Retainer for mounting bumper

Abstract

This retainer for mounting a bumper includes: a plurality of retainer pieces which are formed from a resin material and which are for attaching a bumper to a vehicle body; a connecting part which is integrated with the retainer pieces and which puts retainer pieces adjacent to each other in a no-load state into a connected state in a first orientation; and a coupling part that couples adjacent retainer pieces to each other in a state in which the retainer pieces adjacent to each other and centered on the connecting part are brought from the first orientation to a second orientation that serves as the mounting angle at which the bumper is to be attached to the vehicle body.

Description

Bumper mounting retainer

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a bumper mounting retainer.

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2022-179994 discloses a bumper spacer in which a pair of spacers are rotatably connected. This bumper spacer has a mechanism that can fix the pair of spacers in a position where they can be attached to a vehicle body.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-101726 discloses a bumper-mounted retainer in which a plurality of retainer pieces are connected to each other by elastically deformable connecting portions.

[0004] In the bumper spacer of JP 2022-179994 A, the pair of spacers can only be fixed in a predetermined position, and the degree of freedom in the angle of attachment to the vehicle body is low.

[0005] In the bumper mounting retainer of JP 2009-101726 A, multiple retainer pieces are molded in a position in which they are attached to the vehicle body, which means that the molding mold tends to be large and molding costs, including the cost of the molding mold, tend to be high.

[0006] In consideration of the above, the present disclosure aims to provide a technology for a bumper-mounted retainer having multiple retainer pieces that can reduce molding costs and enable the mounting angle to the vehicle body to be freely set.

[0007] A bumper mounting retainer according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of retainer pieces formed from a resin material for mounting a bumper to a vehicle body, a connecting portion integral with the retainer pieces and connecting adjacent retainer pieces in a first position in an unloaded state, and a connecting portion connecting adjacent retainer pieces in a second position where the adjacent retainer pieces are mounted to the vehicle body from the first position around the connecting portion.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, in a bumper mounting retainer having a plurality of retainer pieces, it is possible to reduce molding costs and freely set the mounting angle to the vehicle body.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a front view of a bumper mounting retainer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in a first position. Fig. 2 is a front view of a bumper mounting retainer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in a second position. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by arrow 3X in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by arrow 4X in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a main portion of the bumper mounting retainer shown in Fig. 4, as viewed from the back. Fig. 6 is a front view showing a state during molding of the bumper mounting retainer shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of an engaged portion of a bumper mounting retainer of another embodiment.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Components indicated by the same reference numerals in each drawing are the same or similar components. Note that duplicated explanations and reference numerals may be omitted in the embodiments described below. Furthermore, all drawings used in the following description are schematic, and the dimensional relationships, ratios, etc. of each element shown in the drawings do not necessarily match those in reality. Furthermore, the dimensional relationships, ratios, etc. of each element between multiple drawings do not necessarily match.

[0011] [Bumper Mounting Retainer 20] The bumper mounting retainer 20 of this embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as "retainer 20") is a component used to mount a bumper to a vehicle body (for example, a body panel), as shown in Figures 1 and 2. This retainer 20 is made of a resin material. Specifically, the retainer 20 of this embodiment is a one-piece molded resin product.

[0012] 1 and 2, arrow X indicates the longitudinal direction of the retainer 20, and arrow Y indicates the width direction of the retainer 20. Note that Figs. 1 and 2 show the surface of the retainer 20 that is attached to the vehicle body.

[0013] 1 and 2, the retainer 20 includes a plurality of retainer pieces 22, a connection portion 30, and a linking portion 40. In this embodiment, the retainer 20 includes two retainer pieces 22. Hereinafter, one of the two retainer pieces 22 (the left side in FIGS. 1 and 2) will be referred to as retainer piece 22A, and the other (the right side in FIGS. 1 and 2) will be referred to as retainer piece 22B.

[0014] 1 and 2, the retainer pieces 22A and 22A constitute the main body of the retainer 20 and function to attach the bumper to the vehicle body. The retainer pieces 22A and 22A are formed from a resin material. Specifically, the retainer pieces 22A and 22A are integrally molded from a resin material.

[0015] Each of the retainer pieces 22A and 22B is provided with one or more fixing portions 24 for fixing the retainer pieces 22A and 22B to the vehicle body. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration, and instead of fixing portions 24, the retainer pieces 22A and 22B may be attached to the vehicle body using, for example, a dedicated member or a screw member or the like.

[0016] Each of retainer pieces 22A and 22B is provided with one or more mounting portions 26 for attaching a bumper to retainer pieces 22A and 22B. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration, and instead of mounting portions 26, a bumper may be attached to retainer pieces 22A and 22B using, for example, a dedicated member, or a screw member or the like.

[0017] 3, the connection portion 30 is a portion of the retainer 20 that connects the retainer piece 22A and the retainer piece 22B. The connection portion 30 is integral with the retainer piece 22A and the retainer piece 22B. Specifically, the connection portion 30 is integrally molded with the retainer piece 22A and the retainer piece 22B.

[0018] Furthermore, in an unloaded state, the connecting portion 30 connects adjacent retainer pieces 22A, 22B in a first position. Here, as shown in Figures 3 and 6, the position of the retainer pieces 22A and 22B when the retainer 20 is molded in the molding die 100 is the first position, and no load acts on the retainer pieces 22A and 22B molded in this position, i.e., the unloaded state. In this embodiment, as an example, the first position refers to a position in which adjacent retainer pieces 22A and 22B are aligned in a substantially straight line in a plan view. Note that the "plan view" here refers to a view from the opening and closing direction of the molding die 100 (in other words, the mold closing and mold opening directions).

[0019] 1 and 3, the connection portion 30 is formed in a flexible shape. Specifically, the connection portion 30 is a plate-like shape having a plurality of curved portions 32. More specifically, the connection portion 30 is a plate-like shape with alternating convex and concave portions, which are formed by the curved portions 32. Therefore, as the curvature of each of the plurality of curved portions 32 changes, the connection portion 30 elastically deforms (flexes), and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, adjacent retainer pieces 22A, 22B become tilted in a plan view.

[0020] 1 and 3, the connection portion 30 connects the longitudinal ends 23 of adjacent retainer pieces 22A, 22B. The connection portion 30 is disposed between both widthwise ends of the retainer piece 22A in a plan view. Specifically, in an unloaded state, the connection portion 30 is disposed between both widthwise ends of the retainer piece 22A and between both widthwise ends of the retainer piece 22B in a plan view. In other words, in an unloaded state, the connection portion 30 does not protrude from between both widthwise ends of the retainer piece 22A or between both widthwise ends of the retainer piece 22B in a plan view.

[0021] 1 and 2, the connecting portion 40 is a portion of the retainer 20 that functions to connect the retainer piece 22A and the retainer piece 22B. Specifically, the connecting portion 40 is a portion that connects the retainer piece 22A and the retainer piece 22B, separate from the connecting portion 30. More specifically, the connecting portion 40 connects the adjacent retainer pieces 22A and 22B when the adjacent retainer pieces 22A and 22B are moved from a first position (the position shown in FIG. 1) about the connecting portion 30 to a second position (the position shown in FIG. 2) at an attachment angle at which the retainer piece 22A and 22B are attached to the vehicle body.

[0022] 3 and 4, the connecting portion 40 includes an engaging portion 42 and an engaged portion 50. The engaging portion 42 engages with the engaged portion 50 in the second position shown in Fig. 2. On the other hand, the engaging portion 42 does not engage with the engaged portion 50 in the first position shown in Fig. 1. Specifically, in the first position, the engaging portion 42 and the engaged portion 50 are positioned apart from each other and therefore cannot engage with each other.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 1, the engaging portion 42 is formed on the retainer piece 22A. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the engaging portion 42 includes an elastic plate portion 46 extending from the retainer piece 22A toward the retainer piece 22B, and a claw portion 48 provided on a tip end 46A of the elastic plate portion 46. Specifically, the claw portion 48 is provided on each of both surfaces of the elastic plate portion 46. Hereinafter, one of the two claw portions 48 (the upper one in Fig. 3) will be referred to as claw portion 48A, and the other claw portion will be referred to as claw portion 48B.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 1, the engaged portion 50 is formed on the retainer piece 22B. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the engaged portion 50 includes an insertion portion 52 into which the tip portion 46A of the elastic plate portion 46 of the engaging portion 42 is inserted, and a hook portion 54 provided on the insertion portion 52 and onto which the claw portion 48 is hooked. The insertion portion 52 includes a pair of elastic plate portions 52A, 52B arranged opposite each other, and the tip portion 46A of the elastic plate portion 46 of the engaging portion 42 is inserted (in other words, inserted) between the pair of elastic plate portions 52A, 52B. In addition, the pair of elastic plate portions 52A, 52B are each provided with a hook portion 54. Hereinafter, of the two hook portions 54, the hook portion provided on the elastic plate portion 52A and onto which the claw portion 48A hooks will be referred to as hook portion 54A, and the hook portion provided on the elastic plate portion 52B and onto which the claw portion 48B hooks will be referred to as hook portion 54B.

[0025] 4, when the claws 48A, 48B are hooked on the catch portions 54A, 54B, the insertion portion 52 defines a movement space 53 for the tip 46A of the elastic plate portion 46 from the tip 46A of the elastic plate portion 46 of the engagement portion 42 to the rear wall 52C of the insertion portion 52. Here, when the tip 46A of the elastic plate portion 46 is further inserted toward the rear wall 52C, the posture of the adjacent retainer pieces 22A, 22B changes from the second posture.

[0026] 3 and 4, a guide portion 56 is provided at the entrance of the insertion portion 52 to guide the tip portion 46A of the elastic plate portion 46 of the engagement portion 42 into the insertion portion 52. Specifically, the guide portion 56 is a slope that guides the tip portion 46A of the elastic plate portion 46.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a guide wall 58 for guiding the tip end 46A of the elastic plate 46 is provided at one end of the elastic plate 52B in the thickness direction of the retainer 20.

[0028] The connecting portion 40 is integral with the retainer pieces 22A and 22B. Specifically, the connecting portion 40 is integrally formed with the retainer pieces 22A and 22B.

[0029] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. In the retainer 20 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , the retainer pieces 22A, 22B and the connecting portion 30 are integrally molded so that adjacent retainer pieces 22A, 22B are connected in a first position in which the adjacent retainer pieces 22A, 22B are aligned linearly. This makes it possible to narrow the width of the molding die 100 compared to, for example, a case in which the retainer pieces 22A, 22B and the connecting portion 30 are integrally molded so that adjacent retainer pieces 22A, 22B are connected in a position in which the adjacent retainer pieces 22A, 22B are aligned curved. In other words, the size of the molding die 100 can be reduced. This allows the cost of the molding die 100 to be reduced.

[0030] Furthermore, in the retainer 20, the connection portions 30 connecting adjacent retainer pieces 22A, 22B are integral with the retainer pieces 22A, 22B, so the retainer pieces 22A, 22B and the connection portions 30 can be molded integrally using a single molding die 100. This reduces the cost of the molding die 100 compared to, for example, a configuration in which the retainer pieces 22A, 22B and the connection portions 30 are separate and a molding die is prepared for each retainer piece 22A, 22B. Furthermore, because the connection portions 30 connecting adjacent retainer pieces 22A, 22B are integral with the retainer pieces 22A, 22B, the retainer pieces 22A, 22B and the connection portions 30 can be manufactured in a single molding operation, so the productivity of the retainer 20 can be improved compared to, for example, a configuration in which the retainer pieces 22A, 22B and the connection portions 30 are separate and require assembly work.

[0031] Therefore, according to the retainer 20 of this embodiment, it is possible to reduce molding costs.

[0032] 2, in the retainer 20, the connecting portion 40 connects the adjacent retainer pieces 22A, 22B when the adjacent retainer pieces 22A, 22B are moved from a first position in an unloaded state to a second position around the connecting portion 30. In this way, by setting the second position of the adjacent retainer pieces 22A, 22B and the connecting portion 40 in accordance with the mounting angle to the vehicle body, it becomes possible to freely set the mounting angle of the retainer 20.

[0033] As described above, the retainer 20 of this embodiment makes it possible to reduce molding costs and freely set the mounting angle to the vehicle body.

[0034] Furthermore, in the retainer 20 of this embodiment, the posture of adjacent retainer pieces 22A, 22B changes as the connecting portion 30 flexes. Here, in the retainer 20, the connecting portion 30, which is integrated with the retainer pieces 22A, 22B, is made flexible, so that the retainer pieces 22A, 22B and the connecting portion 30 can be formed from the same resin material. This improves the productivity of the retainer 20 compared to, for example, a configuration in which the retainer pieces 22A, 22B and the connecting portion 30 are formed from different materials. As a result, the molding cost of the retainer 20 can be further reduced.

[0035] Furthermore, in the retainer 20 of this embodiment, the connecting portion 30 has a shape including multiple curved portions 32, so when the posture of the adjacent retainer pieces 22A, 22B is changed, each curved portion 32 elastically deforms. Therefore, in the retainer 20, the amount of change in posture of the adjacent retainer pieces 22A, 22B increases compared to, for example, a configuration in which the adjacent retainer pieces 22A, 22B are connected by a linear connecting portion 30, thereby improving the degree of freedom in the attachment angle.

[0036] Furthermore, in the retainer 20 of this embodiment, when viewed in a plane, the connection portion 30 is positioned between both widthwise ends of each of the retainer pieces 22A, 22B. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the connection portion 30 is formed widthwise outward of the widthwise ends of each of the retainer pieces 22A, 22B, it is possible to narrow the width of the molding die 100 in the first position, and it is possible to prevent the connection portion 30 from interfering with other components when attached to the vehicle body in the second position.

[0037] Furthermore, in the retainer 20 of this embodiment, the adjacent retainer pieces 22A, 22B are connected in the second position by engaging the engaging portions 42 with the engaged portions 50 while the adjacent retainer pieces 22A, 22B are moved from the first position in an unloaded state to the second position. In other words, the second position of the adjacent retainer pieces 22A, 22B can be maintained by the simple operation of engaging the engaging portions 42 with the engaged portions 50.

[0038] Furthermore, in the retainer 20 of this embodiment, when the tip 46A of the elastic plate portion 46 of the engaging portion 42 is inserted into the insertion portion 52 of the engaged portion 50, the claw portions 48A, 48B are caught on the hook portions 54A, 54B, and the claw portions 48A, 48B are held within the insertion portion 52. This connects the adjacent retainer pieces 22A, 22B in the second position. Furthermore, by elastically deforming the elastic plate portions 52A, 52B to disengage the claw portions 48A, 48B from the hook portions 54A, 54B, the connected state of the adjacent retainer pieces 22A, 22B in the second position can be released. In this way, the retainer 20 allows the position of the adjacent retainer pieces 22A, 22B to be switched with a simple operation.

[0039] In addition, in the retainer 20 of this embodiment, if there is an error in the mounting angle to the vehicle body when adjacent retainer pieces 22A, 22B are in the second posture, the error in the mounting angle to the vehicle body can be absorbed by inserting the tip portion 46A of the elastic plate portion 46 into the back of the insertion portion 52 (the back of the movement space 53).

[0040] Furthermore, in the retainer 20 of this embodiment, the guide portion 56 is provided at the entrance of the insertion portion 52, which makes it easy to insert the tip portion 46A of the elastic plate portion 46 into the insertion portion 52. This facilitates the operation of hooking the claw portions 48A, 48B onto the hook portions 54A, 54B.

[0041] [Other Embodiments] In the retainer 20 of the above-described embodiment, the insertion portion 52 is provided with one set of hook portions 54A, 54B, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, as in the retainer 60 shown in FIG. 7 , the insertion portion 52 may be provided with multiple sets of hook portions 54A, 54B spaced apart in the movement direction of the claw portions 48A, 48B. In this case, the retainer 60 has multiple sets of hook portions 54A, 54B spaced apart in the movement direction of the claw portions 48A, 48B on the insertion portion 52, allowing the orientation of adjacent retainer pieces 22A, 22B to be set in multiple stages. This allows the retainer 20 to be attached to the vehicle body at any desired angle.

[0042] In the retainer 20 of the above-described embodiment, the two retainer pieces 22A, 22B are connected by one connection portion 30. Therefore, even if the retainer has three or more retainer pieces, it is sufficient to connect adjacent retainer pieces by one connection portion.

[0043] In the retainer 20 of the above-described embodiment, the engaging portion 42 engages with the engaged portion 50, thereby connecting the two retainer pieces 22A, 22B at a location separate from the connecting portion 30, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the retainer pieces 22A, 22B may be connected by a separate connecting member.

[0044] In the above-described embodiment, the retainer 20 is formed by integral molding using the same resin material for the two retainer pieces 22A, 22B, the connection portion 30, and the linking portion 40, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the connection portion 30 may be formed from a resin material that is easily elastically deformed (in other words, flexible) using a molding method such as insert molding.

[0045] In the retainer 20 of the embodiment described above, the claw portions 48A, 48B are provided on the elastic plate portion 46 of the engaging portion 42, and the hook portions 54A, 54B are provided on the insertion portion 52 of the engaged portion 50, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, only the claw portion 48A may be provided on the elastic plate portion 46, and only the hook portion 54A may be provided on the insertion portion 52, or only the claw portion 48B may be provided on the elastic plate portion 46, and only the hook portion 54B may be provided on the insertion portion 52.

[0046] The above describes one embodiment of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that it can be implemented in various other modified forms within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0047] The following additional notes are provided regarding the above-described embodiments.

[0048] (Note 1) A bumper mounting retainer comprising: a plurality of retainer pieces formed from a resin material for mounting a bumper to a vehicle body; connection portions that are integral with the retainer pieces and connect adjacent retainer pieces in a first position in an unloaded state; and a connecting portion that connects adjacent retainer pieces when the adjacent retainer pieces are in a second position at an angle from the first position to the connecting portion at which they are mounted to the vehicle body.

[0049] In the bumper mounting retainer of Supplementary Note 1, by integrally molding the retainer pieces and the connecting portion so that adjacent retainer pieces are connected in a first position in which the adjacent retainer pieces are aligned linearly, it is possible to narrow the width of the molding die compared to when the retainer pieces and the connecting portion are integrally molded so that adjacent retainer pieces are connected in a position in which the adjacent retainer pieces are aligned curved. In other words, it is possible to reduce the size of the molding die, thereby reducing the cost of the molding die.

[0050] In addition, in the bumper-mounted retainer, the connecting portions connecting adjacent retainer pieces are integral with the retainer pieces, so the retainer pieces and the connecting portions can be molded integrally using a single mold. This reduces mold costs compared to, for example, a configuration in which the retainer pieces and the connecting portions are separate and a mold is prepared for each retainer piece. Furthermore, because the bumper-mounted retainer, the connecting portions connecting adjacent retainer pieces are integral with the retainer pieces, can be manufactured in a single molding operation, improving productivity compared to, for example, a configuration in which the retainer pieces and the connecting portions are separate and require assembly work.

[0051] Therefore, according to the bumper mounting retainer of Supplementary Note 1, it is possible to reduce the molding cost of the bumper mounting retainer.

[0052] In the bumper-mounted retainer, the connecting portion connects the adjacent retainer pieces when the adjacent retainer pieces are moved from a first position in an unloaded state to a second position around the connecting portion. By setting the second position of the adjacent retainer pieces and the connecting portion in accordance with the mounting angle in this way, it is possible to freely set the mounting angle of the bumper-mounted retainer.

[0053] As described above, the bumper mounting retainer of Supplementary Note 1 makes it possible to reduce molding costs and freely set the mounting angle to the vehicle body.

[0054] (Supplementary Note 2) The bumper mounting retainer according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the connecting portion has a flexible shape.

[0055] In the bumper-mounted retainer of Supplementary Note 2, the connecting portions are flexible, thereby changing the position of adjacent retainer pieces. In the bumper-mounted retainer, the connecting portions integrated with the retainer pieces are formed in a flexible shape, allowing the retainer pieces and the connecting portions to be formed from the same resin material. This improves the productivity of the bumper-mounted retainer compared to, for example, a configuration in which the retainer pieces and the connecting portions are formed from different materials. As a result, it is possible to further reduce the molding cost of the bumper-mounted retainer.

[0056] (Supplementary Note 3) The bumper mounting retainer according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein the connecting portion has a shape having a plurality of curved portions.

[0057] In the bumper mounting retainer of Supplementary Note 3, the connecting portion has a shape with multiple curved portions, so when the posture of adjacent retainer pieces is changed, each curved portion is elastically deformed. Therefore, with the bumper mounting retainer, the amount of change in posture of adjacent retainer pieces increases compared to, for example, a configuration in which adjacent retainer pieces are connected by a linear connecting portion, and therefore the degree of freedom in the mounting angle is improved.

[0058] (Appendix 4) The bumper mounting retainer according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3, wherein the connection portion connects longitudinal ends of adjacent retainer pieces and is disposed between both widthwise ends of the retainer pieces in a plan view.

[0059] In the bumper mounting retainer of Appendix 4, the connection portion is positioned between both widthwise ends of the retainer piece in a plan view. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the connection portion is formed widthwise outward of the widthwise ends of the retainer piece, it is possible to narrow the width of the molding die in the first position, and it is possible to prevent the connection portion from interfering with other components when mounted on the vehicle body in the second position.

[0060] (Appendix 5) A bumper mounting retainer as described in Appendix 1, wherein the connecting portion comprises an engaging portion formed on one of the retainer pieces connected by the connecting portion, and an engaged portion formed on the other retainer piece connected by the connecting portion, with which the engaging portion engages.

[0061] In the bumper mounting retainer of Supplementary Note 5, the adjacent retainer pieces are connected in the second position by engaging the engaging portions with the engaged portions while the adjacent retainer pieces are in the second position from the first position in the unloaded state. In other words, the adjacent retainer pieces can be maintained in the second position by the simple operation of engaging the engaging portions with the engaged portions.

[0062] (Appendix 6) A bumper mounting retainer as described in Appendix 5, wherein the engaging portion comprises an elastic plate portion extending from the one retainer piece toward the other retainer piece, and a claw portion provided at the tip of the elastic plate portion, and the engaged portion comprises an insertion portion into which the tip of the elastic plate portion is inserted, and a hook portion provided on the insertion portion and on which the claw portion hooks.

[0063] In the bumper mounting retainer of Appendix 6, when the tip of the elastic plate portion of the engaging portion is inserted into the insertion portion of the engaged portion, the claw portion is caught on the hook portion and held within the insertion portion. This connects adjacent retainer pieces in the second position. Furthermore, by elastically deforming the elastic plate portion to disengage the claw portion from the hook portion, the connection state of the adjacent retainer pieces in the second position can be released. In this way, with the bumper mounting retainer, the position of the adjacent retainer pieces can be switched with a simple operation.

[0064] (Appendix 7) The bumper mounting retainer described in Appendix 6, wherein when the claw portion is hooked on the hook portion, the space between the tip of the elastic plate portion and the rear wall of the insertion portion defines a movement space for the tip of the elastic plate portion.

[0065] In the bumper mounting retainer of Appendix 7, if there is an error in the mounting angle to the vehicle body when adjacent retainer pieces are in the second posture, the error in the mounting angle to the vehicle body can be absorbed by inserting the tip of the elastic plate portion deep inside the insertion portion (deep inside the movement space).

[0066] (Supplementary Note 8) The bumper mounting retainer according to Supplementary Note 6 or Supplementary Note 7, wherein the insertion portion is provided with a plurality of the hook portions spaced apart in the direction of movement of the claw portions.

[0067] In the bumper mounting retainer of Appendix 8, the insertion portion is provided with a plurality of hook portions spaced apart in the direction of movement of the claw portion, so that the orientation of adjacent retainer pieces can be set in multiple stages. This makes it possible to freely set the mounting angle of the bumper mounting retainer to the vehicle body.

[0068] (Supplementary Note 9) The bumper mounting retainer according to Supplementary Note 6 or Supplementary Note 7, wherein a guide portion is provided at an entrance of the insertion portion to guide a tip end of the elastic plate portion into the insertion portion.

[0069] In the bumper mounting retainer of Supplementary Note 9, the guide portion is provided at the entrance of the insertion portion, which makes it easy to insert the tip of the elastic plate portion into the insertion portion. This makes it easy to hook the claw portion onto the hook portion.

[0070] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-153877, filed on September 20, 2023, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0071] All publications, patent applications, and technical standards mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent application, or technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A bumper mounting retainer comprising: a plurality of retainer pieces formed of a resin material for mounting a bumper to a vehicle body; a connection portion that is integral with the retainer pieces and connects adjacent retainer pieces in a first position in an unloaded state; and a connecting portion that connects adjacent retainer pieces together in a second position where the adjacent retainer pieces are attached to the vehicle body from the first position around the connecting portion.

2. The bumper mounting retainer according to claim 1, wherein said connecting portion has a flexible shape.

3. The bumper mounting retainer according to claim 2, wherein said connecting portion has a shape having a plurality of curved portions.

4. A retainer for mounting on a bumper as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connection portion connects the longitudinal ends of adjacent retainer pieces and is positioned between both widthwise ends of the retainer pieces when viewed in a plane.

5. A bumper mounting retainer as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the connecting portion comprises an engaging portion formed on one of the retainer pieces connected by the connecting portion, and an engaged portion formed on the other of the retainer pieces connected by the connecting portion, with which the engaging portion engages.

6. A retainer for mounting on a bumper as described in claim 5, wherein the engaging portion comprises an elastic plate portion extending from the one retainer piece toward the other retainer piece, and a claw portion provided at the tip of the elastic plate portion, and the engaged portion comprises an insertion portion into which the tip of the elastic plate portion is inserted, and a hook portion provided on the insertion portion and on which the claw portion hooks.

7. A bumper mounting retainer as described in claim 6, wherein when the claw portion is hooked onto the hook portion, the space between the tip of the elastic plate portion and the rear wall of the insertion portion defines a movement space for the tip of the elastic plate portion.

8. A bumper mounting retainer as set forth in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the insertion portion is provided with a plurality of the hook portions spaced apart in the direction of movement of the claw portion.

9. A bumper mounting retainer as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein a guide portion is provided at the entrance of the insertion portion for guiding the tip end of the elastic plate portion into the interior of the insertion portion.

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