Patent Publication Number: US-2004056158-A1

Title: T-clip assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention relates to a T-clip assembly used for fittings having T-branches, such as T-fittings or Union fittings, especially for fuel and air brake systems for motor vehicles.  
       [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art  
       [0004] Fittings with T-branches, T-fittings for example, are commonly used in motor vehicles for a variety of purposes, such as fluid systems, like the fuel system and the air braking system. T-fittings attach three cylindrical parts together and are in fluid communication with the fluid system. In a motor vehicle, a T-fitting can attach supply tubing from two tanks to a single tube leading to the engine. Similarly, a T-fitting attaches return tubing from the engine to return tubing to two tanks.  
       [0005] Fittings with T-branches have their own problems. A straight tubular fitting can use almost any type of clip, such as a spring hose clip. A T-fitting, however, has a T-branch located between two legs that prevents the use of most spring hose clips. Similarly, a Union fitting has two opposite T-branches between two legs that also precludes the use of most spring hose clips. Spring hose clips typically have long tall sidewalls. These long, tall sidewalls prevent using spring hose clips with a fitting having a T-branch. There is no place but out of the clip to fit the T-branch. The long sidewalls also make it more difficult to insert into and remove from these clips a tubular fitting, especially for wider diameter T-fittings.  
       [0006] Using a U-shaped clip with a short sidewall presents another problem. For a T-fitting, two U-shaped clips are required to be spaced apart to provide for the T-branch. The two clips must also align together to fit the legs of the T-fitting. Because the two separate clips do not work together cooperatively, it&#39;s more difficult to insert the T-fitting into the two clips. The two clips must also be installed separately, requiring more installation time.  
       [0007] Therefore, it would be advantageous to develop a T-clip that can effectively hold a fitting with T-branches to a bracket or other apparatus. A second advantage would be to have a T-clip that can hold a fitting with T-branches using only one clip. Another advantage of the invention would be to hold a curved or hexagonal fitting that locks tightly within the clip. Still another advantage would be to develop a clip that would allow the adjustment of the orientation of the T-fitting. Another advantage would be to develop a T-clip that can fit a number of different types and diameters of fittings with T-branches and not interfere with any of the fitting&#39;s threads.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008] According to the invention, there is provided a T-clip having a base with holders at opposite ends of the base. The holders are aligned to jointly engage the arms of a fitting with T-branches. Each holder has a pair of sidewalls curving proximally from the base. A first portion of the sidewall curves laterally from the base and a second portion curves medially from the first portion. Each sidewall has shoulders that outwardly angle and extend along the length of the sidewall distal to the base.  
       [0009] In another embodiment of the invention, the T-clip has a base with holders on opposite ends of the base and a pair of inner sidewalls located between the holders. Each holder has a pair of sidewalls. The sidewalls form the sides and curve proximally from the base. The sidewalls also have a shoulder. A first portion curves laterally from the base and a second portion curves medially from the first portion. The shoulders are outwardly angled and extend along the length of the sidewall distal to the base.  
       [0010] The inner sidewalls extend from opposite sides of the base. The inner sidewalls also curve proximally from the base and have a first part that curves outwardly from the base.  
       [0011] Additional effects, features and advantages will be apparent in the written description that follows. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0012] The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
     [0013]FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the invention;  
     [0014]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 along line a-a′;  
     [0015]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the invention;  
     [0016]FIG. 4 is a partial side view of an embodiment of the invention with an inserted T-fitting;  
     [0017]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention with an inserted T-fitting;  
     [0018]FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the invention with an inserted T-fitting;  
     [0019]FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a bracket with an embodiment of the invention;  
     [0020]FIG. 8 is a side plan view of bracket with an embodiment of the invention with an inserted T-fitting;  
     [0021]FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the invention;  
     [0022]FIG. 10 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the invention with an inserted Union fitting and the T-legs in phantom;  
     [0023]FIG. 11 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention with an inserted T-fitting and Union fitting; and  
     [0024]FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of the holder with a larger shoulder and more restricted opening.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0025] Turning to the figures, where like reference numerals refer to like structures, T-clip  10  has base  12  and holders  42  located at opposite ends  40 ,  41  of base  12  on a face of base  12 . First side  18  of base  12  is preferably planar, although it can be slightly curved if desired.  
     [0026] Each holder has a pair of sidewalls  14  that extend outwardly from first side  18  of base  12 . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, sidewalls  14  can extend from outwardly projecting linear portion  21  of base  12 . Outwardly angled shoulders  20  extend the length of sidewall  14  distal to base  12 . Angled shoulders  20  slope laterally distal to base  12 , and can form an angle  2  between the shoulders of greater than or equal to about 120°. The depth of angled shoulder  20  from curved section  22  to the tip can be relatively short (FIG. 2) or long (FIG. 12).  
     [0027] Curved section  22  curves proximally from base  12  toward shoulders  20 . Curved section  22  has first  24  and second  25  curved portions. First portion  24  curves laterally to a maximum curvature  26 . Second portion  25  curves medially from the maximum curvature  26 .  
     [0028] Shoulders  20  of sidewall  14  form constricted opening  30 , which is narrower than the width of leg  36  of T-fitting  34 . The width of constricted opening  30  can be approximately the same width as base  12  or much narrower, if desired (FIG. 12).  
     [0029] Inner shoulder face  32  guides leg  36  into T-clip  10  with minimum force through opening  30 . Sidewalls  14  lock legs  36  into T-clip  10 . T-branch  38  fits between holders  42 .  
     [0030] In the embodiment shown in FIGS.  1 - 4 , inner sidewalls  16  are located between holders  42 . Inner sidewalls  16  extend outwardly from first side  18  of base  12  at opposite sides  56 ,  57  of base  12 . First part  28  of inner sidewall  16  curves outwardly from base  12 . The height of inner sidewall  16  ranges from less than approximately ⅓ the height of sidewall  14  to approximately ⅔ the height of sidewall  14 . The curvature of inner sidewall  16  preferably matches the curvature of sidewall  14 . Therefore, inner sidewall  16  can reach a maximum curvature  27  and have a second part  29  curving medially from the maximum curvature to the height of inner sidewall  16 .  
     [0031]FIGS. 4 and 5 show legs  36  of T-fitting  34  in the T-clip  10 . For illustrative purposes, leg  36  is hexagonal rather than round. Sidewalls  14  deflect laterally. For leg  36 , sidewall  14  engages at least part of outer face  46  of leg  36  and holds leg  36  within holder  42 . Second portion  24  deflects outwardly toward the maximum curvature. Second portion  24  frictionally engages at least part of leg  36  to hold leg  36  within T-clip  10 . For a wider leg in the T-clip, sidewall  14  deflects farther laterally. Inner sidewall  16  frictionally engages T-fitting  34  opposite T-branch  38  and can also deflect laterally.  
     [0032]FIG. 6 shows this embodiment of the invention with another type of T-fitting. Holders  42  engage legs  36  while inner sidewall  16  frictionally engages the fitting opposite T-branch  38 . T-branch  38  can rest on inner sidewall  16 , if desired. T-branch  38  can also rotate between first inner sidewall  16   a  and second inner sidewall  16   b . The height of inner sidewall  16 , however, determines the degree of rotation allowed for T-branch  38  and can prevent the over-rotation of T-branch  38 .  
     [0033]FIGS. 7 and 8 show another embodiment of T-clip  10 . In this embodiment, sidewalls  14  do not have a linear portion between base  12  and curved portion  22 . For illustrative purposes, FIG. 8 shows two different positions of T-fitting  34 . One position is angled with T-branch flush against the inner sidewall. The second position shown is outward away from bracket  44 .  
     [0034] Alternatively as shown by the embodiment in FIGS.  9 - 11 , T-clip  11  has no inner sidewall. T-clip  11  has a base  12  and sidewalls  14  extending from first side  18  of base  12  and spaced apart at opposite ends  40 ,  41 .  
     [0035] In this embodiment, legs  50  of Union fitting  48  insert between sidewalls  14  of both holders  42 . By providing separated holders  42  for engaging a leg at opposite ends  40 ,  41  of base  12 , T-clip  11  insures that an inserted Union fitting has at least two, spaced apart points of support. Legs  50  may rest flush against base  12 .  
     [0036] Similarly, FIGS. 10 and 11 show Union fitting  48  in the T-clip  11  with holders  42 . For illustrative purposes, FIG. 11 shows T-fitting  34  as well and legs are round. Sidewalls  14  deflect laterally. For leg  50 , sidewall  14  touches at least a portion of outer face  54  and holds leg  50  against sidewalls  14 . Second portion  24  deflects outwardly toward the maximum curvature. Second portion  24  frictionally engages at least part of leg  50  to hold leg  50  within T-clip  11 . Opposite first  52  and second  53  T-branches fit between holders  42 . Holders  42  lock Union fitting  48  within T-clip  11 . If T-fitting  34  is used, T-branch  38  can rotate, if desired, to another position.  
     [0037]FIG. 12 illustrates holder  56  with longer shoulders  58 . Holder  56  has a more constricted opening  60 . In this configuration, holder  56  can be used for a larger size range of fittings. Constricted opening  60  can accommodate a larger range of leg diameters. Longer shoulders  58  can increase the ease of insertion of a fitting having legs with a larger diameter.  
     [0038] The T-clip attaches to a bracket or other apparatus using any fastening means that are known in the art. These means are typically screwing, bolting, riveting, chemically bonding, and the like.  
     [0039] The outward angle that the sidewall assumes under pressure from the leg makes it easier to remove the fitting from the T-clip without losing the frictional contact that prevents the fitting from falling from the T-clip during use.  
     [0040] The spacing between sidewalls allows the sidewalls to cooperatively hold fittings with T-branches in position. The maximum distance between the maximum curvature of the sidewalls is greater than the width of the largest leg that can fit within the T-clip.  
     [0041] A leg inserted into the T-clip at least partially contacts the adjacent faces of the cooperating sidewalls. The sidewalls flex independently under the mechanical stress of introducing a leg to allow each sidewall to make independent clean contact with the fitting.  
     [0042] The angled shoulders help guide the leg into and out of the T-clip. When inserting a T-fitting, for example, the user slides the T-fitting toward the base. The angled shoulders guide the leg through the opening toward the base. When using inner sidewalls, the inner sidewalls help lock the T-fitting within the T-clip while preventing the T-branch from over-rotating within the T-clip. When removing the T-fitting, the force the user exerts on the T-fitting enlarges the opening between the sidewalls as the sidewalls smoothly guide the legs through the openings and out of the T-clip.  
     [0043] The T-clip is made from material that is biased to return to its original shape and is preferably a unitary piece with all parts made from one material. Although the sidewalls move when the fitting is inserted into the T-clip, the material itself neither bends nor deforms around the leg of the fitting. The sidewalls and the base may act as a spring clamping a fitting into a T-clip. Steel, plastics, with or without fillers, and the like are suitable, with steel preferred.  
     [0044] The curved design of the holder allows one T-clip to be used with different sizes and types of fittings with T-branches. The curved design and opening allows fittings with narrow and wider legs and legs of different shapes, such as hexagonal or cylindrical, to use the same T-clip. If a number of different sizes of fittings are used for one T-clip, a more constricted opening may be desired to lock in the smaller sized legs. This reduces the need for multiple T-clips. Inventory expenses are also reduced because fewer T-clips are needed to be made and stored.  
     [0045] While the invention is shown in only one of its forms, it is not thus limited but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.