Abstract:
The invention relates to a fastening device ( 10 ) for at least one cable ( 44 ), having an edge clip part ( 12 ) for fitting the fastening device ( 10 ) to an edge ( 28 ) of a base part ( 26 ). A holding device ( 30 ) for at least one cable strap ( 40 ) surrounds at least one cable ( 44 ). The holding device ( 30 ) includes fastening sections ( 38 ) that constitute a mount for the cable strap ( 40 ) in three directions of cable strap orientation orthogonal to each other, so that a cable strap ( 40 ) can be fastened to the base part ( 26 ) selectively oriented in one of the three directions of cable strap orientation.

Description:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The object of the present invention is to provide an even more flexibly usable fastening device for a cable. 
         [0002]    This object is achieved by a fastening device according to claim  1 . A fastening device of this type allows a cable or cable loom to be fastened in all three spatial directions relative to the edge of the base part, as a result of which only a single fastening device is necessary, irrespective of the spatial direction in which the cable is intended to be fastened to the base part. This allows costs to be saved in stock-keeping and logistics, and the fastening device is simpler to use since, irrespective of the spatial direction in which the cable is to be fastened to the base part, only one single type of fastening device is required. 
         [0003]    The holding device may be designed for a simultaneous fastening of a plurality of cable straps to the edge clip part. The holding device has a first fastening section for holding a first cable strap on the edge clip part and a second fastening section for holding a second cable strap, the cable straps preferably being insertable into the fastening sections. In this way, it is possible for at least two cable straps to be held on the edge clip part at the same time, and therefore at least two different cables or cable looms can be fastened to one single fastening device. 
         [0004]    Preferably, a third fastening section is provided to hold a third cable strap on the edge clip part. Thus, three cable straps may be fastened to the edge clip part at the same time. 
         [0005]    The fastening sections may form guides for inserting a cable strap. These guides preferably determine the direction of orientation of the cable strap. 
         [0006]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a first fastening section is provided on the top side of the edge clip part and a second fastening section is provided on the side of the edge clip part. This facilitates mounting the cable strap in the different directions of orientation. 
         [0007]    Several fastening sections may be formed as one common mounting part. This allows a compact construction of the holding device by a combination of a plurality of fastening sections in one common mounting part. 
         [0008]    For example, a mounting part includes two fastening sections for fitting a cable strap in two directions of orientation extending orthogonally to each other. 
         [0009]    Preferably, at least one fastening section is manufactured in one piece with the edge clip part. This allows the number of individual parts of the fastening device to be reduced to a minimum. 
         [0010]    According to a further embodiment, a mounting part having at least one fastening section is provided, the mounting part being configured as a separate component which is fastened to the edge clip part. This allows greater flexibility in designing the mounting part. 
         [0011]    For example, the mounting part is placed on the edge clip part by a guide and is locked with the edge clip part. In this way, it is possible to attach as many mounting parts to the edge clip part as are required for a particular application. 
         [0012]    According to a further embodiment, the mounting part is designed to be rotatable in relation to the edge clip part. This allows the angle at which the cable strap is held relative to the edge clip part to be freely selected. 
         [0013]    A fixing means may be provided for fixing the rotatable mounting part in place in a peripheral direction. In this manner, any desired angle is possible in the peripheral direction when fastening the cable; following assembly, this angle may be reversibly or irreversibly fixed. 
         [0014]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment, an upper mounting part having at least one fastening section is provided on the top side of the edge clip part and at least one lateral mounting part having at least one fastening section is provided on the side of the edge clip part. Preferably, each mounting part includes two fastening sections for fitting a cable strap in two directions of orientation extending orthogonally to each other. This allows, for example, one mounting part to be fitted in a plane parallel to the edge of the base part and the second mounting part to be fitted in a plane perpendicular to the edge of the base part. 
         [0015]    A cable strap and the edge clip part and/or a mounting part may be integrally connected with each other. This results in a further reduction in the number of individual parts of the fastening device. 
         [0016]    The holding device may be configured as a cable strap lock, as a result of which a cable strap may directly snap into place at the holding device in the cable strap lock. 
         [0017]    Preferably, a cable strap is a separate component that includes a cable strap part and a cable strap lock. In this way, the number of cable straps and the direction of orientation of the cable strap may be freely selected. 
         [0018]    According to a preferred embodiment, a metal piece is provided which is adapted to be inserted into the edge clip part, the metal piece having at least one sheet metal claw which, with the fastening device fitted in place, directly engages the base part. The sheet metal claw thus locks the fastening device in place on the base part. 
         [0019]    it is possible for a plurality of cable straps to be held on the holding device and for the directions of orientation of the cable straps to provide for at least two cables extending in the same direction to be fastened to the edge clip part. This allows a guidance of separate cables or cable looms in the same direction. 
         [0020]    As an alternative, a plurality of cable straps may be held on the holding device and the directions of orientation of the cable straps may allow at least two cables extending in different directions, in particular orthogonally to each other, to be fastened to the edge clip part. 
         [0021]    Preferably, a fastening section is provided with an extension that is directed outwards, a cable fastened to the fastening device being adapted to be clamped between the extension and the cable strap held by the fastening section. The extension causes the fastening of the cable or cable loom to be improved, for instance by an increase in friction between the cable and the extension of the fastening section or by a shaping that allows the cable to be fixed in position. 
         [0022]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the extension is shaped such, more particularly curved such that the closed and tightened cable strap, without clamping a cable in between, rests against the extension on the outside. By the extension extending, as it were, towards the loop-type cable strap, the loop may be pulled tight until a stop is reached. This allows even very thin cables having a cross-section of close to zero to be fastened. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description below and from the accompanying drawings, to which reference is made and in which: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the edge clip part and the holding device of a fastening device according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  shows a further perspective view of the edge clip part and the holding device according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the fastening device according to  FIG. 1 , with cable straps inserted; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4   a  to  FIG. 4   f  show various perspective views of the fastening device according to  FIG. 1 , with different numbers of cable straps in different directions of orientation; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a fastening device according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  shows an exploded view of the fastening device according to  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  shows an exploded view of a fastening device according to a third embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  shows a view of the embodiment according to  FIG. 7  in the assembled condition. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0032]      FIGS. 1 to 4   f  show a fastening device  10  according to a first embodiment of the invention. A U-shaped edge clip part  12  includes a pair of legs  14 ,  16  which are more particularly integrally connected to each other by means of a connecting portion  18  that constitutes the upper side of the edge clip part  12 . 
         [0033]    A U-shaped metal piece  20  is arranged between the first leg  14  and the second leg  16 , the upper end of the metal piece  20  resting against the connecting portion  18  of the edge clip part  12  and the two lower ends of the metal piece  20  being locked in place in oblique recesses  22  in the legs  14 ,  16 . The metal piece  20  includes a plurality of sheet metal claws  24  (see  FIG. 2 ) which, with the fastening device  10  in the attached condition, directly engage a base part  26  to which the fastening device  10  and cables are intended to be fitted. The base part  26  is more particularly a sheet metal part on a vehicle, the sheet metal part being provided anyway. The legs  14 ,  16  of the edge clip part  12  are designed to be springy, as a result of which the edge clip part  12  can be better fastened to the edge  28  of the base part  26 . 
         [0034]    The metal piece  20  may be fitted in the edge clip part  12  in a preassembled condition or, depending on the required application, be introduced into the edge clip part  12 . Depending on the application needs, the metal piece  20  will possibly have different designs in order to allow for different embodiments, in particular different thicknesses of the edges  28  of the base parts  26 . 
         [0035]    A holding device  30  is configured in one piece with the edge clip part  12 . The holding device  30  comprises a first lateral mounting part  32 , a second lateral mounting part  34 , and an upper mounting part  36 . The mounting parts  32 ,  34 ,  36  are each provided with two fastening sections  38 . A cable strap  40  may be introduced into the intersecting fastening sections  38  which are of a bridge-type design. Each fastening section  38  has guides  42  formed thereon which determine the directions of orientation of the cable strap  40 . 
         [0036]    The guides  42  are preferably configured such that a rotary motion of the cable strap  40  of more than ±5 degrees within the guide  42  is prevented. 
         [0037]    With respect to the directions of orientation of the cable straps  40 , it should be appreciated that the longitudinal direction in which the cable strap  40  extends and the rotational orientation about an axis in this longitudinal direction are both relevant to the orientation of the cable strap  40 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 3  shows three cable straps  40  each inserted in a respective mounting part  32 ,  34 ,  36 , without holding a cable. The direction of insertion of the cable straps corresponds to their longitudinal direction. In the embodiment shown, inserted into the mounting parts  32 ,  34 ,  36  are two cable straps  40  along their longitudinal direction perpendicularly to the edge and one cable strap  40  along its longitudinal direction parallel to the edge. In the following, the direction of the cable or cable loom  44  held by the respective cable strap  40  is defined as the direction of orientation of the cable straps  40 . 
         [0039]    When a cable strap  40  is inserted into the mounting part  32  in the direction of insertion along the edge  28  and a second cable strap  40  is inserted into the mounting part  36  in the direction of insertion along the edge  28 , the two cable straps have directions of orientation that differ by 90 degrees since, due to the different orientations of the cable straps  40 , the cables or cable looms  44  held by the two cable straps  40  extend in directions differing by 90 degrees (cf.  FIG. 4   b  and  FIG. 4   c ). 
         [0040]    Similarly, it is also possible for cable straps  40  with different directions of insertion into the respective mounting part  32 - 36  to have the same direction of orientation (cf.  FIG. 4   d , where the direction of insertion of the upper cable strap is horizontal and that of the two lateral cable straps  40  is vertical). 
         [0041]    As can be clearly seen in  FIG. 1 , the mounting parts  32 ,  34 ,  36  are separate from each other because the lateral mounting parts  32 ,  34  are located entirely on the outer sides of the legs  14 ,  16 , and the upper mounting part  36  is located entirely on the top side of the connecting portion  18  of the edge clip part  12 . 
         [0042]    Each fastening section  38  has on its exterior one or more extensions  50  that are arched outwards. When the cable straps  40  shown in  FIG. 3  are closed by inserting the cable strap parts  46  into the cable strap locks  48  and tightening them, a space will form between the cable strap  40  and the fastening section holding the respective cable strap  40 . As the cable strap  40  is tightened further, this space will become smaller until, owing to the stiffness of the cable strap, the process of closing the cable strap  40  can no longer be continued. Here, the shape of the extensions  50  is selected such that the cable strap  40  rests directly against the extension  50 . In this way, even very thin cables  44  that have a diameter close to zero may also be held by the fastening device. It is, of course, also possible for extensions  50  of different shapes to be fitted to the fastening sections  38 , for example in order to increase the friction between the cable  44  and the fastening section  38  or to avoid any damage to the cables  44  as caused by kinking. 
         [0043]    Each mounting part  32 ,  34 ,  36  includes two fastening sections  38  for fitting a cable strap  40  in two directions of orientation extending orthogonally to each other. The combination of the three mounting parts  32 ,  34 ,  36  thus allows cable straps  40  to be held on the edge clip part  12  in three directions of orientation orthogonal to each other. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 4   a  to  4   c  show three examples of application of the fastening device  10 , the cable straps  40  being held in a respective one of the three directions of orientation orthogonal to each other, the cable straps  40  each holding a cable or cable loom  44 . 
         [0045]    The cable straps  40  are separate components and include a cable strap part  46  and a cable strap lock  48  (see  FIG. 3 ). It is therefore possible to select a suitable cable strap  40 , depending on the application requirements, for example in terms of the length or the cable strap locking mechanism. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 4   d ,  4   e  and  4   f  show further examples of application of the fastening device  10 , with a plurality of cables or cable looms  44  being fastened to an edge clip part  12  by a plurality of cable straps  40 . Here it is possible for a plurality of cables or cable looms  44  to run in the same direction and to be fastened to the edge clip part  12  independently of each other (cf.  FIG. 4   d ). Also, a plurality of cables or cable looms  44  may be attached to the edge clip part  12  in different directions (cf.  FIG. 4   e ,  4   f ). 
         [0047]    In addition to fastening only cable looms or individual cables to the edge  28  of the base part  26  by means of the fastening device  10 , it is, of course, also possible to use the fastening device  10  to fasten tubes, pipes or hoses, for example. 
         [0048]    It is also conceivable that one or more mounting parts  32 ,  34 ,  36  are formed as separate components that are fastened to the edge clip part  12  by being placed on the edge clip part.  12  by a guide and locked in place on the edge clip part. 
         [0049]    Furthermore, a separate mounting part may be made rotatable in relation to the edge clip part  12 , or the cable strap may be rotatable within the fastening section. After assembly of the fastening device  10 , the rotatable mounting part or the rotatable cable strap can be fixed in place in a peripheral direction by a fixing means. In doing so, the mounting part or the cable strap may be reversibly or irreversibly fixed in place, such as by a mechanical locking arrangement and/or by activation of an adhesive that is microencapsulated, for example. 
         [0050]      FIG. 5  shows a second embodiment of the invention. Provided on the first leg  14  of the edge clip part  12  is a first lateral mounting part  32  which is in the form of a cable strap lock  48 . The mounting part  32  is formed in one piece with the edge clip part  12  and a cable strap  40  having a cable strap part  46 . Analogous to the first embodiment of the invention, a second lateral mounting part  34  is provided on the second leg  16  of the edge clip part  12 . A metal piece  20  having sheet metal claws  24  is disposed in the space between the first and second legs  14 ,  16 . The cable strap  40  formed in one piece with the mounting part  32  extends along a first direction of orientation, perpendicularly to the first leg  14  of the edge clip part  12 . A second separate cable strap  40  may be inserted and held in the second lateral mounting part  34  in two mutually orthogonal directions. 
         [0051]      FIG. 6  shows an exploded view of the second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the metal piece  20  is introduced from the top into the space between the first and second legs  14 ,  16 . Of course, provision may also be made for a metal piece  20  which, by analogy with the first embodiment, is introduced into the edge clip part  12  from below or laterally. 
         [0052]    In the embodiment according to  FIG. 5 , the mounting part  36  of the first embodiment, provided on the top side of the U-shaped fastening device, has been omitted for a simplified representation, but it is existent. It is possible that one or more mounting parts  32 ,  34 ,  36  of the first embodiment, by analogy with the first mounting part  32  of the second embodiment, are formed in one piece with a cable strap  40 ; in the case of several cable straps  40  formed in one piece with the mounting part  32 ,  34 ,  36 , the directions of orientation of the cable straps  40  are orthogonal to one another. 
         [0053]      FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8  show a third embodiment of the invention, in which a separate mounting part  32  having an integrated cable strap  40  and cable strap lock  48  is designed to be rotatable in relation to the edge clip part  12 . A rotary coupling  52  having a cylindrical shape is formed on the leg  14  of the edge clip part  12 . The mounting part  32  is provided with a pin that is mounted for rotation in the rotary coupling  52 . As a result, the mounting part  32  and the direction of orientation of the cable strap  40  are freely rotatable through 360 degrees. It is, of course, also possible for a second lateral mounting part  34  and/or an upper mounting part  36  to be provided and designed to be rotatable. 
         [0054]    The rotary coupling  52  may also have a latching device provided therein which causes the mounting part  32  to be latched at specific angular distances, or a fixing means for fixing the rotatable mounting part  32  in place in a peripheral direction. 
         [0055]    In this embodiment, too, the mounting part  36  of the first embodiment, provided on the top side of the U-shaped fastening device, has been omitted for a simplified representation, it does however exist. 
         [0056]    By analogy with the separate mounting part  32  of the third embodiment, it is possible for one or more mounting parts  32 ,  34 ,  36  of the first embodiment to be designed for rotation in relation to the edge clip part  12 ; where several rotatable mounting parts are provided, the cable straps  40  fastened thereto can be rotated in orthogonal directions of orientation.