Patent Publication Number: US-6981894-B1

Title: Spring clip

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   This invention relates to multi-part assemblies and more particularly to such assemblies locked together with releasable spring clips. Still more particularly it relates to an unique spring clip ideally suitable for such purposes. 
   BACKGROUND ART 
   Many assemblies require mating parts in order to function properly. A particular non-limiting example of such assemblies includes electrical connectors used in places where they could be subjected to severe enough vibrations so as to cause the connectors to separate. Such separation could cause damage and even, perhaps, injury to persons associated with equipment using the connectors. To prevent such unwanted separation holding means such as bolts and nuts and various forms of spring clips are frequently employed. The use of bolts and nuts provides sure mating; however, they are time-consuming to install and they present problems in the event separation is required, for example, for repair purposes. The use of spring clips obviates some of the installation time problems but to date the spring clips utilized have been difficult to place and to maintain in a desired location. 
   DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
   It is, therefore, an object of the invention to obviate the disadvantages of the prior art. 
   It is another object of the invention to enhance mating assemblies. 
   Still another object is the provision of a spring clip that positions easily and is reliable in both its holding and releasing functions. 
   These objects are accomplished, in one aspect of the invention by an assembly comprising a base, a first body projecting from the base in a first direction; an opening in the base adjacent the body; a second body projecting from the base in a second direction and containing a slot; a spring-clip comprising a substantially U-shaped body having first and second legs connected by a bight, the first leg being longer than the second leg; the first leg including a cammed leading edge and a locking aperture and being fitted into the opening and extending in the first direction; the second leg being inserted into the slot and including retention barbs for maintaining the second leg in the slot; and a second body formed to mate with the first body, the second body including a locking lug that engages the locking aperture. 
   This assembly provides quick and secure connection yet allows for easy separation should that action be desired or necessitated. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an elevational, exploded view, partly in section, of an assembly in accordance with an aspect of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is perspective view of a spring clip according to an embodiment of the invention from a first side; 
       FIG. 3  is a similar view of a spring clip from a second side; and 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of an alternate embodiment. 
   

   BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
   For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects, advantages and capabilities thereof, reference is made to the following disclosure and appended claims taken in conjunction with the above-described drawings. 
   Referring now to the drawings with greater particularity, there is shown in  FIG. 1  an assembly  10 , for example, an electrical connector, comprising a base  12  having a first body  14  projecting therefrom in a first direction  16 . An opening  18  is provided in the base  12  adjacent to the first body  14 . A second body  20  projects from the opposite side of the base  12  in a second direction  22  and contains a slot  24 . 
   A spring-clip  30  for the assembly  10 , seen most clearly in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , comprises a substantially U-shaped body  32  with first and second legs  34 ,  36 , connected by a bight  38 . The spring clip is preferably formed from type  301  stainless steel. The first leg  34  is longer than the second leg  36  and includes a cammed leading edge  40  and a locking aperture  42 . The first leg  34  is fitted into the opening  18  and extends in the first direction  16 . 
   The second leg  36  is inserted into the slot  24  and includes retention barbs  44  for maintaining the second leg  36  in the slot  24 . 
   A third body  46  is formed to mate with the first body  14  by movement in the direction  22 . The third body  46  includes a locking lug  48  with a cam surface  47  that engages the cammed leading edge  40  of the spring clip  30  forcing the spring clip away from its normal position until the locking lug enters the locking aperture  42 , at which time the spring clip will resile, thereby fixing the first and second bodies together.  FIG. 1  shows the third body  46  above the first body in solid lines and in its locked position in phantom lines. Under some conditions the third body  46  can be removed by applying pressure to the cammed leading edge  40  and bending leg  34  away from the third body  46  far enough to release the locking lug  48 . 
   Alternatively, in the event that access cannot be obtained to the cammed leading edge  40 , pressure can be applied to the lower portion of the spring clip  30  adjacent the bight  38  to cause the release of the locking lug  48 , as shown by arrows  70 ,  72 . Also, if necessary, a wedge or lever, such as a blade screwdriver, can be inserted between the leg  34  and the opening  18  to apply pressure against the leg  34  to effect release of the locking lug  48 . 
   The first leg  34  contains a stop  49  for regulating the position of the spring clip  30  in the opening  18  and the second leg  36  contains a stop  49   a  for regulating the depth of insertion into the slot  24 . The stop  49  on the first leg and the stop  49   a  on the second leg are at different distances from the bight  38  when measured in the first direction  16  to accommodate the differing levels between the bottom surface of the base  12  and the surface of the second body  20 . 
   Further, the first leg  34  and the second leg  36  each include insertion aids  50 , which can be opposite sides of projections containing the stops  49 ,  49   a.  An alternate embodiment of the stops and insertion aids is shown in  FIG. 4 , wherein the projections can be bent substantially normal to the plane of the legs. In each of the embodiments the legs  34 ,  36  have a given width, W, and the stops and insertion aids project beyond the given width. 
   If desired or necessary a reinforcing rib  60 , shown in phantom lines in  FIG. 3 , can be formed in the first leg  34 . 
   Thus there is provided a spring clip that positions easily and is reliable in both its holding and releasing functions. 
   While there have been shown and described what are present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.