Temporary retaining device for a bodywork opening

Abstract

The invention proposes a temporary retaining device (10) capable of being fixed to a wall comprising an oblong slot (300) delimited by two edges (302) spaced apart by a determined width (L1), the device (10) a fixing hub (M) comprising a section forming a base (T1), an intermediate section received in the oblong slot (300) and a stop section (T3) for axially retaining the fixing hub (M), characterized in that the intermediate section of polygonal section complementary to the oblong slot (300) is radially compressible by elastic deformation to allow the passage from one to the other of two offset angular positions of the fixing hub (M). Abstract figure: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Device for temporarily retaining a bodywork opening Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a device for temporarily retaining, in particular in the closed position, an opening bodywork element relative to a support element such as a frame.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a device for temporarily closing a door or a movable element, in particular of a motor vehicle, for example a tailgate or a hood, relative to a fixed structural element such as the body or the bodywork of the vehicle. Technical background of the invention

[0003] As is known, in the automotive field, the four main stages of manufacturing a vehicle consist of stamping, assembly of the sheet metal, application of paint and final assembly.

[0004] During the application of the paint, tools, intended to hold the openings in position during painting, are installed on the body of the vehicle, then are removed after painting.

[0005] Among these tools, temporary vehicle door retainers are mounted on the body to hold the doors in position and prevent them from opening during paint application. These devices may be mounted during the sheet metal assembly stage or at the beginning of the paint application stage.

[0006] Such known retaining devices comprise a body or fixing plate intended to be fixed for example on the frame, and an element carried by the body and forming a stop capable of cooperating with a portion of the opening element to retain the latter.

[0007] In the example of a vehicle door, the supporting dormant structural element is the structural door frame and the opening element is the vehicle door. In this case, the temporary retaining device is for example arranged at the level where the strike plate of the door lock will be located, which will be installed later during assembly in the assembly workshop.

[0008] Concerning the design of the fixing means of the device, document FR3007056A1 proposes a device for temporarily closing an opening element on a wall of a support element comprising an oblong slot, the device comprising a body comprising means for retaining the opening and means for fixing on the support element comprising: - a base secured to a body and capable of coming into abutment against the external face of the wall in the locking position of the device; - and at least one lock mounted elastically movable relative to the body between two positions, the device having, in the inserted position, a degree of pivoting mobility, the lock being brought elastically into a locked position when the device is brought into its locking position.

[0009] The lock is secured to the base by means of a flexible zone formed from a flexible elastic tab.

[0010] According to such a configuration, the temporary closing device of the opening element on the support element can be locked by a simple manual action on the latter, but to proceed with its unlocking, it is necessary to act on the lock, then manipulate the device to make it pivot again and then extract it axially.

[0011] In order to guarantee effective locking at the end of the maneuver of positioning and locking the device, the lock constitutes an element of complex design and manufacture and it requires complex manipulation in order to achieve unlocking.

[0012] The invention aims to propose a device whose fixing means are of simple and reliable design and in particular make it possible to do without the presence of a movable lock. Summary of the invention

[0013] The invention proposes a device for temporarily retaining a second element mounted to move relative to a first element, the second element comprising a wall having an inner face and an outer face and an oblong slot delimited by two parallel rectilinear edges transversely spaced apart by a determined width, the device comprising: - a body comprising means for retaining the second element; and - an elongated fixing hub extending from the body, which, along a reference axis, is capable of being axially introduced through the oblong slot to occupy an inserted axial position in which the fixing hub is capable of pivoting about said reference axis between an angular insertion position and an angular fixing position which are angularly offset from each other, this fixing hub comprising axially and successively: — a section forming a base which is capable of coming into axial support against the outer face of the second element when the fixing hub is in its axial position inserted; — an intermediate section which is received in the oblong slot when the fixing hub is in its inserted axial position; — and a stop section which, when the fixing hub is in its angular insertion position, is capable of axially passing through the oblong slot and which, when the fixing hub is in its angular fixing position, is in abutment against the inner face of the second element to axially retain the fixing hub, characterized: (i) in that the intermediate section is of polygonal section comprising at least: - a pair of opposite rectilinear and parallel sides which are separated by a distance substantially equal to the said determined width of the oblong slot and which is associated with the angular position of insertion; - and another consecutive pair of opposite rectilinear and parallel sides which are separated by a distance substantially equal to said determined width of the oblong light and which is associated with the angular position of fixation; ii) and in that the intermediate section is radially compressible by elastic deformation to allow the passage from one to the other of said two offset angular positions of the fixing hub.

[0014] Thanks to such a design, the mounting and locked fixing of the retaining device are carried out by simple manipulation, in axial translation of insertion then in pivoting, of the fixing hub, without any other action on any additional unlocking member.

[0015] In addition, handling is particularly easy because the body of the device constitutes a gripping part of the device by the hand of an operator or by a handling robot.

[0016] According to other characteristics of the device: - each angle connecting two consecutive sides among said sides comprises an elastically deformable portion. - each of said angles has a convex rounded profile; - the intermediate section is of square section, and the angular insertion position and the angular fixing position are angularly offset by a quarter turn relative to each other; - the stop section has an oblong profile, complementary to that of the oblong slot to allow its axial introduction through the oblong slot, which comprises two opposite lateral wings, each of which abuts against an associated zone of the inner face to axially retain the fixing hub in its angular fixing position; - the fixing hub has a general symmetry of design around said reference axis; - at least the fixing hub is made of a single piece of plastic molding; - said second element is a door or a bodywork element which is mounted to move relative to the body of a motor vehicle; - the device is fixed on a box-shaped part of said second element, and said outer face is a portion of the outer face of this box-shaped part. Brief description of the figures

[0017] [Fig.l] - [Fig.l] is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention in which it is shown in an axial insertion position and in an angular insertion position in the oblong lumen formed in the second oblong element;

[0018] [Fig.2] - [Fig.2] is a perspective view from another angle of the device illustrated in [Fig.l];

[0019] [Fig.3] - [Fig.3] is a view similar to that of [Fig.l] in which the device is shown in its angular insertion position and in its axial position inserted in axial support against the outer face of the second element;

[0020] [Fig.4] - [Fig.4] is a view similar to that of [Fig.3] in which the device is shown in its angular position of attachment to the second element;

[0021] [Fig.5A] - [Fig.5A] is a sectional view through a radial plane of the stop section of the fixing hub of the device according to the invention;

[0022] [Fig.5B] - [Fig.5B] is a sectional view through a radial plane of the intermediate section of the fixing hub of the device according to the invention;

[0023] [Fig.5C] - [Fig.5C] is a sectional view through a radial plane of the section forming the base of the fixing hub of the device according to the invention;

[0024] [Fig.6A] - [Fig.6A] is a partial side view of the device illustrated in [Fig.4];

[0025] [Fig.6B] - [Fig.6B] is a partial rear end view of the device illustrated in [Fig.4];

[0026] [Fig.7A] - [Fig.7A] is a partial bottom view of the assembly shown in [Fig.3] ;

[0027] [Fig.7B] - [Fig.7B] is a partial view from below of the assembly shown in [Fig.3], in section through a radial plane of the intermediate section of the fixing hub;

[0028] [Fig.7C] - [Fig.7C] is a view similar to that of [Fig.7B] after pivoting the fixing hub through forty-five degrees of angle relative to the second element ;

[0029] [Fig.7D] - [Fig.7D] is a view similar to that of [Fig.7C] after an additional pivoting of forty-five degrees of angle of the fixing hub relative to the second element to occupy its angular fixing position corresponding to the configuration illustrated in [Fig.4];

[0030] [Fig.7E] - [Fig.7E] is a partial bottom view of the assembly shown in [Fig.3]. Detailed Description of Figures

[0031] For the description of the invention and the understanding of the claims, without reference to Earth's gravity and for non-limiting purposes, the vertical, longitudinal and transverse orientations will be adopted according to the reference V, L, T indicated in the figures, the longitudinal L and transverse T axes of which extend in a horizontal plane.

[0032] By convention, the longitudinal axis L is oriented from rear to front, from left to right, considering figures 1 and 2.

[0033] In the following description, identical, similar or analogous elements will be designated by the same reference numbers.

[0034] Figures 1 to 4 show a device 10 for temporarily retaining an opening 200 relative to a frame 100 (See [Fig.4]).

[0035] The opening 200 is for example a door belonging to the bodywork of a motor vehicle of which a plate-shaped portion is shown which comprises an outer face 204 and an inner face 202.

[0036] The frame 100 is for example a structural bodywork element of which a wall portion is shown which comprises an inner face 102 and an outer face 104.

[0037] The opening 200 is mounted to move relative to the frame 100, here pivoting around a transverse articulation axis not shown.

[0038] Without limitation, the device 10 here has a general symmetry of design with respect to a median vertical and longitudinal plane.

[0039] The device 10 comprises a body 12 whose rear longitudinal part is designed to allow the mounting and fixing of the device 10 on the opening 200, and whose front longitudinal part is designed to allow the opening 200 to be temporarily retained by means, not shown, which are capable of cooperating with the frame 100 to retain it relative to the body 12 in a predefined relative position corresponding here to a temporary closing position of the opening.

[0040] The rear longitudinal part of the body 12 is the part for mounting and fixing the device 10 on the opening 200.

[0041] The plate-shaped portion 200 has a through hole in the form of an oblong lumen 300.

[0042] The oblong light 300 is in particular delimited by two parallel and opposite rectilinear longitudinal edges 302 which are transversely distant from each other by a determined width L1.

[0043] The oblong light 300 is longer than it is wide. In particular here, it is an oblong light having a “rectangular” central portion of width L1, this rectangular portion being here extended, longitudinally on either side, by two concave semi-circular shapes 304 of radius equal to half the width L1 of the rectangular central portion.

[0044] The oblong light 300 thus has a length L3 greater than its width LL.

[0045] As can be seen in [Fig.4], when the device 10 is fixed on the opening 200, the longitudinal orientation of the opposite edges 302 of the oblong light 300 is here parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body 12.

[0046] The rear longitudinal fixing part comprises a fixing hub M which, from the body 12 and downwards considering the axis V, extends along a reference axis A1, which also constitutes the axis of insertion of the fixing hub M through the oblong slot 300 and of pivoting of the fixing hub M relative to the opening 200 and therefore relative to the oblong slot 300.

[0047] The fixing hub M is here produced in a single piece by molding in plastic material, in one piece with the body 12.

[0048] From top to bottom, the fixing hub M comprises axially and successively a first upper section T1 forming a base, a second intermediate locking section T2, and a third lower stop section T3.

[0049] Over its entire axial length, the fixing hub M is of tubular design and for this purpose it comprises a central cylindrical bore 20, which, without limitation, is of circular section.

[0050] Furthermore, in order to give the fixing hub M a capacity for elastic radial deformation in the zone corresponding to the intermediate section T2, it comprises a series of axial recesses 22 formed in the radial thickness of the fixing hub M, each of which here has a “bean” shaped section.

[0051] For reasons related to the molding manufacturing technique, such as the central bore 20, the axial recesses 22 extend over the entire axial length of the fixing hub M and open out at its lower axial end.

[0052] Over the axial length of the upper section T1 and the intermediate section T2, the fixing hub M has a constant section delimited by a cylindrical peripheral axial wall 24 whose contour 26 is of generally polygonal shape.

[0053] Without limitation, the contour 26 is here of general square shape.

[0054] More precisely, the contour 26 comprises: - a pair of opposite rectilinear and parallel sides 28A which are associated with the angular position of insertion of the insertion hub M, and which are separated by a distance L2 slightly less than the width L1 of the oblong light 300; - and another consecutive pair of opposite rectilinear and parallel sides 28B which are associated with the angular position of fixing of the insertion hub M, and which are separated by the same distance L2.

[0055] Each angle 30 connecting two consecutive sides 28A and 28B of the contour 26 of generally square shape has a rounded convex profile, here in an arc of a circle with axis A1.

[0056] The length L5 of each diagonal of the contour 26 is greater than the width L1 of the oblong light 300.

[0057] Each axial recess 22 is arranged opposite each angle 30 in order to give the cylindrical peripheral axial wall 24 a capacity to be elastically deformed, radially towards the reference axis A1, at the level of each angle 30 in the zone corresponding to the intermediate section T2.

[0058] The upper section T1 is of generally cylindrical shape with axis A1 and it further comprises two parallel and opposite lateral wings 16 of axial orientation, which are arranged longitudinally on either side of the upper section TL.

[0059] Each lateral wing 16 is delimited axially by a horizontal lower support face 14.

[0060] The two bearing faces 14 are coplanar and they constitute the bearing face of the hub M, and therefore of the body 12, intended to be pressed axially against a portion opposite the upper face 204 of the opening 200 when the fixing hub M is in its inserted axial position illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.

[0061] Each lateral wing 16 is connected to the upper section T1 by two axial reinforcing sails 18.

[0062] The upper section T1 is delimited axially downwards by the plane corresponding to the bearing faces 14 beyond which the fixing hub M extends axially by the intermediate section T2 which itself extends axially to an upper radial face 32 of the lower section T3.

[0063] The axial height of the intermediate section is substantially equal to the thickness of the portion of sheet metal of the second element 200 surrounding the oblong slot 300.

[0064] As explained previously, along its axial length, the intermediate section T2 has a design and dimensions identical to those of the upper section TL.

[0065] As can be seen in particular in [Fig.5A], the lower section T3 has a constant section delimited by a cylindrical peripheral axial wall 34 whose contour 36 is of a generally convex oblong shape substantially identical to the concave internal contour of the oblong lumen 300.

[0066] In particular, the contour 36 is delimited by two parallel and opposite rectilinear longitudinal edges 38 which extend in the extension of the opposite sides 28A of the intermediate section T2 and which are transversely distant from each other by the width L2.

[0067] The central “rectangular” portion of width L2 of the contour is extended, longitudinally on either side, by two convex semi-circular shapes 40 of radius equal to half the width L2 of the central rectangular portion.

[0068] The contour 36 thus has a length L4 greater than its width L2 and slightly less than the length L3 of the oblong light 300.

[0069] Due to these dimensions, when the fixing hub M is in its angular insertion orientation illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower section T3 is able to be inserted axially by passing through the oblong slot 300 and this until the radial face 14 of the upper section T1 is in abutment on the outer face 204.

[0070] Due to these dimensions, the lower section T3 has two diametrically opposed lateral wings 42.

[0071] When the fixing hub M is in its angular fixing orientation illustrated in figures 2, each lateral wing 42 is in axial abutment against a zone opposite the inner face 202.

[0072] The lower section T3 is delimited axially by its upper face 32 and by its lower radial face 44 which is also the lower free end face of the fixing hub M.

[0073] As can be seen in [Fig. 1], the upper face 32 of the lower section T3 is made up of two diametrically opposite portions, each in the shape of a crescent.

[0074] Without limitation, as can be seen in Figures 6A and 6B, in order to provide an axial clamping force without axial play of the portion 200 around the oblong slot 300, each portion of the upper face 32 has a curved profile.

[0075] The mounting and locked fixing of the device 10 on the second element 200 is carried out in the following manner.

[0076] The operator angularly positions the device 10 as illustrated in [Fig.l], then moves it axially downwards along the reference axis A1 by introducing the lower stop section T3 through the oblong slot 3000 and then extending the axial movement to the configuration illustrated in [Fig.3] and in Figures 7A and 7B.

[0077] In this position, the two faces 14 are in axial support on the upper face 204 and the oblong slot 300 is positioned axially to the right of the intermediate section T2.

[0078] The operator then pivots the fixing hub M around the reference axis Al, in the counterclockwise direction considering [Fig.7B].

[0079] Given the dimensions of the oblong lumen 300 and the intermediate section T2, the operator must apply a torque causing the deformation, radially towards the reference axis Al (according to the arrows F of [Fig.7C]).

[0080] As soon as the pivoting has exceeded forty-five degrees of angle, the pivoting continues with an elastic assistance effect until the angular position illustrated in figures 4, 7D and 7E.

[0081] This angular fixing position corresponds to an overall pivoting of a quarter turn - or ninety degrees of angle - and it is a stable angular position in which the hub is angularly locked by cooperation of shapes.

[0082] As can be seen in [Fig.7E], the lateral wings 42 with their curved surfaces 32 extend opposite portions facing the inner face 202 and the third section T3 fulfills its function of axial stop of the fixing hub M preventing its axial extraction.

[0083] Unlocking and disassembly are carried out in reverse order.

[0084] The contour 26 is of general polygonal shape and here is general square shape and it is associated with a “quarter turn” assembly.

[0085] Without departing from the scope of the invention, the polygonal section can for example be hexagonal associated with a “one-sixth of a turn” assembly, i.e. a 60 degree pivot angle.

[0086] The invention has been described according to an example in which the device 10 is fixed to an opening and is capable of cooperating with a portion of a frame.

[0087] Symmetrically, the invention finds application by fixing the device 10 on a frame to cooperate with a portion of an opening.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (10) for temporarily retaining a second element (200) mounted to move relative to a first element (100), the second element (200) comprising a wall having an inner face (202) and an outer face (204) and an oblong slot (300) delimited by two parallel rectilinear edges (302) transversely spaced apart by a determined width (L1), the device (10) comprising: - a body (12) comprising means for retaining the second element; and - an elongated fixing hub (M) which extends from the body (12), which, along a reference axis (Al), is capable of being introduced axially through the oblong slot (300) to occupy an inserted axial position in which the fixing hub (M) is capable of pivoting about said reference axis (Al) between an angular insertion position and an angular fixing position which are angularly offset from each other, this fixing hub (M) comprising axially and successively: - a section forming a base (Tl) which is capable of coming into axial support against the outer face (204) of the second element (200) when the fixing hub (M) is in its inserted axial position; — an intermediate section (T2) which is received in the oblong slot (300) when the fixing hub (M) is in its inserted axial position; — and a stop section (T3) which, when the fixing hub (M) is in its angular insertion position, is able to axially pass through the oblong slot (300) and which, when the fixing hub (M) is in its angular fixing position, is in abutment against the inner face (202) of the second element (200) to axially retain the fixing hub (M), characterized: (i) in that the intermediate section (T2) has a polygonal section comprising at least: - a pair of opposite rectilinear and parallel sides which are separated by a distance (L2) substantially equal to said determined width (L1) of the oblong light and which is associated with the angular position of insertion; - and another consecutive pair of opposite straight and parallel sides which are separated by a distance substantially equal to said determined width (L1) of the oblong slot (300) and which is associated with the angular fixing position; ii) and in that the intermediate section (T2) is radially compressible by elastic deformation to allow the passage from one to the other of said two offset angular positions of the fixing hub (M).

2. Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that each angle (30) connecting two consecutive sides (28A-28B) among said sides comprises an elastically deformable portion.

3. Device (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that each of said angles (30) has a convex rounded profile.

4. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate section (T2) is of square section, and in that the angular insertion position and the angular fixing position are angularly offset by a quarter turn relative to each other.

5. Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the stop section (T3) has an oblong profile, complementary to that of the oblong slot (300) to allow its axial introduction through the oblong slot (300), which comprises two opposite lateral wings (42) each of which abuts against an associated zone of the inner face (202) to axially retain the fixing hub (M) in its angular fixing position.

6. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing hub (M) has a general symmetry of design around said reference axis.

7. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the fixing hub (M) is made molded in a single piece of plastic material.

8. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second element is a door or a bodywork element which is mounted to move relative to the body of a motor vehicle.

9. Device (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is fixed on a box-shaped part of said second element, and in that said outer face is a portion of the outer face of this box-shaped part. 12

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