Fastener

Abstract

The present invention provides a fastener 10 to be mounted in a mounting hole of a mounting member, said fastener comprising: a main part 12 having an engaging part to engage with the mounting member; a longitudinal part 14 extending from the main part 12; and a rotation-inducing part 16 coupled to the longitudinal part 14. The rotation-inducing part 16 has a contact surface 34 that contacts the edge of the mounting hole when inserted into the mounting hole and a retaining part 32 that prevents the rotation-inducing part 16 from falling out of the mounting hole after being inserted into the mounting hole. The rotation-inducing part 16 rotates about an axis along the longitudinal direction when the contact surface 34 contacts the edge of the mounting hole at the time of insertion into the mounting hole, and the longitudinal part 14 is flexible so as to be twisted due to the rotation of the rotation-inducing part 16.

Description

fastener

[0001] The present invention relates to a fastener that is attached to a mounting hole.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a clip that is attached to an attachment hole. This clip has a pair of clamping pieces whose tip ends are connected and a flange portion formed on the base end of the clamping pieces. The clamping pieces are formed with a flexible elastic piece through a slit, and the elastic piece is provided with a locking shoulder that engages with the rear peripheral edge of the attachment hole.

[0003] JP 2015-86928 A

[0004] In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a risk that the clip may come off the mounting hole if an excessive impact is applied.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a fastener that prevents the entire fastener from coming off the mounting hole even if the fastener body comes off the mounting hole, and that further improves mountability.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a fastener to be attached to a mounting member, comprising: a main body portion having an engaging portion that engages with the mounting member; a longitudinal portion extending from the main body portion; and a rotation guide portion connected to the longitudinal portion. The rotation guide portion has an abutment surface that abuts against the edge of the mounting hole when the mounting member is inserted into the mounting hole, and a retaining portion that prevents the rotation guide portion from coming off the mounting hole after insertion into the mounting hole. When the abutment surface abuts against the edge of the mounting hole when the rotation guide portion is inserted into the mounting hole, the rotation guide portion rotates around an axis along the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal portion, and the longitudinal portion is flexible so as to twist due to the rotation of the rotation guide portion.

[0007] According to the present invention, even if the fastener main body comes out of the mounting hole, the entire fastener is prevented from coming out of the mounting hole, and a fastener with improved mountability can be provided.

[0008] 2(a) is a perspective view of a fastener of a first embodiment; FIG. 2(b) is a front view of the fastener of the first embodiment, and FIG. 2(b) is a bottom view of the fastener of the first embodiment; FIG. 4(a) is a view of the fastener and the mounting member shown in FIG. 3 from below, and FIG. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view of the fastener shown in FIG. 4(a) along line A-A; FIG. 4(b ...; FIG. 4(b) is a view of the fastener and the mounting member shown in FIG. 3 from below, and FIG. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view of the fastener shown in FIG. 4(a); FIG. 4(b) is a view of the fastener and the mounting member shown in FIG. 3 from below, and FIG. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view of the fastener shown in FIG. 4(a); FIG. 4(b) is a view of the fastener and the mounting member shown in FIG. 8; FIG. 8 is a view of the fastener and the mounting member shown in FIG. 8; FIG. 8 is a view of the fastener and the mounting member shown in FIG. 8; FIG. 8 is a view of the fastener and the mounting member shown in FIG. 8;

[0009] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a fastener 10 of a first embodiment. Fig. 2(a) is a front view of the fastener 10 of the first embodiment, and Fig. 2(b) is a bottom view of the fastener 10 of the first embodiment. The fastener 10 is used to attach a component to an attachment member. For example, the attachment member is a panel that constitutes a vehicle door or a vehicle armrest, and the component is an operation panel having window open / close buttons, etc.

[0010] The fastener 10 includes a main body portion 12, an elongated portion 14, and a rotation guide portion 16. The main body portion 12 is adapted to be engaged with the edge of a mounting hole formed in a mounting member. The main body portion 12 has engaging legs 20, an inward extending portion 22, an inward protruding portion 24, and a flange portion 26.

[0011] The locking legs 20 are formed as a pair facing each other and are flexibly arranged so as to move closer to or apart. The lower ends of the pair of locking legs 20 are connected, and the upper ends are free ends. The locking legs 20 lock onto the back edge of the mounting hole to prevent the main body 12 from slipping out of the mounting hole. The flanges 26 extend outward in opposing directions from the upper ends of the locking legs 20 and lock onto the upper edge of the mounting hole.

[0012] The inward extending portions 22 extend from the inner surface of the locking leg portion 20 toward the lower end. The inward protrusions 24 protrude inward from the upper end of the locking leg portion 20. The pair of inward extending portions 22 and the pair of inward protrusions 24 sandwich a boss formed on the part.

[0013] The elongated portion 14 extends in the longitudinal direction from the main body portion 12. The elongated portion 14 has a band-like portion 28 and a protrusion portion 30. The band-like portion 28 extends in the longitudinal direction. The protrusion portion 30 protrudes from the band-like portion 28 and extends along the longitudinal direction. The elongated portion 14 is flexible so as to twist around an axis along the longitudinal direction by rotation of the rotation guide portion 16, and can return to its original state after twisting. The rotation guide portion 16 can be moved back and forth between a normal reference position and a position rotated 90 degrees by the elongated portion 14.

[0014] The rotation guide portion 16 is connected to the elongated portion 14. The rotation guide portion 16 has the function of guiding rotation when inserted into the mounting hole and the function of preventing the screw from coming out of the mounting hole. The rotation guide portion 16 has a retaining portion 32, an abutment surface 34, a notch 36, a minor diameter portion 38 a, and a major diameter portion 38 b.

[0015] The retaining portion 32 is formed to protrude from the lower end of the elongate portion 14 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the elongate portion 14. The retaining portion 32 is formed in a flat shape. The retaining portion 32 prevents the rotation guide portion 16 from coming out of the mounting hole after it has been inserted into the mounting hole.

[0016] The abutment surface 34 is located on the outer peripheral surface of the rotation guide portion 16 and is formed in a tapered shape that tapers from the edge of the retaining portion 32 toward the tip. The abutment surface 34 is formed to be curved in the circumferential direction from approximately the center of the long diameter portion 38b to the short diameter portion 38a. A pair of abutment surfaces 34 are formed, are located diagonally with respect to the central axis of the rotation guide portion 16, and are inclined so as to intersect with the radial direction. The central axis of the rotation guide portion 16 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the elongated portion 14. The abutment surface 34 abuts against the edge of the mounting hole when inserted into the mounting hole, thereby guiding the rotation of the rotation guide portion 16.

[0017] 2(b), when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the elongate portion 14, the rotation guide portion 16 is formed in a generally parallelogram shape and has a short diameter portion 38a and a long diameter portion 38b. At the outer periphery of the retaining portion 32, the portion constituting the short diameter portion 38a and the portion constituting the long diameter portion 38b partially overlap.

[0018] A pair of notches 36 are formed so as to cut out the lower portion of the rotation guide portion 16. The pair of notches 36 are positioned diagonally with respect to the central axis of the rotation guide portion 16. The pair of contact surfaces 34 and the pair of notches 36 are alternately arranged around the central axis of the rotation guide portion 16.

[0019] 2A, the width W1 of the major diameter portion 38b is greater than the width W2 of the tip of the rotation guide portion 16. Therefore, the rotation guide portion 16 tapers toward the tip.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2(b) , a pair of corners 39 are formed on the outer periphery of the retaining portion 32. The corners 39 are formed at an acute angle θ. The abutment surface 34 is inclined at the acute angle θ from the corners 39, so that it can withstand rotational torque around the central axis when the abutment surface 34 on the minor diameter portion 38a side abuts against the edge of the mounting hole.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the process of attaching the fastener 10 to the mounting member 40, showing the state before the rotation guide portion 16 is inserted into the mounting hole 42 formed in the mounting member 40. FIG. 4(a) is a view of the fastener 10 and mounting member 40 shown in FIG. 3 as seen from below, and FIG. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view of the fastener 10 shown in FIG. 4(a) taken along line A-A. The mounting hole 42 formed in the mounting member 40 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape and has a short side 42a and a long side 42b. Note that the mounting hole 42 is not limited to a substantially rectangular shape, and may be formed in a substantially elliptical or elongated shape. In either case, the mounting hole 42 has a shape having a long side and a short side.

[0022] The worker grasps the main body 12 and pushes it into the mounting hole 42 from the rotation guide 16. The fastener 10 is inserted into the mounting hole 42 from the rotation guide 16 along the central axis. Because the locking legs 20 of the main body 12 have a width greater than the short side 42a, the orientation of the fastener 10 when inserted is predetermined, and the pair of locking legs 20 are inserted in a rotated position such that the opposing directions of the pair of locking legs 20 are aligned with the short side 42a.

[0023] In Fig. 3, the abutment surface 34 abuts against the edge of the mounting hole 42. The orientation at the time of insertion is fixed, and the long diameter portion 38b extends along the opposing direction of the pair of locking legs 20, so that the abutment point 44 of the abutment surface 34 abuts against the long side portion 42b of the mounting hole 42, as shown in Figs. 4(a) and 4(b).

[0024] The abutment surface 34 comes into contact with the edge of the mounting hole 42 and receives a force in a direction that rotates the rotation guide portion 16 about the axis. As a result, the rotation guide portion 16 begins to rotate about the axis. Because the abutment surface 34 is formed to be curved in the circumferential direction, the abutment surface 34 can slide smoothly over the edge of the mounting hole 42. This allows the rotation guide portion 16 to rotate smoothly.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the process of attaching the fastener 10 to the attachment member 40, showing the state in which the rotation guide portion 16 is inserted into the attachment hole 42. The rotation guide portion 16 is rotated 90 degrees from the normal reference position shown in FIG. 3. The longitudinal portion 14 is twisted in response to the rotation of the rotation guide portion 16. This allows the rotation guide portion 16 to assume a rotational position that allows it to pass through the attachment hole 42 while maintaining the rotational position of the main body 12. The rotational position in which the rotation guide portion 16 can pass through the attachment hole 42 is the position in which the short diameter portion 38a fits within the short side portion 42a and the long diameter portion 38b fits within the long side portion 42b.

[0026] The elongated portion 14 is long and thin enough to be twisted. The elongated portion 14 is longer than the main body 12 in the longitudinal direction, ensuring a sufficient length. The width of the elongated portion 14 is smaller than the short side 42a of the mounting hole 42, so that it can be inserted into the mounting hole 42 in a twisted state.

[0027] In this way, the operator can rotate the rotation guide portion 16 and easily insert it into the mounting hole 42 simply by pressing the contact surface 34 of the rotation guide portion 16 against the edge of the mounting hole 42 .

[0028] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the process of attaching the fastener 10 to the attachment member 40, and shows the state in which the fastener 10 has been completely attached to the attachment hole 42.

[0029] The pair of flanges 26 are hooked onto the long side portions 42b of the mounting holes 42. At this time, an operation panel (not shown) is clamped by the inward extending portions 22. When repairing or replacing the operation panel, an operator pulls the main body 12 out of the mounting holes 42 to remove the operation panel from the inward extending portions 22. The fastener 10 can be removed from the mounting holes 42 together with the operation panel, which returns the operation panel to its pre-assembly state, ensuring reassembly similar to that of conventional components. An operator can pull the main body 12 from the mounting holes 42 while it is still attached to the operation panel, and with the retaining portion 32 hooked onto the mounting holes 42, grasp the elongated portion 14 with a tool and twist it approximately 90 degrees to remove the retaining portion 32 from the mounting holes 42.

[0030] After passing through the mounting hole 42, the elongated portion 14 returns to its original state, rotating the rotation guide portion 16 and returning the retaining portion 32 to a position where it can be retained in the mounting hole 42. As the elongated portion 14 returns to its original state, the rotation guide portion 16 returns to its original position, allowing the retaining portion 32 to assume a position where it can be caught in the mounting hole 42. Even if the main body 12 attempts to come off the mounting hole 42 and slide upward, the retaining portion 32 will eventually be caught in the mounting hole 42 and will be prevented from falling out. As a result, even if a large impact is applied to the vehicle due to a traffic accident or the like and the main body 12 falls out of the mounting hole 42, the rotation guide portion 16 will be caught in the mounting hole 42, preventing the operation panel from flying out into the vehicle.

[0031] 7A and 7B are cross-sectional views of the longitudinal portion of the fastener 10. As shown in FIG. 7A, the longitudinal portion 14 has a band-shaped portion 28 and a protrusion 30. The protrusion 30 protrudes from both edges of the band-shaped portion 28 in a direction perpendicular to the surface. This forms a substantially H-shaped cross section of the longitudinal portion 14. The protrusion 30 extends along the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal portion 14, as shown in FIG. 1. By providing the protrusion 30, the rigidity of the longitudinal portion 14 can be ensured even if the band-shaped portion 28 is formed thin, and the longitudinal portion 14 can be made more easily twisted.

[0032] 7(b) is a cross-sectional view of a modified elongate portion 114. The elongate portion 114 has a band portion 28 and a protrusion portion 130. The protrusion portion 130 protrudes from the center of both sides of the band portion 28. As a result, the cross section of the elongate portion 114 is formed in a cross shape.

[0033] Figure 7(c) is a cross-sectional view of another modified elongate portion 214. The elongate portion 214 has a band portion 28 and a protrusion portion 230. The protrusion portion 30 shown in Figure 7(a) protrudes from both edges and both surfaces of the band portion 28, whereas the protrusion portion 230 shown in Figure 7(c) protrudes from one edge of the band portion 28. The protrusion portion 230 is disposed diagonally relative to the central axis of the band portion 28.

[0034] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an assembly to which the fastener 300 of the second embodiment is attached. Fig. 9 is an exploded view of the assembly shown in Fig. 8, showing the fastener 300 of the second embodiment and the mounting member 50.

[0035] The fastener 300 also functions as a cover member, and covers a bolt for fixing the mounting member 50 to the vehicle body. The mounting member 50 and the fastener 300 form, for example, a pull handle portion of a door trim.

[0036] The mounting member 50 has a case portion 52, a first mounting hole 54, a second mounting hole 56, and an insertion hole 58. The case portion 52 shown in Figures 8 and 9 is on its back side, and the housing portion and insertion hole 58 are provided on the front side of the case portion 52. The first mounting holes 54 are provided as a pair penetrating through the bottom of the case portion 52. The second mounting hole 56 and the insertion hole 58 are provided as a pair penetrating through the bottom of the case portion 52. The housing portion is located between the first mounting hole 54 and the second mounting hole 56. A bolt is inserted through the insertion hole 58 to secure the case portion to the vehicle body.

[0037] The fastener 300 has a locking portion 312, an elongated portion 14, a rotation guide portion 16, a main body portion 318, and a retaining portion 32. The fastener 300 shown in Figure 9 is the back side. The main body portion 318 is formed in a plate shape.

[0038] The locking portions 312 are formed as a pair and protrude from the rear surface of the main body portion 318. The locking portions 312 are formed in a claw shape. The elongated portion 14 extends in the longitudinal direction from the rear surface of the main body portion 318 and is flexible so as to twist around an axis along the longitudinal direction.

[0039] The rotation guide portion 16 is connected to the tip end of the elongated portion 14. The configuration of the rotation guide portion 16 of the fastener 300 is the same as the rotation guide portion 16 shown in FIG.

[0040] As shown in Figure 8, the pair of locking portions 312 are inserted into the pair of first mounting holes 54, respectively. The elongated portion 14 and the rotation guide portion 16 are inserted into the second mounting hole 56. The retaining portion 32 of the rotation guide portion 16 is caught around the second mounting hole 56, preventing the fastener 300 from coming off the mounting member 50. The pair of first mounting holes 54 and second mounting holes 56 are rectangular holes.

[0041] The process of attaching the fastener 300 to the mounting member 50 will now be described. The fastener 300 is assembled to the mounting member 50. First, the rotation guide portion 16 is inserted into the second mounting hole 56. At this time, the abutment surface 34 abuts against the edge of the second mounting hole 56 and receives rotational torque, causing the elongated portion 14 to twist around an axis along the longitudinal direction, and the rotation guide portion 16 rotates and passes through the second mounting hole 56. After passing through the second mounting hole 56, the rotation guide portion 16 returns to its original rotated position due to the elastic recovery of the elongated portion 14, and the retaining portion 32 becomes a retaining member. Next, the locking portion 312 is pushed into the first mounting hole 54 and locks onto the edge of the first mounting hole 54.

[0042] In this way, when fastener 300 is attached to mounting member 50, rotation guide portion 16 is rotated to attach, so that fastener 300 can be easily attached without changing the position of main body 318. When removing fastener 300, an operator releases the lock by using a tool to push locking portion 312 in a direction away from first mounting hole 54, and with retaining portion 32 hooked into second mounting hole 56, by grasping elongated portion 14 with the tool and twisting it approximately 90 degrees, fastener 300 can be removed from second mounting hole 56.

[0043] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications such as design changes may be made to the embodiments based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and such modified embodiments may also be included within the scope of the present invention.

[0044] In the first embodiment, the mounting hole 42 is generally rectangular, but this is not limiting. For example, the mounting hole 42 may be generally cross-shaped. In this modification, the rotation guide portion has a generally cross-shaped retaining portion and a tapered contact surface. In this modification, the rotation guide portion rotates within a range of 30 to 45 degrees.

[0045] The present invention relates to a fastener that is attached to a mounting hole.

[0046] 10 fastener, 12 main body portion, 14 longitudinal portion, 16 rotation guide portion, 20 locking leg portion, 22 inward extension portion, 24 inward protrusion portion, 26 flange portion, 28 strip portion, 30 protrusion portion, 32 retaining portion, 34 abutment surface, 36 notch portion, 38a short diameter portion, 38b long diameter portion, 39 corner portion, 40 mounting member, 42 mounting hole, 42a short side portion, 42b long side portion.

Claims

1. A fastener to be attached to a mounting member, comprising: a main body portion having an engaging portion that engages with the mounting member; a longitudinal portion extending from the main body portion; and a rotation guide portion connected to the longitudinal portion, wherein the rotation guide portion has an abutment surface that abuts against the edge of the mounting hole when the mounting member is inserted into the mounting hole, and a slip-out prevention portion that prevents the rotation guide portion from slipping out of the mounting hole after insertion into the mounting hole, wherein the rotation guide portion rotates around an axis along the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal portion as a result of the abutment surface abutting against the edge of the mounting hole when inserted into the mounting hole, and the longitudinal portion is flexible so as to be twisted by the rotation of the rotation guide portion.

2. The fastener described in claim 1, characterized in that the elongated portion returns to its twisted state after passing through the mounting hole, rotating the rotation guide portion and returning the anti-slip portion to a position where it can be prevented from slipping out of the mounting hole.

3. A fastener as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the abutment surface is formed into a tapered curved surface that abuts against the edge of the mounting hole and rotates the rotation guide portion about its axis.

4. A fastener as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mounting hole is approximately rectangular, approximately elliptical or long hole-shaped, the locking portions are provided in a pair opposite each other and lock onto the edges of the mounting hole, the rotation guide portion has a long diameter portion and a short diameter portion when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the elongated portion, and the long diameter portion extends along the opposing direction of the pair of locking portions.

5. A fastener as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the longitudinal portion has a band-like portion extending in the longitudinal direction, and a protrusion portion protruding from the band-like portion and extending along the longitudinal direction.