Patent ID: 11873929
Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Field: Mechanical elements (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F  B | IPC B  F

Claim 0:
1. A routing clip assembly configured to secure a tube to a structure, the assembly including:
a clip having a main body including at least one tube-retaining section defined on a lateral side, the tube retaining section including:
a channel configured to receive a tube, wherein the channel is configured to accommodate a variety of tube diameters and defines a channel axis;
at least two pairs of fingers, wherein each finger of a given pair connects to the main body at a respective hinge on a side of the channel opposite the other finger of the given pair, wherein the at least two pairs of fingers are configured to flex between a closed position and an open position to permit insertion of the tube into the channel, and each of the fingers has a distal end that extends generally toward the channel axis, the at least two pairs of fingers including:
a first pair of fingers configured to accommodate a first range of tube diameters;
a second pair of fingers being configured to accommodate a second range of tube diameters that differs from the first range of tube diameters; and
a third pair of fingers,

wherein when a diameter of the tube received within the channel exceeds the first range, the first pair of fingers is in the open position, the second pair of fingers is in the open position, and the third pair of fingers is in the closed position, wherein the distal end of each finger of the third pair of fingers radially abut against the tube, and the abutment surfaces of the first pair of fingers tangentially abut against the tube to mitigate movement of the tube relative to the main body,
wherein, following insertion of a first tube having a first diameter that is within the first range of tube diameters into the channel, the first pair of fingers returns to the closed position and distal ends of the first pair of fingers abut against the first tube, and the second pair of fingers remains in the open position, the second pair of fingers tangentially abutting the first tube at concave abutment surfaces.