GB2129480A

GB2129480A - Component and clip for control panel or the like

Info

Publication number: GB2129480A
Application number: GB08231556A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Albert Henry George Turpin
Original assignee: TOK SWITCHES Ltd
Current assignee: TOK SWITCHES Ltd
Priority date: 1982-11-04
Filing date: 1982-11-04
Publication date: 1984-05-16
Also published as: GB2129480B

Abstract

A component such as key- operated switch 1 has an elongated body formed or provided at one end with a flange B or similar stop means intended to engage a panel 5 when the body is passed through aperture 4. The component is formed or provided with at least one region comprising ratchet teeth 12 and a clip 6 in the form of a frame member defining an aperture substantially complementary to the cross-section of the body of the component is provided. The clip has at least one portion extending transversely 10 from the frame and terminating in a panel portion 11 engageable in the ratchet teeth when the component is in position to prevent removal of the component from the panel. The clip is made of spring steel or nylon and may be bowed to pull the component 1 against the panel 5. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Component and clip for control panel or the like This invention relates to the combination of a component and a clip for locking the component in position in an aperture in a panel or the like.

The components with which the present invention is concerned are those of the kind having an elongated body formed or provided at one end with a flange or similar stop means. The component is intended to have its body passed through a hole in a panel, plate or other member so that the flange or stop means engages the panel, plate or other member. The component is then locked in this position. A component with which the present invention is concerned will hereinafter be referred to as "a component of the kind set forth".

Components of the kind set forth may, for example, comprise such components as panel lamps, push buttons and switches incorporated in control panels and fascias, but the invention has been found to be particularly suitable for keyoperated position switches. Components of the kind set forth are usually assembled in a panel or the like from the front with the flange engaging the face of the panel and the body of the component in the interior of a space defined by the panel. If the component is a panel light or push button, no operations conducted normally on the panel tend to displace the component forwardly out of the panel and no great demands are made on the means which hold the components in the panel.However, where the component is a keyoperated position switch, the removal of the key from the switch and the operation of turning the switch by means of the key impose on the component forces tending to pull the component out of the panel.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a component of the kind setforth and a clip therefor so aranged that the component may be secured in an aperture in a control panel, plate or like member.

Accordingly the present invention provides a component of the kind set forth and a clip therefor, wherein the body of the component is formed or provided with at least one region comprising ratchet teeth, and wherein the clip is a frame member defining an aperture substantially complementary to the cross-section of the body of the component, there being at least one clip portion extending transversely from said frame and terminating in a panel portion engageable in the ratchet teeth of the body when the component is in position to prevent removal thereof.

Preferably the component is formed or provided with two regions of ratchet teeth and there are two clip portions. However, where the component is of circular or complicated polygonal crosssection, the number of regions of ratchet teeth and associated clip portions may be chosen as appropriate.

In order to enable the invention to be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate diagrammatically and by way of example an embodiment thereof, and in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a key operated position switch and a clip for fixing it in a panel, Figure 2 is a section through the panel showing the switch in position, and Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but turned through 900 C.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a position switch 1 operable by a key 2. The switch has an elongated body of square cross-section and is provided at one end with a flange 3, The switch body is passed from the front through a square aperture 4 formed in a control panel or fascia 5, only a small part of which is shown, and is held behind the panel by a clip 6.

The clip 6 is in the form of a square or substantially square frame having a first pair of opposite sides 7 and a second pair of opposite sides 8. Each side 7 has a central portion 9 and the remaining portions of each side are bent away from the central portions 9 so that the sides 8 lie substantially in a plane spaced from and parallel to a plane in which the central portions 9 lie. The sides 8 of the clip are preferably curved in crosssection (c.f. Figure 2). Extending away from the central portions 9 are two clip portions 10, the clip portions 10 extending on the opposite side of the central portions from the sides 8 and being integral with the inner sides of the portions 9. The clip portions 10 terminate in inwardly directed pawl portions 11.

The body of the switch 1 is formed on two opposite sides with ratchet teeth 1 2 occupying a rectangular area, there preferably being a groove 13 formed through the teeth for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

The body of the switch 1 is passed through the aperture 4 until the flange 3 engages the front of the panel 5. It will be appreciated that unless the switch is secured in this position it is likely to be pulled out when the key is removed from the switch. The clip 6, however, when placed over the end of the switch from the rear of the panel holds the switch securely in position and prevents the switch from being removed from the front of the panel. The clip is pushed over the switch from the rear and as shown in Figures 2 and 3 the pawl portions 11 engage the ratchet teeth 1 2 to lock the switch in position. As the pawl portions 11 are pushed along the ratchet teeth the side portions 7 exert a restoring force urging the flange 3 into contact with the panel.The design of the clip is such that when the clip is pushed over the component until the sides 8 make contact with the rear of the panel, there is sufficient flexibility in the side portions 7 to enable the pawl portions 11 to be racked at least one extra tooth, thereby making the clip more rigid. In some cases, the panel thickness and the position of the ratchet teeth may make it possible for the side portions 7 to be pushed substantially flat against the rear of the panel so that the clip is in maximum tension.

In order to achieve these results, the side portions 7 bent in the manner described and the clip itself is made of spring elastic material. The clip is preferably made of spring stainless steel 20 mil (0.50 mm) thick but may be made of other appropriate material such as nylon.

It will be realised that due to the bending of the side portions 7 and the material of which the clip is made as well as the arrangement of the ratchet teeth 12, the fixing of the switch is not dependant upon the thickness of the panel 5 and that the switch can be fixed by the clip to panels of various thicknesses.

If it is desired to remove the switch, then the clip may be released from engagement with the switch body by inserting the prongs of a release tool along the grooves 13 to raise the clip portions 10 and pawl portions 11 from engagement with the ratchet teeth so that the switch can be removed from the front of the panel.

As indicated above, the present invention is not restricted to fixing key operated switches to a panel but may be used to fix any component to a panel, plate or the like, provided the component is formed with or provided with ratchet teeth, and in this connection it is to be appreciated that the ratchet teeth may be formed in a separate member which is then secured to the component body rather than being actually formed in the body of the component. It will further be appreciated that where the component has a cross-section other than the square cross-section shownin the drawings, the clip frame (7, 8, 9) will be of complementary shape.

Claims

CLAiMS

1. A component of the kind set forth and a clip therefor, wherein the body of the component is formed or provided with at least one region comprising ratchet teeth, and wherein the clip is a frame member defining an aperture substantially complementary to the cross-section of the body of the component, there being at least one clip portion extending transversely from said frame and terminating in a panel portion engageable in the ratchet teeth of the body when the component is in position to prevent removal thereof.

2. A component and clip as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the component is formed with two regions of ratchet teeth and wherein the clip has two clip portions.

3. A component and clip as claimed in Claim 1 or2, wherein the component has an elongated body of square cross-section and the opposite sides of the body are formed or provided with ratchet teeth.

4. A component and clip as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the clip is in the form of a substantially square frame, each of a first pair of opposite sides of said frame having a central portion from which the remainder of the sides are bent away so that the other pair of opposite sides lies substantially in a plane spaced from and parallel to a plane in which said central portions lie.

5. A component and clip as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the clip is made of spring elastic material.

6. A component and clip as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the clip is made of spring stainless steel.

7. A component and clip as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the clip is made of nylon.

8. A component and clip as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the region(s) comprising ratchet teeth is (are) formed in a member separate from the component, which member is secured to the component.

9. A component and clip as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the or each region of ratchet teeth is formed with a groove extending normal to the teeth.

10. A component of the kind set forth and a clip therefor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.