Patent Publication Number: US-2012023715-A1

Title: Clip

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a clip wherein even when welding spatters are attached around the open hole of a mounting plate, a clip can be mounted by bypassing the welding spatter parts. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In case of a conventional clip, for example, in Patent Document 1 (Japan Patent Application Publication 2008-111,451, Official Gazette) as described below, when welding spatters were attached to the hole edge of an open hole, mounting of the clip was difficult due to the welding spatters. Further, a clip described in Patent Document 2 (Japan Patent Application Publication 2008-162,393, Official Gazette) and Patent Document 3 (Japan Patent Application Publication H8-142,730, Official Gazette) below is likewise mounted in an open hole where the welding spatters are not attached thereto. 
     PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS 
     Patent Documents 
     Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication 2008-111,451, Official Gazette 
     Patent document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication 2008-162,393, Official Gazette 
     Patent document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication H8-142,730, Official Gazette 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Problem to be Solved by the Invention 
     Where welding spatters are attached in the vicinity of the open hole of a mounting plate, a clip in the conventional embodiments is mounted in the open hole once the welding spatters have been removed by means of a graver, shot or blast. Removal work of the welding spatters needs total inspection and removal of even one such welding spatter incurs work time loss, making the cost more expensive. Further, when the welding spatters are small, even though the clip gets into the open hole of a mounting plate, there is a problem that the clip cannot be stably mounted because a part thereof stuck on the welding spatters. 
     To settle the problem as described as above, this invention is designed to offer a clip wherein even when the welding spatters are attached in the vicinity of the open hole of a mounting plate, the clip can be stably mounted without wobbling while bypassing the welding spatters. 
     Means of Solving the Problems 
     This invention provides a clip whose leg part is movable in the direction of rotation in a state where the leg part is locked in an open hole disposed in a mounting plate, wherein the clip is provided with a flange part which is disposed so as to be placed on the open hole, at least one pair of elastic locking pieces hanging down from the flange part wherein there is disposed a locking part which can lock the lower part of the mounting plate by passing through the open hole, an annular connecting part which integrally connects each tip of the elastic locking pieces together, and the leg part integrally disposed with the annular connecting part and extending in the direction of the flange part which is at least comprised of at least one pair of cantilever locking pieces wherein there is disposed an engaging part in or at about the same position as that of the locking part. 
     Further, it is desirable for a clip of this invention that an engaging part disposed in the cantilever locking pieces should be provided with a plurality of inclined surfaces moving inwardly from the outer ends thereof. 
     Effects of the Invention 
     By the clip of this invention, troubles to be brought about by total inspection of the welding spatters or removal of such welding spatters can be omitted by means of devising the shape or configuration of elastic locking pieces and cantilever locking pieces disposed in the clip. Further, a clip of this invention can be mounted to a mounting plate with high holding power without backlash. 
     Further, by a clip of this invention, the welding spatters which are attached in a vicinity of the open hole of the mounting plate can be bypassed by means of the shape or configuration of the elastic locking pieces and cantilever locking pieces. 
     According to the present invention, because the cantilever locking pieces themselves are configured to sway from side to side owing to the inclined surfaces provided in the cantilever locking pieces, the leg part of the clip moves so as to bypass the welding spatters thus enabling the clip to maintain its holding power and to prevent wobbling. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a clip pertaining to an embodiment of this invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of a clip pertaining to an embodiment of this invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of a clip pertaining to an embodiment of this invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a right side view of a clip pertaining to an embodiment of this invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an A-A line cross-sectional view of a clip pertaining to an embodiment of this invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a B-B line cross-sectional view of a clip pertaining to an embodiment of this invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a C-C line cross-sectional view of a clip pertaining to an embodiment of this invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a clip pertaining to an embodiment of this invention is mounted in the open hole of a mounting plate. 
         FIG. 9  is a figure showing a place where welding spatters are stuck in the open hole of a mounting plate. 
         FIG. 10  is a figure showing the relationship between the welding spatters and a clip in a state where the clip pertaining to an embodiment of this invention is mounted in the open hole of a mounting plate. 
         FIG. 11  is a figure showing the relationship between the welding spatters and a clip in a state where the clip pertaining to an embodiment of this invention is mounted in the open hole of a mounting plate. 
     
    
    
     MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     A clip pertaining to an embodiment of this invention is configured so as to be mounted in the right position even when there are welding spatters around the open hole disposed in a mounting plate. More specifically, a clip pertaining to an embodiment of this invention has a flange part and a leg part molded integrally with the flange part hanging down therefrom. The leg part of the clip is inserted in an open hole of a mounting plate so as to clamp and lock the mounting plate together with the flange part of the clip. 
     The leg part is comprised of a pair of elastic locking pieces hanging down from the flange part, a connecting part connecting the other end of the elastic locking pieces and a pair of cantilever locking pieces extending from the connecting part in the direction of the flange part. In the elastic locking pieces, there is molded a locking part which can lock in the lower part of the mounting plate passing through the open hole so as to clamp the lower part which is one side of the mounting plate. The locking part molded in the elastic locking pieces has an elasticity that can make it bypass the welding spatters and can prevent wobbling with respect to the open hole. 
     Further, the locking part can be molded in any position depending on the thickness or the number of mounting plates to be clamped. The elastic locking piece is comprised of a pair of elastic locking members with which there is integrally molded an annular connecting part where the hung down tips of the elastic locking pieces connect with each other. Even more particularly, the flange part can be provided with a pair of connecting legs hanging down toward the annular connecting part. Because the connecting legs can add strength with respect to the annular connecting part, the welding spatters can be bypassed easily by molding the elastic locking piece rather thin. 
     The annular connecting part is integrally disposed with at least one pair of cantilever locking pieces extending in the direction of the flange part, the pair being provided with an engaging part engaging with a mounting plate in about the same position as that of the locking part. The elastic locking pieces and the cantilever locking pieces are molded of synthetic resin having elasticity and by being molded rather thin, are set to achieve a more desirable elasticity. The cantilever locking pieces can assure holding power and prevent potential wobbling with respect to the open hole by the engaging part. 
     The clip, when inserting the leg part into the open hole of the mounting plate, can bypass the welding spatters and flex the leg part in four directions and can be mounted thereto in a stable state by the elastic locking pieces and cantilever locking pieces even when welding spatters are attached in part around the mounting plate. 
     Further, as for a clip pertaining to an embodiment of this invention, an engaging part disposed in the cantilever locking pieces is provided with the inclined surfaces which become thinner moving inwardly from the outer ends thereof and the inclined surfaces which become narrower moving in the across-the-width direction. Each of the inclined surfaces of the cantilever locking pieces can be moved easily and can be fitted within the open hole of a mounting plate even when welding spatters are attached therearound. The cantilever locking pieces assure holding power and prevent wobbling. Further, when the welding spatters abut or come into contact with the inclined surfaces, while flexing in the direction of rotation along the inclined surfaces, the cantilever locking pieces can move the position of the clip by bypassing the welding spatters. 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of clip  11  which is an example of an embodiment of this invention. Further,  FIG. 2  is a plan view of clip  11 , and  FIG. 3  is a bottom view of clip  11 . Further,  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 4  are respectively a right side view of clip  11 , an A-A line cross-sectional view of  FIG. 2 , a B-B line cross-sectional view of  FIG. 2  and a C-C line cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 7 , clip  11  has a flange part  111  and a leg part  15  protruding downward from the flange part  111 , which is molded integrally with the flange part  111 . When the leg part  15  of the clip  11  is inserted within the open hole  13  (cf.  FIG. 8 ) of the mounting plate  12  (cf.  FIG. 8 ), the clip  11  clamps and locks the mounting plate  12  by the flange part  111  and the leg part  15 . 
     The leg part  15  is comprised of a first elastic locking piece  112  and a second elastic locking piece  113  hanging down from the flange part  111 , an annular connecting part  116  connecting the other ends of the lower part of the elastic locking pieces  112  and  113 , and a first cantilever locking piece  117  and a second cantilever locking piece  118  extending parallel to the extending direction of the flange part  111  from the annular connecting part  116 . As for the first elastic locking piece  112  and second elastic locking piece  113 , at least one pair thereof is placed opposed to each other. Further, as for the first cantilever locking piece  117  and second cantilever locking piece  118 , at least one pair thereof is placed symmetrical with respect to the central point of the clip  11 . (cf.  FIG. 4  through  FIG. 7 ). However, the first cantilever locking piece  117  and second cantilever locking piece  118  do not necessarily have to be symmetric about a point. 
     In the first elastic locking piece  112  and second elastic locking piece  113 , there are molded a first locking part  112 ′ and a second locking part  113 ′ which can lock in the lower part of the mounting plate  12  passing through the open hole  13  so as to clamp the lower part that is one side of the mounting plate  12 . The first locking part  112 ′ and the second locking part  113 ′ molded in the first elastic locking piece  112  and second elastic locking piece  113  have an elasticity that can make them bypass the welding spatters  14  and  14 ′ (cf.  FIG. 9 ) and can prevent wobbling with respect to the open hole  13 . 
     Further, the first locking part  112  and second locking part  113  are molded in an appropriate position depending on the thickness or the number of mounting plates to be clamped. The first elastic locking piece  112  and second elastic locking piece  113  are made of a material having elasticity and each of the tips of the first elastic locking piece  112  and second elastic locking piece  113  which are hung down are connected with each other through annular connecting part  116 . It is to be noted that in the present example, a first elastic locking piece  112  and a second elastic locking piece  113  are disposed integrally with annular connecting part  116 . Even more particularly, in this example, there is disposed a pair of connecting legs  114  and  115  which, extending downward from the flange part  111 , is connected integrally with the annular connecting part  116 . Thus, because strength of the leg part  15  can be added by providing the connecting legs  114  and  115  and the annular connecting part  116 , a clip according to the present example can be configured so as to be able to easily bypass welding spatters by making the first elastic locking piece  112  and second elastic locking piece  113  rather thin. 
     The annular connecting part  116  is disposed with at least one pair of a first cantilever locking piece  117  and a second cantilever locking piece  118  extending in the direction of the flange part  111 , the pair being provided with the engaging parts  119  and  120  which engage with the mounting plate  12  in about the same position as that of a first elastic locking piece  112  and a second elastic locking piece  113 . The first elastic locking piece  112 , second elastic locking piece  113 , first cantilever locking piece  117  and second cantilever locking piece  118 , for example, are formed of synthetic resin having elasticity. 
     It is to be noted that, in the present example, the first elastic locking piece  112 , second elastic locking piece  113 , first cantilever locking piece  117  and second cantilever locking piece  118  are formed thin so that they may have the required elasticity. The first cantilever locking piece  117  and second cantilever locking piece  118  can assure holding power to hold the mounting plate  12  and can prevent wobbling with respect to the open hole  13  by the engaging parts  119  and  120 . 
       FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11  are figures showing a state where the clip is mounted in the open hole of a mounting plate in an embodiment of this invention.  FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view.  FIG. 9  shows an area around the open hole where the welding spatters are attached.  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11  are figures showing the relationship between the welding spatters and the clip. As shown in  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 , when the leg part  15  of the clip  11  is inserted into the open hole  13  of the mounting plate  12 , the mounting plate  12  comes to be held by the flange part  111  and first elastic locking piece  112 , second elastic locking piece  113 , first cantilever locking piece  117  and second cantilever locking piece  118 . And the mounting plate  12 , in one side thereof, abuts with an edge of the flange part  111  and, in the side opposite to the one side thereof, is held by at least four 4 points including the first locking part  112 , second locking part  113 , first engaging part  119  and second engaging part  120 . 
     Even when the welding spatters  14  (FIG.  10 ) and  14 ′ ( FIG. 11 ) are attached in part around the mounting plate  12 , the clip  11 , when inserting the leg part  15  into the open hole  13  of the mounting plate  12 , can make the leg part  15  flex partially to allow it bypass the welding spatters  14  and  14 ′ and can thus be mounted thereto in a stable state by the first elastic locking piece  112 , second elastic locking piece  113 , first cantilever locking piece  117  and second cantilever locking piece  118 . 
     For example, in  FIG. 10 , the cantilever locking piece  117  comes to have a weak fitting force due to the welding spatters  14 , but, on the other hand, the cantilever locking piece  118  of the other side comes to have a stronger fitting force because it is pushed to the side of open hole  13 . In  FIG. 11 , the elastic locking piece  112  is mounted in a flexed state owing to the welding spatters  14 ′. Even though not shown in  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 9 ,  FIGS. 10 and 11 , because the elastic locking pieces  112  and  113  and cantilever locking pieces  117  and  118  flex partially owing to or depending upon the position of the welding spatters, and thus because when the fitting force in one side becomes weaker, the fitting force in the other side become stronger, a stable fitted state of clip  11  with respect to mounting plate  12  can be maintained. 
     As shown enlarged in  FIG. 4 , the engaging parts  119  and  120  of the first cantilever locking piece  117  and second cantilever locking piece  118  can be provided with a first inclined surface  121  and a second inclined surface  122  ( 123 ) which slope inward. Even when the welding spatters  14  are attached thereto, the inclined surfaces  121 ,  122  and  123  of the cantilever locking pieces  117  and  118  can each flex from the base easily and can be fitted within the open hole  13  of the mounting plate  12 . 
     The cantilever locking pieces  117  and  118  assure holding power and thus prevent wobbling. Further, when the welding spatters  14  abut or come into contact with the inclined surfaces  121 ,  122  and  123 , while swaying rotating along the inclined surfaces  121 ,  122  and  123 , the cantilever locking pieces  117  and  118  move the position of the clip  11 . 
     Although an embodiment of the present invention is explained in detail above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and can be modified in a variety of ways without departing from the subject matter coming within the scope of the claims. It goes without saying that the configuration of all parts of the clip of this invention can be changed within the scope described in the claims. 
     This application is based on a Japanese patent application (Patent Application No. 2009-053278) filed on Mar. 6, 2009, and its substance is herein incorporated as a reference. 
     EXPLANATIONS OF THE LETTERS OF NUMERALS 
     
         
           11  clip 
           111  flange part 
           112  first elastic locking piece 
           112 ′ first locking part 
           113  second elastic locking piece 
           113 ′ second locking part 
           114  first connecting leg 
           115  second connecting leg 
           116  annular connecting part 
           117  first cantilever locking piece 
           118  second cantilever locking piece 
           119  first engaging part 
           120  second engaging part 
           121  first inclined surface. 
           122  second inclined surface 
           123  third inclined surface 
           12  mounting plate 
           13  open hole 
           14  welding spatter(s) 
           15 , leg part