Clip with flexible locking tab(s), for securing a support piece to equipment

Abstract

A clip (AF) is fitted to equipment comprising a through hole, and includes: - an intermediate wall (PAI) having first (F1) and second (F2) opposing faces, - a locking portion (PI1) fixedly attached to this first face (F1), provided with at least one open recess (LO) and at the entrance of which is mounted a locking tab (PI2) rotatably positioned at rest in a protruding position, and adapted to be inserted into the through hole and then locked relative to the equipment by this locking tab (PI2) after a translation of the clip (AF) during which the locking tab (PI2) is pushed into the recess (LO) and then returns to its protruding position, and - at least one coupling portion (PC1) fixedly attached to the second face (F2) and adapted to cooperate with a support piece to fix the latter to the clip (AF). Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: Clip with flexible immobilizing tab(s), for fixing a support piece to equipment. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to staples which are intended to allow the fixing of a first piece of equipment onto a second piece of equipment. State of the art

[0002] In certain technical fields, such as that of vehicles (possibly automobiles), clips are used to fix a first piece of equipment onto a second piece of equipment.

[0003] For example, in a motor vehicle the second piece of equipment may be a structural member, and the first piece of equipment may be a cable, a fluid conduit, a deflector or a cable passage channel.

[0004] Sometimes, it is only possible to use a through hole in the equipment to secure the clip. However, the through hole may have a particular shape, such as oblong or rectangular, possibly related to its function and / or manufacturing method, and therefore cannot be modified without consequence(s). In this situation, it is not possible to use a "standard" clip, that is, one adapted for securing in a circular through hole. Furthermore, a local constraint may require the first piece of equipment (or another piece of equipment it includes) to be offset from the second piece of equipment. This is the case, for example, in a motor vehicle when a very hot piece of equipment (such as part of the exhaust system) is installed near the second piece of equipment. In this situation, it is also not possible to use a standard clip.

[0005] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0006] It proposes in particular for this purpose a clip intended to equip equipment comprising at least one through hole.

[0007] This clip is characterized by the fact that it comprises:

[0008] - an intermediate wall comprising first and second opposite faces,

[0009] - a fixed part attached to this first face, equipped of at least one open housing and at the entrance of which is mounted a rotating locking tab placed at rest in a protruding position, and suitable for being inserted into the through hole and then immobilized relative to the equipment by this immobilizing tab after a translation of the clip during which the immobilizing tab is pushed into the housing and then returns to its protruding position, and

[0010] - at least one coupling part fixedly attached to this second face and own to cooperate with a support piece to attach the latter to the staple.

[0011] Thanks to the invention, the clip is not only adapted to the shape of the through hole in which it is installed, but also allows a support piece to be attached to it, capable of supporting at least partially a first piece of equipment.

[0012] The clip according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0013] - its immobilizing part may comprise two opposing walls comprising respectively two housings associated with two immobilizing tabs designed to immobilize it in relation to the equipment after the translation of the clip;

[0014] - each immobilizing tab may include a free face, on the one hand, spaced of the first face by a distance equal by value greater than a thickness of a wall of the equipment including the through hole, and, on the other hand, suitable to be placed opposite this wall of equipment after the translation of the clip, in order to immobilize the clip with respect to this wall of equipment;

[0015] - it may comprise two coupling parts fixedly joined to the second face and suitable to cooperate with the support piece;

[0016] - each coupling part can be arranged in the form of a coupling leg deformable and suitable for being inserted into a corresponding slot in the support piece;

[0017] - its intermediate wall may include a flexible peripheral edge in order to ensure fluid tightness when placed against a wall of the equipment including the through hole;

[0018] - its intermediate wall may include on its second face a coupling element suitable for use by a tool to rotate the clip in order to push each immobilizing tab into the corresponding housing, before a translation of the clip suitable for extracting it from the through hole;

[0019] - in the presence of the last option, the coupling element can be a housing concave having a shape adapted to a corresponding screwdriver head.

[0020] The invention also proposes a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, and comprising at least one piece of equipment having at least one through hole and at least one clip of the type shown above and installed and immobilized in this through hole. Brief description of the figures

[0021] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings (obtained using CAD / CAM (“Computer-Aided Design / Computer-Aided Manufacturing”)), in which:

[0022] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from below, a part of an example of a vehicle side member comprising two clips according to the invention, to which are respectively coupled two support pieces,

[0023] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from below, one of the staples of [Fig. 1] with the associated support piece,

[0024] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from below, a example of a manufacturing process for a staple according to the invention,

[0025] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from above, the clip of the [Fig.3], and

[0026] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates, in a front view of the side of the part immobilization, the staple in figures 3 and 4. Detailed description of the invention

[0027] The invention aims in particular to provide an AF clip intended to allow the fixing of a support piece PS, suitable for supporting at least partially a first piece of equipment, onto a second piece of equipment EQ.

[0028] In what follows, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the second EQ equipment is intended to be part of a motor vehicle, such as a car. However, the invention is not limited to this application. Indeed, the second EQ equipment may be an independent device or apparatus or may be part of any system, and in particular of a vehicle (land, sea (or river), or air), an appliance (possibly a household appliance), an installation (possibly industrial), or a building.

[0029] Furthermore, in what follows, by way of non-limiting example, the second EQ component is considered to be a side member of a motor vehicle structure. However, the invention is not limited to this type of second EQ component. It relates to any type of component comprising at least one wall having at least one through hole in which a clip can be fixedly installed.

[0030] In figures 1 to 5, the direction X is intended to be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (here automobile), which is substantially parallel to the lateral (or longitudinal) sides comprising the side doors, the direction Y is intended to be parallel to the transverse direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the direction Z is intended to be parallel to the vertical direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y.

[0031] A part of an example of a second piece of equipment EQ (here a motor vehicle side member) comprising a PE wall with two through holes (not visible) in which two AF clips according to the invention are installed and immobilized respectively, to which are coupled respectively two PS support pieces suitable for supporting the same first piece of equipment or two first pieces of equipment (possibly different).

[0032] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 3 to 5, a clip AF, according to the invention, comprises an intermediate wall PAI, an immobilizing part PII, and at least one coupling part PCj.

[0033] The intermediate wall PAI comprises first Fl and second F2 faces which are opposite to each other.

[0034] As illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, the immobilizing part PII is fixedly attached to the first face Fl of the intermediate wall PAI, and is provided with at least one open recess LO. A locking tab PI2 is rotatably mounted at the entrance of this recess, and at rest is positioned in a protruding position (illustrated in Figures 4 and 5). Furthermore, this immobilizing part PII is designed to be inserted into the through hole in the wall PE of the second piece of equipment EQ, and then immobilized relative to the latter (EQ) by each locking tab PI2 after a translation of its clip AF, during which each locking tab PI2 is pushed into the corresponding recess LO and then returns to its protruding position.

[0035] It will be understood that, during the translation of the clip AF in the relevant through hole, there comes a moment when each (tiltable) locking tab PI2 comes into contact with the face of the PE wall that defines this through hole, which pushes it into the corresponding LO housing (due to its rotational mounting). Then, at the end of this translation, the PE wall is positioned between each locking tab PI2 and the first face F2 of the intermediate wall PAI, which allows each locking tab PI2 to return to its protruding position and thus lock its clip AF relative to the PE wall. Finally, the clip AF is clipped to the PE wall.

[0036] As illustrated in figures 1 to 5, the (each) coupling part PCj is fixedly attached to the second face F2 of the intermediate wall PAI, and is adapted to cooperate with a support piece PS to fix the latter (PS) to its clip AF.

[0037] Thus, the AF clip is not only adapted to the shape of the through hole in which it is installed and immobilized by each locking tab PI2, but also allows a support piece PS to be attached to it (AF) to support at least partially a first piece of equipment, possibly with the aim of offsetting it, for example to move it away from another very hot piece of equipment (such as, for example (part of the vehicle's exhaust system). Furthermore, installing the AF clip in its through hole is particularly simple, requiring only a simple translation to secure it by clipping. Note that this installation can be done before or after attaching the PS support piece to the AF clip.

[0038] For example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 5], the locking portion PII may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape (here, a rectangle with rounded corners), adapted for installation in a rectangular through hole (possibly also with rounded corners). It should be noted that the longer side of the parallelepiped PII may be substantially the same as, but less than, the largest diameter of the through hole. However, this is not mandatory. Indeed, the longer side of the parallelepiped PII could be strictly smaller than the largest diameter of the through hole. Furthermore, the locking portion PII could have other three-dimensional shapes (preferably geometric).

[0039] Also, for example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 5], the immobilizing part PII may comprise two opposing walls, each comprising two LO housings associated with two PI2 immobilizing tabs, which are designed to immobilize it relative to the second piece of equipment EQ after the translation of its AF clip. This optimizes immobilization. However, it is also possible for the immobilizing part PII to comprise only one wall, including one LO housing associated with one PI2 immobilizing tab.

[0040] Also, for example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 4], each immobilizing tab PI2 may include a free face FL spaced from the first face Fl by a distance equal to, but greater than, the thickness of the PE wall of the second piece of equipment EQ including the through hole. In this case, this free face FL is designed to be positioned opposite the PE wall after the translation of the clip AF, in order to immobilize the latter (AF) relative to this PE wall. It will be understood that the aforementioned distance is chosen so as to allow the PE wall to be housed between the first face Fl and the free face FL of the immobilizing tab PI2, but also to allow easy repositioning of the latter (PI2) in its protruding position from the associated housing LO once the PE wall is pressed against the first face FL.

[0041] Also, for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 1 to 5, the AF clip may comprise two coupling parts PCj (j = 1 or 2) which are fixedly attached to the second face F2 at two distant locations. In this case, these two coupling parts PCj and PCj are designed to cooperate with the support piece PS to fix the latter (PS) to the AF clip. This optimizes the coupling (or the attachment) of the PS support piece to the AF clip. But it could be envisaged that the AF clip comprises only a single coupling part PCj.

[0042] Also, for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 3 and 4, each coupling part PCj can be arranged in the form of a coupling tab that is deformable and suitable for insertion into a corresponding slot FP in the support part PS. Thanks to its ability to deform, for example due to a thinner area over a distance greater than the thickness of the support part PS, each coupling part PCj can be deformed in the corresponding slot FP and thus placed under stress, so that when it reaches a final position relative to its slot FP, it exerts pressure on the support part PS, thereby immobilizing (or fixing) it.

[0043] It will be noted, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, that each coupling portion PCj of the clip AF may include a clipping element EC' adapted to cooperate with a clipping hole TC of the support piece PS to couple the latter (PS) to the clip AF by clipping. For example, the clipping element EC' may be a clipping tab having an inclined notch that fits into the clipping hole TC.

[0044] Also, for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 3 to 5, the intermediate wall PAI may include a flexible peripheral edge BP. This ensures a fluid seal when the peripheral edge BP is placed against the PE wall of the second equipment EQ, which includes the through-hole, and thus prevents fluid (and in particular liquid) from passing through the through-hole and entering the second equipment EQ (here, a spar). It should be noted that the remainder of the intermediate wall PAI (i.e., everything other than its peripheral edge BP) can be made of a relatively rigid material. When the AF clip is produced by molding, a bi-injection (or overmolding) technique can be used to define the peripheral edge BP.

[0045] It should also be noted that in Figures 3 to 5 the intermediate wall PAI (with its peripheral edge BP) has an oblong shape. But it could have other shapes.

[0046] Also, for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in figures 1 to 3, the intermediate wall PAI may include on its second face F2 a coupling element EC which is suitable for use by a tool to rotate its clip AF in order to push each immobilizing tab PI2 into the corresponding housing LO, before a translation of the clip AF suitable for extracting it from its through hole.

[0047] It will be understood that in this case the rotational drive of the appropriate tool (once coupled to the coupling element EC) causes the rotational drive of The AF clip is then pulled, which forces each PI2 locking tab into its corresponding LO housing and releases the immobilization provided by each PI2 tab. All that remains is to pull on the AF clip, now free from the PE wall, or on the PS support piece coupled to the AF clip to completely remove the clip (AF) from the through hole in which its PII immobilization portion was previously secured. This option is particularly advantageous because it allows for easy removal of the AF clip along with its PS support piece.

[0048] It should be noted that in order to allow the identification of the coupling element EC and the passage of a part of the tool for its coupling to this coupling element EC, the support piece PS may include an opening OA, as illustrated non-limitingly in figures 1 and 2.

[0049] Also, for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 2 and 3, this coupling element EC can be a concave housing having a shape adapted to a corresponding screwdriver head. It will be understood that, in this case, the rotation of the appropriate screwdriver, after its head is inserted into the concave housing EC, causes the rotation of the clip AF.

[0050] By way of example, and as illustrated but not limited to [Fig. 3], the shape of this concave housing can be of the "Torx" type (registered trademark). However, other shapes of concave housing can be considered, including cruciform or "Allen" (registered trademark).

[0051] But in an alternative embodiment not shown, the coupling element EC could be in relief (and not concave).

Claims

Demands

1. A clip (AF) for equipment (EQ) comprising at least one through hole, characterized in that it comprises i) an intermediate wall (PAI) having first (F1) and second (F2) opposing faces, ii) a locking portion (PII) fixedly attached to said first face (F1), having at least one open recess (LO) and at the entrance of which is rotatably mounted a locking tab (PI2) which is at rest in a projecting position, and adapted to be inserted into said through hole and then locked relative to said equipment (EQ) by said locking tab (PI2) after a translation of said clip (AF) during which said locking tab (PI2) is pushed into said recess (LO) and then returns to said projecting position, and iii) at least one coupling portion (PCj) fixedly attached to said second face (F2) and adapted to cooperate with a support piece (PS) to fix the latter (PS) to said staple (AF).

2. Clip according to claim 1, characterized in that said immobilizing part (PII) comprises two opposing walls comprising respectively two housings (LO) associated with two immobilizing tabs (PI2) suitable for immobilizing it with respect to said equipment (EQ) after said translation of the clip (AF).

3. Clip according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each immobilizing tab (PI2) comprises a free face (FL) i) spaced from said first face (FL) by a distance equal by value greater than a thickness of a wall (PE) of said equipment (EQ) comprising said through hole, and ii) suitable to be placed opposite said wall (PE) after said translation of the clip (AF), in order to immobilize said clip (AF) with respect to this wall (PE).

4. Clip according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises two coupling parts (PCj) fixedly attached to said second face (F2) and adapted to cooperate with said support piece (PS).

5. Clip according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each coupling part (PCj) is arranged in the form of a deformable coupling tab adapted to be inserted into a corresponding slot (FP) of said support part (PS).

6. Clip according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said intermediate wall (PAI) comprises a flexible peripheral edge (BP) to ensure fluid sealing when (BP) is placed against a wall (PE) of said equipment (EQ) comprising said through hole.

7. Clip according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said intermediate wall (PAI) comprises on its second face (F2) a coupling element (EC) adapted to be used by a tool to rotate said clip (AF) in order to push each immobilizing tab (PI2) into said corresponding housing (LO), before a translation of said clip (AF) adapted to extract it from said through hole.

8. Clip according to claim 7, characterized in that said coupling element (CE) is a concave housing having a shape adapted to a corresponding screwdriver head.

9. Vehicle comprising at least one piece of equipment (EQ) having at least one through hole, characterized in that said equipment (EQ) comprises at least one clip (AF) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, installed and immobilized in said through hole.

10. Vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that said equipment (EQ) is a longitudinal member.

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