Fastening device and method for sheet material

Abstract

The invention relates to a fastening device (1) for positively locking a first planar material, comprising two brackets, namely a first bracket (2) and a second bracket (3), the planar material being U-engageable in cross-section by means of a first predetermined bending section (5) around a first predetermined bending axis (6). The fastening device (1) has a locking device (9) with a first locking nose (10) which is formed in the vertical direction of the longitudinal side of the first bracket (2), and the second bracket (3) has a first locking recess (11) for engaging the locking device (9). Wherein the locking means (9) and the locking groove (11) are each formed at the same distance (A) at the first predetermined bending axis (6).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fastening device, a fastening system, and a fastening method for positively locking and fixing a first planar material. Background Art

[0002] In automobiles, for connecting two planar materials, covering components, or body sheet metals, or for sound insulation, locking ("spring clips") is known. The disadvantage here is that locking or fixing must be ensured by screws, pressing in, or clamping. This can deform or damage the planar materials. Additionally, blind assembly is disadvantageous because half of the locking is not visible. Hook-and-loop fasteners are often used. But this requires attaching it to components or materials, usually by sewing, bonding, or stapling. Disadvantages of such fastening methods include time-consuming and high costs. Moreover, not all materials are suitable for sewing, bonding, or stapling. The positioning is inaccurate when using hook-and-loop fasteners to connect two components.

[0003] Other fastening fixtures exist, but they require multiple connecting parts and many manufacturing steps.

[0004] European Patent EP 0584648 B1 describes a retaining clip for connecting plates with different expansion behaviors, for example, for attaching a plastic housing or panel to a body part in automotive construction. The retaining clip has two through holes formed in a clamp bracket, and the plates are clamped by supporting spring pieces. Another clamp bracket includes a threaded projection for screwing in a sheet metal screw. The clamp bracket has two sleeve-shaped holes for clamping the plates in a fitting manner.

[0005] German Patent DE 10 2008007329 describes a fastening device in which a plate (1) can be attached to a fastening base. The fastening device includes a fastening element that is installed in a hole (15) of the plate (1) and enables the plate (1) to be fixed to the fastening base. The fastening device further includes at least one additional fastening element (4) slidably mounted on the plate (1) and usable for fixing the plate (1) to the fastening base, where the sliding direction of the additional fastening element (4) lies on an imaginary straight line intersecting the mounting point of the first fastening element on the plate (1). The fastening element (4) includes a U-shaped clip (5) that clamps the edge of the plate, and there is a pin passing through the plate between the two brackets of the U-shaped clip. The fastening element (4) further includes a pin-shaped element (13) for attaching the fastening element (4) to the fastening base.

[0006] Object of the Invention

[0007] The object is to create a fastening device for at least one planar material, preferably two planar materials, especially for automotive applications, that is as simple and cost-effective as possible, has as few components as possible, and can be precisely assembled and disassembled with as few steps as possible. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The object is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1. The dependent claims describe further preferred embodiments.

[0009] A fastening device for positively locking and fixing a first planar material, comprising two brackets, a first bracket and a second bracket, which can clamp the planar material in a U-shape in cross-section by means of a first predetermined bending section about a first predetermined bending axis. The fastening device is equipped with a locking device having a first locking nose formed perpendicular to the longitudinal side of the first bracket, and the second bracket has a first locking groove for engagement in the locking device, wherein the locking device and the locking groove are each at the same distance from the first predetermined bending axis.

[0010] Thus, a fastening device is provided that can positively lock and repeatedly clamp a planar material, preferably for covering automotive body parts and covering materials for parts. The covering material can be fixed in a defined manner. Due to the locking device, it can be quickly disassembled without damaging the fastening device or the planar material.

[0011] According to a further preferred embodiment, the locking device is designed as a protruding locking cylinder.

[0012] This reduces the risk of damage and injury to the planar material. Manufacturing tolerances can be easily compensated.

[0013] In a further embodiment, the locking nose is formed by a groove in the locking cylinder, the height of which corresponds to the thickness of the second bracket and the planar material. This creates a resource-efficient locking nose. The profile of the locking nose is smoothly implemented on the locking cylinder for easy positive engagement of the planar material. In addition, the second bracket can serve as a clamping bearing for the first planar material. The first planar material can be flexible and soft.

[0014] To connect and fix two planar materials, a third bracket forms a second locking groove at a second predetermined bending axis of a second predetermined bending section. The locking device has second and third locking noses formed on the locking device.

[0015] The second locking groove is thus locked with the second and third locking noses in the second and third locking grooves.

[0016] To ensure the stability and resource efficiency of the fastening device, as well as the possibility of fixing with vertical fasteners (such as screws), the locking cylinder is designed with an inner hole.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the inner hole also provides an additional advantage, namely that a lever nose can be formed on an inner rib at the height of the third locking groove inside the inner hole, towards the central axis of the inner hole. This allows the use of a lever tool as a second corresponding support to lock the third bracket.

[0018] To facilitate the use of a standardized lever tool (such as a flat screwdriver) to fix and lock the third bracket, the groove of the second locking nose includes an axially extending incision that extends from the first bracket to the end face of the locking device. The incision is preferably rounded axially towards the first bracket.

[0019] To ensure that the fastening device is cost-effective and can be manufactured and processed with few components, it is preferably made as a single piece from a flexible hard / rigid plastic, in particular polyamide or a polyamide-based material.

[0020] To simplify the identification of a predetermined bending section relative to other parts (i.e., the bracket part) during assembly and to facilitate manufacturing, the fastening device includes at least one predetermined bending section with material shrinkage. In this predetermined bending section, the thickness and / or width of the bracket is reduced.

[0021] A further objective is to create a fastening system that includes the aforementioned fastening device and at least one flat material that can be repeatedly assembled and disassembled in as few steps as possible.

[0022] This objective is achieved by a fastening system that includes the above-mentioned fastening device and at least one flat material, where the flat material includes a groove that matches the cross-sectional profile of the locking device and can be positively inserted into the locking device and locked with the first locking nose and the first groove of the second bracket. Thus, the flat material can be repeatedly and positively installed. The incision in the flat material can be made, for example, by stamping or cutting, enabling cost-effective production. No additional manufacturing steps are required for the flat material.

[0023] A further objective is to create a simple, few-component, easy-to-assemble-and-disassemble fastening method for positive locking fixation of the fastening system.

[0024] This objective is achieved by a fastening method that uses a first flat material and a fastening device, where the groove of the first flat material positively engages the locking device of the fastening device and is locked with the locking groove in the locking device through a first corresponding surface. The corresponding surface can be a separate fastening component, but is preferably another bracket of the single-piece fastening device. This reduces the number of components and ensures that the components of the locking device stay together.

[0025] In a further fastening method, a second flat material with a second groove positively engages the locking device on the first corresponding surface, and a tool supported in the lever nose is used as a corresponding support to pull the second corresponding surface over the second and third locking noses and lock it. Thus, the two flat materials are preferably positively connected by a single fastening device or a single locking device. The second corresponding surface can be a separate component, but is preferably the third bracket formed on the fastening device.

[0026] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those not yet explained can be used not only in the specified combinations but also in other combinations not explicitly described. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0028] The accompanying drawings show:

[0029] Figure 1 : A perspective view of the fastening device in the unassembled state,

[0030] Figure 2 : A perspective view of the fastening system with the first planar material installed, in the locked state,

[0031] Figure 3 : Figure 2 A sectional view of

[0032] Figure 4 : A perspective view of the fastening system with the second planar material installed,

[0033] Figure 5 : Figure 4 The fastening device in the form of a sectional view of the fastening system in

[0034] Figure 6 : A perspective view of the fastening device of the second embodiment,

[0035] Figure 7 : Figure 6 A perspective view of the assembled state of the fastening device in

[0036] Figure 8 : Figure 6 The fastening device in the form of a sectional view of the fastening system in

[0037] Figure 9 : A perspective view of the fastening device of the third embodiment,

[0038] Figure 10 : Figure 9 A perspective view of the assembled state of the fastening device in DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0039] Figure 1Shows a fastening device 1 for a positive locking connection between a first planar material 30 and a second planar material 40 (preferably a covering material). The fastening device 1 includes three brackets: a first bracket 2, a second bracket 3, and a third bracket 4. The first bracket 2 extends to the second bracket 3 through a preset bending part 5 and a preset bending axis 6. The third bracket 4 is formed through a second preset bending part 7 and a preset bending axis 8. A locking device 9 is formed in the center of the first bracket 2, which extends vertically downward as a cylindrical structure (locking cylinder), and has an inner hole 21 inside. When unfolded to the unassembled state, the brackets 2, 3, and 4 form a rounded rectangle in a top view. The rounded corner design reduces the risk of damage and injury. The locking cylinder has a first locking groove 12, which forms internal ribs through a partial section of the inner hole 21 of the locking cylinder, thereby forming a locking nose 10.

[0040] The second bracket 3 is provided with a locking groove 11, which meshes with the first locking groove 12 when the second bracket 3 rotates 180° around the preset bending axis 6 within the preset bending part 5 to surround the planar material 30, as Figures 2 to 5 shown. An opposing support 13 is formed on the opposite side of the locking groove 11, which fits the circular contour of the locking cylinder 9 and protrudes towards the center of the bracket as a shortened tongue. The distance A from the center of the locking groove 11 to the center of the locking device 9 is the same as its distance A to the preset bending axis 6. In the third bracket 4, a second groove 14 is formed at the preset bending axis 8 at the same distance A. As Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, the second groove 14 meshes with the second groove 15, the locking nose 16, and the third groove 17, the locking nose 18, and forms a positive lock within these two grooves 15, 17 of the locking cylinder 9. The locking groove 11 meshes with the locking groove 14 to positively lock with the locking device 9.

[0041] Figure 1 The locking device 9 is also shown, where a lever nose 19 is formed inside the inner hole 21 and is located at the height of the third groove 17 as an internal rib.

[0042] The groove 15 formed by the second locking nose 16 extends axially from the end face 22 of the locked second bracket 3 away from the locking device 9 and has a rectangular cut 20, which preferably has a rounded corner transition along the axial direction towards the locked second bracket 3.

[0043] Figure 2 Shows a perspective view of the first planar material 30 assembled with the fastening device 1. The third bracket 4 is in contact with the planar material 30. The planar material 30 can be flexible and can be used as a covering material, for example, for covering vehicle components or body surfaces to provide a sound insulation function.

[0044] Figure 2 The role of the counter support 13 is illustrated, which contacts the circular profile of the locking cylinder 9 and locks with the first locking nose 10 in the first groove 12. The first and second supports 2, 3 are folded around the first predetermined bending axis 6, thereby forming a positive lock for the flat material 30.

[0045] Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 sectional view in perspective view through the locking cylinder 9 of the fastening device 1. The locking nose 10 is clearly visible, formed by the recess 12 in the cylinder. The counter support 13 is in contact with the locking cylinder 9. The counter support 13 is in contact with the locking cylinder 9. The lever nose 19 is triangular in shape, the lower base of which forms a right angle with the internal hole 21 and is directed downwards, i.e. in the opposite direction from the end face 24 relative to the first bracket 2.

[0046] The second and third locking actions are achieved by the engagement of the second and third locking grooves 15, 17 with the second and third locking noses 16, 18, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the description is as follows.

[0047] Figure 4 The fastening system is shown in a fully assembled state, comprising a fastening device 1 and two planar materials 30 and 40, which are positively locked in the fastening device 1 and locked with the first, second and third brackets 2, 3 and 4 by the fastening device 1. The two planar materials 30 and 40 are positively locked in the XY plane by means of the locking device 9 and locked in the Z direction by the locking device 9 and the locking noses 10, 16 and 18.

[0048] Figure 5 Shows Figure 4 sectional view through the fastening device 1 including the locking cylinder 9.

[0049] The structure formed by the fastening device 1 may appear to be an "S" shape or a mirror image "S" shape, depending on the viewing angle, such as Figure 5 The first planar material 30 and the second planar material 40 are both surrounded by the first, second and third brackets 2 , 3 and 4 .

[0050] The fastening method for the positive locking fastening system involves the following steps: the cutout 31 of the first planar material 30 is positively locked inserted into the locking device 9 of the fastening device 1 and locked by the first opposing surface 22 through the first locking groove 12 .

[0051] The fastening method further comprises the following steps: The second planar material 40 has a second cut 41 which positively and lockingly engages with the first counter surface 22 of the locking device 9. And, by means of a tool which can be supported as a counter support in the lever nose 19, the second counter surface 23 locks within the locking device 9 over the second and third locking noses 16, 18. The first and second opposing surfaces 22 and 23 can be separate components, but are preferably integrally formed on the fastening device 1, as Figures 1 to 5 shown.

[0052] Thus, a fastening device 1, a fastening system and a fastening method are formed which can be used to assemble and, if necessary, disassemble planar flexible materials without damage, while using the fewest components. The fastening device is used to connect the same or different materials, achieve fastening and expansion, and can be used as a covering structure with a sound insulation function.

[0053] Figure 6 A perspective view of the fastening device 1 according to the second embodiment is shown. The fastening device 1 comprises at least one predetermined bending part 5, 7, with material shrinkage, in particular crossbeams 51, 52 are formed at the material shrinkage to strengthen the connection between the brackets 2 and 3. In addition, on the first bracket 2, parallel to the bending axis 6, ribs 25, 26 with a triangular cross-section are formed on the surface in contact with the planar material 30, i.e. on the side with the right-angle locking device 9. This structure can better fix the planar material 30 so that it can withstand the tensile force within the fastening device 1, and the tensile force does not act only on the positive locking cut 31. It should be understood that corresponding ribs are also formed on other surfaces in contact with the planar materials 30, 40, such as Figure 8 in the shown fastening structure to relieve the stress on the positive locking cut 41 of the planar material 40.

[0054] Figure 6 , 7 , Figures 9 and 10 show the fastening device 1, in which the first, second and third locking noses 10, 16, 18 are formed by a series of, in particular at least 10 equally spaced teeth, in particular barbs, and complementary locking grooves 12, 15, 17 are provided on the locking device 9. In this way, the fastening device 1 can be more flexibly adapted to planar materials 30, 40 of different thicknesses and can be individually adjusted according to the actual thickness for use in the fastening structure.

[0055] Figure 6 , 7 , Figures 9 and 10 also show the fastening device 1, the locking device 9 of which has a rectangular, in particular square, cross-section, wherein the locking noses and the locking grooves are arranged on two opposite side surfaces respectively. Compared with a cylindrical shape, this design makes the assembly lighter while providing a better closing force.

[0056] The fastening device 1 is generally formed by three brackets 2, 3, and 4 arranged in a straight line. In this way, the material 40 can extend the material 30 and allow the covering material to be reopened and closed during maintenance.

[0057] Figure 6 , 7 , 9 and 10 further show the fastening device 1, in which the first and second locking grooves 11, 14 are respectively provided with predetermined bending ribs 61, 62, 64, 65, the spacing 80 of which is parallel and centered on the alignment direction of the locking noses 10, 16, 18, and this spacing is substantially equal to the cross-sectional thickness 60 of the locking device 9 at the locking grooves 15, 17. Therefore, according to the material selection of the fastening device 1, a press fit or an appropriate clearance fit can be selected between the two cross-sections 60 and 80.

[0058] Particularly preferably, in order to make the locking device have multiple teeth, such as 10 or more teeth as the locking noses 10, 16, 18 to adapt to flat materials 30, 40 of different thicknesses, the predetermined bending rib 61 has locking ribs 63, 66 in the form of material shrinkage, facing the central locking grooves 11, 14. The locking ribs serve as the opposing support for the barbed tooth surface. The thicknesses of the locking ribs 63, 64 match the teeth of the locking noses. For example, when there are 10 teeth, 10 locking noses are formed on the locking device 9.

[0059] Figure 5 and 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening system formed according to Figure 6 in the fastening structure. The fastening structure includes the above-mentioned fastening system, in which the flat material 30 has a cut 31 that matches the cross-sectional profile of the locking device 9 and can be positively locked into the locking device 9 and locked by the first locking nose with the first cut of the second bracket.

[0060] The second flat material 40 has a cut 41 that matches the cross-sectional profile of the locking device 9. This cut 41 is positively locked into the locking device 9 and fixed between the second and third brackets. Therefore, two materials 30, 40 of different thicknesses can be fastened and can be disassembled for maintenance or recycling when needed.

[0061] Figure 9 and Figure 10A third embodiment of the fastening device is shown, in which the third bracket 4 has a second predetermined bending portion 7 and a second predetermined bending axis 8 and is arranged at a right angle with respect to the first bracket 2 and the second bracket 3. In particular, the arrangement of the locking nose and the locking groove is provided on four sides of the locking device 9 and is rectangular in a cross-sectional view. Therefore, the brackets 3, 4, 5 can be adjusted and clamped according to the actual thickness of the flat material within the locking device 9. In addition, at the transition region between the materials 30 and 40, elongated holes can be provided by corresponding cuts 31, 41 in a direction parallel to the predetermined bending axes 6, 8 to compensate for tolerances.

[0062] All the illustrations are schematic and not drawn to scale. In any case, the present invention is referenced by the drawings.

Claims

1. A fastening device (1) for form-fittingly fixing a first sheet-like material, having two brackets, namely a first bracket (2) and a second bracket (3), wherein, The planar material can be surrounded in a U-shape around a first predetermined bending axis (6) by a first predetermined bending portion (5) in a cross-sectional view, and has a locking device (9). The locking device (9) has a first locking nose (10). The first locking nose (10) is formed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal side of the first bracket (2), and the second bracket (3) has a first locking groove (11) for engaging with the locking device (9). The locking device (9) and the locking groove (11) are respectively formed at the first predetermined bending axis (6) at the same spacing (a). The third bracket (4) has a second locking groove (14). The second locking groove (14) is formed at a second predetermined bending portion (7) and a second predetermined bending axis (8), and the locking device (9) has a second locking nose (16) and a third locking nose (18). The second locking nose (16) and the third locking nose (18) are formed on the locking device (9).

2. The fastening device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking device (9) is formed as a protruding locking cylinder, and the locking nose (10) is formed inside the locking cylinder through a groove (12) in the locking cylinder.

3. The fastening device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The second and third locking noses (16, 18) are respectively formed through corresponding grooves (15, 17) on the locking device (9).

4. The fastening device (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that, The locking cylinder has an internal hole (21).

5. The fastening device (1) according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that, A lever nose (19) is formed in the internal hole (21). The lever nose (19) is defined by an internal rib and is arranged towards the inner side of the central axis of the internal hole (21) at the height of the third groove (17).

6. The fastening device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The second locking groove (15) of the second locking nose (16) has a notch (20) in the axial direction. The notch (20) extends from the second bracket (3) to the end face (22) of the locking device, and is preferably rounded axially towards the first bracket (2) direction to the locking groove (15).

7. The fastening device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The fastening device is integrally formed of a flexible rigid plastic, especially polyamide.

8. The fastening device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, At least one of the predetermined bending portions (5, 7) includes material shrinkage. In particular, cross bars (51, 52) formed at the material shrinkage strengthen the connection between the brackets (2, 3).

9. The fastening device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The first, second, and third locking noses (10, 16, 18) are respectively formed with a plurality of, especially at least 10, teeth arranged equidistantly from each other in a cross-section. The teeth are in the shape of barbed teeth, and corresponding locking grooves (12, 15, 17) are formed on the locking device (9).

10. The fastening device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The locking device (9) is cylindrical with a rectangular cross-section, especially a square cross-section, and the locking noses are formed on opposite sides to cooperate with the locking grooves.

11. The fastening device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The third bracket (4) has a second predetermined bending portion (7) and a second predetermined bending axis (8), and is arranged at a right angle relative to the first and second brackets (2, 3). In particular, a plurality of locking noses and locking grooves are respectively formed on all four sides of the rectangular locking device (9) and are integrally formed along the length direction.

12. The fastening device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The first and second locking grooves (11, 14) each have a predetermined curved strip (61, 62, 64, 65) aligned and centered with the locking nose, the distance being substantially equal to the cross-sectional thickness (60) of the locking device (9) at the height of the locking groove (15). In particular, the predetermined curved strip (61) has a material shrinkage in the shape of a locking strip (63, 66), forming a counter surface towards the central locking grooves (11, 14) to serve as the counter surface of the locking nose barb surface.

13. A fastening system, comprising a fastening device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and a flat material (30, 40), wherein the flat material (30) has a cutout (31) along the cross-sectional profile of the locking device (9), and the cutout (31) can be positively locked into the locking device and locked by the first locking nose and the first groove of the second bracket.

14. A fastening method for positively locking and fastening a first flat material and a fastening device (1) for the fastening system according to claim 13, wherein the cutout (31) of the first flat material (30) is positively locked into the locking device (9) of the fastening device (1) and locked to the first locking groove (11) in the locking device (9) by the first counter surface (22).

15. The fastening method according to claim 14, wherein the second flat material (40) has a second cutout (41), which is positively locked into the locking device (9) on the first counter surface (22), and in particular, by being supported by a tool on the lever nose (19) as a counter support, the second counter surface (23) is moved over the second and third locking noses (16, 18) and locked.

16. A fastening arrangement of a fastening system, comprising a fastening device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and a flat material (30, 40), wherein the flat material (30) has a cutout (31) along the cross-sectional profile of the locking device (9), the cutout (31) can be positively locked into the locking device and locked by the first locking nose and the first groove of the second bracket, and the second flat material (40) has a cutout (41) along the cross-sectional profile of the locking device (9), which can be positively locked into the locking device and is locked between the second and third brackets.

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