Clip

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a clip capable of preventing an engagement claw from coming off an engagement hole of a mounting portion when an excessive pull-out load is applied to the mounting portion of a component. [Solution] A clip 3 comprises a pair of clamping pieces 31a, 31b, and a connection portion 32. The pair of clamping pieces 31a, 31b include: a pair of engagement claws 33a, 33b, each projecting from an inner surface toward an opposing direction to engage with an engagement hole; a pair of locking shoulders 34a, 34b projecting outward of the pair of clamping pieces 31a, 31b; and a pair of accommodation portions 36b, 36a formed at positions inside the pair of locking shoulders 34a, 34b. The pair of engagement claws 33a, 33b are arranged spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the pair of clamping pieces 31a, 31b. When the pair of clamping pieces 31a, 31b approach each other, tips 331a, 331b of the engagement claws 33a, 33b facing the accommodation portions 36b, 36a are accommodated in the accommodation portions 36b, 36a.

Description

clip

[0001] The present invention relates to a clip for attaching a component to a workpiece.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a mounting structure for mounting an automotive interior material such as a resin garnish to a vehicle body. The clip described in Patent Document 1 has one side wall and another side wall. The one side wall defines a U-shaped main body and faces closely to one surface of a boss portion protruding from the rear surface of the automotive interior material. The other side wall defines the U-shaped main body and faces the other surface of the boss portion at a distance.

[0003] The inner surface of one side wall is formed with an engagement pawl that engages with an engagement hole opened in the boss portion, the inner surface of the other side wall is formed with an engagement pawl that faces the engagement hole in the boss portion, and the outer surface of the other side wall is formed with an inclined shoulder that engages with the edge of a mounting hole drilled in the vehicle body.

[0004] The engaging claw formed on one side wall is located lower than the engaging claw formed on the other side wall. When the engaging claw on one side wall engages with the engaging hole in the boss portion and the inclined shoulder of the other side wall engages with the edge of the mounting hole, the engaging claw on the other side wall is not engaged, with its tip slightly protruding into the engaging hole. Then, when the automotive interior material is attached to the vehicle body and the boss portion is pulled to remove the automotive interior material from the body, the engaging claw formed on the other side wall engages by inserting deeply into the engaging hole in the boss portion.

[0005] However, with the clip described in Patent Document 1, when the automotive interior material is attached to the vehicle body, the engagement claw does not have much of a gripping margin in the engagement hole of the boss portion. Therefore, when an excessive pulling load is applied to the boss portion, the engagement claw may come off the engagement hole of the boss portion. As a result, only the boss portion is pulled out of the mounting hole of the vehicle body, leaving the clip in the mounting hole of the vehicle body. In this case, when reattaching the automotive interior material to the vehicle body, it is necessary to remove the clip remaining in the mounting hole of the vehicle body and reattach it to the boss portion. This can be a cumbersome process. In this respect, the clip described in Patent Document 1 leaves room for improvement.

[0006] Patent No. 4686330

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a clip that can prevent the engaging claws from coming off the engaging holes in the mounting portion when an excessive pull-out load is applied to the mounting portion of a part.

[0008] A first aspect of the present invention is a clip for attaching a component to a workpiece, comprising a pair of clamping pieces capable of clamping the attachment portion of the component, and a connecting portion connecting one end of the pair of clamping pieces so that the inner surfaces of the pair of clamping pieces face each other, wherein the pair of clamping pieces have a pair of engaging claws that protrude in opposing directions from the inner surfaces and engage with engaging holes formed in the attachment portion, a pair of locking shoulders that protrude toward the outside of the pair of clamping pieces, and a pair of accommodating portions formed at positions inside the pair of locking shoulders and capable of accommodating the tips of the engaging claws, and wherein when the pair of clamping pieces approach each other, the tips of the engaging claws that face the accommodating portions are accommodated in the accommodating portions.

[0009] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the pair of engaging claws are spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the pair of clamping pieces. When the pair of clamping pieces approach each other, the tip of the engaging claw facing the receiving portion is received in the receiving portion. Therefore, one engaging claw can penetrate deeply into the engaging hole of the mounting portion while avoiding contact with the other engaging claw, and can engage the entire engaging hole of the mounting portion. This prevents the engaging claw from coming off the engaging hole of the mounting portion even when an excessive pulling load is applied to the mounting portion of the component.

[0010] A second aspect of the present invention is a clip for attaching a component to a workpiece, comprising a pair of clamping pieces capable of clamping the attachment portion of the component, and a connecting portion connecting one end of the pair of clamping pieces so that the inner surfaces of the pair of clamping pieces face each other, wherein the pair of clamping pieces have engaging claws that protrude in opposing directions from the inner surfaces and engage with engaging holes formed in the attachment portion, a pair of locking shoulders that protrude outward from the pair of clamping pieces, and a accommodating portion that is formed at a position inside the locking shoulders opposite the engaging claws and can accommodate the tips of the engaging claws, and wherein the clip is characterized in that when the pair of clamping pieces approach each other while clamping the attachment portion, the tips of the engaging claws are accommodated in the accommodating portion.

[0011] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the receiving portion is formed at a position inside the locking shoulder facing the engaging claw, and can receive the tip of the engaging claw. Then, when the pair of clamping pieces approach each other while clamping the mounting portion of the component, the tip of the engaging claw is received in the receiving portion. Therefore, the engaging claw can penetrate deeply into the engaging hole of the mounting portion and can be engaged with the entire engaging hole of the mounting portion. This prevents the engaging claw from coming out of the engaging hole of the mounting portion even when an excessive pull-out load is applied to the mounting portion of the component.

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a clip that can prevent the engaging claw from coming off the engaging hole of the mounting portion when an excessive pulling load is applied to the mounting portion of a component.

[0013] 9 is a perspective view showing a state before a component is attached to a workpiece via a clip according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a clip according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a plan view of a clip according to the present embodiment as viewed in the direction of arrow A1 in FIG. 2. FIG. 12 is a plan view of a clip according to the present embodiment as viewed in the direction of arrow A2 in FIG. 2. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 3. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a component attached to a workpiece via a clip according to the present embodiment. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a state when the attachment portion of the component passes through a mounting hole in the workpiece. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a state after the attachment portion of the component has been removed from the mounting hole in the workpiece. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a clip according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a plan view of a clip according to the present embodiment as viewed in the direction of arrow A5 in FIG. 9. FIG. 19 is a plan view of a clip according to the present embodiment as viewed in the direction of arrow A6 in FIG. 19. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in FIG. 11. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a state when a component is attached to a workpiece via a clip according to the present embodiment. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a state when the attachment portion of the component passes through a mounting hole in the workpiece. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a state after the attachment portion of the component has been removed from the mounting hole in the workpiece.

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are preferred specific examples of the present invention, and therefore various technically preferable limitations are applied, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to these aspects unless otherwise specified in the following description to the effect that the present invention is limited. Furthermore, in each drawing, similar components are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a state before a component is attached to a workpiece via a clip according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the clip according to this embodiment. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the clip according to this embodiment as viewed in the direction of arrow A1 shown in Fig. 2.

[0016] The clip 3 according to this embodiment is made of resin and is used to attach a component 2 to a workpiece 4. For example, the clip 3 may be used to attach an interior component 2 such as a trim board to a workpiece 4 such as a body panel, or may be used to attach a decorative component 2 to a workpiece 4 such as a trim board or instrument panel.

[0017] The component 2 is attached to the workpiece 4 while attached to the clip 3. That is, the component 2 is attached to the workpiece 4 via the clip 3. Note that the component 2 may be inserted into the clip 3 while attached to the workpiece 4, and then attached to the workpiece 4.

[0018] 1, the component 2 has an attachment portion 21 and a guide wall 23. The attachment portion 21 is a flat plate formed in a longitudinal shape and has an engagement hole 22. The engagement hole 22 is formed midway through the attachment portion 21 and passes through the attachment portion 21. The guide walls 23 are formed on both sides of the attachment portion 21 and prevent the attachment portion 21 from shifting or tilting in the width direction A11 (see FIG. 2) relative to the clip 3 when and after the attachment portion 21 is attached to the clip 3.

[0019] The clip 3 includes a first clamping piece 31a, a second clamping piece 31b, and a connecting portion 32. The first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b of this embodiment are an example of a "pair of clamping pieces" of the present invention. The first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b are connected to each other at one end by the connecting portion 32 and are separated from each other at the other end. In other words, the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b have openings 37 at the other end.

[0020] The connecting portion 32 connects one end of the first clamping piece 31 a and one end of the second clamping piece 31 b so that the inner surface 311 a of the first clamping piece 31 a and the inner surface 311 b of the second clamping piece 31 b face each other. By connecting the connecting portion 32 elastically connecting one end of the first clamping piece 31 a and one end of the second clamping piece 31 b, the first clamping piece 31 a and the second clamping piece 31 b can move toward or away from each other so as to rotate substantially around the connecting portion 32.

[0021] The first clamping piece 31a has a first engagement claw 33a, a first locking shoulder 34a, and a first guide piece 35a. The first engagement claw 33a protrudes from an inner surface 311a of the first clamping piece 31a in the facing direction A12. That is, the first engagement claw 33a protrudes from the inner surface 311a of the first clamping piece 31a toward the inner surface 311b of the second clamping piece 31b. The inner surface 311a is the inner surface of the first locking shoulder 34a. As shown in FIG. 3 , the tip 331a of the first engagement claw 33a is located at the center C1 in the facing direction A12 before the clip 3 is inserted into the mounting hole 41 of the workpiece 4.

[0022] The first locking shoulder 34a protrudes outward from the first clamping piece 31a (i.e., the side opposite the side facing the second clamping piece 31b) and can be locked onto an edge 42 (see Figures 6 to 8) of a mounting hole 41 formed in the workpiece 4. The first locking shoulder 34a has a portion that slopes outward from the first clamping piece 31a as it moves from the opening 37 toward the connecting portion 32. Therefore, any portion of the first locking shoulder 34a can be locked onto workpieces 4 of different thicknesses.

[0023] The first guide piece 35a is provided at the other end of the first clamping piece 31a and protrudes toward the inside of the first clamping piece 31a (i.e., toward the second clamping piece 31b). The first guide piece 35a is elastic and inclined toward the inside of the first clamping piece 31a as it moves from the opening 37 toward the connecting portion 32.

[0024] 3, the first clamping piece 31a further includes a first receiving portion 36a. The first receiving portion 36a is formed at a position inside the first locking shoulder 34a and can receive the tip 331b of the second engagement claw 33b. The first receiving portion 36a is inclined along the outer surface of the first locking shoulder 34a and has a curved space at the first protruding portion 341a, the outermost portion of the first locking shoulder 34a. Details of the first receiving portion 36a will be described later.

[0025] The second clamping piece 31b has the same structure as the first clamping piece 31a. That is, the second clamping piece 31b has a second engaging claw 33b, a second locking shoulder 34b, and a second guide piece 35b. The first engaging claw 33a and the second engaging claw 33b of this embodiment are an example of a "pair of engaging claws" in the present invention. The first locking shoulder 34a and the second locking shoulder 34b of this embodiment are an example of a "pair of locking shoulders" in the present invention.

[0026] The second engagement claw 33b protrudes from the inner surface 311b of the second clamping piece 31b in the facing direction A12. That is, the second engagement claw 33b protrudes from the inner surface 311b of the second clamping piece 31b toward the inner surface 311a of the first clamping piece 31a. The inner surface 311b is the inner surface of the second locking shoulder 34b. As shown in FIG. 3 , the tip 331b of the second engagement claw 33b is located at the center C1 in the facing direction A12 before the clip 3 is inserted into the mounting hole 41 of the workpiece 4.

[0027] The second locking shoulder 34b protrudes outward from the second clamping piece 31b (i.e., the side opposite to the side facing the first clamping piece 31a) and can be locked onto an edge 42 (see Figures 6 to 8) of a mounting hole 41 formed in the workpiece 4. The second locking shoulder 34b has a portion that slopes outward from the second clamping piece 31b as it moves from the opening 37 toward the connecting portion 32. Therefore, any portion of the second locking shoulder 34b can be locked onto workpieces 4 of different thicknesses.

[0028] The second guide piece 35b is provided at the other end of the second clamping piece 31b and protrudes toward the inside of the second clamping piece 31b (i.e., toward the first clamping piece 31a). The second guide piece 35b is elastic and inclined toward the inside of the second clamping piece 31b as it moves from the opening 37 toward the connecting portion 32.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3 , the second clamping piece 31b further includes a second receiving portion 36b. The first receiving portion 36a and the second receiving portion 36b of this embodiment are an example of a "pair of receiving portions" in the present invention. The second receiving portion 36b is formed at a position inside the second locking shoulder 34b and can receive the tip 331a of the first engagement claw 33a. The second receiving portion 36b is inclined along the outer surface of the second locking shoulder 34b and has a curved space at the second protruding portion 341b, the outermost portion of the second locking shoulder 34b. Details of the second receiving portion 36b will be described later.

[0030] The clip 3 according to this embodiment does not necessarily have to have both the first engaging claw 33 a and the second engaging claw 33 b, but may have either the first engaging claw 33 a or the second engaging claw 33 b. The clip 3 according to this embodiment does not necessarily have to have both the first housing portion 36 a and the second housing portion 36 b, but may have either the first housing portion 36 a or the second housing portion 36 b.

[0031] In this case, the accommodation portion is formed at a position inside the locking shoulder that faces the engagement claw. That is, when the clip 3 has only the first engagement claw 33a as the engagement claw, the second accommodation portion 36b is formed at a position inside the second locking shoulder 34b that faces the first engagement claw 33a. On the other hand, when the clip 3 has only the second engagement claw 33b as the engagement claw, the first accommodation portion 36a is formed at a position inside the first locking shoulder 34a that faces the second engagement claw 33b. In the following description, an example will be given in which the clip 3 has both the first engagement claw 33a and the second engagement claw 33b, and also has both the first accommodation portion 36a and the second accommodation portion 36b.

[0032] When the mounting portion 21 of the component 2 is inserted between the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b through the opening 37, the first guide piece 35a and the second guide piece 35b come into contact with the mounting portion 21 and move away from each other while elastically deforming. That is, the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b rotate against elastic force approximately about the connecting portion 32, expanding the gap between the opening 37. At this time, the first guide piece 35a and the second guide piece 35b apply a biasing force to the mounting portion 21 from both sides toward the center C1 in the opposing direction A12. Therefore, the mounting portion 21 is stably inserted between the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b while being prevented from shifting or tilting relative to the clip 3.

[0033] When the mounting portion 21 of the component 2 is further inserted toward the connecting portion 32, the first engaging claw 33a and the second engaging claw 33b come into contact with the mounting portion 21 and move away from each other. In other words, the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b rotate against elastic force around the connecting portion 32, and the distance between the first engaging claw 33a and the second engaging claw 33b increases.

[0034] When the engagement holes 22 of the mounting portion 21 reach the first engagement claws 33a and the second engagement claws 33b, the force that the first engagement claws 33a and the second engagement claws 33b receive from the mounting portion 21 is released, causing the first engagement claws 33a and the second engagement claws 33b to move closer to each other. That is, the first clamping pieces 31a and the second clamping pieces 31b pivot elastically about the connecting portion 32, reducing the distance between the first engagement claws 33a and the second engagement claws 33b. As a result, the tip 331a of the first engagement claw 33a and the tip 331b of the second engagement claw 33b enter the engagement holes 22 of the mounting portion 21. As a result, the first engagement claws 33a and the second engagement claws 33b engage with the engagement holes 22 of the mounting portion 21.

[0035] In this way, the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b can clamp the mounting portion 21 of the component 2, and the component 2 is inserted into the mounting hole 41 of the workpiece 4 while clamping the mounting portion 21. The first locking shoulder 34a and the second locking shoulder 34b then lock onto the edge 42 of the mounting hole 41. In this way, the component 2 is attached to the workpiece 4 via the clip 3.

[0036] Next, the clip according to this embodiment will be further described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the clip according to this embodiment as viewed in the direction of arrow A2 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A shown in Fig. 3.

[0037] 4, the first guide piece 35a is provided at the center C3 of the first clamping piece 31a in the width direction A11. The second guide piece 35b is provided at the center C3 of the second clamping piece 31b in the width direction A11. This allows the first guide piece 35a and the second guide piece 35b to stably position the mounting portion 21 of the component 2 at the center C2 in the opposing direction A12.

[0038] 5, the first engaging claw 33a is provided at a position offset from the center C3 of the first clamping piece 31a in the width direction A11. The second engaging claw 33b is provided at a position offset from the center C3 of the second clamping piece 31b in the width direction A11.

[0039] 4 and 5, in the clip 3 according to this embodiment, the first engagement claws 33a and the second engagement claws 33b are spaced apart by a distance L1 in the width direction A11. That is, a gap of the distance L1 exists between the first engagement claws 33a and the second engagement claws 33b in the width direction A11. In other words, the first engagement claws 33a and the second engagement claws 33b are arranged alternately in the width direction A11.

[0040] 3, the tip 331a of the first engagement claw 33a and the tip 331b of the second engagement claw 33b are located at the center C2 in the opposing direction A12 before the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b are inserted into the mounting hole 41 of the workpiece 4. In other words, the position of the tip 331a of the first engagement claw 33a coincides with the position of the tip 331b of the second engagement claw 33b at the center C2 in the opposing direction A12. Even in this case, the first engagement claw 33a and the second engagement claw 33b are spaced apart from each other by the distance L1 in the width direction A11, and therefore contact between them can be avoided.

[0041] Next, the function of the clip 3 when the mounting portion 21 of the component 2 is removed from the mounting hole 41 of the workpiece 4 will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the component is mounted to the workpiece via the clip according to this embodiment. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the state when the mounting portion of the component passes through the mounting hole of the workpiece. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the state after the mounting portion of the component has been removed from the mounting hole of the workpiece. Note that Figs. 6 to 8 correspond to cross-sectional views taken along the cut plane B-B shown in Fig. 4.

[0042] The state shown in Figure 7 includes both the state when the mounting portion 21 of the component 2 passes through the mounting hole 41 of the workpiece 4, i.e., the state when the mounting portion 21 of the component 2 is being removed from the mounting hole 41 of the workpiece 4, and the state when the mounting portion 21 of the component 2 is being inserted into the mounting hole 41 of the workpiece 4. In this embodiment, the description of Figure 7 will take as an example the state when the mounting portion 21 of the component 2 is being removed from the mounting hole 41 of the workpiece 4.

[0043] The state shown in Figure 8 includes both the state before the mounting portion 21 of the component 2 is inserted into the mounting hole 41 of the workpiece 4 and the state after the mounting portion 21 of the component 2 has been removed from the mounting hole 41 of the workpiece 4. In this embodiment, the description of Figure 8 will take as an example the state after the mounting portion 21 of the component 2 has been removed from the mounting hole 41 of the workpiece 4.

[0044] 6 , when the component 2 is attached to the workpiece 4 via the clip 3, the first and second locking shoulders 34a, 34b are locked onto the edge 42 of the attachment hole 41. Furthermore, when the component 2 is attached to the workpiece 4 via the clip 3, the lower surface 231 of the guide wall 23 of the component 2 is in contact with the upper surface 43 of the workpiece 4. Therefore, the workpiece 4 is sandwiched between the first and second locking shoulders 34a, 34b and the lower surface 231 of the guide wall 23. As a result, the component 2 is attached to the workpiece 4 via the clip 3 with a predetermined holding force.

[0045] Furthermore, in their elastically deformed state, the first guide piece 35a and the second guide piece 35b apply a biasing force from both sides of the mounting portion 21 toward the center C1 of the opposing direction A12. Therefore, the first guide piece 35a and the second guide piece 35b receive an outward force (i.e., a force in the direction that widens the spacing of the opening 37) from the mounting portion 21. This ensures that the first and second guide pieces 35a and 35b can secure the force with which the first and second locking shoulders 34a and 34b are locked onto the edge 42 of the mounting hole 41, thereby ensuring the holding force and removal force of the clip 3 on the workpiece 4.

[0046] 6, the first engagement claw 33a is engaged with the engagement hole 22 of the mounting portion 21, and the tip 331a of the first engagement claw 33a reaches the surface 212b (i.e., the imaginary surface) which is an extension of the surface 211b of the mounting portion 21 on the second engagement claw 33b side. Also, the second engagement claw 33b is engaged with the engagement hole 22 of the mounting portion 21, and the tip 331b of the second engagement claw 33b reaches the surface 212a (i.e., the imaginary surface) which is an extension of the surface 211a of the mounting portion 21 on the first engagement claw 33a side. In this specification, "reaching" includes both a state in which an arbitrary part is flush with an arbitrary surface (including an extension of an arbitrary surface (imaginary surface)) and a state in which an arbitrary part has passed through a hole and passed through an arbitrary surface (including an extension of an arbitrary surface (imaginary surface)).

[0047] 6, the tip 331a of the first engagement claw 33a may be flush with the surface 211b of the mounting portion 21 on the second engagement claw 33b side, or may pass through the engagement hole 22 of the mounting portion 21 on the second engagement claw 33b side and pass past the surface 211b of the mounting portion 21. Also, in the state shown in Fig. 6, the tip 331b of the second engagement claw 33b may be flush with the surface 211a of the mounting portion 21 on the first engagement claw 33a side, or may pass through the engagement hole 22 of the mounting portion 21 on the first engagement claw 33a side and pass past the surface 211a of the mounting portion 21.

[0048] Because the tip 331a of the first engagement claw 33a reaches the surface 212b that is an extension of the surface 211b of the mounting portion 21 on the second engagement claw 33b side, when the first engagement shoulder 34a is engaged with the edge 42 of the mounting hole 41, the first engagement claw 33a engages with the entire engagement hole 22 of the mounting portion 21. In other words, the first engagement claw 33a engages with the entire inner surface of the engagement hole 22 in the direction in which the first engagement claw 33a enters the engagement hole 22 (in the thickness direction of the mounting portion 21 in this embodiment).

[0049] Furthermore, because the tip 331b of the second engagement claw 33b reaches the surface 212a which is an extension of the surface 211a of the mounting portion 21 on the first engagement claw 33a side, when the second engagement shoulder 34b is engaged with the edge 42 of the mounting hole 41, the second engagement claw 33b engages with the entire engagement hole 22 of the mounting portion 21. In other words, the second engagement claw 33b engages with the entire inner surface of the engagement hole 22 in the direction in which the second engagement claw 33b enters the engagement hole 22 (in the thickness direction of the mounting portion 21 in this embodiment).

[0050] As shown in FIG. 6 , when a pull-out load is applied to the mounting portion 21 of the component 2, the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b pass through the mounting hole 41 of the workpiece 4. Specifically, the edge 42 of the mounting hole 41 slides relatively along the outer surface of the first locking shoulder 34a toward the first protruding portion 341a. The edge 42 of the mounting hole 41 also slides relatively along the outer surface of the second locking shoulder 34b toward the second protruding portion 341b. Then, as shown in FIG. 7 , the first protruding portion 341a of the first locking shoulder 34a and the second protruding portion 341b of the second locking shoulder 34b slide along the inner surface of the mounting hole 41. Therefore, the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b rotate approximately around the connecting portion 32 against elasticity and approach each other.

[0051] 7, the tip 331a of the first engagement claw 33a penetrates the engagement hole 22 of the mounting portion 21 toward the second engagement claw 33b and is accommodated in the second accommodation portion 36b facing the tip 331a of the first engagement claw 33a. As described above with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the first engagement claw 33a is spaced apart from the second engagement claw 33b in the width direction A11, and therefore penetrates the engagement hole 22 of the mounting portion 21 while avoiding contact with the second engagement claw 33b, and enters deeply into the engagement hole 22 of the mounting portion 21. Therefore, when the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b pass through the mounting hole 41 of the workpiece 4 (i.e., when the mounting portion 21 of the component 2 is removed from the mounting hole 41 of the workpiece 4), the first engagement claw 33a is more reliably engaged with the entire engagement hole 22 of the mounting portion 21.

[0052] Furthermore, the tip 331b of the second engagement claw 33b penetrates the engagement hole 22 of the mounting portion 21 on the side of the first engagement claw 33a and is accommodated in the first accommodation portion 36a facing the tip 331b of the second engagement claw 33b. As described above with reference to Figures 4 and 5, the second engagement claw 33b is provided spaced apart from the first engagement claw 33a in the width direction A11, and therefore penetrates the engagement hole 22 of the mounting portion 21 while avoiding contact with the first engagement claw 33a, and enters deeply into the engagement hole 22 of the mounting portion 21. Therefore, when the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b pass through the mounting hole 41 of the workpiece 4 (i.e., when the mounting portion 21 of the component 2 is removed from the mounting hole 41 of the workpiece 4), the second engagement claw 33b more reliably engages with the entire engagement hole 22 of the mounting portion 21.

[0053] When a further pull-out load is applied to the mounting portion 21 of the component 2 as indicated by arrow A4 in Fig. 7, the force that the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b receive from the workpiece 4 is released, and the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b move away from each other due to their elasticity as shown in Fig. 8. Then, the tip 331a of the first engaging claw 33a and the tip 331b of the second engaging claw 33b are positioned at the center C1 of the opposing direction A12.

[0054] According to the clip 3 of this embodiment, the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b approach each other as they pass through the mounting hole 41 of the workpiece 4, so that the tip 331a of the first engaging claw 33a penetrates the engaging hole 22 of the mounting portion 21 toward the second engaging claw 33b and is accommodated in the second accommodating portion 36b facing the tip 331a of the first engaging claw 33a. Furthermore, the tip 331b of the second engaging claw 33b penetrates the engaging hole 22 of the mounting portion 21 toward the first engaging claw 33a and is accommodated in the first accommodating portion 36a facing the tip 331b of the second engaging claw 33b. Therefore, the first engaging claw 33a and the second engaging claw 33b can penetrate deeply into the engaging hole 22 of the mounting portion 21 while avoiding contact with each other, and can engage the entire engaging hole 22 of the mounting portion 21. As a result, the clip 3 according to this embodiment can prevent the first engaging claw 33a and the second engaging claw 33b from coming out of the engaging hole 22 of the mounting portion 21 even when an excessive pull-out load is applied to the mounting portion 21 of the component 2. Furthermore, when the mounting portion 21 of the component 2 is removed from the mounting hole 41 of the workpiece 4, the clip 3 can be prevented from being left in the mounting hole 41 of the workpiece 4.

[0055] The first receiving portion 36a is inclined along the outer surface of the first locking shoulder 34a and has a curved space at the first protruding portion 341a of the first locking shoulder 34a. Therefore, when the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b pass through the mounting hole 41 of the workpiece 4, the tip 331a of the first engaging claw 33a can fit deep into the second receiving portion 36b. The second receiving portion 36b is inclined along the outer surface of the second locking shoulder 34b and has a curved space at the second protruding portion 341b of the second locking shoulder 34b. Therefore, when the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b pass through the mounting hole 41 of the workpiece 4, the tip 331b of the second engaging claw 33b can fit deep into the first receiving portion 36a. Therefore, the first engaging claw 33a and the second engaging claw 33b can penetrate deeper into the engaging hole 22 of the mounting portion 21 and more reliably engage the entire engaging hole 22 of the mounting portion 21. This further prevents the first engaging claw 33a and the second engaging claw 33b from coming out of the engaging hole 22 of the mounting portion 21 when the mounting portion 21 of the component 2 is removed from the mounting hole 41 of the workpiece 4, and further prevents the clip 3 from being left in the mounting hole 41 of the workpiece 4.

[0056] Furthermore, the tip 331a of the first engaging claw 33a and the tip 331b of the second engaging claw 33b are located at the center C2 of the facing direction A12 before the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b are inserted into the mounting hole 41 of the workpiece 4. This ensures a larger engagement allowance for the first engaging claw 33a and the second engaging claw 33b with the engaging hole 22 of the mounting portion 21. As a result, the clip 3 according to this embodiment can prevent the first engaging claw 33a and the second engaging claw 33b from coming out of the engaging hole 22 of the mounting portion 21 even when an excessive pull-out load is applied to the mounting portion 21 of the component 2. Furthermore, because the tip 331a of the first engaging claw 33a and the tip 331b of the second engaging claw 33b are located at the center C2 of the facing direction A12 and do not overlap each other, a slideless structure can be achieved for the mold structure used to mold the clip 3. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the structure of the mold for molding the clip 3 and the manufacturing process of the clip 3 (for example, shortening the molding time).

[0057] Furthermore, when the first locking shoulder 34a is locked onto the edge 42 of the mounting hole 41, the tip 331a of the first engagement claw 33a reaches the surface 212b, which is an extension of the surface 211b of the mounting portion 21 on the second engagement claw 33b side, and the first engagement claw 33a engages the entire engagement hole 22 of the mounting portion 21. Furthermore, when the second locking shoulder 34b is locked onto the edge 42 of the mounting hole 41, the tip 331b of the second engagement claw 33b reaches the surface 212a, which is an extension of the surface 211a of the mounting portion 21 on the first engagement claw 33a side, and the second engagement claw 33b engages the entire engagement hole 22 of the mounting portion 21. As a result, the clip 3 according to this embodiment can further prevent the first engagement claw 33a and the second engagement claw 33b from coming off the engagement hole 22 of the mounting portion 21, even when an excessive pull-out load is applied to the mounting portion 21 of the component 2.

[0058] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, when the components of a clip 3A according to the second embodiment are the same as the components of the clip 3 according to the first embodiment described above with reference to Figures 1 to 8, redundant explanations will be omitted as appropriate, and the following description will focus on the differences.

[0059] Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a clip according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 is a plan view of the clip according to this embodiment when viewed in the direction of arrow A5 shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a plan view of the clip according to this embodiment when viewed in the direction of arrow A6 shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting plane CC shown in Fig. 11.

[0060] The first clamping piece 31a of the clip 3A according to this embodiment has a first engaging claw 33a, a first locking shoulder 34a, and a first elastic piece 38a. That is, compared to the first clamping piece 31a described above with reference to Figures 1 to 8, the first clamping piece 31a according to this embodiment has a first elastic piece 38a instead of the first guide piece 35a.

[0061] The second clamping piece 31b of the clip 3A according to this embodiment has a second engaging claw 33b, a second locking shoulder 34b, and a second elastic piece 38b. That is, compared to the second clamping piece 31b described above with reference to Figures 1 to 8, the second clamping piece 31b according to this embodiment has a second elastic piece 38b instead of the second guide piece 35b. The first elastic piece 38a and the second elastic piece 38b according to this embodiment are an example of the "pair of elastic pieces" of the present invention.

[0062] 1 to 8 in that the first clamping piece 31a has a first elastic piece 38a instead of the first guide piece 35a, and the second clamping piece 31b has a second elastic piece 38b instead of the second guide piece 35b. The rest of the structure is similar to that of the clip 3 described above with reference to FIGS.

[0063] 10 , the first elastic piece 38a is connected at one end to the connecting portion 32 and extends from the connecting portion 32 toward the opening 37 (i.e., the other end of the first clamping piece 31a). Specifically, the first elastic piece 38a extends from the connecting portion 32 toward the opening 37 so as to approach slightly closer to the second elastic piece 38b, and then bends midway to extend away from the second elastic piece 38b. The first elastic piece 38a has elasticity and can elastically deform so as to rotate substantially around the part connected to the connecting portion 32.

[0064] 10, the second elastic piece 38b is connected at one end to the connecting portion 32 and extends from the connecting portion 32 toward the opening 37 (i.e., the other end of the second clamping piece 31b). Specifically, the second elastic piece 38b extends from the connecting portion 32 toward the opening 37 so as to approach slightly closer to the first elastic piece 38a, and then bends midway to extend away from the first elastic piece 38a. The second elastic piece 38b has elasticity and can elastically deform so as to rotate approximately around the part connected to the connecting portion 32.

[0065] When the mounting portion 21 of the component 2 is inserted between the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b through the opening 37, the first engaging claw 33a and the second engaging claw 33b come into contact with the mounting portion 21 and move away from each other. In other words, the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b rotate substantially around the connecting portion 32 against elastic force, and the distance between the first engaging claw 33a and the second engaging claw 33b increases.

[0066] When the mounting portion 21 of the component 2 is further inserted toward the connecting portion 32, the first elastic piece 38a and the second elastic piece 38b come into contact with the mounting portion 21 and move away from each other while undergoing elastic deformation. In other words, the first elastic piece 38a and the second elastic piece 38b rotate against elastic force, approximately around the part connected to the connecting portion 32, and the distance between the first elastic piece 38a and the second elastic piece 38b expands.

[0067] At this time, as described above, the first elastic piece 38a and the second elastic piece 38b extend toward each other from the connecting portion 32 toward the opening 37, and then bend midway to extend away from each other. Therefore, the mounting portion 21 of the component 2 is smoothly inserted between the first elastic piece 38a and the second elastic piece 38b.

[0068] When the engagement holes 22 of the mounting portion 21 reach the first engagement claws 33a and the second engagement claws 33b, the force that the first engagement claws 33a and the second engagement claws 33b receive from the mounting portion 21 is released, causing the first engagement claws 33a and the second engagement claws 33b to move closer to each other. That is, the first clamping pieces 31a and the second clamping pieces 31b pivot elastically about the connecting portion 32, reducing the distance between the first engagement claws 33a and the second engagement claws 33b. As a result, the tip 331a of the first engagement claw 33a and the tip 331b of the second engagement claw 33b enter the engagement holes 22 of the mounting portion 21. As a result, the first engagement claws 33a and the second engagement claws 33b engage with the engagement holes 22 of the mounting portion 21.

[0069] In this way, the first elastic piece 38a and the second elastic piece 38b can clamp the mounting portion 21 of the component 2. The first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b are inserted into the mounting hole 41 of the workpiece 4 with the mounting portion 21 of the component 2 clamped by the first elastic piece 38a and the second elastic piece 38b. The first locking shoulder 34a and the second locking shoulder 34b then lock onto the edge 42 of the mounting hole 41. In this way, the component 2 is attached to the workpiece 4 via the clip 3A.

[0070] Next, the function of the clip 3A when the mounting portion 21 of the component 2 is removed from the mounting hole 41 of the workpiece 4 will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the component is attached to the workpiece via the clip according to this embodiment. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the state when the mounting portion of the component passes through the mounting hole of the workpiece. Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the state after the mounting portion of the component has been removed from the mounting hole of the workpiece. Note that Figs. 13 to 15 correspond to cross-sectional views taken along the cut plane D-D shown in Fig. 11.

[0071] As shown in Figure 13, when the component 2 is attached to the workpiece 4 via the clip 3, the first and second locking shoulders 34a, 34b are locked onto the edge 42 of the attachment hole 41. This is as described above with reference to Figure 6. Also, as shown in Figure 13, when the component 2 is attached to the workpiece 4 via the clip 3, the first and second elastic pieces 38a, 38b are in an elastically deformed state and apply a biasing force from both sides to the attachment portion 21 toward the center C1 (see Figure 10) in the opposing direction A12.

[0072] Specifically, in an elastically deformed state, the first elastic piece 38a abuts against the surface 211a of the mounting portion 21 on the first elastic piece 38a side, and applies a biasing force toward the second elastic piece 38b to the surface 211a of the mounting portion 21. In addition, in an elastically deformed state, the second elastic piece 38b abuts against the surface 211b of the mounting portion 21 on the second elastic piece 38b side, and applies a biasing force toward the first elastic piece 38a to the surface 211b of the mounting portion 21.

[0073] Therefore, the first elastic piece 38a and the second elastic piece 38b receive an outward force (i.e., a force in a direction that widens the gap between the first elastic piece 38a and the second elastic piece 38b) from the mounting portion 21. Therefore, the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b receive an outward force (i.e., a force in a direction that widens the gap between the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b). As a result, the first elastic piece 38a and the second elastic piece 38b ensure the force with which the first locking shoulder 34a and the second locking shoulder 34b are locked onto the edge 42 of the mounting hole 41, thereby ensuring the holding force and removal force of the clip 3 on the workpiece 4.

[0074] As shown in Fig. 13, when a pull-out load is applied to the mounting portion 21 of the component 2, the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b pass through the mounting hole 41 of the workpiece 4. At this time, as shown in Fig. 14, the tip 331a of the first engaging claw 33a passes through the engaging hole 22 of the mounting portion 21 toward the second engaging claw 33b and is accommodated in the second accommodating portion 36b opposite the tip 331a of the first engaging claw 33a. This is as described above with reference to Fig. 7.

[0075] When a further pull-out load is applied to the mounting portion 21 of the component 2, as indicated by arrow A8 in Figure 14, the force that the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b receive from the workpiece 4 is released, and as shown in Figure 15, the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b move away from each other due to their elasticity. The tip 331a of the first engaging claw 33a and the tip 331b of the second engaging claw 33b are then positioned at the center C1 of the opposing direction A12. This is as described above with reference to Figure 8. Other functions are the same as those described above with reference to Figures 6 to 8.

[0076] With the clip 3A according to this embodiment, when the mounting portion 21 of the component 2 is inserted between the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b through the opening 37, the first elastic piece 38a and the second elastic piece 38b contact the mounting portion 21 and elastically deform while moving away from each other to clamp the mounting portion 21. At this time, in their elastically deformed state, the first elastic piece 38a and the second elastic piece 38b apply a biasing force to the mounting portion 21 from both sides toward the center C1 in the opposing direction A12. Therefore, the mounting portion 21 of the component 2 is stably inserted between the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b and clamped by the first elastic piece 38a and the second elastic piece 38b while being prevented from shifting position or tilting relative to the clip 3A.

[0077] Furthermore, the first elastic piece 38a and the second elastic piece 38b extend from the connecting portion 32 connecting one end of the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b toward the other end of the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b, and therefore do not impede the operation of the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b. Therefore, the first engaging claw 33a and the second engaging claw 33b can stably and deeply enter the engaging hole 22 of the mounting portion 21, and are more reliably engaged with the entire engaging hole 22 of the mounting portion 21.

[0078] Furthermore, because the first elastic piece 38a and the second elastic piece 38b extend from the connecting portion 32 toward the other ends of the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b, excessive biasing force is not applied to the mounting portion 21 of the component 2, and excessive deformation of the first elastic piece 38a itself and the second elastic piece 38b itself can be suppressed. This makes it possible to suppress deterioration of the first elastic piece 38a and the second elastic piece 38b over time, and to stably hold the mounting portion 21 of the component 2 between the first clamping piece 31a and the second clamping piece 31b for a long period of time. Furthermore, the same effects as those of the clip 3 according to the first embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 can be obtained.

[0079] The above describes the embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. The configurations of the above embodiments can be partially omitted or arbitrarily combined in a different manner from the above.

[0080] 2: Component, 3: Clip, 3A: Clip, 4: Mounted member, 21: Mounting portion, 22: Engagement hole, 23: Guide wall, 31a: First clamping piece, 31b: Second clamping piece, 32: Connecting portion, 33a: First engaging claw, 33b: Second engaging claw, 34a: First locking shoulder, 34b: Second locking shoulder, 35a: First guide piece, 35b: Second guide piece, 36a: First accommodating portion, 36b: Second accommodating portion, 37: Opening, 38a: First elastic piece, 38b: Second elastic piece, 41: Mounting hole, 42: Edge, 43: Upper surface, 211a: Surface, 211b: Surface, 212a: Surface, 212b: Surface, 231: Lower surface, 311a: Inner surface, 311b: Inner surface, 331a: Tip, 331b: Tip, 341a: First protruding portion, 341b: Second protruding portion

Claims

1. A clip for attaching a component to a workpiece, comprising: a pair of clamping pieces capable of clamping the attachment portion of the component; and a connecting portion connecting one end of the pair of clamping pieces so that the inner surfaces of the pair of clamping pieces face each other, wherein the pair of clamping pieces have: a pair of engaging claws that protrude in opposing directions from the inner surfaces and engage with engaging holes formed in the attachment portion; a pair of locking shoulders that protrude outward from the pair of clamping pieces; and a pair of accommodating portions that are formed at positions inside the pair of locking shoulders and can accommodate the tips of the engaging claws, wherein the pair of engaging claws are spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the pair of clamping pieces, and when the pair of clamping pieces approach each other, the tips of the engaging claws that face the accommodating portions are accommodated in the accommodating portions.

2. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the receiving portion has a space that is inclined and curved along the outer surface of the locking shoulder.

3. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the tips of the pair of engaging claws are positioned at the center of the direction in which the pair of clamping pieces face each other.

4. A clip as described in claim 1, characterized in that the pair of engagement shoulders are capable of engaging with the edge of an attachment hole formed in the workpiece, and when the engagement shoulders are engaged with the edge, the tip of one of the pair of engagement claws reaches a surface that is an extension of the surface of the attachment part on the side of the other of the pair of engagement claws.

5. A clip as described in claim 4, characterized in that when the engaging shoulder is engaged with the edge, the tip of one of the engaging claws penetrates the engaging hole on the side of the other of the engaging claws.

6. A clip as described in claim 4, characterized in that the pair of clamping pieces approach each other as they pass through the mounting hole, causing the tip of one of the engaging claws to penetrate the engaging hole on the side of the other of the engaging claws.

7. A clip according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of elastic pieces extending from said connecting portion toward the other end of said pair of clamping pieces, said elastic pieces being capable of clamping said mounting portion.

8. A clip for attaching a part to a workpiece, comprising: a pair of clamping pieces capable of clamping the attachment portion of the part; and a connecting portion connecting one end of the pair of clamping pieces so that the inner surfaces of the pair of clamping pieces face each other; wherein the pair of clamping pieces have engaging claws that protrude in opposing directions from the inner surfaces and engage with engaging holes formed in the attachment portion; a pair of locking shoulders that protrude outward from the pair of clamping pieces; and a accommodating portion that is formed at a position inside the locking shoulders that faces the engaging claws and is capable of accommodating the tips of the engaging claws; and wherein the pair of clamping pieces move toward each other while clamping the attachment portion, so that the tips of the engaging claws are accommodated in the accommodating portion.

Images