Device for attaching a movable element to a dual wall

Abstract

The utility model relates to a device (1) for attaching a movable element to a double wall consisting of a first wall (2) and a second wall (3), comprising: an attachment head (4) applied against and positioned so as to protrude from a front face (21) of the first wall (2), the head (4) extending in a longitudinal direction (X) by means of fastening means (5), the fastening device has a flexible clip (50, 50 ') passing through the two walls (2, 3) in the longitudinal direction (X); a locking pin (6) inserted through the attachment head (4), also through the two walls (2, 3), and positioned between the at least two flexible clips (50, 50 ') while the at least two flexible clips (50, 50') are removed in order to simultaneously fix the at least two flexible clips to the first wall (2) and the second wall (3), characterized in that the flexible clips (50, 50 ') are attached to the first wall (2) and the second wall (3). 50 ') comprises a first shape portion (54) engageable in abutment with a rear face (22) of the first wall (2) in order to push the attachment head (4) against the first wall (2), and a second shape portion (55) and a third shape portion (56) engageable in abutment with a front face (31) and a rear face (32) of the second wall (3) in order to push the attachment head (4) against the first wall (2), respectively, in order to push the attachment head (4) against the second wall (3). The first shape portion (54), the second shape portion (55), and the third shape portion (56) are arranged to maintain a predetermined space (IN) between the first wall (2) and the second wall (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of devices for attaching various small objects or items to walls or partitions, in particular in the passenger compartment or luggage compartment of a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Numerous devices are known for attaching objects or articles to the passenger compartment or luggage compartment of a motor vehicle. Fastening hooks or loops can, for example, facilitate the storage and transport of objects within the vehicle. However, these attachment devices must withstand severe mechanical stresses. Furthermore, the wall to which the attachment device is fastened may not be strong enough to withstand the forces multiplied by the cantilever and lever arm effects generated by the device and by the user's manipulation of the device. In practice, the fastening wall is typically a 2.5 mm thick polypropylene skin that can easily collapse or tear.

[0003] Apart from this, there are new requirements for fastening holders for cups, bottles, phones or any other objects to visible interior walls of motor vehicles. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to propose a device for attaching a movable element to a wall of a motor vehicle that is simple and economical to use while exhibiting excellent mechanical holding strength.

[0005] To this end, the present invention relates to a device for attaching a movable element to a double-layer wall consisting of a first wall and a second wall, the device comprising: an attachment head, which is applied against the front side of the first wall and is positioned to protrude from the front side, and the head extends in the longitudinal direction by a fastening device, which has a flexible clip that passes through the two walls in the longitudinal direction; a locking pin, which is inserted through the attachment head, also passes through the two walls, and is inserted between at least two flexible clips to separate the at least two flexible clips so as to simultaneously grasp the first wall and the second wall, characterized in that the flexible clip comprises a first shape portion and a second shape portion and a third shape portion, which first shape portions are capable of cooperating in abutment with the back side of the first wall to press the attachment head against the first wall, which second shape portions and which third shape portions are capable of cooperating in abutment with the front and back sides of the second wall respectively, and the first shape portion, the second shape portion and the third shape portion are arranged to maintain a predetermined space IN between the first wall and the second wall.

[0006] The device according to the invention thus provides a fastening on each of the walls and a strong bracing between the partitions, which confers great solidity and holding strength, while using relatively thin partitions of approximately 2.5 mm.

[0007] Further advantageous features of the invention are defined below.

[0008] The flexible clip is formed by two symmetrically arranged toggle clips, each clip comprising a U-shaped arch having branches connected to the attachment head, and wherein a central region of the U supports a protrusion extending longitudinally between the branches of the U.

[0009] The first, second and third shapes are arranged on the protrusion of each clip and are flipped in opposite directions on the two clips.

[0010] The first, second and third shapes are each constituted by a tooth or shoulder extending transversely across the entire width of the projection.

[0011] The first, second and third shape portions have contact sides with the first wall or the second wall, which are inclined at an angle between 5° and 30° relative to a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction when the flexible clip is separated by the locking pin.

[0012] The locking pin comprises a head shaped to fit into a complementary shaped recess formed in the attachment head, the head of the pin extending through a longitudinal body passing through a central through opening in the attachment head, the longitudinal body having an overall H-shaped cross-section.

[0013] The locking pin includes a stop leg rising from a central branch of the H-shaped portion, the stop leg forming a ramp which is elastically urged rearwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the pin when it comes into contact with the edge of the central opening of the attachment head during insertion of the locking pin, and the stop leg elastically returns to its initial position by disengaging from the edge of the central opening of the attachment head when the locking pin is fully inserted into the attachment head.

[0014] The distance measured longitudinally between the attachment head and the third shape is between 8 mm and 25 mm, in particular approximately 10 mm.

[0015] The attachment head and the fastening device with the flexible clip are made as a single piece of plastic, in particular a plastic selected from:

[0016] Glass fiber reinforced polyamide 20% (PA GF20%), polyamide 12 (PA 12), polyoxymethylene (POM), polycarbonate and polybutylene terephthalate blend (PCPBT).

[0017] The attachment head includes a peripheral flange for attaching a variety of accessories to the flange.

[0018] The invention also relates to a system for fastening an accessory to at least one wall, comprising, on the one hand, a male member consisting of an attachment device having all or part of the aforementioned features, which is fastened to the wall; and, on the other hand, a female member integral with the accessory, the female member comprising a cavity into which the male member is at least partially inserted, and locking recesses shaped so as to automatically grip the flange of the attachment head via elastic return means, the locking recesses being releasable under the influence of a pusher that is manually actuated against the elastic return means.

[0019] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising first and second substantially parallel and non-adjacent walls and at least one attachment device having all or some of the aforementioned features and fastened to said walls. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The invention may be better understood through the following description of non-limiting examples of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] [ Figure 1 ] is a cross-sectional view of an attachment device according to the invention fastened to a double wall before the locking pin is inserted into the attachment head.

[0022] [ Figure 2 ] is similar to the Figure 1 view.

[0023] [ Figure 3 ] is a front view of an attachment device according to the present invention, in which the locking pin is not shown.

[0024] [ Figure 4 ] is an attachment device according to the present invention along Figure 3 The view of the section plane AA in FIG. 1 is shown, wherein the locking pin is not shown.

[0025] [ Figure 5 ] is an attachment device according to the present invention Figure 4 A top view in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 1 , wherein the locking pin is not shown.

[0026] [ Figure 6 ] is an attachment device according to the present invention Figure 4 A top view in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 1 shows the locking pin before insertion into the attachment head.

[0027] [ Figure 7 ] is a front view of the locking pin only along arrow G.

[0028] [ Figure 8 ] shows the Figure 5A similar attachment arrangement without the locking pin indicates the main dimensions of the arrangement. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The expression "substantially" means that slight deviations from a given nominal value are permitted within the scope of the invention. For example, "substantially vertical" means that an inclination of approximately 10° relative to the strict vertical is permitted within the scope of the invention.

[0030] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A device 1 for attaching a movable element to a double wall is shown. Here, a movable element (not shown) refers to any object or article that is intended to be attached to a double wall using the means described in detail below.

[0031] The invention is particularly suitable for use in passenger compartments or luggage compartments of motor vehicles, but is by no means limited to this field and the device can be used in many other fields of application having thin walls for such attachments. The walls shown here are typically made of polypropylene with a thickness of 2.5 mm.

[0032] The double wall consists of a first wall 2 visible to the user (e.g. from the passenger compartment of a vehicle) and a second wall 3 arranged behind the first wall 2 and therefore not visible to the user. The two walls 2, 3 are substantially parallel and do not abut one another, at least in the area intended to receive the attachment device 1.

[0033] The total thickness EP of the two walls 2, 3 measured in a direction perpendicular to these walls is between 8 mm and 25 mm. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the example represented, this thickness EP is approximately 10 mm, including the internal space delimited by the two walls 2 , 3 .

[0034] The device according to the invention comprises an attachment head 4 applied against the front face 21 of the first wall 2 and positioned so as to project from this front face.

[0035] The attachment head 4 is extended in the longitudinal direction X by a fastening device 5 having a flexible clip passing through the two walls 2 , 3 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0036] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a locking pin 6 is inserted through the attachment head 4 in the longitudinal direction X. This locking pin also passes through the two walls 2, 3 and is inserted between the at least two flexible clips 50, 50' of the fastening device 5, separating the at least two flexible clips from each other, so as to simultaneously grip the first wall 2 and the second wall 3 in the manner of a fastening pin. This type of fastening to the walls using a locking pin is also known as a "clip lock".

[0037] The flexible clips 50, 50' are composed of two toggle clips having the same geometry and arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the device. The first clip 50 is arranged in the upper part of the device, while the second clip 50' is arranged symmetrically with respect to the first clip (i.e., 180° inverted relative to the first clip) in the lower part of the device.

[0038] For the sake of clarity and in order not to complicate the description, the description of the first clamp also applies to the second clamp according to the symmetry indicated above. Figures 3 to 5 , which illustrates an attachment device according to the invention without a locking pin, each clip 50, 50' comprises a U-shaped arch, the branches 51 of which are connected to the attachment head 4. The branches 51 of the U meet in a central area 52 which supports a lug 53 extending longitudinally between the branches 51 of the U.

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, when the locking pin 6 is not stressed, each clip 50 , 50 ′ extends generally in a plane inclined at an angle comprised between 5° and 20° with respect to the longitudinal direction X. The two clips 50 , 50 ′ are arranged to meet at the end opposite the attachment head 4 so as to be easily insertable into the openings 23 , 33 provided in the respective partitions 2 , 3 .

[0040] During and after the locking pin 6 is inserted between the clips 50, 50' ( Figure 2 ), under the influence of the locking pin, these clips are separated until they straighten in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction X.

[0041] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the flexible clips 50, 50' comprise first shaped portions 54 capable of cooperating in abutment with the rear face 22 of the first wall 2 in order to press the attachment head 4 against the front face 21 of the first wall 2. The flexible clips also comprise second shaped portions 55 and third shaped portions 56 capable of cooperating in abutment with the front face 31 and the rear face 32 of the second wall 3, respectively.

[0042] The first, second, and third shapes 54, 55, 56 are arranged on the protrusion 53 of each clip 50, 50' and are turned in opposite directions on the two clips. In other words, the shape of the first clip 50 arranged at the top is oriented upward, while the shape of the second clip 50' at the bottom is oriented downward.

[0043] The first shape portion 54, the second shape portion 55 and the third shape portion 56 are advantageously arranged to maintain a predetermined space IN ( Figure 2 and Figure 3). Thus, the attachment means according to the invention not only attaches itself to each of the walls 2 and 3, but also constitutes an internal interface that acts as a bracket that fixes the two walls 2 and 3 in a very strong manner.

[0044] The first, second and third shapes 54, 55, 56 are each formed by a tooth or shoulder extending transversely across the entire width of the projection 53, as seen from above ( Figure 5 ). The width of the protrusion 53 is considered to be in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction X.

[0045] The first, second and third shaped portions 54, 55 and 56 have inclined contact sides with the first wall 2 or the second wall 3. When the flexible clips 50, 50' are separated by the locking pin 6, these sides are inclined at an angle between 5° and 30° relative to a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. Figure 2 As shown. This inclination of the contact side facilitates contact with the edges of the partition openings 23 and 33 by jamming during the straightening of the flexible clips 50, 50'. Due to this inclination of the contact side, the flexible clips straighten until the first partition 2 is jammed or clamped between the attachment head 4 and the first profile 54, and the second partition 3 is jammed or clamped between the second profile 55 and the third profile 56. This jamming / clamping prevents minor shifts and friction that could cause noise.

[0046] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the locking pin 6 comprises a head 61 shaped to fit into a complementary shaped recess 41 formed in the attachment head 4. The head 61 of the pin 6 extends through a longitudinal body 62 which passes through the central through opening 42 in the attachment head 4. Furthermore, the overall shape of the cross section of the longitudinal body 62 of the pin 6 is H-shaped ( Figure 6 and Figure 7 ). The vertical branches 63 of the H-shape define the separation height of the flexible clips 50, 50' when the locking pin is inserted between the clips.

[0047] The locking pin further comprises a stop leg 64 rising vertically from the central branch 65 of the H-shaped portion. The stop leg 64 forms a ramp which, when in contact with the edge of the central opening 42 of the attachment head 4 during insertion of the locking pin 6, is resiliently urged rearwardly towards the longitudinal axis of the pin 6. Figure 2 As shown, when the locking pin 6 is fully inserted into the attachment head 4, the stop legs 64 elastically return to their initial positions by disengaging from the edges of the central opening 42 of the attachment head 4. The free ends of the stop legs 64 protrude laterally beyond the edges of the central opening 42 of the attachment head 4, thereby locking the pin 6 in its inserted position in the attachment head 4.

[0048] The end of the pin 6 opposite the head 61 is gabled to facilitate insertion of the pin into the attachment head 4 and between the flexible clips 50, 50'. Thus, the lateral branches 63 of the H-shaped cross-section of the pin have pointed or gabled ends.

[0049] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the attachment head 4 and the fastening means 5 with the flexible clips 50, 50' are made in a single plastic piece. This plastic is preferably chosen from:

[0050] - Glass fiber reinforced polyamide 20% (PA GF 20%),

[0051] - Polyamide 12 (PA 12),

[0052] - Polyoxymethylene (POM),

[0053] - Polycarbonate and polybutylene terephthalate blend (PCPBT).

[0054] Other similar plastics or plastics with similar properties, in particular bending properties, are also conceivable within the scope of the present invention.

[0055] The locking pin 6 is typically made of the same material.

[0056] The material chosen is also relatively rigid in view of the material required on the visible exterior of the attachment head 4 (which must be able to secure an item or accessory, as indicated below).

[0057] The technical principle and geometry chosen for the attachment device according to the invention advantageously make it possible to produce parts by integral injection molding for the attachment head 4 and the fastening device 5 on the one hand and for the locking pin 6 on the other hand, thus perfectly combining rigidity and robustness visible from the outside with flexibility achieved by the clip.

[0058] The following references Figure 8 The dimensions selected in a specific exemplary embodiment of the invention are set out in a non-limiting manner:

[0059] A=22mm

[0060] B=16mm

[0061] C=3mm

[0062] D=8mm

[0063] E=1mm

[0064] F=22mm

[0065] G=2mm

[0066] H=7mm

[0067] I=16mm

[0068] J=13mm

[0069] The attachment device according to the present invention is presented in a particularly advantageous configuration for assembly on two parallel walls 2, 3. This constitutes the optimal configuration of the present invention, as tear-off forces have been observed to be 3 to 5 times greater than with a single wall. This is due to the specific fastening of the device to each of the walls 2, 3 and the bracket between the two walls, which securely fix the assembly in the fastening area. A further advantage is the elimination of noise or vibrations caused by micro-displacements of the device relative to the walls. The fastening of the walls and the use of locking pins, which are under stress and blocked by the stop legs, eliminate these micro-displacements.

[0070] However, the attachment device according to the invention can advantageously be used for fastening to a single-walled structure. In this case, the second and third shapes are ineffective, but this does not present a disadvantage. Thus, the same type of attachment device can be used for several configurations combining double-walled and single-walled structures.

[0071] According to another aspect of the invention, the attachment device must be able to attach items or accessories using the fastening principle known per se and presented in document CN206564619 U. For this purpose, a peripheral flange-shaped portion 43 provided on the attachment head 4 is used. This flange 43 enables the attachment of a variety of accessories.

[0072] The fastening system according to the invention comprises, on the one hand, a male member consisting of an attachment device of the type described above, and, on the other hand, a female member (not shown) integral with the accessory. The female member comprises a cavity into which the male member is at least partially inserted, and retractable claws or locking notches shaped so as to automatically grip the flange 43 of the attachment head 4 via elastic return means. The claws retract under the influence of a manually actuated pusher against the elastic return means, so as to release the peripheral flange 43 of the head 4 and move the object or accessory away from its attachment area to the wall.

[0073] Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments or variants described above, but comprises all technical equivalents of these devices.

[0074] Also described is the specific orientation of the attachment device, with the flexible clips arranged one above the other. Of course, the device can be pivoted 90 ° so that the flexible clips are oriented substantially vertically.

[0075] Nomenclature used:

[0076] Attachment device 1

[0077] First Wall 2

[0078] The front side 21 of the first wall

[0079] The back side 22 of the first wall

[0080] Second wall 3

[0081] The front side 31 of the first wall

[0082] The back side 32 of the first wall

[0083] Attachment head 4

[0084] Recess 41

[0085] Central opening 42

[0086] Peripheral flange 43

[0087] Fastening device 5

[0088] Flexible clips 50, 50'

[0089] Branches 51 of the U-shaped portion

[0090] The central area 52 of the U-shaped portion

[0091] Projection 53

[0092] First shape portion 54

[0093] Second shape portion 55

[0094] Third shape portion 56

[0095] Locking pin 6

[0096] Pin head 61

[0097] Longitudinal body 62

[0098] Lateral branches 63 of the H-shaped portion

[0099] Stop leg 64

[0100] The central branch 65 of the H-shaped portion.

Claims

1. An attachment device (1) for attaching a movable element to a double wall consisting of a first wall (2) and a second wall (3), the attachment device comprising: An attachment head (4) applied against the front face (21) of the first wall (2) and positioned so as to protrude from the front face, the attachment head (4) extending in the longitudinal direction (X) by means of a fastening device (5), the fastening device having a flexible clip (50, 50') passing through the two walls (2, 3) in the longitudinal direction (X); a locking pin (6) inserted through the attachment head (4), also through the two walls (2, 3) and interposed between the at least two flexible clips (50, 50') to separate the at least two flexible clips so as to simultaneously grip the first wall (2) and the second wall (3), characterized in that The flexible clips (50, 50') include a first shape portion (54) and a second shape portion (55) and a third shape portion (56), the first shape portions being capable of cooperating in abutment with the back surface (22) of the first wall (2) so as to press the attachment head (4) against the first wall (2), the second shape portions and the third shape portions being capable of cooperating in abutment with the front surface (31) and the back surface (32) of the second wall (3), respectively, the first shape portions (54), the second shape portions (55) and the third shape portions (56) being arranged to maintain a predetermined space (IN) between the first wall (2) and the second wall (3).

2. The attachment device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that These flexible clips (50, 50') consist of two symmetrically arranged toggle clips, each clip (50, 50') comprising a U-shaped arch, the branches (51) of which are connected to the attachment head (4), and wherein a central area (52) of the U-shaped portion supports a bulge (53) extending longitudinally between the branches (51) of the U-shaped portion.

3. The attachment device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that The first shapes (54), the second shapes (55) and the third shapes (56) are arranged on the protrusion (53) of each clip (50, 50') and are turned in opposite directions on the two clips (50, 50').

4. The attachment device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that The first shaped portions (54), the second shaped portions (55) and the third shaped portions (56) are each constituted by a tooth or shoulder extending transversely across the entire width of the projection (53).

5. The attachment device according to claim 4, wherein The first shaped portions (54), the second shaped portions (55) and the third shaped portions (56) have contact sides with the first wall (2) or the second wall (3), which are inclined at an angle between 5° and 30° relative to a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X) when the flexible clips (50, 50') are separated by the locking pin (6).

6. The attachment device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The locking pin (6) comprises a head (61) shaped to fit into a complementary shaped recess (41) formed in the attachment head (4), the head (61) of the pin (6) extending through a longitudinal body (62) passing through a central through opening (42) in the attachment head (4), the longitudinal body (62) having an overall H-shaped cross-section.

7. The attachment device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that The locking pin (6) includes a stop leg (64) rising from the central branch (65) of the H-shaped portion, the stop leg (64) forming a ramp, which is elastically urged backward toward the longitudinal axis of the pin (6) when it contacts the edge of the central opening (42) of the attachment head (4) during the insertion of the locking pin (6), and the stop leg elastically returns to its initial position by disengaging from the edge of the central opening (42) of the attachment head (4) when the locking pin (6) is fully inserted into the attachment head (4).

8. The attachment device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The distance measured longitudinally between the attachment head (4) and the third shapes (56) is between 8 mm and 25 mm.

9. The attachment device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The distance measured longitudinally between the attachment head (4) and the third shapes (56) is approximately 10 mm.

10. The attachment device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The attachment head (4) and the fastening device (5) with flexible clips (50, 50') are made as a single plastic piece.

11. The attachment device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The attachment head (4) includes a peripheral flange (43) for attaching a variety of accessories to the flange.

12. A fastening system for fastening an accessory to at least one wall (2, 3), characterized in that The fastening system comprises, on the one hand, a convex member consisting of an attachment device (1) as claimed in claim 11, which is fastened to the wall (2, 3); and, on the other hand, a concave member integral with the accessory, which concave member comprises a cavity and retractable claws, into which the convex member is at least partially inserted, the retractable claws being formed to automatically grip the flange (43) of the attachment head (4) via an elastic return device, the claws retracting under the influence of a pusher that is manually actuated against the elastic return device so as to release the flange (43) of the attachment head (4).

13. A motor vehicle, characterized in that: The motor vehicle comprises a first wall (2) and a second wall (3) which are substantially parallel and non-adjacent, and at least one attachment device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 which is fastened to said walls (2, 3).

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