MODULAR EDGE CLIP

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an edge clip for securing a fastener such as a cable tie to an edge of an object such as a sheet metal. background

[0002] In order to attach one or more objects to the edge of an object, various types of edge clips, which can also be referred to as edge clamps, are known from the prior art. Such edge clips are typically composed of two parts, namely an outer plastic part and an inner metal part. The outer plastic part usually has a holding element such as a loop or eyelet for attaching the fastening element, for example a cable tie, to the edge clip and thus indirectly for attaching the object or objects, for example a bundled item, to the edge. Alternatively, the fastening element can also be cast with the outer plastic part and thus be a direct part of the edge clip. The inner metal part is generally in the form of a U-shaped metal clamp inserted into the outer part and locked into the outer part.The U-shaped metal clip has several locking claws on the inner sides of the legs, which form a gap into which the edge of the object can be inserted to secure the edge clip to the edge. These claws are bent open when the edge is inserted in one direction and, when pulled against the insertion direction, spread in the gap in such a way that the object cannot be removed without considerable force, which often results in the destruction of the edge clip. Such edge clips are known, for example, from CN 105 351 631 A, CN 105 346 484 A, CN 106 439 237 A, CN 203 309 368 U, or US 2010 / 199 463 A1.

[0003] US 10 316 991 B2 discloses a mounting clamp device configured to support one or more elongated members from a cantilevered support. The mounting clamp device comprises a clamp body having a stationary jaw forming a first clamping surface. The clamp body defines a plurality of clamp body teeth and a ratchet element slidably mounted to the clamp body. The ratchet element has a movable jaw forming a second clamping surface opposite the first clamping surface. The ratchet element further includes a plurality of ratchet element teeth configured to engage the teeth of the clamp body.The plurality of teeth of the ratchet element have a sawtooth profile, thereby providing a clamping force that moves the stationary jaw and the movable jaw slidingly toward each other that is less than a release force that moves the stationary jaw and the movable jaw away from each other.

[0004] A disadvantage of the previous solutions is that specific applications, for example different thicknesses of the objects, which are often metal sheets, or different requirements for positioning the fastening element on the edge clip relative to the edge, each require individually developed and produced edge clips in order to reliably hold the fastening element and thus indirectly also the object to be fastened to the edge of the object with the fastening element.

[0005] Accordingly, the task is to overcome the previous disadvantages and to provide a flexibly usable edge clip for the reliable attachment of a fastening element to an edge of an object with little effort. Summary

[0006] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the dependent claims, the description, and the figures.

[0007] One aspect relates to a modular edge clip for attaching a fastening element, such as a cable tie, to an edge of an object, such as a sheet metal. A modular edge clip can be understood here as a modularly constructed edge clip comprising various modules of different module types. The modules of different module types can be combined with one another, in this case connected, via uniform mechanical interfaces, as implemented below by a snap-in connection element.

[0008] Accordingly, the present edge clip comprises a first edge clip module of a first module type and a second edge clip module of a second module type different from the first module type. The first edge clip module has a retaining element, for example a loop or eyelet for said cable tie, for fastening the fastening element to the edge clip module. The fastening element can also be part of the edge clip module, for example by the retaining element being formed integrally with the fastening element. For example, the retaining element can take the form of a foot cast with the cable tie, which then, together with the cable tie, forms part of the first edge clip module.The first edge clip module further includes a locking element, the first locking element, with at least two locking claws, which, in cooperation with the second edge clip module serving as a counter-bearing, are configured to lock or secure, and thus fasten, the edge clip to the edge of the object. The first edge clip module also includes a locking connection element, the first locking connection element, for connecting the first edge clip module to the second edge clip module by means of a locking connection.

[0009] Accordingly, the second edge clip module also has a locking element, the second locking element, with at least two locking claws, which are designed in cooperation with the first edge clip module serving as a counter-bearing for locking or securing, and thus fastening, the edge clip to the edge, and a locking connection element, the second locking connection element, designed as a counterpart to the first locking connection element (the locking connection element of the first edge clip module), for connecting the first edge clip module to the second edge clip module by means of the locking connection. The respective locking elements can also be referred to as engagement elements. The respective locking connection elements can be designed in the manner of a locking plug-socket connection, whereby it is irrelevant which of the two locking connection elements is a plug (or male locking connection element) and which is a socket (or female locking connection element).Depending on the intended use of the edge clip, the locking connection created by the locking connection elements should be sufficiently stable and as free from play as possible. In particular, the locking connection can be or include a locking connection that cannot be released without tools and / or a locking connection that cannot be released without damage. To increase the stability of the connection between the two edge clip modules, the two edge clip modules can be materially joined to one another in addition to the locking connection, particularly at the locking connection elements, particularly by sonotrode welding (ultrasonic welding).

[0010] When the two edge clip modules are connected by the locking connecting elements, i.e., when the two edge clip modules are locked together, a gap is formed between the respective locking elements, into which the edge of the object can be inserted at least partially, i.e., partially or completely, in an insertion direction for the intended fastening of the edge clip to the edge. The locking elements of the various edge clip modules are thus preferably arranged corresponding to the legs of the known U-shaped metal clips and also perform the function known from the prior art.

[0011] This design has the advantage that the edge clip can be quickly adapted to the respective application by appropriately selecting the respective edge clip modules, for example to different thicknesses of the edge or object and / or different types of fastening elements and / or different positions of the fastening elements relative to the edge of the object. This can be done by selecting different edge clip modules suitable for the respective application and combining them with one another, i.e. connecting them with one another using the snap-in connecting elements. The use of the two separate snap-in elements avoids the need for the U-shaped metal clips known from the prior art to be individually adapted to the specific application, in particular to the thickness of the edge, and thus having to be manufactured separately using different tools.Rather, the type of edge clip module of the other locking element is irrelevant for the reliable function of the respective locking elements. Manufacturing the various metal clips, in particular, involves significant development and material expenditure, so the advantages in this regard are particularly significant.

[0012] According to the invention, the edge clip modules each have a receiving element for receiving the respective locking element, wherein in particular the receiving element, holding element, and locking connection element of the first edge clip module, as well as the receiving element and locking connection element of the second edge clip module, are each manufactured in one piece from a plastic, for example by means of an injection molding process. The plastic can, for example, be a glass-fiber-reinforced plastic or comprise such a plastic. The receiving element, holding element, and locking connection element, or the receiving element and locking connection element, can be part of a respective associated—for example, U-shaped—edge clip module body.This has the advantage that the two edge clip modules can be manufactured particularly easily and can be adapted to the forces to be transmitted between the locking elements and the holding element in the respective application by adjusting the respective receiving elements.

[0013] Accordingly, it can be provided here that the locking elements each have at least one locking element holding element for holding the locking element on the associated receiving element and thus in the remaining edge clip module, wherein a main extension direction of the locking element holding element preferably runs along the insertion direction. In particular, the locking element holding element can be or comprise a locking element, such as an eyelet, which is designed to receive a tongue of the associated receiving element. Because the main extension direction runs along the insertion direction, the locking element holding element extends predominantly parallel to the tensile forces that occur, which are to be expected along the insertion direction during normal use of edge clips.Accordingly, the locking element retaining elements can be dimensioned with particular precision to match the (low) forces required to hold the locking element in the receiving element, without the risk of the locking elements breaking off. Therefore, the edge clip can be manufactured particularly effectively and efficiently.

[0014] It can also be provided that the locking elements each have at least one guide element for guiding the locking element relative to the receiving element and thus the remaining edge clip module, the respective main extension direction of which preferably runs transversely to the insertion direction. In particular, the guide element can be or comprise a tab which engages in an opening of the receiving element, alternatively or additionally also an eyelet which correspondingly receives a tongue of the associated receiving element. Because the main extension direction runs transversely to the insertion direction and thus transversely to the occurring, expected forces, the forces can be transmitted over a particularly large area to the receiving element and thus to the remaining edge clip.This also enables particularly effective dimensioning of the holder, whereby great advantages are achieved particularly when using metallic locking elements in combination with a plastic receiving element, since any tensile forces that occur can be transferred particularly gently from the locking element to the remaining edge clip.

[0015] The guide elements therefore primarily serve to transfer the forces from the locking element to the receiving element and vice versa, which occur during proper use of the edge clip for attaching the fastening element to the object, and are optimized accordingly. The locking element holding elements, on the other hand, primarily serve to hold the locking element in or on the receiving element after pre-assembly of the locking elements in the edge clip modules, so that the locking elements do not fall out of the receiving element and get lost before final assembly, i.e. before the edge is inserted into the gap between the locking elements. In addition, the locking element holding elements can reduce any play between the locking elements relative to the receiving elements after final assembly.Accordingly, the at least one locking element holding element and the at least one guide element of an associated locking element are preferably different and thus independent elements, which can be individually and thus efficiently adapted to the respective requirements.

[0016] In particular, multiple locking element holding elements and / or multiple guide elements can be provided per locking element, thereby further improving the distribution of forces and achieving a more precise and reliable arrangement of the locking elements relative to the associated receiving elements. Alternatively or in addition to the holding / guide element(s), the locking elements can be cast with the receiving element.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided that at least one locking claw, i.e. one or more or all locking claws, of one or both locking elements has a respective concave groove, in particular at a transition from a part of the locking claw protruding from a main extension plane of the respective locking element to another part of the locking element lying in the main extension plane or to another part of the locking claw lying in the main extension plane. This has the advantage that the locking claws have greater strength, i.e. can transmit particularly large forces. The use of a concave groove is difficult in known applications because the known U-shaped metal clips can then no longer be inserted into the outer plastic casing.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment, the locking elements of the different edge clip modules are of identical construction, in particular with locking claws made of metal. Alternatively or additionally, the locking elements can each be manufactured as a single piece from a stamped and bent metal part or can comprise such a part. By using identical locking elements, whose use in the modular approach described here is also made possible in different applications, the manufacturing effort is reduced, material is saved, and the field of application of the locking elements and the associated edge clips is expanded. The use of metal increases stability and at the same time exacerbates the achieved advantages, since due to the generally higher production costs, the corresponding advantages achieved with the modular approach are also particularly great.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the first edge clip module and / or the second edge clip module has at least one transport intrusion protection element which is arranged at an opening of the gap, through which the edge of the object can be inserted in the insertion direction for fastening the edge clip to the edge, and / or in the gap, in particular in the form of one or more fingers which extend transversely to the insertion direction and thus prevent unintentional insertion and resulting possible damage, for example to cables, but also injury to a finger which is unintentionally inserted into the gap.Accordingly, the at least one transport intrusion protection element can have a respective predetermined breaking point, for example on a base of the finger facing the rest of the edge clip module, so that it can be easily pressed in before final assembly, for example by a user without tools or removed with a knife. This shields the locking claws from the environment, reducing the risk of damage or injury. Preferably, the at least one transport intrusion protection element is manufactured in one piece with the receiving element, holding element, and locking connection element of the first edge clip module, or in one piece with the receiving element and the locking connection element of the second edge clip module.

[0020] In another advantageous embodiment, it is provided that at least one of the snap-in connection elements is designed as a multiple snap-in connection element with a snap-in connection sub-element which, when the two edge clip modules are connected to the snap-in connection element, allows locking in several different positions along a locking direction which runs transversely to the main extension plane of the gap, so that different widths for the gap can be set according to the different positions. This has the advantage of further increasing the flexibility of the edge clip, since, depending on the application, reliable fastening of the edge clip to the edge can be achieved with one and the same combination of edge clip modules by locking at different depths, i.e. locking in different positions along the locking direction.In addition, the respective width of the gap can also be adjusted after the edge has been inserted into the gap, which is desirable, for example, when the object is a painted sheet metal, as this allows for a particularly gentle application of the edge clip to the edge.

[0021] A further aspect relates to an edge clip system with such an edge clip, comprising a plurality of different first edge clip modules (respectively of different first module types) and / or a plurality of different second edge clip modules (respectively of different second module types), wherein any one of the first edge clip modules can be connected to any one of the second edge clip modules by means of the respective snap-in connection elements and thus combined. In particular, the edge clip system can comprise only one first edge clip module and a plurality of different second edge clip modules or only one second edge clip module and a plurality of different first edge clip modules. The types refer to the respective abstract categories into which the respective edge clip modules can be classified.The snap-in connection elements can thus be described as standardized and / or unified within the edge clip system. This has the advantage that optimized edge clips for different applications can be created with particularly little effort using the different combinations.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, the different first edge clip modules each have different retaining elements, each of which is designed to attach fastening elements of different types to the first edge clip modules and / or which is each arranged at different positions relative to the gap and thus the respective locking element. This has the advantage that the edge clip system can be used to produce an edge clip with little effort, which serves to attach a fastening element of a specific type and / or in a specific application.

[0023] In a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the different first edge clip modules and / or the different second edge clip modules each have a different extent in a direction perpendicular to the main extension plane of the gap, so that by combining different edge clip modules of one edge type module type with a constant edge clip module of the other module type when connecting the respectively combined first and second edge clip modules by the snap-in connection elements, gaps of different widths can be formed. The width of the gaps can preferably vary in a range from 8 mm to 16 mm. The extent can in particular be measured starting from the snap-in element or the main extension plane of the snap-in element in the direction of the gap, i.e. in the direction in which the other edge clip module is located when the other edge clip module is mounted.This has the advantage that specific edge clips, which are optimized for edges of different thicknesses, can be provided with little manufacturing effort.

[0024] It is particularly advantageous here if the different first edge clip modules each have different holding elements and / or holding elements at different positions relative to the gap, and only the different second edge clip modules each have a different extent in the direction perpendicular to the main extension plane of the gap in the manner mentioned, since then, by specifically varying just one parameter, the desired edge clip can be adapted to a single respective characteristic, namely the width of the gap and the type of fastening element or its position relative to the gap. It has been found that these two parameters are crucial for most applications and are therefore ideally represented separately in the product.

[0025] One aspect also relates to a first edge clip module and / or a second edge clip module of (or for) one of the described edge clips and / or one of the described edge clip systems. Accordingly, the respective first / second edge clip module comprises the features described in connection with the complete respective edge clip that are relevant to the respective first / second edge clip module. Advantages and advantageous embodiments here correspond to the advantages and advantageous embodiments described for the edge clip or the edge clip system.

[0026] A further aspect relates to a method for pre-assembling a modular edge clip, which is designed to fasten a fastening element to an edge of an object and has a first edge clip module and a second edge clip module. The method comprises inserting a respective locking element with at least two locking claws into the respective remaining edge clip module in a first direction relative to the remaining edge clip module, connecting the respective locking elements to the respectively assigned remaining edge clip module, and creating a locking connection between the two edge clip modules by pushing the two edge clip modules into one another along a second direction relative to the respective edge clip modules.The first and / or the second direction run transversely to a main extension plane of a gap between the edge clip modules, in which the edge of the object can be inserted in an insertion direction for fastening the edge clip to the edge.

[0027] The advantage and advantageous embodiments of the method correspond here to the advantages and advantageous embodiments described for the edge clip system or the edge clip and the respective edge clip modules.

[0028] Within the context of the present disclosure, "transverse" and "longitudinal" can be understood as "essentially perpendicular" and "essentially parallel," respectively. "Essentially perpendicular" and "essentially parallel" mean "perpendicular / parallel up to a predetermined deviation," where the predetermined deviation can be, for example, 2°, 5°, 10°, or 15°.

[0029] The features and combinations of features mentioned in the above description, including in the introductory part, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures can be used not only in the respective combination specified, but also in other combinations without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0030] Furthermore, embodiments and combinations of features are to be regarded as disclosed, in particular by the embodiments set out above, which go beyond or deviate from the combinations of features set out in the references to the claims.

[0031] The subject matter of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the schematic drawings shown in the following figures, without intending to limit it to the specific embodiments shown here. In the figures: Fig. 1 an exemplary embodiment of a modular edge clip attached to an edge of an exemplary object in a perspective view; Fig. 2 the edge clip Fig. 1 in an unattached state without an inserted object in a further perspective view; Fig. 3 an exemplary embodiment of a locking element for a modular edge clip in a perspective view; Fig. 4 an exemplary embodiment of a first edge clip module, shown without a locking element in a perspective view; Fig. 5 inserting the locking element from Fig. 3 into the edge clip module of Fig. 4 along a first direction in a perspective view; Fig. 6 the pre-assembled first edge clip module according to the Figuren 3 bis 5 in a perspective view; Fig. 7 inserting the locking element from Fig. 3 in an exemplary embodiment of a second edge clip module along the first direction in a perspective view; Fig. 8 the pre-assembled second edge clip module accordingly Fig. 7 in a perspective view; Fig. 9 connecting the two edge clip modules from Fig. 6 und Fig. 8 by telescoping along a second direction in a perspective view; Fig. 10 another exemplary embodiment of a first edge clip module in a perspective view; Fig. 11 an example edge clip with the second edge clip module from Fig. 10 and the first edge clip module from Fig. 9 in a perspective view; Fig. 12 another exemplary embodiment of a first edge clip module for a larger gap in a perspective view; Fig. 13 an example edge clip with the second edge clip module from Fig. 12 and the first edge clip module from Fig. 9 in a perspective view; and Fig. 14 another exemplary embodiment of an edge clip module with another exemplary embodiment of a second edge clip module in a perspective view.

[0032] In the different figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0033] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary modular edge clip 1 for attaching a fastening element to an edge 5 of an object 6. In the present case, the modular edge clip 1 has a first edge clip module 2 and a second edge clip module 3, which are connected to one another by a snap-in connection (not shown here). In the present case, an edge 5 of an object 6 is inserted into a gap 4, which is formed by the first edge clip module 2 and the second edge clip module 3 in the connected (and thus snap-in as shown here) state, so that the inner sides of two cheeks 7, 8 of the edge clip 1, which delimit the gap 4, are covered in the present case. The insertion direction E, in which the edge 5 is inserted into the gap 4 during intended use, coincides in the present case with the positive y-direction. The main extension plane of the gap is accordingly the yz-plane.

[0034] In the example shown, a retaining element 9 for securing the fastening element to the edge clip module 1 is arranged on the upper side of the first edge clip module 2, i.e., on its side oriented in the positive y-direction. The retaining element 9 is in the form of a multiple eyelet into which a cable tie can be inserted and secured from different directions.

[0035] In Fig. 2 is the exemplary edge clip 1 of Fig. 1 without edge 5 inserted into the gap 4. Accordingly, the cheek 7 of the first edge clip module 2 is now also visible. An exemplary locking element 10 with at least two, in this case five, locking claws 11 is arranged on the cheek 7. As is known from the prior art, the locking claws 11 prevent the object 6 from slipping out of the gap 4 opposite to the insertion direction E after it has been inserted into the gap 4 in the insertion direction E, wherein the second edge clip module 3 serves as a counterbearing or counterhold for the shown locking claws 11 of the locking element 10 of the first edge clip module 2. The second edge clip module 3 accordingly has an analogously designed locking element on its inner cheek 8.

[0036] In Fig. 3 is an exemplary embodiment of the locking element 10 from Fig. 2 shown. In the present embodiment, the locking element 10 is a metal stamped and bent part which has several, in this case five, locking claws 11. The main extension plane of the locking element 10 is in this case the zy plane, from which the locking claws 11 protrude in the negative x direction. In this case, the locking claws 11 have respective grooves 12, here at a transition between the part of the locking claws 11 protruding from the main extension plane and the remaining locking element 10, which in this case also includes a shoulder of the locking claws 11. The part of the locking element 10 lying in the main extension plane can also be referred to as a carrier 13. This carrier 13 has an exemplary rectangular shape.In the example shown, respective retaining elements 14, 14' are attached to two opposite ends of the carrier 13 and thus of the locking element 10. These retaining elements, in this case punched out as a locking element in the form of an eyelet and bent out of the main extension plane, are designed to hold the locking element 10 to the remaining edge clip module 2, in particular the edge clips shown in FIG. Fig. 4 again explained receiving element 7. The main extension direction of the holding elements 14, 14' runs along the y-direction.

[0037] In the example shown, the locking element 10 also has respective guide elements 15, 15' at other opposite ends of the carrier 13 and thus of the locking element 10. These are implemented in the form of tabs bent out of the main extension plane. The guide elements 15, 15' are designed to transfer forces which are absorbed by the locking element 10 parallel to the insertion direction E, i.e. in the positive or especially negative y-direction, to the remaining edge clip module 2 as gently as possible. Accordingly, the guide elements 15, 15' have a main extension direction which runs in the z-direction transverse to the insertion direction E. In the example shown, the two guide elements 15, 15' are designed with different lengths in their main extension direction, which, as can be seen from Fig. 4 As can be seen, an assembly aid is provided to prevent incorrect orientation during the pre-assembly of the locking element 10 in the first or second edge clip module 2, 3.

[0038] In Fig. 4 The first edge clip module 2 is shown without a locking element 10. Corresponding to the holding elements 14, 14' and the guide elements 15, 15', a receiving element 16 intended for receiving the locking element 10 has, in the example shown, respective recesses 17, 17' and 18, 18' attached to the corresponding extensions.

[0039] Since the first edge clip module 2 is shown in isolation, the locking connection element 19 for connecting the first edge clip module 2 to the second edge clip module 3 is now also visible. It has a tunnel-like recess into which the corresponding connection element 20 ( Fig. 7 ) with a slide-like projection and can be locked into place. In the present example, the locking connection element 19 is a female locking connection element and the corresponding locking connection element 20 is a male locking connection element.

[0040] In Fig. 5 , the locking element 10 is now shown being inserted into the receiving element 16 and thus the remainder of the first edge clip module 2 according to a first direction R1 relative to the remaining edge clip module 2. Because the locking element 10 can be inserted in the absence of the second edge clip module 3, the freedom in designing the locking element 10 with the corresponding holding and guide elements 14, 14', 15, 15' as well as the locking claws 11 is particularly great.

[0041] In Fig. 6 The first edge clip module 2 is made of Fig. 5 with the locking element 10 inserted and secured by the holding elements 14, 14'. This thus has an overall extension C perpendicular to the main extension plane of the gap 4.

[0042] In Fig. 7 is accordingly Fig. 5 the insertion of the locking element 10, which in this case is of identical design for both edge clip modules 2, 3, is shown in the first direction R1 relative to the remaining edge clip module 3.

[0043] Fig. 8 shows the resulting complete second edge clip module 3 with the inserted and connected locking element 10 and the further locking connection element 20 designed as a counterpart to the locking connection element 19 of the first edge clip module 2, here with a slide-like projection in the positive x-direction. The second locking connection element 20 can thus also be described in this case as a locking plug, which is inserted into the locking connection element 19 like a socket and locked there.

[0044] Fig. 9 shows that the two edge clip modules 2, 3 can be pushed into each other along a second direction R2 and locked together there, creating a snap-in connection, in order to form a ready-to-use edge clip 1. The second edge clip module 3 shown here has in the x-direction, i.e. in a direction perpendicular to the main extension plane of the gap 4, an extension B' which is greater than the corresponding extension B of the second edge clip module from Fig. 8 This is achieved by arranging the snap-in connection element 20 in the example shown on a base 21 which has a thickness A in the x-direction starting from the cheek 8 and thus the main extension plane of the snap-in element 10. Thus, with an unchanged snap-in connection element 20, the thickness D of the gap 4 can be adjusted by appropriately selecting the thickness A of the base 21. Alternatively or additionally, the length of the (male) snap-in connection element 20 can be varied in the example shown in order to vary the extension B' and thus adapt the thickness D of the gap 4. The thickness of the gap 4 can be adjusted or adaptable within a range of 8 mm to 16 mm.

[0045] In the example shown, the first direction R1 and the second direction R2 are the same, i.e., parallel. However, other configurations are also conceivable in which this is not the case. In particular, the locking connection elements 19, 20 can also be designed such that the second direction R2 runs transversely to the first direction R1, preferably in the z-direction.

[0046] In the present example, the snap-in connection element 20 is provided with a snap-in connection sub-element 24 which, when the two edge clip modules 2, 3 are connected by the snap-in connection elements 19, 20, enables locking in several different positions along the locking direction R2, so that different widths for the gap 4 can be set according to the different positions.

[0047] Figs 10 bis 13 show correspondingly different second edge clip modules 3 whose extension B, B', B", B‴ in the x-direction lies perpendicular to the main extension plane of the gap 4, and thus whose thickness D, D', D" can be adjusted by varying the thickness A, A', A" of the base 21, without the corresponding snap-in connection element 20 of the second edge clip module 3 having to be changed for this purpose. Accordingly, one and the same first edge clip module 2, i.e. a first edge clip module 2 of a single first type can be combined with different second edge clip modules 3 of respective different second edge clip module types - here the module types with different extensions B, B', B", B‴ - and thus a variably usable edge clip 1 can be provided with little manufacturing effort.The chosen solution with different applied bases 21 can also be manufactured in a particularly efficient manner, namely by using a modular injection molding tool for the second edge clip module.

[0048] Analogous to the variation of the second edge clip module 3 with different module types shown here, the first edge clip module 2 can also be varied in an advantageous manner, which accordingly can, for example, not only have a holding element 9 designed as an eyelet, but can also have differently designed holding elements 9 in the different edge clip module types, or for example also respective holding elements which can be designed in the different edge clip module types at different positions of the edge clip module 3 relative to the gap 4.

[0049] In Fig. 14Finally, another exemplary embodiment of an edge clip 1 is shown. The edge clip 1 there has a plurality of transport intrusion protection elements 23 at an opening 22 of the gap 4, which prevent the unintentional insertion of objects, for example cables or human fingers, into the gap 4 and thus reduce the risk of injury and / or damage when the edge clip 1 is not mounted. In the present case, the transport intrusion protection elements 23 are designed as fingers on the second edge clip module 3, which protrude in the direction of the other edge clip module 2. The thickness and thus stability of the transport intrusion protection elements 23 can be selected such that they can either be removed with a knife shortly before the final assembly of the edge clip 1, or even simply broken off by the object 6 if sufficiently high assembly pressure is applied.

Claims

1. Modular edge clip (1) for fastening a fastening element to an edge (5) of an object (6), comprising - a first edge clip module (2), which has: i) a retaining element (9) for fastening the fastening element to the edge clip module (1), and ii) a latching connection element (19) for connecting the first edge clip module (2) to the second edge clip module (3) by way of a latching connection; and comprising - a second edge clip module (3), which has: i) a latching connection element element (20) for connecting the first edge clip module (2) to the second edge clip module (3) by way of the latching connection, which latching connection element element (20) is configured as a counter-part of the latching connection element (19) of the first edge clip module (2); - wherein the first and the second edge clip module (2, 3), in a state connected by the latching connection elements (19, 20), form a gap (4) between the respective latching elements (10), into which the edge (5) of the object (6) can be inserted in an insertion direction (E) in order to fasten the edge clip to the edge (5), wherein - the first edge clip module (2) comprises a first latching element (10) having at least two latching claws (11) which, in collaboration with a second edge clip module (3) that serves as a counter-bearing, are designed to latch the edge clip (1) onto the edge (5), and - the second edge clip module (3) comprises a second latching element (10) having at least two latching claws (11) which, in collaboration with the first edge clip module (2) that serves as a counter-bearing, are designed to latch the edge clip (1) onto the edge (5), and - the edge clip modules (2, 3) each have a receiving element (16) for receiving the respective latching element (10).

2. Edge clip (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the receiving element (16) and the retaining element (9) and the latching connection element (19) of the first edge clip module (2) and the receiving element (16) and the latching connection element (20) of the second edge clip module (3) are in each case manufactured in one piece from a plastic.

3. Edge clip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching elements (10) each have at least one latching-element retaining element (14, 14') for retaining the latching element (10) on the receiving element (16), the main extension direction of which retaining element extends along the insertion direction (E), wherein the latching-element retaining element (14, 14') is or includes in particular a latching element such as an eyelet.

4. Edge clip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching elements (10) each have at least one guide element (15, 15') for guiding the latching element (10) relative to the receiving element (16), the main extension direction of which guide element extends transversely to the insertion direction (E), wherein the guide element (15, 15') is or includes in particular a tab.

5. Edge clip (1) according to the two preceding claims, characterized in that the latching-element retaining element (14, 14') and the guide element (15, 15') of a latching element (10) are in each case elements which are different from one another.

6. Edge clip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the latching claws (11) of a latching element (10) has a fillet (12), in particular at a transition from a portion of the latching claw (11) that protrudes out of a main extension plane of the respective latching element (10) to another portion of the latching element (10) that lies in the main extension plane.

7. Edge clip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching elements (10) of the different edge clip modules (2, 3) are structurally identical, in particular having latching claws (11) made of metal, particularly preferably each formed in one piece from a stamped and bent metal part.

8. Edge clip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first edge clip module (2) and / or the second edge clip module (3) comprises at least one element (23) for preventing penetration during transport at a mouth of the gap (22) through which the edge (5) of the object (6) can be inserted in the insertion direction (E) in order to fasten the edge clip (1) to the edge (5), or in the gap (4), in particular in the form of one or more fingers which extend transversely to the insertion direction (E).

9. Edge clip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the latching connection elements (19, 20) is designed as a multiple latching connection element which, when the two edge clip modules (2, 3) are connected by the latching connection element (19, 20), enables a latching in multiple different positions along a latching direction (R2) so that different widths (D, D', D") can be set for the gap (4) according to the different positions.

10. Edge clip system including an edge clip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by - a plurality of different first edge clip modules (2) and / or - a plurality of different second edge clip modules (3), wherein any of the first edge clip modules (2) can be connected to any of the second edge clip modules (3) by means of the respective latching connection elements (19, 20).

11. Edge clip system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the different first edge clip modules (2) each have different retaining elements (9), which are each designed to fasten fastening elements of different types to the first edge clip modules (2) and / or which are each arranged at different positions relative to the gap (4).

12. Edge clip system according to any one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the different first edge clip modules (2) or the different second edge clip modules (3) each have a different length of extension (B, B', B", B‴, C) in a direction perpendicular to the main extension plane of the gap (4) so that, by combining different edge clip modules (2, 3) of one edge clip module type with an edge clip module (3, 2) of the other module type that stays the same, gaps (4) of different width can be formed when connecting the respectively combined first and second edge clip module (2, 3) by way of the latching connection elements (19, 20).

13. Edge clip system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the different first edge clip modules (2) each have different retaining elements and / or retaining elements at different positions relative to the gap, and only the different second edge clip modules (3) each have a different length of extension (B, B', B", B‴) in the direction perpendicular to the main extension plane of the gap (4).

14. Edge clip module suitable for use as first or second edge clip module (2, 3) of an edge clip (1) of claims 1 to 10.

15. Method for pre-assembling a modular edge clip (1) which is designed to fasten a fastening element to an edge (5) of an object (6) and has a first edge clip module (2) and a second edge clip module (3), which method comprises: - respectively inserting a latching element (10) having at least two latching claws (11) into the respective rest of the edge clip module in a first direction (R1) relative to the rest of the edge clip module; - connecting the respective latching elements (10) to the respectively associated rest of the edge clip module; - establishing a latching connection between the two edge clip modules (2, 3) by sliding the two edge clip modules (2, 3) one into the other along a second direction (R2) relative to the respective edge clip modules (2, 3), wherein - the first direction (R1) and / or the second direction (R2) extend transversely to a main extension plane of a gap (4) between the edge clip modules (2, 3), into which the edge (5) of the object (6) can be inserted in an insertion direction (E) in order to fasten the edge clip (1) to the edge (5).