A clip includes a pin; and a grommet including an insertion hole where the pin can be inserted, and forming a plurality of leg pieces by a slit provided in a length direction of a leg portion. In the clip, the grommet can spread portions by inserting the pin into the insertion hole. A prevention portion, which prevents a foreign matter such as gravel and the like from entering in, is provided at least in either one of the pin or the grommet (for example, the pin). The prevention portion may be positioned in one portion of an insertion leg of the pin, or positioned in one portion of the leg piece of the grommet, or provided to extend along a length direction of the slit from a lower surface of a flange of the grommet.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is National Phase of International Application No. PCT/JP2011/066484 filed Jul. 20, 2011, and claims priority from Japanese Application No. 2010-168562 filed Jul. 27, 2010.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present invention relates to a clip which especially can prevent a foreign matter such as gravel and the like from entering into an insertion hole of a grommet wherein a pin is inserted.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, there is well-known a clip comprising a pin, and a grommet including an insertion hole wherein the pin can be inserted, and forming a plurality of leg pieces by a slit provided in a length direction of a leg portion, and by an insertion of the pin into the insertion hole, the grommet can spread one portion (for example, see paragraph [0008] and FIGS. 1 to 6 in Patent Document 1, and paragraph [0015] and FIGS. 1 to 4 in Patent Document 2).

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

Patent Documents

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

In the aforementioned conventional clip, however, for example, in a case used for fastening a bumper and the like of an automobile, there has been a possibility that gravel, mud, and the like from an outside might enter between the pin and the grommet.

Consequently, in the conventional clip, there has been a problem that if gravel, mud, and the like enter in, releasing a fastened state would become difficult.

Namely, since a foreign matter such as gravel and the like enters between the pin and the grommet, a friction resistance between both portions increases, or a foreign matter such as a gravel and the like acts as a kind of a “wedge”, so that there has been a possibility that the pin might be incapable of being pulled out.

Hence, the present invention is made in view of the problems the aforementioned conventional technology has, and an object thereof is to be capable of preventing a foreign matter such as gravel and the like from entering into the insertion hole of the grommet where the pin is inserted, by providing a prevention portion, which prevents foreign matter such as gravel and the like from entering in, at least in either one of the pin or the grommet.

Means for Solving the Problems

The present invention is made in order to achieve the aforementioned object, and has the following characteristics.

First, the present invention comprises a pin, and a grommet including an insertion hole wherein the pin can be inserted, and forming a plurality of leg pieces by a slit provided in a length direction of a leg portion.

Secondly, the present invention is a clip wherein the grommet can spread one portion by inserting the pin into the insertion hole.

Thirdly, at least in either one of the pin or the grommet (for example, the pin), there is provided a prevention portion which prevents a foreign matter such as gravel and the like from entering in.

Incidentally, although the prevention portion is provided in the pin, the prevention portion is not limited to the above. The prevention portion may be positioned on a grommet side, or positioned respectively in the pin and the grommet.

The present invention may have the following characteristic.

Namely, the prevention portion is positioned in one portion of an insertion leg of the pin, and is provided to extend along a length direction of the slit. Consequently, the prevention portion is positioned in one portion of the insertion leg of the pin, and is provided to extend along the length direction of the slit so as to be capable of preventing a foreign matter such as gravel and the like from entering in through the slit.

The present invention may also have the following characteristic.

Namely, the prevention portion is positioned in one portion of the leg piece of the grommet, and is provided to extend in the length direction of the slit. Consequently, the prevention portion is positioned in one portion of the leg piece of the grommet, and is provided to extend in the length direction of the slit so as to be capable of preventing a foreign matter such as gravel and the like from entering in through the slit.

The present invention may also have the following characteristic.

Namely, the prevention portion is provided to extend along the length direction of the slit from a lower surface of a flange of the grommet. Consequently, the prevention portion is provided to extend along the length direction the slit from the lower surface of the flange of the grommet so as to be capable of preventing a foreign matter such as gravel and the like from entering in through the slit.

The present invention may also have the following characteristic.

Namely, the prevention portion is a wall portion (for example, a blade portion) provided to extend in the insertion leg of the pin. Consequently, the prevention portion is the wall portion provided to extend in the insertion leg of the pin so as to be capable of preventing a foreign matter such as gravel and the like from entering in by the wall portion.

The present invention may also have the following characteristic.

Namely, the insertion leg of the pin comprises a central leg including an abutting portion which contacts with an inner periphery of the leg piece of the grommet, and the blade portion extending outwardly from the central leg. Consequently, the blade portion extending outwardly from the central leg is provided in the insertion leg of the pin so as to be capable of preventing a foreign matter such as gravel and the like from entering in by the blade portion.

The present invention may also have the following characteristic.

Namely, the blade portion (for example, a central blade portion) is positioned in a middle of a length of the central leg. Consequently, the blade portion is positioned in a middle of the length of the central leg so as to be capable of preventing a foreign matter such as gravel and the like from entering in from a middle of the length of the central leg.

The present invention may also have the following characteristic.

Namely, the blade portion (for example, an end blade portion) is positioned in an end portion of the central leg. Consequently, the blade portion is positioned in the end portion of the central leg so as to be capable of preventing a foreign matter such as gravel and the like from entering in through the end portion of the central leg.

The present invention may also have the following characteristic.

Namely, an inner peripheral surface of the leg piece of the grommet, and an outer peripheral surface of the insertion leg of the pin abutting against the inner peripheral surface, are line-contacted along the length direction of the leg portion. Consequently, the inner peripheral surface of the leg piece of the grommet, and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion leg of the pin are line-contacted along the length direction of the leg portion so as to be capable of reducing a friction resistance at a travel time of the pin.

The present invention may also have the following characteristic.

Namely, the inner peripheral surface of the leg piece of the grommet is a flat surface, and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion leg of the pin is a protruding surface protruding toward the flat surface. Consequently, the inner peripheral surface of the leg piece of the grommet is the flat surface, and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion leg of the pin is the protruding surface so as to be capable of reducing the friction resistance at the travel time of the pin.

Effect of the Invention

Since the present invention is structured as mentioned above, the prevention portion, which prevents a foreign matter such as gravel and the like from entering in, is provided at least in either one of the pin or the grommet so as to be capable of preventing a foreign matter such as gravel and the like from entering into the insertion hole of the grommet wherein the pin is inserted.

BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

First, the first embodiment of the present invention will be explained based onFIG. 1toFIG. 19.

InFIG. 1, the reference numeral10represents a clip, and as shown inFIG. 2, the clip10is used for attaching a component30such as an undercover and the like, for example, relative to a base20such as a body and the like of an automobile.

Incidentally, although the body of the automobile has been illustrated as an example of the base20, and the undercover has been illustrated as an example of the component30, they are not limited to the above.

As shown inFIG. 2, in the aforementioned base20, the clip can be inserted, and there is provided a square-shaped attachment hole21passing through front and back surfaces. Also, in the component30, the clip10can be inserted, and there is provided a square-shaped through-hole31matching to the attachment hole21and passing through front and back surfaces.

As shown inFIG. 1, the clip10roughly comprises the following parts.

Incidentally, the following (1) and (2) will be described hereinafter.(1) Pin40(2) Grommet50

Incidentally, the parts of the clip10are not limited to the aforementioned (1) and (2).

As shown inFIGS. 1 to 10, the pin40can be inserted into an insertion hole51of the later-described grommet50. The pin40is integrally molded by thermoplastic synthetic resin having an appropriate amount of rigidity and elasticity, for example, PBT (polybutylene terephthalate).

Specifically, as shown inFIGS. 1 to 10, the pin40roughly includes the following respective portions.

Incidentally, the following (1) and (2) will be described hereinafter.(1) Insertion leg60(2) Head portion70

Incidentally, each portion of the pin40is not limited to the aforementioned (1) and (2).

As shown inFIG. 1,FIG. 2, andFIGS. 11 to 15, the grommet50includes the insertion hole51in which the later-described insertion leg60of the pin40can be inserted, and by a slit91provided in a length direction of the later-described leg portion90, there is formed a plurality of, for example, two pieces of leg pieces92. As shown inFIG. 2, in the grommet50, one portion can be spread by inserting the insertion leg60into the insertion hole51. As is the case with the pin40, the grommet50is integrally molded by thermoplastic synthetic resin having an appropriate amount of rigidity and elasticity, for example, POM (polyacetal).

Incidentally, although two pieces are illustrated as an example of the number of the leg pieces92, it is not limited to the above, and the leg pieces92may be formed with three pieces or above.

Specifically, as shown inFIG. 1andFIGS. 11 to 15, the grommet50roughly includes the following respective portions.

Incidentally, the following (1) and (2) will be described hereinafter.(1) Flange80(2) Leg portion90

Incidentally, each portion of the grommet50is not limited to the aforementioned (1) and (2).

As shown inFIGS. 1 to 10, the insertion leg60can be inserted into the insertion hole51of the later-described grommet50.

Specifically, as shown inFIGS. 1 to 10, the insertion leg60roughly includes the following respective portions.

Incidentally, the following (1) and (2) will be described hereinafter.(1) Central leg100(2) Prevention portion110

Incidentally, each portion of the insertion leg60is not limited to the aforementioned (1) and (2).

As shown inFIGS. 1 to 6,FIG. 8, andFIG. 10, the head portion70projects from an end portion of the insertion leg60, i.e., an upper end portion inFIG. 1, and an outer diameter thereof is set larger than an inner diameter of the insertion hole51of the later-described grommet50. Specifically, as shown inFIG. 5, the head portion70forms a planar surface in a rectangle shape or an oval shape.

Incidentally, although the head portion70forms the planar surface in the rectangle shape or the oval shape, it is not limited to the above.

As shown inFIG. 1,FIG. 2, andFIGS. 11 to 15, in the flange80, in a center thereof, there is formed the insertion hole51in which the insertion leg60of the pin40can be inserted, and an outer diameter is set larger than an inner diameter of the attachment hole21of the base20.

Specifically, as shown inFIG. 1, andFIGS. 11 to 15, the flange80is formed approximately in a disc-like shape, and the insertion hole51is formed approximately in a rectangle shape long in a diametrical direction.

Incidentally, although the flange portion80is formed approximately in the disc-like shape, and the insertion hole51is formed approximately in the rectangle shape, they are not limited to the above.

Specifically, as shown inFIG. 1,FIG. 2, andFIGS. 11 to 15, the flange80includes the following respective portions beside the insertion hole51.

Incidentally, each portion of the flange80is not limited to the following (1) and (2).

As shown inFIG. 11,FIG. 13, andFIG. 15, the head portion of the pin40fits into a depressed portion81. The depressed portion81is depressed approximately in a circle shape with a central focus on the insertion hole51from an upper surface of the flange80. As shown inFIG. 2, in a position wherein a lower surface of the head portion70abuts against a bottom surface of the depressed portion81(hereinafter, called a “locking position”), an upper surface of the head portion70and an annular projecting edge portion around the flange80are aligned approximately with one surface.

As shown inFIG. 1,FIG. 11,FIG. 13, andFIG. 15, in a state wherein the head portion70of the pin40is fitted into the depressed portion81, although it is not shown in the figures, a driver and the like are inserted into concave portions82, and the concave portions82are for raising the head portion70of the pin40from the bottom surface of the depressed portion81. As shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 11, the concave portions82are positioned on both end portions in a longitudinal direction thereof with the central focus on the insertion hole51, and are formed by concaving the annular projecting edge portion around the depressed portion81in a concave shape.

On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 1,FIG. 11, andFIG. 14, the insertion hole51includes the following respective portions.

Incidentally, each portion of the insertion hole51is not limited to the following (3) and (4).

As shown inFIG. 14, a slide protrusion52protrudes into the insertion hole51, and is for slidably guiding the insertion leg60of the pin40inserted into the insertion hole51. The slide protrusion52protrudes in a semicircular shape of a cross-sectional surface at least from one end portion among both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the insertion hole51. The slide protrusion52fits into a slide groove106of the later-described central leg100, and when the pin40is inserted, the slide protrusion52slides relatively along the slide groove106.

As shown inFIG. 14, temporary attaching protrusions53protrude into the insertion hole51, and are for temporarily attaching the insertion leg60of the pin40inserted into the insertion hole51. The temporary attaching protrusions53are positioned at four corners on both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the insertion hole51with a total of four pieces, and protrude in a semicircular shape of a cross-sectional surface. The temporary attaching protrusions53are fitted into temporary attaching grooves107of the later-described central leg100, and temporarily attach the central leg100in a state wherein the central leg100is shallowly inserted into the insertion hole51(hereinafter, called a “temporary attaching position”) as shown inFIG. 16,FIG. 17, andFIG. 19.

As shown inFIG. 1,FIG. 2, andFIGS. 11 to 15, the leg portion90droops from a lower surface of the flange80, and can be inserted into the attachment hole21of the base20, and the through-hole31of the component30.

Incidentally, each portion of the leg portion90is not limited to the following (1) to (5).

As shown inFIG. 1,FIG. 2,FIG. 11,FIG. 12,FIG. 14, andFIG. 15, the slit91is provided in the length direction of the leg portion90, and is for splitting the leg portion90into a plurality of, for example, two pieces of the leg pieces92. Specifically, the slit91extends toward the lower surface of the flange80from an end surface of an end portion of the leg portion90. Also, the slit91is provided along the longitudinal direction of the insertion hole51of the flange80, and is opposed in a short direction of the insertion hole51.

Incidentally, although two pieces are illustrated as an example of the number of the leg pieces92, it is not limited to the above, and the number of the leg pieces92can increase to three pieces or above by increasing the number of the slit91.

As shown inFIG. 1,FIG. 2, andFIGS. 11 to 15, two pieces of the leg pieces92are formed, and are opposed by sandwiching the slit91.

As shown inFIG. 1,FIG. 2,FIG. 12,FIG. 13, andFIG. 15, a flat surface93is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the leg piece92, and is nearly formed vertically in the same figures.

Although it is not shown in the figures, the flat surface abuts against protruding surfaces103and104of the insertion leg60of the later-described pin40, and both portions line-contact along the length direction of the leg portion90.

Incidentally, as for a structure allowing the inner peripheral surface of the leg piece92of the grommet50, and an outer peripheral surface of the insertion leg60of the pin40abutting against the inner peripheral surface to line-contact along the length direction of the leg portion90, it is not limited to the flat surface93.

As shown inFIG. 1,FIG. 2,FIG. 11,FIG. 12, andFIG. 15, end wall-thickness portions94are positioned in end portions of the leg pieces92, and gradually increase a wall thickness of the leg piece92toward the end portion in such a way as to protrude toward the slit91.

As shown inFIG. 2,FIG. 13, andFIG. 15, a locking claw95is positioned on an inner surface of the end wall-thickness portions94, and protrudes toward the slit91approximately in a trapezoidal shape or approximately in a triangular shape of a cross-sectional surface. The locking claw95is structured by an inclined surface obliquely inclining downward toward the slit91; and an approximately horizontal lower surface inFIG. 15positioned in an inclined lower end of the inclined surface.

As shown inFIG. 2, in the locking position, the locking claw95is fitted into the later-described locking groove105of the pin40, and locks the pin40in the locking position.

As shown inFIGS. 1 to 10, the central leg100contacts with an inner periphery of the leg pieces92of the grommet50. The central leg100is formed in a plate shape; has a side width below a right-and-left side width in the longitudinal direction of the insertion hole51of the flange80, for example, an approximately equal side width; and has a thickness below a front-and-back side width in the longitudinal direction of the insertion hole51, for example, a thickness thinner than the side width.

Specifically, as shown inFIGS. 1 to 10, the central leg100includes the following respective portions.

Incidentally, each portion of the central leg100is not limited to the following (1) to (5).

(1) First and Second Abutting Portions101and102

As shown inFIG. 1,FIG. 3,FIGS. 5 to 8, andFIG. 10, first and second abutting portions101and102are positioned on front and back surfaces facing back-to-back in a thickness direction of the central leg100, and contact with the inner periphery of the leg pieces92of the grommet50, i.e., the flat surface93or the end wall-thickness portions94.

(2) First and Second Protruding Surfaces103and104

As shown inFIG. 1,FIG. 3,FIG. 4,FIG. 6, andFIG. 8, the first and second protruding surfaces103and104are respectively positioned in the first and second abutting portions101and102, and protrude toward the flat surface93of the leg pieces92of the grommet50. As shown inFIG. 8, the first and second protruding surfaces103and104are positioned approximately in the center in a width direction of the central leg100, and protrude approximately in a semicircular shape of a cross-sectional surface. Also, the first and second protruding surfaces103and104extend in an up-and-down direction inFIG. 1,FIG. 3,FIG. 4, andFIG. 6along a length direction of the central leg100.

Although it is not shown in the figures, the first and second protruding surfaces103and104abut against the flat surface93of the leg piece92of the grommet50, and both portions line-contact along the length direction of the leg portion90.

Incidentally, as for the structure allowing the inner peripheral surface of the leg piece92of the grommet50, and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion leg60of the pin40abutting against the inner peripheral surface to line-contact along the length direction of the leg portion90, it is not limited to the first and second protruding surfaces103and104.

As shown inFIG. 1,FIG. 2,FIG. 6,FIG. 7, andFIG. 10, the locking groove105is positioned on a lower end portion side of the central leg100, and the locking claw95of the grommet50fits into the locking groove105. As shown inFIG. 10, the locking groove105is concaved in a concave shape, and is structured by an inclined surface whose upper edge portion inclines downward toward a bottom; and a lower surface whose lower edge portion is approximately horizontal in the same figure.

As shown inFIG. 4,FIG. 5,FIG. 7, andFIG. 8, the slide groove106is formed in at least one end portion of both end portions in the width direction of the central leg100, and the slide protrusion52of the grommet50fits into the slide groove106. The slide groove106extends in a longitudinal direction of the central leg100, i.e., the up-and-down direction inFIG. 4.

As shown inFIG. 1,FIG. 3, andFIG. 4, the temporary attaching grooves107are positioned on the lower end portion side of the central leg100, and the temporary attaching protrusions53of the grommet50fit into the temporary attaching grooves107. The temporary attaching grooves107are formed between the later-described central blade portion111and an end blade portion115, and are concaved approximately in a U shape.

As shown inFIG. 1,FIGS. 3 to 6,FIG. 8, andFIG. 9, the prevention portion110is positioned in at least one of either the pin40or the grommet50, for example, in the insertion leg60of the pin40, and prevents a foreign matter such as gravel and the like from entering in.

Incidentally, although the prevention portion110is positioned in the pin40, it is not limited to the above, and the prevention portion110may be positioned on a grommet50side, or positioned respectively in the pin40and the grommet50.

Incidentally, each portion of the prevention portion110is not limited to the following (1) and (2), and the prevention portion110may be structured by either one of (1) or (2).

As shown inFIG. 1,FIGS. 3 to 6,FIG. 8, andFIG. 9, central blade portions111to114are positioned in a middle of a length of the central leg100, and extend outwardly from the central leg100approximately in a blade shape.

The central blade portions111to114function as a wall portion of the prevention portion110provided to extend in the insertion leg60of the pin40. Incidentally, as the wall portion, although the central blade portions111to114are illustrated as an example, the wall portion is not limited to the above.

Specifically, as shown inFIG. 8, the central blade portions111to114are provided at four corners of the first and second abutting portions101and102of the central leg100with a total of four pieces, and as a whole, the central blade portions111to114project approximately in an H shape of a cross-sectional surface.

Among the four central blade portions111to114, a distance to an end surface positioned on an outside of the central blade portions111and113, and112and114, which face back-to-back by sandwiching the central leg100, is set in a groove width of the slit91of the grommet50or above, for example, longer than the groove width. Also, among the four central blade portions111to114, an interval between the central blade portions111and112, and113and114, which are opposed by sandwiching the first and second protruding surfaces103and104, roughly corresponds to a side width of the leg piece92or above, for example, to the side width.

Incidentally, although four pieces are illustrated as an example of the number of the central blade portions111to114, the number of the central blade portions111to114is not limited to the above, and may be the number of pieces that can block a release surface of the slit91.

As shown inFIG. 1,FIGS. 3 to 6, andFIG. 8, end blade portions115to118are positioned in an end portion of the central leg100, and extend outwardly from the central leg100approximately in a blade shape.

Together with the central blade portions111to114, the end blade portions115to118function as a wall portion of the prevention portion110provided to extend in the insertion leg60of the pin40. Incidentally, as the wall portion, although the end blade portions115to118are illustrated as an example, the wall portion is not limited to the above.

As shown inFIG. 5, the end blade portions115to118are provided at four corners of the first and second abutting portions101and102of the central leg100with a total of four pieces, and as a whole, the end blade portions115to118project approximately in an H shape of a cross-sectional surface.

In the four end blade portions115to118, a distance to an end surface positioned on an outside of the end blade portions115and117, and116and118, which face back-to-back by sandwiching the central leg100, is set in the groove width of the slit91of the grommet50or above, for example, longer than the groove width. Also, among the four end blade portions115to118, an interval between the end blade portions115and116, and117and118, which are opposed by sandwiching the first and second protruding surfaces103and104, roughly corresponds to the side width of the leg piece92or above, for example, to the side width.

Incidentally, although four pieces are illustrated as an example of the number of the end blade portions115to118, the number of the end blade portions115to118is not limited to the above, and may be the number of pieces that can block the release surface of the slit91.

(Usage Method of Clip10)

Next, a usage method of the clip10having the aforementioned structure will be explained.

First, as shown inFIGS. 16 to 19, the insertion leg60of the pin40is matched and inserted into the insertion hole51of the grommet50so as to be a temporary attached state.

Next, as shown inFIG. 2, using the clip10which is in the temporary attached state, the component30is attached relative to the base20.

Incidentally, although the clip10is set in the temporary attached state, when the component30is attached, the grommet may be attached to the base20and the component30beforehand, and the pin40may be inserted at last.

First, as shown inFIG. 2, the base20and the component30are overlapped, and the attachment hole21and the through-hole31of both portions are matched.

Next, as shown inFIG. 2, the leg portion90of the grommet50which is in the temporary attached state is inserted toward the through-hole31of the component30from an attachment hole21side of the base20.

Lastly, as shown inFIG. 2, by inserting the pin40into the insertion hole51of the grommet50deep, the leg portion90of the grommet50is spread at a back side of the component30. By spreading the leg portion90of the grommet50, the base20and the component30are sandwiched between the lower surface of the flange80in an overlapped state, and through the clip10, the component30is fastened to the attachment hole21of the base20.

In a fastened state of the clip10, although it is not shown in the figures, the opposed release surface of the slit91of the grommet50is blocked from an outside by the prevention portion110of the pin40, i.e., the four central blade portions111to114, and the four end blade portions115to118.

Consequently, by the prevention portion110of the pin40, a foreign matter such as gravel, sand, mud, dust, and the like can be prevented from entering into a hollow interior portion of the leg portion90from the slit91of the grommet50.

Namely, if a foreign matter such as a gravel, and the like enters between the pin and the grommet, a friction resistance between both portions increases, or a foreign matter such as a gravel and the like acts as a kind of a “wedge”, so that there has been a possibility that the pin might be incapable of being pulled out. However, since the prevention portion110of the pin40can prevent a foreign matter such as gravel and the like from entering in, the aforementioned defect can be resolved.

On the other hand, when the fastened state of the clip10is released, although it is not shown in the figures, the driver and the like are inserted from the concave portions82of the grommet50, and the head portion70of the pin40is raised from the bottom surface of the depressed portion81, so that the insertion leg60of the pin40can slide in a direction of escaping from the insertion hole51of the grommet50.

Second Embodiment

Next, usingFIG. 20andFIG. 21, a second embodiment of the present invention will be explained.

As shown inFIG. 20andFIG. 21, a characteristic of the present embodiment is that a prevention portion200is positioned in one portion of the leg piece92of the grommet50, and is provided to extend in a length direction of the slit91.

Namely, usingFIG. 20andFIG. 21, by extending one portion of the leg piece92which has been split by the slit91, there are formed extension portions201and202.

As shown inFIG. 20, in the extension portions201and202, end portions thereof protrude outwardly in a usual state of the leg portion90. In a state wherein the insertion leg60of the pin40is inserted into the leg portion90deep, and the leg piece92is spread, both leg pieces92move along the extension portions201and202so as to be capable of preventing the slit91from broadening.

Namely, even at a time when the leg piece92is spread, the groove width of the slit91does not change, so that compared to a conventional grommet wherein the groove width of the slit expands, the present embodiment can reduce an entrance of a foreign matter such as a gravel and the like.

Incidentally, although the prevention portion200is structured by the extension portions201and202, the prevention portion200is not limited to the above.

Third Embodiment

Next, although it is not shown in the figures, a third embodiment of the present invention will be explained.

A characteristic of the present embodiment is that the prevention portion is provided to extend along the length direction of the slit from the lower surface of the flange of the grommet.

In the present embodiment, the prevention portion can be formed on a flange side of the grommet.

All contents of the specification, claims, drawings, and abstract of Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-16856 filed on Jul. 27, 2010 are cited herein and are incorporated as a disclosure of the specification of the present invention.