A clip may include an anchor portion configured to be inserted into an insertion hole formed in a subject member. The anchor portion has at least a pair of pillars separated via a slot that continuously extends between distal and proximal ends of the anchor portion, flexible strips respectively connected to the pillars and configured to engage a periphery of the insertion hole, and a cap portion positioned on the distal end of the anchor portion. The pillars are configured to be flexed about proximal ends thereof in a direction in which the pillars can intersect with each other. The cap portion is formed in a distal end of one of the pillars and is configured to cover a distal end of the slot.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a clip that is used in a vehicle in order to attach an attaching member (e.g., an overhead console) to a subject member (e.g., a body panel).

Description of Related Art

This type of clip is already known. For example, as shown inFIG. 21, a clip110is known. The known clip110includes an anchor (leg) portion120(an engagement portion) that is configured to be inserted into an insertion hole132formed in a subject member130(e.g., a body panel), and a connecting portion116(a head portion) that is capable of being connected to an attaching portion136of an attaching member (e.g., an overhead console). The anchor portion120of the clip110is designed in consideration of an insertion (push-in) load that is applied thereto when it is inserted into the insertion hole132of the subject member130and a retention force (an engagement force to the insertion hole) that is required for the anchor120(the clip) after it is fully inserted into the insertion hole132. Conversely, the connecting portion116of the clip110is formed or shaped in consideration of a type and a shape of attaching portion136of the attaching member. Further, the anchor portion120includes a pair of (two) pillars122that are integrated with the connecting portion and separated via a slot121that continuously extends between distal and proximal ends of the anchor portion120, and a pair of (two) flexible strips128that are respectively connected to distal ends of the pillars122. The pillars122are positioned so as to flex inward without interfering with each other. Further, the flexible strips128are respectively shaped to be outwardly obliquely spread toward proximal ends of the pillars122.

In order to attach the attaching member (the overhead console) to the subject member130(the body panel), the connecting portion116of the clip110is connected to the attaching portion136of the attaching member. Thereafter, the anchor portion120of the clip110can be pressed against the insertion hole132of the subject member130by applying a desired insertion force (load). As a result, the anchor portion120can be inserted into the insertion hole132while the flexible strips128are flexed inwardly. Upon insertion of the anchor portion120, the flexible strips128can engage a periphery of the insertion hole132, so that the anchor portion120can be retained in the insertion hole132with a desired retention force. Thus, the clip110can be attached to the subject member130. As a result, the attaching member can be attached to the subject member130via the clip110.

To the contrary, in order to remove or detach the attaching member from the subject member130for maintenance or other such purposes, the anchor portion120(the clip110) is applied with a removal or extraction force greater than the retention force thereof. Upon application of the extraction force, the extraction force can be transmitted to the pillars122via the flexible strips128, so that the pillars122can be pressed inwardly. As a result, the flexible strips128can be disengaged from the periphery of the insertion hole132, so that the anchor portion120(the clip110) can be removed from the subject member130. Thus, the attaching member can be removed from the subject member130.

According to the clip110thus constructed, when the attaching member is removed from the subject member130, the anchor portion120can be extracted from the insertion hole132after the flexible strips128are disengaged from the periphery of the insertion hole132. As a result, when the anchor portion120is extracted from the insertion hole132, the flexible strips128of the anchor portion120can be effectively prevented from being abraded or worn away. Therefore, the removed clip110can be used repeatedly.

However, as shown inFIG. 22, the anchor portion120of the clip110may be pressed against the insertion hole132of the subject member130while the anchor portion120is not aligned with the insertion hole132. In such a case, the distal end (a leading end) of the anchor portion120may contact the periphery of the insertion hole132. As a result, the anchor portion120can be prevented from being inserted into the insertion hole132. At this time, the periphery of the insertion hole132may enter the slot121formed in the anchor portion120, so that the pillars122can be excessively spread by the periphery of the insertion hole132. As a result, the pillars122can be broken, so that the clip110can be damaged. The damaged clip110cannot be used again.

Thus, there is a need in the art for improved clips.

Further, another known clip of this type is taught by, for example, Japanese Patent No. 5558322.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For example, in one aspect of the present invention, a clip may include an anchor portion configured to be inserted into an insertion hole formed in a subject member. The anchor portion has at least a pair of pillars separated via a slot that continuously extends between distal and proximal ends of the anchor portion, flexible strips respectively connected to the pillars and configured to engage a periphery of the insertion hole, and a cap portion positioned on the distal end of the anchor portion. The pillars are configured to be flexed about proximal ends thereof in a direction in which the pillars can intersect with each other. The cap portion is formed in a distal end of one of the pillars and is configured to cover a distal end of the slot.

According to this aspect, when the anchor portion of the clip is pressed against the insertion hole of the subject member while the anchor portion is not aligned with the insertion hole, the distal end of the anchor portion may contact a periphery of the insertion hole. However, the anchor portion may have the cap portion that is formed in the distal end of one of the pillars and is configured to cover the distal end of the slot. Therefore, the periphery of the insertion hole may be effectively prevented from entering the distal end of the slot due to the presence of the cap portion. Thus, the pillars can be effectively prevented from being broken. As a result, the clip can be effectively prevented from being damaged.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood after reading the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings and the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Detailed representative embodiments of the present invention are shown inFIGS. 1 to 19.

First Embodiment

A first detailed representative embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 11. A representative clip10may be used in order to attach an overhead consol (an attaching member) to a body panel30(a subject member). Further, a plurality of clips other than the clip10may generally be used in order to attach the overhead consol to the body panel30. However, only the clip10(one of the clips) will be described in this description because all of the clips including the clip10may respectively have the same structure.

As shown inFIG. 1, the clip10may preferably include a central base portion12, a lower connecting portion16that is extended downwardly from a lower surface of the base portion12, and an upper anchor portion20that is projected upwardly from an upper surface of the base portion12. Further, the clip10may preferably be a one piece plastic molded article that is integrally formed.

As shown inFIG. 7, the base portion12has an annular elastically deformable portion or stabilizer14that is formed in a circumferential periphery thereof. Further, as shown inFIG. 9, the stabilizer14may function to stabilize the clip10on the body panel30.

As shown inFIGS. 8 to 11, the connecting portion16may be used to connect or attach the clip10to an attaching portion36of the overhead consol. The connecting portion16may preferably include an upper (first) annular flange16a, a lower (second) annular flange16b, and a circular cylindrical neck portion16c. The neck portion16cis positioned between the upper and lower flanges16aand16band has a reduced diameter substantially corresponding to a diameter of an open-sided engagement slot or hole38formed in the attaching portion36of the overhead consol. The connecting portion16thus constructed can be connected to the overhead consol while the attaching portion36of the overhead consol is clamped between the upper flange16aand the lower flange16bthereof via the open-sided attachment hole38. Further, the upper flange16amay function to stabilize the clip10on the attaching portion36of the overhead consol.

The anchor portion20may be projected upwardly from a central portion of the base portion12. The anchor portion20may be configured to be inserted into an insertion hole32formed in the body panel30. Upon insertion of the anchor portion20into the insertion hole32, the anchor portion20can be retained in the insertion hole32, so that the clip10can be attached to the body panel30(FIG. 9). As a result, the attaching portion36of the overhead consol can be connected to the body panel30via the clip10.

As shown inFIG. 1, the anchor portion20may preferably include a pair of (two) pillars22positioned on the base portion12and diametrically separated via a slot21that continuously extends between distal and proximal ends of the anchor portion20, a pair of (two) flexible strips28respectively connected to the pillars22, and a cap portion26positioned on the distal end of the anchor portion20.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the slot21may have an open distal end21acorresponding to the distal end of the anchor portion20and a closed proximal end21bcorresponding to the proximal end of the anchor portion20.

As shown inFIGS. 1-3 and 7, the pillars22(which may be referred to as first and second pillars22) may respectively have (upper) distal ends or free ends corresponding to the distal end of the anchor portion20, and (lower) proximal ends corresponding to the proximal end of the anchor portion20. The proximal ends of the pillars22may be integrated with the base portion12. As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, the pillars22may be positioned on the base portion12in a staggered arrangement in plan. In other words, the pillars22are positioned symmetrical about an axis P of the anchor portion20with a certain space therebetween in plan. Further, the pillars22may be shaped to be flexed about the proximal ends thereof in a predetermined diametrical direction D of the anchor portion20(a direction in which the pillars22can intersect with each other). Therefore, the pillars22can be flexed about the proximal ends thereof in the direction in which the pillars22can intersect with each other substantially without interfering with each other (FIGS. 10 and 11) when the pillars22are pressed inwardly (i.e., when the pillars22are applied with a pressing force.) That is, the pillars22can be flexed in the predetermined diametrical direction D of the anchor portion20while intersecting with each other when the pillars22are pressed inwardly.

Further, as shown inFIGS. 1-3 and 5, the distal ends of the pillars22may be connected to each other via a connecting strip24(a connecting portion) positioned on the open distal end21aof the slot21such that the pillars22can be normally prevented from being flexed in the predetermined diametrical direction D of the anchor portion20. In particular, the connecting strip24may be positioned between the distal ends of the pillars22, so that the distal ends of the pillars22are connected to each other in a horizontal direction substantially parallel to the stabilizer14(the base portion12). However, as shown inFIG. 5, the connecting strip24may have a cross-sectional shape that allows the connecting strip24to be relatively easily broken when a predetermined force is applied thereto via the pillars22. Therefore, when the pillars22are pressed inwardly, the connecting strip24may be broken, so that the pillars22can be flexed in the predetermined diametrical direction D of the anchor portion20.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the cap portion26may be integrally formed in the distal end of one of the pillars22. Further, the cap portion26may be configured to cover the distal end21aof the slot21. In particular, the cap portion26may extend from the distal end of one of the pillars22beyond the distal end21aof the slot21so as to overhang the distal end of the other of the pillars22. Therefore, the cap portion26may function to prevent a periphery of the insertion hole32of the body panel30from entering the distal end21aof the slot21when the anchor portion20is pressed toward the insertion hole32of the body panel30. Further, as will be apparent fromFIGS. 2 and 3, the cap portion26formed in the distal end of one of the pillars22may overhang the distal end of the other of the pillars22with a predetermined space therebetween. Therefore, the cap portion26may not prevent the pillars22from being flexed about the proximal ends thereof when the pillars22are pressed inwardly. Further, the cap portion26may preferably have a rounded (top) outer surface.

Conversely, as shown inFIGS. 2, 3 and 7, the flexible strips28may respectively be connected to the distal ends of the pillars22. In particular, the flexible strips28may respectively be projected obliquely downward and outward from the distal ends of the pillars22in the predetermined diametrical direction D of the anchor portion20. That is, the flexible strips28may respectively be formed as cantilevered strips each of which has a proximal end integrated with the distal end of the pillar22and a distal end (a free end). Therefore, each of the flexible strips28can flex inward and outward about the proximal end thereof in the predetermined diametrical direction D of the anchor portion20. Further, each of the flexible strips28may have an engagement surface (portion)28athat is formed in the free end thereof. The engagement surface28aof each of the flexible strips28may be configured to engage the periphery of the insertion hole32formed in the body panel30when the anchor portion20is inserted into the insertion hole32(FIG. 9).

Next, a method of using the clip10will now be described in detail. First, in order to attach the overhead consol (the attaching member) to the body panel30(the subject member), the connecting portion16of the clip10may be connected to the attaching portion36of the overhead consol, so as to attach the clip10to the overhead consol (FIG. 8). Subsequently, the anchor portion20of the clip10may be pressed against and inserted into the insertion hole32formed in the body panel30. Upon insertion of the anchor portion20, the anchor portion20may pass through the insertion hole32while the flexible strips28are respectively flexed inward about the proximal end thereof. When the anchor portion20is completely inserted into the insertion hole32(a coupled condition of the clip10), the flexible strips28of the anchor portion20may respectively be restored outward, so that the engagement surfaces28aof the flexible strips28can engage the periphery of the insertion hole32(FIG. 9). Thus, the anchor portion20(the clip10) can be attached to the body panel30with a desired retention force. As a result, the overhead consol can be attached to the body panel30via the clip10.

To the contrary, in order to detach the overhead consol from the body panel30, in the coupled condition of the clip10, i.e., in a condition in which the clip10is attached to the body panel30(FIG. 9), the anchor portion20(the clip10) can be applied with a removal or extraction force F greater than the retention force thereof (FIG. 10). Upon application of the extraction force F to the anchor portion20, the extraction force F can be transmitted to the pillars22via the flexible strips28, so that the pillars22(the distal ends) can be pressed inwardly (i.e., the pillars22can be applied with a flexing force). As a result, as shown inFIG. 10, the pillars22may start to be flexed inward in the predetermined diametrical direction D of the anchor portion20while the connecting strip24connecting the distal ends of the pillars22can be broken.

Subsequently, as shown inFIG. 11, when the extraction force F is continuously applied to the anchor portion20(i.e., when the flexing force is continuously applied to the pillars22), the pillars22can be further flexed inwardly in the predetermined diametrical direction D of the anchor portion20while intersecting with each other. As a result, the engagement surfaces28aof the flexible strips28can be disengaged from the periphery (or a burr formed in the periphery) of the insertion hole32of the body panel30. Thus, the anchor portion20(the clip10) can be smoothly removed from the insertion hole32of the body panel30.

As shown inFIG. 8, when the anchor portion20of the clip10is pressed against the insertion hole32of the body panel30while the anchor portion20is not aligned with the insertion hole32, the distal end (a leading end) of the anchor portion20may contact the periphery of the insertion hole32. However, according to the clip10thus constructed, the anchor portion20may have the cap portion26positioned on the distal end thereof. As described above, the cap portion26may be integrated with the distal end of one of the pillars22and is shaped to cover the distal end21aof the slot21formed in the anchor portion20. Therefore, the periphery of the insertion hole32of the body panel30may be effectively prevented from entering the distal end21aof the slot21due to the presence of the cap portion26. Thus, the pillars22can be effectively prevented from being broken. As a result, the clip10can be effectively prevented from being damaged. In addition, the cap portion26may effectively function as a guide member to direct the anchor portion20toward the insertion hole32due to the rounded outer surface thereof. Therefore, the anchor portion20can be relatively easily and smoothly inserted into the insertion hole32even when the anchor portion20is pressed against the insertion hole32while the anchor portion20is not aligned with the insertion hole32.

Generally, in order to press the anchor portion20of the clip10against the insertion hole32formed in the body panel30, an end portion of the overhead consol to which the clip10is attached is hooked on the body panel30. Thereafter, the overhead consol may be rotated about the end portion thereof such that the anchor portion20of the clip10may be moved toward the insertion hole32formed in the body panel30. This means that the anchor portion20may be pressed against the insertion hole32while rotating along a curve trajectory. As a result, when the anchor portion20is pressed against the insertion hole32, the anchor portion20can be displaced from and inclined with respect to the insertion hole32. Thus, the anchor portion20may sometimes be pressed against the insertion hole32while the anchor portion20is not aligned with the insertion hole32.

Further, according to the clip10, the anchor portion20can be extracted from the insertion hole32of the body panel30after the engagement surfaces28aof the flexible strips28are disengaged from the periphery of the insertion hole32. That is, when the anchor portion20(the clip10) is extracted from the insertion hole32of the body panel30, the flexible strips28of the anchor portion20can be effectively prevented from being abraded or worn away. Therefore, the clip10can be repeatedly used. Further, the retention force of the anchor portion20cannot be changed or decreased even if the clip10is repeatedly used.

Second Embodiment

The second detailed representative embodiment will now be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 12 to 17. Because the second embodiment relates to the first embodiment, only the constructions and elements that are different from the first embodiment will be explained in detail.

In this embodiment, a clip10′ may have the same structure as the clip10of the first embodiment except that a connecting strip24A (the connecting portion) is used instead of the connecting strip24. Similar to the first embodiment, the distal ends of the pillars22may be connected to each other via the connecting strip24A. However, as best shown inFIGS. 13 and 14, unlike the first embodiment, the cap portion26formed in the distal end of one of the pillars22and the distal end of the other of the pillars22may be connected to each other via the connecting strip24A. In particular, the connecting strip24A may be positioned between a lower surface of the cap portion26formed in the distal end of one of the pillars22and the distal end of the other of the pillars22, so that the lower surface of the cap portion26formed in the distal end of one of the pillars22can be connected to the distal end of the other of the pillars22in a vertical direction substantially perpendicular to the stabilizer14(the base portion12). Further, as shown inFIG. 16, the connecting strip24A may have a cross-sectional shape that allows the connecting strip24A to be relatively easily broken when the predetermined force is applied thereto via the pillars22.

Third Embodiment

The third detailed representative embodiment will now be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 18 to 20. Because the third embodiment relates to the first embodiment, only the constructions and elements that are different from the first embodiment will be explained in detail.

In this embodiment, a clip10″ may have the same structure as the clip10of the first embodiment except that the connecting strip24(the connecting portion) is omitted. That is, unlike the first embodiment, the distal ends of the pillars22are not connected to each other.

Naturally, various changes and modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in the embodiments, the anchor portion20has the two pillars22(the first and second pillars22) and the two flexible strips28. However, the number of the pillars22(the flexible strips28) is not limited to two.

Further, in the embodiments, the flexible strips28are respectively formed as the cantilevered strips. However, the distal ends of the flexible strips28can be connected to the pillars22or the base portion12as necessary. That is, the flexible strips28may respectively be formed as double-supported strips. Further, the flexible strips28can be formed as flexible members that are integrated with the pillars22.

Representative examples of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. This detailed description is merely intended to teach a person of skill in the art further details for practicing preferred aspects of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Only the claims define the scope of the claimed invention. Therefore, combinations of features and steps disclosed in the foregoing detail description may not be necessary to practice the invention in the broadest sense, and are instead taught merely to particularly describe detailed representative examples of the invention. Moreover, the various features taught in this specification may be combined in ways that are not specifically enumerated in order to obtain additional useful embodiments of the present invention.