Fastener clip assembly having plurality of threads for receiving screw

Abstract

The present application provides fastener clip assemblies having a plurality of threads for receiving screws, in particular systems and methods including a first leg and a second leg opposite the first leg. The first leg includes a first top and a first bottom, and the second leg includes a second top and a second bottom. Also included is a first wing extending from the first leg and a second wing extending from the second leg. In addition, two or more platforms are included that couple the first leg and the second leg proximate the first bottom and the second bottom. At least two of the two or more platforms include threads, and each thread is configured to receive a screw.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to devices for fastening objects, and more particularly to a fastener clip assembly for insertion into a joining structure such as a vehicle chassis, a hollow substrate, a wall, a panel, or any suitable surface. Background Art

[0002] Many devices and fasteners are currently available for fastening panels, such as body panels and automotive interior trim panels, to the chassis of a vehicle. As used herein, a body panel refers to, for example, any interior or exterior body panel, plastic interior trim, door panel, headliner, or any interior trim on a vehicle. Additionally, the panel may be any suitable exterior body panel, such as a fender, bumper, quarter panel, or door panel. The chassis of a vehicle may include any substrate, plate, body panel, structural frame, chassis component or subcomponent, wall, or any suitable object.

[0003] These conventional fastener devices provide generally relatively equal levels of insertion force and extraction force. These body panels are typically attached to the chassis of the automobile with a relatively high level of insertion force, while providing a relatively low level of extraction force.

[0004] Fastener clips such as two-piece fasteners (multi-piece) are known for attaching body panels to the chassis of an automobile. Two-piece fasteners are used so that if the panels are removed after initial installation (such as to service a component in a door), they can be pulled apart so that one portion remains attached to the sheet metal and the other portion remains attached to the trim panel. The two pieces can also be reattached after separation. However, two-piece fasteners require the manufacture of multiple pieces and labor-intensive assembly of the two pieces and are therefore relatively expensive.

[0005] One-piece fasteners are generally less expensive than two-piece or multi-piece fasteners. One-piece fasteners have: a base that is attached to the body panel; and a post attached to the base; and wings that are attached to at least the top of the post at the end of the fastener for fastening to the frame slot. However, if the frame slot and the fastener are not aligned, the forces on the wings are not equal because the wing closest to the slot edge will experience higher wing compression, while the other wing will have insufficient spring force to engage the slot. As the clip is forced into the slot, this high force on one wing may cause the wing to break, thereby rendering the fastener unable to fasten the body panel to the frame. Even worse, a broken, damaged, or weakened wing may cause the body panel to detach or cause a rattling sound.

[0006] The wings of conventional fasteners have sharp, uneven grooves to engage the edge of the frame slot. However, when the clip is removed, the sharp edge of the frame slot cuts into the softer plastic and cuts the groove. During manufacturing, slots are typically formed in the frame of a vehicle, such as in an interior roof or door sheet metal structure, by punching the sheet metal. As the punch enters the sheet metal, the outside of the sheet metal is pushed inward and a metal punch mark or ridge is formed on the inside of the sheet metal. The resulting slot edge on the outside of the slot is relatively smooth; however, the inside of the slot edge is sharp and rough. When the fastener clip is removed, the sharp edge of the frame cuts through the groove, making the clip impossible to be reinserted and reused.

[0007] For example, if the slot is eccentric, or if the thickness of the sheet metal varies, or if tolerances exist in the production of the slot in the vehicle chassis or in the trim, the engagement of one portion of the hole in the chassis with one wing may not provide a suitable frictional engagement. Twisting of the body panel will likely be more prevalent because fewer than all contact points are actually formed with the slot in the vehicle chassis. As a result, conventional one-piece fasteners do not self-align themselves and are susceptible to wing breakage when the fastener and body panel are misaligned, making it impossible for the fastener to be reattached.

[0008] Conventional fasteners generally do not adequately fix the panel to a vehicle chassis with slot size and position variations or sheet metals with different curvatures or thicknesses throughout. When the fastener and the body panel are misaligned, the conventional one-piece fastener itself is not self-aligned, and wing breakage is prone to occur, so that the fastener cannot be reattached. Moreover, conventional fasteners are not suitable when subjected to various environmental conditions (such as in the presence of vibrations of various levels of amplitude and frequency). For example, conventional fasteners of this type generally do not prevent or minimize the amount of hum, rattle, or any other type of noise that may attract the attention of the occupants of the vehicle or otherwise weaken the attachment. Conventional fasteners do not adequately adapt to various levels of production tolerances, such as various sizes in body panels and vehicle chassis. Therefore, conventional fastener devices generally do not self-align nor adequately fasten to a range of sheet metal thicknesses, and do not minimize or eliminate hum and rattle, and are not adequate to adapt to changes in production tolerances. As a result, especially after several years of vehicle operation and exposure to vibration, heat, humidity and other environmental conditions, wear, squeaks, rattles, hums, corrosion and loss of elasticity and sealing may result. Utility Model Content

[0009] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a fastener clip assembly which can solve the above problems.

[0010] According to the utility model, a fastener clip assembly is provided, comprising: a first leg and a second leg, the second leg being opposite to the first leg, the first leg comprising a first top and a first bottom, and the second leg comprising a second top and a second bottom; a first wing extending from the first leg and a second wing extending from the second leg; and two or more platforms, the two or more platforms connecting the first leg and the second leg near the first bottom and near the second bottom, wherein at least two of the two or more platforms comprise threads, wherein each of the threads is configured to receive a screw.

[0011] Preferably, the first wing and the second wing are configured to engage and attach to a socket in a first component, and the screw is configured to couple the second component to the first component based at least on the screw being configured to be inserted through a hole in the second component and threaded through the threads.

[0012] Preferably, the number of threads is determined based at least on the torque requirement of the screw.

[0013] Preferably, the rotational orientation of each of said threads is determined based at least on the vertical distance between said threads.

[0014] Preferably, the two or more platforms are parallel to each other.

[0015] Preferably, at least some of the two or more platforms include at least one of a support tongue and a support protrusion, wherein the support tongue engages a corresponding receiving slot in the first leg and the second leg to provide additional support to the two or more platforms, and the support protrusion prevents at least some of the two or more platforms from folding onto each other.

[0016] Preferably, the fastener clip assembly further comprises a foot, the foot providing a stop as the fastener clip is pushed into the slot in the first component.

[0017] Preferably, the fastener clip assembly further comprises a first inner leg extending downwardly from the first top portion and a second inner leg extending downwardly from the second top portion.

[0018] Preferably, the fastener clip assembly further includes leg threads formed between the first inner leg and the second inner leg near the first top and near the second top.

[0019] Preferably, the first leg, the second leg and the two or more platforms are formed from a continuous single piece of material.

[0020] Preferably, the material is a flat piece of metal which is bent, punched or stamped to form the first wing, the second wing, the two or more platforms and the thread. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Other objects and advantages of the present invention may become apparent upon reading the detailed description and upon referring to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] Figure 1 is an exploded view of a fastener clip assembly according to some embodiments.

[0023] Figure 2 is a diagram of a fastener clip according to some embodiments.

[0024] Figure 3 is an alternative view of a fastener clip according to some embodiments.

[0025] Figure 4 is another alternative view of a fastener clip according to some embodiments.

[0026] Figure 5 is an illustration of an alternative fastener clip having unevenly spaced thread sets according to some embodiments.

[0027] Figure 6 is an illustration of an alternative fastener clip having two sets of threads according to some embodiments.

[0028] Figure 7 is a view of a fastener clip attached to a first component and to an assembly of a screw and a second component according to some embodiments.

[0029] Figure 8 is another view of a fastener clip attached to a first component and to an assembly of a screw and a second component according to some embodiments.

[0030] Fig. 9 Still another view of a fastener clip attached to a first component and to an assembly of a screw and a second component, according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Although the utility model is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, its specific embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and the accompanying detailed description. However, it should be understood that the drawings and detailed description are not intended to limit the utility model to specific embodiments. On the contrary, the utility model is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents and substitutes falling within the scope of the utility model as defined by the claims.

[0032] Figure 1 is an exploded view of a fastener clip assembly according to some embodiments.

[0033] In some embodiments, the fastener clip assembly includes a high retention fastener clip 1100 and a screw 1200. The fastener clip 1100 and the screw 1200 can be configured to fasten two different components together. For example, the fastener clip 1100 and the screw 1200 can be configured to hold various decorative panels (such as the second component 1600) to a vehicle chassis (such as the first component 1500). However, it should be noted that the fastener clip assembly can be configured to connect various other components to each other, and the fastener clip assembly is not limited to fastening a panel to a chassis.

[0034] The fastener clip 1100 may be configured to be inserted into and attached to a slot / hole in the first component 1500. The second component is configured to be attached to the first component 1500 using a screw that is configured to be screwed into and attached to the fastener clip 1100.

[0035] Figure 2 is a diagram of a fastener clip according to some embodiments.

[0036] Figure 3 is an alternative view of a fastener clip according to some embodiments.

[0037] Figure 4 is another alternative view of a fastener clip according to some embodiments.

[0038] In some embodiments, fastener clip 1100 includes: a pair of outer legs (or simply legs) 60, one outer leg 60 on each side of fastener clip 1100; and a pair of inner legs 62, one inner leg 62 on each side of fastener clip 1100. Each outer leg is connected to an inner leg at first and second heads 70: one inner leg is connected to one outer leg at one head 70, and the other inner leg is connected to the other outer leg at the other head 70.

[0039] In some embodiments, the pair of legs 60 taper inwardly as they each rise toward the head 70, such that the fastener clip 1100 is narrower at the top and easier to insert into a slot in the first component, for example.

[0040] In some embodiments, fastener clip 1100 includes three parallel platforms 21, 22, and 23 stacked one above the other. In some embodiments, each of platforms 21, 22, and 23 includes threads 31, 32, and 33, respectively, and threads 31, 32, and 33 are configured to receive screws. In some embodiments, threads (not shown) may also be formed on the inner side of inner leg 62 near head 70, and these threads are also configured to receive screws, thereby providing additional torque tolerance for the screws.

[0041] In some embodiments, the rotational orientation of all threads can be determined based at least on the distance between the platforms and the distance between the platforms and the top of the inner leg 62 so that a screw with appropriate threads can be threaded through threads 31, 32 and 33 and optionally through the threads at the top of the inner side of leg 62 without binding.

[0042] In some embodiments, the fastener clip 1100 may also include two wings 75, one on each leg 62. In some embodiments, the wings 75 are attached at their tops and extend downward. In some embodiments, the wings 75 are configured to engage slots in a surface to which the clip 1100 is configured to be attached, such as a car chassis. The wings 75 (and the legs 60 in some embodiments) are configured to flex inward as the clip is pushed into the slots, and then spring back outward so that the bottom of the wings 75 engage the slots on the first component.

[0043] In some embodiments, fastener clip 1100 may also include foot 20. Foot 20 is configured to rest against a first component to which the fastener clip is engaged, thereby providing a stop point for fastener clip 1100.

[0044] In some embodiments, for example, for strength and resiliency, fastener clip 1100 can be made of metal. In some embodiments, fastener clip 1100 can be made of a continuous piece of long, mostly rectangular flat metal that is appropriately punched, stamped, and / or bent to form the features of fastener clip 1100. In some embodiments, platform 21 can be formed first at one end of the metal piece, followed by one outer leg 60, one inner leg 62, platform 23, another inner leg 62, another outer leg 60, and terminating at platform 22 at the other end of the metal piece.

[0045] In some embodiments, any number of platforms (and corresponding threads for each platform) may be formed depending on the torque requirements of the screw 1200 for each application. For example, each platform / thread increases the amount of torque that the screw can tolerate, and therefore, a greater number of platforms / threads may be selected for higher torque requirements. As will be seen below, if less torque tolerance is required, only two platforms / threads may be used. And in embodiments where more torque tolerance is required, three or more platforms / threads may be used.

[0046] In some embodiments, support structures (such as tabs, bumps, etc.) may be added to better support the platform. Additional support may be needed, for example, to handle the additional tension generated when inserting the screw through threads 31, threads 32, and threads 33. For example, tabs 50 may be configured to engage corresponding receiving slots in the legs, thereby increasing the force required to move the platforms relative to each other and increasing the force that each thread can withstand when the screw is inserted and tightened into the fastener clip 1100. In some embodiments, for additional support, support bumps 55 may be placed on the platform 21 to support the platform 22 from being closer to the platform 21 under the tension from inserting and tightening the screw into the fastener clip 1100. Support bumps 55 further increase the force required to move the platforms relative to each other and further increase the force that each thread can withstand.

[0047] Figure 5 is an illustration of an alternative fastener clip having unevenly spaced thread sets according to some embodiments.

[0048] In some embodiments, the alternative fastener clip 1100 includes a pair of outer legs (or simply legs) 60, one on each side of the fastener clip 1100, and a pair of inner legs 62, one on each side of the fastener clip 1100. The two pairs of legs are connected at first and second heads 70: one inner leg is connected to one outer leg at one head 70, and the other inner leg is connected to the other outer leg at the other head 70.

[0049] In some embodiments, the pair of legs 60 taper inwardly as they each rise toward the head 70, such that the fastener clip 1100 is narrower at the top and easier to insert into a slot in the first component, for example.

[0050] In some embodiments, fastener clip 1100 includes three platforms 21, 22, and 23 stacked one above the other, with platform 21 toward the bottom of fastener clip 1100. In some embodiments, each of platforms 21, 22, and 23 includes threads 31, 32, and 33, respectively, and threads 31, 32, and 33 are configured to receive screws. In some embodiments, threads (not shown) may also be formed to the interior of inner leg 62 near head 70, which threads are also configured to receive screws.

[0051] In some embodiments, the pitch of all threads can be formed based at least on the distance between the platforms and the distance between the platforms and the top of the inner leg 62 so that a screw with appropriate threads can be screwed through threads 31, 32 and 33 and optionally through the threads at the top of the interior of leg 62 without binding.

[0052] exist Figure 5In the embodiment shown in , the distance between platform 21 and platform 22 is approximately twice the distance between platform 22 and platform 23. Thus, thread 31 can be rotated 180 degrees compared to thread 32 and thread 33 so that screw 1200 fits through all threads without binding.

[0053] In some embodiments, the fastener clip 1100 may also include two wings 75, one on each leg 62. In some embodiments, the wings 75 are attached at their tops and extend downward. In some embodiments, the wings 75 are configured to engage slots in a surface (such as a first component) to which the clip 1100 is configured to be attached. The wings 75, as well as the legs 60, are configured to flex inward as the clip is pushed into the slots, and then spring outward so that the bottom of the wings 75 engage the slots on the chassis.

[0054] In some embodiments, fastener clip 1100 may also include foot 20. Foot 20 is configured to rest against a chassis to which the fastener clip is coupled, thereby providing a stop point for fastener clip 1100.

[0055] In some embodiments, support structures (such as tabs, bumps, etc.) may be added to better support the platform. Additional support may be needed, for example, to handle the additional tension generated when inserting the screw through threads 31, threads 32, and threads 33. In some embodiments, for additional support, support bumps 55 may be placed on platform 21 to support platform 22 from being moved closer to platform 21 under the tension from inserting and tightening the screw into fastener clip 1100. Support bumps 55 further increase the force required to move the platforms relative to each other, further increasing the force that each thread can withstand.

[0056] Figure 6 is an illustration of an alternative fastener clip having two sets of threads according to some embodiments.

[0057] In some embodiments, the alternative fastener clip 1100 includes a pair of outer legs (or simply legs) 60, one on each side of the fastener clip 1100, and a pair of inner legs 62, one on each side of the fastener clip 1100. The two pairs of legs are connected at first and second heads 70: one inner leg is connected to one outer leg at one head 70, and the other inner leg is connected to the other outer leg at the other head 70.

[0058] In some embodiments, the pair of legs 60 taper inwardly as they each rise toward the head 70 so that the fastener clip 1100 is narrower at the top and easier to insert into a slot in a chassis, for example.

[0059] In some embodiments, fastener clip 1100 includes three platforms 21 , 22 , and 23 stacked one on top of the other, with platform 21 toward the bottom of fastener clip 1100 .

[0060] exist Figure 6 In the alternative embodiment shown in , platforms 21 and 22 may include threads 31 and 32, respectively, while platform 21 may not include threads. For example, in applications where the torque requirements of screw 1200 are lower, such an alternative fastener clip 1100 with two threads instead of three may be used. In still other embodiments, more than three platforms / threads may be used when higher torque tolerances are required.

[0061] In some embodiments, the fastener clip 1100 may also include two wings 75, one on each leg 62. In some embodiments, the wings 75 are attached at their tops and extend downward. In some embodiments, the wings 75 are configured to engage slots in a surface to which the clip 1100 is configured to be attached, such as a car chassis. The wings 75, as well as the legs 60, are configured to flex inward as the clip is pushed into the slots, and then spring outward so that the bottom of the wings 75 engage the slots on the chassis.

[0062] In some embodiments, fastener clip 1100 may also include foot 20. Foot 20 is configured to rest against a chassis to which the fastener clip is coupled, thereby providing a stop point for fastener clip 1100.

[0063] In some embodiments, support structures (such as tabs, bumps, etc.) may be added to better support the platform. Additional support may be needed, for example, to handle the additional tension generated when inserting the screw through threads 31, threads 32, and threads 33. In some embodiments, for additional support, support bumps 55 may be placed on platform 21 to support platform 22 from being moved closer to platform 21 under the tension from inserting and tightening the screw into fastener clip 1100. Support bumps 55 further increase the force required to move the platforms relative to each other, further increasing the force that each thread can withstand.

[0064] Figure 7 is a view of an assembled fastener clip attached to a first component and to a screw according to some embodiments.

[0065] Figure 8 is another view of the assembled fastener clip attached to a first component and to a screw according to some embodiments.

[0066] Fig. 9 Still another view of the assembled fastener clip attached to a first component and to a screw in accordance with some embodiments.

[0067] In some embodiments, fastener clip 1100 can be configured to attach to a slot in chassis 1500. Fastener clip 1100 is also configured to receive and couple to screw 1200. Screw 1200 can be used to attach various components, such as second component 1600, to chassis 1500.

[0068] It should be noted that after being screwed into the fastener clip 1100, the screw 1200 is configured to push against the legs of the fastener clip 1100 and prevent the legs from folding inward. As such, this further increases the difficulty of separating the fastener clip 1100 from the chassis 1500, which further increases the connection between the two.

[0069] It should be understood that the implementation of other variations and modifications of the utility model in its various forms will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the utility model is not limited to the specific embodiments described. Therefore, it is expected that the utility model covers any and all variations, variants or equivalents that fall within the spirit and scope of the basic underlying principles disclosed and claimed herein.

[0070] One or more embodiments of the present invention are described above. It should be noted that these and any other embodiments are exemplary and are intended to illustrate the present invention rather than to be limiting. Although the present invention is widely applicable to various types of systems, the skilled person will recognize that it is not possible to include all possible embodiments and contexts of the present invention in the present invention. When reading the present invention, many alternative embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0071] The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be granted the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0072] The benefits and advantages that the utility model can provide have been described above with respect to specific embodiments. These benefits and advantages, as well as any elements or limitations that may cause them to occur or become more apparent, should not be interpreted as key, required or essential features of any or all claims. As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variants thereof are intended to be interpreted as non-exclusively including elements or limitations that follow those terms. Therefore, a system, method, or other embodiment including a set of elements is not limited to only those elements, and may include other elements that are not explicitly listed or inherent to the claimed embodiments.

[0073] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood that the embodiments are illustrative and the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Many variations, modifications, additions and improvements to the above-described embodiments are possible. It is expected that these variations, modifications, additions and improvements fall within the scope of the present invention as detailed in the claims.

Claims

1. A fastener clip assembly having a plurality of threads for receiving a screw, characterized in that The fastener clip assembly comprises: a first leg and a second leg, the second leg being opposite the first leg, the first leg comprising a first top portion and a first bottom portion, and the second leg comprising a second top portion and a second bottom portion; a first wing extending from the first leg and a second wing extending from the second leg; and Two or more platforms couple the first leg and the second leg near the first bottom and near the second bottom, wherein at least two of the two or more platforms include threads, wherein each of the threads is configured to receive a screw.

2. The fastener clip assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first wing and the second wing are configured to engage and attach to a slot in the first component, and The screw is configured to couple the second component to the first component based at least on the screw being configured to be inserted through a hole in the second component and threaded through the threads.

3. The fastener clip assembly of claim 1, wherein The number of threads is determined based at least on a torque requirement of the screw.

4. The fastener clip assembly of claim 1, wherein A rotational orientation of each of the threads is determined based at least on a vertical distance between the threads.

5. The fastener clip assembly of claim 1, wherein The two or more platforms are parallel to each other.

6. The fastener clip assembly of claim 1, wherein At least some of the two or more platforms include at least one of a support tongue and a support bump, wherein the support tongue engages corresponding receiving slots in the first leg and in the second leg to provide additional support to the two or more platforms, wherein the support bump prevents at least some of the two or more platforms from folding onto each other.

7. The fastener clip assembly of claim 2, wherein The fastener clip assembly further includes a foot that provides a stop as the fastener clip is pushed into the slot in the first component.

8. The fastener clip assembly of claim 1, wherein The fastener clip assembly further includes a first inner leg extending downwardly from the first top portion and a second inner leg extending downwardly from the second top portion.

9. The fastener clip assembly of claim 8, wherein The fastener clip assembly further includes leg threads formed between the first inner leg and the second inner leg adjacent the first top portion and adjacent the second top portion.

10. The fastener clip assembly of claim 1, wherein The first leg, the second leg and the two or more platforms are formed from a continuous single piece of material.

11. The fastener clip assembly of claim 10, wherein The material is a flat piece of metal that is bent, punched or stamped to form the first wing, the second wing, the two or more platforms and the threads.

Images