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

Claim 9:
10. A routing clip assembly configured to secure a tube to a structure, wherein the routing clip assembly is configured to accommodate a variety of tubes having a range of diameters, the routing clip assembly including:
a routing clip configured to receive the tube, the routing clip including a body, and a tube-retaining section being defined on the body, the tube-retaining section including a channel adapted for receipt of the tube, the tube-retaining section further including:
a first pair of fingers having distal ends extending within the channel, the first pair of fingers connecting to the body at corresponding hinges on opposing sides of the channel, wherein the first pair of fingers have a first length defined between the corresponding hinge and the distal end, and the first length is configured to accommodate a first range of tube diameters,
a second pair of fingers having distal ends extending within the channel, the second pair of fingers connecting to the body at corresponding hinges on opposing sides of the channel, the second pair of fingers having a second length defined between the corresponding hinge and the distal end, the second length being different from the first length, and being configured to accommodate a second range of tube diameters, each finger of the second pair of fingers including a concave abutment surface that is spaced from the distal end, and
a third pair of fingers having distal ends extending within the channel, the third pair of fingers connecting to the body at corresponding hinges on opposing sides of the channel, the third pair of fingers having a third length defined between the corresponding hinge and the distal end, the third length being different from both the first length and the second length, and being configured to accommodate a third range of tube diameters,

wherein each finger of the first pair of fingers includes a concave abutment surface that is spaced from the distal end, and
wherein, for a tube diameter that exceeds the first range, the concave abutment surface tangentially abuts against the tube when the tube is received within the channel,
wherein the second pair of fingers are axially spaced from the first pair of fingers,
wherein the third pair of fingers are axially spaced from the first pair of fingers and the second pair of fingers,
wherein for a tube diameter that exceeds the second range, the concave abutment surface tangentially abuts against the tube when the tube is received within the channel.