Clamp

Abstract

To provide a clamp that prevents an installation work from being delayed due to the cost of cutting a band.SOLUTION: A clamp 1 includes a band 11, a base part 12 having a surface part 12a that connects a base end 11a of the band 11 and an insertion hole 16 through which the tip of the band 11 is passed through, a coupling part 13 provided on the base 12 and coupled to a hole part provided on the other side member, and a cover 20 attached to the base 12 and covering a cut margin 11c of the band 11 that has been pulled out from a pull-out opening 16c of the insertion hole 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a clamp. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, various wire harnesses are arranged inside a vehicle such as an automobile. Such wire harnesses are often attached to the vehicle structure via a clamp including a band structure such as a cable tie. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology related to a cable tie having a clamp mechanism in which a reverse stopper is provided as a coupling part at the end of the band member. The wire harness held by the band member is attached to the vehicle side by engaging the reverse stopper with a hole provided in advance in a mating member that is a part of the vehicle structure. In such a cable tie, a part of the band member wrapped around the wire harness is inserted and locked in the insertion hole, and then the excess part of the band member pulled out from the insertion hole is cut off with a cutter or the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-113143 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the cable tie disclosed in Patent Document 1, even after the excess portion of the band member pulled out from the insertion hole is cut off, a part of the band member protrudes from the pull-out opening of the insertion hole and remains as the cut margin of the band member. Therefore, for example, when a worker tries to attach the cable tie to a mating member by grabbing the clamp portion or working near the clamp portion, his or her hand may touch the cut margin, causing a delay in the work.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the conventional techniques, and an object of the present invention is to provide a clamp that prevents stagnation in the installation work that may occur due to the cut margin of the band. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A clamp according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a band, a base having a surface portion connecting the base ends of the band and a through hole through which the tip of the band is inserted, a connecting portion provided on the base and connecting to a hole provided in a mating member, and a cover attached to the base and covering the cut portion of the band when it is pulled out from the pull-out opening of the through hole. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a clamp that prevents stagnation in installation work that may occur due to a cut margin in the band. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a clamp before a cover is attached, according to one embodiment. [Figure 1B] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a clamp after a cover has been attached, according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1C is a perspective view of a clamp according to an embodiment, seen from an angle different from that of FIG. 1B. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cover according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, a clamp according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0010] 1A and 1B are perspective views of a clamp 1 according to one embodiment. Fig. 1A is a view before a cover 20 is attached to a base 12. Fig. 1B is a view after the cover 20 is attached to the base 12. Figs. 1A and 1B show the clamp 1 at an angle at which a part of the base 12 on the side on which the cover 20 is attached is visible. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the clamp 1 at an angle different from that of Fig. 1B, at which a part of the base 12 on the opposite side to the side on which the cover 20 is attached is visible.

[0011] The clamp 1 is employed as a member for holding a wire harness (not shown) arranged inside a vehicle such as an automobile. The wire harness is a bundle of multiple electric wires, and the configuration, shape, etc., of the wire harness are not particularly limited when using the clamp 1. For example, the clamp 1 may be attached to a hole formed in a body panel or the like inside the vehicle as a mating member while holding the wire harness. Hereinafter, the direction in which the clamp 1 is attached to the mating member is defined as the Z direction.

[0012] The clamp 1 includes a clamp body 10 and a cover 20. The clamp body 10 and the cover 20 are made of a material such as a synthetic resin.

[0013] The clamp body 10 has a band 11, a base 12, and a connecting portion 13. In this embodiment, the band 11, the base 12, and the connecting portion 13 are integrally molded to configure the clamp body 10 as a single member.

[0014] The band 11 is wound around the outer periphery of the wire harness so as to hold the wire harness as a held member on the base 12. In the present embodiment, two bands 11 are arranged in parallel as an example, but only one band may be used. When the band 11 is not wound around the wire harness, it extends in the opposite direction to the Z direction. One end of the band 11 is a base end 11a that is integrated with a part of the base 12, and the tip end is a free end. When the band 11 holds the wire harness, it deforms so as to wind around the outer periphery of the wire harness. A sawtooth portion (not shown) is formed on the surface that becomes the outer periphery of the band 11 when holding the wire harness.

[0015] The base 12 supports the band 11 and the connecting portion 13 .

[0016] First, regarding the support of the band 11, the base 12 has a band holding portion 15. The band holding portion 15 is block-shaped and has an insertion hole 16 (see FIG. 3) through which the tip of the band 11 is inserted. In this embodiment, the penetration direction of the insertion hole 16 is along the X direction perpendicular to the Z direction. One opening of the insertion hole 16 is an insertion opening 16b through which the tip of the band 11 is inserted. The other opening of the insertion hole 16 is an outlet 16c through which the tip of the band 11 is pulled out. In this embodiment, since there are two bands 11, the band holding portion 15 has two insertion holes 16 formed in parallel along the Y direction perpendicular to both the X direction and the Z direction.

[0017] The band holding portion 15 has a first plane 15a and a second plane 15b which are opposite each other and serve as XY planes. The first plane 15a corresponds to at least a part of the front surface 12a of the base portion 12. The first plane 15a connects the base ends 11a of the band 11. The second plane 15b corresponds to at least a part of the back surface 12b of the base portion 12. In this case, the outlet 16c of the insertion hole 16 is opened to the outside from the first end portion 12c located between the first plane 15a and the second plane 15b.

[0018] Furthermore, the band holding portion 15 has a resilient claw 16a (see FIG. 3) inside the insertion hole 16. The resilient claw 16a engages with the sawtooth portion of the band 11 inserted into the insertion hole 16, thereby preventing the band 11 wrapped around the outer periphery of the wire harness from loosening or coming off. In other words, the band 11 and the band holding portion 15 form a cable tie.

[0019] Here, after a part of the band 11 wound around the wire harness is inserted and locked in the insertion hole 16, the excess part of the band 11 pulled out from the outlet 16c is cut off with a cutter or the like. Hereinafter, the part of the band 11 remaining to protrude from the outlet 16c even after the excess part of the band 11 is cut off is referred to as a cut margin 11c. Note that FIG. 1A shows a cut surface 11b of the cut margin 11c.

[0020] The base 12 may also have a flat plate portion 17 that is continuous with the band holding portion 15. The flat plate portion 17 is continuous with the side of the band holding portion 15 where the insertion opening 16b of the insertion hole 16 is provided. The flat plate portion 17 has a first flat plate surface 17a and a second flat plate surface 17b that are in a front-back relationship with each other as an XY plane. The first flat plate surface 17a faces a part of the band 11 when it is inserted into the insertion opening 16b. The second flat plate surface 17b corresponds to at least a part of the back surface portion 12b of the base 12. That is, in this embodiment, the second flat plate surface 17b is continuous with the second plane 15b of the band holding portion 15. The second flat plate surface 17b also supports the joining portion 13.

[0021] In this embodiment, one end of base 12 in the X direction is first end 12c where outlet 16c is open, while the other end is second end 12d which is a part of flat plate 17. In addition, in the Y direction, the respective sides of band holding portion 15 and flat plate 17 are continuous with each other. Therefore, hereinafter, one side of base 12 in the Y direction is defined as first side 12e, and the other side is defined as second side 12f.

[0022] The connecting portion 13 is provided on the second flat surface 17b, which is a part of the back surface 12b of the base 12, and is connected to a hole (not shown) provided in the mating member. The connecting portion 13 has a connecting shaft 13a protruding in the Z direction and a flange portion 13b. The connecting shaft 13a is inserted into the hole of the mating member when the connecting portion 13 is connected. The connecting shaft 13a also has locking claws 13c on both side surfaces that are the front and back in the Y direction. The flange portion 13b is provided at the base portion of the connecting shaft 13a and contacts the surface of the mating member when the connecting portion 13 is connected. When the connecting shaft 13a is inserted into the hole, the two locking claws 13c pass through the hole while elastically deforming, and restore their shape after passing through. As a result, the mating member is sandwiched between the locking claws 13c and the flange portion 13b, so that the connecting portion 13 is connected to the mating member and the clamp 1 is supported by the mating member.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cover 20 at an angle at which the side covering the cut margin 11c of the band 11 is visible.

[0024] The cover 20 is attached to the base 12 and covers the cut portion 11c of the band 11 when it is pulled out from the pull-out opening 16c of the insertion hole 16. The cover 20 has a cover body 21, a first clamping piece 22, and a second clamping piece .

[0025] The cover body 21 substantially covers the cut margin 11c when the cover 20 is attached to the base 12. As an example, the cover body 21 includes a tip wall portion 21a, an upper end wall portion 21b, and a lower end wall portion 21c. The tip wall portion 21a faces the first end portion 12c when the cover 20 is attached to the base 12. The upper end wall portion 21b is continuous with one end side of the tip wall portion 21a in the Z direction. The lower end wall portion 21c is continuous with the other end side of the tip wall portion 21a in the Z direction. The upper end wall portion 21b and the lower end wall portion 21c face each other in the Z direction such that the distance between them increases as they move away from the tip wall portion 21a in the direction opposite to the X direction. That is, when the cover 20 is attached to the base 12, the cut allowance 11c is accommodated in a space sandwiched between the upper end wall portion 21b and the lower end wall portion 21c, as shown in Figures 1B and 2. Note that, in this embodiment, the tip wall portion 21a, the upper end wall portion 21b, and the lower end wall portion 21c are each flat plate-shaped, but at least some of these walls may be curved plate-shaped.

[0026] The first clamping piece 22 and the second clamping piece 23 clamp the base 12 when the cover 20 is attached to the base 12 .

[0027] The first clamping piece 22 is supported by the upper end wall portion 21b of the cover body 21. In this embodiment, referring to a state in which the cover 20 is attached to the base 12, the first clamping piece 22 is a pair of pieces spaced apart from each other in the Y direction. When the cover 20 is attached to the base 12, the first clamping piece 22 abuts against a first plane 15a that is part of the surface portion 12a of the base 12.

[0028] The second clamping piece 23 is supported by the lower end wall portion 21c of the cover body 21. In this embodiment, with reference to a state in which the cover 20 is attached to the base 12, the second clamping piece 23 is a pair of pieces spaced apart from each other in the Y direction. When the cover 20 is attached to the base 12, the second clamping piece 23 abuts against at least one of the second flat surface 15b or the second flat plate surface 17b, which are part of the back surface portion 12b of the base 12.

[0029] Further, the pair of pieces constituting the second clamping piece 23 are a pair of locking pieces that branch off and extend to both side surfaces of the joint 13. That is, the joint 13 is provided on the back surface 12b of the base 12, but the second clamping piece 23 can extend to the second end 12d side while avoiding the position of the joint 13. Therefore, in this embodiment, the length of the second clamping piece 23 from the cover body 21 is set to be longer than the length of the first clamping piece 22 from the cover body 21. The lengths compared here are lengths in a direction approximately along the X direction with reference to a state in which the cover 20 is attached to the base 12.

[0030] Furthermore, each of the pair of locking pieces constituting the second clamping piece 23 has a locking wall 24 that is locked to the second end 12d of the base 12 when the cover 20 is attached to the base 12. One of the pair of locking pieces may be provided with a locking side wall 25 that faces the first side 12e of the base 12 when the cover 20 is attached to the base 12. Similarly, the other of the pair of locking pieces may be provided with a locking side wall 25 that faces the second side 12f of the base 12 when the cover 20 is attached to the base 12. The pair of locking side walls 25 face each other and are in a positional relationship in which they sandwich the base 12 in the Y direction when the cover 20 is attached to the base 12.

[0031] Here, the first clamping piece 22 and the second clamping piece 23 can function as elastic members capable of exerting a pressing force in the direction opposite to each other in order to reliably clamp the base 12 when the cover 20 is attached to the base 12. Therefore, the pair of locking pieces constituting the second clamping piece 23 may be set to have a relatively wide width on the side close to the lower end wall 21c so as to ensure a strength sufficient to exert a pressing force. On the other hand, the pair of locking pieces may be set to have a relatively narrow width on the side farther from the lower end wall 21c so as to easily avoid the position of the joint 13. In order to satisfy such a condition regarding the shape, the pair of locking pieces may have a second inner surface 23a such that the distance between them gradually increases as they move away from the lower end wall 21c. The pair of pieces constituting the first clamping piece 22 may also have a first inner surface 22a similar to the second inner surface 23a.

[0032] Next, a method for attaching the cover 20 to the base 12 will be described.

[0033] 1A, the worker brings the cover 20 closer to the clamp body 10 so that the cut margin 11c faces the space sandwiched between the upper end wall portion 21b and the lower end wall portion 21c of the cover 20. At this time, the worker first adjusts the posture of the cover 20 so that the first clamping piece 22 of the cover 20 contacts the first plane 15a.

[0034] Next, the worker brings the tip of the first clamping piece 22 into contact with the first plane 15a, and then moves the second clamping piece 23 closer to the back surface 12b of the base 12, so as to rotate the second clamping piece 23 with the contact point as the base point. At this time, the connecting portion 13 is provided on the back surface 12b, but the second clamping piece 23, which is a pair of pieces spaced apart from each other, continues to move toward the back surface 12b while avoiding the connecting portion 13. Finally, as shown in Figs. 1B and 2, the second clamping piece 23 comes into contact with the back surface 12b, completing the installation of the cover 20.

[0035] When the clamp 1 is in the state shown in FIG. 1B and FIG. 2, the first clamping piece 22 and the second clamping piece 23 clamp the band holding part 15, which is a part of the base 12, so that the cover 20 is held against the base 12 at least in the clamping direction, that is, the Z direction. In addition, the cover 20 is restricted from moving within a certain range in the X direction because the cover body 21 exists on one side and the locking wall 24 provided on the second clamping piece 23 is locked to the second end 12d of the base 12 on the other side. Furthermore, the cover 20 is restricted from moving within a certain range in the Y direction because the pair of locking side walls 25 provided on the second clamping piece 23 are locked to face the first side 12e or the second side 12f of the base 12 so as to sandwich the base 12. Therefore, in the clamp 1, the cover 20 is attached to the base 12 in a state in which it is difficult to fall off in any direction.

[0036] Next, the action and effect of the clamp 1 will be described.

[0037] The clamp 1 includes a band 11, a base 12 having a surface portion 12a connecting the base ends 11a of the band 11 and an insertion hole 16 through which the tip of the band 11 is inserted, and a connecting portion 13 provided on the base 12 and connected to a hole provided in a mating member. The clamp 1 also includes a cover 20 attached to the base 12 and covering the cut allowance 11c of the band 11 when it is pulled out from the pull-out opening 16c of the insertion hole 16.

[0038] According to the clamp 1, even if the cut allowance 11c remains, the cover 20 attached to the base 12 always covers the cut allowance 11c. Therefore, even if a worker grabs the clamp 1 holding the wire harness to attach it to a mating member or works near the clamp 1, the worker's hands do not touch the cut allowance 11c, and the work is not delayed.

[0039] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide the clamp 1 that prevents delays in the installation work that may occur due to the cut margin of the band.

[0040] Furthermore, in the clamp 1, the outlet 16c may be open to the outside from a first end 12c between the front surface 12a of the base 12 and the back surface 12b of the base 12 on the opposite side to the front surface 12a. The cover 20 may have a first clamping piece 22 that abuts against the front surface 12a of the base 12, and a second clamping piece 23 that abuts against the back surface 12b of the base 12 and clamps the base 12 together with the first clamping piece 22. The cover 20 may have a cover main body 21 that supports the first clamping piece 22 and the second clamping piece 23 and faces the first end 12c when the cover 20 is attached to the base 12.

[0041] According to this clamp 1, when the cover 20 is attached to the base 12, the cover 20 can cover the cut allowance 11c at least to the extent that the operator's hands do not touch the cut allowance 11c while maintaining its position relative to the base 12 by being clamped by the first clamping piece 22 and the second clamping piece 23.

[0042] In the clamp 1 , the length of the second clamping piece 23 from the cover body 21 may be longer than the length of the first clamping piece 22 from the cover body 21 .

[0043] Here, as shown in the above example, the first plane 15a, which is a part of the band holding part 15, can be set as the surface part 12a that connects the base end 11a of the band 11. In this case, in terms of the length range that the first clamping piece 22 can contact, it is assumed that the length of the first plane 15a is shorter than the entire length of the back part 12b that the second clamping piece 23 can contact. In contrast, according to this clamp 1, the range of contact with the base 12 can be set as wide as possible for each of the first clamping piece 22 and the second clamping piece 23, so that the cover 20 can be attached to the base 12 more stably.

[0044] In the clamp 1, the connecting portion 13 may be provided on the back surface portion 12b of the base portion 12. The second clamping piece 23 may be a pair of locking pieces branching out and extending to both side surfaces of the connecting portion 13. Each of the pair of locking pieces may have a locking wall 24 that is locked to a second end portion 12d of the base portion 12 that is located on the opposite side to the first end portion 12c.

[0045] According to this clamp 1, in the direction in which the cover body 21 and the first end 12c of the base 12 face each other, i.e., in the direction along the X direction illustrated above, the cover body 21 exists on one side, and the locking wall 24 is locked to the second end 12d on the other side. Therefore, the movement of the cover 20 relative to the base 12 in the X direction is restricted within a certain range, which is advantageous in preventing the cover 20 from falling off the base 12.

[0046] Furthermore, in the clamp 1, the second clamping piece 23 may have a pair of locking side walls 25 facing each other. One locking side wall 25 may be provided on one of the pair of locking pieces so as to face a first side portion 12e, which is one side portion of the base 12, when the cover 20 is attached to the base 12. The other locking side wall 25 may be provided on the other of the pair of locking pieces so as to face a second side portion 12f, which is the other side portion of the base 12, when the cover 20 is attached to the base 12.

[0047] According to this clamp 1, in the direction sandwiched between both sides of the base 12, i.e., in the direction along the Y direction illustrated above, the pair of locking side walls 25 are locked so as to sandwich the base 12 while facing the first side portion 12e or the second side portion 12f. Therefore, movement of the cover 20 relative to the base 12 in the Y direction is restricted within a certain range, which is advantageous in preventing the cover 20 from falling off the base 12.

[0048] Although one embodiment has been described above, the embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1 Clamp 11 Bands 11a proximal end 11c Cutting fee 12 Base 12a Surface part 12b Back part 12c 1st end 12d 2nd end 12e First side 12f 2nd side 13 Joint 16 Insertion hole 16c drawer 20 Cover 21 Cover body 22 1st clamping piece 23 Second clamping piece 24 Retaining Wall 25 Locking side wall

Claims

1. With the band, A base portion having a surface portion for connecting the base ends of the bands and an insertion hole through which the tip ends of the bands are inserted; a coupling portion provided on the base portion and coupled to a hole provided in a mating member; a cover attached to the base and covering a cut portion of the band when the band is pulled out from the pull-out opening of the insertion hole; A clamp comprising:

2. The outlet is open to the outside from a first end between the front surface of the base and a back surface of the base opposite to the front surface, The cover is A first clamping piece abutting against the surface portion of the base portion; a second clamping piece that contacts the back surface of the base and clamps the base together with the first clamping piece; The clamp according to claim 1 , further comprising a cover body supporting the first clamping piece and the second clamping piece and facing the first end when the cover is attached to the base.

3. The clamp of claim 2 , wherein a length of the second clamping piece from the cover body is longer than a length of the first clamping piece from the cover body.

4. The coupling portion is provided on the back surface of the base portion, The second clamping piece is a pair of locking pieces branching out and extending to both side surfaces of the coupling portion, The clamp according to claim 3 , wherein each of the pair of locking pieces has a locking wall that is locked to a second end of the base portion opposite the first end.

5. The second clamping piece has a pair of engaging side walls opposed to each other, the first engaging side wall is provided on one of the pair of engaging pieces so as to face one side of the base when the cover is attached to the base, 5. The clamp according to claim 4, wherein the other locking side wall is provided on the other of the pair of locking pieces so as to face the other side of the base when the cover is attached to the base.

Images