Clip

Abstract

To realize a clip capable of maintaining a state of being held by a clip holding part even when a removal force for removing the clip from a mounting hole is applied.SOLUTION: When a removal force is applied to remove a clip 10 from a mounting hole 4 while the clip is inserted into the mounting hole 4 of a second member 2, an inner leg 14 (second inner leg 14B) interferes with an inner wall surface of the mounting hole 4, thereby maintaining an engagement state of a claw part 18 with a clip holding part 3 of a first member 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a resin clip, and more particularly to a resin clip used for detachably attaching a first member to a panel-like second member. [Background technology]

[0002] 8 to 10, Patent Document 1 listed below describes a resin clip 110 used for attaching a first member 101 to a panel-shaped second member 102 (to obtain an assembly in which the first member 101 is attached to the second member 102). This clip 110 is inserted into an attachment hole (an attachment hole having a rectangular opening) 104 provided in the second member 102 while being held (attached) to a clip holding portion 103 of the first member 101, thereby detachably attaching the first member 101 to the second member 102.

[0003] The clip 110 integrally comprises a head 111 for guiding insertion into the mounting hole 104, and a pair of legs 112, 112 disposed opposite each other across the clip holding portion 103 and elastically deformable in a direction in which the distance between them increases and decreases. Each leg 112 comprises a pair of outer legs 113 spaced apart in the long side direction of the mounting hole 104 (the direction perpendicular to the paper in Figs. 9-10), and an inner leg 114 disposed between the pair of outer legs 113 via a slit 115. Each outer leg 113 has a protruding portion 113a protruding outward from the mounting hole 104, and each inner leg 114 has a claw portion 116 protruding inward from the mounting hole 104.

[0004] The clip 110 having the above configuration is attached to the second member 102 by engaging each outer leg 113 with the edge of the mounting hole 104 provided in the second member 102 in a direction (removal direction from the mounting hole 104) B opposite to the insertion direction A into the mounting hole 104, and is held by the clip holding portion 103 by engaging the claw portion 116 of each inner leg 114 with the clip holding portion 103 (the edge of the hole portion 103a provided in the clip) in the insertion direction A into the mounting hole 104 and the opposite direction B. With this configuration, the first member 101 is attached to the second member 102 via the clip 110. When a removal force is applied to the clip 110 inserted into the mounting hole 104 to remove it from the mounting hole 104, each outer leg 113 elastically deforms following the edge of the mounting hole 104, thereby reducing the opposing distance between the pair of outer legs 113. This weakens the engagement force between each outer leg 113 and the second member 102, making it possible to remove the clip 110 from the mounting hole 104 and separate the first member 101 and the second member 102.

[0005] The clip 110 described above is used, for example, to detachably attach an interior component of an automobile as a first member 101 to an instrument panel of the automobile as a second member 102 also called an "instrument panel." In this case, for example, it becomes possible to efficiently install navigation equipment or audio equipment in the instrument panel or to efficiently replace these equipment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-44391 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, when separating the interior member as the first member 101 from the instrument panel as the second member 102, there are many cases in which the clip 110 comes off the clip holding portion 103 before being pulled out of the mounting hole 104, and the clip 110 remains on the second member 102 side. If the clip 110 remains on the second member 102 side, it becomes difficult to reattach the first member 101 to the second member 102 with high accuracy, so it becomes necessary to remove the clip 110 from the second member 102 and reattach the removed clip 110 to the clip holding portion 103 of the first member 101, which reduces work efficiency.

[0008] Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a resin clip that is detachably attached to a first member and a panel-shaped second member, and that can maintain its held state in the first member (clip holding portion) even when a removal force is applied to remove the clip from an attachment hole provided in the second member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The first invention of the present application, which has been devised to achieve the above object, is a resin clip that detachably attaches a first member to a second member by being inserted into an attachment hole provided in a panel-like second member while being held by a clip holding portion of a first member, a head portion for guiding insertion into the mounting hole, and a pair of legs disposed opposite each other across the clip holding portion and elastically deformable in a direction such that the distance between the legs increases and decreases, each leg portion includes a pair of outer legs engageable with an edge of the mounting hole in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion into the mounting hole, and an inner leg disposed between the pair of outer legs via a slit and having a claw portion engageable with the clip holding portion in the direction of insertion into the mounting hole and in the opposite direction; When a removal force is applied to remove the clip from the mounting hole while the clip is inserted into the mounting hole, the inner leg interferes with the inner wall of the mounting hole, thereby maintaining the engagement state of the claw portion with the clip holding portion.

[0010] According to the clip of the first invention having the above configuration, when a removal force is applied to it, the inner leg having the claw portion interferes with the inner wall of the mounting hole, so that the claw portion can be maintained in an engaged state with the clip holding portion of the first member, i.e., the clip can be maintained held by the clip holding portion. As a result, when the first member attached to the second member using the clip is separated, the clip is unlikely to remain on the second member, so that the first member can be easily and quickly separated from the second member and the first member can be reattached to the second member.

[0011] In the conventional clip 110 shown in Figs. 8 to 10, the slits 115 are provided over the entire length of the leg 113. In such a structure, for example, when a large number of clips 110 are put into a parts box or a parts feeder, the leg 113 of each clip 110 may enter the slit 115 of the other clip 110, and the clips 110 may easily become entangled. Therefore, in the clip according to the first invention, the leg is provided with a first connecting portion that connects a pair of outer legs at the middle of the length, and the slit is divided into a first slit and a second slit that is disposed at a position farther from the head than the first slit. With this configuration, the length of each slit can be shortened, thereby reducing the possibility of the clips becoming entangled, and improving the ease of obtaining the clip.

[0012] The head portion may integrally have a flat portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction into the mounting hole, and a pair of side portions inclined with respect to the insertion direction into the mounting hole and connecting the flat portion and the pair of legs, in which case the end portion of the first slit on the head side may be located on the boundary line between the legs and the side portions. In this way, the possibility of the clips becoming entangled when a large number of clips are inserted into a parts box, parts feeder, etc. can be further reduced.

[0013] When the slit is divided into a first slit and a second slit, the inner legs constituting the leg portion can include a first inner leg that is arranged between a pair of outer legs via the first slit and can accommodate the tip of the clip holding portion, and a second inner leg that is arranged between the pair of outer legs via the second slit and has an interference surface with the inner wall surface of the mounting hole and a claw portion.

[0014] When the leg has a first connecting portion that connects the pair of outer legs at the middle of their longitudinal direction, a second connecting portion that connects the pair of outer legs at the end opposite to the head can be further provided. In this case, a straight line passing through the part of the first connecting portion that is located on the outermost side in the elastic deformation direction of the leg and the part of the second connecting portion that is located on the outermost side in the elastic deformation direction of the leg is made to extend parallel to the center line of the clip. In this way, for example, when a large number of clips fed into a parts feeder are aligned in the same direction in the alignment portion of the parts feeder, the clips can be more easily aligned, thereby improving the ease of obtaining clips.

[0015] In the clip according to the first aspect of the invention, when the clip is held by the clip holding part, the end of the pair of legs opposite the head can be pressed in a direction that reduces the distance between the opposing legs, thereby reducing the engagement allowance of the claws with the clip holding part (disengaging the claws from the clip holding part). This allows the clip to be easily removed from the clip holding part.

[0016] The second invention of the present application, which has been devised to achieve the above object, is a resin clip that detachably attaches the first member to the second member by being inserted into an attachment hole provided in a panel-like second member while being held by a clip holding portion of a first member, a head portion for guiding insertion into the mounting hole, a first leg portion extending in a direction of insertion into the mounting hole, and a second leg portion facing the first leg portion across the clip holding portion and elastically deformable in a direction in which a distance between the first leg portion and the second leg portion increases and decreases, the second leg portion comprises a pair of outer legs engageable with an edge of the mounting hole in a direction opposite to an insertion direction into the mounting hole, and an inner leg disposed between the pair of outer legs via a slit and having a claw portion engageable with a clip holding portion in the insertion direction into the mounting hole and in the opposite direction thereto; When a removal force is applied to remove the clip from the mounting hole while the clip is inserted into the mounting hole, the inner leg interferes with the inner wall surface of the mounting hole, thereby maintaining the engagement state of the claw portion with the clip holding portion.

[0017] According to the clip of the second invention having such a configuration, when a removal force is applied to it, like the clip of the first invention, the inner leg having the claw portion interferes with the inner wall of the mounting hole, so that the claw portion can be maintained in an engaged state with the clip holding portion of the first member, i.e., the clip can be maintained held by the clip holding portion. As a result, when the first member attached to the second member using the clip is separated, the clip is unlikely to remain on the second member side, so that the first member can be easily and quickly separated from the second member and the first member can be reattached to the second member.

[0018] A configuration can be adopted in which the second leg is provided with a first connecting portion that connects the pair of outer legs at their longitudinal midpoints, and the slit is divided into a first slit and a second slit that is located further from the head than the first slit. With this configuration, the slit length can be shortened, thereby reducing the possibility of the clips becoming entangled and improving the ease of obtaining the clips.

[0019] In the clip according to the second aspect of the invention, the head portion may integrally have a flat portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction into the mounting hole, and a side portion inclined with respect to the insertion direction into the mounting hole and connecting the flat portion and the second leg portion, in which case the end portion of the first slit on the head side may be located on the boundary line between the second leg portion and the side portion. This further reduces the possibility of the clips becoming entangled when a large number of clips are inserted into a parts box, parts feeder, etc.

[0020] In the clip of the second invention, when the slit is divided into a first slit and a second slit, the inner legs constituting the leg portion can include a first inner leg that is arranged between the pair of outer legs via the first slit and is capable of accommodating the tip of the clip holding portion in cooperation with the first leg portion, and a second inner leg that is arranged between the pair of outer legs via the second slit and has an interference surface with the inner wall surface of the mounting hole and a claw portion.

[0021] When the second leg has a first connecting portion that connects the pair of outer legs at the middle of their longitudinal direction, a second connecting portion that connects the pair of outer legs at the end opposite to the head can be further provided. In this case, a straight line passing through the part of the first connecting portion that is located on the outermost side in the elastic deformation direction of the second leg and the part of the second connecting portion that is located on the outermost side in the elastic deformation direction of the second leg is made to extend parallel to the first leg. In this way, for example, it becomes easier to keep the posture of the clips constant when aligning and placing a large number of clips fed into a parts feeder in the alignment portion of the parts feeder.

[0022] In the clip according to the second invention, when the clip is held by the clip holding part, the end of the second leg opposite the head can be pressed in a direction that reduces the distance between the first leg and the second leg, thereby reducing the engagement allowance of the claw with the clip holding part (disengaging the claw with the clip holding part). This allows the clip to be easily removed from the clip holding part. Effect of the Invention

[0023] From the above, according to the first and second inventions of the present application, it is possible to realize a resin clip that detachably attaches a first member to a panel-shaped second member, and that can maintain its held state in the first member (clip holding portion) even when a removal force is applied to remove the clip from an attachment hole provided in the second member. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an assembly produced using a clip according to an embodiment of the first invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the clip shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the clip shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1(a) shows the clip shown in FIG. 1 positioned in the alignment zone of a parts feeder, and FIG. 9(b) shows the conventional clip shown in FIG. 9 positioned in the alignment zone of a parts feeder. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a front view of a clip according to an embodiment of the second invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an assembly made using a conventional clip. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which a first member holding a conventional clip is attached to a second member. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which a first member holding a conventional clip is attached to a second member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an assembly produced using a clip according to an embodiment of the first invention, Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the clip shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a front view of the clip shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 3 (enlarged view of the portion circled).

[0026] A clip 10 according to an embodiment of the first invention shown in FIG. 1 is a resin member used for attaching a first member 1 to a panel-like second member 2, similar to the conventional clip 110 described with reference to FIG. 8 and the like, and is attached in a detachable manner to the second member 2 by being inserted into an attachment hole 4 having a rectangular opening provided in the second member 2 while being attached and held by a clip holding portion 3 provided on the first member 1. An example of the first member 1 is an interior member of an automobile, and an example of the second member 2 is an instrument panel of an automobile, also abbreviated as "instrument panel." In this case, one or more clip holding portions 3 are provided on an inner surface 1a opposite to an outer surface (a surface facing the passenger compartment of an automobile, also called an "ornamental surface") of the first member 1.

[0027] The clip holding portion 3 has a flat rib 3a erected on the inner surface 1b of the first member 1, a hole 3b penetrating the rib 3a in the plate thickness direction, and a pair of guides 3c, 3c provided on both sides of the rib 3a in the plate width direction to guide the attachment of the clip 10 to the rib 3a (clip holding portion 3). The first member 1 including this clip holding portion 3 is integrally formed from a resin material whose base resin is, for example, polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyacetal (POM), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acrylonitrile styrene (AS), or the like.

[0028] 2 and 3, the clip 10 integrally comprises a head 11 that guides insertion into the mounting hole 4, and a pair of legs 12, 12 that are disposed opposite each other across the clip holding portion 3 (rib 3a) and are elastically deformable in a direction in which the distance between them increases and decreases (left and right directions on the paper surface of FIG. 3). Like the first member 1, the clip 10 is formed from a resin material whose base resin is, for example, polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyacetal (POM), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acrylonitrile styrene (AS), or the like.

[0029] Each leg 12 includes a pair of outer legs 13, 13 spaced apart in the long side direction of the mounting hole 4, and an inner leg 14 provided between the pair of outer legs 13, 13 with a slit 15 interposed therebetween. Each leg 12 further includes a first connecting portion 16 connecting the pair of outer legs 13, 13 at a midpoint in the longitudinal direction, and a second connecting portion 17 connecting the pair of outer legs 13, 13 at an end portion opposite the head 11. By providing the first connecting portion 16, the slit 15 is divided into a first slit 15A and a second slit 15B provided at a position farther away from the head 11 than the first slit 15A.

[0030] In order to engage the clip 10 inserted into the mounting hole 4 with the edge of the mounting hole 4 in a direction (removal direction from the mounting hole 4) B opposite to the insertion direction A into the mounting hole 4 and maintain the attachment state of the first member 1 and the second member 2, each leg 12 is provided with a protruding portion that protrudes outward in the short side direction of the mounting hole 4 (here, the same direction as the "elastic deformation direction of the leg 12"). In the clip 10 of this embodiment, the first connecting portion 16 constitutes the protruding portion, and when the insertion of the clip 10 into the mounting hole 4 is completed, a portion of each outer leg 13 that has shifted a predetermined amount toward the second connecting portion 17 side from the first connecting portion 16 engages with the edge of the mounting hole 4. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the insertion of the clip 10 into the mounting hole 4 is completed when the step surface 3d provided on the guide 3c of the clip holding portion 3 abuts against the second member 2.

[0031] In this clip 10, the shape etc. of the first connecting portion 16 and / or the second connecting portion 17 are adjusted so that a straight line SL passing through a portion P1 of the first connecting portion 16 that is located outermost in the elastic deformation direction of the leg portion 12 and a portion P2 of the second connecting portion 17 that is located outermost in the elastic deformation direction of the leg portion 12 extends parallel to the center line CL of the clip 10 (see Figure 3).

[0032] The head 11 integrally has a flat end 11a extending in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction A into the mounting hole 4, and a pair of side portions 11b that are inclined with respect to the insertion direction A into the mounting hole 4 and connect the flat portion 11a to the legs 12, 12. In this case, the end of the slit 15 (first slit 15A) on the head 11 side is located on the boundary line between the legs 12 and the side portions 11b of the head 11. In other words, the first slit 15A extends toward the first connecting portion 16 from the boundary line.

[0033] The slit 15 is divided into a first slit 15A and a second slit 15B, so that the first inner leg 14A arranged between the pair of outer legs 13 via the first slit 15A and the second inner leg 14B arranged between the pair of outer legs 13 via the second slit 15B are provided as the inner legs 14 at a distance (independently of each other) in the insertion direction A of the clip 10. Each first inner leg 14A extends from the head 11 side to the second connecting portion 17 side, and cooperates with the mating first inner leg 14A to form an accommodation space that accommodates and restrains the tip of the rib 3a of the clip holding portion 3. The first inner leg 14A is provided so that its entirety is located inside the outer legs 13 in the short side direction of the mounting hole 4.

[0034] The second inner leg 14B extends toward the head 11 from the second connecting portion 17 side (the side opposite the head 11) as its base end, and its tip portion is formed with a claw portion 18 that engages with the clip holding portion 3 in the insertion direction A into the mounting hole 4 and the opposite direction B by being fitted into a hole portion 3b provided in the rib 3a of the clip holding portion 3.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, when the first member 1 is attached to the second member 2, the outer side surface 19a of the second inner leg 14B of the clip 10 extending parallel to the center line CL is disposed opposite the inner wall surface of the mounting hole 4 through a gap. If the engagement margin between the claw portion 18 and the rib 3a of the clip holder 3 is δ1, and the distance between the opposing outer side surface 19a of the second inner leg 14B and the inner wall surface of the mounting hole 4 (the gap width of the above gap) is δ2, then δ2<δ1. Furthermore, when the clip 10 is attached to the clip holder 3, the inner side surface 19b of the second inner leg 14B facing the rib 3a of the clip holder 3 is in contact with the rib 3a. Therefore, in the clip 10 in a free state (not attached to the clip holder 3), the distance d between the opposing inner sides 19b of the second inner leg 14B is set to be equal to or less than the plate thickness of the rib 3a.

[0036] A procedure for attaching the first member 1 to the second member 2 using the clip 10 described above will now be briefly described.

[0037] First, the clip 10 is attached to and held by the clip holding portion 3 of the first member 1. Specifically, the rib 3a of the clip holding portion 3 is inserted between the pair of legs 12, 12 through the opening between the pair of opposing second connecting portions 17, 17. During the insertion of the rib 3a, while a region of the rib 3a on the tip side beyond the hole portion 3b passes between the pair of second inner legs 14B, 14B (the claw portions 18 provided thereon), the second inner legs 14B of the pair of opposing legs 12, 12 elastically deform in a direction in which they move away from each other (a direction in which the opposing distance increases). Then, when the rib 3a is inserted until the hole 3b faces the claw 18, the tip of the rib 3a is accommodated in the accommodation space formed between the pair of first inner legs 14A, 14A, and the pair of legs 12, 12 (second inner leg 14B) elastically deform in a direction reducing the opposing distance, so that the claws 18, 18 fit into the hole 3b of the rib 3a, as shown in Fig. 3. As a result, the clip 10 is attached and held in the clip holding portion 3 of the first member 1.

[0038] Next, the clip 10 attached and held by the clip holding part 3 is inserted into the mounting hole 4 of the second member 2 from the head 11 side. At this time, the pair of opposing legs 12, 12 pass through the mounting hole 4 in a state of being elastically deformed in a direction approaching each other. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the step surface 3d of the guide 3c provided on the clip holding part 3 abuts against the second member 2, restricting the approaching movement of the first member 1 to the second member 2, and the insertion of the clip 10 into the mounting hole 4 is also stopped. At this time, the part of the pair of outer legs 13 constituting the leg part 12 that is located between the first connecting part 16 and the second connecting part 17 abuts against the edge of the long side of the mounting hole 4. As a result, the first member 1 is attached to the second member 2 via the clip 10.

[0039] The first member 1 attached to the second member 2 in the above manner can be separated from the second member 2 by applying a removal force to the first member 1 in a direction that removes the clip 10 from the attachment hole 4.

[0040] When a removal force is applied to the clip 10, the outer surface 19a of the second inner leg 14B functions as an "interference surface" that interferes with the inner wall of the mounting hole 4, thereby maintaining the engagement state of the claw portion 18 with the clip holding portion 3. Specifically, as described with reference to Fig. 4, when the engagement allowance between the claw portion 18 and the rib 3a of the clip holding portion 3 is δ1 and the distance between the opposing outer surface 19a of the second inner leg 14B and the inner wall surface of the mounting hole 4 is δ2, the relational expression δ2<δ1 is established.

[0041] In this case, when a removal force acts on the clip 10, before the engagement state between the claw portion 18 and the clip holding portion 3 is released, the outer surface 19a of the second inner leg 14B as an "interference surface" interferes with the inner wall surface of the mounting hole 4, thereby restricting deformation of the second inner leg 14B. This makes it possible to maintain the state in which the claw portion 18 of the second inner leg 14B is engaged with the clip holding portion 3, i.e., the state in which the clip 10 is attached and held by the clip holding portion 3. This makes it difficult for the clip 10 to remain on the second member 2 side when the first member 1 is separated from the second member 2, so that the separation of the first member 1 from the second member 2 and the reattachment of the first member 1 to the second member 2 can be easily and quickly performed.

[0042] Incidentally, when replacing the clip 10 attached to the clip attachment portion 3 of the first member 1 with a new one, or when the first member 1 is to be disposed of and is made of a different material from the clip 10 (when separate processing is required), it is necessary to remove the clip 10 attached to the clip holding portion 3. The clip 10 of this embodiment makes it easy to perform such a removal operation. The reason for this is as follows.

[0043] As described above, when the clip 10 is attached to the clip holder 3, the inner side surfaces 19b of the pair of second inner legs 14B are in contact with the rib 3a. Therefore, when the end portions (second connecting portions 17) of the pair of legs 12 opposite to the head 11 are pressed toward the rib 3a of the clip holder 3 (pressurized in a direction to reduce the opposing distance between the pair of legs 12), the second inner legs 14B are elastically deformed so as to expand the opposing distance between the pair of claws 18, with the end portions 19c (see FIG. 4) of the inner side surfaces 19b opposite to the head 11 as a fulcrum. This elastic deformation can reduce the engagement allowance δ1 between the claws 18 and the clip holder 3 (or release the engagement between the claws 18 and the clip holder 3), so that the clip 10 can be easily and smoothly removed by moving the clip 10 toward the tip side of the clip holder 3.

[0044] The clip 10 of this embodiment can also contribute to improving the attachability of the first member 1 to the second member 2 (improving the productivity of the assembly in which the first member 1 is attached to the second member 2). The reason for this will be explained below.

[0045] In the manufacturing process of the above-mentioned assembly, first, a large number of clips 10 are fed into a parts feeder (parts alignment device) 30 as conceptually shown in, for example, Figs. 5(a) and (b). This parts feeder 30 includes a storage section 31 for storing the fed parts, and an alignment conveying section 32 for conveying the parts discharged from the storage section 31 in a line toward a parts acquisition machine 33. The parts acquisition machine 33 is for acquiring and holding the parts discharged from the outlet side opening of the alignment conveying section 32, and may employ, for example, a suction gun. Then, for example, an operator (including an automatic machine) causes the suction gun to suction the clip 10 from the head 11 side, and then attaches the clip 10 to the clip holding section 3 of the first member 1. In addition, in this clip 10, the top surface of the head 11, which is the suction surface (surface on which the suction force acts) of the suction gun, is not provided with a shape that adversely affects suction (reducing the suction force), such as a slit, and the top surface of the head 11 is configured as a flat section 11a (flat surface). This makes it possible to prevent, as much as possible, the occurrence of erroneous suction of the clip 10 by the suction gun, and therefore erroneous attachment of the clip 10 to the first member 1.

[0046] As described above, when a large number of clips are fed into the storage section 31, if the clips are conventional clips 110 in which slits 115 are provided over the entire longitudinal length of the legs 112 as shown in Figures 8 to 10, the legs 112 of the clips 110 may enter the slits 115 of the clips 110, causing the clips 110 to easily become entangled. If the clips 110 become entangled, there is a possibility that the aligning and conveying section 32 may not be able to properly align and convey the clips 110.

[0047] In contrast, in the clip 10 of this embodiment, the legs 12 are provided with a first connecting portion 16 that connects the pair of outer legs 13 at the middle of their longitudinal direction, and the slit 15 is divided into a first slit 15A and a second slit 15B in the longitudinal direction of the legs 12, so that the length of each slit is shorter than that of the conventional clip 110. Furthermore, in the clip 10 of this embodiment, the head 11 is integrally provided with a flat portion 11a extending in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction A into the mounting hole 4 and a pair of side portions 11b that are inclined with respect to the insertion direction A into the mounting hole 4 and connect the flat portion 11a and the pair of legs 12, and the end of the first slit 14A on the head 11 side is disposed on the boundary line between the legs 12 and the side portions 11b, so that the length of the first slit 14A can be further shortened. With the above configuration, the possibility of the clips 10 becoming entangled with each other can be reduced, and the ease of obtaining the clip 10 and the productivity of the assembly can be improved.

[0048] 8 to 10, the end portion of the outer leg 113 constituting the leg portion 112 opposite the head portion 111 in the longitudinal direction (the portion corresponding to the second connecting portion 17 of the clip 10 of this embodiment) is located outside the protruding portion 113a provided near the longitudinal center of the outer leg 113, so that the posture of the clip 110 in the aligning and conveying portion 32 of the parts feeder 30 is likely to vary [see FIG. 5(b)]. This may adversely affect the pick-up ability of the clip 110 by the parts pick-up device 33 such as a suction gun.

[0049] In contrast, in the clip 10 of this embodiment, the leg 12 is provided with a first connecting portion 16 that connects the pair of outer legs 13, 13 at the middle of their longitudinal direction, and a second connecting portion 17 that connects the pair of outer legs 13, 13 at the end opposite to the head 11, and a straight line SL passing through a portion P1 of the first connecting portion 16 located on the outermost side in the elastic deformation direction of the leg 12 and a portion P2 of the second connecting portion 17 located on the outermost side in the elastic deformation direction of the leg 12 extends parallel to the center line CL of the clip 10 (insertion direction A into the mounting hole 4) (see FIG. 3). In this way, as shown in FIG. 5(a), the posture of the clip 10 can be made constant when a large number of clips 10 fed into the parts feeder 30 are aligned and arranged in the alignment and conveyance section 32. This improves the ease of retrieving the clip 10 by the part retrieval machine 33, and further improves the accuracy of mounting the clip 10 to the clip holding section 3 of the first member 1.

[0050] In combination with the effects described above, the clip 10 of the present embodiment also has the characteristic of being able to contribute to improving the productivity of the assembly in which the first member 1 is attached to the second member 2.

[0051] Next, a clip according to an embodiment of the second invention will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Note that the clip 20 shown in Figures 6 and 7 is a clip obtained by modifying a portion of the configuration of the clip 10 described above, and therefore components that are substantially the same as those used in the clip 10 are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0052] First, the clip 20 shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 is a resin part used for detachably attaching the first member 1 to the panel-shaped second member 2, similar to the clip 10. The clip 20 integrally includes a head 21 for guiding insertion into the mounting hole 4, a first leg 22 extending linearly along the insertion direction A into the mounting hole 4, and a second leg 23 facing the first leg 22 across the clip holding part 3 and elastically deformable in a direction in which the opposing distance between the first leg 22 and the second leg 23 increases and decreases. In other words, the clip 20 corresponds to a clip in which one of the pair of legs 12, 12 constituting the clip 10 described above (the leg 12 on the left side of the drawing in Fig. 3) is replaced with the first leg 22 extending linearly along the insertion direction A into the mounting hole 4, and the second leg 23 has substantially the same configuration as the other of the pair of legs 12, 12 provided on the clip 10 (the leg 12 on the right side of the drawing in Fig. 3). Therefore, the second leg 23 of the clip 20 has various characteristic configurations that the leg 12 of the clip 10 described above has. Therefore, the clip 20 according to the second invention can also achieve the same effects as the clip 10 according to the first invention.

[0053] The above describes the clip 10 according to the embodiment of the first invention and the clip 20 according to the embodiment of the second invention, but the embodiments of the first and second inventions are not limited to these, and appropriate modifications can be made to the clips 10, 20.

[0054] For example, as long as the relational expression δ2<δ1 is satisfied between the engagement allowance δ1 between the claw portion 18 of the clip 10, 20 and the clip holding portion 3 and the distance δ2 between the outer surface 19 of the second inner leg 14B of the clip 10, 20 and the inner wall surface of the mounting hole 4 of the second member 2, the values ​​of δ1 and δ2 can be set arbitrarily. This allows the insertion force of the clip 10, 20 into the mounting hole 4 of the second member and the removal force of the clip 10, 20 from the mounting hole 4 to be appropriately adjusted. In this case, for example, if the clips 10, 20 are made to have different colors for each set value of the insertion force and removal force into the mounting hole 4, the clip 10, 20 to be used can be appropriately selected, and problems such as incorrect installation of the clip 10, 20 can be prevented as much as possible.

[0055] In addition, although the above describes the application of the present invention to clips 10, 20 that are attached (inserted) into a mounting hole 4 having a rectangular opening, the present invention can also be applied to clips 10, 20 that are attached to a mounting hole 4 having an opening other than rectangular (for example, an elliptical opening). [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1 First member 2 Second member 3 Clip holder 3b Hole 4 Mounting holes 10 Clips 11 Head 12 Legs 13 Outer leg 14 Inner leg 14A 1st inner leg 14B 2nd inner leg 15 Slit 15A First Slit 15B Second slit 16 1st connection part 17 Second connection part 20 clips 21 Head 22 1st leg 23 Second leg 30 Parts Feeder 32 Alignment and conveyance section A Insertion direction B Opposite direction (removal direction)

Claims

1. A resin clip that is inserted into an attachment hole provided in a panel-shaped second member while being held by a clip holding portion of a first member, and that detachably attaches the first member to the second member, a head portion for guiding insertion into the mounting hole, and a pair of legs disposed opposite each other across the clip holding portion and elastically deformable in a direction such that the distance between the legs increases and decreases, each leg portion includes a pair of outer legs engageable with an edge of the mounting hole in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion into the mounting hole, and an inner leg disposed between the pair of outer legs via a slit and having a claw portion engageable with the clip holding portion in the direction of insertion into the mounting hole and in the opposite direction; A clip characterized in that when a removal force is applied to remove the clip from the mounting hole while the clip is inserted into the mounting hole, the inner legs interfere with the inner wall surface of the mounting hole, thereby maintaining the engaged state of the claw portion with the clip holding portion.

2. The leg portion has a first connecting portion that connects the pair of outer legs at a middle portion in a longitudinal direction thereof, 2. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the slit is divided into a first slit and a second slit that is disposed at a position farther from the head than the first slit.

3. the head portion integrally includes a flat portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction into the mounting hole, and a pair of side portions inclined with respect to the insertion direction into the mounting hole and connecting the flat portion and the pair of leg portions, The clip according to claim 2 , wherein an end of the first slit on the head side is disposed on a connection point between the leg portion and the side portion.

4. 4. A clip as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein the inner legs include a first inner leg that is arranged between the set of outer legs via the first slit and is capable of restraining the tip of the clip holding portion, and a second inner leg that is arranged between the set of outer legs via the second slit and has an interference surface with the inner wall surface of the mounting hole and the claw portion.

5. the legs have a second connector connecting the pair of outer legs at an end opposite the head, A clip as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein a straight line connecting a portion of the first connecting portion that is located outermost in the elastic deformation direction of the leg and a portion of the second connecting portion that is located outermost in the elastic deformation direction of the leg extends parallel to a center line of the clip.

6. A clip as described in claim 1, wherein, when held in the clip holding portion, the end portion of the pair of legs opposite the head is pressurized in a direction reducing the distance between the pair of legs, thereby reducing the engagement allowance of the claw portion with the clip holding portion.

7. A resin clip that is inserted into an attachment hole provided in a panel-shaped second member while being held by a clip holding portion of a first member, and that detachably attaches the first member to the second member, a head portion for guiding insertion into the mounting hole, a first leg portion extending in a direction of insertion into the mounting hole, and a second leg portion facing the first leg portion across the clip holding portion and elastically deformable in a direction in which a distance between the first leg portion and the second leg portion increases and decreases, the second leg portion comprises a pair of outer legs engageable with an edge of the mounting hole in a direction opposite to a direction of insertion into the mounting hole, and an inner leg disposed between the pair of outer legs via a slit and having a claw portion engageable with the clip holding portion in the direction of insertion into the mounting hole and in the opposite direction thereto, A clip characterized in that when a removal force is applied to remove the clip from the mounting hole while the clip is inserted into the mounting hole, the inner legs interfere with the inner wall surface of the mounting hole, thereby maintaining the engaged state of the claw portion with the clip holding portion.

8. the second leg portion has a first connecting portion that connects the pair of outer legs at intermediate portions thereof, 8. The clip according to claim 7, wherein the slit is divided into a first slit and a second slit that is disposed at a position farther from the head than the first slit.

9. the head portion integrally includes a flat end portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction into the mounting hole, and a side portion inclined with respect to the insertion direction into the mounting hole and connecting the flat portion and the second leg portion, The clip according to claim 8 , wherein an end of the first slit on the head side is disposed on a connection point between the second leg portion and the side portion.

10. The clip according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the inner legs include a first inner leg that is arranged between the set of outer legs via the first slit and is capable of restraining the tip of the clip holding portion in cooperation with the first leg portion, and a second inner leg that is arranged between the set of outer legs via the second slit and has an interference surface with the inner wall surface of the mounting hole and the claw portion.

11. the second leg portion has a second connector portion connecting the pair of outer legs at an end opposite the head portion, A clip as described in claim 8 or 9, wherein a straight line connecting a portion of the first connecting portion that is located outermost in the elastic deformation direction of the second leg and a portion of the second connecting portion that is located outermost in the elastic deformation direction of the second leg extends parallel to the first leg.

12. A clip as described in claim 7, wherein, when held in the clip holding portion, the end of the second leg opposite the head is pressurized in a direction reducing the distance between the first leg and the second leg, thereby reducing the engagement allowance of the claw portion with the clip holding portion.

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