Abstract:
Disclosed is an improved mounting and securing device. The device provides for attachment at least one elongate object to a surface and includes a diaphragm spring and an oval fir tree mount. The device is secured to and prevents rotation in an oval or slot shaped hole in a mounting surface. The oval fir tree mount has a tapered tip and a substantially oval shape. Fir tree branches are attached to an oval shaped trunk at various elevations or staggered heights. The diaphragm spring includes a flexible umbrella extending toward the fir tree branches. The diaphragm spring provides tension and resistance when the fir tree mount is inserted into a mount hole formed in a supporting surface such as a panel. The flexible spring combined with the staggered height branches allow the device to be securely retained in different mounting hole thicknesses. The substantially oval configuration prevents rotation.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/835,864, filed 30 Apr. 2004. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to hardware for securing bundled elongate articles, such as wires, cables, hoses, tubing, fiber optics, conduits, vines, etc., to a supporting structure. Also, the invention relates to a fastening element for securing electrical connectors or terminal plugs to mating electrical connectors or terminal plugs. 
         [0003]    In many applications, it is sufficient merely to secure the items into a bundle. Such applications might include, for example, stationary electronic equipment that remains in one place and is subject to little or no vibration in use. In other applications, it is necessary or desirable not only to secure the items into a bundle, but to secure and route the resulting bundle to a supporting chassis or framework as well. Such applications are also common, for example, in cars, trucks, airplanes, ships, boats and other vehicles where the bundle is likely to be subjected to severe jostling and vibration. In other applications (e.g. buildings), where vibration might not be an important consideration, it is still desirable to secure and route cables, hoses, tubes, and various components, etc., to a fixed structure. 
         [0004]    Further, automobiles and trucks manufactured today feature numerous electronic components provided for the safety, comfort, and convenience of passengers. Many of these features, controls and interface components are located in or near the seats of automobiles; for example, automatic seat position controls, seat heaters, and safety sensors such as seatbelt engagement sensors and weight sensors for engagement of an airbag system. Many other electronic components are located around the engine; for example, the alternator, O 2  sensor (exhaust gas), engine temperature gauge, tachometer, MAP sensor (mass air flow), etc. Other electric components extend around the perimeter of the vehicle such as the lighting. All the electrical/electronic components require electrical wiring and/or wiring harnesses beginning at the power supply (battery) and extending throughout the vehicle to all the electronic components. The electric and electronic components have terminals or electrical connectors which in many instances are on a short pigtail (electrical wires) permanently connected to the electronic component. These terminals or electrical connectors are plugged into the vehicles&#39; wiring harness to the mating electrical connectors or terminal plugs. The electrical connectors or terminal plugs are generally secured to some structure on the vehicle, like the chassis to prevent loose or dangling wires which would otherwise produce undesirable noise or electronic interference/disturbance or become damaged from abrasion or fatigue (moving or vibrating against relatively stationary components or structures). Therefore, it would be desirable to secure the electrical connector or terminal plug in a fixed position. 
         [0005]    Many plastic fir tree fasteners do not provide efficient, secure retention features that provide a robust grip when applied to a support surface. Previous fir tree fasteners, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,396,329 issued to Wollar, contemplates staggered mounting branches, but leaves room for performance improvement. Such fasteners may not provide sufficient retention and tightness against the support surface for adequately supporting a bundled item. Likewise, such fasteners may utilize a longer than necessary mounting stud and may not be easily inserted into the support surface. Additionally, many fasteners do not provide for anti-rotation when applied to a support surface, or require more than one mounting shaft to prevent rotation (see  FIGS. 21A and 21B ). The present invention provides for an improved performance, securing and routing fastener to address these problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention provides an improved securing and routing oval fir tree mount or fastener to retain and orient cables, hoses, tubes, and various components, etc., to a mounting surface or structure. The oval fir tree mount secures the aforementioned components in a specific direction/orientation because the oval trunk segment and fir tree branches closely fit and mate with an oval or slot shaped mounting hole thereby not allowing the oval fir tree mount to rotate in the oval or slot shaped mounting hole. Further, branches extend from all sides of the oval center trunk segment of the mounting section at staggered elevations. The staggered branch pattern provides alternate and more frequent engagements thereby gripping uniformly onto various thicknesses of selected mounting surfaces. The thin, steeply angled branches easily flex to pass through the oval, rectangular or slot shaped mounting hole in the supporting surface providing low insertion force; then the branches spring back to engage the backside of the supporting surface to retain the oval fir tree fastener in the oval, rectangular or slot shaped mounting hole. 
         [0007]    The invention preferably also include a flexible diaphragm spring which conforms to the supporting surface and provides tension and resistance when the oval fir tree fastener or mount is inserted into the mounting hole in the supporting surface. The invention may also include a connector and latch to attach the oval fir tree fastener to a wire connector or wire terminal. The invention may also include a clip or clamp to connect at least one wire or other elongate object to the oval fir tree fastener. The invention may also include a saddle with an aperture to receive a cable tie, optionally secured around a bundle of objects, to the oval fir tree fastener. The invention may also include a tape clip or a cable tie formed integrally with the oval fir tree fastener. An oval fir tree fastener according to the present invention may include any combination of the above features. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the oval fir tree fastener or mount of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the oval fir tree fastener of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the oval fir tree fastener of the present invention.  FIG. 3A  is a cross sectional view of the oval fir tree fastener, taken along the line  3 A- 3 A in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the oval fir tree fastener, taken along the line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 4A  is a cross sectional view of the oval fir tree fastener, taken along line  4 A- 4 A in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the oval fir tree fastener of the present invention engaged within the channel of a wire connector. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the oval fir tree fastener of the present invention aligned for engagement with the wire connector. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the oval fir tree fastener of the present invention aligned and partially inserted, engaging with the wire connector. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the oval fir tree fastener of the present invention fully inserted and snapped into engagement with the wire connector. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of the oval fir tree fastener of the present invention lined up to be inserted into an aperture in a panel. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a side elevation view of the oval fir tree fastener of the present invention inserted into an aperture in a panel. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 11-20  depict different embodiments of an oval fir tree fastener of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 21A and 21B  are exemplary prior art fir tree fasteners. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0021]    Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. 
         [0022]      FIGS. 1-4  show an oval fir tree fastener  10  according to the present invention. The oval fir tree fastener  10  of the preferred embodiment comprises a connector  12 , a latch  14 , a diaphragm spring  16 , and an oval fir tree  18  ending in a tapered, conical, oval leading tip  20 . The connector  12  has a generally I-beam shaped cross section. The horizontal I-beam shaped section is comprised of an upper flange which serves as a mounting plate  22 , a lower flange which is the mid base  24 , and a web section  26 . 
         [0023]    A diaphragm spring  16  is comprised of a flexible umbrella  28  which emanates from the mid base  24  by an oval support  30 . The oval support  30  is parallel to the mid base  24 . The flexible umbrella  28  has a generally oval conic shape whereby the spring  28  is angled and extends downward toward the tapered leading tip  20  of the oval fir tree fastener  10 , best seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The flexible umbrella  28  is also tapered (thinner cross section) at the free end thereof, to increase the range of flexibility of the spring  28 . 
         [0024]    Extending beneath the oval support  30  is the oval fir tree  18  which is best seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 , and  4 . The oval fir tree  18  consists of a first conic branch section  32 , a similar second conic branch section  34 , and a central branch section  36 —all forming an oval shaped section or trunk.  FIG. 3A  is a cross section view taken from line  3 A- 3 A in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 3A  depicts the oval shaped section of the first and second conic branch sections  32  and  34 , along with the central branch section  36 . The central branch section  36  spans between the first and second conic branch sections  32  and  34  such that the vertical plane of the central branch section  36  is generally perpendicular to the vertical plane of the first and second conic branch sections  32  and  34 . 
         [0025]    The first and second conic branch sections  32  and  34  each have a plurality of conic branches  70  as shown in  FIG. 4A . Conic branches  70  are disposed such that their free ends are angled toward the connector  12 . As best shown in  FIG. 4A , each branch  70  is further tapered at its free end to form a leading tip  20 . The leading tip  20  is tapered (thinner cross section) to aid in insertion of the fastener  10  in a mounting aperture  44  in a supporting panel. The thinner cross section flexes easier and lowers insertion force. 
         [0026]    The central branch section  36  is defined by a first rib  38  and a second rib  40  with a plurality of curved branches  42  attached to the central spine  37 , and formed between ribs  38 ,  40 . As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , the free ends of the branches  42  are curved toward the connector  12 , and each branch  42  is also tapered at its free end. Ribs  38  and  40  are substantially parallel to one another. 
         [0027]    Referring again to  FIGS. 1-4 , the latch  14  extends from the mounting plate  22 . The latch  14  comprises a snap beam  50  and a snap hook  52 . The snap beam  50  is a flexible generally rectangular arm which extends perpendicularly from the mounting plate  22  at generally the same location as the notches  48 . A snap hook  52  is formed at the free end of the snap beam  50 . The snap hook  52  extends from the top surface of the snap beam  50 . In the preferred embodiment, the top surface  54  is generally parallel to the snap beam  50 . As is best seen in  FIG. 2 , the leading surface  58  of the snap hook  52  slopes from the tip of the snap beam  50  back towards the connector  12 . The trailing surface  60  is also sloped to provide increased retention, although the trailing surface  60  is closer to perpendicular to the snap beam  50  than the leading surface  58 . 
         [0028]    The oval fir tree fastener  10  is designed to be easily attached to a wire connector  62 . To achieve this, the wire connector  62  is formed with a plurality of raised segments. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the connector  62  has at least two angle segments and a raised segment. The first angle segment  64  and the second angle segment  66  are each formed as a right angle. The first angle segment  64  and the second angle segment  66  each have a portion which extends perpendicularly from the connector  62  and a portion which is horizontal to the connector  62 . The first angle segment  64  and the second angle segment  66  are oriented such that the two segments  64 ,  66  form a slot  70  into which the oval fir tree fastener  10  connector  12  can slide. 
         [0029]    The raised segment  68  is best shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7 . The raised segment  68  is generally oval. The raised segment  68  has a leading end  71  and an abutment face  72 . The leading end  71  is formed as a first ramped portion that extends from the surface of the connector  62  to the surface of the raised segment  68 . At the trailing end the raised segment  68  has a second ramped surface  76 . The raised segment  68  ends in an abutment face  72  which is somewhat perpendicular to the connector  62 . 
         [0030]    As is shown in  FIGS. 6-8 , the oval fir tree fastener  10  can be attached to the wire connector  62  by aligning the oval fir tree fastener  10  with the slot  70  on the wire connector  62 . The oval fir tree fastener  10  is then slid into the slot  70 . The horizontal portion of the first angle segment  64  and the second angle segment  66  engage the groove formed on the connector  12  of the oval fir tree fastener  10 . The top surface  54  of the snap hook  52  slides along the surface of the raised segment  68 . When the snap hook  52  reaches the trailing end  73  of the raised segment  68 , the leading surface  58  of the snap hook  52  engages the second ramped surface  76  of the raised segment  68 . The second ramped surface  76  acts as a cam surface, so that as the oval fir tree fastener  10  is slid further into the slot  70  the snap hook  52  continues to slide along the second ramped surface  76  and the snap beam  50  is caused to flex as shown in  FIG. 7 . As the snap hook  52  passes the end of the second ramped surface  76 , the snap beam  50  springs back to its original unflexed position. The oval fir tree fastener  10  cannot be slid out of the slot  70  in the wire connector  62  because of the engagement of the trailing surface  60  of the snap hook  52  with the abutment end  72  of the raised segment  68 . The wire connector  62  and the oval fir tree fastener  10  are thereby interlocked. However, to disengage the oval fir tree fastener  10  from the wire connector  62 , the snap hook  52  can be manually lifted out of engagement with the abutment end  72  and the oval fir tree fastener  10  can be slid from the slot  70  in the wire connector  62 . 
         [0031]      FIGS. 9 and 10  show how the oval fir tree fastener  10  of the present invention is inserted into a mounting aperture  44  in a supporting panel  46 . The fastener  10  is shown without the wire connector  62  being attached to aid in the clarity of the figures. However, it should be understood that the oval fir tree fastener  10  can be inserted into a mounting aperture  44  with or without the wire connector  62  attached to the oval fir tree fastener  10 . The tapered leading tip  20  of the oval fir tree fastener  10  is lined up with the mounting aperture  44  in the panel  46  as seen in  FIG. 9 . The leading tip  20  is inserted into the mounting aperture  44 . When the oval fir tree fastener  10  is pushed further into the aperture  44 , the branches  42  and  70  flex and are wedged into the inner surface of the oval aperture  44 . The branches  42  and  70  then spring back to their original configuration after they exit the mounting aperture  44 . The branches  42  and  70  substantially grip the entire circumference of the opening or aperture  44 . 
         [0032]    When the oval fir tree fastener  10  is securely inserted into a mounting aperture  44 , the free ends of sets of branches  42  and  70  will engage the backside of the panel  46 . The ends of the flexible diaphragm umbrella spring  28  engage the supporting panel  46  when the oval fir tree fastener  10  is completely inserted into a mounting aperture  44  in the panel  46 . The flexible umbrella  28  of diaphragm spring  16  applies a preload pressure to the top of the supporting surface  46  which stabilizes the oval fir tree fastener  10  and the attached wire harness  62 . The oval fir tree fastener  10  is securely retained in the aperture  44  by the ends of the branches  42  and  70  engaging the backside of the panel  46 , and the flexible umbrella  28  of the diaphragm spring  16  engaging the opposite side of the panel  46 . 
         [0033]    The flexibility of the spring  16  allows it to be utilized on a variety of panel  46  thicknesses. The force applied by the spring  16  prevents the oval fir tree fastener  10  and attached wire harness  62  from being unstable on varying panel thicknesses. The plurality of branches  42  and  70  on the oval fir tree fastener  10  also allows for variety of panel thicknesses to be accommodated. Further, the branches  70  of the first conic branch section  32  and the second conic branch section  34  form the composite oval shape and each makes contact with the oval mounting aperture to also provide anti-rotation. 
         [0034]    The use of an oval fir tree fastener  10  has several advantages over other possible means of securing a connector. The oval fir tree fastener engages a large range of panel thicknesses from approximately 0.7 millimeters to 18 millimeters which can be increased or decreased by changing length of the fir tree  18  and changing the number of branches in branch sections  32  and  34 . The oval fir tree fastener  10  has a low insertion force which is below 10 lbs. The oval fir tree fastener  10  has a high retention force which is above 60 lbs. in some configurations and above 100 lbs. in other configurations. Only a single oval mounting hole  44  is required to achieve anti-rotation of the device  10 . Prior art circular fir tree fastener configurations would require at least two holes to achieve anti-rotation. For example,  FIG. 21A  depicts a prior art fir tree fastener having a traditional round fir tree fastener and a second post to achieve anti-rotation. Similarly, the prior art fir tree fastener shown in  FIG. 21B  employs two traditional fir tree fasteners to provide for anti-rotation. The single mounting hole  44  utilized by the present invention requires less space than a two hole configuration. The single oval fir tree fastener  10  is easier to align and push in to the oval mounting hole  44  than an alternate configuration which would require at least two mounting holes or mounting retainers or fasteners. It is also important to note that oval mounting holes  44  are a preferred stamping or punch out pattern versus the formation of two round holes or a rectangular hole. 
         [0035]    It is clear that the present invention could be manufactured by various methods, and of various materials. Preferably the fastening device is injection molded from a strong, durable plastic, such as Nylon 6/6. 
         [0036]    Although the preferred application is for use in an automobile or truck, it should be understood that the invention could also be utilized in many different devices including, but not limited to other vehicles such as airplanes and boats, or in computer equipment, consumer electronics devices, communication devices, and medical instruments and devices. The invention can generally be applied to any application where a bundle of elongate articles are desired to be secured without rotation to a rigid supporting structure. Additionally, although the preferred embodiment described a wire connector  62 , the oval fir tree fastener  10  could be attached to any type of device which could be formed on the bottom segment  24 . 
         [0037]    An alternate embodiment of the oval fir tree fastener  110  is shown in  FIG. 11 . The embodiment shown in  FIG. 11  is similar to the preferred embodiment; however, the connector section  150  has a different configuration. The connector section  150  includes a larger mounting plate  152  which extends generally perpendicularly from the bottom segment  24  at generally the same location as the mounting plate  22  of the embodiment shown in the previous figures. The large mounting plate  152  has multiple latch structures  154  formed on its top surface. 
         [0038]    An alternate embodiment of the oval fir tree fastener  210  is shown in  FIG. 12 . The embodiment shown in  FIG. 12  is similar to the preferred embodiment; however the connector  212  is a relatively straight beam  214  having openings  216  and a notch  218 . The beam  214  is formed at an angle relative to the mounting plate  22 . 
         [0039]      FIGS. 13-20  are further examples of the features of the present invention used in different embodiments. The embodiments of  FIGS. 13-20  employ the diaphragm spring  16  and oval fir tree  18  as described above. The embodiments of  FIGS. 13-20  are not adapted to be attached to a wire connector; rather these embodiments are designed to attach to a bundle or at least one elongate item. Therefore, the embodiments of  FIGS. 13-20  do not include the connectors and latches described above. Each of the embodiments of  FIGS. 13-20  utilizes a different type of device to attach the at least one elongate item to the oval fir tree fastener. The additional embodiments of the oval fir tree fastener are attached to a panel  46  as described above with respect to the preferred embodiment. 
         [0040]    The first conic branch section  332  and second conic branch section  334  of oval fir tree  18  in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 13  has a slightly different configuration than that of the preferred embodiment  10 . The embodiment of  FIG. 13  does not include the central branch section  36 , but all the branches attach to the central spine  37 . Therefore, the first conic branch section  332  and the second conic branch section  334  extend along the width of the oval fir tree  18  to meet at a single rib  338 . The first conic branch section  332 , second conic branch section  334  and rib  338  form a modified composite oval branch structure of the oval fir tree fastener. 
         [0041]      FIG. 13  further shows an oval fir tree fastener  310  of the present invention employing the diaphragm spring  16  and oval fir tree  18  as described above. The connector and latch have been replaced by a clamp  312 . The clamp  312  extends from the bottom segment  24 . The clamp  312  may retain items of various diameters, including a single item of a larger diameter or a bundle of items with smaller diameters. 
         [0042]      FIG. 14  shows an oval fir tree fastener  410  of the present invention employing the diaphragm spring  16  and oval fir tree  18  as described above. In the present embodiment the connector and latch have been replaced by a hinged clip  412 . The clip  412  extends from the bottom segment  24 , and is adapted to be clipped around multiple elongate items such as a wires, cables, hoses, tubing, harnesses, etc. 
         [0043]      FIG. 15  shows an oval fir tree fastener  510  of the present invention employing the diaphragm spring  16  and oval fir tree  18  as described above. In the present embodiment the connector and latch have been replaced by a double clamp  512 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 16  shows an oval fir tree fastener  610  of the present invention employing the diaphragm spring  16  and oval fir tree  18  as described above. In the present embodiment the connector and latch have been replaced by a clamp  612 . The clamp  612  extends from the bottom segment  24 . The clamp  612  may be tightened around items of various diameters, including a single item of a large diameter or a bundle of items with smaller diameters. 
         [0045]    The first conic branch section  732  and second conic branch section  734  of oval fir tree  18  in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 17A-17D  has a slightly different configuration than that of the preferred embodiment. The embodiment of  FIGS. 17A-17D  is similar to the fastener shown in  FIG. 13 . However, first and second ribs  738 ,  740  are generally orthogonal to each other and divide the first conic branch section  332  and the second conic branch section  334  as shown. Ribs  738  and  740  intersect one another at a generally right angle at the leading tip  720 . 
         [0046]      FIGS. 17A-17D  further show an alternate embodiment of the oval fir tree fastener  710  of the present invention employing the diaphragm spring  16  as described above. In the present embodiment the connector and latch have been replaced by a straight tape clip  712   
         [0047]      FIG. 18  shows an oval fir tree fastener  810  of the present invention employing the diaphragm spring  16  and oval fir tree  18  as described above. In the present embodiment the connector and latch have been replaced by an offset tape clip  812   
         [0048]      FIG. 19  shows an oval fir tree fastener  910  of the present invention employing the diaphragm spring  16  and oval fir tree  18  as described above. In the present embodiment the connector and latch have been replaced by a saddle mount  912  for a cable tie. 
         [0049]      FIG. 20  shows an oval fir tree fastener  1010  of the present invention employing the diaphragm spring  16  and oval fir tree  18  as described above. In the present embodiment the connector and latch have been replaced by a cable tie  1012  having its neck portion bent at approximately ninety degrees. A straight cable tie could be integrally formed with the oval fir tree fastener as well. 
         [0050]    The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.