RESTRAINT CLIP

Abstract

The invention relates to a retaining clip (102) adapted for interfacing with a support (408). The retaining clip comprises a retaining portion (104) capable of retaining a structural element and a support interface (106) disposed near the retaining portion. The support interface comprises a slot (112) dimensioned to receive a support (408), one or more retaining elements (114, 210) disposed inside the slot, and one or more stop elements (202, 602, 702) disposed inside the slot. Figure for the abstract: FIG. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: RETAINING CLIP Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a retaining clip. More specifically, although not exclusively, the present invention relates to a retaining clip adapted to interface with a support. Technical background

[0002] Retaining clips are known and normally comprise a retaining portion, such as a clamp, and a means for securing the clip to a support, for example by means of a screw or other mechanical fastener. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present invention aims to provide an improved, preferably more reliable, retaining clip.

[0004] A retaining clip includes a retaining portion adapted to retain a member of a construction and a support interface configured to receive, retain, and stop a support.

[0005] The retaining clip may be adapted to interface with a bracket. The bracket interface may be disposed proximate the retaining portion. The bracket interface may include a slot. The slot may be sized to receive the bracket.

[0006] The support interface may include one or more retaining elements. The one or more retaining elements may be disposed within the slot. The support interface may include one or more stopping elements. The one or more stopping elements may be disposed within the slot.

[0007] The invention also relates to a retaining clip, adapted for interfacing with a support, the retaining clip comprising: a retaining portion adapted to retain an element of a construction; and a support interface disposed proximate the retaining portion, the support interface comprising: a slot sized to receive a support; one or more retaining elements disposed within the slot; and one or more stop elements disposed within the slot.

[0008] The or at least one of the stop element(s) may be arranged on the retaining portion.

[0009] The or at least one of the stopping element(s) may be configured to simultaneously stop and support retention of media received by the media interface.

[0010] At least one retaining element and / or at least one stopping element may be elastic.

[0011] At least one retaining element and / or at least one stopping element may comprise a ramp.

[0012] The support interface may include one or more inspection ports.

[0013] The slot may comprise at least two faces. The two faces may be connected by a curved portion. The curved portion may prevent, in use, a support from coming into contact with at least one of the two faces.

[0014] More specifically, the slot may comprise at least two faces connected by a curved portion which prevents, in use, a support from coming into contact with at least one of the two faces.

[0015] The retaining portion may comprise a receptacle. The receptacle may be tubular. The receptacle may have a substantially rectangular cross-section. The receptacle may be intended to receive a support, for example in the form of a tab or a flat plate.

[0016] More specifically, the retaining portion may comprise a tubular receptacle of substantially rectangular section intended to receive a support in the form of a tab or a flat plate.

[0017] The retaining portion may comprise a hose or cable clamp.

[0018] The invention also relates to a metal bracket assembly. The metal bracket assembly may comprise a plastic part with a tube connection portion. The plastic part may comprise a metal bracket assembly portion. The metal bracket assembly portion may comprise a cage, for example for receiving the metal bracket. The metal bracket assembly or the cage may comprise one or more tabs, which may be elastically deformable. The tabs may comprise teeth, for example for engaging in the notches of the metal bracket when the latter is inserted into the cage. The metal bracket assembly portion may also comprise locking and / or holding means, for example for locking and / or holding the metal bracket in the engaged position in the cage.

[0019] The invention also relates to a metal support assembly comprising a plastic part with a tube connection portion and a metal support assembly portion, the metal support assembly portion having a cage for receiving the metal support, and elastically deformable tabs with teeth for engaging notches of the metal support when the metal support is inserted into the cage, the metal support assembly portion further comprising locking and / or holding means for locking and / or holding the metal support in the engaged position inside the cage.

[0020] The invention also relates to a holder suitable for interfacing with the retaining clip described above, the holder comprising one or more elements arranged in complement to the retaining element(s) of the retaining clip.

[0021] At least one or more elements arranged in addition to the retaining element(s) of the retaining clip may comprise a hole through, or a recess in, the sheet metal. According to at least one embodiment of the invention, the support may comprise a sheet metal, wherein at least one or more elements arranged in addition to the retaining element(s) of the retaining clip comprise a hole through, or a recess in, the sheet metal.

[0022] The invention also relates to the support described above retained in a retaining clip described above.

[0023] The invention also relates to a support retained in a retaining clip described above.

[0024] For the avoidance of doubt, all features described herein apply equally to any aspect of the invention.

[0025] For the avoidance of doubt, the terms "may", "and / or", "for example", and any other similar terms used herein should be interpreted as non-limiting, such that any feature so described need not necessarily be present. Brief description of the figures

[0026] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

[0027] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] illustrates a cross-section of a retaining clip;

[0028] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] illustrates another cross-section of a retaining clip;

[0029] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] illustrates a partial cross-section of a retaining clip;

[0030] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] illustrates an end view of a retaining clip;

[0031] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] illustrates a top view of a support inserted into a clip of cross-sectional retention;

[0032] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] illustrates a side view of a bracket inserted into a retaining clip in cross section;

[0033] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] illustrates a cross-section of a retaining clip;

[0034] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] illustrates a retaining clip with an inserted bracket;

[0035] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] illustrates a retaining clip; and

[0036] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] illustrates a cross-section of a retaining clip with an inserted bracket. Detailed description of the invention

[0037] Similar reference numbers are used to describe similar features throughout the document.

[0038] The illustrated embodiment relates to a rapid metal support assembly.

[0039] The drawings illustrate a new design example of a tube connection part that can be combined with the quick metal bracket assembly part. It can be any other type of fitting.

[0040] The objective is to create a standard connection to replace the assembly made using a metal rivet, in order to simplify the assembly and reduce the assembly time.

[0041] The metal support assembly comprises a plastic portion with a tube connection portion and a metal support assembly portion. The metal support assembly portion comprises a cage for receiving the metal support, and elastically deformable tabs with teeth for engaging in the notches of the metal support when the latter is inserted into the cage. The metal support assembly portion also comprises locking and holding means for locking and holding the metal support in the engaged position inside the cage.

[0042] Referring now to [Fig. 1], a retaining clip 102 can be seen in an open configuration, ready to receive an item in a retaining portion 104, such as a pipe, for a construction, such as a vehicle. The retaining portion 104 can be sized and positioned to accept any suitable item that a user wishes to attach to a construction.

[0043] The retaining clip 102 is provided with a bracket interface 106 for securing the retaining clip 102 to the construction, for example, to the frame of a vehicle. A slot 112 is provided in the bracket interface 106 for releasably securing to a bracket 408 to allow the retaining clip 102 to be secured to the construction.

[0044] The slot 112 includes one or more retaining members 114, or retainers, adapted to engage corresponding members of the holder, such that the holder is retained by the slot 112 and is only released upon intentional disconnection by the user.

[0045] [Fig. 2] shows the same retaining clip 102 of [Fig. 1], but with the retaining portion 104 in the closed position. The retaining portion 104 is arranged to encircle an element to which it is attached, a clasp, or other suitable connecting means, is provided towards the interface of the support 106.

[0046] [Fig. 3] shows a partial view of a section of the retaining clip 102, at the interface of the support 106. The retaining element(s) 210 are provided with a ramp 204 to facilitate the insertion of a support 408. The retaining element(s) 210 are elastic, which allows rapid adjustment to the complementary characteristics of the support 408. This elasticity also makes it possible to accept a wide tolerance of the support 408 in slot 112 while maintaining sufficient function of the interface of the support 106.

[0047] One or more stop members 202 are provided. The stop members 202 may be resilient, such as the retaining members 210, and are disposed toward the periphery of the slot 112 to stop movement of a bracket 408 that is inserted into the slot 112, thereby reducing the risk of dislocation of a bracket 408 from the retaining clip 102, for example, due to vibration. The resilience of the stop members 202 allows for a wide tolerance of bracket 408 to be accepted in the slot 112 while maintaining sufficient function of the bracket interface 106 (i.e., brackets 408 of varying width / thickness). This effect may be enhanced by providing the stop members 202 with a ramp 204 having a slope that allows engagement with a range of support 408 sizes. The ramps 204 may be provided, for example, by providing the stop members 202 with a conical or dome-shaped geometry.

[0048] One of the stop members 202 may be adjacent to or part of the retaining portion 104, such that a bracket 408, inserted into the slot 112 and stopped by this stop member 202, has the additional effect of bearing on the retaining portion 104, or its clip / connecting means, thereby reducing the likelihood of the retaining portion 104 moving from the closed configuration to the open configuration unintentionally.

[0049] [Fig. 4] shows an end view of the retaining clip 102 at the interface of the support 106. It has the same properties as discussed above, as indicated by similar reference numerals. Furthermore, it can be seen that the slot 112 is formed of several faces 314 which are connected by curved portions 312. The curved portions 312 serve to reduce the effective width and height of the slot 112 and any support 408 inserted into the slot 112 therefore rests on these curved portions 312 and not directly on the faces 314 of the slot 112.

[0050] The slot 112 is thus protected from the support 408 and its movement. The support 408 may be formed of a different and harder material than the retaining clip 102, for example, a metal rather than a plastic. When metal is used, it may have a sharp edge that can cause premature failure of adjacent plastic components. The use of curved portions 312 provides a buffer or sacrificial area preventing this unwanted interaction from occurring.

[0051] Additional stop elements 202, or "ribs," are provided on the respective faces 314 of the slot 112 which provide interference points between the retaining clip 102 and the bracket 408 to prevent vibration of the retaining clip 102 when secured to the bracket 408, these ribs further expand the tolerances of the acceptable thickness of the bracket 408.

[0052] [Fig. 5] shows a cross-section of the bracket 408 and retaining clip 102 connected and in use. The bracket 408 is fully inserted into the slot 112 with the stops 202 acting on the bracket 408 to stop movement within the slot 112. The retaining member 114 is engaged in a complementary hole-shaped feature 410 in the bracket 408 to ensure that the bracket 408 is retained in the slot 112.

[0053] [Fig. 6] shows another cross-section of the bracket 408 and retaining clip 102 engaged and in use. One or more inspection openings 518 may be provided to allow easy visual confirmation of the correct and secure location of the bracket 408 in the retaining clip 102.

[0054] [Fig. 7] shows a cross-section of a retaining clip 102. [Fig. 8] shows a top-down view of a retaining clip 102 with a bracket 408 inserted into the slot 112. The retaining clip 102 includes additional stop members 602 relative to the stop member 202. The retaining clip 102 is otherwise identical to those shown previously. The stop members 602 are made of a resilient material intended to minimize the risk of the bracket 408 being dislodged by vibration. Suitable materials include thermoplastic elastomers, such as thermoplastic vulcanizate.

[0055] The resilient stop members 602 are disposed toward the periphery of the slot 112 to stop the movement of a bracket 408 that is inserted into the slot 112, thereby reducing the risk of dislocation of a bracket 408 from the retaining clip 102 by, for example, vibration. The resilience of the stop members 602 allows a wide tolerance of bracket 408 to be accepted in the slot 112 while maintaining sufficient function of the bracket interface 106 (i.e., brackets 408 of varying width / thickness).

[0056] The stop members 602 are arranged to engage the rounded edges of the bracket 408 to ensure that the vibration damping effect is provided to both a front edge and a side edge of the bracket 408. The stop members 602 may also pass under or over the bracket 408 to provide a vibration damping function to the opposing top and bottom faces of the bracket 408, thereby cradling the bracket 408. In this way, the direction of vibration is canceled and the bracket 408 is protected from vibrations that may cause dislocation.

[0057] [Fig. 9] shows a cross-section of a retaining clip 102. [Fig. 10] shows a top-down view of a retaining clip 102 with a bracket 408 inserted into the slot 112. The retaining clip 102 is otherwise similar to that of Figures 7 and 8, as well as those shown previously.

[0058] A stop member 702 is provided rearwardly of the slot 112 and extends across the entire width of the slot 112, thereby replacing the three equivalent stop members 202, 602 of Figures 7 and 8 with a single stop member 702. The stop member 702 functions in the same manner as the stop members 202, 602 described above.

[0059] The stop member 702 is formed of a resilient material intended to minimize the potential for dislodgement of the support 408 due to vibration. Suitable materials include thermoplastic elastomers, such as thermoplastic vulcanizate.

[0060] The resilient stop member 702 is disposed toward the periphery of the slot 112 to stop the movement of a bracket 408 that is inserted into the slot 112, thereby reducing the risk of dislocation of a bracket 408 from the retaining clip 102, for example, due to vibration. The resilience of the stop member 702 allows a wide tolerance of bracket 408 to be accepted in the slot 112 while maintaining sufficient function of the bracket interface 106 (i.e., brackets 408 of varying width / thickness).

[0061] The stop member 702 is configured to engage the rounded edges of the bracket 408 to ensure that the vibration damping effect is provided to both a front edge and a side edge of the bracket 408. The stop member 702 may also pass under or over the bracket 408 to provide a vibration damping function to the opposing upper and lower faces of the bracket 408, thereby cradling the bracket 408. In this manner, the direction of vibration is canceled and the bracket 408 is protected from vibration that may cause dislocation.

[0062] The retaining clip 102 may be provided alone or pre-attached to a bracket 408, ready to be attached to a construction.

[0063] When the retaining clip 102 is provided without the bracket 408, a bracket 408 may be provided in advance on a construction. The bracket 408 may be preformed integrally on the construction (i.e., integrated into the chassis of a vehicle, for example).

[0064] The retaining clip 102 may be made of any suitable material that allows it to perform its function, i.e., to secure a support and retain another element. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, polymers, including polyamides, and composites, such as glass-reinforced polyamides.

[0065] Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described above may vary in many ways. List of reference signs

[0066] 1 02 retaining clip

[0067] 104 retaining part

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[0070]

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[0075]

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[0080] 106 support interface 112 slot 114 retaining element 204 ramp 202 stop element 210 retaining element 314 face 312 curved portion 408 support 410 hole 518 inspection opening 602 additional stop element 702 stop element

Claims

Claims

1. A retaining clip (102), adapted for interfacing with a support (408), the retaining clip comprising: a retaining portion (104) adapted to retain an element of a construction; and a support interface (106) disposed proximate the retaining portion, the support interface comprising: a slot (112) sized to receive a support (408); one or more retaining elements (114, 210) disposed within the slot; and one or more stop elements (202, 602, 702) disposed within the slot.

2. A retaining clip according to claim 1, wherein the or at least one of the stop elements (202) is disposed on the retaining portion (104).

3. The retaining clip of claim 2, wherein the at least one of the stop members (602, 702) is configured to simultaneously stop and support retention of a carrier (408) received by the carrier interface (106).

4. A retaining clip according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one retaining element (210) and / or at least one stopping element (602) is elastic.

5. A retaining clip according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one retaining element (210) and / or at least one stopping element comprises a ramp (204).

6. A retaining clip according to any preceding claim, wherein the bracket interface (106) comprises one or more inspection ports (518).

7. A retaining clip according to any preceding claim, wherein the slot (112) comprises at least two faces (314) connected by a curved portion (312) which prevents, in use, a support (408) from contacting at least one of the two faces.

8. A retaining clip according to any preceding claim, wherein the retaining portion (104) comprises a hose or cable clamp.

9. 10 A support (408) suitable for interfacing with the retaining clip (102) according to any preceding claim, the support comprising one or more elements (410) arranged complementary to the one or more retaining elements (114, 210) of the retaining clip.

10. An assembly comprising a support according to claim 9, retained in a retaining clip (102) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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