Clip and clip attachment method

Abstract

A clip (1) is provided with a head part (10) that includes a holding part (2) that holds a holding target (8), and a protrusion (3) that protrudes from the head part (10) in a protruding direction. A portion of the head part (10) serves as a rotational axis (C) in a direction intersecting the protruding direction, and the protrusion (3) has a blade part (31) that cuts into an attachment target as a result of being subjected to the rotational moment around the rotational axis (C).

Description

Clips and clip installation methods

[0001] The present invention relates to a clip for attaching a held object to an attachment object and a clip attaching method.

[0002] Conventionally, there are clips for attaching any holding object to a soft material such as a thermal insulator. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a clip for attaching a cable connected to an electrical device to the thermal insulator. This clip includes a holding portion for holding the cable and a protruding portion that is inserted into the thermal insulator.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-220166

[0004] However, with the clip described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult for an operator to visually recognize the protruding portion in the direction of inserting the clip, making it difficult to accurately position the clip relative to the object to which it is attached.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a clip and a clip attaching method that can be easily positioned relative to an attachment target.

[0006] [1] A clip according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a head including a holding portion for holding an object to be held, and a protruding portion protruding from the head in a protruding direction, a part of the head being a rotation axis along a direction intersecting the protruding direction, and the protruding portion having a blade portion that cuts into the object to be attached by receiving a rotational moment around the rotation axis.

[0007] [2] In this aspect, it is preferable that the blade portion has a cutting edge portion that is continuous in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis.

[0008] [3] In this aspect, it is preferable that the cutting portion has a tapered shape in which the thickness in the direction along the rotation axis decreases toward the cutting edge portion.

[0009] [4] In this aspect, it is preferable that the cutting edge portion has a curved portion that is curved in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis.

[0010] [5] In this aspect, it is preferable that the curved portion extends from one end of the cutting edge portion, and that the radius of curvature of the curved portion is smaller than the radius of rotation of the rotation moment acting on the one end of the cutting edge portion.

[0011] [6] In this aspect, it is preferable that the blade edge portion has a first end portion arranged on one side in a width direction perpendicular to the protruding direction in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis, and a second end portion arranged on the other side in the width direction and positioned closer to the holding portion in the protruding direction than the first end portion.

[0012] [7] In this aspect, it is preferable that the blade portion has a blade tip portion that forms an acute angle with the first end portion of the cutting edge portion as a vertex in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis.

[0013] [8] In this aspect, it is preferable that the head further includes a first stopper portion that protrudes from the holding portion toward one side in a width direction perpendicular to the protruding direction in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis, and that the first stopper portion has a stopper tip portion that functions as the rotation axis.

[0014] [9] In this aspect, it is preferable that the head further includes a second stopper portion protruding from the holding portion toward the other side in the width direction, and that the second stopper portion has a pressing surface facing in the direction opposite to the protruding direction.

[0015]

[10] In this aspect, it is preferable that the blade portion has at least one engaging surface facing in a direction opposite to the protruding direction.

[0016]

[11] In this aspect, it is preferable that the blade portion has, as the locking surfaces, a first locking surface and a second locking surface that are different in distance from the holding portion in the protruding direction.

[0017]

[12] In this aspect, when the object to be held is a cable, it is preferable that the holding portion holds the cable arranged along the rotation axis.

[0018]

[13] A clip attachment method according to one aspect of the present invention is a method for attaching a clip to an attachment object, the clip having a head including a holding portion for holding the object to be held and a protrusion protruding in a protruding direction from the head, the method including the steps of: making the holding portion hold the object to be held; abutting a part of the head against the surface of the attachment object; rotating the clip around the part of the head as the rotation axis, and causing the protrusion to cut into the object to be attached.

[0019] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a clip according to one embodiment of the present invention is used; Fig. 3 is a side view showing the clip of the embodiment; Fig. 4 is a side view of the clip of Fig. 1 as seen from the direction of arrow III; Fig. 5 is a side view of the clip of Fig. 1 as seen from the direction of arrow IV; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV of Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining a cable attachment method using the clip of the embodiment; Fig. 8 is a side view of a clip according to a modified example; Fig. 9 is a side view of a clip according to another modified example.

[0020] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. As shown in Figure 1, a clip 1 of this embodiment holds a cable 8 connected to an arbitrary device and attaches this cable 8 to an attachment object 9.

[0021] The attachment object 9 for which the clip 1 of this embodiment can be used may be any object made of one or more soft materials, such as nonwoven fabric, glass fiber, urethane, and foam material. The cable 8 for which the clip 1 of this embodiment can be used may be a single electric wire or a bundle of multiple electric wires.

[0022] The mounting object 9 exemplified in this embodiment is the roof lining of an automobile, and has a layered structure including multiple layers 9a-9e formed of soft materials. Of the multiple layers 9a-9e, layers 9b and 9d sandwiched between the other layers 9a, 9c, and 9e are layers (e.g., glass fiber layers) that are stronger than the other layers 9a, 9c, and 9e. The cable 8 exemplified in this embodiment is a wire harness in which a bundle of multiple electric wires used for power supply and signal communication is covered with an insulating film.

[0023] [Configuration of Clip 1] The configuration of the clip 1 will be described. In the following description, mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z directions are used, and the length direction of the clip 1 is defined as the Y direction. The length direction of the clip 1 coincides with the axial direction of the cable 8 held by the clip 1.

[0024] Clip 1 is integrally molded from elastic synthetic resin. As shown in Figure 1, clip 1 includes a head 10 that is placed on an attachment object 9 and a protrusion 3 that is inserted into the attachment object 9. Head 10 includes a holding portion 2 that holds cable 8 along the Y direction, and a first stopper portion 4 and a second stopper portion 5 that come into contact with the attachment object 9.

[0025] 2, the holding portion 2 extends to form an insertion space S through which the cable 8 is inserted. This insertion space S extends along the Y direction and opens on both sides in the Y direction. The holding portion 2 also forms an opening OP that communicates with the insertion space S so that the insertion space S opens toward one side in the X direction (the −X direction). This allows the holding portion 2 to hold the cable 8 arranged along the Y direction.

[0026] The holding unit 2 has, as specific components for forming the insertion space S and opening OP, a base unit 21, an arm unit 22 that protrudes from the base unit 21 and curves to form the insertion space S between the base unit 21 and the arm unit 22, and a reinforcing unit 23 provided on the arm unit 22. The base unit 21 has an abutment surface 211 that faces the +Z direction and can abut against the attachment target 9. The inner surfaces of the base unit 21 and the arm unit 22 that face the insertion space S are curved so as to together form a substantially cylindrical insertion space S along the Y direction. An opening OP is formed between the −X side end of the base unit 21 and a tip 221 of the arm unit 22. The tip 221 of the arm unit 22 also forms a guide surface 222 that guides the cable 8 to the opening OP. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 , the reinforcing unit 23 protrudes from the center of the arm unit 22 in the Y direction toward the side opposite the insertion space S and has a curved shape together with the arm unit 22.

[0027] 2 , the protruding portion 3 protrudes from the holding portion 2 in one direction intersecting the Y direction (the +Z direction in this embodiment). The protruding portion 3 includes a blade portion 31 that cuts into the attachment target 9 by receiving a rotational moment from the holding portion 2, and a neck portion 39 that connects the holding portion 2 and the blade portion 31.

[0028] The blade portion 31 is formed as a whole in the shape of a plate having a small thickness in the Y direction. Specifically, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the blade portion 31 has a pair of side surfaces 33A, 33B facing opposite each other in the Y direction. Also, as shown in Figure 2, the blade portion 31 has, as sides of the blade portion 31 connecting the pair of side surfaces 33A, 33B, a blade edge portion 34 facing in the +Z direction, and a first locking surface 35 and an inclined surface portion 36 facing in the -Z direction.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3 , each of the pair of side portions 33A, 33B has a tapered surface 332 adjacent to the cutting edge portion 34. As a result, the blade portion 31 has a tapered shape in which the thickness in the Y direction decreases toward the cutting edge portion 34. Furthermore, each of the pair of side portions 33A, 33B has a step portion 331 that forms a second locking surface 37 facing in the −Z direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2 , the blade portion 31 has, as locking surfaces facing in the −Z direction, a first locking surface 35 and a second locking surface 37 that are located at different distances from the holder 2 in the Z direction. The first locking surface 35 is located closer to the holder 2 in the Z direction than the second locking surface 37. Furthermore, the first locking surface 35 is located on the +X side of the neck portion 39, and the second locking surface 37 is located on the −X side of the neck portion 39.

[0030] The blade edge 34 extends continuously within an imaginary plane (XZ plane) perpendicular to the Y direction. The blade edge 34 has a straight portion 341 that is located on the −X side of the neck portion 39 and extends along the X direction, and a curved portion 342 that extends from the straight portion 341 in the +X direction and curves toward the −Z direction. The curved portion 342 curves in an arc from the straight portion 341 to the first locking surface 35. The blade edge 34 also has a first end 343 that is the −X side end of the straight portion 341, and a second end 344 that is the +X side end of the curved portion 342. The second end 344 is located closer to the holder 2 in the Y direction than the first end 343.

[0031] The inclined surface portion 36 is disposed on the −X side of the neck portion 39 and is inclined with respect to both the X and Z directions. This inclined surface portion 36, together with the linear portion 341 of the cutting edge 34 described above, forms the cutting edge 38 of the cutting portion 31. The cutting edge 38 has an acute angle α1 in the XZ plane, with the second end 344 of the cutting edge 34 as its apex.

[0032] Neck portion 39 has a columnar shape extending along the Z direction, and is connected to base portion 21 of holder 2 and the −Z side end portion of blade portion 31. As shown in Fig. 5, neck portion 39 has a pair of first tapered surfaces 391A, 391B that form a tapered shape in which the thickness in the Y direction decreases toward the +X direction, and a pair of second tapered surfaces 392A, 392B that form a tapered shape in which the thickness in the Y direction decreases toward the −X direction.

[0033] The first stopper portion 4 protrudes in the -X direction from the base portion 21 of the holder 2. The first stopper portion 4 has a contact surface 41 that faces the +Z direction and can contact the attachment object 9, and an inclined surface 42 that is inclined with respect to the Z direction. The contact surface 41 is formed contiguous with the contact surface 211 of the base portion 21. The inclined surface 42 faces the guide surface 222 of the arm portion 22 and also functions as a guide surface that guides the cable 8 to the opening OP. The inclined surface 42, together with the contact surface 41, forms a stopper tip portion 43 of the first stopper portion 4. The stopper tip portion 43 is disposed along the Y direction on the -X side of the blade portion 31 and has an acute angle α2 in the XZ plane. The stopper tip portion 43 functions as a rotation axis C of the rotational moment, which will be described later.

[0034] The second stopper portion 5 protrudes in the +X direction from the base portion 21 of the holding portion 2. The first stopper portion 4 is formed in a plate shape having a thickness in the Z direction. Specifically, the second stopper portion 5 has an abutment surface 51 that faces the +Z direction and can abut against the attachment object 9, and a pressing surface 52 that faces the -Z direction. The abutment surface 51 is formed contiguous with the abutment surface 211 of the base portion 21. The pressing surface 52 only needs to be a surface that has a certain amount of area to receive the operation of an operator's fingers or a jig, and may have a groove or the like formed thereon.

[0035] [Method of Installing Clip 1] An example of a method of installing clip 1 will be described. First, the worker aligns the axial direction of cable 8 with the longitudinal direction of clip 1 and presses the circumferential surface of cable 8 against opening OP of holding portion 2. At this time, guide surface 222 of arm portion 22 and inclined surface 42 of first stopper portion 4 guide cable 8 toward opening OP. Cable 8 passes through opening OP while pushing open opening OP of holding portion 2, and is positioned in insertion space S. Then, holding portion 2 clamps cable 8 by the elastic force of arm portion 22.

[0036] 6, the worker positions the clip 1 relative to the attachment object 9. At this time, the worker brings the stopper tip 43 into contact with a desired position on the attachment object 9 (for example, a marker portion previously provided on the attachment object 9) along the Y direction. Alternatively, the worker may bring the blade tip 38 into contact with the attachment object 9 while maintaining the position of the stopper tip 43.

[0037] Next, the operator applies pressure F to the pressure surface 52 of the second stopper portion 5. As a result, the stopper tip portion 43 functions as the rotation axis C of the clip 1, and the clip 1 rotates around the rotation axis C (see arrow A in FIG. 6 ). At this time, the blade portion 31 receives a rotation moment around the rotation axis C from the holder portion 2, and rotates while cutting into the attachment target 9. When the blade portion 31 rotates, a rotation moment with a maximum rotation radius is applied to the second end 344, which is one end of the curved portion 342, of the blade edge 34. In other words, the radius of curvature of the curved portion 342 is smaller than the radius of rotation of the rotation moment applied to the second end 344 of the curved portion 342. As a result, the curved portion 342 of the blade edge 34 gradually cuts into the attachment target 9.

[0038] The clip 1 rotates until the abutment surface 41 of the first stopper portion 4 and the abutment surface 51 of the second stopper portion 5 abut against the surface of the attachment target 9. At this time, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 6 , the protrusion 3 pierces the attachment target 9. In this state, friction occurs between the protrusion 3 and the attachment target 9 due to the elasticity of the attachment target 9. Furthermore, the blade tip 38 of the blade portion 31 is located on the -X side of the opening 91 on the surface of the attachment target 9 formed by the notch in the blade edge 34, and engages with the interior of the attachment target 9. Furthermore, the first engaging surface 35 and the second engaging surface 37 of the blade portion 31 each engage with the blade portion 31 inside the attachment target 9.

[0039] 1, the cable 8 is attached to the attachment object 9 via the clip 1. In this embodiment, the first and second locking surfaces 35, 37 of the protrusion 3 engage with the layers 9b, 9d, which have relatively high strength.

[0040] Effect of the Present Embodiment The clip 1 of the present embodiment includes a head 10 including a holding portion 2 that holds a cable 8, and a protrusion 3 that protrudes from the head 10 in a protruding direction (+Z direction). A portion of the head 10 (the stopper tip 43 of the present embodiment) defines a rotation axis C that intersects the protruding direction. The protrusion 3 has a blade portion 31 that cuts into the attachment target 9 by receiving a rotational moment about the rotation axis C. With this configuration, an operator can position the stopper tip 43 on the attachment target 9 while visually checking the stopper tip 43. When the operator applies a rotational moment about the stopper tip 43 as the rotational axis C to the clip 1, the blade portion 31 of the protrusion 3 cuts into the attachment target 9 as the clip 1 rotates, and the protrusion 3 is inserted into the attachment target 9. This allows the clip 1 to be attached to the attachment target 9 while maintaining the position of the stopper tip 43 on the attachment target 9. Therefore, the present embodiment provides a clip 1 that can be easily positioned to insert into the attachment target 9, which is made of a soft material.

[0041] In this embodiment, the blade portion 31 has a blade edge portion 34 that is continuous in a plane (XZ plane) perpendicular to the rotation axis C. In this configuration, the direction in which the blade edge portion 34 extends is parallel to the direction in which the clip 1 moves due to rotation (+X direction), so that the blade portion 31 can easily cut into the attachment target 9.

[0042] In this embodiment, the blade portion 31 has a tapered shape in which the thickness decreases in the length direction (Y direction) along the rotation axis C toward the blade edge portion 34. With this configuration, when the clip 1 rotates, the initial contact area of ​​the blade edge portion 34 with the surface of the attachment target 9 is small, which ensures an appropriate force to be applied from the blade edge portion 34 to the surface of the attachment target 9, and allows the blade portion 31 to easily cut into the attachment target 9.

[0043] In this embodiment, the blade edge 34 has a curved portion 342 that curves within a plane (XZ plane) perpendicular to the rotation axis C. With this configuration, when the clip 1 rotates, the curved portion 342 of the blade edge 34 gradually comes into contact with the surface of the attachment target 9, thereby ensuring an appropriate force applied from the curved portion 342 to the surface of the attachment target 9, and allowing the blade portion 31 to easily cut into the attachment target 9.

[0044] In this embodiment, the curved portion 342 extends from a second end 344, which is one end of the cutting edge 34, and the radius of curvature of the curved portion 342 is smaller than the radius of rotation of the rotation moment applied to the second end 344. In this configuration, when the clip 1 rotates, the amount of movement of the curved portion 342 is reduced, which more appropriately ensures the force applied from the curved portion 342 to the surface of the attachment target 9, allowing the blade portion 31 to more appropriately cut into the attachment target 9.

[0045] In the present embodiment, the blade edge 34 has a first end 343 that is located on one side (-X side) in the width direction that is perpendicular to the protruding direction in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis C, and a second end 344 that is located on the other side (+X side) in the width direction and that is located closer to the protruding direction (Z direction) with respect to the holding part 2 than the first end 343. With this configuration, when the clip 1 rotates, the blade edge 34 gradually contacts the surface of the attachment object 9 from the first end 343 to the second end 344, which ensures that a large force is applied from the curved portion 342 to the surface of the attachment object 9, and the blade portion 31 can easily cut into the attachment object 9.

[0046] In this embodiment, the blade portion 31 has a blade tip 38 that forms an acute angle α1 with the first end 343 of the blade edge 34 as a vertex in a plane (XZ plane) perpendicular to the rotation axis C. With this configuration, when the clip 1 rotates, the blade tip 38 passes through the opening 91 in the surface of the attachment target 9 formed by the blade edge 34, and then can suitably cut into the interior of the attachment target 9 along the rotation path. After the clip 1 has completed rotation, the blade tip 38 is positioned away from directly below the opening 91 in the surface of the attachment target 9, allowing it to suitably engage with the attachment target 9 and ensuring the fixing strength of the clip 1 to the attachment target 9.

[0047] In this embodiment, the head 10 further includes a first stopper portion 4 that protrudes from the holding portion 2 toward one side (-X side) in the width direction perpendicular to the protruding direction in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis C, and the first stopper portion 4 is arranged along the length direction and has a stopper tip portion 43 that functions as the rotation axis C. In this configuration, by forming the stopper tip portion 43, which serves as the rotation axis C, at a position spaced apart from the holding portion 2 in the X direction, it is possible to ensure a large radius of rotation for the rotational moment applied to the clip 1. This allows the blade portion 31 to easily cut into the attachment target 9.

[0048] In this embodiment, the head 10 further includes a second stopper portion 5 that protrudes from the holding portion 2 toward the other side in the width direction (+X side), and the second stopper portion 5 has a pressing surface 52 that faces in the opposite direction (-Z direction) to the protruding direction. This configuration makes it easier for the operator to apply a rotational moment to the clip 1, facilitating the work of attaching the clip 1 to the attachment object 9.

[0049] In this embodiment, the blade portion 31 has at least one locking surface facing in the direction opposite to the protruding direction (-Z direction), which includes a first locking surface 35 and a second locking surface 37 that are at different distances from the holder 2 in the protruding direction (+Z direction). With this configuration, the first locking surface 35 and the second locking surface 37 can each engage with the interior of the attachment object 9, ensuring the fixing strength of the clip 1 to the attachment object 9. In particular, if the attachment object 9 has a layered structure, the first locking surface 35 and the second locking surface 37 can each engage with different layers (e.g., layers 9b, 9d), which preferably improves the fixing strength of the clip 1 to the attachment object 9.

[0050] In this embodiment, the object to be held by the clip 1 is a cable 8, and the holding portion 2 holds the cable arranged along the rotation axis C. In this configuration, when the clip 1 rotates around the rotation axis C, the cable 8 is unlikely to interfere with the rotational movement of the clip 1. Therefore, the clip 1 holding the cable 8 can be easily attached to the attachment object 9.

[0051] In this embodiment, each of the pair of side surfaces 33A, 33B of the blade portion 31 has a step portion 331 that forms the second locking surface 37. This can suitably improve the fixing strength of the clip 1 to the attachment object 9.

[0052] In this embodiment, the protrusion 3 includes a neck portion 39 connecting the holding portion 2 and the blade portion 31. The neck portion 39 has a pair of first tapered surfaces 391A, 391B that form a tapered shape whose thickness in the Y direction decreases toward the +X direction, and a pair of second tapered surfaces 392A, 392B that form a tapered shape whose thickness in the Y direction decreases toward the -X direction. With this configuration, the Z-direction length of the neck portion 39 can be designed to allow the blade portion 31 to be inserted into the attachment target 9 to a desired depth. Furthermore, when the neck portion 39 is inserted into the attachment target 9, the first tapered surfaces 391A, 391B can reduce resistance to the attachment target 9. Furthermore, the shape of the pair of second tapered surfaces 392A, 392B can suitably ensure the area of ​​the first locking surface 35, thereby suitably improving the fixing strength of the clip 1 to the attachment target 9.

[0053] In this embodiment, the method of attaching the clip 1 to the attachment object 9 includes the steps of holding the cable 8 in the holding portion 2, abutting the stopper tip 43, which is a part of the head 10, against the surface of the attachment object 9, and rotating the clip 1 around the rotation axis C, with the stopper tip 43 as the rotation axis C, while cutting the attachment object 9 into the protrusion 3. This method, similar to the effect of the clip 1 described above, makes it easy to determine the attachment position relative to the attachment object 9, which is made of a soft material.

[0054] [Modifications] In the above embodiment, the object held by the clip 1 is the cable 8, but the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, the clip of the present invention may be configured to hold any object.

[0055] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7 , a clip 1A according to a modified example may have a female-type retaining portion 2A that holds a male-type clip 7A. Also, as illustrated in FIG. 8 , a clip 1B according to another modified example may have a male-type retaining portion 2B that holds a female-type clip 7B. Here, the clips 1A and 1B according to each modified example have the same configuration as the first embodiment except for the retaining portions 2A and 2B. The specific structures of the retaining portions 2A and 2B are not particularly limited. For example, the female-type retaining portion 2A illustrated in FIG. 7 has a pair of arms 241 and 242 that grip the clip 7A. Also, the male-type retaining portion 2B illustrated in FIG. 8 has a head portion 25 that is gripped by the pair of arms 71 and 72 of the clip 7B. The clips 7A and 7B that engage with the retaining portions 2A and 2B may be integrally formed with any object or may be fixed to any object. An example of such an object is a sheet metal panel of an automobile. In such a modified example, any article can be easily attached to the attachment target 9 by engaging the holding portions 2A, 2B of the clips 1A, 1B with the clips 7A, 7B.

[0056] Furthermore, the specific method by which the holding unit of the present invention holds the object to be held is not particularly limited. For example, as exemplified above, the holding unit of the present invention may grip the object to be held or may fit into the object to be held. Alternatively, the holding unit of the present invention may hold the object to be held by pressing the object to the attachment object.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the holding unit 2 has been described as having the base unit 21 and the arm unit 22, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration of the holding unit 2 can be replaced with various other known configurations as long as it is capable of holding the cable 8. For example, the holding unit 2 may have a pair of legs that can clamp the cable 8. Alternatively, the holding unit 2 may have a base unit of any shape and a fastening member such as tape that secures the cable 8 to the base unit.

[0058] Although the above embodiment describes a preferred configuration of the blade portion 31, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the blade portion 31 may cut into the attachment target 9 by receiving a rotational moment with a portion of the head portion 10 acting as the rotation axis C. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the protrusion 3 protrudes along a direction (Z direction) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the clip 1. However, the protrusion direction of the protrusion 3 is not limited to the Z direction strictly, but may be any direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the clip 1. In other words, the rotation axis (C) is not limited to being disposed along the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the clip 1, but may be any direction intersecting the protrusion direction (Z direction) of the protrusion 3. Furthermore, when the object to be held is a cable 8, the cable 8 is not limited to being disposed along the rotation axis (C). For example, the longitudinal direction of the cable 8 is preferably a direction perpendicular to the protrusion direction (Z direction) of the protrusion 3, but may be a direction intersecting the rotation axis (C).

[0059] In the above embodiment, the operator rotates the clip 1 using his or her fingers, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the pressing surface 52 of the clip 1 may be provided with a groove for engaging with a jig. In this case, the clip 1 may be rotated with the jig engaged with the pressing surface 52 of the clip 1.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the clip 1 is attached by having the holding portion 2 hold the cable 8 as the object to be held, and then the protruding portion 3 cuts into the object 9 as the clip 1 rotates, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the holding portion 2 may hold any object to be held after the protruding portion 3 of the clip 1 cuts into the object 9.

[0061] 1, 1A, 1B...clip, 10...head, 2, 2A, 2B...holding portion, 21...base portion, 211...contact surface, 22...arm portion, 221...tip portion, 222...guide surface, 23...reinforcing portion, 3...projection portion, 31...blade portion, 33A, 33B...side portion, 331...step portion, 332...tapered surface, 34...blade edge portion, 341...straight portion, 342...curved portion, 343...first end portion, 344...second end portion, 35...first locking surface, 36...inclined portion Inclined surface portion, 37...second engaging surface, 38...blade tip portion, 39...neck portion, 391A, 391B...first tapered surface, 392A, 392B...second tapered surface, 4...first stopper portion, 41...contact surface, 42...inclined surface, 43...stopper tip portion, 5...second stopper portion, 51...contact surface, 52...pressing surface, 8...cable, 9...mounting object, 91...opening, 9a to 9e...layer, C...rotation axis, F...pressing, OP...opening, S...insertion space.

Claims

1. A clip comprising: a head (10) including a holding portion (2, 2A, 2B) for holding a held object (8); and a protruding portion (3) protruding in a protruding direction from the head (10), a part of the head (10) forming a rotation axis (C) along a direction intersecting the protruding direction, and the protruding portion (3) having a blade portion (31) that cuts into the attachment object (9) by receiving a rotation moment around the rotation axis (C).

2. A clip according to claim 1, wherein the blade portion (31) has a blade edge portion (34) that is continuous in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis (C).

3. A clip according to claim 2, wherein the blade portion (31) has a tapered shape in which the thickness in the direction along the rotation axis (C) decreases toward the blade edge portion (34).

4. A clip according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the blade edge (34) has a curved portion (342) that curves in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis (C).

5. A clip according to claim 4, wherein the curved portion (342) extends from one end (344) of the cutting edge (34), and the radius of curvature of the curved portion (342) is smaller than the radius of rotation of the rotation moment acting on the one end (344) of the cutting edge (34).

6. A clip as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the blade edge portion (34) has a first end (343) located on one side in the width direction perpendicular to the protruding direction in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis (C), and a second end (344) located on the other side in the width direction and at a position closer to the holding portion (2) in the protruding direction than the first end (343).

7. A clip as described in claim 6, wherein the blade portion (31) has a blade tip (38) that forms an acute angle (α1) with the first end (343) of the blade edge (34) as a vertex in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis (C).

8. A clip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the head (10) further includes a first stopper portion (4) that protrudes from the holding portion (2) towards one side in a width direction perpendicular to the protruding direction in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis (C), and the first stopper portion (4) has a stopper tip portion (43) that functions as the rotation axis (C).

9. A clip as described in claim 8, wherein the head (10) further includes a second stopper portion (5) that protrudes from the holding portion (2) toward the other side in the width direction, and the second stopper portion (5) has a pressing surface (52) that faces in the direction opposite to the protruding direction.

10. A clip according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the blade portion (31) has at least one locking surface (35, 37) facing in a direction opposite to the protruding direction.

11. A clip as described in claim 10, wherein the blade portion (31) has, as the engaging surfaces, a first engaging surface (35) and a second engaging surface (37) which are at different distances from the holding portion (2) in the protruding direction.

12. A clip as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein when the object to be held (8) is a cable, the holding portion (2) holds the cable arranged along the rotation axis (C).

13. A method for attaching a clip (1) to an attachment object (9), the clip (1) having a head (10) including a holding portion (2, 2A, 2B) for holding a held object (7A, 7B, 8) and a protruding portion (3) protruding in a protruding direction from the head (10), the method comprising the steps of: making the holding portion (2) hold the held object (7A, 7B, 8); abutting a part of the head (10) against the surface of the attachment object (9); and rotating the clip (1) around the rotation axis (C) using the part of the head (10) as the rotation axis (C), while causing the protruding portion (3) to cut into the attachment object (9).

Images