or steps. In the description and claims of this document, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context requires otherwise. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the description should be understood to consider both the plural and singular forms unless the context requires otherwise.

[0051] Features, integrals, properties, compounds, chemical parts, or groups described in conjunction with specific aspects, embodiments, or examples of the invention should be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment, or example described herein, unless incompatible therewith. All features disclosed in this document (including any appended claims, abstract, and drawings) and / or all steps of any method or process so disclosed may be combined in any combination unless at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not limited to the details of any of the foregoing embodiments. The scope of the invention may be extended to any novel feature or any combination of novel features disclosed in this specification (including any appended claims, abstract, or drawings), or to any novel step or any combination of novel steps in any method or process so disclosed.

[0052] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting, and various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Various modifications to the above-described details are possible.

[0053] Parts list and figure labels:

[0054] 10 Luggage Ring Components 300 Replacement Verification Caps

[0055] 20 Luggage Ring 306 (Alternative Skirt)

[0056] 30 Panel 310 Luggage Ring Stop

[0057] 32 Opening

[0058] 100 Fastening Clips

[0059] 102 Head

[0060] 104 Ontology

[0061] 106 legs

[0062] 108 Shoulders (before deformation)

[0063] 108' Shoulder (after deformation)

[0064] 110 Flexible arm (before deformation)

[0065] 110' Flexible Arm (after Deformation)

[0066] 112 Keep arm

[0067] 114 Mechanical stop components

[0068] 200 verification hats

[0069] 202 Lid

[0070] 204 Base

[0071] 206 Skirt

[0072] 208 Hinges

[0073] 210 Hook

[0074] 212 Lock

[0075] 214 First verification convex plate

[0076] 216 Second verification convex plate

[0077] 218 teeth

Claims

1. A verification hat component, comprising: A fastening clip for mounting to at least one support structure, the fastening clip having a body portion and a head, and A verification cap for verifying the installation of the fastener to the at least one support structure, the verification cap comprising: A base member comprising four enclosing sidewalls defining an internal space between an open bottom portion and an open top portion, the internal space being configured to retainably receive at least the head of the fastening clip during assembly. A cover member is hingedly connected to the base member and movable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the cover member is locked into the top portion of the sidewall, and in the open position, the cover member is disengaged from the top portion of the sidewall. The cover member includes at least one stop member that protrudes away from the lower surface of the cover member into the interior space to define a predetermined confined space for accommodating at least one component of the fastening clamp between the bottom portion and the distal end of the stop member away from the lower surface of the cover member during use when the cover member is in the closed position. Wherein, at least one component is the support surface of the elastically deformable offset member of the fastening clamp, and The verification cap is adapted to receive the fastening clip surroundably when fastened to the at least one support structure.

2. The verification cap assembly of claim 1, wherein, The stop member is configured to engage in contact with the at least one component when the at least one component is not fully contained within the predetermined confined space of the base member, and wherein the contact engagement is configured to push the cover member to the open position.

3. The verification cap assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The stop member includes a locking hook at the distal end, the locking hook being configured to engage with an orifice of the head of the fastening clamp when in the closed position.

4. The verification cap assembly of claim 1, wherein, The base member includes two pairs of opposing, parallel teeth adapted to resiliently engage with the head of the fastening clamp.

5. The verification cap assembly according to claim 4, wherein, The teeth extend from the sidewall into the interior space and upward toward the top portion.

6. The verification cap assembly according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein, The teeth include a locking hook portion configured to engage with the head of the fastening clamp.

7. The verification cap assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The cover member includes a locking member that protrudes away from the cover member, and the base member includes a corresponding latching member configured to engage with the locking member when the cover member is in the closed position.

8. The verification cap assembly according to claim 7, wherein, The latching member is further adapted to selectively disengage from the locking member.

9. The verification cap assembly according to claim 1, comprising two parallel stop members spaced apart from each other by a certain distance, the distance corresponding to the distance between two corresponding parts of the fastening clamp.

10. The verification cap assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The support surface extends in a direction substantially parallel to the flat upper surface of the head of the fastening clamp.

11. The verification cap assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The base member includes a skirt that projects laterally outward from the bottom portion and is adapted to provide a seal between the verification cap and the support structure during use.

12. The verification cap assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The fastening clip further includes a pivotally movable ring member operably disposed outside the verification cap.

13. The verification cap assembly according to claim 12, wherein, The ring member is operably connected to the head of the fastening clamp and forms a frictional engagement with the head.

Images