CN117754819A

CN117754819A - Fastening clip assembly for molding and engaging a blade

Info

Publication number: CN117754819A
Application number: CN202311208144.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 丹尼尔·詹姆斯·迪金森; 大卫·弗里索里格尔
Original assignee: Termax LLC
Current assignee: Termax LLC
Priority date: 2022-09-26
Filing date: 2023-09-19
Publication date: 2024-03-26

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fastening clip assembly for molding and engaging a blade. In particular, the present invention relates to a system and method including a fastening clip, comprising: the fastening clip is inserted into the injection mold cavity to be used as a part of the injection mold cavity. The clamp is inserted into an injection mould cavity where the blade will be formed on the plastic part. The clip is configured for engaging and coupling to the blade and plastic component and engaging and coupling to a slot in the structure. Also included is injecting a flowable plastic into the fastening clip and the injection mold to form the blade. At least a portion of the profile of the surface of the blade follows the profile of the inner surface of the fastening clip.

Description

Fastening clip assembly for molding and engaging a blade

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to devices for fastening two or more objects together. There are several devices and fasteners currently available for fastening panels (e.g., body panels and automotive interior trim panels) to the chassis of a vehicle. As used herein, a body panel refers to, for example, any interior or exterior body panel, plastic interior trim, headliner, or any interior trim on a vehicle. In addition, the panel may be any suitable exterior body panel, such as a fender, bumper, back panel, or door panel. The chassis of a vehicle may include any base, panel, body panel, structural frame, chassis component or sub-component, wall, or any suitable object.

Background

These body panels typically need to be connected to the chassis of the vehicle with a relatively low level of insertion force while providing a high level of extraction force suitable for maintaining the panel attached to the chassis. However, these conventional fastening devices instead provide approximately equal levels of insertion and extraction forces. In addition, conventional fasteners often fail to adequately secure the panel to the vehicle chassis of sheet metal having different curvatures or thicknesses. Furthermore, conventional fasteners are not suitable for use in a variety of environmental conditions, such as in the presence of vibrations at various amplitude and frequency levels. For example, the fastening device should prevent or minimize buzzes, rattles, or any other type of noise that may be noticeable to a vehicle occupant or otherwise impair attachment. In addition, conventional fasteners are not sufficiently adaptable to various levels of manufacturing tolerances, such as various dimensions between the body panels and the chassis of the vehicle. As a result, conventional fastening devices often fail to adequately fasten over a range of sheet metal thicknesses and fail to minimize or eliminate buzzing and rattling and fail to adequately accommodate variations in manufacturing tolerances.

Fastening clips, such as metal spring fasteners, are known for attaching body panels to automobile chassis. For example, fastening clips are known having a base plate and four stepped arms extending from the base plate. Each step arm includes four incremental steps adapted to engage a slot in the vehicle chassis with one of the steps on each arm. However, the incremental steps only allow engagement in one of four discrete step positions, rather than a continuous range of engagement positions. In addition, each step has a relatively large rise and extension such that once inserted, movement of the clip within the range of step sizes may occur, resulting in wear and/or noise, including buzzing and rattling due to vibrations occurring within the vehicle. Furthermore, the steps are typically cut onto each arm during manufacture and each tab on the clip needs to be twisted to engage a slot in the vehicle chassis. As a result, only the edge or a portion of the edge of each step engages the aperture in the vehicle slot.

For example, if the thickness of the metal plate varies, or if there is a tolerance in the production of slots in the vehicle chassis or trim, engagement of a portion of the aperture in the chassis with one of the arms may not provide a proper frictional engagement, or may otherwise cause movement. Furthermore, not all four arms will engage with slots of the vehicle chassis. Twisting of the body panels may be more prevalent because there are fewer than four points of contact with the slot of the vehicle chassis. As a result, wear, squeak, rattle, buzzing, corrosion, loss of elasticity, and loss of tightness may result, especially after many years of vehicle operation and exposure to vibration and other environmental conditions.

Drawings

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description and upon reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a fastening clip assembly according to some embodiments.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a fastening clip according to some embodiments.

Fig. 3 is a view of a fastening clip according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fastening clip according to some embodiments loosely secured to a blade prior to engaging a slot in a structure.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a fastening clip loosely secured to a blade prior to engaging a slot in a structure, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an installed fastening clip assembly according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an installed fastening clip assembly according to some embodiments.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an injection mold utilizing a fastening clip according to some embodiments.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a plastic filled injection mold utilizing a fastening clip according to some embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a molded blade and plastic part after removal of an injection mold utilizing a fastening clip according to some embodiments.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and in the accompanying detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description are not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Detailed Description

In some embodiments, the fastening clip 100 is configured to fasten the structure 300 and the component 400 together. Blade 210 extends from section 400, blade 210 being configured to receive a fastening clip 100, fastening clip 100 being configured for attachment to blade 210.

In some embodiments, the fastening clip 100 may be used as part of an injection mold for the blade to mold the blade 210 to the component 400. In other embodiments, the blade 210 may be attached to the component 400 using a variety of other ways.

In embodiments where the fastening clip 100 may be used as part of a mold to form at least a portion of the blade 210, the profile of the inner surface of the fastening clip 100 may be transferred to a corresponding portion of the blade 210. The transferred profile may include the general shape of the clip 100 as well as additional features such as any depressions and protrusions.

In some embodiments, the fastening clip 100 may also be configured for insertion through the slot 250 of the structure 300 and securing itself to the structure 300. In some embodiments, the fastening clip is configured for fastening the structure 300 and the component 400 together.

In some embodiments, component 400 may be or be part of an automotive component, such as a body panel, and structure 300 may be part of a chassis of an automotive frame or any other structure to which component 400 may be attached. Accordingly, the assembly of the fastening clip 100 may be configured for fastening body panels together to the chassis structure of an automobile.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a fastening clip according to some embodiments.

Fig. 3 is a view of a fastening clip according to some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the fastening clip 100 includes two laterally offset legs 60, the two laterally offset legs 60 joined at the head portion 70. The legs 60 form clip openings 80 at opposite ends of the head portion 70 to allow entry of the blade 210, wherein the clip 100 is configured to attach to the blade 210. In embodiments where the clip 100 may be used as part of a mold to use a blade, the clip opening 80 may be used to inject molding into the interior of the clip 100.

In some embodiments, the clip 100 is made of a material (e.g., metal) that facilitates the spring action of the clip 100 such that when the legs 60 are compressed together, the legs 60 are configured to return substantially to their original position.

In some embodiments, the leg 60 terminates in a foot 200 at an end opposite the head portion 70. In some embodiments, the legs 200 may serve as stop points for determining how far the clip 100 may be inserted into the slot 250. For example, the stopping point may be determined by when the foot 200 reaches the structure 300.

In some embodiments, the clip 100 may also include at least one pair of inwardly protruding portions 65, e.g., one inwardly protruding portion 65 on each leg 60. In some embodiments, each leg 60 may include additional inward protrusions, such as two inward protrusions on each leg. In some embodiments, the inward protrusions 65 may extend inward toward the blade to which the fastening clip 100 is configured to attach.

In some embodiments, the fastening clip 100 may be made of metal and the blade 210 may be made of plastic. In some embodiments, the inward protrusions 65 may be formed by stamping metal, embossing, bending cuts, or the like. In some embodiments, the inward protrusions 65 are configured to engage corresponding recesses in the blade to secure the fastening clip 100 to the blade.

In some embodiments, the clip 100 may also include a pair of outward protrusions 90, e.g., one outward protrusion 90 on each leg 60. In some embodiments, each leg 60 may include additional outward protrusions, such as two outward protrusions on each leg. In some embodiments, the outward protrusions 90 are configured to engage corresponding protrusions on the blade to secure the fastening clip 100 to the blade.

In some embodiments, the outward protrusions 90 may extend outward toward the perimeter of the slot to which the fastening clip 100 is configured to attach. In some embodiments, the legs 60 of the fastening clip 100 are configured to resiliently move inwardly when the clip is pushed into the slot and again to resiliently move outwardly when the outward protrusions 90 pass the edges of the slot. In this way, the bottom surface of the outward projection 90 now engages the top surface of the perimeter of the slot (or the interior of the slot), thereby securing the clip 100 to the structure in which the slot was made.

In some embodiments, the inward protrusions 65 and outward protrusions 90 may be formed by stamping the metal of the fastening clip 100, embossing, bending cuts, and the like. In embodiments where the fastening clip 100 may be used as part of a mold to form a blade, the protrusions may be made by a process that does not create an opening in the fastening clip, such as, for example, stamping. Alternatively, in embodiments where the opening is created, the opening may be closed by other means, such as over molding rubber onto the fastening clip.

In some embodiments, the blade 210 is configured to receive and attach to the fastening clip 100. The blade 210 may be attached to the component 400 or molded as part of the component 400. In embodiments where the component 400 is made of plastic, for example, the structure of the blade 210 may be molded as part of the component 400. In some embodiments, the component 400 may be an automotive panel to be attached to an automotive chassis structure.

In some embodiments, a guide structure 750 is positioned on either side of the blade 210, the guide structure 750 being configured to guide the clip 100 over the blade 210 when the clip is inserted onto the blade, and to guide the clip 100 into a slot in the structure, wherein the clip 100 is configured to engage the slot in the structure. In addition, the guide structure 750 is configured to provide additional stability to the coupling between the blade 210 and the clip 100 and to the coupling between the clip 100 and the slot of the structure after installation.

In some embodiments, the blade 210 may also include a recess 700 (which is located below the protrusion 65 and may not be directly shown in all figures), the recess 700 corresponding to the inward protrusion 65 on the fastening clip 100. The recess 700 is configured for coupling the fastening clip 100 to the blade 210 by receiving the inward projection 65, thereby preventing removal of the fastening clip 100 from the blade 210 by providing resistance against the contact force of the inward projection 65. In some embodiments, the more legs 60 are compressed toward each other, the greater the resistance exerted by the recess 700, as is the case when the clip 100 is installed in a slot in a structure.

In some embodiments, recess 700 is configured for: when the clip is placed on the blade, but the clip has not yet been installed into a slot in the structure, the recess 700 provides sufficient pull-out resistance when coupled to the inward projection 65. In this way, the fastener may be installed on a component (and also transported to a different location, for example) by loosely remaining coupled to the blade before the fastener clip and the component are installed into a structure.

In some embodiments, the blade 210 may also include a tab 710 (which is located below the tab 90 and may not be directly shown in all figures), the tab 710 corresponding to the outward tab 90 on the fastening clip 100. The tab 710 is configured to couple the fastening clip 100 to the blade 210 by protruding into the outward tab 90, thereby providing resistance to removal of the fastening clip 100 from the blade 210 by contact force against the outward tab 90. In some embodiments, the more the legs 60 are compressed toward each other, the greater the resistance exerted by the outward protrusions 90, as is the case when the clip 100 is installed in a slot in a structure.

In embodiments where the fastening clip 100 is made of metal and the blade 210 is made of plastic, the fastening clip may be used as part of a mold when molding the blade portion of the component. Thus, if the fastening clip is used as part of a mould when injecting plastic for the blade, the blade surface profile follows the inner profile of the fastening clip. Thus, recess 700 has substantially the same profile as inward projection 65 and projection 710 has substantially the same profile as outward projection 90. In some embodiments where the fastening clip and blade have the same profile, the increased contact force generated by the fastening clip and blade increases the engagement of the fastening clip and blade by the fastening clip and blade having the same profile along their contact surfaces.

In some embodiments, the fastening clip assembly is configured for coupling a component to a structure, such as coupling component 400 to structure 300. The fastening clip 100 is configured for fitting over the blade 210 and attaching to the blade 210, wherein the blade 210 is coupled to the component 400, and further, the fastening clip 100 is configured for removable attachment to a slot in the structure 300. For example, the fastening clip system may be used to fasten a body panel to the chassis of an automobile.

In some embodiments, the injection mold 530 may be used to injection mold plastic parts, such as the plastic part 400 and the blade 210, which blade 210 is to be molded with the plastic part 400 and thereby attached to the plastic part 400.

In some embodiments, after the flowable plastic is injected into the cavity 535 of the injection mold 530, the cavity within the injection mold 530 may be used to define the shape and profile of the plastic part 400 and the shape and profile of the blade 210.

In other embodiments, the fastening clip 100 may be inserted into the cavity 535 of the injection mold 530 and may be used as a portion of a mold that is used to form at least a portion of the blade 210. In such embodiments, the shape and profile of the fastening clip 100 may be used to form the shape and profile of at least a portion of the shape and profile of the blade 210.

In some embodiments, the fastening clip 100 may be held in a compressed position by the walls of the cavity 535 during the injection molding process. In some embodiments, in addition to the walls of the cavity 535 being shaped to support the clip 100 in a compressed state, the walls of the cavity 535 are configured to have a width as follows: the width increases in number as the cavity extends downwardly toward the fastening clip. In this way, after the molding process is completed, the mold 530 may be removed by one upward movement without additional measures.

In some embodiments, injection molding may be performed through chamber 520. Any protrusions and depressions on the clip 100 will create corresponding depressions and protrusions on the blade 210. In some embodiments, having the profile of the blade 210 follow the profile of the clip 100 ensures a better coupling between the clip and the blade when the clip is placed on the blade.

In some embodiments, after removal of the mold 530, the clip 100 remains loosely attached to the blade even after the clip springs back to its open position. In some embodiments, the clip may remain attached because the recesses and protrusions on the clip remain loosely attached to the corresponding recesses and protrusions on the blade.

Fig. 9 specifically illustrates the formation of the blade 210 and plastic part 400 after the flowable plastic has been injected into the mold 530 (which includes the fastening clip 100). It should be noted that additional mold sections may be required. For example, in the formation of plastic parts, additional parts may be used as desired.

Fig. 10 specifically illustrates the formed blade 210 after removal of the mold 530. In some embodiments, the substantially identical profile of the inner surface of the clip 100 (including the recesses and protrusions of the clip) is transferred to the profile of the blade 210, at least in part, through the use of the clip 100.

It should be understood that the implementation of other variations and modifications of the invention in its various aspects will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, and that the invention is not limited by the specific embodiments described. It is therefore contemplated to cover by the present invention any and all modifications, variations or equivalents that fall within the spirit and scope of the basic underlying principles disclosed and claimed herein.

One or more embodiments of the present invention are described above. It should be noted that these and any other embodiments are exemplary and are intended to illustrate the invention rather than limit the invention. While the present invention is widely applicable to various types of systems, the skilled artisan will recognize that it is not possible to include all possible embodiments and contexts of the present invention in this disclosure. Many alternative embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Benefits and advantages that may be provided by the present invention have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits and advantages, and any elements or limitations that may cause them to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features of any or all the claims. As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to be interpreted as non-exclusively including the elements or limitations that follow those terms. Thus, a system, method, or other embodiment that comprises a set of elements is not limited to only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to the claimed embodiment.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood that these embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Many variations, modifications, additions and improvements to the embodiments described above are possible. It is contemplated that such variations, modifications, additions and improvements fall within the scope of the invention as detailed within the following claims.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

inserting a fastening clip into an injection mold cavity to be used as part of the injection mold cavity,

wherein the fastening clip is inserted into an injection mould cavity where the blade is to be formed on the plastic part,

wherein the fastening clip is configured for engaging and coupling to the blade and engaging and coupling to the plastic component,

wherein the clip is configured for engaging and coupling with a slot in a structure;

injecting a flowing plastic into the fastening clip and the injection mold to form the blade;

wherein at least a portion of the profile of the surface of the blade follows the profile of the inner surface of the fastening clip.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the inserting comprises: the fastening clip is inserted into the injection mold cavity in which the blade is to be formed.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the inserting comprises: the fastening clip is inserted into the injection mold cavity in a compressed state.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a wall of the injection mold cavity is stepped or tapered so as to decrease in width toward a bottom of the fastening clip.

5. The method of claim 4, comprising: after forming the blade, the injection mold is removed in a single upward movement based at least on the walls of the injection mold cavity being stepped or tapered so as to decrease in width toward the bottom of the fastening clip.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the clamp is configured to: after removal of the injection mold, the fastening clip is loosely retained on the blade based at least on at least a portion of the profile of the surface of the blade following the profile of the inner surface of the fastening clip.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the fastening clip comprises two or more outward protrusions and two or more inward protrusions, wherein at least some of the two or more outward protrusions are configured to engage the slot in the structure.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the profile of the two or more outward protrusions and the two or more inward protrusions of the fastening clip are transferred to corresponding depressions and protrusions on the blade.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the two or more outward protrusions and the two or more inward protrusions of the fastening clip are configured without openings.

10. A fastening clip comprising:

a pair of laterally offset legs joined at a head portion, wherein the legs form clip openings at opposite ends of the head portion, wherein the pair of legs are configured to spring back to an original position based at least in part on the pair of legs being pushed together;

a pair of outward protrusions extending outwardly from the pair of legs;

a pair of inwardly projecting portions extending inwardly from the pair of leg portions respectively,

wherein the fastening clip is attached to a slot in a structure based at least on:

the clip is pushed into the slot,

the pair of legs compress for the outward projection to pass over the slot,

the pair of legs relieves the pressure and,

the pair of outward protrusions engage an interior portion of the slot,

a contact force is generated between the pair of outward protrusions and the inner portion of the slot.

11. The fastening clip of claim 10, wherein the fastening clip is attached to a blade on a component based at least on:

the vane includes a pair of recesses corresponding to the pair of inward protrusions,

the clamp is pushed onto the blade,

the pair of legs are flared for the pair of inwardly projecting portions to pass over the blade,

the pair of legs returns to the original position,

the pair of inwardly projecting portions enter the pair of recessed portions,

a contact force is generated between the pair of inward protrusions and the corresponding pair of recesses.

12. The fastening clip of claim 10, wherein the fastening clip is attached to a blade on a component based at least on:

the blade includes a pair of projections corresponding to the pair of outward projections,

the clamp is pushed onto the blade,

the pair of legs are flared for the pair of outward protrusions to pass over the pair of protrusions,

the pair of legs returns to the original position,

the pair of outward protrusions enter into the pair of protrusions,

a contact force is generated between the pair of outward protrusions and the corresponding pair of protrusions.

13. The fastening clip of claim 10, comprising a pair of feet that are correspondingly attached to bottoms of the pair of legs, wherein the feet provide a stop for the fastening clip against the structure based at least on the fastening clip being pushed into the slot.

14. The fastening clip of claim 10, wherein the component and the blade are manufactured using an injection molding process, and wherein the mold portion for the blade comprises the fastening clip.

15. The fastening clip of claim 10, wherein the fastening clip couples the component to the structure based at least on the fastening clip being attached to the blade and the fastening clip being attached to the slot in the structure.

16. The fastening clip of claim 14, wherein the component is an automotive panel and the structure is an automotive chassis structure.