CN-114930037-B - Metal retaining clip

CN114930037BCN 114930037 BCN114930037 BCN 114930037BCN-114930037-B

Abstract

A retention clip (100) is configured to fixedly connect a first component with a second component. The retention clip (100) includes a first armature (104) connected to an opposing second armature (104) by a central beam (102). An interior (105) of the clip (100) is defined between the first and second skeletons (104). Each of the first and second skeletons (104) includes a lateral foot (106) folded inwardly at an upper bend (108) to form a flange (110) disposed in the interior (105). The flanges (110) of respective sides of the clip (100) are integrally connected by a bridging member (112), and the flanges (110) further include distal ends (114) extending below a bottom edge (116) of the bridging member (112). The clip (100) further includes flexible wings (120) for securing the clip (100) within the open interior of the panel. Some embodiments of the retention clip include a tab (118) extending inwardly from the bridge member (112).

Inventors

Gregory George Burkinsky

Assignees

伊利诺斯工具制品有限公司
伊利诺斯工具制品有限公司

Dates

Publication Date: 20260421
Application Date: 20210115
Priority Date: 20200120

Claims (16)

1. A retention clip configured to securely connect a first component with a second component, the retention clip comprising: A first armature connected to an opposing second armature at a central beam, wherein an interior of the retention clip is defined between the opposing first armature and the second armature, each of the first armature and the second armature comprising: An outer lateral leg folded inwardly at an upper bend to form an inner flange disposed in the interior and generally directed toward the center sill, wherein the inner flanges are integrally connected by a bridging member, and wherein a lower distal end of the inner flange extends below a bottom edge of the bridging member, and A flexible wing extending upwardly and outwardly from the central beam, wherein a portion of the flexible wing is configured to securely abut against a surface of the second component, and Wherein each of the first and second skeletons further comprises a tab extending downwardly from the bottom edge of the bridging member, and Wherein each projection comprises a saw-tooth structure having a ramp surface extending in the direction of the central longitudinal plane of the retention clip.
2. The retention clip of claim 1, wherein the retention clip is configured to securely couple with the first component to form a subassembly, and wherein the subassembly is configured to securely couple with the second component to form an assembly.
3. The retention clip of claim 1, wherein the projection is configured to securely abut the first component to secure the first component in the interior.
4. The retention clip of claim 1, wherein the tab is spaced apart from the upper bend by a first vertical distance and the tab is spaced apart from the central beam by a second vertical distance that is less than the first vertical distance.
5. The retention clip of claim 1, wherein the flexible wing portion further comprises an upper shoulder and a contact tab extending inwardly from the upper shoulder in the direction of the central longitudinal plane.
6. A retention clip configured to securely connect a first component with a second component, the retention clip comprising: A first armature connected to an opposing second armature at a central beam, wherein an interior of the retention clip is defined between the opposing first armature and the second armature, each of the first armature and the second armature comprising: An outer lateral leg folded inwardly at an upper bend to form an inner flange disposed in the interior and extending in the general direction of the center beam, wherein the inner flanges are integrally connected by a bridge member, and wherein a tab extends downwardly from a bottom edge of the bridge member, and A flexible wing extending upwardly and outwardly from the central beam, wherein a portion of the flexible wing is configured to securely abut against a surface of the second component, and Wherein the protrusion comprises a saw-tooth structure having a ramp surface extending inwardly in the direction of the central longitudinal plane of the retention clip.
7. The retention clip of claim 6, wherein the retention clip is configured to securely couple with the first component to form a subassembly, and wherein the subassembly is configured to securely couple with the second component to form an assembly.
8. The retention clip of claim 6, wherein the opposing flexible wings of the first and second backbones each further comprise a contact tab extending inwardly from an upper shoulder, wherein a portion of the contact tab is configured to securely abut against the surface, and wherein the surface is accessed through the aperture of the second component.
9. The retention clip of claim 6, wherein an internal flange on each of the first armature and the second armature further comprises a distal end extending below the bottom edge of the bridge member.
10. The retention clip of claim 6, wherein the protrusion of the first armature is mirrored with the protrusion of the second armature.
11. The retention clip of claim 6, wherein the tab is spaced apart from the upper bend by a first vertical distance and the tab is spaced apart from the central beam by a second vertical distance that is less than the first vertical distance.
12. A retention clip configured to securely connect a first component with a second component, the retention clip having a generally U-shaped body, the body comprising: A first armature connected to an opposing second armature at a central beam, wherein an interior of the retention clip is defined between the opposing first armature and the second armature, each of the first armature and the second armature comprising: an outer lateral leg folded inwardly at an upper bend to form an inner flange disposed in the interior and extending in the general direction of the center beam, and wherein a tab extends inwardly and downwardly from a bridging member integrally connecting the inner flange, and Wherein the protrusion comprises a saw-tooth structure having a ramp surface extending in the direction of the central longitudinal plane of the retention clip.
13. The retention clip of claim 12, wherein the inner flange comprises a distal end, and wherein the bridging member is spaced apart from each of the distal end and an upper bend of the retention clip.
14. The retention clip of claim 13, wherein the retention clip is configured to securely couple with the first component to form a subassembly, and wherein the subassembly is configured to securely couple with the second component to form an assembly.
15. The retention clip of claim 12, wherein the tab extending from the bridging member of the first armature is disposed entirely between the inner flanges of the first armature, and wherein the tab of the bridging member of the second armature is disposed entirely between the inner flanges of the second armature.
16. The retention clip of claim 12, wherein the first and second skeletons further comprise flexible wings extending upwardly and outwardly from the central beam, the flexible wings comprising an upper shoulder and a contact tab extending inwardly from the upper shoulder in the direction of the central longitudinal plane.

Description

Metal retaining clip Cross Reference to Related Applications The present application relates to the continued application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/150,665, filed on 1 month 15 of 2021, and U.S. design patent application Ser. No. 29/721,330, filed on 1 month 20 of 2020, entitled "FASTENING CLIP [ fastening clip ]", and claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/962,497, filed on 17 of 1, 2020, entitled "Metal Retention Clip [ metal retention clip ]", all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to fasteners and, more particularly, to retention clips configured to connect or couple multiple components to one another. Background The various components are secured together by a retaining clip. For example, plates, sheets, skeletons, etc. may be secured together by fastener assemblies that include male fastener members that securely mate with female fastener members. For another example, a retaining clip may be used to secure two or more components together. In the automotive industry, clips may be used to fixedly couple a self-supporting component to a vehicle panel. Clips may be used to secure a first component (such as a rib member) to a second component (such as a plate). For example, the clip may define an interior to receive and retain the rib member, and the securing member may be pushed into the slot of the plate member. U.S. patent No. 6,796,006 entitled "Rib Clip" discloses a Rib Clip. U.S. patent No. 7,640,634, entitled "Ergonomic Fastener ergonomic fastener," discloses a clamping fastener. U.S. patent No. 6,796,006 entitled "Rib Clip" discloses a Rib Clip. U.S. patent No. 7,640,634, entitled "Ergonomic Fastener ergonomic fastener," discloses a clamping fastener. U.S. patent application publication No. 2015/0026933, entitled "Clips," discloses a clip having a main clip body configured to be inserted into a mounting hole of a board and mounted to a clip holder. U.S. patent No. 6,796,006, entitled "Rib Clip," discloses a retention Clip that includes a U-shaped body having a pair of legs flexibly connected at their bottom ends and spaced apart to receive a blade fastener therebetween. U.S. patent No. 9,080,588, entitled "Quick FASTENING CLIP [ Quick-fastening clip ]" discloses a clip having a body that includes flexible legs that provide means for coupling with a retaining stud when folded, and flexible wings that spring outwardly from the clip body to retain the clip within an opening in a panel. The general principles of the presently known fasteners are highlighted by the above-described prior art fasteners, which include a fastening member, i.e., a clip, configured to receive and couple to a first component, such as a rib member. These prior art fasteners are further configured to be introduced through a slot in a second component, such as a plate member, and include means for engaging the second component. Some known clips, such as the clip disclosed in U.S. patent No. 10,704,577, include outwardly extending flanges that are located on the outer surface of the plate when the clip is inserted through an opening in the plate. However, such clips are not suitable for use with plates having irregular outer surfaces or varying thickness dimensions in the coupling region. In these cases, the flange cannot be flush with the outer surface of the plate. The popularity of plastic retention clips has increased as well, and many new assemblies, including automobiles, employ metal clips in the form of cheaper plastics. However, the known plastic clips also have disadvantages. When used on a rib, plastic fasteners require molding or punching depressions or holes into the plastic rib to be clamped, which requires additional manufacturing steps. Further, the hole receives a protrusion of the spring-like leg of the clip to retain the clip on the plastic rib, which increases its manufacturing complexity. Disclosure of Invention There is a need for a retaining clip that is securely and effectively attached to one or more components. Further, there is a need for a clip that resists extraction without adversely affecting the components and for a clip that is easy to manufacture and assemble. With these and other considerations in mind, certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a retention clip configured to fixedly couple a first component, such as a rib member, with a second component, such as a plate member. The retention clip may include a generally U-shaped body including opposed first and second backbones extending from a central flange. The opposing first and second skeletons include lateral legs that include means for retaining the inserted first component when folded, and a flexible outer flange for retaining the clip in the open interior of the second component. In some embodiments, the retention clip is configured to be fixedly coupled with the first component t