FR3011764A1 - CLIP DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a staple device (1), in the form of a wire having two connecting legs (2) each provided with a free end (3) for connection with the purlins (10) of a gun (9) for welding, said free ends (3) extending in a first direction (A-A '), said connection legs (2) still having junction points (5) between which an active part extends; (4) intended to be immersed in a material by heat-sealing, characterized in that said active portion (4) extended flat has a length greater than 13 millimeters (mm) in at least one of the directions parallel or perpendicular to said first direction (A-A ').

Description

The present invention is in the field of repairing damaged parts, in particular thermoplastic or composite plastic parts. Such a device will find a preferential application, but in no way limiting, in the field of the repair of vehicle body components, particularly in the automotive sector. As is known, the repair of a damaged thermoplastic or composite plastic part requires the addition of metal elements to ensure the rigidity of the repair between the damaged parts of said part. Such metal elements may be constituted by staple devices. These staples are heated so as to locally melt the thermoplastic or composite plastic material of the workpiece, which, once cooled, drowns said staple and traps it. The latter then constitutes a rigid metal structure at the level of the repair performed. Subsequent polishing, filling, painting and / or varnishing operations can then be performed to improve the strength and resistance of the repair, but especially to restore an aesthetic character to the piece thus repaired. Currently, the heating of a clip, for carrying out the operation by heat sealing, is carried out from a dedicated equipment 9 type solder, particularly plastic. An example of such a pistol 9 is shown in perspective for illustration in Figure A. It has power supply means, including autonomous in the form of a rechargeable battery. These means electrically power two faults 10 spaced at the end of which is mounted a clip. Therefore, it is the electrical resistance of the metal material constituting said staple, which will generate a heating to melt the plastic and allow welding. Thus, the invention particularly relates to such a staple device for the repair by heat sealing of damaged thermoplastic or composite plastic parts. Any existing clip is in the form of a wire, the section of which generally does not exceed 8/10 'by 5 millimeters (mm). Such a wire may be made of steel. This wire comprises two connecting branches each provided with a free end, intended to be removably connected to the purlins 10 of said plastic welding gun 9. Thus maintained, the staple is electrically connected to the gun and the latter serves to come apply the rest of the staple against the part to be repaired. As such, the rest of the clip comprises an active portion intended to be immersed within said material. This active part has folds, intended to improve the junction between said staple and the material after welding. Several forms of staples currently exist, depending on the repair to be performed. Figure B shows an example of a known staple 1, placed within a room. As can be seen in this figure, said clip 1 comprises the two branches 2, extending parallel to one another, with their respective free ends 3 intended to come into connection with each failure of said soldering gun 9. The branches 2 are connected, on the opposite side to said free ends 3, at the junction point levels 5, by an active part 4. The latter extends in a plane, substantially orthogonal to the axis of said branches 2. It presents a serpentine shape, such as a zigzag, from one to the other of the junction points 5 with each of said branches 2. This specific shape makes it possible to provide portions 6 bent, U-shaped, on both sides of the plane comprising the axes of said branches 2. These portions 6 are intended to become embedded in each of the parts 7 of the part to be repaired, during heat sealing, thus ensuring their joining again and preventing their spacing locally at the end. at each portion 6.

Note that once the clip 1 in place, the branches 2 are severed, especially at their junction point 5, leaving only the active part 4 embedded in the material of the part.

This type of clip is generally intended to repair two parts 7 of a part when they are located in the same plane. Other types of staples, of different shapes, can join parts 7 curved or at an angle relative to each other.

A disadvantage common to all these staples has been found that their poor attachment within the material of the part to be repaired. Indeed, the length of the wire constituting a staple 1 is limited. In one sense, it is bounded between the branches 2. In another direction, substantially orthogonally, the span of the active portion 4, in particular the spacing between the portions 6 U, is also restricted. This short distance limits the grip of the staple 1 within each part 7 of the part to be repaired, and therefore implies that the repaired part will become damaged quickly over time, because the continuity of the repaired material is not assured. This material breaks easily when a force is exerted, either perpendicular to the repair plan, or by traction parallel to the repair plan. In this case, either the physical state of the part is engaged, or the fillers used for the camouflage of the repair line can unhook and significantly alter the aesthetic appearance. In particular, because of the standardization of the equipment, in particular soldering guns for receiving the staples 1, the latter have a spacing of 13 mm between each of its free ends 3 for connection with the purlins 10 of said gun 9. standard dimension also limits the size of the active part 4 which currently does not exceed this dimension, not exceeding the free ends 3 in the direction AA 'comprising each of them, nor beyond an orthogonal direction B-B '. As can be seen in FIG. B, this surface then determines an area 8 of anchoring and joining of maximum dimensions, which limits the quality of the repair thus carried out.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art by proposing a staple device making it possible to increase the dimensions of the active part with respect to the initial spacing of 13 mm between the free ends of said elements. branches. In sum, while maintaining this standard spacing, the invention provides an active portion which extends over an area of which at least one dimension exceeds said spacing. Thus, by increasing the active part, the staple according to the invention increases the attachment zone with the material in which it is incorporated, thereby improving the mechanical strength of the repair performed. To this end, the invention relates to a staple device, in the form of a wire comprising two connecting branches each provided with a free end for connection with the purlins of a welding gun, said free ends being extending in a first direction, said connecting branches further comprising junction points between which extends an active part intended to be immersed in a material by heat-sealing, characterized in that said active part extended flat has a length greater than 13 millimeters (mm) in at least one of the directions parallel or perpendicular to said first direction. In addition, according to other additional features, in no way limiting, according to a first embodiment, said active part can extend only to one side of the plane containing said free ends of said branches. Such a staple then corresponds to a so-called "flat" staple. In addition, said active portion of this flat clip may comprise at least a first and a second extension interconnected at a proximal junction segment, each extension comprising first and second strands interconnected at the level of a proximal junction segment. a distal junction segment. In addition, said first extension has a length greater than that of said second extension. According to another subsidiary feature, at least one strand of an extension may be corrugated over at least a part of its length. According to another embodiment, a first portion 10 of said active portion may be folded with respect to a second portion, said first portion extending in a plane orthogonal to said plane containing said second portion. Such a staple is then called "angle" and, depending on the direction of the bend of said orthogonal plane, to obtain a staple angle 15 retracting or protruding. According to yet another embodiment, at least one of said branches may comprise a hook between a first segment connected to its free end and a second segment connected to its junction point, said hook being oriented externally with respect to the spacing between said free ends. Such a staple is then called "long", extending substantially in a single plane. According to an additional feature, each branch may comprise a hook. Preferably, said stall and said second segment may be merged and consist of the same portion of the wire constituting the branch, so that said second segment is inclined and connects the bottom of said first segment and the junction point of said branch. Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments of the invention, with reference to the appended figures, in which: FIG. 1 schematically represents a principle view general of all staple devices according to the invention, showing the area covered by the active portion extending beyond the spacing between the branches; FIG. 2 diagrammatically represents a perspective view of a particular embodiment of a first type of clip according to the invention, called a "flat clip", in which the active part has a more elongated extension; FIG. 3 diagrammatically represents a perspective view of an embodiment of a second type of clip according to the invention, called a "corner clip", intended to cooperate with a part to be repaired at a level of reentrant angle, wherein the active portion has a first portion inclined orthogonally with respect to a second portion and the side of said branches; - Figure 4 schematically shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a second type of clip according to the invention, called "angle clip", intended to cooperate with a part to be repaired at a level of protruding angle, in which the active portion has a first portion inclined orthogonally with respect to a second portion and the opposite side to said branches; FIG. 5 schematically represents a perspective view of an embodiment of a second type of clip according to the invention, called a "long staple", in which the active part extends in the plane of the axes of the branches. and externally on each side; and FIG. 6 schematically shows a perspective view of FIG. 5, in which the active portion of the flat staple has been deformed in a circular arc, while keeping the spacing between its branches. The present invention relates to a staple device 1, intended to be embedded by heat sealing within a thermoplastic or composite plastic part for repair. For this purpose, such a staple 1 is in the form of a wire. It is then the heating of this wire due to its electrical resistance, under the action of a current which crosses it, which allows to melt locally the material of the part brought into contact with said clip 1. This last is intended to cooperate in temporary fixing, the time of its heating and its installation, with suitable equipment, including a pistol 9. To do this, said pistol 9 includes failures 10 on each of which is fixed, removably, in particular by interlocking, the ends of the wire constituting said staple 1. In particular, the staple device 1 comprises two connection legs 2 each provided with a free end 3 for connection with said purlins 10 of the welding gun 9. As shown in FIG. 1, said free ends 3 extend in a first direction A-A '. In other words, the straight line passing through the two ends 3 of the branches 2 constitutes said first direction A-A '. It will be noted that said branches 2 extend parallel at least over part of their length, at a portion intended to cooperate, in particular interlocking, within the purlins 10. Thus, with said first direction A-A ', the orientation of the branches 2 forms a first plane Pl, visible in Figure 2, substantially in alignment with said 25 purlins 10 of the pistol 9. It is in this first plane Pl extends that part of the staple 1 which will not be immersed in the material of the part to be repaired. As such, said connection legs 2 further include junction points 5 between which extends an active portion 4 intended to be immersed within a material by heat sealing. It is therefore only this active part 4 which will be embedded in said material. Preferably, said active portion 4 extends in at least a second secant plane P2 with respect to said first plane. According to the block diagram of FIG. 1, said first plane P1 containing the branches 2 would be orthogonal with respect to said second plane P2 containing the active part 4. Advantageously, the invention provides for increasing the size of the active part 4, so that it extends beyond the standard spacing 11 of thirteen millimeters (13 mm) between the limbs 2, at the level of their end 3. In sum, at least one length or segment 13 of the wire constituting the active part 4 extends outside an area 12 delimited, on the one hand, in the first direction A-A ', by the spacing 11 and, on the other hand, the same spacing 11 in one direction orthogonal. FIG. 1 shows an example of staple 1 where several lengths 13 protrude from the zone thus delimited 12. In short, the invention contemplates extending the active part 4, no longer only between, under and to a limited extent on the one hand. other branches 2, but reciprocally between and under, but also so that it extends further on both sides of said first plane Pl, but especially beyond the currently delimited zone 13. In particular according to a specific mode, the invention provides for extending the active portion 4 in the first plane P1, but outside the branches 2, unlike the active parts 4 of the current staples 1, all located between the branches 2. For this To do so, the staple device 1 is characterized by the fact that said active part 4 has a length greater than 13 mm in at least one of the directions parallel or perpendicular to said first direction A-A '. Length greater than 13 mm is understood to mean a length strictly greater than 13 mm, ie greater than the spacing 11. In addition, this length of a defined dimension means when said active part 4 is extended flat. In other words, when the active part 4 has portions of its wire extending in more than a second plane P2, said portions being obtained by folding of said wire, said length then corresponds to the set of portions unfolded. and reported in a single P2 plan. This particular definition is understood in particular for angle staples 1, as visible in FIGS. 3 and 4.

A first embodiment, corresponding to a first type of so-called "flat" staple 1, is shown in FIG. 2. Such a staple 1 is defined as plane since its active part 4 initially extends in a single plane, to namely, said second plane P2.

In particular, said active part 4 extends only on one side of the plane Pl containing said free ends 3 of said branches 2. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the active part 4 extends only forward or frontally with respect to the first Pl.

Note that this active part 4 can have any shape, from the moment it extends only one side. First, this feature allows said clip 1 to be mounted to the gun 9, while allowing to see the location of the repair line 14 to be made between two parts of the part to be repaired, unlike the current staples 1 , like the example shown in FIG. B, whose positioning of the branches 2 is found opposite and above the repair line, in the alignment of the gun 9, limiting the visibility for the operator . Thus remote, the active part 4 is perfectly visible for the operator, which is no longer visually impeded by the gun 9. In addition, the branches 2 are found deported on one side of said repair line 14. , at the time of their cutting and sanding at the junction points 5 severed, these operations are not operated at said repair line 14. According to a particular embodiment of this type of flat clip 1, 35 shown on the Figure 1, said active portion 4 may include at least a first 15 and a second 16 extensions. These extensions 15, 16 are constituted by the shape conferred by folding to said wire constituting the clip 1 at its active portion 4. In particular, each extension 15, 16 corresponds to a coil connected at one end to the junction points. 5 branches 2 and between them at the opposite end. More precisely, the extensions 15, 16 are interconnected at a proximal junction segment 17, namely as close as possible to the first plane Pl containing the branches 2. In addition, each extension 15, 16 comprising a first 18 and a second 19 strands interconnected at a distal junction segment 20, namely the farthest from said first plane Pl. Thus, this configuration provides a U-shaped profile at each extension 15,16. This form ensures that the active part 4 is securely fastened within the part to be repaired, since the distal and proximal junction segments 17, oriented substantially parallel to the repair line 14, constitute orthogonal retentions to the senses. forces tending to move said parts away from said part to be repaired, while the strands 18, 19, in alignment with these forces, only partially limit the action thereof. As such, according to an additional mode, at least one strand 18,19 of an extension 15,16 is corrugated over at least a part of its length.

According to the embodiment shown in Figure 2, it is the first strand 18 of said first extension 15 which is corrugated over its entire length. This undulation of one or more strands 18, 19 makes it possible to improve the attachment of an extension 15, 16 in the direction of said spacer forces, counteracting their effects. This undulation in the form of zigzags limits slippage, with regard to a straight and smooth portion, while increasing its resistance to curvature in the plane P2. A particular embodiment lies in the fact that said first extension 15 may also have a length greater than that of said second extension 16. Such a length allows to deport part of the active part 4, improving the grip of this extension 15 in the material to be repaired. In addition, this upper length of the first extension 15 allows to provide a portion 21 adjustable angularly with respect to said second extension 16. Such adjustable portion 21 can be folded upwardly or downwardly relative to the second plane P2 containing the remainder of the active part 4 and in particular the second extension 16. This folding of the first extension 15 makes it possible, according to the case, to go deeper into the thickness of the material or to adapt to a curvature of the piece to be repaired at this level. In addition, in the case of one or more 18,19 corrugated strands, it is preferentially along this longer extension 15,16 that the corrugation is performed, so as to increase the retaining effect. Two second embodiments, corresponding to two other types of staples 1 called "angles", are shown in Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 shows a clip 1 intended to cooperate with a re-entrant angle, namely inside , while Figure 4 shows a clip 1 intended to cooperate with a salient angle, namely outside. To do this, a first portion 22 of said active portion 4 is folded with respect to a second portion 23, said first portion 22 extending in a plane P3 orthogonal to said plane P2 containing said second portion 23. However, these two clips angle are obtained from identical staples 1, of which said first portion 22 of the active part 4 is folded, upwards or downwards. Initially, said active portion 4 is therefore contained in a single plane, namely said second plane P2. It is in this planar configuration that the length of the active part 4 greater than 13 mm should be measured, when all said active part 4 is laid flat, in the single plane P2, or measuring the the entire length of the portions 22,23 of the active portion 4 extending within each of said two planes P2 and P3. According to an additional characteristic, the first plane P1 containing the branches 2 can be provided inclined, therefore non-orthogonal, with respect to said second plane P2. Such an inclination is visible in FIG. 3. Combined with the offset of the entirety of the active part 4 on one side of the first plane Pl, it allows the operator, especially in the case of a re-entrant angle, to better see the repair line 14, 10 in angle, against which it affix the staple 1 angle. In addition, it is possible to change the inclination of said first plant Pl, namely branches 2, without changing the inclination between said portions 22,23. Likewise, it is also possible independently to modify the inclination between the planes P2 and P3 each containing portions 22, 23, without modifying the inclination of the branches 2. In the case of a clip 1 intended to cooperate with a projecting angle, as shown in FIG. 4, said first plane P1 may be orthogonal to said second planes P2, and thus parallel to said plane P3. However, it is found that for a re-entrant angle, the first portion 22 extends on the same side as said branches 2, while for a projecting angle, said first portion 22 extends to the opposite side. Furthermore, the active part 4 of such an angle clip 1 can be constituted in a manner similar to a flat clip, namely with extensions 15, 16 provided with strands 18, 19 connected by the segments 17, 20. According to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, said extensions 15, 16 may be identical, having the same shapes and the same dimensions. According to another embodiment, not shown, one of them may have a length of its strands 18,19 larger than the other extension. A third embodiment, corresponding to a third type of so-called "long" staple 1, is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in two different configurations. Such a staple 1 is defined as long since its active part 4 initially extends along the first plane Pl, between the limbs 2 but also at least on one side, preferably on either side, of the latter, externally. as shown in FIG. 5. To do this, at least one of said branches 2 comprises a hook-out 24 between a first segment 25 connected to its free end 3 and a second segment 26 connected to its junction point 5. Moreover, said off hook 24 is oriented outwardly with respect to the spacing 11 between said free ends 3. In other words, each off-hook 24 constitutes a bent portion for laterally shifting, in the first plane P1 including its first segment 25, its second segment. 26. The latter therefore extends from the inside to the outside of the clip 1, in said plane Pl. In particular, said drop 24 extends orthogonally or substantially orthogonally with respect to the one and / or the other of said segments 25,26. Therefore, the active part 4 is found elongated, beyond at least one of the branches 2. According to the preferred embodiment, shown in Figure 5, each branch 2 comprises such a hook 24, 25 extending said active part 4 on each side. According to another embodiment, said stall 24 and said second segment 26 may be merged and consist of the same portion of the wire constituting the branch 2. Therefore, this segment is inclined and connects the bottom of said first segment 25 and the junction point 5 of said branch 2. Thus, by maintaining the same spacing 11 of the ends 3 of the branches 2, one obtains a staple 1 of greater length, increasing the length of its grip when it is inserted into the material to to fix. As such, said active portion 4 may have any shape, as previously described, extending along one or more planes P2, or P3. According to the preferred embodiment, said active part 4 has a wavy longitudinal shape, which then has a limited, almost linear, surface area.

Another particularity of the unhooked 24 lies in maintaining a constant spacing of the ends 3 of the branches 2, at their connection with the faults 10 of the gun 9, when the active portion 4 is deformed. In sum, as can be seen in FIG. 6, the deformation applied to the active part 4 causes relative rotation around the axes constituted by said first segments 25, allowing the latter segments to retain their initial spacing 11. It is therefore possible to round the staple 1, to obtain a strapping, particularly practical when repairing rounded and pierced parts, especially in the case of an eyelet. When repairing a part, having a break or crack extending substantially along a line or in a rectilinear manner, separating said part in two parts, at this breaking line, several types of staples 1 are used. , depending on their characteristics, in particular according to the shape and the length of their active part 4. According to a specific repair method, at least two long staples 1 are incorporated at one end of said breaking line, in particular at the level of an edge of the room where the constraints, including elastic, are the highest. These two clips are positioned parallel to each other, perpendicularly or substantially perpendicular to said line of rupture. It will be noted that, when they are fixed by thermo-welding in the material of the part, each part is brought together and maintained temporarily, so as to give said part its shape before breaking. Only after these long staples are placed, is it possible to improve the maintenance of the shape of said parts of the part.

According to an optional step, in order to improve the tensile strength in the longitudinal direction of said two long staples, namely in the plane Pl, can be positioned lattices applied against the face of said part, at the branches 2 of said Long staples 1. These lattices are traversed by the pairs of branches 2 of the sides of each long staples 1. The said lattices are also fixed, in particular by gluing or grouting, on the face of said portion. Such a lattice may be preferably metallic, but also plastic or composite, especially in the form of fiber or grid. Thus, these lattices preventing long staples from escaping once trapped in the material, ensuring a better resistance at the edge of the repair undergoing the most mechanical stress.

Then, along the break line, towards the inside of the workpiece, are successively incorporated a flat staple and a long staple, and so on until the end of said line. In particular, each flat clip is positioned such that these extensions 15, 16 extend substantially perpendicular to said break line. Similarly, the active portion 4 of each long clip also extends perpendicularly to said line. Thus, the alternation of the long and flat clips along the line, provides a succession of strands of different lengths, distributing more uniformly the forces on either side of said repaired line. In a subsidiary manner, as mentioned previously, the staple 1 consists of a metal wire. Such a wire may have a variable section, preferably less than 12 tenths of a millimeter (12/10 mm), in particular between 6 to 9 tenths of a millimeter, or even 10 to 12 tenths of a millimeter. Furthermore, depending on the section of the wire constituting each type of staple 1, as well as its length, the characteristics of the heating equipment, in particular the gun 9, can be modified, in particular in this respect. which concerns the amperage of the electric current supplied. In the state, the clip device 1 according to the invention improve the mechanical strength of the repaired part, while ensuring continuity of origin. Its more extensive active part 4 increases the grip length and better distributes the attachment forces, thereby decreasing the risk of cracking, folding and tearing during a stress applied to said repaired part. Finally, this greater attachment zone makes it possible to better repair the parts, avoiding the phenomenon of spacing the parts, due to the elasticity of the thermoplastic or composite plastic material constituting them, limiting the subsequent appearance of a slit at the level of the repair line 14 and the recess of the products used for filling intended for the camouflage of the junction line of the two parts repaired.

Claims (8)

REVENDICATIONS1. Staple device (1), in the form of a wire having two connection legs (2) each provided with a free end (3) for connection with the purlins (10) of a gun (9) of welding, said free ends (3) extending in a first direction (A-A '), said connection legs (2) further comprising junction points (5) between which extends an active portion (4) 10 intended to be immersed in a material by heat sealing, characterized in that said active portion (4) extended flat comprises a length greater than 13 millimeters (mm) in at least one of the directions parallel or perpendicular to said first direction (A-15A '). 2. Clip device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said active portion (4) extends only on one side of the plane (Pl) containing said free ends (3) of said branches (2). . 20 3. staple device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said active portion (4) comprises at least a first (15) and a second (16) extensions, connected to each other at a segment Proximal junction (17), each extension (15,16) comprising a first (18) and a second (19) strand connected to each other at a distal junction segment (20), and that said first extension (15) has a length greater than that of said second extension (16). 4. Staple device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one strand (18,19) of an extension (15,16) is corrugated on at least a portion of its length. Staple device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first portion (22) of said active part (4) is folded with respect to a second portion (23), said premierportion (22) extending in a plane (P3) orthogonal to said plane (P2) containing said second portion (23). 6. Staple device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of said branches (2) comprises a hook (24) between a first segment (25) connected to its end free (3) and a second segment (26) connected to its junction point (5), said stall being oriented externally with respect to the spacing (11) between said free ends (3). 10 7. Device staple (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that each branch (2) comprises a hook (24). 8. Staple device (1) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that said discontinuity (24) and said second segment (26) are merged and consist of a same portion of the wire constituting the branch (2), so that said second segment (26) is inclined and connects the bottom of said first segment (25) and the junction point (5) of said branch (2). 20