FASTENING DEVICE

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a fixing device, in particular a removable clip with play compensation for fixing a first support to a second support. The present invention also relates to an assembly comprising such a fixing device. Prior art

[0002] It is known that in clips are used to fix a first element to a second element.

[0003] These types of products are known from the technical state, for example, described in document US 5879101. The disclosed clip has a head and a tip and is provided with a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The opposite sides extend from the head to the tip and have a mushroom-shaped profile. The head has two curved wings that firmly hold the clip in the opening of an element and pre-stress it. The ends of the wings are designed to be rounded. However, it is not intended that the clip has a tear-off arm. In the fastening with this clip, a lower support would also be necessary. In addition, a lateral assembly of the clip on a support is recommended. Finally, three-dimensional play compensation is absent.

[0004] US 3,864,789 A discloses a staple with a U-shaped curved loop, comprising two legs and a handle that connects the two legs. The legs have support tabs cut into them that project obliquely outward. The legs end in elastic arms that are spread outward. Support arms are cut into the elastic arms. Statement of the invention

[0005] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks, by proposing a fixing device, for fixing a first structure having a hole on a second structure having a hole, which allows for a removable fixing with play compensation. The present invention also relates to an assembly comprising such a fixing device.

[0006] To this end, the present invention relates to a fixing device which comprises a first clip, called a tension clip, and a second clip, called a tear-off clip, arranged respectively on two parallel planes, the tension clip comprises two opposing tension sections and two wings, the fastening device essentially has a V shape with the tension sections, each tension section comprises a folding portion, each wing comprises a connecting section allowing angular movement and / or tilting and an end section, ∘ each connecting section comprises a tab, so as to be able to retain the second structure between the tabs and the end sections, the tear-off clip comprises two opposing arms, the two arms each comprise an engagement section, and the engagement section being able to engage in the first structure.

[0007] Advantageously, the connecting section allows angular movement and / or tilting of the tension clip when the fixing device is mounted on a structure having an opening, thereby reinforcing the robustness of the device.

[0008] In one embodiment, the fixing device has the following characteristics: each tension section extends in a first direction of a longitudinal axis of the fastening device from a central portion, and each tension section extends outwardly from the longitudinal axis and thereafter toward the longitudinal axis, forming said bending portion of the tension section.

[0009] In one embodiment, the fixing device has the following characteristics: the two wings extend, from the ends of the tension sections, relative to each other away from the longitudinal axis, and the end section extends in the first direction, the connecting section extends in a direction opposite to the first direction and connects the tension section and the end section.

[0010] In one embodiment, the engaging section extends outwardly from the longitudinal axis and thereafter toward the longitudinal axis, forming a folding portion.

[0011] In one embodiment, the fixing device has the following characteristics: the two opposing tear-off clip arms extend in the first direction from the central portion, the engagement section is disposed further from the longitudinal axis relative to the tension sections.

[0012] Advantageously, this makes it possible to guarantee and adjust the tension and tearing force by the tearing clip, in particular between the fixing device and the first structure. In addition, the fixing device makes it possible to have a removable assembly of the first structure.

[0013] In one embodiment, each arm then extends outwardly from the longitudinal axis, forming a folding portion.

[0014] In one embodiment, in the free state the folding portion of the engagement section abuts the end section.

[0015] Advantageously, this prevents the clips from tangling together in the free state.

[0016] In one embodiment, the connecting section allows angular movement / tilting of the fixing device along a bending axis and / or around an axis perpendicular to a plane containing the tension clip when mounted on the second structure.

[0017] In one embodiment, the attachment device is substantially symmetrical about a plane containing the longitudinal axis.

[0018] Advantageously, the insertion / tearing force of the fixing device with respect to the structures is balanced on both sides of the fixing device.

[0019] In one embodiment, the fastening device includes a second tension clip, the tear-off clip being located between the two tension clips.

[0020] Advantageously, this makes it possible to increase the resistance effort.

[0021] In one embodiment, the two tension clips are connected by the same-sided wings.

[0022] Advantageously, this allows for increased component resistance strength.

[0023] In one embodiment, the tension sections are secured together before extending away from the longitudinal axis, such that the tension sections and the central portion form a closed, concave shape.

[0024] Advantageously, the tension clip has a firm shape and this allows to keep the deformation energy and to guarantee an assembly tension. In addition, this makes it possible to avoid the clips tangling with each other and to guarantee the geometry of the parts by limiting the deformation. In addition, this makes it possible to dissociate the clipping functions with the two structures to be fixed.

[0025] In one embodiment, the tension sections are secured by closing folds.

[0026] In one embodiment, the fixing device is obtained by folding and / or cutting from a single-piece elastic band element. Advantageously, this makes it possible to have a robust clip.

[0027] In one embodiment, the fixing device further comprises locking means for securing the tension sections.

[0028] According to a second aspect of the invention, the invention relates to an assembly comprising a first structure having a first opening and a second structure having a second opening, hence the first structure is secured to the second structure by means of a fastening device according to the present invention, the tear-off clip is disposed through the opening of the first structure so that the two arms are engaged in the first structure, the two wings are disposed through the opening of the second structure so that the second structure is retained between the tabs and the end sections.

[0029] According to a third aspect of the invention, the invention relates to an assembly comprising a second structure having a second opening and a fastening device according to the present invention, in which the two wings are disposed through the second structure such that the second structure is retained between the tabs and the end sections. Brief description of the figures

[0030] Other advantages, aims and characteristics of the present invention emerge from the following description given, for explanatory and non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: there Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; the Figure 2 represents another perspective view of a fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; the Figure 3 represents a third perspective view of a fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; the Figure 4 depicts a sectional view of a fastening device that secures a first structure to a second structure according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5depicts a sectional view of a fastening device that secures a first structure to a second structure according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 represents a top view of the fixing device of the Figure 5 ; there Figure 7 represents a perspective view of a fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; the Figure 8 represents a side view of a fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; the Figure 9 depicts a side view of a fastening device that secures a first structure to a second structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. Description of the embodiments

[0031] Different figures and elements within a figure are not necessarily represented on the same scale. In all figures, identical elements bear the same numerical reference.

[0032] The terminology used in this description should not be interpreted in any way as limiting or restrictive, simply because it is used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain embodiments of the invention.

[0033] There Figure 1shows a perspective view of a fastening device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fastening device 10, also called a clip, is intended to fasten a first structure 600 to a second structure 800, the two structures respectively having an opening. The clip 10 comprises at least one first clip, called a tension clip 100, and at least one second clip, called a tear-off clip 200, arranged respectively on two essentially parallel planes. By “essentially parallel”, it is meant that the tension clip 100 does not interfere with the tear-off clip 200, when the clip 10 is in the free state or mounted on the structures.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the tension clip 100 and the tear-off clip 200 are configured as follows: the tension clip 100 comprises two opposite tension sections 110, 160 and two wings 130, 180, each tension section 110, 160 comprises a folding portion, each wing 130, 180 comprises a connecting section 132, 182 allowing angular movement and / or tilting and an end section 140, 190, each connecting section 132, 182 comprises a tab 134, 184 whose free end 136, 186 extends towards the end section 140, 190, so as to be able to retain the second structure 800 between the tabs 134, 184 and the end sections 140, 190, the tear-off clip 200 comprises two opposite arms 210, 260, the two arms 210, 260 each comprise an engagement section 220, 270, and the engagement section 220, 270 being adapted to engage in the first structure 600.

[0035] A non-illustrated embodiment will first be described in which the clip 10 comprises a tension clip 100 and a tear-off clip 200. First, the tension clip 100 comprises two opposing tension sections 110, 160 and two wings 130, 180. Each tension section 110, 160 extends in a first direction of a longitudinal axis XX' of the fastening device 10 from an area, called a central portion 50. Then, each tension section 110, 160 extends outwardly from the longitudinal axis XX' and afterward towards the longitudinal axis XX', thus forming an outwardly folding portion on each tension section 110, 160. The two wings 130, 180 extend, from the ends 120, 170 of the tension sections, relative to each other away from the longitudinal axis XX'.

[0036] Each wing 130, 180 has a connecting section 132, 182 and an end section 140, 190, the end section extending in the first direction D, the connecting section extending in a direction opposite to the first direction D and connecting the tension section 110, 160 and the end section 140, 190.

[0037] Each connecting section 132, 182 has a tab 134, 184 which has a free end 136, 186 extending towards the end section 140, 190, so as to be able to retain the second structure 800 between the tabs 134, 184 and the end sections 140, 190.

[0038] The tear-off clip 200 comprises two opposite arms 210, 260 extending in the first direction D from the central portion 50.

[0039] The two arms 210, 260 each comprise an engagement section 220, 270 which extends outwards from the longitudinal axis XX' and thereafter towards the longitudinal axis XX', forming a folding portion, and the engagement section 220, 270 is capable of engaging in the opening of the first structure 600.

[0040] Advantageously, the engagement section 220, 270 is arranged further from the longitudinal axis XX' relative to the tension sections 120, 170. This makes it possible to guarantee and adjust the tension and tearing force by the tearing clip, in particular between the fixing device and the first structure.

[0041] Advantageously, the clip 10 allows for a removable assembly of the first structure 600.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, the fixing device comprises a second tension clip 100, the tear-off clip 200 being located between the two tension clips 100. It is understood that the tear-off clip 20 does not interfere with the two tension clips 100, when the clip 10 is in the free state or mounted on the structures to be fixed. This advantageously makes it possible to increase the resistance force.

[0043] There Figure 2 illustrates another perspective view of the fastening device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It can be seen that each arm 210, 260 then extends outwards from the longitudinal axis XX', forming a folding portion 230, 280. Advantageously, these folding portions 230, 280 make it possible to prevent the clips from becoming entangled with each other.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the folding portions 230, 280, in the free state, for example during transport, respectively abut against the end sections 140, 190. This makes it possible to prevent the end sections 140, 190 from opening and turning over and to guarantee the integrity of the arms 210, 260. For automatic dispensing, the clip 10 can be carried on the end sections 140, 190 with the central portion at the bottom.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the clip 10 is arranged so that the arms 210, 260 do not pass over the hole 650 of the second structure, during its use. Advantageously, this makes it possible to avoid the folding portions 230, 280 turning over, and therefore the deterioration of the clip 10, during the disassembly of the structure 600. The integrity of the arms 210, 260 is thus guaranteed.

[0046] In another preferred embodiment, the movement of the arms 210, 260 is limited so that they do not interfere with the wings 130, 180 when the clip 10 is mounted on the structures to be secured. Advantageously, the movement of the arms 210, 260 is limited by the first structure, also ensuring the integrity of the arms 210, 260.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, the tension sections 120, 170 are secured before extending away from the longitudinal axis XX' and the tension clip 100 has a closed and concave shape. This will be detailed later.

[0048] There Figure 3 shows a third perspective view of the fixing device according to one embodiment. In this embodiment, the clip 10 comprises two tension clips 100 separated by the tear-off clip 200. On the other hand, we observe on the Figure 3that the two tension clips 100 are connected by the wings 130, 180 on the same side. Advantageously, this makes it possible to have an increased resistance force of the component. In fact, the clips 100, 200 are connected by the central portion 50 on one side, and the two tension clips 100 are secured by the wings 130, 180 on the other side.

[0049] In this illustrated embodiment, the closed shape of the tension clip 100 is achieved by the clip itself. For example, the clip 10 has closing folds 150 making it possible to secure the tension sections 120, 170 to have the closed and concave shape.

[0050] In one embodiment, the fixing device 10 is obtained by folding and / or cutting from a single-piece elastic band element.

[0051] Advantageously, this allows for a robust clip.

[0052] In an embodiment not illustrated, the clip 10 further comprises locking means, such as a locking pin, supports, for securing the tension sections 120, 170.

[0053] Advantageously, having a closed and concave shape allows to keep the deformation energy and to guarantee an assembly tension. In addition, this makes it possible to avoid the tangling of the parts between them and to guarantee the geometry of the parts by limiting the deformation. In addition, this makes it possible to dissociate the clipping functions with the two structures to be fixed.

[0054] There Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view of the fastening device 10 which secures a first structure 600 to a second structure 800 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] The clip 10 is introduced into the first structure 600, the tension sections 110, 160 inserted into the opening 650. Advantageously, the tension sections 110, 160 make it possible to guarantee guidance during this introduction.

[0056] Then, the clip 10 is introduced into the second structure 800, the connecting sections 132, 180 of the wings 130, 180 passing through the opening 850. Advantageously, the tabs 134, 184 and the end sections 140, 190 clip respectively onto the two opposite surfaces of the second structure 800, ensuring assembly tension. In addition, the fact that the connecting sections 132, 180 pass through the opening 850 allows the clip 10 to be self-centered on the second structure 800.

[0057] In the automatic installation, the clip 10 is mounted in the second structure 800 by pressing on the upper part which is opposite the wings 130, 180.

[0058] Advantageously, the tension sections 110, 160 make it possible to guarantee an assembly tension and a tearing force with respect to the first structure 600, although it is a removable assembly of the first structure.

[0059] In parallel, we observe that the engagement section 220, 270 is arranged further from the longitudinal axis XX' compared to the tension sections 120, 170. This makes it possible to guarantee and adjust the tension and tearing force by the tearing clip 100, between the clip 10 and the first structure 600.

[0060] According to the invention, the clip 10 essentially has a V shape with tension sections 110, 160. In automatic positioning, the clip 10 can be gripped on the V shape by holding the lateral parts and the tension sections 110, 160. Advantageously, this makes it possible to compensate for misalignment and perpendicularity.

[0061] In one embodiment, the fastening device 10 is essentially symmetrical with respect to a plane containing the longitudinal axis XX'. In a variant, the tension clip 100 and the tear-off clip 200 respectively have a symmetry with respect to a plane containing the longitudinal axis. In another variant, the wings 130, 180 are essentially symmetrical with respect to a plane containing the longitudinal axis XX'. Advantageously, the insertion / tearing force of the clip 10 with respect to the structures 600, 800 is balanced on both sides of the clip 10.

[0062] Subsequently, we will show the other advantages of the present invention which reside in its play recovery functions.

[0063] There Figure 5illustrates a sectional view of the clip 10 which fixes a first structure to a second structure according to one embodiment. In fact, the play compensation on the y axis is achieved by the angular movement and / or tilting of the clip 10 mounted on the two structures 600, 800. Thanks to the connecting section 132, 138, the angular movement and / or tilting of the clip 10 along the flexion axis and / or around the X axis advantageously reinforces the robustness of the fixing. The play compensation on the z axis is achieved by the tension sections 110, 160 of the tension clip 100 and by the arms 210, 260 of the tear-off clip 200.

[0064] There Figure 6 shows a top view of the fixing device of the Figure 5. The clip 10 makes it possible to absorb the play along the x axis. In fact, the structures 600 and / or 800 can move along the x axis to take up the assembly play in this direction. Thus, the play is taken up by fitting one or more structures 600, 800.

[0065] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to an assembly comprising a first structure 600 having a first opening 650 and a second structure 800 having a second opening 850. The first structure 600 is attached to the second structure 800 by means of a clip 10 according to the present invention.

[0066] According to this embodiment, the tear-off clip 200 is disposed through the first opening 650 such that the two arms 210, 260 are engaged in the first structure 600. In addition, the two wings 130, 180 are disposed through the second structure 850 such that the second structure 800 is retained between the tabs 134, 184 and the end sections 140, 190.

[0067] In a non-illustrated embodiment, the present invention relates to an assembly comprising a second structure 800 having a second opening 850 and a clip 10 according to the present invention is mounted on the second structure 800.

[0068] According to this embodiment, the two wings 130, 180 are arranged across the second structure 850 such that the second structure 800 is retained between the tabs 134, 184 and the end sections 140, 190.

[0069] Other variations of the present invention are illustrated with the Figures 7-9 . In this variant, each connecting section 132, 182 comprises a tab 134, 184 which comprises a free end 136, 186. Unlike the embodiment illustrated by the figure 1 , the two free ends 136, 186 extend towards each other and respectively form a return. Advantageously, the second structure 800 is retained between the tabs 134, 184 and the end sections 140, 190, as illustrated in figure 9 In an embodiment not illustrated, one of the free ends 136, 186 extends towards the end section 140, 190 on the same side relative to the axis XX' and the other forms a return.

[0070] In one embodiment, when the second structure 800 is retained between the tabs 134, 184 and the end sections 140, 190, at least one of the end sections 140, 190 comes into contact with a surface of the second structure 800. Advantageously, this contact is of the surface-to-surface type to have a high contact surface. This can also be observed on the figure 9 . LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0071] [Tables 1] References Designations 10 Fixing device 50 Central portion 100 Tension clip 110, 160 Tension section 120, 170 Tension section end 130, 180 Wing 132, 182 Linking section 134, 184 Tongue 136, 186 Free end of tongue 140, 190 End section 200 Pull-out staple 210, 260 Arm 220, 270 Engagement Section 230, 280 Engagement section folding portion XX' Longitudinal axis of fixing device D First direction of the longitudinal axis 150 closing folds

Claims

1. A fastening device (10), for fastening a first structure (600) having an opening to a second structure (800) having an opening, comprising a first clip (100), referred to as tension clip, and a second clip (200), referred to as pull-off clip, respectively disposed on two essentially parallel planes, - the tension clip (100) comprises two opposite tension sections (110, 160) and two wings (130, 180), the fastening device (10) essentially has a V-shape with the tension sections (110, 160), • each tension section (110, 160) comprises a bending portion, • each wing (130, 180) comprises a linking section (132, 182) allowing angular displacement and / or tilting and an end section (140, 190), • each linking section (132, 182) comprises a tab (134, 184), so as to be able to hold the second structure (800) between the tabs (134, 184) and the end sections (140, 190), - the pull-off clip (200) comprises two opposite arms (210, 260), • the two arms (210, 260) each comprise an engagement section (220, 270), and the engagement section (220, 270) being capable of being engaged in the first structure (600).

2. The fastening device (10) according to claim 1, wherein - each tension section (110, 160) extends in a first direction (D) along a longitudinal axis (XX') of the fastening device (10) from a central portion (50); and - each tension section (110, 160) extends outward from the longitudinal axis (XX') and then toward the longitudinal axis (XX'), forming said bending portion of the tension section (110, 160).

3. The fastening device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein - the two wings (130, 180) extend, from the ends (120, 170) of the tension sections (110, 160), relative to each other away from the longitudinal axis (XX'); and - the end section extends in the first direction (D), the linking section extends in an opposite direction to the first direction (D) and connects the tension section (110, 160) and the end section (140, 190).

4. The fastening device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engagement section (220, 270) extends outward from the longitudinal axis (XX') and then toward the longitudinal axis (XX'), forming a bending portion.

5. The fastening device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein - the two opposite arms (210, 260) of the pull-off clip (200) extend in the first direction (D) from the central portion (50); and - the engagement section (220, 270) is disposed farther from the longitudinal axis (XX') relative to the tension sections (120, 170).

6. The fastening device (10) according to claim 1, wherein each arm (210, 260) then extends outward from the longitudinal axis (XX'), forming a bending portion (230, 280).

7. The fastening device (10) according to claim 6, wherein, in the free state, the bending portion (230, 280) abuts on the end section (140, 190).

8. The fastening device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the linking section (132, 182) allows angular displacement and / or tilting of the fastening device (10) along a bending axis and / or about an axis perpendicular to a plane containing the tension clip (100) when it is mounted on the second structure.

9. The fastening device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a second tension clip (100), the pull-off clip (200) being located between the two tension clips (100).

10. The fastening device (10) according to claim 9, wherein the two tension clips (100) are connected by the wings (130, 180) of the same side.

11. The fastening device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tension sections (110, 160) are secured before extending away from the longitudinal axis (XX'), such that the tension sections (110, 160) and the central portion (50) form a closed concave shape.

12. The fastening device (10) according to claim 11, wherein the tension sections (110, 160) are secured by closing laps (150).

13. The fastening device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is obtained by bending and / or cutting from a one-piece elastic strip element.

14. The fastening device (10) according to claim 11, wherein it further comprises locking means for securing the tension sections (120, 170).

15. An assembly comprising a first structure (600) having a first opening (650) and a second structure (800) having a second opening (850), characterized in that - the first structure (600) is fastened to the second structure (800) by means of a fastening device (10) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 14; - the pull-off clip (200) is disposed through the opening of the first structure (650) such that the two arms (210, 260) are engaged in the first structure (600); and - the two wings (130, 180) are disposed through the opening of the second structure (850) such that the second structure (800) is held between the tabs (134, 184) and the end sections (140, 190).

16. An assembly comprising a second structure (800) having a second opening (850) and a fastening device (10) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the two wings (130, 180) are disposed through the second opening (850) such that the second structure (800) is held between the tabs (134, 184) and the end sections (140, 190).