Patent Description:
It is generally known in the motor vehicles sector that it is required to fasten components to a vehicle. Various types of fasteners are used in motor vehicle applications, for example, under the hood or inside panels of the vehicle. A fastener that is widely used in a vehicle is a fastening clip, often referred to as a spring clip. Spring clips are used to secure trim parts, such as vehicle panels, to a vehicle. <CIT> discloses a mounting device with a metallic base plate, from which multiple fastening projections project.

Conventional spring clips are typically used in the fitting of vehicle panels to vehicle structures. They may be used to fit a panel to a vehicle structure in a high impact area. Spring clips generally have relatively high installation forces, i.e. they require a considerable force (e.g. a pushing force) to move the clip into a respective aperture of the vehicle structure. However, the relatively high force required for installation can pose difficulties to manufacturers and users (e.g. in case of manual assembly). In some configurations, additional components or parts may be required in order to facilitate the attachment of the clip to the structure. This need for additional tooling or additional parts, such as screws or other fasteners, can significantly increase the complexity, as well as, subsequent cost of the manufacturing process. Further, the additional parts required for the assembly may also unnecessarily increase the total weight of the clip assembly. Also, in the event vehicle parts have to be removed for repair or replacement due to damage, it will be necessary to first extract the spring clips from the assembly. However, many of the conventional spring clips do not facilitate multiple reinstallations as the clips may degrade or break over time. Moreover, clips should have a sufficient retention force once installed, so that the clip is not disengaged unintentionally during use. Also, typical spring clips are usually designed for a specific structure thickness.

Consequently, it would be desirable to provide an improved spring clip that can alleviate or mitigate one or more of the aforementioned problems. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a spring clip with improved retention characteristics, including a relatively low insertion force and a relatively high resistance to removal, as well as, an improved versatility, for example, to allow for a range of different thicknesses, at a minimised weight and complexity.

The present invention provides at least an alternative to the spring clips of the prior art.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a spring clip according to the appended claims.

According to the present invention as defined in independent claim <NUM>, there is provided a spring clip for coupling a panel to a vehicle structure having at least one mounting member. The spring clip comprises a base portion, having an upper and lower surface, configured to couplingly engage with the mounting member, and a body portion, having a central axis extending away from the lower surface of the base portion and comprising a first planar wall member and a second planar wall member, opposingly spaced apart from the first planar wall member with regards to the central axis. Each one of the first and second planar wall members extend away from the lower surface towards and joiningly converging into a distal end on the central axis. The body portion further comprises at least a first pair of opposing retention elements, each one disposed on and extending laterally outwards from a respective one of the first and second planar wall member, configured to fixingly engage when inserted into an orifice of the panel, during use.

This provides the advantage of a versatile clip that can be manufactured out of a single piece of material and that is configured to be used for a range of different panel thicknesses. In particular, the opposing planar wall members provide an improved stability and strength, while also being flexible in at least one direction (e.g. resiliently bendable towards the central axis) to minimise the pushing force required during insertion. Further, the pair of opposing retention element provides for an improved retention force (e.g. resistance to pull), because the retention elements protrude directly from the planar wall members, rather than being separate entities.

Further, according to the present invention, the spring clip comprises a second pair of opposing retention elements. The second pair of opposing retention elements are laterally spaced apart from the first pair of opposing retention elements on an outer wall surface of a respective one of the first and second planar wall members. By providing a second pair of opposing retention elements that are laterally spaced apart from the first pair of opposing retention elements on an outer wall surface of respective planar wall members, the retention elements are placed so as to contact and fixingly engage with an orifice of the panel at spaced apart regions. This increases the retention performance of the clip, whilst ensuring that the spring clip can be removed when desired. The provision of a first pair of opposing retention elements and a second pair of opposing retention elements that are spaced apart is particularly advantageous because the separation provides retention elements that engage with the orifice of the panel over a larger area, allowing force to be distributed more evenly.

Advantageously, each one of the first pair of opposing retention elements and the second pair of opposing retention elements may form a shoulder portion adapted to lockingly engage with a surface of the panel, during use. This allows the spring clip to be placed in a predetermined position. That is, the shoulder portion provides a locating function, placing the panel at a selected position relative to the vehicle structure. The provision of the shoulder prevents the spring clip from relocating once it has been fixed in the desired position.

Advantageously, each one of the first and second planar wall members may be resiliently biased in a direction laterally away from the central axis. This allows the first and second planar wall members to engage with the panel in a snap-fit manner when the spring clip is inserted into the orifice of the panel. The opposing retention elements of the respective first and second planar wall members may resiliently bias in a direction laterally away from the central axis.

Advantageously, the first planar wall member and the second planar wall member may be cooperatively deformable so as to temporarily reduce the lateral cross sectional area of the body portion.

According to the present invention, each one of the first pair of opposing retention elements are integrally formed from a respective one of the first and second planar wall member.

According to the present invention, each one of the second pair of opposing retention elements are integrally formed from a respective one of the first and second planar wall member.

Advantageously, the body portion may comprise a polymer. By providing a body portion that comprises a polymer, when the spring clip is inserted in the vehicle structure, the extent of wear or corrosion may be reduced. The reduction of wear and corrosion is beneficial, because it allows the spring clip to be reinstalled more often compared to, for example, metal spring clips. In some examples, the body portion may comprise a plastic material. In some examples, the body portion comprises polyoxymethylene (POM).

Advantageously, the polymer may comprise one or more of polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene. In some examples, the polymer may comprise polyoxymethylene.

According to the present invention, the spring clip further comprises a first rib member extending from the first planar wall member towards the distal end. This improves the rigidity and strength of the spring clip. More particularly, the provision of a rib member that extends from the first planar wall member allows the deformation of the spring clip, as it is inserted into the orifice of a panel, to be in a controlled way.

According to the present invention, the first rib member is integrally formed with the first planar wall member.

According to the present invention, the spring clip further comprises a second rib member extending from the second planar wall member towards the distal end. This further improves the rigidity and strength of the spring clip.

According to the present invention, the second rib member is integrally formed with the second planar wall member.

Advantageously, the central axis of the body portion may extend substantially perpendicularly away from the lower surface of the base portion.

Advantageously, the upper and lower surfaces may be orientated in a plane that intersects the central axis of the body portion.

Embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of example only, hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

The described example embodiment relates to a spring clip, and particularly a spring clip for fastening a panel to a vehicle. The invention is, however, not limited to a spring clip for fastening a body panel to a vehicle. For example, the spring clip may be for fastening any structural member to another structural member, for example, a vehicle trim part, such as an interior surface cover, to a vehicle.

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words 'right', 'left', 'lower', 'upper', 'front', 'rear', 'upward', 'down' and 'downward' designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made and are with respect to the described component when assembled and mounted. The words 'inner', 'inwardly' and 'outer', 'outwardly' refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, a designated centreline or a geometric centre of an element being described (e.g. central axis), the particular meaning being readily apparent from the context of the description.

Further, unless otherwise specified, the use of ordinal adjectives, such as, "first", "second", "third" etc. merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner.

Like reference numerals are used to depict like features throughout.

Referring firstly to <FIG>, there is provided a spring clip <NUM>. The spring clip <NUM> is provided with a base portion <NUM>. The base portion <NUM> has an upper surface <NUM> and a lower surface <NUM>. The upper surface <NUM> and the lower surface <NUM> are arranged on opposing faces of the base portion <NUM> and are separated by a predetermined thickness of the base portion <NUM>. In the example embodiment shown, the upper surface <NUM> and the lower surface <NUM> of the base portion <NUM> are substantially planar continuous surfaces. The spring clip <NUM> is provided with a body portion <NUM>. As best seen in <FIG>, the body portion <NUM> has a central axis <NUM> that extends along a longitudinal axis of the body portion <NUM>. The upper surface <NUM> and the lower surface <NUM> of the base portion <NUM> are arranged so as to intersect with the central axis <NUM> of the body portion <NUM>.

The body portion <NUM> has a first wall member <NUM> and a second wall member <NUM>. The first wall member <NUM> and the second wall member <NUM> are substantially planar. The first wall member <NUM> has an outer wall surface <NUM> facing away from the central axis <NUM>. The second wall member <NUM> has an outer wall surface <NUM> facing away from the central axis <NUM>. The outer wall surfaces <NUM>,<NUM> of the first wall member <NUM> and the second wall member <NUM> respectively face in opposite directions. In the example embodiment shown, the first wall member <NUM> and the second wall member <NUM> extend away from the base portion <NUM> in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the upper <NUM> and lower surface <NUM> of the base portion <NUM>. In other embodiments, however, the planar wall members <NUM>,<NUM> may extend from the base portion <NUM> in a direction not perpendicular with the principle plane of the base portion <NUM>. For example, the planar wall members <NUM>,<NUM> may form an angle of <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, or <NUM> degrees, with the base portion <NUM>.

In this particular example embodiment, the body portion <NUM> is made of polypropylene. However, any other suitable material is envisaged, such as, but not limited to, polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene. In some example embodiments, the body portion <NUM> may be made of polyoxymethylene.

Further, in this example embodiment, the first wall member <NUM> and the second wall member <NUM> extend along the entire width of the base portion <NUM> (see <FIG> in particular), but it is envisaged that the wall members <NUM>,<NUM> may span only partially along the width of the base portion <NUM>. The first and second planar wall members <NUM>,<NUM> are opposingly spaced apart relatively to one another. That is, the second planar wall member <NUM> is spaced apart from the first planar wall member <NUM> in opposing manner such that the central axis <NUM> is located between the first planar wall member <NUM> and the second planar wall member <NUM>. The first planar wall member <NUM> extends in a direction away from the lower surface <NUM> of the base portion <NUM>. The first wall member <NUM> and the second wall member <NUM> extend towards and joiningly converge towards a distal end <NUM>. The distal end <NUM> of the body portion <NUM> is located on the central axis <NUM>.

An opposing pair of retention elements <NUM>,<NUM> are provided on a respective one of the first and second wall member <NUM>, <NUM>. In other words, a first retention element <NUM> is provided on the first wall member <NUM> away from the base portion <NUM>. The first retention element <NUM> that is disposed on the first wall member <NUM> extends laterally outwards from the first wall member <NUM> in a direction away from the central axis <NUM>. A second retention element <NUM> is located on the second wall member <NUM> away from the base portion <NUM>. The second retention element <NUM> that is disposed on the second wall member <NUM> extends laterally outwards from the second wall member <NUM> in a direction away from the central axis <NUM>. The first retention element <NUM> and the second retention element <NUM> form a first pair of retention elements <NUM>,<NUM> that are positioned in opposing relationship with one another.

Each one of the retention elements <NUM>, <NUM> comprises a shoulder portion <NUM> that is formed between the distal end <NUM> and the upper surface <NUM> of the base portion <NUM>. The shoulder portion <NUM> extends laterally outward in order to engage with a panel surface, as will be described with reference to <FIG>.

As best seen in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the example spring clip <NUM> is provided with a second pair of opposing retention elements <NUM>,<NUM> in addition to the first pair of opposing retention elements <NUM>,<NUM>. The second pair of opposing retention elements <NUM>,<NUM> are the same as the first pair of opposing retention elements <NUM>,<NUM>. The first pair of opposing retention elements <NUM>,<NUM> and the second pair of opposing retention elements <NUM>,<NUM> are displaced laterally along the respective first wall member <NUM> and second wall member <NUM>. More specifically, the first retention element <NUM> and the third retention element <NUM> are laterally spaced apart on an outer wall surface <NUM> of the first wall member <NUM>. The second retention element <NUM> and the fourth retention element <NUM> are laterally spaced apart on an outer wall surface <NUM> of the second wall member <NUM>.

With reference in particular to <FIG> and <FIG>, between the first retention element <NUM> and the third retention element <NUM> on the first wall member <NUM>, there is provided a first rib member <NUM>. The first rib member <NUM> extends from the first wall member <NUM> towards the distal end <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, the first rib member <NUM> is integrally formed with the first wall member <NUM>. Similarly, between the second retention element <NUM> and the fourth retention element <NUM> on the second wall member <NUM>, there is provided a second rib member <NUM>. The second rib member <NUM> extends from the second wall member <NUM> towards the distal end <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is shown a spring clip <NUM> as hereinbefore described, assembled with a panel <NUM> and a vehicle structure <NUM>. In this example embodiment, the vehicle structure is a dockhouse <NUM>. The panel <NUM> is illustrated as rectangular shaped panel, but it is envisaged that the panel <NUM> may be any shape, such as circular, square shaped, regular, irregular, or any arbitrary shape depending upon the desired application. The panel <NUM> is provided with an orifice <NUM> extending through the entire thickness of the panel <NUM>. In this example embodiment, the orifice <NUM> is a slot. The dockhouse <NUM> is provided with a mounting member <NUM>, which provides a surface for engagement of the spring clip <NUM> with the dockhouse <NUM>. A bottom surface of the mounting member <NUM> has a surface for engagement with the spring clip <NUM>. A top surface of the mounting member <NUM> is located on a side opposite the bottom surface. The top surface is for engagement with the panel <NUM>.

In use, the spring clip <NUM> is mounted (i.e. coupled) to the panel <NUM> by inserting the distal end <NUM> of the spring clip <NUM> through the orifice <NUM> of the panel <NUM>. The distal end <NUM> of the spring clip <NUM> is narrower in comparison to the rest of the spring clip <NUM>. As the spring clip <NUM> is inserted into the orifice <NUM>, the retention elements <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> come into contact with the side profiles of the orifice <NUM>. The shoulder portion <NUM> extends laterally outward to abut and engage with the surface of the panel <NUM> during use. Each shoulder portion <NUM> is angled with respect to the opposing retention elements <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>. The shoulder <NUM> extends outward away from the central axis <NUM> so as to engage with the panel <NUM>. In some example embodiments, the shoulder portion <NUM> of the opposing retention elements <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> is the part of the spring clip <NUM> that is laterally displaced the furthest away from the central axis <NUM>. The shoulder portion <NUM> provides a predetermined depth of which the spring clip <NUM> is inserted into the panel <NUM>.

As the spring clip <NUM> is inserted into the orifice <NUM>, the opposing retention elements <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> engage with the side profiles of the orifice <NUM>, providing a resistive (i.e. friction) force against the spring clip <NUM>. To overcome the resistive force, a force is applied to the spring <NUM> in the direction of insertion. As the opposing retention elements <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> come into contact with the panel <NUM>, the opposing retention elements <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> are urged inward towards the central axis <NUM> such that the body portion <NUM> reduces in cross sectional area. More specifically, the inward movement of the opposing retention elements <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> urge the first wall member <NUM> and the second wall member <NUM> of the body member <NUM> inwards such that the spring clip <NUM> is reduced in width to fit inside the orifice <NUM>. The reduction of cross sectional area allows the spring clip <NUM> to be inserted into the panel <NUM>. In some example embodiments, the base portion <NUM> forms a stop that prevents the spring clip <NUM> from being pulled through the orifice <NUM> of the panel <NUM>.

The angling of the opposing retention elements <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> also facilitates the removal of the spring clip <NUM> from the panel <NUM>. After the spring clip <NUM> has been inserted into the panel <NUM>, the opposing retention elements <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> provide a resistive force that retains the spring clip <NUM> in place. However, when a force is applied that overcomes the resistive force, to remove the spring clip <NUM> from the panel <NUM>, the opposing retention elements <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> contact with the panel <NUM>, urging the opposing retention elements <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> inwards towards the central axis <NUM>. This reduces the cross sectional area of the body portion <NUM>, allowing the spring clip <NUM> to be removed from the panel <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the spring clip <NUM> that is partially inserted into the orifice <NUM> of the panel <NUM>. The first pair of opposing retention elements <NUM>,<NUM> engage with the orifice <NUM> of the panel <NUM> on one end of the orifice <NUM>. The second pair of opposing retention elements <NUM>,<NUM> engage with the orifice <NUM> of the panel <NUM> on another end of the orifice <NUM>. When a force is applied to the spring clip <NUM> in a direction out of the page, the retention elements <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> are urged inwards towards the central axis <NUM>. This resiliently deforms the retention elements <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> and subsequently deforms the first wall member <NUM> and the second wall member <NUM> inwards towards the central axis <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. This deformation allows the cross sectional area of the body portion <NUM> to be temporarily reduced such that the spring clip <NUM> fits inside the orifice <NUM>. With the reduced cross sectional area, the spring clip <NUM> can be inserted fully into the orifice <NUM>. In some embodiments, the spring clip <NUM> deforms laterally inward and at the same time, also deforms axially in a direction out of the page.

When the spring clip <NUM> is fully inserted, the first and second wall members <NUM>,<NUM> bias outwards away from the central axis <NUM>, into a position shown in <FIG>. This increases the lateral cross section area of the body portion <NUM> to its original size (i.e. before a force is applied to the spring clip <NUM>). The shoulder portions <NUM> of the assembled spring clip <NUM> engage the spring clip <NUM> with the panel <NUM>. This arrangement locks the spring clip <NUM> in place with respect to the surface of the panel <NUM>. To remove the spring clip <NUM> from the panel <NUM>, a force in the opposite direction (i.e. into the page of <FIG>) is applied such that the retention elements <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> are urged inwards towards the central axis <NUM>. This allows the spring clip <NUM> to go through into the orifice <NUM> of the panel <NUM>, such that the spring clip <NUM> can be removed.

When the spring clip <NUM> is assembled with the panel <NUM>, the spring clip <NUM> and the panel <NUM> are together assembled with the dockhouse <NUM> by slidingly engaging the base portion <NUM> of the spring clip <NUM> with the mounting member <NUM>. More specifically, the base portion <NUM> is inserted laterally into the dockhouse <NUM> such that the upper surface <NUM> of the base portion <NUM> engages with the mounting member <NUM>. In this way, the spring clip <NUM> and panel <NUM> assembly is prevented from moving in a vertical direction relative to the dockhouse <NUM>. It is also envisaged that in some example embodiments, the spring clip <NUM> may be assembled with the dockhouse <NUM>, before the panel <NUM> is assembled with the spring clip <NUM> and the dockhouse <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is provided a spring clip <NUM> assembled with a panel <NUM> and a vehicle structure <NUM>. In this example embodiment, the panel <NUM> is substantially the same as panel <NUM> as hereinbefore described and the vehicle structure <NUM> is substantially the same as the vehicle structure <NUM> as hereinbefore described.

<FIG> shows a spring clip <NUM> that is partially inserted into the orifice <NUM> of the panel <NUM>. When the spring clip <NUM> is partially inserted, the retention elements <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> engage with the orifice <NUM> of the panel <NUM>. When a force is applied to the spring clip <NUM>, in a direction out of the page, retention elements <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> are urged inwards towards the central axis <NUM>. This resiliently deforms the respective pairs of opposing retention elements <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> inwards towards the central axis <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In this embodiment, only the retention elements <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> deform inwards. The first wall member <NUM> and the second wall member <NUM> do not inwardly deform towards the central axis <NUM>. The formation allows the cross section area of the body portion <NUM> to be temporarily reduced such that the spring clip <NUM> fits inside the orifice <NUM> of the panel <NUM>. The spring clip <NUM> can therefore be fully inserted into the orifice <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A spring clip (<NUM>) for coupling a panel (<NUM>, <NUM>) to a vehicle structure (<NUM>) having at least one mounting member (<NUM>), the spring clip comprising:
a base portion (<NUM>), having an upper (<NUM>) and lower (<NUM>) surfaces, configured to couplingly engage with the mounting member (<NUM>); and
a body portion (<NUM>), having a central axis (<NUM>) extending away from said lower surface (<NUM>) of said base portion (<NUM>) and comprising a first planar wall member (<NUM>) and a second planar wall member (<NUM>), opposingly spaced apart from said first planar wall member (<NUM>) with regards to said central axis (<NUM>), each one of said first and second planarwall members (<NUM>, <NUM>) extending away from said lower surface (<NUM>) towards and joiningly converging into a distal end (<NUM>) on said central axis (<NUM>), said body portion (<NUM>) further comprising:
a first pair of opposing retention elements (<NUM>, <NUM>), each one disposed on and extending laterally outwards from a respective one of said first (<NUM>) and second (<NUM>) planar wall member, configured to fixingly engage when inserted into an orifice (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the panel (<NUM>, <NUM>), during use, wherein each one of said first pair of opposing retention elements (<NUM>, <NUM>) is integrally formed from respective one of said first (<NUM>) and second (<NUM>) planar wall members; and
a second pair of opposing retention elements (<NUM>, <NUM>) laterally spaced apart from said first pair of opposing retention elements (<NUM>, <NUM>) on an outer wall surface of a respective one of said first (<NUM>) and second (<NUM>) planar wall members, wherein each one of said second pair of opposing retention elements (<NUM>, <NUM>) is integrally formed from respective one of said first (<NUM>) and second (<NUM>) planar wall members;
wherein the spring clip (<NUM>) comprises a first rib member (<NUM>) extending from said first planar wall member (<NUM>) towards said distal end (<NUM>), wherein said first rib member (<NUM>) is integrally formed with said first planar wall member (<NUM>), and a second rib member (<NUM>) extending from said second planar wall member (<NUM>) towards said distal end (<NUM>), wherein said second rib member (<NUM>) is integrally formed with said second planar wall member (<NUM>).