Clamping piece

Abstract

The clamp may include a clamp body. The clip body is configured to be coupled to a coupling portion of an attachment base formed in an attached article and configured to be inserted into an attachment hole formed in a target member. The clip body includes: a pair of substantially V-shaped outer legs positioned opposite to each other in a front-rear direction and having a head portion and first and second proximal end portions; a pair of inner legs positioned between the pair of outer legs and having a head portion and a proximal end portion; and a pair of connecting members. The first proximal end portion and the second proximal end portion of the outer leg portion are respectively connected to each other in the fore-aft direction via a connecting member in a manner that allows the outer leg portion to flex in the fore-aft direction. The outer legs each include an engagement portion configured to engage with an attachment hole of a target member.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023 - 209112 filed on December 12, 2023 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2024 - 208216 filed on November 29, 2024, the entire contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a clip. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a clip for detachably attaching an attached article or component (e.g., an automotive interior component such as a center cluster) to a target member (e.g., an instrument panel). Background art

[0004] For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013 - 44391 (JP2013 - 44391A) teaches a known clip. As Figure 19 shown, the known clip 201 is used to attach an attached article, such as a center cluster 202, to a target member, such as an automotive instrument panel 203. The clip 201 includes a clip body 201a made of a rigid synthetic resin. The clip body 201 is integrally formed as a unit.

[0005] The clamping body 201a of the clamping member 201 includes a pair of (front and rear) substantially V-shaped outer legs 210 and a pair of (right and left) inner legs 230 (only the right inner leg is shown). The pair of outer legs 210 are relatively positioned at an interval in the front-rear direction, and the pair of inner legs 230 are positioned between the front outer leg 210 and the rear outer leg 210. The front outer leg 210 and the rear outer leg 210 respectively have a head portion 211 and a right proximal end portion 219 and a left proximal end portion 219 (only the right end portion 219 is shown). The head portions 211 are connected to each other in the front-rear direction via a head connection member 260. The right proximal end portion 219 and the left proximal end portion 219 are connected to each other in the front-rear direction via a right proximal end connection member 240 and a left proximal end connection member 240 (only the right proximal end connection member 240 is shown), respectively. Thus, the front outer leg 210 and the rear outer leg 210 of the clamping body 201a can be effectively joined so as not to elastically deform or buckle independently in the front-rear direction. In addition, the outer legs 210 respectively include a right engagement protrusion 217 and a left engagement protrusion 217 (only the right engagement protrusion 217 is shown) formed on the middle portion of the outer leg. The right engagement protrusion 217 and the left engagement protrusion 217 are respectively shaped to have a right inclined outer engagement surface 218 and a left inclined outer engagement surface 218 (only the right engagement surface 218 is shown). The right inner leg 230 and the left inner leg 230 are correspondingly positioned opposite to each other laterally and are respectively connected to the right proximal end connection member 240 and the left proximal end connection member 240. In addition, the right inner leg and the left inner leg respectively include engagement protrusions (not shown) that protrude relatively in the lateral direction formed in their inner surfaces.

[0006] The clamping body 201a is configured to be connected to an attachment base 250 formed in the center instrument cluster 202 by fitting the engagement protrusions of the right inner leg and the left inner leg into an engagement groove 252 formed in a plate-like coupling portion 251 of the attachment base 250. In addition, the clamping body 201a is configured such that, in a state where the clamping body 201a is connected to the attachment base 250 formed in the center instrument cluster 202, the clamping body 201 is introduced into an attachment hole 203a formed in the instrument panel 203 while causing the front outer leg 210 and the rear outer leg 210 to bend inward laterally.

[0007] To attach the central instrument cluster 202 to the instrument panel 203, first, the clip body 201a of the clip 201 is connected to the attachment base 250 formed in the central instrument cluster 202 by fitting the engagement protrusions of the right inner leg 230 and the left inner leg 230 into the engagement grooves 252 formed in the coupling portion 251 of the attachment base 250. Thereafter, the clip body 201a connected to the attachment base 250 formed in the central instrument cluster 202 is pressed into the attachment hole 203a of the instrument panel 203 until the engagement surfaces 218 of the engagement protrusions 217 formed in the front outer leg 210 and the rear outer leg 210 contact or engage with the inner (upper) peripheral portion (not marked) of the attachment hole 203a of the instrument panel 203. Thus, the central instrument cluster 202 is attached to the instrument panel 203 via the clip 201. Further, if necessary, the central instrument cluster 202 attached to the instrument panel 203 can be easily removed from the instrument panel 203 by simply pulling out the clip body 201a from the attachment hole 203a.

[0008] However, in a state where the clip 201 is used to attach the central instrument cluster 202 to the instrument panel 203 (i.e., in the normal use state of the clip 201), the central instrument cluster 202 and the instrument panel 203 may sometimes be inclined relative to each other ( Figure 19)。In this case, the clip body 201a can be inclined with respect to the instrument panel 203 (this can be referred to as the inclined use state of the clip 201). Therefore, the front outer leg portion 210 and the rear outer leg portion 210 can be inclined with respect to the instrument panel 203, such that the engagement position of the engagement protrusion 217 (engagement surface 218) with the inner peripheral portion of the attachment hole 203a of the instrument panel 203 may be inclined and move upward or shift. In addition, the front outer leg portion 210 and the rear outer leg portion 210 cannot flex or move relative to each other because the head portion 211 of the front outer leg portion 210 and the head portion 211 of the rear outer leg portion 210 are connected to each other via the head connection member 260. As a result, it is impossible to control or compensate for the shift of the engagement position of the engagement surface 218 with the inner peripheral portion of the attachment hole 203a. Therefore, due to the shift of the engagement position of the engagement protrusion 217 with the inner peripheral portion of the attachment hole 203a, the engagement amount of the engagement surface 218 with the inner peripheral portion of the attachment hole 203a of the instrument panel 203 may be significantly reduced, so that the engagement force generated by the engagement protrusion 217 against the attachment hole 203a of the instrument panel 203 is significantly reduced. Therefore, compared with the holding force of the clip 201 in the normal use state of the clip 201 (this holding force can be referred to as the normal holding force of the clip 201), the holding force of the clip 201 in the inclined use state of the clip 201 (this holding force can be referred to as the inclined holding force of the clip 201) may be significantly reduced. Generally, the inclined holding force of the clip 201 may be reduced at a reduction rate of about 45% with respect to the normal holding force of the clip 201. Therefore, in a state where the clip body 201a is inclined with respect to the instrument panel 203 (attachment hole 203a), the center instrument cluster 202 cannot be reliably held on the instrument panel 203 via the clip 201.

[0009] Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved clip. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] For example, in one aspect of the present disclosure, the clip may include a clip body. The clip body is configured to be coupled to a coupling portion of an attachment base formed in an attachment article, and the clip body is configured to be inserted into an attachment hole formed in a target member. The clip body includes: a pair of substantially V-shaped outer legs that are relatively positioned in the front-rear direction and have a head portion and a first proximal end portion and a second proximal end portion; a pair of inner legs that are positioned between the pair of outer legs and have a head portion and a proximal end portion; and a pair of connecting members. The first proximal end portion and the second proximal end portion of the outer legs are connected to each other in the front-rear direction via the connecting members in a manner that allows the outer legs to flex relative to each other in the front-rear direction. The proximal end portions of the inner legs are respectively connected to the connecting members such that the inner legs are positioned laterally opposite to each other. The outer legs respectively include engagement portions that are configured to engage with the attachment holes of the target member. The inner legs respectively include engagement protrusions that are configured to be coupled to the coupling portion of the attachment base.

[0011] According to this aspect of the present disclosure, in a state where the clip body is inserted into the attachment hole, when the clip body is tilted relative to the attachment hole, the engagement position of the engagement portion of the outer leg with the attachment hole may move or shift. However, the front-side outer leg and the rear-side outer leg are configured to flex relative to each other in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the engagement portion of the outer leg can move or slide along the peripheral portion of the attachment hole while elastically flexing or deforming the outer legs relative to each other in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the displacement of the engagement position of the engagement portion with the attachment hole can be controlled or compensated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a significant change or reduction in the engagement amount of the engagement portion with the attachment hole. That is, it is possible to prevent a significant reduction in the contact force of the engagement portion against the attachment hole. Therefore, the holding force of the clip can be substantially maintained.

[0012] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be readily understood after reading the following detailed description, as well as the drawings and claims. Description of the Drawings

[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an attachment article, a target member, and a clip according to a first embodiment, showing a state before attaching the attachment article to the target member using the clip;

[0014] Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the clip;

[0015] Figure 3 is Figure 2 an enlarged elevation view of the clip shown in

[0016] Figure 4 is Figure 2 an enlarged side view of the clamping member shown in

[0017] Figure 5 is Figure 2 an enlarged plan view of the clamping member shown in

[0018] Figure 6 a schematic elevation view of the clamping member, showing the state in which the clamping member connected to the attachment base of the attached article is inserted into the attachment hole formed in the target member;

[0019] Figure 7 a schematic elevation view of the clamping member, showing the state in which the clamping member connected to the attachment base of the attached article is fully inserted into the attachment hole of the target member, thereby attaching the attached article to the target member;

[0020] Figure 8 is Figure 7 a schematic side view of

[0021] Figure 9 is Figure 8 a similar schematic side view showing the state in which the attached article is tilted with respect to the target member;

[0022] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the attached article, the target member, and the clamping member according to the second embodiment, showing the state before attaching the attached article to the target member using the clamping member;

[0023] Figure 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the clamping member;

[0024] Figure 12 is Figure 11 an enlarged elevational view of the clamping member shown in

[0025] Figure 13 is Figure 11 an enlarged side view of the clamping member shown in

[0026] Figure 14 is Figure 11 an enlarged plan view of the clamping member shown in

[0027] Figure 15 a schematic elevation view of the clamping member, showing the state in which the clamping member connected to the attachment base of the attached article is inserted into the attachment hole formed in the target member;

[0028] Figure 16Is a schematic elevation view of the clamping member, showing the following state: the clamping member connected to the attachment base of the attached article is fully inserted into the attachment hole of the target member, thereby attaching the attached article to the target member;

[0029] Figure 17 Is Figure 16 Schematic side view of;

[0030] Figure 18 Is similar to Figure 17 Schematic side view, showing the state in which the attached article is inclined with respect to the target member; and

[0031] Figure 19 Is a schematic side view of a conventional clamping member, showing the state in which the attached article is attached to the target member using the clamping member and the attached article is inclined with respect to the target member. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0032] Figures 1 to 18 The detailed representative embodiments of the present disclosure are shown.

[0033] Will refer to Figures 1 to 9 To describe the first detailed representative embodiment of the present disclosure. As Figure 1 As shown in, the first embodiment relates to a clamping member 1 for detachably attaching an attached article 2 (e.g., an internal component, such as a decorative panel) to a target member 3 (e.g., an instrument panel), the target member 3 having an outer surface 3b and an inner surface 3c. The clamping member 1 is configured to be connected to an attachment base 50 formed in the rear (inner) surface of the article body 2a of the attached article 2. In particular, the clamping member 1 is configured to be coupled to a plate-like coupling portion 51 to connect to the attachment base 50 of the attached article 2, the plate-like coupling portion 51 being formed as a part of the attachment base 50 and having an engagement groove 52. Further, the clamping member 1 is configured to be inserted into an attachment hole 3a formed in the target member 3 and having an elongated rectangular shape. After the clamping member 1 is connected to the attachment base 50 of the attached article 2, when the clamping member 1 is inserted into the attachment hole 3a, the attached article 2 can be attached to the target member 3 via the clamping member 1 ( Figure 7 ). As will be appreciated, multiple clamping members, multiple attachment bases, and multiple attachment holes are typically used to attach the attached article 2 to the target member 3. However, one clamping member of the multiple clamping members, one attachment base of the multiple attachment bases, and one attachment hole of the multiple attachment holes (i.e., the clamping member 1, the attachment base 50, and the attachment hole 3a) can be described in this specification because the multiple clamping members have the same structure as each other, the multiple attachment bases have the same structure as each other, and the multiple attachment holes have the same structure as each other.

[0034] As Figures 2 to 5 shown in Figures 2 to 5 , the clamping member 1 includes a clamping member body 1a made of a rigid synthetic resin such as polypropylene (PP). The clamping member body 1a may preferably be integrally molded as a unit. As Figure 4 shown in Figure 4 , the clamping member body 1a includes a pair of (front and rear) substantially V-shaped engaging members or outer legs 10, a pair of (right and left) holding members or inner legs 30, and a pair of connecting members 40. The outer legs 10 are spaced apart and oppositely positioned in the front-rear direction, thereby forming a space F between the outer legs 10. The space F is configured to allow the outer legs 10 to elastically flex or move relative to each other in the front-rear direction.

[0035] The outer legs 10 each have a rounded head portion 11 and a leg main portion 12 that extends outward from the head portion 11 in a laterally inclined manner and has a root portion 19. The head portion 11 is configured to serve as a guiding end portion of the clamping member 1 when the clamping member 1 is inserted into the attachment hole 3a of the target member 3. The leg main portion 12 is configured to flex in the lateral direction (left-right direction) adjacent to the head portion 11. In addition, the root portions 19 of the leg main portion 12 located on the left and right sides of the outer legs 10 may be referred to as the first (right) proximal end portion and the second (left) proximal end portion of the outer legs 10, respectively.

[0036] As Figure 3As shown, the main leg portion 12 has an outwardly inclined outer surface 13 and an inner surface 14. The outer surface 13 (which may be referred to as the outer surface of the outer leg 10) is configured such that when the clamping member 1 is inserted into the attachment hole 3a, the outer surface 13 contacts the outer surface side peripheral portion (not labeled) of the attachment hole 3a of the target member 3, thereby gradually flexing the main leg portion 12. Further, the main leg portion 12 is bent inwardly at the middle of the main leg portion 12, thereby forming a bent portion on the main leg portion 12. The bent portion is formed as a raised or thickened engaging portion 17. The engaging portion 17 is particularly shaped to have a downward-facing engaging surface 18 that can engage with the inner surface side peripheral portion (not labeled) of the attachment hole 3a. In particular, the inner surface 14 of the main leg portion 12 gently bends inwardly at the inner bent portion 16 and linearly extends from the inner bent portion 16 to the root portion 19. Further, the outer surface 13 of the main leg portion 12 bends significantly inwardly at the outer bent portion 15 positioned below the inner bent portion 16, thereby forming a downward-facing surface in the outer bent portion 15. Thereafter, the outer surface 13 linearly extends to the root portion 19 while slightly turning outward. The downward-facing surface formed in the outer surface 13 may correspond to the engaging surface 18. Thus, the engaging portion 17 having the engaging surface 18 may be formed in the main leg portion 12 between the inner bent portion 16 and the outer bent portion 15.

[0037] As Figure 2 shown, the outer legs 10 are connected to each other via a connecting member 40 at the right proximal portion and the left proximal portion of the outer legs 10. In particular, the root portions 19 of the main leg portions 12 positioned on the right and left sides of the outer leg 10 are connected to each other in the front-rear direction via the connecting member 40 in such a manner that the outer leg 10 can freely flex in the front-rear direction. Further, the connecting member 40 has an inner protrusion 41 and an outer protrusion 42 formed in the longitudinal central portion of the connecting member 40, respectively. The inner protrusion 41 is configured to protrude inwardly in the lateral direction from the connecting member 40. In contrast, the outer protrusion 42 is configured to protrude outwardly in the lateral direction from the connecting member 40.

[0038] The inner leg 30 is positioned between the front outer leg 10 and the rear outer leg 10. The inner legs 10 each have a proximal end portion 34 and a distal end portion or head portion 32. As Figure 3As shown, the inner legs 10 are positioned opposite to each other in the transverse direction, and the proximal end portion 34 of the inner legs 30 is connected to the inner protrusion 41 of the connecting member 40. Thus, the inner legs 30 are coupled to the connecting member 40 in the form of a cantilever. In addition, the inner legs 30 respectively include engaging protrusions 33, which are formed in the inner surface 31 of the inner legs 30 and are positioned adjacent to the head portion 32. The engaging protrusions 33 are configured to engage with the engaging grooves 52 formed in the coupling portion 51 of the attachment base 50. In addition, as Figure 5 shown, the inner protrusion 41 preferably may have a width L1 greater than the width L2 of the inner legs 30 to reliably support the proximal end portion 34 of the inner legs 30 connected to the inner protrusion 41.

[0039] The inner legs 30 are preferably positioned in an opposite manner such that the distance between the engaging protrusions 33 may be equal to or slightly less than the thickness of the coupling portion 51 of the attachment base 50 formed in the attachment article 2. In addition, as described above, the proximal end portion 34 of the inner legs 30 is connected to the inner protrusion 41 formed in the connecting member 40. Thus, as Figure 3 shown, the proximal end portion 34 of the inner legs 30 is positioned such that the inner surface 35 of the proximal end portion 34 protrudes inward (toward the axis Z of the holder body 1a) with respect to the inner side face 20 of the root portion 19 (the proximal portion of the outer legs 10) of the main leg portion 12. In addition, the proximal end portion 34 of the inner legs 30 is configured such that the distance between the proximal end portions 34 of the inner legs 30 may be sufficiently greater than the thickness of the coupling portion 51 of the attachment base 50. This means that the inner legs 30 are configured such that the distance between the inner legs 30 may gradually decrease from the proximal end portion 34 toward the engaging protrusions 33( Figure 3 ). Thus, the holder 1 (holder body 1a) can be quickly and easily coupled to the coupling portion 51 of the attachment base 50 formed in the attachment article 2 because the coupling portion 51 can be smoothly introduced between the inner legs 30. In addition, the inner legs 30 are configured to deform due to an increase in the temperature of the holder 1 such that the head portions 32 can move away from each other in the transverse direction.

[0040] As described above, the connecting member 40 includes an outer protrusion 42. The outer protrusion 42 can be used to prevent the holder 1 from passing through the attachment hole 3a of the target member 3 in the case where the holder 1 coupled to the coupling portion 51 of the attachment base 50 formed in the attachment article 2 is inserted into the attachment hole 3a of the target member 3. In addition, as Figure 4As shown, the outer protrusion 42 preferably has a width L3 that is substantially equal to the width L2 of the inner leg 30. This may contribute to improving the moldability of the clip 1.

[0041] As Figure 4 shown, the connecting member 40 respectively has (front and rear) rounded portions 44 formed at the front end portion and the rear end portion of the connecting member 40 and facing each other in the front-rear direction. The rounded portions 44 can contribute to improving the usability of the clip 1. That is, when the clip body 1a is pressed against the coupling portion 51 of the attachment base 50 formed in the attached article 2 to connect the clip body 1a to the attachment base 50, even if the front end portion and the rear end portion of the connecting member 40 interfere with a part of the attachment base 50, the clip body 1a can be smoothly connected to the attachment body 50.

[0042] As described above, the attached article 2 includes an article body 2a and an attachment base 50 formed in the rear (inner) surface of the article body 2a. The attachment base 50 includes a coupling portion 51 having a engaging groove 52 formed therein. The coupling portion 51 is shaped such that the distal end portion (not marked) of the coupling portion 51 has a wedge shape. In addition, the attachment base 50 includes a pair of guiding portions 53 respectively positioned at the peripheral portions of opposite ends of the coupling portion 51 in the widthwise direction. When the clip body 1a is pressed against the coupling portion 51, the guiding portions 53 can be used to guide the outer legs 10. In addition, the guiding portions 53 respectively include a shouldered or widened stopping portion 54 formed therein. The stopping portion 54 is configured such that when the clip 1 coupled to the coupling portion 51 of the attachment base 50 formed in the article body 2a is inserted into the attachment hole 3a of the target member 3, the stopping portion 54 contacts the outer surface 3b of the target member 3 ( Figure 6 ).

[0043] Next, a method of attaching the attached article 2 to the target member 3 and detaching the attached article 2 from the target member 3 using the clip 1 will now be described in detail with reference to Figure 6 and Figure 7 .

[0044] First, the clip body 1a is pressed against the coupling portion 51 of the attachment base 50 formed in the attached article 2 in such a manner that the inner legs 30 can be positioned on both sides of the coupling portion 51, wherein the engaging protrusions 33 engage with the engaging grooves 52 formed in the coupling portion 51. Thus, the clip body 1a is coupled to the coupling portion 51 of the attachment base 50. Therefore, the clip body 1a can be connected to the attachment base 50 of the attached article 2.

[0045] Thereafter, the holder main body 1a connected to the attachment base 50 of the attachment article 2 is pushed at the head portion 11 of the outer leg 10 into the attachment hole 3a formed in the target member 3. As a result, as Figure 6 shown, the holder main body 1a can be gradually inserted into the attachment hole 3a while the outer surface 13 of the main leg portion 12 of the leg elastically bends inwardly due to contact between the outer surface 13 of the main leg portion 12 of the leg and the outer surface side peripheral portion (not marked) of the attachment hole 3a. Subsequently, when the holder main body 1a is further pushed into the attachment hole 3a until the stopper portion 54 formed in the guide portion 53 of the attachment base 50 comes into contact with the outer surface 3b of the target member 3, the engaging portion 17 formed in the main leg portion 12 of the leg passes through the attachment hole 3a. As a result, as Figure 7 shown, the main leg portion 12 of the outer leg 10 can gradually recover or bend outwardly such that the engaging surface 18 of the engaging portion 17 can elastically engage with the inner surface side peripheral portion (not marked) of the attachment hole 3a due to the elastic force of the main leg portion 12 (outer leg 10). When the engaging surface 18 engages with the attachment hole 3a, the holder main body 1a can be held in the attachment hole 3a. That is, the holder main body 1a can be connected to the target member 3. Accordingly, the attachment article 2 can be attached to the target member 3 via the holder main body 1a, which can be referred to as the normal use state of the holder 1 ( Figure 7 and Figure 8 ).

[0046] In addition, as Figure 7 shown, in the normal use state of the holder 1, the inner protrusion 41 formed in the connecting member 40 can be pressed against the coupling portion 51 of the attachment base 50. Accordingly, excessive deformation of the inner leg 30 can be prevented. Thus, the holder main body 1a can be reliably held in the attachment hole 3a such that the attachment article 2 can be firmly attached to the target member 3.

[0047] Conversely, in order to detach or remove the attachment article 2 from the target member 3, the attachment article 2 is simply pulled such that a certain degree of pulling force can be applied to the holder main body 1a. When such a pulling force is applied to the holder main body 1a, the holder main body 1a can be taken out of the attachment hole 3a. Accordingly, the attachment article 2 can be removed from the target member 3. Thus, the attachment article 2 can be easily attached to the target member 3 or detached from the target member 3.

[0048] As Figure 8 shown, in the state where the attachment article 2 is attached to the target member 3 using the holder main body 1a (i.e., in the normal use state of the holder 1), the attachment article 2 (attachment base 50) and the target member 3 can sometimes be inclined relative to each other in the front-rear direction. AsFigure 9 As shown, when the attached article 2 is inclined with respect to the target member 3, the holder body 1a can be inclined with respect to the target member 3 (this can be referred to as the inclined use state of the holder 1). Therefore, the front outer leg portion 10 and the rear outer leg portion 10 can be inclined with respect to the attachment hole 3a, so that the joining position of the joining surface 18 of the joining portion 17 with the inner surface side peripheral portion (not marked) of the attachment hole 3a may move or shift substantially obliquely upward. However, in the holder body 1a, the head portions 11 of the front outer leg portion 10 and the rear outer leg portion 10 are not connected to each other. That is, the holder body 1a is configured such that the front outer leg portion 10 and the rear outer leg portion 10 can freely elastically flex in the front-rear direction in the space F independently of each other. Thus, as Figure 9 shown, when the holder body 1a is inclined with respect to the target member 3, the joining surface 18 of the joining portion 17 of one of the outer leg portions 10 can move or slide along the inner surface side peripheral portion of the attachment hole 3a of the target member 3 while elastically flexing or deforming one of the outer leg portions 10 with respect to the other of the outer leg portions 10 in the front-rear direction.

[0049] Consequently, the displacement of the joining position of the joining surface 18 with the inner surface side peripheral portion (not marked) of the attachment hole 3a can be controlled or compensated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the joining amount of the joining surface 18 with the inner surface side peripheral portion of the attachment hole 3a from changing or decreasing significantly. That is, it is possible to prevent the joining force of the joining surface 18 against the inner surface side peripheral portion of the attachment hole 3a from decreasing significantly. As a result, it is possible to prevent the holding force of the holder 1 in the inclined use state of the holder 1 (this holding force can be referred to as the inclined holding force of the holder 1) from decreasing significantly with respect to the holding force of the holder 1 in the normal use state of the holder 1 (this holding force can be referred to as the normal holding force), so that the holding force of the holder 1 in the inclined use state of the holder 1 falls within an allowable range. In this embodiment, the inclined holding force of the holder 1 can be reduced at a reduction rate of about 20% with respect to the normal holding force of the holder 1. Therefore, the attached article 2 can be reliably held on the target member 3 via the holder 1, and even when the attached article 2 (holder body 1a) is inclined with respect to the target member 3, the attached article 2 can be reliably held on the target member 3 via the holder 1.

[0050] In addition, in the inclined use state of the holder 1, when one of the outer leg portions 10 elastically flexes with respect to the other of the outer leg portions 10, one of the outer leg portions 10 may interfere with the inner leg portion 30. This can contribute to increasing the inclined holding force of the holder 1.

[0051] In addition, asFigure 6 As shown in Figure 6 , when the holder body 1a is pushed into the attachment hole 3a of the target member 3, the outer leg portion 10 can be elastically buckled inwardly through the attachment hole 3a such that the outer leg portion 10 overlaps the inner leg portion 30 in the front - rear direction. Accordingly, the outer leg portion 30 can smoothly pass through the attachment hole 3a of the target member 3.

[0052] In addition, as Figure 7 shown in Figure 7 , the inner leg portion 30 is preferably configured such that: in the normal use state of the holder 1, the distal end portion (head portion 32) of the inner leg portion 30 can be positioned inside (i.e., on one side of the axis Z) relative to the outer surface 13 of the main leg portion 12 of the outer leg portion 10. According to this structure, even when the holder body 1a plastically deforms due to thermal creep deformation in the normal use state of the holder 1, the deformed holder body 1a can be reused without difficulty because when the deformed holder body 1a is inserted into the attachment hole 3a of the target member 3, the distal end portion of the inner leg portion 30 does not interfere with the outer peripheral portion of the outer surface side of the attachment hole 3a.

[0053] In addition, as Figure 3 shown in Figure 3 , the inner leg portion 30 is generally configured such that: the height of the upper surface 32a of the inner leg portion 30 above the lower end surface (not marked) of the outer leg portion 10 can be 1 / 3 (one - third) to 2 / 3 (two - thirds) of the total height H of the outer leg portion 10. Of course, the inner leg portion 30 can be variously modified in terms of shape and size as needed.

[0054] A second detailed representative embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 18 Figures 10 to 18 . In addition, since the second embodiment is related to the first embodiment, only the structures and elements different from those of the first embodiment will be described in detail. The same elements in the first and second embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and the detailed description of these elements may be omitted or simplified.

[0055] As Figure 10 shown in Figure 10 , the second embodiment relates to a holder 101. Similar to the holder 1 of the first embodiment, the holder 101 is for detachably attaching an attached article 2 to a target member 3 having an outer surface 3b and an inner surface 3c. As Figures 11 to 14 shown in Figures 11 to 14 , the holder 101 includes a holder body 101a. As Figure 13 shown in Figure 13 , the holder body 101a includes a pair of (front and rear) outer leg portions 10, a pair of (right and left) inner leg portions 130, and a pair of connecting members 140.

[0056] The outer legs 110 each have a structure that is substantially the same as the structure of the outer legs 10 of the first embodiment. Similar to the first embodiment, the outer legs 110 are connected to each other via a connecting member 140 at the right proximal portion and the left proximal portion of the outer legs 110. Further, similar to the connecting member 40 of the first embodiment, the connecting member 140 has an inner protrusion 141 and an outer protrusion 142 that respectively correspond to the inner protrusion 41 and the outer protrusion 42 of the first embodiment. However, different from the inner protrusion 41 of the first embodiment, the inner protrusion 141 is configured to extend over the entire length of the connecting member 140. That is, as Figure 14 shown, the inner protrusion 141 preferably may have a width L1 that is greater than the width L2 of the inner leg 130. Similarly, different from the outer protrusion 42 of the first embodiment, the outer protrusion 142 is configured to extend over the entire length of the connecting member 140. That is, as Figure 13 shown, the outer protrusion 142 has a width L3 that is greater than the width L2 of the inner leg 130.

[0057] The inner legs 130 each have a structure that is substantially the same as the structure of the inner legs 30 of the first embodiment. However, different from the first embodiment, the head portion 32 is slightly modified. Specifically, in this embodiment, the head portion 32 includes an inclined outer surface 32b that continuously extends from the upper surface 32a and slopes downward and outward. Further, the inner legs 130 each include an engaging protrusion 133 instead of including the engaging protrusion 33 of the first embodiment. As Figure 11 and Figure 13 shown, the engaging protrusion 133 is slightly different from the engaging protrusion 33 in that the engaging protrusion 133 is elongated in the front-rear direction to protrude from the inner leg 130 in the front-rear direction.

[0058] Similar to the first embodiment, the inner legs 130 are connected to the connecting member 140 at the proximal end portion 34. However, as Figure 11 and Figure 12 shown, different from the first embodiment, the proximal end portion 34 is connected to the connecting member 140 instead of being connected to the inner protrusion 141. Thus, as Figure 12 shown, the proximal end portion 34 of the inner leg 130 is positioned such that the inner surface 35 of the proximal end portion 34 is aligned or flush with the inner face 20 of the root portion 19 of the leg main portion 12.

[0059] Next, a method of attaching the attached article 2 to the target member 3 and detaching the attached article 2 from the target member 3 using the clip 101 will now be described in detail with reference to Figure 15 and Figure 16 .

[0060] First, the holder body 101a is coupled to the coupling portion 51 of the attachment base 50 in substantially the same manner as the holder body 1a of the first embodiment, where the engaging protrusion 133 engages with the engaging groove 52 formed in the coupling portion 51. Thus, the holder body 101a can be connected to the attachment base 50 of the attached article 2.

[0061] Thereafter, similar to the first embodiment, the holder body 101a connected to the attachment base 50 of the attached article 2 is pushed at the head portion 11 of the outer leg 110 into the attachment hole 3a formed in the target member 3. As a result, as Figure 15 shown, the holder body 101a can be gradually inserted into the attachment hole 3a while the main portion 12 of the leg elastically buckles inwardly since the outer surface of the main portion 12 of the leg contacts the outer peripheral portion (not marked) of the outer surface of the attachment hole 3a. Subsequently, when the holder body 101a is further pushed into the attachment hole 3a until the stopper portion 54 formed in the guide portion 53 of the attachment base 50 contacts the outer surface 3b of the target member 3, the engaging portion 17 formed in the main portion 12 of the leg passes through the attachment hole 3a. Thus, as Figure 16 shown, the holder body 101a can be connected to the target member 3. Accordingly, the attached article 2 can be attached to the target member 3 via the holder body 101a, which can be referred to as the normal use state of the holder 101 ( Figure 16 and Figure 17 ).

[0062] As Figure 16 shown, in the normal use state of the holder 101, similar to the inner protrusion 41 of the first embodiment, the inner protrusion 141 formed in the connecting member 140 can be pressed against the coupling portion 51 of the attachment base 50. Thus, excessive deformation of the inner leg 130 can be prevented.

[0063] Conversely, to detach or remove the attached article 2 from the target member 3, simply pull the attached article 2 such that a certain degree of pulling force can be applied to the holder body 101a. Due to the pulling force applied to the holder body 101a, the holder body 101a can be taken out from the attachment hole 3a. Thus, the attached article 2 can be removed from the target member 3.

[0064] In addition, in the normal use state of the holder 101 ( Figure 17 ), when the attached article 2 is tilted with respect to the target member 3 in the front - rear direction ( Figure 18), the holding member main body 101a can be inclined with respect to the target member 3 (this can be referred to as the inclined use state of the holding member 101). Therefore, similar to the front outer leg portion 10 and the rear outer leg portion 10 of the first embodiment, the front outer leg portion 110 and the rear outer leg portion 110 can be inclined with respect to the attachment hole 3a, so that the joining position of the joining surface 18 of the joining portion 17 with the inner surface side peripheral portion (not marked) of the attachment hole 3a can be inclined upwardly moved or displaced. However, similar to the holding member main body 1a of the first embodiment, in the holding member main body 101a, the head portion 11 of the front outer leg portion 110 and the head portion 110 of the rear outer leg portion 110 are not connected to each other. That is, the holding member main body 101a is configured such that: the front outer leg portion 110 and the rear outer leg portion 110 can be freely elastically buckled in the front-rear direction in the space F in an independent manner from each other. Therefore, as shown in Figure 18 , when the holding member main body 101a is inclined with respect to the target member 3, the joining surface 18 of the joining portion 17 of one of the outer leg portions 110 can move or slide along the inner surface side peripheral portion of the attachment hole 3a of the target member 3, while elastically buckling or deforming one of the outer leg portions 110 with respect to the other outer leg portion 110 in the front-rear direction.

[0065] Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, basically, the displacement of the joining position of the joining surface 18 with the inner surface side peripheral portion (not marked) of the attachment hole 3a can be controlled or compensated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a significant change or decrease in the joining amount of the joining surface 18 with the inner surface side peripheral portion of the attachment hole 3a. That is, it is possible to prevent a significant decrease in the joining force of the joining surface 18 against the inner surface side peripheral portion of the attachment hole 3a. As a result, it is possible to prevent the holding force of the holding member 101 in the inclined use state of the holding member 101 (this holding force can be referred to as the inclined holding force of the holding member 101) from being significantly reduced with respect to the holding force of the holding member 101 in the normal use state of the holding member 101 (this holding force can be referred to as the normal holding force of the holding member 101). In this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the inclined holding force of the holding member 101 can be reduced at a reduction rate of about 30% with respect to the normal holding force of the holding member 101.

[0066] In addition, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the attached article 2 (attachment base 50) and the target member 3 are inclined with respect to each other in the front-rear direction. Thus, the holding member main bodies 1a, 101a are inclined with respect to the target member 3. However, even when the attachment base 50 is inclined with respect to the attached article 2, the holding member main bodies 1a, 101a can be inclined with respect to the target member 3.

[0067] Representative examples of the present disclosure have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This detailed description is only intended to teach those skilled in the art further details for practicing the preferred aspects of the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Only the claims define the scope of the claimed present disclosure. Therefore, the combinations of features and steps disclosed in the foregoing detailed description may not be necessary for practicing the present disclosure in the broadest sense, but are only taught to describe in a particular way the detailed representative examples of the present disclosure. In addition, the various features taught in this application document can be combined in ways not specifically recited to obtain additional useful embodiments of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A clamping member, comprising a clamping member body, wherein: The clamp body is configured to be coupled to a coupling portion of an attachment base formed in an attachment article, and the clamp body is configured to be inserted into an attachment hole formed in a target member, the clamp body comprising: a pair of generally V-shaped outer legs, the pair of outer legs being oppositely positioned in the front-rear direction and having a head portion and a first proximal end portion and a second proximal end portion, a pair of inner legs positioned between the pair of outer legs and having a head portion and a proximal end portion, and Paired connecting members, wherein the first proximal end portion and the second proximal end portion of the outer leg are respectively connected to each other via the connecting member in the front-rear direction in a manner allowing the outer leg to bend in the front-rear direction, wherein the proximal end portions of the inner legs are respectively connected to the connecting members so that the inner legs are positioned opposite to each other in the lateral direction, wherein the outer legs respectively include engaging portions configured to engage with the attachment holes of the target member, and Wherein, the inner legs respectively include engaging protrusions configured to be coupled to the coupling portion of the attachment base.

2. The clamping member according to claim 1, wherein: The outer legs are positioned at an interval so as to form a space therebetween, the space allowing the outer legs to elastically flex relative to each other in the front-rear direction in a state where the clamp body is inserted into the attachment hole formed in the target member.

3. The clamping member according to claim 2, wherein: The outer leg portion is configured such that, when the outer leg portion is elastically flexed due to the inclination of the clip body relative to the attachment hole, the outer leg portion interferes with the inner leg portion.

4. The clamping member according to claim 3, wherein: The outer leg portion is configured to be elastically bent through the attachment hole of the target member such that the outer leg portion overlaps the inner leg portion in the front-rear direction when the clip body is inserted into the attachment hole.

5. The clamping member according to claim 4, wherein: The inner leg portion is configured such that, in a state in which the clip body is inserted into the attachment hole, a distal end portion of the inner leg portion is positioned inside with respect to an outer surface of the outer leg portion.

6. The clamp according to claim 1, wherein: The proximal end portion of the inner leg is positioned so that: relative to the inner side surface of the first proximal end portion and the inner side surface of the second proximal end portion of the outer leg, the inner surface of the proximal end portion of the inner leg protrudes toward the axis of the clamp body, and wherein the connecting member includes an inner protrusion, and the proximal end portion of the inner leg is connected to the inner protrusion.

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