Fastening clip

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a fastening clip (100) for mounting in a bore of a component. The fastening clip includes a clip body (102) having a first end (104), a second end (106), and a pair of sidewalls (108) extending from the first end to the second end and defining an interior cavity (126) of the clip body. Each side wall is provided with a window (110). The fastening clip further includes a pair of retaining portions (112) extending from the sidewall at the second end of the clip body. Each retaining portion comprises: a protruding portion (113) protruding through the window in the respective side wall and being deflectable into the internal cavity of the clip body when the fastening clip is mounted through the hole of the component; and an end portion (128) disposed within the interior cavity of the clip body. The fastening clip (100) also includes a head portion (114) disposed at the first end of the clip body and protruding from the sidewall. Wherein each side wall of the pair of side walls comprises a projection (136) projecting into the internal cavity, and wherein the projections keep the end portion of the retaining portion apart from the side walls such that a removal tool is inserted between the end portion of the retaining portion and the side walls to deflect the retaining portion inward, thereby removing the fastening clip from the component.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of fasteners, and more particularly to the field of fastener clips for attaching one or more components, such as airbag devices, to external structures. More specifically, the present invention relates to a fastener clip and a fastener clip assembly for attaching a side impact airbag or curtain airbag to a vehicle structure. Background Art

[0002] Airbags are safety devices used in the automotive industry that, in combination with other safety components (such as seat belts), help reduce casualties in the event of a crash. Vehicle tests and mortality statistics have clearly shown that the use of airbags can significantly improve the safety of vehicle occupants and, when combined with other forms of passive safety (such as seat belts), can significantly reduce mortality in the event of a severe accident.

[0003] Today, manufacturers produce frontal airbags (frontal airbags are designed to protect the driver and / or passengers in a head-on impact) and, given their location, side airbags and curtain airbags mounted behind pillars and / or to the sides of vehicle seats.

[0004] Curtain airbags are usually located on the side of the car near the roof, for example above the front and rear doors. Such airbags have very stringent requirements regarding the goals set for them and the technical challenges that must be overcome. Typical challenges can be the position of the airbag in the vehicle and how it is fastened, the required deployment time and how long the airbag needs to remain inflated. Other challenges can come from the short distance between the vehicle body and the occupants, with little vehicle material between them and the impacting vehicle. For example, airbags must deploy within a fraction of a second, which results in huge grip forces on the parts to which they are attached, which in turn bear the consequences of such an impact.

[0005] Further, when installing a new air bag or restoring a previously deployed air bag, it is well known in the industry that the installation or restoration is a tedious task involving steps such as (i) removing all attachments to the air bag, (ii) replacing the air bag and installing a new air bag, and then (iii) installing all its attachments again. The work involved generally requires the installer to at least partially manually assemble the clip component with the air bag and push this assembly into a vehicle panel or structure to attach or operably couple the air bag to the vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to the present invention, there is provided a fastening clip for mounting in a hole in a component according to the accompanying claims.

[0007] According to one aspect, a fastening clip for installation in a hole of a component is provided, the fastening clip comprising: a clip body having a first end, a second end, and a pair of side walls, the pair of side walls extending from the first end to the second end and defining an internal cavity of the clip body, each side wall being provided with a window; a pair of retaining portions, the pair of retaining portions extending from the side walls at the second end of the clip body, each retaining portion comprising: a protruding portion and an end portion, the protruding portion protruding through the window in the corresponding side wall and being deflectable into the internal cavity of the clip body when the fastening clip is installed through the hole of the component, the end portion being disposed in the internal cavity of the clip body and extending toward the first end; a head portion, the head portion being disposed at the first end of the clip body and protruding from the side wall, the head portion comprising an opening; wherein each of the pair of side walls comprises a protrusion protruding into the internal cavity, and wherein the protrusion keeps the end portion of the retaining portion separated from the side wall, so that a removal tool is inserted between the end portion of the retaining portion and the side wall to deflect the retaining portion inwardly, thereby removing the fastening clip from the component.

[0008] Thus, the protrusion allows easier and faster removal of the fastening clip from the hole of the component, since the removal tool can deflect the retaining portion.

[0009] In an example, a distance between the protrusion and the end portion is smaller than a distance between the side wall and the end portion.

[0010] In an example, the protrusion and the end portion of the retaining portion are configured to guide a removal tool between the protrusion and the end portion of the retaining portion.

[0011] In an example, the end portion extends substantially parallel to the side wall towards the first end of the clip body.

[0012] In an example, the end portion has a generally U-shape.

[0013] The fastening clip may include any combination of the foregoing features.

[0014] In various examples, fastening clips may be used to fasten an air bag assembly to an attachment panel of a vehicle, as described in the Background section.

[0015] According to another aspect, a method for removing a fastening clip from a hole in a component is provided, the method comprising: inserting a removal tool having a pair of spaced-apart gripping elements into an opening in a head portion of the fastening clip along an insertion direction; extending the removal tool within an internal cavity of the clip body in the insertion direction toward a second end of the clip body so that the pair of gripping elements of the removal tool are guided along a pair of side walls and received between the side walls and the end portion; actuating the removal tool to move the gripping elements toward each other, thereby guiding the end portions of the retaining portion toward each other and deflecting the protruding portion into the internal cavity of the clip body; and withdrawing the removal tool in a removal direction opposite to the insertion direction to remove the fastening clip from the hole of the component. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Embodiments of the invention will now be described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] Figure 1A A perspective view of a fastening clip assembly including a fastening clip and an insert is illustrated.

[0018] Figure 1B Pictured Figure 1A A profile side view of a fastening clip assembly.

[0019] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a fastening clip is shown.

[0020] Figure 3 Pictured Figure 2 An enlarged cross-sectional view of the fastening clip.

[0021] Figure 4 An enlarged side view of a fastening clip inserted into a hole in a component is shown.

[0022] Figure 5 A perspective view showing the end of a fastening clip is illustrated.

[0023] Fig. 6A A cross-sectional view of a fastening clip assembly is illustrated schematically illustrating an insert inserted into the fastening clip in a first configuration.

[0024] Figure 6B A cross-sectional view of a fastening clip assembly is illustrated schematically illustrating an insert inserted into the fastening clip in a second configuration.

[0025] Figure 6C A cross-sectional view of a fastening clip assembly is illustrated schematically illustrating the insert inserted into the fastening clip in a third configuration.

[0026] Fig.6D A cross-sectional view of a fastening clip assembly is illustrated schematically illustrating the insert inserted into the fastening clip in a fourth configuration.

[0027] Figure 7 An enlarged cross-sectional view of a fastening clip assembly is illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Certain terms are used in the following description for convenience only and are not limiting. The words "right", "left", "lower", "upper", "front", "rear", "upward", "lower", and "downward" refer to directions referenced in the drawings and are relative to the components described when assembled and installed. The words "inward", "inwardly", "outwardly", and "outwardly" refer to directions toward and away from a designated centerline or geometric center (e.g., a central axis) of the described elements, respectively, and the specific meaning is apparent from the context of the description.

[0029] Further, as used herein, the terms "connected," "attached," "coupled," and "mounted" are intended to include a direct connection between two components without any other components interposed therebetween, as well as an indirect connection between components with one or more other components interposed therebetween. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar meaning.

[0030] Further, unless otherwise indicated, the use of ordinal adjectives such as "first," "second," and "third," etc. merely indicates that different examples of similar objects are referenced and is not intended to imply that the objects so described are necessarily in a given order temporally, spatially, in rank, or in any other manner.

[0031] Like reference numerals are used throughout to depict like features.

[0032] Now refer to Figure 1A and Figure 1B , a fastening clip 100 is shown. The fastening clip 100 includes a clip body 102 having a first end 104, a second end 106, and a pair of side walls 108 extending between the first end 104 and the second end 106. The clip body 102 defines an internal cavity (126, Figure 2 ). Each side wall 108 is provided with a window 110. The fastening clip 100 includes a pair of retaining portions 112 extending from the respective side walls 108 at the second end 106 of the clip body 102. Each retaining portion 112 includes a protruding portion 113 that protrudes through the window 110 of the respective side wall 108. In this example, the pair of side walls 108 do not have any slots or apertures extending from the window 110 toward the first end 104 of the clip body 102.

[0033] The protruding portion 113 includes a first section 116 connected to the side wall 108, and further includes a middle bend 120, and an inner cavity (126, 127) extending from the middle bend 120 through the window 110 into the clip body 102. Figure 2 ) in a second section 122. The second section 122 is substantially perpendicular to the side wall 108. The protruding portion 113 has a constant cross-sectional shape in the direction from the first bend 118 to the intermediate bend 120. This means that there are no slots or orifices in the protruding portion 113. The retaining portion 112 includes a slot 124 at the first bend 118. The size of the slot 124 can be set to limit and define the elastic restoring force of the retaining portion 112.

[0034] The first end 104 of the clip body 102 is provided with a head portion 114 protruding from the side walls 108. In particular, the head portion 114 extends outwardly from the two side walls 108 in a direction perpendicular to the planes of the side walls 108, and both sides of the head portion 114 each include a rounded edge 134 joined together at the end section 132. The head portion 114 includes an opening 125, which in this example has a rectangular shape.

[0035] The fastening clip 100 is part of a fastening clip assembly 200 that includes an insert 202 that is inserted into the fastening clip 100 through the opening 125 in the head portion 114 .

[0036] Insert 202 includes legs 210 that extend through opening 125 of fastening clip 100 into interior cavity 126 of clip body 102. Insert 202 also includes arms 214 that abut against a surface of head portion 114 when insert 202 is inserted into fastening clip 100. Arms 214 are joined together and terminate at base 212.

[0037] Figure 2 and Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the fastening clip 100 is shown, more clearly illustrating the retaining portion 112 and the protruding portion 113 of the retaining portion 112. The protruding portion 113 protrudes through the corresponding window 110. More specifically, the second section 122 of each protruding portion 113 extends from the middle bend 120 through the window 110 into the interior cavity 126 of the clip body 102 and defines an end portion 128. The end portion 128 is substantially parallel to the side wall 108.

[0038] like Figure 3As seen in FIG. 1 , the end portion 128 is connected to the second section 122 by a second bend 138, which is a U-shaped bend. In this example, the side wall 108 includes a protrusion 136 that protrudes inwardly into the interior cavity 126. The protrusion 136 maintains separation between the end portion 128 of the protrusion 113 and the side wall 108 of the clip body 102. The end portion 128 of each protrusion 113 extends within the interior cavity 126 of the clip body 102 toward the first end 104 of the clip body 102.

[0039] The end portion 128 has a height H that extends beyond the window 110. The height H of the end portion 128 may be the portion of the end portion 128 that extends beyond the window 110 and overlaps the side wall 108 of the clip body 102. The height H of the end portion 128 may be the distance from the second bend 138 to the farthest point of the end portion 128. In this example, at least 40% of the height H of the end portion 128 extends beyond the window 110 and overlaps the side wall 108 of the clip body 102. However, it is contemplated that in other examples, this may be a different percentage, for example, at least 50% or 60% of the height H of the end portion 128 extends beyond the window 110 and overlaps the side wall 108 of the clip body 102.

[0040] During use, the fastening clip 100 is inserted through the component (50, Figure 4 ) of the hole (52, Figure 4 ), which deflects the protrusion 113 into the internal cavity 126 of the clip body 102. When the fastening clip 100 is inserted through the component 50, the protrusion 113 springs outward from the internal cavity 126 and passes through the corresponding window 110 to its original position, thereby preventing the fastening clip 100 from being removed from the component 50.

[0041] Figure 4 The fastening clip 100 is shown after being inserted through the component 50 and after the projection 113 is sprung outwardly from the internal cavity 126 to its original position. The surface of the second section 122 of the projection 113 engages the component 50. The previously referenced Figure 3 The protrusion 136 is described to keep the end portion 128 of the retaining portion 112 separated from the side wall 108 of the clip body 102 so that a removal tool can be inserted between the end portion 128 and the side wall 108 to deflect the retaining portion 112 inwardly, thereby removing the clip body fastening clip 100 from the component 50. The removal tool can be inserted through the opening 125 and can include a pair of long nose pliers or a special tool with opposing arms that are pushed between the end portion 128 and the side wall 108 to move the end portion 128 inwardly, thereby allowing the fastening clip 100 to be removed from the component 50.

[0042] Figure 5An alternative arrangement of the fastening clip 100 is shown in which the first section 116 connected to the side wall 108 has a rounded shape. Figure 4 Compared to the fastening clip 100 shown, the first bending portion 118 has a larger bending radius.

[0043] Fig. 6A A fastening clip assembly 200 is shown, illustrating an assembly verification process. The fastening clip assembly 200 includes the fastening clip 100 and an insert 202 .

[0044] Insert 202 includes a pair of verification elements 204a, 204b, which may be legs of insert 202. Verification elements 204a, 204b are retained within interior cavity 126 of clip body 102 by sidewall 108 both in the pre-assembled configuration of fastening clip 100 and in the assembled configuration of fastening clip 50.

[0045] like Fig. 6A As shown, the insert 202 and verification elements 204 a , 204 b are inserted into the interior cavity 126 of the fastening clip 100 .

[0046] exist Figure 6B In the configuration shown, the verification elements 204a, 204b open outwardly toward the side wall 108 and engage with the stop 142 in the protrusion 113. In this position, the fastening clip 100 and the insert 202 are in a pre-assembled configuration in which the fastening clip 100 and the insert 202 can be pushed into a hole in a component.

[0047] Figure 6C The following arrangement is shown: as the fastening clip 100 is pushed into a hole in a component, the protruding portion 113 is deflected inwardly into the internal cavity 126, and the retaining portion 112 is deflected inwardly by engaging the hole. In this case, the verification elements 204a, 204b are moved toward each other by the protruding portion 113. In this example, the verification elements 204a, 204b intersect each other.

[0048] like Fig.6DAs shown, the verification elements 204a, 204b are engaged with each other (i.e., connected). The engagement can be performed via an engagement element 206 provided on one or both of the verification elements 204a, 204b. When the verification elements 204a, 204b are engaged, once the retaining portion 112 protrudes through the window 110 after passing through the hole in the component, it returns to its original position. The engagement of the verification elements 204a, 204b allows the insert 202 to be further inserted into the internal cavity 126 and pass through the retaining portion 112 of the fastening clip 100. This allows verification that the fastening clip 100 is correctly installed in the hole 52 of the component 50 without the insert 202 protruding through the clip body 102 or the retaining portion 112. In this way, there is no need for a slot or aperture in the clip body 102 or the retaining portion 112 for the insert 202 to extend through, thereby increasing the pull-out resistance of the fastening clip 100.

[0049] The engagement via one or more engagement elements 206 can be friction engagement and / or locking engagement. The engagement element 206 is arranged to temporarily keep the pair of verification elements 204a, 204b engaged when the protruding portion 113 protrudes through the window 110 and returns to its original position. Therefore, the insert 202 can be further pushed into the internal cavity 126 of the fastening clip 100. This makes it verified that the fastening clip 100 is correctly installed in the hole 52 of the component 50. When the engagement element 206 locks the engagement, this locking can be temporary, reversible or permanent. The engagement element 206 can include one or more of a hook, a latch or an adhesive, for example.

[0050] although FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D The fastening clip 100 in this example is shown having a spring leg defined at the second section 122 , but it is contemplated that the assembly verification process may be adapted for a fastening clip 100 having an end portion 128 instead of a spring leg. Figure 7 The legs 210 of the insert 202 are shown engaging the end portion 128 , particularly at the second bend 138 .

[0051] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the above detailed examples are described by way of example only without any limiting meaning, and that various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Various modifications to the above detailed examples are possible.

[0052] Throughout the description section and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and their variations mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other parts, additives, components, integral bodies or steps. Throughout the description section and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural, unless the context requires otherwise. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, this specification should be understood as contemplating plural as well as singular forms, unless the context requires otherwise.

[0053] Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) and / or all steps of any method or process so disclosed may be combined in any combination, except for at least some mutually exclusive combinations of such features and / or steps. The invention is not limited to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract or drawings), or to any novel step or any novel combination of steps in any of the steps of the method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A fastening clip for installation in a hole of a component, the fastening clip comprising: A clamp body having a first end, a second end, and a pair of side walls extending from the first end to the second end and defining an internal cavity of the clamp body, each of the side walls being provided with a window; a pair of retaining portions extending from the side wall at a second end of the clamp body, each retaining portion comprising: a protruding portion that protrudes through a window in a respective one of the side walls and is deflectable into an interior cavity of the clip body when the fastening clip is installed through the hole in the component, and an end portion disposed within the interior cavity of the clip body and extending toward the first end; and a head portion disposed at a first end of the clamp body and protruding from the side wall, the head portion including an opening; wherein each of the pair of side walls includes a protrusion that protrudes into the interior cavity, and wherein the protrusion maintains separation between an end portion of the retaining portion and the side wall such that a removal tool is inserted between the end portion of the retaining portion and the side wall to deflect the retaining portion inwardly, thereby removing the fastening clip from the component.

2. The fastening clip according to claim 1, wherein: A distance between the protrusion and the end portion is smaller than a distance between the side wall and the end portion.

3. The fastening clip according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The protrusion and the end portion of the retaining portion are configured to guide a removal tool between the protrusion and the end portion of the retaining portion.

4. The fastening clip according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The end portion extends substantially parallel to the side wall toward the first end of the clip body.

5. The fastening clip according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The end portion has a generally U-shape.

6. A method of removing a fastening clip according to any one of claims 1 to 5 from a hole in a component, the method comprising: inserting a removal tool having a pair of spaced apart gripping elements into the opening in the head portion of the fastening clip in an insertion direction; extending the removal tool within the interior cavity of the clamp body in the insertion direction toward the second end of the clamp body such that a pair of gripping elements of the removal tool are guided along the pair of side walls and received between the side walls and the end portion; actuating the removal tool to move the gripping elements toward each other, thereby directing the end portions of the retaining portions toward each other and deflecting the protruding portions into the interior cavity of the clip body; as well as The removal tool is withdrawn in a removal direction opposite to the insertion direction to remove the fastening clip from the hole of the component.

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