Clip element

Abstract

Clip element (1), comprising: • a first clamping element (2) and a second clamping element (3), • a hinge element (4) via which the two clamping elements (2, 3) are pivotably connected to each other, • a locking element (5) which rests against the clamping elements (2, 3) on opposite sides of the clamping elements (2, 3), wherein the locking element (5) can: ◯ assume an open position in which the locking element (5) rests against the clamping elements (2, 3) in an area close to the hinge element (4), wherein the clamping elements (2, 3) are V-shaped in the open position, or ◯ a closed position in which the locking element (5) rests against the clamping elements (2, 3) in an area far from the hinge element (4), wherein the clamping elements (2, 3) are parallel in the closed position and can clamp a component between them, characterized in that: • the locking element (5) has locking arms (5a, 5b) has, wherein on the outer sides of the clamping elements (2,3) Guides are provided which guide the locking arms (5a, 5b) in a positive-locking manner when the locking element (5) is moved in a predetermined direction of movement, • a locking device or a locking device is provided on each of the clamping elements (2, 3) which prevents the locking element (5) from automatically sliding back from the closed position to the open position, and • the hinge element (4) is a film hinge and the clamping elements (2, 3) and the hinge element (4) are injection-molded in one piece from plastic.

Description

The present invention relates to a clip element according to the preamble of claim 1.Such a clip element is known from U.S. Pat. No. 1,783,678 A. The technical background of the present invention includes WO 2010 / 015 393 A1, DE 37 34 569 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 4,137,658 A and U.S. Pat. No. 2014 / 0 090 211 A1.In the construction of modern automobiles, increasingly complex die cast aluminum constructions are used in the body sector (e.g. longitudinal body beams for receiving the axles and spring supports for receiving spring / damper elements) in order to be able to meet the requirements with respect to weight reduction. Various components such as cables, lines, holders, cladding parts, etc. must be fastened to such aluminum components.In the steel constructions used hitherto, such fastening tasks are solved by means of holes punched into the sheet metal or by means of welded-on coarse threaded bolts. Such fastening points must be produced before painting the vehicle body.In the case of die cast aluminum components, however, the production of holes or the attachment of large aluminum threaded bolts is associated with significantly higher costs, since expensive slides must be provided for this purpose in the casting tools.It is the object of the invention to provide a clip element which can be produced cost-effectively and which can be fastened in a simple manner to a plate-like or rib-like element or to a plate-like or rib-like projection of a component.This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims.The starting point of the invention is a clip element having a first and a second clamping element, which are pivotably connected to one another via a hinge element. The clip element according to the invention further includes a securing element which abuts on the clamping element on mutually remote sides, in particular on mutually remote outer sides.The securing element can optionally assume an open position or a closed position. In the open position, the securing element bears against the clamping elements in a region close to the hinge element, wherein the clamping elements are or can be open or spread open in a V-like manner in the open position.In the closed position, the securing element abuts the clamping elements in a region remote from the hinge element. In the closed position, the clamping elements are held in a substantially parallel position or are compressed into a substantially parallel position by the securing element.In the closed position, the clip element can be clamped onto a component or a plate-like or rib-like section of a component. The plate-like or rib-like section is thus clamped between the clamping elements in the closed position.With regard to automobile construction, the clip element can thus be clamped onto an already painted plate-like or rib-like component or onto a plate-like or rib-like section of a component.The clamping elements can be designed, for example, in the manner of plates.The securing element can be U-shaped or fork-like.According to a further development of the invention, the securing element has a first securing arm which abuts from the outside on the first clamping element, and a second securing arm which abuts from the outside on the second clamping element. Preferably, the securing arms bear against the clamping element from the outside in the region of their free ends. The free ends of the securing arms can be designed, for example, in the form of a bead or in the form of a circular cylinder.According to a further development of the invention, opening limiting elements (e.g. stops, in particular claw-like stops) are provided in each case in the regions of the clamping elements close to the hinge element, the free ends of the securing arms, which can be designed, for example, in the manner of beads, resting against said limiting elements in the open position of the clip element. The opening limiting elements or stops thus limit a displacement travel of the securing arms of the securing element relative to the clamping elements. In other words, the opening or the spread angle of the clamping elements is limited to a predetermined opening or spread angle by the opening limiting elements or stops.By displacing the securing element relative to the clamping elements or by displacing the securing arms of the securing element along the outer sides of the clamping elements, the clip element can be transferred from the open position into the closed position. During displacement, the free ends of the securing arms, which can be designed, for example, in the form of beads, slide along the outer sides of the clamping elements, which leads to the clamping elements pivoting together about a pivot axis of the hinge element. In the closed position, the clamping elements are aligned substantially parallel and can clamp a component between them.According to a further development of the invention, slotted guide guides are provided on the outer sides of the clamping elements, which guide the securing arms in a positive-locking manner when the securing element is displaced in a predetermined displacement direction. For example, a groove-like depression can be provided on the outer sides of the clamping elements, in each case, in which depression a raised portion (for example a guide pin, a nose or the like) which is provided on the securing arm of the securing element assigned to the relevant clamping element engages in a sliding manner. Such a "slide guide" prevents the securing arms from "sliding laterally down" from the clamping elements.According to a further development of the invention, a "latching device" is provided on one of the clamping elements, but preferably on both clamping elements, which device resists automatic sliding of the securing element back from the closed position (secured position) into the open position (unsecured position).For this purpose, a ramp-like or wedge-like elevation can be provided on the outer sides of the clamping elements, respectively, which elevation prevents the arms of the securing element from automatically sliding back from the closed position into the open position. Viewed from the open position into the closed position, the ramp rises and then "opens" into a depression assigned to the closed position. When the securing element is in the closed position, the free ends of the securing arms, which can be designed, for example, in the manner of beads or in the manner of a circular cylinder, are snapped into the depressions.According to a further development of the invention, the clamping elements and the hinge element are made of plastic. They can be produced in one piece as injection molded parts. The hinge element can be designed as a so-called "film hinge", i.e. as a flexurally elastic section which connects the two clamping elements to one another.The two securing arms of the securing element can be connected to one another via a connecting section. Preferably, the securing element (in particular the securing arms and the connecting section) is relatively flexurally rigid, in particular significantly more rigid than the film hinge. The securing element is to resist unintentional or automatic spreading of the clamping elements in the closed position.A double-sided adhesive tape can be applied to the mutually facing inner sides of the clamping elements, which has the advantage that the inner sides of the clamping elements can be bonded in a simple manner to a component or a plate-like or rib-like element of a component, onto which the clip element is clamped. As an alternative to the use of a double-sided adhesive tape, a contact adhesive can also be applied to the inner sides of the clamping elements directly before the clip element is mounted.Alternatively, a hot melt adhesive can be applied to the inner sides of the clamping elements. A hot-melt adhesive is understood to mean a substance which is not tacky at ambient temperature and which is activated, i.e. liquefied, by heating (for example in a drying oven of a painting installation), as a result of which the clamping elements are bonded to a component or element clamped between them.Alternatively, adhesives that are activated, for example, by vibration can also be used. The activation can be effected, for example, by means of an ultrasonic sonotrode.Alternatively or additionally, the "contact surfaces", i.e. the sides of the clamping elements facing each other and / or the sides of a clamped component or a plate- or rib-like element clamped between the clamping elements, can be provided with a rough surface, whereby the static friction between the clamping elements and the component clamped therebetween and thus the strength of the clip element in the clamped state increases.Alternatively or additionally, the clamping elements can also be designed as magnets which attract one another or which attract the component clamped between the clamping elements.Alternatively or additionally, a positive fit can also be provided between the clamping elements and the component clamped between them. For example, an elevation can be provided on the component to be clamped, which elevation engages in an associated depression of one of the clamping elements or of both clamping elements.Alternatively, a positive fit between the clamping elements and a component to be clamped could also be achieved by means of a hook and loop connection.The invention is explained in more detail below in conjunction with the drawing. This shows: FIGS. 1-3 show the individual steps during the clamping of a clip element according to the invention onto a plate-like or rib-like component; FIG. 4 shows a variant in which a positive fit exists between the clamping elements and the component; FIG. 5 shows details of the securing element; and FIG. 6 shows details of the outer side of a clamping element.FIG. 1 shows a clip element 1 which has a first clamping element 2 and a second clamping element 3, which are pivotably connected to one another via a flexurally elastic film hinge 4.The clip element 1 includes a securing element 5, which is U-shaped and has a first securing arm 5 aand a second securing arm 5 b, which are connected to one another via a connecting portion 5 c.In contrast to the film hinge 4, the securing element 5 is designed to be flexurally rigid. A ball 6 is provided on an upper side of the securing element 5. The ball 6 functions as a "fixing element" onto which another clip element can be clipped. In this way, a component, e.g. a cable harness, a fluid line or the like, can be connected to the clip element 1 via a further clip connection.In the position shown in FIG. 1, the clip element 1 is in its open position. In the open position, the two clamping elements 2, 3 can be spread apart in a V-like manner.Free ends 5 d, 5 eof the securing arms 5 a, 5 bof the securing element 5 are designed in the manner of beads or rods (cf. FIG. 5 ). In the open position of the clip element, the free ends 5 d, 5 eare located in a region close to the hinge element 4. In the open position, they are held by opening limiting elements provided in the regions of the clamping elements 2, 3 close to the hinge element, the outer sides of the clamping elements 2, 3. The opening limiting elements 7 a, 7 bare designed here to be "claw-like" or concave and abut from the outside against the bead-like free ends 5 d, 5 eof the securing arms 5 a, 5 bof the securing element 5. The opening limiting elements 7 a, 7 btherefore have the function of a stop limiting the opening or expansion angle of the clamping elements 2, 3.In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a stop 8 a, 8 bis likewise provided in the region of the ends of the clamping elements 2, 3 facing away from the opening limiting elements 7 a, 7 b. In the region between the opening limiting elements 7 a, 7 band the associated stop 8 aand 8 b, a ramp-like or wedge-like elevation 9 a, 9 bis provided in each case, which elevation rises in the direction of the stops 8 a, 8 b.The ramp-like or wedge-like elevations 9 a, 9 bdefine between themselves and the associated stop 8 aand 8 bin each case a trough-like depression 10 aand 10 b, the function of which is explained in more detail in connection with FIG. 3.A clip element 1 in the open position can, as shown in FIG. 1, be placed on a plate-like or rib-like element 11 which can protrude from a vehicle component, for example. After the clip element 1 has been placed on, the clamping elements 2, 3 are pivoted together into a substantially parallel position, so that inner sides of the clamping elements 2, 3 facing one another bear against outer sides of the plate-like or rib-like element lying opposite one another. The plate- or rib-like element can thus be clamped between the clamping elements 2, 3.By applying an assembly force F M the securing element can be displaced relative to the clamping elements into the closed position (secured position) shown in FIG. 3. When the securing element 5 is displaced, the bead-like free ends 5 d, 5 eof the securing element 5 slide along the outer sides of the clamping elements 2, 3. In this case, they must overcome the ramp-like elevations 9 a, 9 b. When the free ends 5 d, 5 eand the bead-like elevations have overcome the ramp-like elevations 9 a, 9 b, they latch into depressions 10 a, 10 b, which is illustrated in FIG. 3. The ramp-like elevations 9 a, 9 bprevent the bead-like free ends 5 d, 5 efrom automatically sliding out of the depressions 10 a, 10 bor the securing element 5 from automatically leaving its closed position.In the closed position shown in FIG. 3, the free ends of the securing arms 5 a, 5 bpress the clamping elements 2, 3 from the outside against the plate- or rib-like element 11 with a clamping force F M1 The plate- or rib-like element 11 is thus clamped between the clamping elements 2, 3 in the closed position.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the clamping elements 2, 3 have depressions on their inner sides which are designed to be complementary with respect to elevations 13 a, 13 bprovided on mutually opposite sides of the plate- or rib-like element 11. A positive fit is thereby achieved between the plate- or rib-like element 11 and the clamping elements 2, 3, whereby an unintentional removal of the clip element 1 from the plate- or rib-like element 11 is prevented.FIG. 5 shows the securing element 5 in a perspective illustration. As can be seen from FIG. 5, an "elevation" designed as a pin-like element 14 a, 14 bis provided on mutually facing inner sides of the bead-like free ends of the securing arms 5 a, 5 b.As can be seen from FIG. 6, on the clamping element 3 shown there, a groove-like depression 15 is provided on the outer side of the clamping element 3, in which depression the elevation 14 b(cf. FIG. 5 ) of the securing arm 5 bof the securing element 5 engages. The elevation 14 band the groove-like depression 15 interacting therewith form a "slotted guide", as a result of which it is ensured that the securing element 5 slides along the outer side of the clamping element 3 in a defined manner during the displacement from the open position into the closed position.

Claims

Clip element (1), having • a first clamping element (2) and a second clamping element (3), • a hinge element (4) via which the two clamping elements (2, 3) are pivotably connected to one another, • a securing element (5) which bears against the clamping elements (2, 3) on mutually remote sides of the clamping elements (2, 3), wherein the securing element (5) can ◯ assume an open position in which the securing element (5) bears against the clamping elements (2, 3) in a region close to the hinge element (4), wherein the clamping elements (2, 3) are open in a V-like manner in the open position, or ◯ a closed position in which the securing element (5) bears against the clamping elements (2, 3) in a region remote from the hinge element (4), wherein the clamping elements (2, 3), A locking device according to the invention is provided in which the locking elements (3) are parallel in the closed position and can clamp a component between them, characterized in that • the locking element (5) has locking arms (5a, 5b), wherein slide guides are provided on the outer sides of the clamping elements (2, 3) which guide the locking arms (5a, 5b) in a positive-locking manner when the locking element (5) is displaced in a predetermined displacement direction, • a latching device or a latching device is provided on each of the clamping elements (2, 3) which opposes or opposes an automatic sliding back of the locking element (5) from the closed position into the open position, and • the hinge element (4) is a film hinge and the clamping elements (2, 3) and the hinge element (4) are integrally injection-molded from plastic.Clip element (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the clamping elements (2, 3) are designed in the manner of plates.Clip element (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the securing element (5) is U-shaped or fork-shaped.Clip element (1) according to one of claims 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the securing element (5) has a first securing arm (5a) which abuts from the outside on the first clamping element (2) and a second securing arm (5b) which abuts from the outside on the second clamping element (3).Clip element (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that free ends of the securing arms (5a, 5b) are designed in the manner of beads.Clip element (1) according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterised in that at least one opening limiting element (7a, 7b) is provided in each case in the regions of the clamping elements (2, 3) close to the hinge element (4), wherein the free ends of the securing arms (5a, 5b) bear against the opening limiting elements (7a, 7b) in the open position of the clip element (1), as a result of which the opening angle of the clamping elements (2, 3) is limited to a predetermined opening angle.Clip element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that by displacing the securing element (5) relative to the clamping elements (2, 3) the clip element (1) can be transferred from the open position into the closed position, wherein during displacement the free ends (5d, 5e) of the securing arms (5a, 5b) slide along the outer sides of the clamping elements (2, 3) and thereby bring the clamping elements (2, 3) into their parallel closed position.Clip element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the latching devices are provided on the outer sides of the clamping elements (2, 3) and are each designed in the manner of a ramp, wherein the latching devices prevent the securing arms (5a, 5b) of the securing element (5) from automatically sliding back from the closed position into the open position.Clip element (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the two securing arms (5a, 5b) of the securing element (5) are connected to one another via a connecting section (5c).Clip element (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a double-sided adhesive tape is applied in each case to mutually facing inner sides of the clamping elements (2, 3).Clip element (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that an adhesive layer is applied in each case to mutually facing inner sides of the clamping elements (2, 3).Clip element (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that a fixing element is provided on the connecting section (5c) of the securing element (5), wherein the fixing element is • a ball or a ball-like element, • a threaded bolt • or a coarse threaded bolt.

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