Fastening kit for the detachable assembly of a panel to a structure

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fastening assembly (10) for the detachable assembly of a panel (38) to a structure. comprising a fastening (12) having an elongated body (14) extending along a central axis and a fastening part (24, 26) which is reversibly movable between a first retracted position and a second extended position in which it protrudes laterally from the elongated body;and an actuating element movably mounted on the fixing and having a cam portion (16) coupled with the fixing portion, the actuating element being adapted to move pivotally or slidably between a first unlocking position in which the fixing portion is moved to the first retracted position and a second locking position in which the fixing portion is moved to the second extended position, in which the pivoting or sliding movement is a movement in a direction which has a transverse element or is substantially transverse to the central axis; and means for retaining the actuating element in a predetermined position. [Fig. 1];

Description

Title of the invention: FIXING ASSEMBLY FOR DETACHABLE ASSEMBLY OF A PANEL TO A STRUCTURE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to fastening assemblies and in particular, but not exclusively, fastening assemblies for the detachable assembly of a vehicle panel to a vehicle chassis. Technical background

[0002] It is desirable to have a high-strength fastening mechanism which causes a car body panel to be firmly fixed to a vehicle chassis but which can be released to cause the car body panel to be removed when desired. Summary of the invention

[0003] In accordance with the present invention, a fastening assembly is provided for the detachable assembly of a panel to a structure, comprising:

[0004] a fixation having an elongated body extending along a central axis and a fixation portion that is reversibly movable between a first retracted position and a second extended position in which it protrudes laterally from the elongated body; and

[0005] an actuating element mounted movably on the fixing and having a cam part coupled with the fixing part, the actuating element being adapted to move pivotally or slidingly between a first unlocking position in which the fixing part is moved to the first retracted position and a second locking position in which the fixing part is moved to the second extended position in which the pivoting or sliding movement is a movement in a direction which has a transverse element or is substantially transverse to the central axis.

[0006] When the fastening part is in its first retracted position, the fastening body can be passed through aligned openings in the two articles to be fastened together. The actuating element can then be moved to its second locking position, in which the fastening part is moved to its second extended position. This prevents the fastening body from being retracted through the aligned openings and secures the two articles together. If it is desired to release the two articles, the actuating element is mounted in an operational position so that it can be moved either pivotally or slidably back to its first position. unlocking, in which the fixing part is moved to its first retracted position which allows the fixing body to be retracted through the aligned openings.

[0007] Preferably, the fixing part does not protrude outwards from the elongated body of the fixing in the first retracted position.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the fastening assembly comprises two fastening parts, each coupled with a cam part of the actuating element.

[0009] Preferably, the two fixing parts are reversibly movable in opposite directions to each other when moving from their first retracted position to the second extended position.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the actuation element comprises first and second cam parts, each cam part being coupled with a respective fixing part.

[0011] Advantageously, the fixing part is elastically movable between the first retracted position and the second locking position and the cam part is configured to stretch the fixing part towards the first retracted position in which both fixing parts are elastically movable between the respective first retracted position and the respective second locking position and in which the first and second cam parts are configured to simultaneously stretch both fixing parts towards the respective first retracted position.

[0012] Each cam part preferably includes a track which receives a part of the associated fastening part.

[0013] In one embodiment, the actuation element is pivotally mounted on the fixing.

[0014] Preferably, the actuating element comprises a cam body pivotally mounted on the fixing and on which the cam parts are located.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the actuation element includes a handle portion extending from the cam body.

[0016] The attachment may include two tabs between which the actuating element is pivotally mounted.

[0017] The elongated body and the two fixing parts can be conveniently formed from a single piece of material.

[0018] In one embodiment, the elongated body and the two fixing parts are formed from a single piece of metal.

[0019] The fastening assembly may further include means for retaining the actuating element in a predetermined position.

[0020] The fastening assembly may further include means for retaining the actuating element in the first unlocking position and / or the second locking position.

[0021] For example, the fastening assembly may include a recess in the actuating element which receives a part of a fastening part when the actuating element is in the first unlocking position and / or in the second locking position. Brief description of the figures

[0022] By way of example, a specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view from the front and one side of an embodiment of a fastening assembly according to the present invention, shown in a locked state;

[0024] [Fig.2] is a perspective view from the front and one side of the fastening assembly of [Fig.1], shown in an unlocked state;

[0025] [Fig.3] is a perspective view from above of the fastening assembly of [Fig.1], schematically illustrating the insertion of the fastening assembly through a hole;

[0026] [Fig. 4(a) and 4(b)] are perspective views of the fastening assembly of [Fig.1], in the unlocked and locked states respectively, schematically illustrating the fastening assembly inserted through a hole in a plate;

[0027] [Fig. 5(a), 5(b) and 5(c)] are a front view, a simplified front view and a vertical cross-section respectively through the fastening assembly of [Fig.1], shown in the unlocked state;

[0028] [Fig. 6 (a), 6(b) and 6(c)] are a front view, a simplified front view and a vertical cross-section respectively through the fastening assembly of [Fig.1], shown in the locked state;

[0029] [Fig.7] is a cross-section through the fastening assembly of [Fig.1], looking in the direction of arrows VII-VII of Figure 6; and

[0030] [Fig.8] is a perspective view from the rear, one side and top of the fastening assembly of [Fig.1], shown in the locked state. Detailed description of the invention

[0031] The fastening assembly 10 shown in the figures comprises a metal fastener 12 having an elongated body 14 on which a manually actuated cam element 16, formed from molded plastic material, is pivotally mounted. The metal fastener 12 is formed from stamped metal and comprises an elongated body 14 with a generally rectangular cross-section. The two side walls 18 The elongated body 14 are bent at right angles outwards, their upper end being as shown in 20 and are then bent at right angles upwards to form two opposite parallel mounting lugs 22 between which the cam element 16 is pivotally mounted, as will be explained.

[0032] Each of the two opposing side walls 18 of the elongated body 14 of the fastener, including the parts 20 and 22 at the upper end, is formed into a fastening tab 24, 26 which is permitted to move inwards and outwards relative to the rest of the side wall 18 by means of slots 28 in the side wall. As shown in the figures, the upper end of each of the fastening tabs 24, 26 is bent inwards and, as will be explained, is received in a respective guide track or cam path 30, 32 in the cam element 16. The cam element 16 can pivot 180° between a unlocked position shown in [Fig. 2], in which each of the fastening tabs 24, 26 is level with the rest of the respective side wall 18, and a locked position shown in [Fig. 32].l], in which each of the fixing lugs 24, 26 protrudes laterally outwards from the rest of the respective side walls 18. .

[0033] Figures 3 and 4 schematically illustrate how the metal fastener 12 of the fastening assembly is passed through openings 36 of complementary shapes aligned in a vehicle body panel 38 and in a vehicle chassis 40 so as to reversibly fix the body panel to the chassis.

[0034] As shown in the figures, the cam element 16 comprises a generally cylindrical main body portion. Two aligned stud shafts 44, 45 extend from opposite ends of the body portion, and mounting tabs 46, 48 on the ends of the stud shafts are received in complementary circular openings 50 in the mounting tabs 22 of the fastener, by means of which the cam element 16 is pivotally mounted relative to the fastener. The cam element 16 is pressed into the space between the vertically oriented mounting tabs, which have sufficient elasticity to allow the cam element 16 to be pressed into position. The press-fit assembly of the cam element 16 is facilitated by the formation of the upper edges of each of the mounting tabs 22 of the fastener to form outwardly flared guide grooves 52, 54.

[0035] The cam element 16 also has a handle portion 58, formed as a single piece with the main body portion, extending orthogonally to the pivot axis of the main body portion. The handle portion 48 facilitates manual pivoting of the cam element between two extreme positions shown in Figures 1 and 2 respectively.

[0036] The main body portion of the cam element is also provided with the two cam tracks 30, 32 as previously mentioned. The upper end of each of the mounting tabs 24, 26 is received in one of the respective two cam tracks 30, 32. As can be seen more clearly in Figures 5 and 6, the spacing of the cam tracks 30, 32 varies from a minimum spacing when the cam element 16 is in its unlocked position (see Figures 2, 3, 4a, 5 and 6) to a maximum spacing when the cam element 16 is in its locked position (see Figures 1, 4b, 7 and 8), forming a wedge-shaped projection 62 between the two cam tracks.

[0037] Therefore, when the cam element 16 is in its unlocked position, the retaining tabs 24, 26 are held in a retracted position (see figures 2, 3, 4a, 5 and 6) and when the cam element 16 is in its locked position (see figures 1, 4b, 7 and 8), the retaining tabs 24, 26 are held in a position in which they protrude laterally outwards from the rest of the side walls 18 of the elongated body 14 of the fastener, thanks to the engagement of the upper ends of the retaining tabs in their respective cam track 30, 32.

[0038] As can be seen more clearly in Figures 6 and 8, when the cam element 16 is in its locked position, the upper ends of the retaining tabs 24, 26 are formed to be convex in an outward direction laterally and are received in opposite recesses 66, 68 formed in a complementary manner in the main body, which retains the retaining tabs 24, 26 in their extended position and which requires an additional force to rotate the cam element 16 in the unlocking direction.

[0039] In use, the fixing assembly 10 is formed by manually inserting the cam element 16 (in its unlocked orientation) into the space between the two vertically erected mounting tabs 22, which is facilitated by the guide grooves 52, 54, so that the mounting tabs 46, 48 are received in the circular openings 50 in the parallel mounting tabs 22 of the fixing body 14. This causes the cam element 16 to be pivotally mounted relative to the fixing body 14 and also ensures that the upper end of each of the fixing tabs 24, 26 is received in one of the respective two cam tracks 30, 32.

[0040] As can be seen more clearly in Figures 3 and 4, in order to fix a vehicle body panel 38 to a vehicle chassis 40, the cam element is pivoted into its unlocked orientation (see Figures 2, 3, 4a, 5 and 6), in which the cam tracks 30, 32 retain the mounting tabs 24, 26 in the retracted position, level with the remaining side walls 18. The elongated body 14 of the fastener 12 can then be passed through aligned openings 36 in the body panel and the chassis 40. The cam element 16 is then pivoted 180° towards its locked position. (see figures 1, 4b, 7 and 8), by means of the handle part 58. The engagement of the fixing tabs 24, 26 with the cam tracks 30, 32 causes the fixing tabs 24, 26 to protrude outwards laterally, thus preventing the removal of the fixing assembly 10 from the aligned openings 36 and removably fixing the body panel 38 to the vehicle chassis 40.

[0041] If it is desired to detach the vehicle body panel 38 from the vehicle chassis 40, the cam element 16 is pivoted to its unlocked position (see figures 2, 3, 4a, 5 and 6) which causes the fixing tabs 24, 26 to retract inwards to the same level as the rest of the side walls 18, thus allowing the fixing assembly 10 to be removed.

[0042] The invention is not limited to the details of any prior embodiment.

[0043] For example, the invention can be used to removably fix together objects other than a vehicle body panel and a vehicle chassis.

[0044] Furthermore, it is possible for the mounting tabs 24, 26 to be stressed in the retracted position, in which case the inner walls of the cam tracks 30, 32 act as cam surfaces to move the mounting tabs 24, 26 to the laterally extended position. Alternatively, it is possible for the mounting tabs 24, 36 to be stressed in the laterally extended position, in which case the outer walls of the cam tracks 30, 32 act as cam surfaces to move the mounting tabs 24, 26 to the laterally retracted position. Reference sign list

[0045] 10 fixing set

[0046] 12 metal fastener

[0047] 14 elongated body of the fixing

[0048] 16 cam element

[0049] 18 side wall

[0050] 20 upper end

[0051] 22 upper end

[0052] 24 fixing lug

[0053] 26 fixing lug

[0054] 28 slot

[0055] 30 camel path

[0056] 32 came path

[0057] 36 openings

[0058] 38 bodywork

[0059] 40 vehicle chassis

[0060] 44 stud axis

[0061]

[0062]

[0063]

[0064]

[0065]

[0066]

[0067]

[0068]

[0069]

[0070] 45 stud axis 46 mounting lug 48 mounting lug 50 circular opening 52 guide groove 54 guide groove 58 handle part 62 wedge-shaped projection 66 opposite recess 68 opposite recess

Claims

Claims

1. A fastener assembly (10) for releasably joining a panel (38) to a structure, comprising: a fastener (12) having an elongate body (14) extending along a central axis and a fastening portion (24, 26) which is reversibly movable between a first retracted position and a second extended position in which it projects laterally from the elongate body;and an actuating member movably mounted on the fastener and having a cam portion (16) coupled with the fastener portion, the actuating member being adapted to pivotally or slidably move between a first unlocking position in which the fastener portion is moved to the first retracted position and a second locking position in which the fastener portion is moved to the second extended position in which the pivoting or sliding movement is a movement in a direction which has a transverse element or is substantially transverse to the central axis; characterized in that it comprises means for retaining the actuating member in a predetermined position.;

2. The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the fastener portion does not protrude outwardly from the elongated body of the fastener in the first retracted position.

3. A fastening assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising two fastening portions (24, 26), each coupled to a cam portion of the actuating member.

4. A fastening assembly according to claim 3, wherein the two fastening portions (24, 26) are reversibly movable in opposite directions to each other when moving from their first retracted position to the second extended position.

5. A fastening assembly according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the actuating member comprises first and second cam portions, each cam portion being coupled to a respective fastening portion.

6. A fastening assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fastening portion (24, 26) is elastically movable between the first retracted position and the second locking position and the cam portion is configured to tension the securing portion toward the first retracted portion.

7. A fastening assembly according to claim 5, wherein the two fastening portions are resiliently movable between the respective first retracted position and the respective second locking position and wherein the first and second cam portions are configured to simultaneously tension the two fastening portions toward the respective first retracted position.

8. A fastening assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each cam portion comprises a track (52, 54) which receives a portion of the associated fastening portion.

9. A fastener assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the actuating member is pivotally mounted on the fastener.

10. A fastener assembly according to claim 9, wherein the actuating member comprises a cam body (16) pivotally mounted on the fastener member and on which the cam portions are located.

11. The fastening assembly of claim 10, wherein the actuating member comprises a handle portion (58) extending from the cam body.

12. A fixing assembly according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the fixing comprises two legs between which the actuating element is pivotally mounted.

13. A fastening assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the elongate body (14) and the two fastening portions (24, 26) are formed from a single piece of material.

14. A fastener assembly according to claim 13, wherein the elongate body (14) and the two fastener portions (24, 26) are formed from a single piece of metal.

15. A fastening assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising means for retaining the actuating element in the first unlocking position and / or the second locking position.

16. A fastener assembly according to claim 15, comprising a recess (66, 68) in the actuating member which receives a portion of a fastener portion when the actuating member is in the first unlocked position and / or in the second locked position.

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