Patent Description:
In many fields of industry, such as automotive or aeronautics for example, it is requested that parts, making up various components or designed to hold the latter, can be fastened in a sustainable manner on a support. Among well-known fastening means, one can note for example a fixing lug used as a mounting part for holding and fastening a base plate, a wiring duct or a cable tie. Such a fixing lug typically comprises a hole for receiving a screw to be screwed into a support.

During their use, the fixing lugs or other similar connectors, on which the screw or a screw-nut system is supported, are subjected to high mechanical stress. This phenomenon is all the more pronounced when the base plate or the connectors is made of a plastic material. For this reason, there are currently mounting parts comprising a through-hole into which an insert, such as a metal strip or bushing, is placed around the inner face of the hole so that the screw or screw-nut system rests on the edge of the insert and not only on the plastic surface of the mounting part.

Some of these inserts or metal strips are merely inserted into the through-hole of the fixing connector thus involving several drawbacks. Indeed, it is not uncommon for the insert to be lost given that it can fall through the hole when the mounting part is transported or handled before being fastened on its support. In addition, the insert must be dimensioned very precisely in order to fit with the through-hole. If it is too large, it will be difficult to insert it into the hole and if it is too small, there is a risk that the fixing will not be assured in a reliable manner.

Document <CIT> discloses a mounting part similar to the above-mentioned fixing connector in which the inner wall of the through-hole comprises at least one projection and the metallic insert comprises at least one recess cooperating with the aforementioned projection. However, if the insert can be inserted within the through-hole of the fixing connector in a single direction until the projection of the hole engages the recess of the insert, it becomes also possible to pull or push the insert out of this hole according to this same direction. Therefore, the pullout force of the insert with respect to the plastic body of the fixing connector is quite limited so that the insert is unable to sustain a significative force applied thereto in a direction parallel to the through-hole axis. Furthermore, the projection must have a certain elasticity for being firstly compressed by the edge of the insert until the recess of the latter comes in front of the projection for its engagement, thus releasing the projection from any compression force. Since the projection extends entirely outwards the inner wall of the through-hole, i.e. over the entire periphery of the projection, there is a risk that such a projection will break, thus rendering the mounting part unusable. Such a risk is increased by the fact that the fixing connector, including the projection, is made of a plastic material and that the insert is typically made of metallic material in order to have the requested strength for fastening purposes.

Document <CIT> discloses a sliding element for sliding engagement into longitudinal groove, e.g. a groove of a mudguard of motor vehicle. Made of plastic material, this sliding element has typically a square shape and is provided with a through-hole in its center. The through-hole is designed for holding a sleeve due to projections protruding from the inner wall of the through-hole and engaging a recess made in sleeve when the latter is inserted into the through-hole. This element has the same drawbacks as those already mentioned in connection with the previously cited document.

<CIT> discloses a structure of an installation member for installation to a vehicle outer panel comprising a metallic retaining portion, a resin-made attachment, and a bolt.

Accordingly, there is a need for improving existing mounting parts in order to at least partially overcome the aforementioned issues and drawbacks.

To address the above-described issues, the present invention provides an assembly comprising an insert and a holder. This assembly is defined in claim <NUM>.

According to the present disclosure, the second housing, which is that in which the insert is lodged in its working or final position, is advantageously reachable by the insert in a direction which is different from that allowing the insertion of the insert into the opening of holder. This means that the attachment of the insert with the holder is much more efficient than that of conventional solutions. In addition, the present disclosure may easily prevent any loosing of the insert once it is located in the second housing. Still advantageously, the present holder allows an easy and reliable assembly without the need for complex tools, or even without any mechanical assistance.

Due to the specific arrangement of the second housing relative to the opening designed for inserting the insert into the holder, it is possible to ensure a robust locking of the insert within the holder on both sides of the plane of this holder. Accordingly, the insert may, for example, be maintained locked in the holder despite a significant pulling force, without the need for over molding or stamping the insert.

According to a specific embodiment, the opening (arranged in the holder) is a through-opening.

In order to prevent the insert from being pushed or pulled out of the holder, the second housing preferably comprises a plurality of protrusions for preventing movement of the insert in directions perpendicular to the plane of the holder.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first housing is separated from the second housing by a divider.

Preferably, the second housing comprises two opposite sidewalls linked by a curved portion at one end of said second housing, and the first housing comprises at least a portion of the opposite sidewalls.

Still preferably, the holder is devoid of any elastic part.

In a further embodiment, the holder comprises a plastic material.

In a preferred embodiment, the U-shape is elongated and open at one end so as to form two branches making up said elastic portion.

Preferably, each of the branches has a fork as a first locking means for engaging with one protrusion of the second housing of the holder.

According to a preferred embodiment, the fork is configured to be bent outwards so as to lock the insert in the second housing and prevent the insert from moving from the second housing to the first housing due to the divider acting as an abutment for the fork.

In a further embodiment, the insert has a hole or a recess as a second locking means located at the opposite of the open end to engage with one of the protrusions of the second housing.

Preferably, the insert comprises a metallic material.

Still preferably, the insert is configured to be maintained locked in the second housing against a force up to at least 12daN applied to the insert in any direction perpendicular to the plane or substantially perpendicular to this plane.

Other embodiments and advantages will be disclosed hereafter in the detailed description.

The embodiments suggested in the present disclosure should be taken as non-limitative examples and will be better understood with reference to the attached Figures in which :.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a holder <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, <FIG> shows on the one hand the holder <NUM> at the bottom of this figure, and on the other hand an insert <NUM> which is configured to be inserted into the holder <NUM>. The holder <NUM> has a plane P which, in the present example, is parallel to the base of the holder <NUM>.

<FIG> is a plan view of the holder <NUM> of <FIG>. As better shown in <FIG>, the holder <NUM> has a first housing <NUM> and a second housing <NUM>, both of them being configured for receiving the insert <NUM>. The position of the insert <NUM> as located in the first housing <NUM> is depicted with a dashed line. The first housing <NUM> extends within the plane P of the holder. The position of the insert <NUM> as located in the second housing <NUM> is depicted with a dot-dash line. The second housing <NUM> also extends within the plane P of the holder. The first and second housings <NUM>, <NUM> are integral with the holder <NUM>, in particular with a main body of the holder <NUM>. At least a part of the main body of the holder <NUM> may be configured to be placed against a support (not shown). For this reason, the main body of the holder <NUM> may comprise a base 10a configured to come into contact with such a support in order to increase the stability of the holder <NUM>. The first and second housings <NUM>, <NUM> comprise a sidewall structure 10b extending perpendicularly from the base 10a of the holder <NUM>. The base 10a may be a planar structure and may comprise a webbed portion extending laterally around the periphery of the sidewall structure 10b. The sidewall structure 10b, especially the upper or free edge of the sidewall structure 10b, is preferably used to support a nut <NUM> of a screw-nut system <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The opposite edge of the structure is attached to the base 10a of the main body of the holder <NUM>. Accordingly, the upper or free edge of the sidewall structure 10b is preferably parallel to the base 10a.

The first and second housings <NUM>, <NUM> may have an identical or similar footprint as shown in <FIG>. The first housing <NUM> is configured for a first position of the insert <NUM> within the holder <NUM>, and the second housing <NUM> is configured for a second position of the insert <NUM> within the holder <NUM>. Preferably, the second housing <NUM> comprises two opposite sidewalls 12a, 12b linked by a curved portion 12c at one end of the second housing <NUM>, and the first housing <NUM> comprises at least a portion of the opposite sidewalls 12a, 12b. Still preferably, the sidewalls 12a, 12b are parallel to each other and the curved portion 12c may have a circular shape and preferably has a semicircular shape. Still preferably, the lateral walls of the openings <NUM>, <NUM>, in particular the sidewalls 12a, 12b and the curved portion 12c, are perpendicular to the plane P. It will be understood that the sidewalls 12a, 12b and the curved portion 12c are part of the sidewall structure 10b shown in <FIG>.

As better shown in <FIG>, the holder <NUM> further has an opening <NUM> for inserting, transversely or perpendicularly to the plane P or even substantially perpendicularly to this plane, the insert <NUM> into the first housing <NUM>. The insertion of the insert <NUM> into the first housing <NUM> of the holder <NUM> is typically achieved in the direction of the arrow A of <FIG>.

The second housing <NUM> is in communication with the first housing <NUM>, so that it is possible to pass from one housing to another in a translational or sliding motion. Typically, the first and second housings <NUM>, <NUM> are linked in a row.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second housing <NUM> extends within the plane P of the holder <NUM> and is configured to prevent the insert <NUM> from being moved out of the holder <NUM>, in directions perpendicular to the plane P. In other words, the first and second housings <NUM>, <NUM> are located at different locations within the same plane P, and the second housing <NUM> has means for preventing the insert <NUM> from being moved out of the holder <NUM> in directions perpendicular to the plane P.

According to these features, the second housing <NUM>, which is configured for the final or working position of the insert <NUM>, is offset relative to the opening <NUM> through which the insert <NUM> is inserted into the holder <NUM>. Such an offset corresponds to the distance D (shown in <FIG>) between the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>.

Returning to <FIG>, one can note that the first housing <NUM> is aligned with the insertion direction of the insert <NUM> through the opening <NUM>, as depicted by the arrow A. Accordingly, the second housing <NUM> is advantageously offset from this insertion direction, thus allowing to provide the second housing <NUM> with efficient means for preventing the insert <NUM> from being removed out of the holder <NUM> in any direction perpendicular to the plane P or substantially perpendicular to this plane.

According to a preferred embodiment, the opening <NUM> is a through-opening as shown in <FIG>. In one embodiment, the opening <NUM> through which the insert <NUM> is inserted into the holder <NUM> may be a blind opening or a partially blind opening, even if the second housing <NUM> is kept at least partially open in order to be crossed by a screw or a nut-screw system <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, for fastening the holder <NUM> onto any kind of support. Indeed, if the distance D between the first and second housings <NUM>, <NUM> is long enough, one may envisage a case where the opening <NUM>, and thereby the first housing <NUM>, is blind, whereas the second housing <NUM> remains through to pass e.g. a screw through the holder <NUM>.

According to another preferred embodiment, the second housing <NUM> has a plurality of protrusions <NUM>, <NUM>' for blocking the insert <NUM> in both sides of the plane P. Preferably, the protrusions <NUM> are located on the sidewalls 12a, 12b while the other protrusion <NUM>' is located on the curved portion 12c of the second housing <NUM>. Still preferably, the protrusions <NUM>, <NUM>' are located halfway up the sidewalls 12a, 12c and the curved portion 12c. These protrusions <NUM>, <NUM>' act as means for preventing the insert <NUM> from being pushed or pulled out of the plane P, as shown in <FIG> which depicts the assembly <NUM> of the insert <NUM> and its holder <NUM>. Because the holder <NUM> allows the insert <NUM> to be inserted therein in a first direction, shown by the arrow A (in order to reach the first housing <NUM>), and then to slide the insert <NUM> in a second direction, different from the first direction (in order to reach the second housing <NUM>), it is possible to provide the second housing <NUM> with particularly robust protrusions <NUM>, <NUM>', as better shown in <FIG>.

Indeed, it should be noted that in such a configuration the protrusions <NUM>, <NUM>' may advantageously not be engaged during the positioning of the insert <NUM>, namely during the time interval required for lodging the insert <NUM> from the outside of the holder <NUM> to the second housing <NUM> within the holder <NUM>. This means that the protrusions <NUM>, <NUM>' can benefit from a very robust architecture without affecting the insertion of the insert <NUM> into the holder <NUM> or interfering with the insert <NUM>. As a result, once lodged in the second housing <NUM>, the insert <NUM> can be secured in the holder <NUM> with a great efficiency against a tearing force acting in any direction perpendicular to the plane P or transversely to this plane.

In a variant, instead of providing the second housing <NUM> with a plurality of protrusions, it may be possible to provide the second housing with recesses for blocking the insert in both sides of the plane P. In this case, the insert may be provided with projections that may each engage one recess.

According to the embodiment shown in the Figures, the first housing <NUM> is separated from the second housing <NUM> by a divider <NUM>. Preferably, the protrusions <NUM> and the divider <NUM> define the division between the first and second housings <NUM>, <NUM>. Although optional, such a divider <NUM> advantageously allows to lock the insert <NUM> in a direction parallel to the plane P given that it prevents the insert <NUM> from sliding back to the first housing <NUM> once it has reached the second housing <NUM>. As a result and due to the divider <NUM>, there is no longer any risk of losing the insert <NUM> once it is assembled in its final position in the holder <NUM>. Referring to <FIG> for example, the divider <NUM> may comprise a protruding portion extending laterally into the centre of the holder <NUM> from both inner walls of the opening <NUM>. The protruding portion defines the separation of the first and second housings <NUM> and <NUM>.

Another advantage provided by such a divider <NUM> lies in the fact that the protrusions, especially the protrusions <NUM>, can be integrally formed with the divider <NUM> on the one hand, and the inner wall of the opening <NUM> on the other hand. Consequently, the protrusion <NUM> becomes stronger than a projection extending entirely outwards from the inner wall of the opening <NUM>, i.e. protruding over the entire periphery of the projection.

<FIG> shows a kinematics sequence for assembling the insert <NUM> and the holder <NUM>, shown in the previous Figures. Such an assembly is advantageously very easy to implement given that it requires only two steps between the first state S1 and the last state S3. According to the first state S1, the insert <NUM> is fully separated from the holder <NUM>. In the illustration shown in <FIG>, the insert <NUM> is located above the holder <NUM> in front of the opening <NUM> of the holder. As shown by the arrow A, the goal of the first step is to put the insert <NUM> into the holder <NUM>, especially into the first housing <NUM> of the holder <NUM>, by inserting the insert <NUM> into the opening <NUM> so as to reach the second state S2. Such an insertion is preferably achieved without effort or stress, neither on the insert <NUM>, nor on the holder <NUM>.

Once the insert <NUM> is in the first housing <NUM>, as shown in state S2, the second step aims to slide the insert <NUM> within the plane P of the holder <NUM>, especially in the direction shown by arrow B, in order to put the insert <NUM> into the second housing <NUM> of the holder <NUM>.

Once the second step is achieved, the assembly of the insert <NUM> and the support is ended, as shown in the third and last state S3.

According to this kinematics sequence and due to the fact that the architecture of the holder <NUM> shown in this sequence includes the divider <NUM>, one can note that the insert <NUM> may have to comprise an elastic portion <NUM> in order to allow it to move from the first housing <NUM> to the second housing <NUM>. However, if no divider <NUM> is arranged between the two aforementioned housings, the insert <NUM> does not need to comprise such an elastic portion <NUM>. For this reason, the elastic portion of the insert can be regarded as being optional, depending on the embodiment of the holder <NUM>.

According to one embodiment, the plane P of the holder defines a plane of symmetry of the holder, as shown in <FIG>. Therefore, such a plane may be the median plane of the holder <NUM>. By providing a holder which is symmetric relative to both sides of the plane P, the holder may be advantageously used to equal benefit on both sides, further simplifying its use.

In a preferred embodiment, the holder <NUM> is devoid of any elastic component. Since the insert <NUM> is the main part of the assembly <NUM> designed to resist the tightening torque, namely to take up the forces when the assembly <NUM> is fastened on a support, this insert <NUM> is typically made of a strong material such as metal which is therefore specifically adapted for those purposes. On the other hand, the holder <NUM> may be made of plastic material. By not including any elastic component in the holder <NUM>, such as elastic protrusions, the risk of breakage of one of the most sensitive parts of the holder is reduced.

Preferably, the holder <NUM> comprises a plastic material. Still preferably, the holder <NUM> is entirely made of plastic material, such as injected plastic material for example. Advantageously, a plastic holder can be easily adapted to other components such as plastic cable channels, fixing clamps, plastic boxes or other injected products. In addition, the shape of the holder, especially at least one of the first and second housings <NUM>, <NUM>, may be easily adapted for any kind of insert <NUM>, such as round, oblong or rectangular inserts for example.

From the foregoing, one can note that the holder <NUM> is configured to maintain the insert <NUM> in a locked position in the second housing <NUM> in an efficient manner, without the need for over molding or stamping the insert. Furthermore, the holder <NUM> is configured to still allow the insertion of the insert <NUM> from one lateral side of the holder <NUM>, namely a profile insertion in a direction perpendicular to the plane P of the holder <NUM>. In addition, since the protrusions <NUM>, <NUM>' can be strong and sized appropriately, there is no need to have tight manufacturing tolerances between the insert <NUM> and the holder <NUM>, especially between the insert <NUM> and at least one of the opening <NUM>, the first housing <NUM> and second housing <NUM> of the holder <NUM>. Accordingly, the holder of the present disclosure is not only efficient and reliable but also cost-effective.

The present disclosure also relates to the assembly <NUM> comprising the insert <NUM> and the holder <NUM> according to any of the embodiments or variants disclosed therein, or according to any possible combination of such embodiments. The assembly <NUM> is characterized in that the insert <NUM> has a U-shape configured to fit with both the first and second housings <NUM>, <NUM> and further has locking means <NUM> for locking the insert in the second housing <NUM>. These locking means <NUM> are shown e.g. on <FIG> and will be detailed later in the present description.

According to a preferred embodiment, the insert <NUM> further has an elastic portion <NUM> which is adapted to be compressed when the insert <NUM> is moved between the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>, as explained in connection with the kinematics sequence shown in <FIG>. Preferably, the elastic portion <NUM> has a released state when the insert <NUM> is at least in the second housing <NUM> of the holder <NUM>. This released state corresponds to the state of the insert <NUM> when no stress or force is applied thereon. Accordingly, the released state is that shown in <FIG> when the insert <NUM> is located outside of the holder <NUM>.

Still preferably, the elastic portion <NUM> of the insert <NUM> has also a released state in the first housing <NUM> of the holder <NUM>. Advantageously, no stress is applied onto the insert <NUM> as long as the assembly <NUM> is not used, namely fastened to a support, except when passing the divider <NUM>, if any.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the U-shape of the insert <NUM> is elongated and open at one end <NUM> so as to form two branches <NUM> making up the elastic portion <NUM>. Preferably, the insert <NUM> has a U-shape with prongs, as locking means <NUM>, extending outwardly at the open end <NUM>.

Preferably, each of the branches <NUM> has a fork <NUM> as a first locking means <NUM> for engaging with one protrusion <NUM> of the second housing <NUM> of the holder <NUM>. Advantageously, providing a locking means in the form of such a fork <NUM>, instead of a hole, allows to engage the two longitudinal ends of the protrusion <NUM> with the body of the holder <NUM>, especially to the divider <NUM> and to the inner wall of the opening <NUM>. Accordingly, the protrusion <NUM> becomes stronger and can resist higher stresses, in particular in the directions perpendicular to the plane P of the holder.

In a further preferred embodiment, the fork <NUM> is bent outwards, so as to lock the insert <NUM> in the second housing <NUM> and prevent the insert from moving back from the second housing <NUM> to the first housing <NUM> due to the divider <NUM> acting as an abutment for the fork <NUM>. Advantageously, such a configuration avoids the loss of the insert <NUM>, once it is placed in its holder <NUM>, and further locks the insert <NUM> in all directions.

According to another embodiment, the insert has at least one hole <NUM> or a recess as a second locking means <NUM> located at an opposite end <NUM> of the open end <NUM>. This hole <NUM> is designed to engage with one of the protrusions <NUM> of the second housing <NUM>, especially with the protrusion <NUM>' better shown in <FIG>. Due to the second locking means <NUM>, and in particular due to its position relative to the positions of the first locking means in the form of the forks <NUM>, the insert <NUM> is firmly locked using three locking means <NUM> well distributed in the plane P of the holder <NUM>. Furthermore, given that the hole <NUM> is designed to engage with the protrusion <NUM>' within the plane P or within a plane parallel to the plane P, there is advantageously no stress applied to the insert <NUM> or the holder <NUM>, during the engagement of these elements. As a result, the protrusion <NUM>' can be designed to be quite large and therefore particularly strong, so as to resist significant forces applied to the insert <NUM>, transversely to the plane P.

According to one embodiment, the insert <NUM> comprises a metallic material. Preferably, the insert <NUM> is entirely made of metallic material, such as aluminum, steel, stainless steel or any other metal or metal alloy. Nevertheless, the insert <NUM> may also be made from any other material.

According to another embodiment of the assembly <NUM>, the insert <NUM> is designed to be maintained locked in the second housing <NUM> against a force up to at least 12daN applied onto the insert <NUM> in any direction perpendicularly to the plane P or substantially transversely to this plane. Such a significant value of stress can be reached, without over molding or stamping operations, thanks to the protrusions <NUM>, <NUM>' of the holder <NUM> which, according to the present disclosure, can be advantageously oversized relative to conventional solutions. This is mainly due to the fact that the protrusions <NUM>, <NUM>' of the holder <NUM> and the corresponding locking means <NUM> of the insert <NUM> are not engaged during the insertion of the insert <NUM> into the second housing <NUM>, i.e. into its final position within the holder <NUM>. This results to the specific architecture of the assembly <NUM>, especially that of the holder <NUM>.

<FIG> respectively illustrate the assembly <NUM> as it appears when it is fastened by a screw-nut system <NUM>, taken as example of a fixing means, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system <NUM> comprises at least a screw <NUM> and a nut <NUM>. The screw <NUM> is designed to go through the opening <NUM> in order to be fastened on a support not shown, below the holder <NUM>. The nut <NUM> is typically designed to tight the assembly <NUM> against this support. To this end, the nut <NUM> rests against edges <NUM>, <NUM> respectively of the holder <NUM> and the insert <NUM>. Due to the strength of the insert <NUM>, the majority of the force applied onto the assembly <NUM> by the nut <NUM> is supported by the insert <NUM> via its edges <NUM>. Accordingly, an efficient tightening force can be provided by the screw-nut system for fastening the assembly <NUM> without damaging or even destroying the holder <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a plan view of <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, one the holder <NUM> may further comprise at least one bulge <NUM> located on the periphery or around the opening <NUM>. Such a bulge <NUM> may be a lump, a swelling, a bump or any similar projection. The bulge <NUM> is preferably located at one end of the opening <NUM> if the latter is not circular, and still preferably where the open end <NUM> of the insert is located when it is lodged in the holder <NUM>.

The bulge <NUM> acts as a stop for the screw <NUM>, in order to ensure that the nut <NUM> is at least partly supported by the insert <NUM>, especially in contact with at least a portion, preferably a sufficient portion, of the edge <NUM> of the insert <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Due to the bulge <NUM>, the holder <NUM> can ensure a limit position of the screw-nut system <NUM> and ensure that the system <NUM> is well positioned relative to the position of the insert <NUM>, more specifically relative to the second housing <NUM>.

The assembly <NUM> of the present disclosure may be used as a mounting part or accessory, for example to fasten any product to a support, such as boxes, cable channels, fixing clamps, or other related products.

Claim 1:
An assembly (<NUM>) comprising an insert (<NUM>) and a holder (<NUM>) for the insert (<NUM>), wherein
the holder (<NUM>) comprises :
- a first housing (<NUM>) for receiving the insert (<NUM>), the first housing (<NUM>) extending within a plane (P) of the holder (<NUM>),
- an opening (<NUM>) for inserting the insert (<NUM>) into the first housing (<NUM>) in a first direction substantially perpendicular to said plane (P), and
- a second housing (<NUM>) for receiving said insert (<NUM>), the second housing (<NUM>) being in communication with the first housing (<NUM>) and extending within the plane (P) of the holder (<NUM>); and
the insert (<NUM>) has a U-shape configured to fit with both the first and second housings (<NUM>, <NUM>) and further comprises locking means (<NUM>) for locking the insert (<NUM>) in the second housing (<NUM>); and
wherein
the first and second housings are arranged to allow the insert (<NUM>) to slide in a second direction different from the first direction and parallel to said plane so as to pass from the first housing (<NUM>) to the second housing (<NUM>);
the second housing (<NUM>) is configured to prevent movement of the insert (<NUM>) out of the holder (<NUM>), in directions perpendicular to the plane (P); and
the insert (<NUM>) further comprises an elastic portion (<NUM>) configured to be compressed when the insert (<NUM>) is moved between the first housing (<NUM>) and second housing (<NUM>).