Abstract:
A metal nut (N) is held by a plastic clip-body ( 12 ). The clip-body ( 12 ) has a first arm, a second arm and an open end that includes a cam section for camming a member into the open end. It also includes an annular locator wall that extends upwardly from the second arm of the clip-body. The upper end of this locator wall is formed to slope upwardly as it extends inwardly from the open end of the clip-body. The sloping upper end of the locator wall helps to cam the member into the clip-body. The first arm has a transverse end section ( 15 ) and sidewalls that extend upwardly from the first arm between the end section ( 15 ) and the free end of the first arm.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 60/213,302, filed Jun. 22, 2000, and entitled Clip Nuts. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to improvements in clip nuts. More particularly, it relates to the provision of clip nuts that are simple in design, are capable of being mass-produced in an economical manner, and which will not scratch the surfaces or contribute to any corrosion of a metal member upon which they are installed. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Clip nuts are adapted to clip onto a first member to which a second member is to be joined by use of a connector bolt or screw that extends through openings in the two members and screws into the clip nut. An example clip nut is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,064, granted Aug. 26, 1990, to Anthony H. Lozano, and assigned to the Shur-Lok Corporation of Irvine, California. This patent and the patent publications referred to in it provide an adequate background to this invention and are thus hereby incorporated herein for that purpose. 
     There is a need for an easy to manufacture clip nut that will not mar the surfaces of the member on which the clip nut is installed. An object of the present invention is to provide such a clip nut. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a plastic clip nut that is easy to install onto an edge portion of a panel and which is constructed to minimize the scratching or marring of the surfaces of the panel. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a clip nut having a plastic clip-body and a metal nut secured to the body in a manner permitting the nut to float in an amount sufficient to make it easy to insert a bolt into the nut. The plastic body is constructed to adequately brace the metal nut and prevent it from turning while the screw is being screwed into the metal nut. 
     Clip nuts of the present invention are basically characterized by a clip-body constructed from plastic and including a transverse hinge section in a first arm, close to where the first arm joins an end wall. Sidewalls are provided on the first arm. They extend upwardly from the first arm substantially throughout the full extent of the first arm between the hinge section and an open end of the clip-body opposite the end wall. The sidewalls stiffen the first arm and substantially restrict bending of the first arm to the hinge section region of the first arm. 
     An aspect of the present invention is to provide a clip-body having a first arm and a second arm in which the first arm includes an opening in a region of the first arm that is substantially parallel to the second arm, and in which the first arm slopes downwardly as it extends from the transverse hinge section to the region in the first arm that includes the opening. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide a cam section at the open end of the clip-body, having a cam surface that slopes upwardly and endwise outwardly at the open end of the clip-body. The cam surface serves to cam a member into the clip-body between the first and second arms of the clip-body. 
     A further aspect of the invention is to provide the second arm with an opening and an annular locator wall extending up from the second arm around the opening. In preferred form, the annular locator wall has an upper end that is in a plane that slopes upwardly as it extends inwardly of the clip-body from the open end of the clip-body. This end surface of the annular locator wall serves to cam a member into the clip-body between the first and second arms of the clip-body. 
     In one embodiment, the first arm includes a pair of laterally extending fences on opposite sides of the opening in the first end of the first arm. A nut is provided which includes a base having end edges that are substantially parallel to the fences. The width of the base of the nut between the end surfaces is smaller than the distance between the two fences. Preferably also, the base of the nut includes side edges that are spaced apart a distance smaller than the spacing across the clip-body between the sidewalls. 
     Objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description set forth below, from the drawings, and from the principles that are embodied in the specific structures that are illustrated and described. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
     Like reference numerals and letters refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawing, and: 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, such view showing a metal nut member mounted in a plastic clip body; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the clip nut shown by FIG. 1, with the metal nut member disconnected from the plastic clip body and spaced above it; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged scale sectional view taken through an alignment flange portion of the plastic clip body, such view being taken substantially along line  3 — 3  of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view opposite the FIG. 1 plan view; 
     FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 2, but with the metal nut member connected to the plastic clip body, and with the metal nut member and portions of the plastic clip body shown in section, said section being taken substantially along line  5 — 5  of FIG. 6, such view also showing the clip nut clipped onto a panel; 
     FIG. 6 is another plan view like FIG. 1 but with a portion of the plastic clip shown in section, such section being taken substantially along line  6 — 6  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a pictorial view of a modified form of a clip nut, such view being taken from above and looking down towards the first arm, the open end and one side of the clip nut, and showing the nut exploded up and away from the clip-body; 
     FIG. 8 is a view like FIG. 7, but showing the nut secured to the clip-body; 
     FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the clip nut shown by FIG. 7 and 8; 
     FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the clip nut shown by FIGS. 7-9; 
     FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along line  11 — 11  of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along line  12 — 12  of FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken substantially along line  13 — 13  of FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken substantially along lines  14 — 14  of FIG. 12; and 
     FIG. 15 is a view like FIG. 12, but showing the nut in the process of being inserted into the place for it in the clip-body. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The various concepts or principles which make up the invention can be best understood by considering the following description of example embodiments of the invention. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1,  2  and  4 - 6 , the illustrated clip nut  10  comprises a plastic clip body  12 , constructed from a structural plastic, and a metal nut member  14 . Plastic clip body  12  comprises a first arm portion  17  connected to a second arm portion  16  by an end wall or bight portion  18 . The thickness of the arm  17  is reduced by a transverse groove  15  to form a hinge section at the base of the groove  15 . Arm portion  17  includes a through opening  20 . Arm portion  16  includes a rounded end  19  and an annular alignment flange  22  that projects from arm portion  16  towards the opening  20 . End  19  may be of substantially circular curvature. Flange  22  includes a sloping end surface  25  and a circular opening  26  (FIG.  3 ). 
     End portion  24  of arm  17  extends at an angle from the adjacent region of arm portion  17  in which opening  20  is situated. The sloping end surface  25  on the boss  40  makes an acute angle with the inner surface  26  of arm  16 . The diameter of opening  20  is larger than the outside diameter of the annular flange  22 . This allows the arm portion  17  to move relative to the arm portion  16  without there being contact between the annular flange  22  and the boundary of opening  20 . 
     Preferably the plastic clip body  12  of the clip nut  10  is molded or otherwise formed in one piece from Torlon™, or a similar structural plastic material. Torlon™ is both strong and flexible. Torlon™ is disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,902,180, granted Feb. 20, 1990, to Richard F. Gauron. Torlon™ is manufactured by Amoco Performance Products, Inc. of Ridgefield, Conn. 08677. Torlon™ is a polymer that is tough enough to replace metal. It is highly resistant to wear and fatigue. It is particularly suitable for use in making the plastic clip bodies of the invention because it is both strong and flexible. Most structural plastics are either strong or flexible but not both. 
     The metal nut member  14  has a base  28  that may be square or rectangular in plan form, as shown by FIG.  1 . Metal nut member  14  is essentially the same as the nut  34  shown in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,064 but longer to provide more base metal outwardly of the tubular part  84 . The base  28  of the metal nut member  14  includes a pair of tabs  30 ,  32  which project in opposite directions from the base  28 . An upstanding annular member  34  is connected to the base  38 . It includes a center opening  40  that is provided with internal threads  42 . The longer base provides nut  14  with a larger footprint in contact with the plastic below it. This guards against the lower edge of part  34  cutting into the plastic when a bolt is tightened in the nut  14 . 
     Arm  17  includes a pair of sidewalls  44 ,  46  that project upwardly from the arm  17  along its opposite sides. Sidewalls  44 ,  46  include tab receiving openings  48 ,  50 . A side elevation view of opening  48  is shown by FIG.  2 . The opening  50  in sidewall  46  preferably is the same as opening  48  in side elevation. The base  28  of the metal nut member  14  is positioned above the arm  17  and its tab  30  is aligned with opening  48 . Then the metal nut member  14  is moved towards sidewall  44  until the outer surface of boss  34  moves into recess  52 . At that time, the wall section  54  is bendable outwardly enough to allow tab  32  to slip downwardly into opening  50 . The tabs  30 ,  32  and openings  48 ,  50  mount the metal nut member  14  so that it can “float” relative to the plastic clip member  12 , both lengthwise and crosswise. Ribs  56 ,  58  may be formed on the upper surface of arm  17  laterally outwardly of the base  28 . The front and rear edges of the base  28  will contact these ribs  56 ,  58  as the metal nut member  14  slides sideways on the upper surface of the arm  17 . 
     Referring to FIG. 5, an avenue  60  is formed by and between arms  17  and  16 . This avenue  60  receives an edge portion of a panel P. This panel P is inserted through opening  60  between arm portion  16  and arm portion  17 . This requires the arm portions  16 ,  17  to move relatively apart until the panel P is between them and an opening  64  in the panel P is in alignment with the annular member  22 . The reduced thickness section at the base of groove  15  acts as a hinge and is where bending occurs. opening  62  is larger in diameter than the outside diameter of the annular member  22 . Thus, when annular boss  22  is aligned with the opening  62 , the annular boss  22  quite readily moves into the opening  62  in the panel P. When the panel P is between the arm portions  17 ,  16 , one surface of it is in contact with the inner surface of the upper arm portion  17 . Initially, the two inside surfaces of the arm portions  17 ,  16  may be at a slight angle to each other. 
     The sidewalls  44 ,  46  stiffen the arm  17  and give it a channel shape cross section throughout most of its length. The surfaces of the plastic clip body  12  that contact the panel P when the panel P is inserted through the avenue  60  are all soft and smooth surfaces that will not mar or scratch the material from which the panel P is made. Sloping surfaces  24 , 25  help cam the panel P into the plastic clip body  12 . When the clip nut  10  is installed on to a panel P, another panel (not shown) can be moved against arm  16 . Then, the threaded shank of a bolt or screw (not shown) is inserted through opening  26  and threaded into the threaded opening  40 . When this bolt is tightened, it will firmly secure the two panels together. Typical connections of this type, using clip nuts of a different construction, are disclosed by the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,064, and by U.S. Pat. No. 3,670,796, granted Jun. 20, 1972, to David W. Grimm; by U.S. Pat. No. 4,375,933, granted Mar. 8, 1983, to Donald H. Hassler and Paul V. Pagel and by U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,706, granted Jun. 30, 1987, to Akio Inaba. 
     When a bolt (not shown) is inserted through opening  26  and then threaded into opening  40 , the arm  17  will first bend in the hinge region below groove  15 . As the bolt is tightened, the flat region of arm  17  which includes the opening  20  is drawn down into tight engagement with a portion of the panel P (FIG.  5 ). In order for this to happen, there may be some distortion of arm  16  and end wall  18 . The sidewalls  44 ,  46  hold the arm  17  relatively rigid except in the region of the hinge section  15 . As best shown by FIG. 5, the annular wall  78  projects into the opening  62  in panel P and maintains opening  62  aligned with opening  26 . 
     FIGS. 7-15 show a second embodiment of the invention. It is basically the same as the embodiment shown by FIGS. 1-6, but it will be described in its entirety. 
     The embodiment of FIGS. 7-15 is designated  60 . It comprises a plastic clip body  62 , constructed from a structural plastic, and a metal nut member  64 . Plastic clip body  62  comprises a first arm portion  66  connected to a second arm portion  68  by an end wall or bight portion  70 . The thickness of the arm portion  66  is reduced by a transverse groove  72  to form a hinge section  74  at the base of the groove  72 . Arm portion  66  includes a through opening  76 . Arm portion  68  includes a rounded end  69  (e.g. circular) and an annular alignment flange  78  that projects from arm portion  68  towards the opening  76 . Flange  78  includes a sloping end surface  80  (FIG. 10) and a circular opening  82  (FIGS. 12,  14  and  15 ). 
     End portion  84  (FIGS. 10 and 11) of arm portion  66  extends at an angle (e.g.  450 ) from the adjacent region of arm portion  66  in which opening  76  is situated. The sloping end surface  80  of the boss  78  makes an acute angle with the inner surface  88  of arm  68 . The diameter of opening  76  is larger than the outside diameter of the annular flange  78 . This allows the arm portion  66  to move relative to the arm portion  68  without there being contact between the annular flange  78  and the boundary of opening  76 . See FIG.  12 . End portion  69  (FIG. 10) of arm portion  68  also extends at an angle (e.g. 45° C.) from the adjacent inner surface of arm  68 . Sloped surfaces  84 ,  69  function to cam the clip onto a plate P. Sloped surface  69  also provides a lip for receiving a removal tool. 
     Preferably the plastic clip body  62  of the clip nut  60  is molded or otherwise formed in one piece from Torlon™ or a similar structural plastic material. Torlon™ is both strong and flexible. Torlon™ is disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,902,180, granted Feb. 20, 1990, to Richard F. Gauron. Torlon™ is manufactured by Amoco Performance Products, Inc. of Richfield, Conn. 08677. Torlon™ is a polymer that is tough enough to replace metal. It is highly resistant to wear and fatigue. It is particularly suitable for use in making the plastic clip bodies  62  of the invention because it is both strong and flexible. Most structural plastics are either strong or flexible but not both. 
     The metal nut  64  is like metal nut  14 . Metal nut member  64  is essentially the same as the nut  34  shown in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,068. The base  90  of the metal nut member  64  includes a pair of tabs  92 ,  94  which project in opposite directions from the base  90 . An upstanding annular member  96  is connected to the base  90 . It includes a center opening  98  that is provided with internal threads  100  (FIG.  12 ). 
     When a bolt is inserted through opening  76  and screwed into the threaded opening  98  in the nut  96 , the upper arm  66  will be drawn towards the arm  68 . Initially, arm  66  will bend in region  74  below the groove  72 . Then, when the flat portion of arm  66  through which opening  76  extends is in contact with a panel that has been inserted between the arms  66 ,  68 . Further tightening of the bolt will cause the end portion that includes opening  76  to move flat against the adjacent surface of the panel. In order for this to happen, there is some more give in the regions  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 . 
     In both embodiments, the panel that is inserted between the upper and lower arms may be thicker than the static distance between the upper and lower arms at the open end of the clip member  62 . At first, the insertion of the panel between the arms will spread the arms apart and make them diverge apart somewhat at the open end of the clip member  62 . Then, when the bolt is screwed into the nut, the end portion of arm  66  will be drawn down flat against the panel. This will cause some bending in region  74  below the groove  72 . It might also cause some distortion of member  68  relative to member  70  and member  70  relative to member  66 . 
     Arm  68  includes a pair of sidewalls  102 ,  104  that project upwardly from the arm  66  along its opposite sides. Sidewalls  102 ,  104  include tab receiving openings  106 ,  108 . A side elevation of opening  106  is shown in FIG. 10. A side elevation of opening  108  is shown in FIG.  11 . Thus, it can be seen, the two openings  106 ,  108  are essentially the same in size and shape. Referring to FIG. 13, the upper surface  110  of arm  66  is flat where it surrounds opening  76 . Side extensions  112 ,  114  of surface  110  are substantially coplanar with surface  110 . The base  90  of the nut member  64  rests on the surface  110  and the coplanar bottom surfaces of the tabs  92 ,  94  rest on the surfaces  112 ,  114 . FIG. 15 shows tab  92  being placed in opening  106 . Tab  90  is then pushed on until it snaps into opening  108 . Once in the openings  106 ,  108 , the tabs  92 ,  94  mount the metal nut member  64  so that it can “float” relative to the plastic clip member  62 . Fences  116 ,  118  are parallel to the end edges  120 ,  122  on the base  90  of the nut member  64 . Sidewalls  102 ,  104  present side fence surfaces  124 ,  126  that are parallel to each other and to the side edge surfaces  128 ,  130  on the base  90  of nut member  64 . When the nut member  64  is connected to the clip body  62 , the nut member  64  can float in position on surfaces  110 ,  112 ,  114 , both endwise and sidewise of the clip body  62 . This “float” allows enough movement of the nut member  64  to assure alignment of the bolt or screw through opening  82  and into threaded opening  98 . When the bolt or screw is tightened by a screwdriver or wrench, the torque is reacted by contact of the edge surfaces  120 ,  122 ,  128 ,  130  with the fence surfaces. 
     As clearly shown by FIGS. 7,  8 ,  12 ,  13  and  15 , the arm  66  is widened in the vicinity of the opening  76  so as to provide material outwardly of and below the openings  106 ,  108 , so as to strengthen the clip member  62  in these regions. It also provides reinforced side regions for the openings  106 ,  108 . These regions are contacted by the tabs  92 ,  94  when the bolt or screw is screwed into the threaded opening  98 . 
     The illustrated embodiments are only examples of the present invention and, therefore, are non-limitive. It is to be understood that many changes in the particular structure, materials and features of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is my intention that my patent rights not be limited by the particular embodiments illustrated and described herein.